Mexico
About
| While many nations live to work, Mexico does the opposite. The people are vivacious lovers of free time and socialising, and work will never have the importance that friends and family do. The high, scenic and often snow-capped volcanic peaks of Popocatépetl and Nevado de Toluca make for memorable climbs. You can even go scuba-diving in their spectacular water-filled craters. Mexico's Day of the Dead is actually a two-day festival. On 1 November, angelitos (dead children) are remembered, and the next day, dead adults. Celebrations range from sombre and quiet affairs with candlelit visits to cemeteries, to raucous remembrances. A Beach Party is perfect for those with a ticket to one of Cancún's 15,000-capacity beach parties will want to sleep all day as they will need all the energy they can get. Take a break for sunrise. Boiling water and a frozen waterfall can be seen at the Hierve el Agua mineral springs, near San Lorenzo Albarradas. Water percolates calcium carbonate and magnesium, creating bubbles and, where the spring pours down a cliff face, mineral deposits have formed a petrified cascade. |
|
| Capital: | Mexico City (MEX) |
| Currency: | Mexican Peso (MXN) |
| Language: | Spanish. English is widely spoken. |
| Dialling code from SA: | + 52 |
| Time Zones: | UTC/GMT -6 hours to UTC/GMT -8 hours Pacific Time Zone: UTC/GMT -8 hours (10 hours behind South Africa ) Mountain Time Zone: UTC/GMT -7 hours (9 hours behind South Africa) Central Time Zone: UTC/GMT -6 hours (8 hours behind South Africa) |
| Daylight Savings Time: | (only observed by some states) from 1st Sunday April – last Sunday October: clocks move forward 1 hour |
| Side of the Road: | Right |
| Best time to go: | Year Round. October – May offers the best weather for beach resorts, hurricane season is from June – November. June – September can be humid. |
| Best For: | Beach Resorts, Archaeological Sites |
| Plugs: | 110 volts AC, 60Hz. American two-pin (flat) plugs are usual, but most sockets cannot accept a US-style three-pin plug. |
| Drinking Water: | All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Milk is pasteurised in main cities, but elsewhere should be boiled first. |
| Health: | There are adequate and well-equipped medical facilities, however visitors are required to pay for these services. Comprehensive health insurance is recommended. |
| Customs: | Not tipping is frowned upon. |
| Local Offences / Laws: | Smoking is banned in public areas. |
| Travel Tips / Warnings: | Women travelling alone should be alert. |
| Duty Free: | The following goods may be brought into Mexico by travellers over 18 years of age without incurring customs duty: • 200 cigarettes or 25 cigars or 200g of tobacco • 3L of spirits and 6L of wine • Other goods to the value of US$300 (if arriving by air) or US$75 (if arriving by land). |
| Prohibited Imports: | Prohibited items include narcotics, turtle eggs or skins, stamps or transfers containing drawings depicting childhood in a degrading manner, some insecticides and some fish. Restricted items include firearms and ammunition, which must be accompanied by a permit from the Ministry of Economy and the Ministry of National Defence. |
| Prohibited Exports: | Archaeological artefacts. |
Issuing Authorities
Embassy of Mexico
Parkdev Building, Brooklyn Bridge, 570 Fehrsen Street, Brooklyn, 0181
Tel: 012 460 1004
E-mail: consularsud@sre.gob.mx
Web: www.mexico.org.za
Also accredited to: Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
NOTE: Visa applications by prior appointment only, and must be attended in person. Travellers may apply at any Mexican consulate office worldwide.
Public Holidays 2025: Jan 1; Feb 3; Mar 17; Apr 17-18; May 1; Sep 16; Nov 17; Dec 12, 25
Public Holidays 2026: Jan 1; Feb 2; Mar 16; Apr 2-3; May 1; Sep 16; Nov 16; Dec 12, 25
Visa Requirements
South African passport holders require a visa, including for transit purposes
- Please note that travellers who wish to visit Mexico (regardless of their nationality or itinerary), holding a valid, multiple entry visa for the United States of America, Canada, Japan, the United Kingdom or the Schengen Space countries do not need to apply for a visa, but it is recommended to check with your airline first as they may not allow you to board without a visa for Mexico.
NOTE:
- Visa applications must be done in person in Pretoria, and not via a 3rd party
- A prior appointment must be made, and are only scheduled after pre-assessment of necessary documents
- Early application is recommended (about 2 months prior to arrival)
- "Original" refers to a document signed/stamped in ink, and not to an electronic/digitalized version.
REQUIREMENTS:
- 1 x Application form - must be signed by applicant [available for download]
- 1 x passport-size color photograph (4,5 cm by 3,5 cm), no eyeglasses, on white background, glued to the application form in the allocated area.
- Original valid passport and one color photocopy of the pages containing personal information.
- If applicable, valid proof of legal residence/entry in South Africa and one photocopy (eg. permit, visa, or immigration entry stamp)
- Travel Plans (if available) - flights, accommodation, tour operator
- Proof of Financial Solvency (3 month bank statements and letter of employment, or original letter of invitation)
- MINORS: Children’s applications require a copy of their unabridged birth certificate (The child and both parents need to be present at the appointment, or provide an affidavit from the police that grants permission from the other parent to apply for a visa and to travel abroad with the child.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
Send one email per applicant to consularsud@sre.gob.mx - this email must contain all the required documents in PDF. Ensure all PDF documents are renamed according to document type.
- Once received, a pre-assessment will be conducted. This is not considered a submission of your application.
- You will receive a response regarding whether or not you qualify for an appointment, and the proposed date and timeslot if you qualify. Appointments are on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 am to 12:30pm. Each applicant requires their own timeslot for their appointment.
- At the appointment, an interview will be conducted and biometrics taken.
COLLECTIONS:
- Collection times are between 11 am and 12:30 pm on weekdays.
- If not present for collection, you may organize a courier company to collect your passport on your behalf. Email consularsud@sre.gob.mx to arrange this.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
A visa does not guarantee entry into Mexico. At the point of entry, Mexican immigration authorities may ask details regarding purpose of travel, accommodation arrangements, available funds and departure date. It is recommended to carry proof of travel arrangements with you.
Visa Processing Time
Approximately 10 working days.
It is recommended to apply 2 months prior to travel.
Visa Validity
6 Months
Visa Cost
Tourist, business and transit visas are free for South African Passport Holders for short-stay visits.
SA Representative
South African Embassy
Andrés Bello 10, Piso 9, Edificio FORUM, Colonia Polanco, Delegación Miguel Hidalgo, 11560
Tel: +52 55 1100 4970
Email: contacto@embajadasudafrica.mx
Web:embajadasudafrica.mx
*Also accredited to Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Panama
Travel Health
| Compulsory: | None |
| Recommended Travel Vaccines: | Hepatitis A & B, Rabies, Tetanus, Polio |
| Malaria Risk |
