Mexico

No. US passport holders can enter visa-free for up to 180 days. You'll receive a Forma Migratoria Múltiple (FMM) on arrival — keep it; you hand it back on departure. Mexico also accepts US passport cards for land borders but not flights.

CDMX alone justifies 5–6 days. Add 5 days for the Yucatán (Mérida, cenotes, Chichén Itzá, Tulum) for a classic 10-day trip. Oaxaca deserves its own 4–5 days. Baja California Sur (Cabo, La Paz) is a separate week-long trip. Mexico is too big for a single-trip overview.

Tourist areas (CDMX centre, Yucatán, Oaxaca, Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos) are generally safe — millions visit each year without incident. State-level risks vary dramatically; check the US State Department advisories before visiting border states or certain Pacific states. Standard city precautions apply everywhere.

One of the Americas' best travel values. Mid-range daily budget runs $70–120 per person — 3-star hotel, tacos and sit-down meals, transit. Shoestring: $35–55 with hostels and street food. Los Cabos and Tulum are exceptions — both run $200–300/day mid-range, often more than US domestic travel.

In tourist areas (CDMX zona centro, Tulum, Cabo, Playa del Carmen), English gets you by. Outside tourist zones, basic Spanish is essential — most menus, taxi drivers, and family-run businesses don't have English. Google Translate's camera mode covers menu gaps effectively.

No — drink bottled or filtered water throughout. High-end hotels and restaurants use filtered water for ice and cooking; most locals and mid-range spots don't. Carry a reusable bottle and refill from the 'garrafón' (large water jug) most accommodations provide. Avoid ice at street stalls.