Should I use a travel agent to book flights to Mexico?

Generally, no. You will pay booking fees. Use online aggregators to find the flight, then book directly through the airline's website to make changes or cancellations easier.

Is it cheaper to fly into Mexico City and take a domestic flight?

Often, yes. Mexico City (MEX) is a major hub. You can often find a cheap international flight to MEX and then book a separate, inexpensive domestic flight via Volaris or VivaAerobus to your final destination.

Booking affordable flights to Mexico

To get the cheapest airfare to Mexico, book your tickets 3 to 6 months in advance and prioritize mid-week departures. Use flight aggregators like Google Flights to track prices and set alerts for your specific destination.

Set up price tracking early. Go to Google Flights, enter your departure city and destination in Mexico, and toggle the 'Track prices' switch. Do this at least 120 days before your intended departure to receive email notifications when the price drops.
Be flexible with airports. If flying to a major hub like Mexico City (MEX) or Cancun (CUN), check secondary airports or regional carriers. Sometimes flying into a smaller city and taking a bus via ADO or Primera Plus is significantly cheaper than a direct flight to a resort area.
Choose the right days to fly. Avoid Friday and Sunday departures. Booking a Tuesday or Wednesday flight can save you $80–$150 per round-trip ticket. If you must fly on a weekend, choose early morning or late-night 'red-eye' flights.
Book using an incognito window. While debated, clearing your cookies or using an incognito/private browser window ensures that dynamic pricing algorithms don't hike prices based on your search history.

Should I use a travel agent to book flights to Mexico?: Generally, no. You will pay booking fees. Use online aggregators to find the flight, then book directly through the airline's website to make changes or cancellations easier.
Is it cheaper to fly into Mexico City and take a domestic flight?: Often, yes. Mexico City (MEX) is a major hub. You can often find a cheap international flight to MEX and then book a separate, inexpensive domestic flight via Volaris or VivaAerobus to your final destination.