What animals live in Mexico?

Mexico is home to some truly remarkable creatures! You can find jaguars prowling through thick jungle forests, axolotls (those strange salamanders that can regrow lost limbs) hiding in lakes near Mexico City, and giant monarch butterflies that travel thousands of miles to spend the winter in Mexico's mountain forests. The oceans on both sides of Mexico are full of life too — sea turtles, whale sharks, and colorful fish live along the coasts. Mexico also has more than 1,000 kinds of birds, including the bright red and green quetzal. God packed a lot of variety into this one country, and it makes you want to explore every corner of it!

What do kids eat in Mexico?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! Kids in Mexico often eat tacos, tamales, and quesadillas — foods made with corn tortillas that have been a staple in this land for thousands of years. A favorite snack is elote, which is corn on the cob rolled in butter, cheese, and chili powder. It sounds unusual, but it is one of the most popular street foods you will find! Rusty wants to add that many kids in Mexico also enjoy arroz con leche, a creamy rice pudding sweetened with cinnamon and sugar, for dessert. In the southern regions, you might find kids eating black beans and plantains alongside nearly every meal. Food in Mexico can look and taste very different depending on which part of the country you are in — from the hot coasts to the cool highlands, each region has its own special dishes passed down through generations.

How do people say hello in Mexico?

In Mexico, the most common way to say hello is '¡Hola!' — you say it just like it looks: 'OH-lah.' Spanish is the main language spoken across the country, and a warm greeting is a big part of Mexican culture. People there often shake hands or give a small hug when they meet someone they know. But here is something interesting — Mexico is home to dozens of indigenous peoples who speak their own languages, not just Spanish. For example, the Nahuatl people, descendants of the Aztecs, might greet someone with words from their ancient language. There are over 60 native languages still spoken in Mexico today! Missionaries who want to share the gospel there sometimes have to learn these languages just to say hello — and much more.

What sports or games do kids play in Mexico?

Fútbol — what many people in the world call soccer — is absolutely the king of sports in Mexico. Kids play it in schoolyards, on dusty streets, and in open fields, often with whatever makeshift goal markers they can find. The national team is followed with serious passion, and many kids dream of playing professionally one day. Beyond fútbol, kids in Mexico enjoy basketball, baseball (especially in the northern states), and a traditional game called lotería — a bit like bingo but played with illustrated cards showing images like a rooster, a mermaid, or a cactus. There are also old street games like trompo, where you spin a wooden top with a string, and canicas, which is marbles. These games have been passed down for generations and are still going strong.

What's the weather like in Mexico?

Mexico has some of the most varied weather you'll find anywhere! The coasts are hot and humid, the deserts in the north are scorching and dry, and the high mountain valleys — like where Mexico City sits — stay mild and breezy almost year-round. Because Mexico stretches so far from north to south, and has everything from sea level beaches to tall volcanoes, two people in Mexico on the same day can be wearing tank tops and heavy jackets at the same time. That variety shapes what people grow, eat, and how they live — which makes exploring this country a real adventure for a curious mind.

Tell me a fun fact about Mexico.

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! Mexico is home to one of the oldest living trees on the entire planet — a massive cypress called El Árbol del Tule, in the state of Oaxaca. Its trunk is so wide that it would take about 30 people holding hands to wrap all the way around it. Rusty wants to add that Mexico also gave the world chocolate! The ancient peoples of Mexico were the first to harvest cacao beans and make drinks from them, long before anyone in Europe had ever heard of hot cocoa. When we think about how God placed such wonders in this land — and such creative people here — it makes the story of Mexico feel pretty remarkable.

What is school like for kids in Mexico?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! In Mexico, most kids go to school six days a week, and the school year runs from September to July. Classes are taught in Spanish, and students study subjects like math, history, science, and Spanish literature. Many kids wear uniforms, just like in lots of countries around the world. Rusty wants to add that school looks pretty different depending on where a family lives. In big cities like Mexico City, schools can be large and have many resources. But in small villages, especially in mountain regions like Oaxaca or Chiapas, some children walk long distances to reach a one-room schoolhouse. In those remote areas, some kids speak indigenous languages like Zapotec or Tzotzil at home, and learning in Spanish can be an extra challenge. That is one reason missionaries and Bible translators work hard to bring God's Word into those heart languages — so people can read and hear about Jesus in the language they know best.

Who are the unreached people in Mexico?

Most people in Mexico have heard the name of Jesus, but there are still groups who have never really heard the good news about who He is and why He came. These are called 'unreached people' — not unreached by roads or phones, but unreached by the gospel. In Mexico, many of these groups are indigenous communities, like the Tarahumara in the copper canyons of Chihuahua, the Tzotzil Maya in the highlands of Chiapas, and the Mixtec people of Oaxaca. They speak their own ancient languages and often follow traditions mixed with folk religion rather than trusting in Jesus as the true Savior. One reason these groups are hard to reach is that many of them do not have the full Bible in their own language yet. Imagine trying to understand the deepest truths about God in a language that isn't really yours — it's much harder! Missionaries and Bible translators are working carefully in some of these communities, learning the languages and sharing the gospel. You can pray that more workers will go, that the scriptures will be translated faithfully, and that men and women from these very communities will come to trust Jesus and one day tell their own people about Him.

How can I pray for the people of Mexico?

Mexico has over 130 million people, and many of them have heard the name of Jesus — but hearing a name and truly knowing Him as Savior are different things. You can pray that the gospel goes deep into hearts all across Mexico, from the busy streets of Mexico City to small villages tucked into the mountains. There are also dozens of indigenous groups in Mexico, like the Mixtec and Tarahumara peoples, who are still waiting for the full Bible in their own language. Pray that Bible translators finish that work, that local Mexican pastors grow strong and bold, and that children and families in every corner of Mexico come to know and follow Jesus.

What is a holiday or celebration in Mexico?

One of the most well-known celebrations in Mexico is Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, which happens on November 1st and 2nd. Families build colorful altars decorated with marigold flowers, photos, and favorite foods of relatives who have died. It is a time when Mexican families think about death and remember the people they have loved. Many Mexican families are Christians, and some mark this time by visiting cemeteries and praying for comfort. But missionaries working in Mexico share that the Bible points us to something even more certain than tradition — Jesus himself said, 'I am the resurrection and the life.' That is the real hope for every family in Mexico and everywhere else. If you want to pray for Mexico, ask God that families there would find that hope in Jesus.

What language do people speak in Mexico?

Most people in Mexico speak Spanish — it's the official language and you'll hear it in cities, schools, markets, and homes all across the country. Mexico actually has more Spanish speakers than any other country in the world! But here's something many people don't know: Mexico also has 68 other recognized languages spoken by indigenous peoples, like Nahuatl (the language of the ancient Aztecs), Mayan, Zapotec, and many more. Some of those languages still don't have a full Bible translation, which means missionaries and Bible translators are working hard so people can read about Jesus in the language of their own hearts.

What's a famous place to visit in Mexico?

Herman here, with Rusty peering over my shoulder at the map! One of the most visited places in Mexico is Chichén Itzá, an ancient city built by the Maya people long before the Spanish arrived. It has a giant stone pyramid called El Castillo that rises up out of the jungle like something from another world. The Maya who built it were brilliant engineers — they carved the stones so precisely that on certain days of the year, the shadow on the pyramid looks like a serpent slithering down the steps. Today, millions of people come to wonder at it. And for us explorers, it's a reminder that every culture and people group has a history worth knowing — and a story that God sees. The descendants of the Maya are still here in Mexico today, and many of them are hearing about Jesus for the very first time.

Mexico — Kids Missions Explorer

Axolotl

This feathery-gilled salamander lives only in a lake system near Mexico City and can regrow lost limbs, making it one of the most studied creatures in science.

Jaguar

The jaguar, the largest wild cat in the Americas, still roams the dense jungles of southern Mexico and holds a place of deep importance in many ancient Mexican cultures.

Tacos

A fresh corn tortilla folded around fillings like grilled meat, onion, and cilantro is one of the most everyday meals a Mexican family might eat for lunch.

Mole

Mole is a rich, dark sauce made from dried chilies, spices, and sometimes chocolate, slow-cooked for hours and poured over chicken for special celebrations.

Tamales

Tamales are made from corn dough stuffed with meat or peppers, wrapped in a corn husk, and steamed — families often make them together in large batches for holidays.

Mexico

Things you should know about Mexico

Wildlife you might meet

What’s on the table

Did you know?

Life in Mexico

Missions in Mexico

Pray for Mexico