Travel comparison
Canada vs Mexico
A side-by-side look at the practical travel essentials for Canada and Mexico — power, safety, money and getting around — so you can plan or choose between them quickly.
Quick answer
Traveling between Canada and Mexico, you likely won't need a plug adapter, and a voltage converter is generally not needed for dual-voltage chargers.
| Detail | Canada | Mexico |
|---|---|---|
| Power plug | Type A/B | Type A/B |
| Voltage | 120V | 127V |
| Frequency | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| Emergency (general) | 911 | 911 |
| Police | 911 | 911 |
| Ambulance | 911 | 911 |
| Tap water | Generally safe | Use bottled water |
| Driving side | Right | Right |
| Currency | Canadian Dollar (CAD, $) | Mexican Peso (MXN, $) |
| Dialing code | +1 | +52 |
| Time zone | UTC-3:30 to UTC-8 | UTC-6 to UTC-8 |
| Best season | June to September is best for road trips, lakes and national parks. September and October are excellent for fall colours. Winter is ideal for skiing and northern-light trips, but weather can disrupt long-distance travel. | November to April is the most comfortable dry season for many beach and city trips. Summer can be hot and rainy, while hurricane risk matters for Caribbean and Pacific coastal plans from late summer into autumn. |
Full brief
Canada travel essentials
Plugs, emergency numbers, tap water, tipping and more for Canada.
Full brief
Mexico travel essentials
Plugs, emergency numbers, tap water, tipping and more for Mexico.