London for visitors from Brazil, Mexico, Colombia & Latin America: entry rules, money, SIMs, where your community is, and getting from the airport (2026)

Written for Latin American visitors by a London private-hire company that collects you from arrivals every day. Prices and rules checked October 2026; entry rules change, so confirm on GOV.UK before you fly.

Entry: ETA or visa?

UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA): £20 per person (fee since 8 April 2026), apply on the official UK ETA app or GOV.UK before you fly, valid 2 years for unlimited visits of up to 6 months. Apply 3 working days ahead; most are approved within hours. Brazilian, Mexican, Argentine, Chilean and most Latin American passport holders are visa-exempt and need the £20 ETA; Colombian, Peruvian, Bolivian, Ecuadorian and Venezuelan citizens currently need a visitor visa – check GOV.UK before booking.

Money, cards and cash

Britain is almost cashless: contactless cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay work in every shop, pub, bus and Tube gate (no ticket needed – just tap the same card in and out). Our cars take cards too, so you need no pounds in hand on arrival. If you want cash, use a bank cash machine (free), not the airport bureau de change. £1 ≈ $1.32 / €1.18 (October 2026).

SIM cards, plugs and the basics

Your driver will show you the SIM kiosks in arrivals, but supermarket SIMs (Tesco, giffgaff, Lebara, Lyca – £10–£15 for 20–50 GB) are cheaper; eSIMs can be bought before you fly. Plugs are the 3-pin UK Type G at 230 V – bring one adapter per device. We drive on the left; the emergency number is 999 (or 112); tap water is safe; tipping is 10–12.5% in restaurants (often already added), not expected in taxis, pubs or shops.

Arriving at the airport: what we do for Latin American visitors

Your driver waits in the arrivals hall with a name board the moment you clear passport control and customs; we track the flight and the first 60 minutes after landing are free. Fixed fares to central London: Heathrow from £85, Gatwick from £85, Stansted from £85, Luton from £85 – one price for the whole car, no surge, child seats on request. Tell us when you book if you need a SIM, cash, a pharmacy or a halal/kosher/vegetarian meal on the way and the driver will stop. Heathrow · Gatwick · Stansted · Luton.

Where the Latin American community is

Elephant & Castle and Seven Sisters (Latin Village) for Colombian, Ecuadorian and Bolivian shops and clubs; Brazilians in Bayswater and Willesden; Mexican Day of the Dead events in November; Carnaval del Pueblo in August.

Food from home

Brazilian churrasco at Rodizio Rico and Cabana; Colombian in Elephant & Castle’s Castle Square; Peruvian ceviche at Ceviche and Coya; Mexican at Wahaca and Breddos; Argentine steak at Gaucho and Zoilo.

Places of worship

Catholic churches citywide with Spanish and Portuguese Masses (St Mary of the Angels, Bayswater; St Anne’s, Vauxhall); evangelical Brazilian churches in Willesden and Stockwell.

Embassy and consular help

Brazilian Embassy: 14–16 Cockspur Street SW1Y 5BL. Mexican Embassy: 16 St George Street W1S 1FD. Colombian Embassy: 3 Hans Crescent SW1X 0LN. Lost passport: report to the police (101) and your embassy; we can take you there.

Good to know

TAM/LATAM, BA and Iberia connections land at Heathrow T3/T5 early morning; Spanish and Portuguese-speaking drivers on request. Pix and local cards do not work – bring an international Visa/Mastercard.

Next steps

Airport transfers · London food & shopping guide with prices · All visitor guides · Rushxo for Business. Get a fixed-price quote →