Drone Laws in Mexico

Restricted for visitors

Grey area. The strict reading of the rules is that only Mexican citizens/residents can register a drone or get a licence, so a visitor cannot easily fly anything over 250g. Sub-250g recreational flying is common and generally tolerated but not clearly authorised. Bringing a drone can trigger ~19% import tax.

Mexico regulates drones through AFAC, where registration and licensing are, on a strict reading, open only to citizens and residents, leaving visitors in a grey area.

This is general guidance, not legal advice. Drone rules change frequently and vary by location. Always confirm the current rules with the national aviation authority (linked below) before you fly. Last reviewed: July 2026.

Aviation authority

AFAC (under SICT)

The rules

Registration: Required for drones over 250g (free online; applicant must be 18+; legally open to Mexican citizens/residents). Weight tiers: micro <2kg, small 2-25kg, large >25kg.
Remote ID: No formal mandate.
Maximum altitude: 120 m (400 ft).
Line of sight: VLOS, daylight, good weather; roughly within 457 m horizontally. BVLOS/FPV/night need special AFAC authorisation.
No-fly and distance rules: At least 9.2 km from controlled airports; no flying over people/vehicles/crowds; prohibited over government, military, prisons, ports, power plants and restricted urban zones (e.g. Mexico City historic centre).
Commercial and paid work: Requires the drone registered, an AFAC remote-pilot licence (reported available only to Mexican nationals), insurance, and a flight plan.
Notable restrictions: Archaeological/INAH sites (Chichén Itzá, Teotihuacán) are off-limits without an INAH permit; national parks (CONANP) restricted.
Penalties: Fines up to roughly MX$403,000 (~US$20,000), plus seizure, for illegal/prohibited-airspace operation.

Would rather not deal with the paperwork? Hire a local, insured drone pilot through Terasor.

Find a local drone pilot

Official sources

AFAC RPAS

Back to the drone laws hub