Complete Guide to Traveling to Mexico from New Zealand: Everything you need to know [2025]

Mexico sits atop many New Zealander’s travel wishlists with its rich history, stunning topography, and lively cities. Whether you are planning to study, work, or simply peruse its plethora of attractions, many unforgettable adventures lie ahead. What’s more, jetting to Mexico is relatively easy if you have a NZ passport as you can enter without a visa for short stays.

Read on to find out about visa requirements, customs rules, and finance advice when travelling from New Zealand to Mexico. We'll also introduce the Wise travel card – your perfect companion for managing expenses on your travels abroad. Wise offers the mid-market exchange rate with no markups and transparent fees to help save on international transactions.

Table of contents
NZ to Mexico Travel Requirements Applying for Mexico Visa from NZ Flying to Mexico from NZ Checklist for NZ to Mexico Travel Managing Your Finances in Mexico Cash Considerations Using Your NZ Cards in Mexico Wise Travel Card for Mexico

---

New Zealand to Mexico Travel Requirements

If you want to visit Mexico to see the sights and enjoy its vibrant culture, you can stay for tourist purposes for 180 days without a visa¹. This also covers business activities such as meetings and conferences. However, you will need to apply for a visa if you are planning to work or study in Mexico.

Visa-free arrangements are for 3 months only. Anyone wanting to remain in the country for longer must acquire a temporary resident visa, which is valid for up to 4 years².

Mexico Visa for New Zealand Citizens

New Zealand citizens with a passport do not require a visitor visa when travelling to Mexico as a tourist for 180 days or less. You can simply fly to the country and pass through immigration. However, you might need to show authorities your return ticket, accommodation bookings, and proof of finances.

There are three other common types of visa for other visits:

Visa Type	Purpose	Validity
Working holiday	Work and recreation for 18 to 30-year-olds	1 year with maximum 3 months at a single employer
Student	Academic purposes at a recognised educational institution	Duration of course after applying for temporary resident card on arrival
Temporary resident	Living arrangements longer than 180 days	Up to 4 years after applying for temporary resident card on arrival

Unlike most other countries, Mexico doesn’t have a work-specific visa for employment. If you are planning to work, you must apply for a temporary resident visa and then acquire the relevant work permissions from the National Institute of Immigration².

There is also an entry tax of 20 USD for visitors entering the country by land or sea. This fee is already included in any flights to Mexico.

Mexico Visa for New Zealand Residence Permit holders

Non-NZ citizens with a visa issued by Immigration New Zealand can apply for a visa to enter Mexico². However, you will still need to submit a valid passport during the application process. Mexican authorities state that only permanent residents from select countries qualify for visa exemptions.

If you are unsure what you need to do to travel to Mexico as a resident permit holder, contact the Mexican Embassy directly in Wellington.

Applying for Mexico Visa from New Zealand

As we’ve established, you don’t need to apply for a visa for short-term stays. You are free to visit Mexico and explore its iconic Mayan ruins and meet up with any friends or relatives for up to three months.

There’s a lot more paperwork to sort for study and work, though. Here’s a quick step-by-step guide for applying for a visa in Mexico.

1. Visit the official website for Mexico’s Embassy in New Zealand
2. Look through the requirements for applying for a relevant visa
3. Gather documents including:
   1. Passport valid for six months from the date of entry into Mexico
   2. 1 passport-sized photo
   3. Proof of financial situation such as bank statements
4. Send all documents to consularnze@sre.gob.mx in PDF format
5. Wait for authorities to review documents and contact you to schedule an appointment
6. Bring all original documents to the appointment or interview at the Embassy of Mexico in Wellington

All appointments must be attended in person. You won’t be able to complete an application via video calls². The documents and requirements for each visa also differ slightly. Make sure you click through to the right visa type on the official website for full details.

There are two Mexican consulates based in Auckland and Christchurch. However, all appointments must be attended in Wellington. The address is as follows³:

Embassy	Address	Contact
Embassy of Mexico in Wellington	Level 2, AMP Chambers 185-187, Featherston St, 6011	+64-4-472-0555

Flying to Mexico from New Zealand

You can’t fly from New Zealand to Mexico directly, so you will need to plan for a stop or two on the way. The most popular layover spots are based in the United States. Several airlines operate routes with connecting flights. These include:

• Air New Zealand
• American Airlines
• Qantas
• LATAM Airlines

Most flights land in Mexico City — the capital and largest city. The duration of flights differs depending on the layover. One of the fastest routes departs from Auckland to San Francisco, with a connecting flight to the final destination. This takes around 19 hours.

If you are travelling through the USA, you will need to get an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA)⁴.

What can I bring into Mexico

While Mexico is welcoming to visitors, it operates stringent customs rules. You must complete an online customs form to declare any goods beyond the limits set by authorities. Some products you won’t be able to bring in include firearms, and drugs such as marijuana and opium extracts⁵.

You must declare any cash or cheques with a total value of 10,000 USD or more. Mexico is very strict in this regard — heavy fines and even prison sentences are handed out for failing to declare and prove the lawful origin of large quantities of money⁶.

Duty-free allowances include⁷:

• Merchandise other than personal luggage up to 500 USD
• Up to 10 cigarette packs, 25 cigars, or 200g of tobacco
• Up to 3L of alcohol and 6L of wine
• 2 cameras or video cameras

We highly recommend reviewing the official customs and immigration advice provided by Mexico before travelling.

Document to carry before flying to Mexico

Safely entering Mexico will also require a few essential documents. You should have these at hand when arriving.

• Valid passport: Your passport must have at least six months left on it from the arrival date in Mexico
• Visa (if required): You must present a visa on arrival if you don’t qualify for visa exemptions
• Supporting documents: Immigration authorities may ask for a bank statement to prove your financial solvency, and to see a return ticket and hotel bookings
• Travel insurance: Print off a copy of your travel insurance policy and take a photo of it with your smartphone to easily show coverage details

At the time of writing, there are no mandatory requirements for health certificates or vaccination records.

Checklist for New Zealand to Mexico Travel

Now it’s time to start thinking about things that will make your day-to-day life easier in Mexico.

1. Bring travel adapters and power bank

Mexico uses the same plugs as the United States — Type A and B. Make sure to have a few travel adapters to charge your devices and a power bank. These can be useful for longer flights and layovers en route to your destination, too.

2. Consider mobile connectivity options

You can roam on most NZ SIM cards, but it will be expensive depending on the length of your trip. One NZ SIM, for example, offers a $9 a day, per device service for using data, calls, and texts in Mexico, where a 4G service is available⁸.

It will probably be cheaper to opt for either an eSIM or local prepaid SIM. You also get the bonus of better network coverage. A few eSIM options you can buy before travelling include Airalo, Nomad, Holafly, and GigSky. You can also pick up a local SIM at the airport on arrival or at a convenience store.

3. Pack appropriate clothing for climate

Mexico has a tropical climate. The hottest months are between May and September, but it can be cooler during the winter, especially at night. If you are going during summer, pack lightweight clothing as it will be hot and humid. However, you might need warmer tops for high-altitude areas like Mexico City.

4. Don’t forget health and safety items

Reef-safe sunscreen is a must in Mexico where the sun shines for most of the year. Also pack in a sun hat or cap, flip-flops or sandals, insect repellent and basic bandages and sticking plasters. A rain jacket is also useful, especially if you are travelling during the rainy season (May to October).

5. Travel Insurance for Mexico

Exploring new countries is exciting, but never travel without insurance. The right policy will ensure you are covered for medical emergencies and other unforeseen events. You can also tailor coverage depending on the length of your stay.

Read our guide on travel insurance in New Zealand to find the best policies available.

Managing Your Finances in Mexico

You will need cash and cards in Mexico. Here’s how to make the most of your money during your stay.

Cash Considerations

The local currency in Mexico is the Mexican peso (MXN). We advise carrying some cash as smaller vendors and family-run restaurants and hotels are unlikely to accept cards. Tipping is also customary in Mexico, making it worthwhile to have notes and coins at hand.

You won’t have trouble finding an ATM. However, remember to pay in the local currency and not NZD to avoid exorbitant conversion fees. And steer clear of airports and local exchange desks when converting large amounts of currency as there can be hidden charges. For some helpful tips, check out our guide to avoiding foreign ATM fees when traveling abroad 📹

As you are likely to be using cash regularly during your stay, remember to divide it up and keep it tucked away in bags and a money belt.

Using Your NZD Debit/Credit Cards

Apple Pay and Google Wallet are officially supported in Mexico, so iPhone and Android users won’t have any trouble paying contactless in locations with card terminals^{10, 11}.

You can pay for things using your NZD cards in Mexico - However, coverage might be patchy. You will need to be mindful about the foreign transaction fee and the markups on foreign currency exchange with your provider⁹.

Using a multi-currency travel card such as Wise is an excellent alternative with transparent exchange rates and low fees. Available for residents of New Zealand and supported countries, Wise offers the mid-market rate on currency conversions, which is the usually the same rate you see on Google, ensuring that you don’t lose money to extra fees or hidden mark-ups.

Save on Mexican Peso Transactions and Swipe like a local with Wise

Wise offers a convenient travel card and money transfer services that make managing your finances abroad a breeze. The Wise card lets you spend like a local in over 150+ countries.

Get started with Wise 🚀

Here's why Wise is a great choice for your international travels:

• Excellent exchange rates: Always get the mid-market exchange rate – the same one you usually see on Google – so you get the most out of your money.
• Low, transparent fees: Say goodbye to hidden charges and hefty markups. Wise keeps its fees low and transparent, so you know exactly what you're paying.
• Convenient card and app: Use your Wise card to swipe like a local in supported countries. Manage your money, track spending, and even freeze your card if needed, all through the Wise app.
• Cash withdrawals: Easily withdraw cash from supported ATMs abroad with low, transparent fees. But be mindful that ATM providers may charge their own cash withdrawal fees.
• International transfers: Send money abroad with the same mid-market exchange rates and low fees.

Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.

---

Sources:

1. Tourist Visa - Mexican Consulate
2. Visa Information for Foreigners - Mexican Embassy in New Zealand
3. Embassy of Mexico
4. Visa Waiver Program and ESTA FAQ
5. Customs and Migration Information - Mexican Consulate in the United Kingdom
6. What Objects Can I Bring in My Luggage to Mexico?
7. Merchandise Allowed to Enter Mexico - SAT
8. Daily Roaming - One NZ
9. Travel Money - ANZ New Zealand
10. Locate a Family Member in a Crisis
11. Pay in Store with Google Pay