Complete Guide to Entering Mexico by Land, Sea, or Air

Mexico, a Latin American country famous for its heritage sites, Mayan temples, and pristine beaches, ranks sixth in the most-visited countries list (2022). International travelers can enter the country via air, road, and water, but certain travel authorizations do not permit entry by water or land. A Latin American country famous for its heritage sites, Mayan temples, and pristine beaches, Mexico attracts tourists from across the world. Mexico ranks sixth in the most-visited countries list (2022). International travelers can enter the country via air, road, and water. However, certain travel authorizations (for example an electronic travel authorization) issued by the government of Mexico do not permit foreigners to enter the country by water or land. Foreign nationals arriving in the country with a Mexico ETA can enter only through an international airport in the country. Read on to know more about the entry points to Mexico.

Like most countries, airports are the main entry points to Mexico. There are around 100 airports in the country. Foreigners must choose a port of entry that is best suited for them and closer to the tourist destinations that they intend to explore. The experiences at the immigration counter at the very beginning of the trip may impact the entire holiday. Here’s what travelers can expect in some of the prominent airports in the country. Update: Travelers no longer need the Tourist Card for air arrivals. Ukrainian travelers are eligible for the ETA document. Airports in and around the Mexico city The capital of the country, Mexico City receives the maximum number of international tourists. A thriving metropolitan city in Mexico, it has many heritage sites that attract travelers. Mexico City is also one of the major transit points on the continent. The city is also home to the top international airports in the country. Following are the major airports in and in the vicinity of the capital city of Mexico. Apart from tourists, business travelers also prefer these airports. The Cancun International Airport (IAIA Code CUN) The international airport of Cancun ranks third in the list of busiest airports in Latin America. It is also the second busiest airport in the country and handles over 20,000,000 passengers in a year. The airport has two runways that are parallel to each other and four terminals. Direct flights of airlines including Air Canada, Virgin Atlantic, and British Airways operate from this airport to over 20 foreign destinations.

Entering Mexico by sea Mexico has a vast coastline that is over 9000 kilometers long. Travelers from visa-free countries can enter the country without a visa by boat and cruise ships. Foreign travelers visiting Mexico on a cruise ship do not need a visa, a consular stamp, or an entry stamp to disembark at a Mexican seaport and to visit surrounding zones. They are required to continue their journey on the same ship. They have to, however, carry their passports with a minimum validity of six months. Travelers on a cruise ship will be granted collective entry permission as a visitor without permission to conduct gainful activities. Citizens of the US can travel to Mexico’s permitted ports on a boat or ship without a visa. If they want to stay in the country for a few days, they are required to visit the office of the National Migration Institute and get an official entry card or FMM (Forma Migratoria Multiple). Mexican police can ask them to show their passports and FMMs. Major Seaports in Mexico are as follows: Port of Manzanillo, Port of Ensenada, and Port of Veracruz. Additionally, US citizens or permanent residents do not need a visa to cross Mexican land borders. They need to carry their passports which are valid for at least six months. If they plan to travel beyond the border zone, they can get the FMM form from Natvisa. With an FMM, a US citizen can stay in the country for up to six months.