Among the multiple stresses that impact aquatic ecosystems globally stands out the presence of exotic invasive species in inland waters, which have been associated with the extinction of several species worldwide. Here, we review the main pathways of introduction into Mexico of exotic freshwater species and their impacts. Aquaculture and the aquarium trade are among the main pathways of introduction, followed by sport fishing, live bait, and forage, biological control, construction of channels, remediation/restoration, and natural dispersion. Nearly, 800 introduced species have been reported in the country, including several aquatic plants (e.g. Eichhornia crassipes, Hydrilla verticillata, Tamarix ramosissima, Arundo donax), mollusks (e.g. Melanoides tuberculata, Tarebia granifera, Dreissena bugensis), zooplankton (e.g. Daphnia lumholtzi, Mesocyclops aspericornis), crustaceans (e.g. Procambarus clarkii, Cherax quadricarinatus), fishes (e.g. Hemichromis guttatus, Oreochromis niloticus, Cyprinus carpio, Amatitlania nigrofasciata, Pterygoplichthys disjunctivus, Pangasionodon hypophthalmus), amphibians (e.g. Lithobates catesbeianus, Xenopus laevis), reptiles (e.g. Trachemys scripta), parasites (e.g. Centrocestus formosanus, Schyzocotyle acheilognathi), and several species of bacteria and viruses. Many of these exotic species have reached an extensive geographical distribution in Mexico and have already exerted profound effects on native biodiversity. The main ecological negative impacts include altered habitat structure, diminished biodiversity, degradation of water quality, disturbance of biogeochemical cycles, modification of food webs and productivity, water losses due to evapotranspiration. Whereas the socio‐economic impacts include reduction in local fisheries, increased maintaining costs of drinking water intake structures, reduction of water availability, obstruction of waterways hindering recreational activities, etc. Finally, there have been also severe sanitary impacts encompassing important losses of cultured species due to multiple outbreaks, exotic aquatic plants providing a suitable breeding ground for some disease vectoring arthropods, etc. At present, most of the efforts have been focused on prevention and many approaches have been explored in the search for cost‐effective measures for the control of invasive species; however, there are still some gaps and opportunity areas that need to be covered.