You’re finally ready for that long-awaited vacation in Mexico and everything you need is packed. Tickets, boarding pass, sunscreen, passport, cool shades…double check. But there’s one more thing and a very important question to ask, “can I bring my vape to Mexico?” Well, the answer to this question is quite tricky. You can bring your vape to Mexico but it comes at a risk. So, let’s discuss this in details in this article.

Can you travel to Mexico with a vape pen?

Officially, here’s what the Mexico customs has to say about bringing in electronic cigarettes and other vaping devices into the country:

“It’s illegal to bring electronic cigarettes/vaping devices and solutions into Mexico. You could have these items confiscated by customs officials if you have them in your possession. You could also be fined or detained.”

This gives you a pretty decent idea of what they have to say about bringing your vape to Mexico. In 2022, the Mexican government put some stringent laws in place about smoking in public places. The plan was to make public spaces safer for non-smokers who are usually exposed to second-hand smoke. Therefore, the ban applies to most open areas including beaches, restaurants, resorts and bars. It’s illegal to bring in vape products into the country.

Can you sneak the vape pen in to Mexico?

You can try but the consequences may be more than this risk is actually worth. Since the ban, several people have talked about varying levels of fines when they tried to sneak a vape pen into Mexico. These fines range from $200 plus the confiscation of the vape pen to $100 payment immediately while they got to keep the vape pen. However, there have been extreme situations with fines going as high as $3000 and some facing serious jail time.

So, is it a good idea to go through all these hassle at the airport over a vape pen? I think not. It’s best not to bring your vape pen to Mexico. Instead, your safest bet is to leave it at home and buy when you arrive at your destination. This includes e-cigarettes and other related paraphernalia.

Where can I buy a vape pen in Mexico?

Although it is illegal to bring a vape pen into Mexico, some people have found their way around this and still make them available for sale within the city. You can buy a vape pen and e-juice in Mexico if you know where to look. There’s a high chance that someone will talk to you about it when you’re around popular tourist areas like Cancun as vape products are very common in Mexico. There are also vape shops that display their products on the counter and you can buy safely from them. However, this doesn’t mean that you can smoke in non-designated areas as this can have painful consequences.

What about cigarettes?

Mexico’s ban on vaping products doesn’t extend to cigarettes. Therefore, it’s safe to bring cigarettes into Mexico. Of course, there are regulations about how much an individual is allowed to bring into the country leisurely. You should have nothing more than ten packs of cigarettes on you at the airport. You can also bring a maximum of 25 cigars or 200 grams of tobacco. However, these laws all apply to individuals that are legally adults. So, if you are less than 18 years of age, you can’t bring any of these into Mexico.

Can I smoke at the airport?

If you’re traveling to Mexico, there’s a good chance you’ll be entering through the Cancun International Airport. As a major gateway for visitors and tourists, the laws on vaping are extremely strict at this airport. Most of the time, you’re not allowed to smoke directly in front of entrances and exit points. However, this doesn’t mean that smoking is completely banned at the airport. All you have to do is look out for designated areas outside the terminal buildings and you should be able to smoke your cigarettes without breaking any laws. It’s important to pay attention the rules guiding smoking at the airport to avoid paying heavy fines.

Can I smoke in hotels and resorts in Mexico?

As a visitor to Mexico, you may decide to stay in a hotel throughout your vacation or visit a few resorts for a relaxing time at the pool. However, your smoking habits may either help or harm your vacation time. The hotels and resorts around Mexico have different smoking policies, especially those in the Riviera Maya and Cancun. Therefore, it’s okay to ask questions about this before smoking. Some have designated smoking areas where guests can indulge freely.

These are usually away from communal areas that could have adverse effects on the non-smokers in the premises. However, others have decided to completely embrace the new laws on smoking. For example, the Golden Paranssus in Cancun has made its resort a hundred percent smoke-free environment. This means that smoking is prohibited across all the facilities in the hotel, including the balconies, swimming pool and beach area. Several other resorts also have the same rules. So, once again, remember to verify properly to ensure that nothing disrupts your stay in Mexico.

Is it legal to vape in Mexico?

So far, we’ve mentioned how it is illegal to bring in a vape pen into Mexico but there are a few retailers within the country permitted to sell these products. Also, some areas have a blanket ban on smoking while others have designated spaces for smokers. Does this mean it is legal to vape in Mexico? Well, the general law on tobacco control applies specifically to nicotine containing e-cigarettes, prohibiting its distribution, promotion or manufacture. Although this suggests that Mexico is pretty serious about banning the importation of vape products, the rules seem to fluctuate especially regarding sales locally. The law allows some exceptions for specific retailers around tourist areas like Cancun.

Well, this law was updated in April 2022 explicitly stating the prohibition of the import and export of electronic cigarettes and vape products. Even though you can buy vaping products from stores within the country, purchasing from the wrong person can get you in big trouble. Therefore, for the sake of your safety, it is not legal to vape in Mexico.

Can I bring my prescribed disposable vape to Mexico?

Just like almost every rule in existence, there’s an exception to this rule. If you have a medical condition where your licensed health practitioner recommended you use a vape, you may be allowed to bring your prescribed disposable vape to Mexico. This means that you have a health condition that relies on vape as the treatment. Of course, you have to prove this by traveling with all necessary supporting documents. Most importantly, your prescription should be translated into Spanish and stamped by the Mexican consulate in your home country. If you wish to travel with your disposable vape, this is one of the rare instances where it’s possible without drastic consequences. However, if you have no prescription for your disposable vape, it’s best you leave your device at home and seek other legal alternatives for your time in Mexico.

Tips for vapers in Mexico

What’s the best way to get through your vacation time in Mexico without being weighed down by the absence of your trusty vape pen? Well, you can set the tone during the preparation stages. At least a few weeks before your trip, you should start to ease yourself into alternatives like the nicotine gum so you can get more familiar with them. This will still give you the nicotine hit you need from your disposable vape pen without breaking any laws in Mexico.

Doing this before you travel helps to get you mentally prepared for your time away from vaping and you’ll have enough willpower to have an amazing time regardless. If you would rather quit completely while you’re in Mexico, that’s possible as well. This works better if you’re not spending a long time in the country. Develop a plan with your doctor on how you can quit vaping while you’re in Mexico.

The best disposable vape pen for you

Here’s the bottomline. You can’t bring your vape to Mexico and if you insist on sneaking it in, you can be caught and made to pay fines. There’s also the risk of jail time as you’ll be breaking the country’s law. So, it’s best to leave your vape pen and e-juice at home.

As soon as you’re back from your travel to Mexico, you know what time it is. You need to get back on one of the best vape products to make up for your time away from the vape pen. A top choice is the Switch Mini which has been designed with 100% convenience in mind. No need for maintenance. All you have to do is unpack this pre-charged disposable vape pen, and you’re ready to use. Of course, the flavors are diverse and fantastic, so you have numerous options. It’s also made with your comfort in mind, so you have the best of both worlds.

The Switch Mini contains 5% nicotine strength and about 300 puffs. So, whether you’re a beginner or an average vape user, this is definitely something worth checking out to get the best value from a disposable vape.