Plan
Drone rules: Mexico
Last checked: October 5, 2026
Unclear
We have no reliable official information for this country. Check with the aviation authority before you travel whether and how you may fly.
According to standard NOM-107 (clause 4.10.16), foreign operators may not fly without an intergovernmental agreement. Whether the authority also applies this to tourists has not been officially clarified.
Under standard NOM-107-SCT3-2019, registration with the aviation authority from 250 g; not below.
Not required for recreational flights, but required for commercial use.
Depending on drone weight
- From 250 g· Registration: RequiredFrom 250 g registration; maximum 122 m height and 457 m distance.
For tourists
Flying at archaeological sites such as Chichén Itzá or Tulum is prohibited without permission from the heritage authority INAH.
Further rules
- In Mexico, standard NOM-107-SCT3-2019 divides drones into weight classes: Micro up to 2 kg, Pequeño over 2 to 25 kg, Grande over 25 kg. For recreational flights with a Micro drone you need to register with the aviation authority if its take-off weight is more than 250 g.
- The standard requires third-party liability insurance for private non-commercial and commercial flights, but not for purely recreational flights.
- Important for travellers: at archaeological sites such as Chichén Itzá or Tulum, flying a drone without a separate permit from the heritage authority INAH is prohibited – something that surprises many tourists, as these places are among the most popular photo spots.
- Without a special permit, the maximum height is 122 metres (400 ft) above ground and the horizontal distance to the pilot is at most 457 metres.
- According to the standard (section 4.10.16), drones with foreign registration or flown by foreign operators may only operate in Mexico if there is a bilateral agreement between the aviation authorities. Whether this also applies to recreational flights by tourists is not officially clarified; ask the AFAC before your trip.
Sources
This overview is not legal advice and not an official statement — laws change, and we cannot guarantee that every entry is fully up to date. Before your flight, please also check the official source or the local civil aviation authority.