How Old Do You Have to Be to Drink in Mexico? Legal Drinking Age

Are you curious about the drinking age in Mexico? The location is ideal for you!

A vacation to Mexico may bring to mind images of white sand beaches, azure waters, expansive resorts, delectable Mexican cuisine, ancient ruins, and gracious warmth.

You’ll want to be aware of the legal drinking age in Mexico whether you’re traveling there for spring break or with your family and minor children.

The minimum legal drinking age in Mexico is 18 years old. To prove their age when purchasing alcohol in Mexico, young adults must present photo identification, such as a passport or driver’s license.

The legal drinking age in Mexico and possible penalties are covered in this article.

What is the Legal Drinking Age in Mexico?

The legal drinking age in Mexico is 18 years old across the entire country. Consequently, even if you aren’t old enough to drink at home, you are able to do so legally in Mexico if you’re traveling from a nation with a higher legal drinking age, such as the United States.

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Drinking Rules in Mexico

You must learn how to do it properly now that you are aware of Mexico’s legal drinking age. Even if you are of legal age, some laws still apply.

First and foremost, valid identification is still required when purchasing or consuming alcohol in Mexico. Mexico’s laws oblige bartenders and liquor store staff to ask customers to show an ID, much like the United States prohibition on drinking.

If you appear particularly young for your age, an ID may be required. Therefore, always have an ID on you when you intend to enter a liquor store or visit a bar with friends.

When drinking in Mexico, take the same precautions you would if you were out late in the US.

• Try to set a drink limit — and stick to it
• Never leave your drink unattended
• Never take pre-made drinks from a stranger
• Try to alternate between an alcoholic, like a Hennessy white, and non-alcoholic drinks, like pineapple juice
• Stay with friends
• Trust your instincts; when you don’t feel safe, move to another location or call a friend

When drinking in Mexico, tainted alcohol is another important thing to look out for. Just the previous year, about a hundred people passed away after consuming tainted liquor and adulterated alcoholic beverages.

Drinking in Hotels in Mexico

You must present your ID in Mexico to prove that you are of legal age. Anywhere you purchase alcohol, including shops and hotels, you must have this.

The retailer is permitted to request identification from the customer if they appear to be underage. Despite this, they occasionally do not strictly enforce this rule. Though it may occasionally be possible to get away with it, you cannot disregard these laws.

Drinking With Family in Mexico

In Mexico, the legal drinking age is 18. If you’re with your family or parents, you can’t drink. If the hotel knows you are underage, it is up to you whether they allow you to consume alcohol.

You must wear a colored bracelet while drinking in Mexico’s resorts or hotels as a whole. For those who are at least 18, those who are under 18, and newlyweds who are on their honeymoon, there are different colors.

The hotel can quickly determine whether a guest is over the legal drinking age thanks to this system. However, there are some hotels that genuinely care about their visitors, so parents must keep an eye on their kids when they consume alcohol at these establishments.

Discuss this in advance with your children. You can let them know how much alcohol they are permitted to consume in order to stay out of trouble.

What is the Youngest Legal Drinking Age in the World?

The legal drinking age varies from nation to nation. Aside from the distinction between the US and Mexico, the drinking age is 20 in Japan, Thailand, and Iceland, while it is 19 in South Korea and Qatar.

The legal drinking age is 18 in approximately 64% of countries around the world, including Italy. Many other countries, including Libya, Saudi Arabia, and the Maldives, have outlawed alcohol consumption altogether.

In contrast, there is no legal drinking age in Vanuatu, Togo, Burkina Faso, or Timor-Leste. The shortest legal drinking age, however, is in which nation? The legal drinking age in Mali and the Central African Republic is fifteen years old.

It doesn’t matter where you go as a tourist—in Mexico or anywhere else—drinking alcohol will always carry some risk. Practice safety at all ages, starting at 18 and on. You are, after all, on vacation, and taking it easy is a big part of that. But whenever alcohol is present, situations are open to abuse.

Take a shot (or two) of mezcal or tequila while admiring Cancun’s pristine beaches. However, make an effort to drink responsibly.

Conclusion: Legal Drinking Age in Mexico

The legal drinking age in Mexico is 18 years old, and this applies to all states in the nation. To enjoy your trip to Mexico safely and sensibly, just keep in mind to drink sensibly, use common sense, be aware of your surroundings, and adhere to the safety recommendations listed above.

The legal drinking age in Mexico might have been unclear, but hopefully, this article has helped to clarify it.

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