Your First 48 Hours in Mexico: A New Arrival’s Guide
Key Facts
—Cover the basics first. Your first 48 hours in Mexico are about five things: clearing immigration, getting pesos, connecting your phone, reaching your accommodation safely and keeping your documents in order.
—Use the right ATM. Withdraw from a bank ATM inside the terminal (BBVA, Banorte, Santander) and decline the machine’s own conversion offer; avoid the standalone currency kiosks.
—Authorised transport only. Take the airport’s authorised prepaid taxi desk or a ride-hailing app such as Uber or DiDi, never an unmarked car touting for fares at the door.
—A SIM in minutes. Buy a Telcel, AT&T or Movistar prepaid SIM at the airport or any OXXO with just your passport, then load a data plan.
—Keep your papers safe. Photograph your passport and entry receipt; you will need them for the bank, your lease and the immigration canje.
Your First 48 Hours in Mexico: The Priorities
Your first 48 hours in Mexico set the tone for everything that follows, so keep them simple. Clear immigration calmly, get local cash, connect your phone, reach your accommodation safely and protect your documents. Everything else can wait a few days.
Keep your passport and entry receipt together and photograph them, so a lost original does not derail your bank or immigration paperwork later.
From the Airport: Money and Transport
Withdraw pesos from a bank ATM inside the terminal rather than a standalone currency kiosk, which carries poor rates and high fees. Take only what you need and decline the machine’s conversion offer, which adds a hidden markup.
For transport, use the airport’s authorised taxi desk, where you prepay by zone, or a ride-hailing app like Uber or DiDi. Avoid unmarked cars offering rides at the arrivals door.
Getting Connected: SIM and Internet
A local SIM is the fastest way to feel settled. Telcel has the widest coverage; AT&T and Movistar are alternatives. You can buy and top up a prepaid SIM at the airport, any OXXO convenience store or a phone shop, usually with just your passport.
Load a data plan (a paquete) so you have maps and messaging from your first taxi ride onward.
Staying Safe and Settling In
Stick to registered transport, especially at night, and share your trip in the app. Drink bottled or filtered water rather than tap, and in Mexico City take the altitude gently for a day or two.
Save your accommodation address in Spanish and keep it written down in case your phone dies.
Your 48-Hour Checklist
Run through this before the two days are out.
| Task | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Store and photograph documents | Backup if originals are lost |
| Get pesos from a bank ATM | Better rates, lower fees |
| Buy a SIM and data plan | Maps, ride-hailing, messaging |
| Install Uber and DiDi | Safe, cashless transport |
| Save your address offline | Works if your phone dies |
| Stick to bottled water | Avoid an upset stomach |
What Comes Next
Once the essentials are handled, the bigger tasks begin: completing your residency at INM and obtaining your CURP and RFC. Tackle those in your first weeks, not your first days.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get from a Mexican airport to the city safely?
Use the airport’s authorised prepaid taxi desk or a ride-hailing app such as Uber or DiDi. Avoid unmarked cars that approach you at arrivals.
Do I need cash, or can I use cards in Mexico?
Cards work in many places, but cash is essential for taxis, markets and small shops. Withdraw pesos from a bank ATM on arrival rather than exchanging at a kiosk.
Where can I buy a SIM card when I land?
At the airport, any OXXO convenience store or a phone shop. Telcel has the widest coverage; bring your passport and ask for a prepaid SIM with a data plan.
Is the tap water safe to drink in Mexico?
Most expats drink bottled or filtered water. Many homes use a garrafón (large refillable bottle) and water-delivery services.
Will the altitude in Mexico City affect me?
Mexico City sits at about 2,240 metres, so some people feel short of breath or tired at first. Take it easy, hydrate and limit alcohol for a day or two.
What documents should I keep on me in the first days?
Carry your passport and entry receipt, and keep photographed copies on your phone and in the cloud. You will need them for banking, leases and your immigration canje.
Next in the series
- Living in Mexico: the complete 2026 expat guide
- 02 — Your CURP and RFC: The Numbers That Unlock Mexico
- 03 — Residency in Mexico: Temporary vs Permanent
- 05 — Open a Bank Account in Mexico as a Foreigner
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