Melanie & Juan

When Should I Book My Flights & Hotel?

To ensure a smooth trip for our April 16 wedding, we suggest locking in your travel plans by January at the latest. Airlines typically have their best inventory and pricing windows open several months ahead. We recommend using Google Flights to compare carriers flying into Monterrey, and don't forget to set up a price alert so Google can notify you when the lowest fares become available.

When Should I Arrive in Monterrey?

We recommend arriving 1 or 2 days before the 15th — we are hosting a welcome dinner on Thursday April 15th. This gives you time to check in, settle in, and enjoy Monterrey before the celebrations. We recommend allowing yourself some extra time in case of flight delays or jet lag.

Electricity

Mexico uses Type A & B plugs (same as the US and Canada). Voltage: 127V · Frequency: 60Hz. Coming from Europe, Australia, New Zealand or the UK? Check your device label before travelling. If it says 100–240V, 50/60Hz, you only need a physical plug adapter. If it says 220–240V only, you’ll need a voltage transformer to use it in Mexico. This is especially important for hair dryers, straighteners, shavers and other high-powered appliances.

Can I Drink the Tap Water?

During your stay, we recommend drinking bottled or filtered water, which is inexpensive and readily available everywhere in Monterrey. Safe drinking water will be provided at your hotel, all restaurants, and our wedding venue. While Monterrey's tap water is treated and technically safe, it has a high chlorine taste, so bottled or filtered options are much more pleasant.

Currency

The local currency is the Mexican Peso (MXN). Credit and debit cards are widely accepted at hotels, restaurants, shopping centres, and most businesses. We recommend carrying a small amount of cash for street vendors, and emergencies.

Exchange Rates

Exchange rates fluctuate daily, so we recommend checking the current rate before you travel. Currency exchange is available at the airport, banks, and exchange houses (“casas de cambio”), though using your bank card at a local ATM often provides one of the best exchange rates.

Credit Cards

Visa and Mastercard are accepted almost everywhere. American Express is accepted at many hotels, upscale restaurants, and larger retailers, but not everywhere — so it's a good idea to carry a Visa or Mastercard as a backup.

Tipping

• Restaurants: 15%
• Hotel housekeeping: 20 MXN per day
• Bellhops: 20–50 MXN
• Valet parking: 20–50 MXN
• Bartenders: 20–50 MXN per drink or around 10–15%

Safety

Monterrey is one of Mexico's largest business cities and is generally considered safe for visitors when using normal travel precautions.

• Use Uber or registered taxis, especially at night.
• Keep valuables out of sight.
• Stay in well-populated areas.
• Avoid carrying large amounts of cash.
• Drink responsibly and keep an eye on your belongings, as you would in any major city.

Emergency Numbers

• 911 – Police, Fire & Ambulance

Mobile Phone & eSIM

We recommend purchasing an eSim from Telcel. If you're coming from the States or Canada, check with your provider for roaming options in Mexico.

Weather in April

• Average daytime temperature: 28–32°C (82–90°F)
• Evenings: 18–22°C (64–72°F)

We recommend lightweight clothing during the day and bringing a light jacket for the evening.

Helpful Spanish Phrases

Airport Transport

You can ride an Uber to the airport, but you can't get picked up in an Uber Look for official taxi companies. Or, reach out to our trusted driver, Eduardo, +52 81 8686 2022, via whatsapp. He has a couple of vehicles and charges 700mxn for a trip to the city.

Recommended flights

Monterrey has direct flights to a lot of locations. If travelling from Vancouver, there is a direct flight with Air Canada! If travelling from New Zealand, look for connections with US airports. If travelling from South America, via panama or perú is usually cheapest, or through connections with beach cities such as Cancún or Puerto Vallarta.