The Colectivo Guide: How to Use Mexico's Shared Minibuses
Colectivos are Mexico's shared minibuses: far cheaper than taxis, faster than buses, and used everywhere by locals. Here's how they work.
Transport, costs, visa requirements, safety, and timing: everything you need to plan a Mexico trip without guesswork.
Colectivos are Mexico's shared minibuses: far cheaper than taxis, faster than buses, and used everywhere by locals. Here's how they work.
Best places to live in Mexico compared by climate, cost and safety. Oaxaca leads for culture; Merida for value; Puerto Vallarta for beach living.
Living in Mexico costs expats USD 1,200-3,500/month depending on city and lifestyle. Full monthly budget breakdown for budget, mid and comfortable tiers.
Retiring in Mexico costs USD 1,500-2,800/month depending on city. Visa options, healthcare, and the best cities for expat retirees explained.
Rent a car in Mexico confidently - insurance rules, Pemex fuel grades, cuota vs libre trade-offs, speed cameras, and the Yucatán circuit route.
Best eSIM for Mexico in 2026: Airalo plans, Telcel vs AT&T Mexico coverage by region, airport SIM counters, and data prices in MXN and USD.
Cozumel airport transfer: taxis and colectivos from CZM to San Miguel town, beachfront resorts and dive sites, with 2026 fares.
La Paz airport transfer: taxis, private cars and car rental from LAP to the Malecon, city hotels and Baja Sur dive sites, with 2026 fares.
Puerto Escondido airport transfer: taxis, shuttles and private cars from PXM to Zicatela, Adoquin and La Punta, with 2026 fares.
Zihuatanejo airport transfer: taxis, colectivos and private cars from ZIH to Zihuatanejo town, Ixtapa and local beaches, with 2026 fares.
Huatulco airport transfer: taxis, shuttles and private cars from HUX to La Crucecita, Tangolunda and the nine bays, with 2026 prices.
Get from Mazatlán Airport (MZT) to Zona Dorada, the historic centre, and Marina El Cid. Taxi, shuttle, and private transfer options with prices.
Guadalajara airport transfer: taxis, private shuttles and buses from GDL to the city centre, Tlaquepaque and Zapopan, with 2026 prices.
Merida airport (MID) to the Historic Centre: authorised taxis, colectivos and private transfers with fixed 2026 rates and journey times.
Oaxaca airport transfer: authorised taxis, private shuttles and colectivos from OAX to the city centre, with 2026 fixed rates and scam warnings.
Cancún wins for all-inclusive resorts and nightlife; Playa del Carmen wins for boutique hotels, café culture, and Riviera Maya day-trip access.
Mexico City wins for museums and dining scale; Guadalajara wins for tequila, birria and a calmer pace. Costs and highlights compared.
Los Cabos wins for luxury fishing, golf and Baja desert scenery; Puerto Vallarta wins for old town food, surf access and mid-range value.
Oaxaca vs Mérida: Oaxaca wins for food, mezcal and culture; Mérida wins for ruins and cenotes. Side-by-side costs, seasons and 2026 verdict.
Mexico City wins for world-class museums, nightlife and scale; Oaxaca wins for mezcal, mole and artisan markets. 2026 safety, costs and verdict.
Mexico wins for ruins, beaches and food culture; Colombia wins for Cartagena's old town, the coffee region and Medellin. 2026 costs and safety compared.
Mexico wins for beach variety, ancient ruins, and cuisine; Costa Rica wins for wildlife density, national parks, and Pacific jungle experiences.
Puerto Vallarta wins for old town charm, seafood and whale watching; Cancun wins for resort variety, nightlife and Yucatan day trips.
San Miguel de Allende wins for boutique hotels and gallery culture; Guanajuato wins for coloured hillsides, student energy, and better value.
Tulum wins for eco-lodges, cenotes and Mayan ruins; Los Cabos wins for luxury resorts, whale watching and Baja Pacific scenery.
Cozumel, Isla Mujeres and Holbox ferries run from Puerto Morelos, Cancun and Chiquila - fares, operators, schedules and crossing times.
Lower prices, whale sharks, and lush green landscapes are Mexico's summer upside. Regional breakdown for June, July, August, and September.
Renting a car in Yucatán unlocks cenotes and ruins on your schedule - Mexican insurance rules, toll roads, cenote loops, and rental desk traps.
DÃa de Muertos at its most authentic in Oaxaca, Mixquic, and Pátzcuaro - festival dates, cemetery vigil traditions, and practical planning tips.
Family travel in Mexico - which destinations work best with kids, safety tips, kid-friendly activities, and practical advice for all ages.
Mexico festivals calendar - Day of the Dead, Carnaval, Guelaguetza, Independence Day, and month-by-month guide to events across the country.
Mexico honeymoon guide - romantic resorts, jungle eco-lodges, clifftop villas, and colonial towns, with destination picks for every budget.
Tulum airport transfer: ADO bus, shared shuttle and private taxi from TQO to Tulum hotels, with 2026 prices and journey times.
Mexico's hurricane season runs June-November, peaking Aug-Oct 2026. Caribbean and Pacific coast risks, safe inland alternatives, and travel insurance tips.
Mexico's Tren Maya: full route map, all stations from Cancún to Palenque, ticket prices from MXN 300, booking tips, and how it compares to ADO buses.
Cancun airport transfer: ADO bus, shared shuttle or private car to the Hotel Zone, Playa del Carmen and Tulum. 2026 prices and booking tips.
Cancun wins for nightlife, cenotes and Yucatan day trips; Los Cabos wins for luxury resorts, whale watching and Baja desert scenery.
Cancun wins for nightlife and all-inclusives; Tulum wins for eco-chic, cenotes, and ruins. Beaches, cost, transport, and vibe compared for 2026.
Staying healthy in Mexico: bottled water is essential, altitude affects Mexico City, dengue risk is real - vaccinations and medical care explained.
Los Cabos airport (SJD) to Cabo San Lucas, San Jose del Cabo and the Corridor: private shuttle, taxi and shared van options with 2026 prices.
Mexico City airport transfer: authorised taxis, Uber, Metrobus and AIFA from AICM to the city centre, with 2026 prices and scam warnings.
Oaxaca wins for food, mezcal and Zapotec culture; San Cristobal wins for Chiapas highlands, indigenous markets and lower costs. Verdict inside.
Playa del Carmen wins for infrastructure, nightlife, and Cozumel ferry access; Tulum wins for cenotes, eco-lodges, and Mayan ruins.
Puerto Vallarta airport transfer: taxis, buses and private shuttles from PVR to the Hotel Zone, Old Town and Riviera Nayarit, with 2026 prices.
Tipping in Mexico: how much to tip at restaurants, hotels, taxis, tours and for street food, plus Mexican cultural etiquette for travellers.
FIFA World Cup 2026 in Mexico: match schedules at Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey stadiums, fan zones, transport and entry requirements.
Essential Mexican Spanish phrases for travelling in Mexico. Learn greetings, food words, and useful local expressions beyond textbook Spanish.
Booking flights to Mexico: best airports to fly into, recommended airlines, when to book for cheap fares, and multi-destination routing options.
Mexico is one of the world's top solo travel destinations - safest cities for women, budget hostels, group tours, and tips for travelling alone.
Best time to visit Mexico: dry vs rainy season, Caribbean hurricane risk and the best months for beaches, ruins and Dia de Muertos.
Everything first-time visitors to Mexico need: visa rules, entry cards, safe eating tips, getting SIM cards, transport options, and currency advice.
Mexico flight delay rights: EU261 pays up to EUR 600 on European routes; how to claim against Aeromexico for domestic cancellations and delays.
Mexican food guide: regional cuisines, essential dishes, street food, drinks, and what separates Oaxacan, Yucatecan, and central Mexican cooking.
Getting around Mexico: ADO first-class bus network, domestic flights, colectivos, Uber and which routes are worth the overnight journey.
Mexico daily budgets from USD 30 (backpacker) to USD 120 (comfort) - accommodation, food, transport and activities broken down by city.
Mexican pesos guide: exchange rates, best ways to get cash, whether to use USD, avoiding bad exchange kiosks, and card acceptance in Mexico.
Semana Santa is Mexico's biggest travel week - book well ahead. Dry skies dominate nationwide in April, with spring break crowds and rising prices.
Whale sharks still run and sea turtle nesting peaks in August. Prices drop across Mexico; stay west if Caribbean hurricane risk concerns you.
Posadas, Christmas markets, and Mexico's best beach conditions make December magical. Book early as prices peak across all resort towns.
Carnaval nationwide, Monarch butterflies at their peak, and whale watching in Baja make February one of Mexico's best months to visit.
Whale watching in Baja, clear skies across the Yucatán and Pacific, and peak resort demand make January Mexico's most sold-out month - book early.
Whale shark season peaks off Holbox in July, Guelaguetza festival runs in Oaxaca, and school holiday crowds push prices up across the coast.
Whale sharks peak off Holbox, turtle nesting begins, and prices are at their lowest in June. Just plan around afternoon rains most days.
Whale sharks arrive in the Pacific, whale watching runs in Baja, and spring break fills Cancún in March - Mexico at its driest and most in-demand.
Whale sharks begin off Holbox, Cinco de Mayo fills Puebla's streets, and prices drop nationwide - May is one of Mexico's best-value months to visit.
DÃa de Muertos draws crowds to Oaxaca, whale watching season opens in Baja, and Caribbean skies clear in November - one of Mexico's best months.
Oaxaca's best month: Dia de Muertos preparations fill the city, crowds thin and rains ease. Pacific beaches offer excellent value in October.
Low season prices and quiet resorts in September: Independence Day fills Mexico City, bioluminescence peaks, and hurricane risk remains.
Mexico visa requirements: entry rules for US, UK, EU, and Australian passport holders - tourist card (FMM), visa on arrival, and maximum stay.
Mexico packing essentials: reef-safe sunscreen, layers for highland nights, sandals for cenotes, and the gear that saves space on every trip.
Mexico safety by region: Yucatán and Oaxaca are among the safest; the Pacific and northern borders carry higher risk - the honest breakdown.
Mexico travel insurance: emergency healthcare costs MXN 50,000 or more. Compare policies covering adventure sports and medical evacuation.
Book ahead
Top-rated tours across Mexico, with instant confirmation and free cancellation on most.