The Climate and Best Time to Visit
There are 2 main seasons in Mexico: the rainy season and the dry season. May through October roughly corresponds to the rainy season where there is an increased chance of hurricanes. November through June is the dry season. During this time northerly winds can blow down from the USA, meaning windier weather and choppier waters.
Altitude also plays a part. Generally the coastal regions maintain a balmy warmth all year round, despite the variations between dry and wet seasons. At altitude however, the temperatures can vary much more and can at times be positively chilly.
Mexico is a year round scuba destination although different seasons apply to the locations within the country. You can find more details on our Mexico diving destinations page.
Liveaboard Ports of Departure and How to Get There
Your first port of entry into Mexico may be close to your diving cruise port of departure. Los Cabos International Airport (a.k.a San Jose del Cabo International airport) is where Socorro customers fly into. Ensenada Internal Airport (or San Diego) services Guadalupe customers. Sea of Cortez customers often fly into Phoenix and take a land transfer to Puerto Penasco.
Otherwise the main international airport is Benito Juarez International Airport in Mexico City. Direct flights arrive here from all over the world, particularly from the Americas. There are also direct flights from European cities like London, Madrid, Paris, Frankfurt and Amsterdam and even from Tokyo. Other international airports include Tijuana, Cancun, Guadalajara and Monterrey.
Domestic flights can be booked with AeroMexico.
We recommend you consider taking out insurance to cover diving and travel activities, including trip cancellation. See our insurance program for a competitive price:

Tourist Visas
You need a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended stay as well as a return ticket.
US Citizens and citizens of the following countries do not require a visa to visit Mexico: Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, Island, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Uruguay, Venezuela.
Visitors are permitted to stay for up to 30 days and extensions may be granted when in the country. You may, although it is unlikely, be asked to prove that you have sufficient funds for your visit (USD 50 per person per day).
You will be asked to complete the Tourist Card, this will be handed to you by the airlines or you can obtain one from the Mexican Immigration upon arrival. This is a 'two part' document. It must be returned to the immigration department upon your departure. Make sure you keep it safe or even make a copy of it. You can apply for an extension on your card for up to 180 days.
You should always check with the appropriate consular authorities and check that you satisfy the relevant visa requirements. Visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' website for current details.
Places to Stay
If you plan on staying in Mexico before or after your liveaboard diving safari, then see our affiliated hotel reservation agents hotelscombined.com. Browse their website to find options, use their on-line chat to ask questions, and use your credit card to book:

Every booking made with hotelscombined.com includes a 'Low Price Guarantee' to ensure you always get value for money.
Visitor Health
Taking care with your food and drinks in Mexico is normally the key to maintaining good health. Avoiding untreated tap water and fruits that do not require peeling makes sense. You should consult your local doctor before planning a trip to discuss any vaccinations or malaria medication that may be advised. Malaria is present in some rural areas.
The worst that most travelers experience is the dreaded Montezuma's Revenge (diarrhea), named after Moctezuma II (1466-1520 BCE), the Aztec ruler defeated by the Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes. His revenge upon future foreign invaders being a bad dose of the runs.
There are several hyperbaric chambers throughout Mexico; at least one in each of Cabo San Lucas, Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, Tulum and Merida. The tourist spots all have clinics and medical centers and are used to treating foreigners for whom the costs for minor treatments are generally quite inexpensive.
Tourist Security and Safety
There is no doubt that Mexico has security problems, with battles between drug cartels and the governments, between cartels themselves and organized crime. This violence very rarely filters down to tourists who are not involved in the drug trade and we consider Mexico a safe place for liveaboard divers to travel. The most dangerous places include Nuevo Laredo, Reynosa and Ciudad Juarez, all of which are close to the US border and very far from anywhere that scuba divers would normally visit.
Of course nowhere is immune to trouble and Acapulco, a tourist destination, (also nowhere near where we recommend diving) has had its share of bad press too. The Mexican government makes considerable efforts to protect tourists, and major holiday destinations such as Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, Cabo San Lucas have historically not seen anything like the levels of drug-related violence, as the northern border regions. Being educated about where the risks lie in your travels should quell any apprehension about visiting Mexico and experiencing the country's world-class cuisine, rich culture and majestic nature.
ATMs are best avoided unless inside a bank. It's safest to always carry some cash on you for times when you won't be able to use a credit card, and you should exchange your currency before you go. Unless you're vacationing at the beach or hanging out at a resort, wear pants and sensible shoes so you don't stick out as a 'foreigner'. Don't carry your camera around your neck. Also, avoid wearing or traveling with expensive-looking jewelry or watches and don't flash your smart phone around too much.
The usual advice applies to visiting Mexico, including avoiding badly lit areas and walking alone. If you are going to be taking tours off the beaten track then you should be sure to do so with a qualified guide.