Varies from desert-like regions on the northwest part of the country (cities like Hermosillo, Ciudad Juarez, or Los Cabos); and temperate in the northeastern part (cities like Monterrey, Nuevo Laredo, Ciudad Acuna), but note that much of the northern Mexican territory gets rather cold during the winter with average day time highs from 8C (39F) to 12C (59F), overnight lows average around -4C (24F) and snow is sometimes frequent in certain northern places like (the Sierra Madre of Chihuahua, Durango, Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, and northern Tamaulipas) but can also occur at higher altitudes in the temperate forests in the central part of Mexico. Also, northern Mexico gets very hot during the summer with sudden violent storms in the afternoon, with heavy rain and hail, also an isolated tornado can occur with these storms but rarely, and the temperatures during the day can quickly exceed 39C (100F). The Bajio region is semiarid (cities like Aguascalientes, Leon and Zacatecas); and temperate forests in the central part of the country {Mexico City, Toluca}, and tropical rain forests in the south and southeast regions like (Chiapas, Cancun). During hurricane season, hurricanes are common in the coastal cities specially those near the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico.
High, rugged mountains; low coastal plains; high plateaus; temperate plains with grasslands and Mezquite trees in the northeast, desert and even more rugged mountains in the northwest, tropical rainforests in the south and southeast {Chiapas, Cancun} semiarid in places like {Aguascalientes, San Luis Potosi} and temperate coniferous and deciduous forests in the central part of the country {Mexico City, Toluca}.
Easter is widely observed nationwide, according to the yearly Catholic calendar (the first Sunday after the first full moon in Spring). Actual non working days may shift to the Monday before the holiday, so check an up to date calendar.
Mexico observes daylight savings time (DST) the same way as the USA did pre-2007, from first Sunday in April to last Sunday in October. This now includes the tropical regions of southern Mexico as well. Note there will be several weeks each year when the U.S. is on DST, but Mexico is not. The state of Sonora south of Arizona, does not observe DST since Arizona doesn't have it either.
''NOTE'': If taking the CHEPE train ride, start your trip at El Fuerte (NOT Los Mochis!) on the western side and travel uphill to Creel or Chihuahua. Stand in the few open vestibules with your camera -- the uphill scenery is fairly splendid for at least two of the seven or nine or twelve hours of the journey. On the downhill run, put yourself in the club (bar) car, where you can stretch out in a modicum of comfort. The first-class (express) and second-class (tourist) trains are essentially the same, except that the express stops less and is twice as expensive.
Foreign-plated vehicles must obtain necessary permits before being allowed into the interior of Mexico. This can be done at the border checkpoints by showing your vehicle title or registration, as well as immigration documents and a valid credit card. It is now possible to apply for your vehicle import permit online. [http://www.banjercito.com.mx/site/tramiteitv_ing.jsp]
Due to the incredibly high volume of drugs (into US) and drug money & weapons (into Mexico) crossing the US-Mexico border, expect long delays and thorough searches of vehicles when crossing the border. At some of the busiest crossings, expect a queue of 1-3 hours.
Other people must contact a Mexican consulate in order to find out the requirements for citizens of their country, and may have to apply for and obtain a visa in advance of travel. If you are in need of other information, Mexico has diplomatic offices in the following cities around the world: [http://portal3.sre.gob.mx/english/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=48&Itemid=11]. The consulates in the USA are typically open for business to non-citizens (by telephone or in-person) only from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM.
The immigration officer at your point of entry into Mexico can also request that you demonstrate that you have sufficient economic solvency and a found trip ticket.
If you do not intend to travel past the "border zone" and your stay does not exceed three days, U.S. and Canadian nationals require only a proof of citizenship. Reentry into the United States, however, may require a passport.
Travelling in Mexico is most practical by bus, car, or air. Passenger transport by train is almost nonexistent. Except the '''Chihuahua del Pacifico''' rail line which pull out every morning at both ends of the line, one from Los Mochis on the Pacific coast, across from Baja California, and the other from Chihuahua in the east (due south of El Paso, Texas). They cross each other roughly midways at '''Divisadero and Barrancas''' Copper Canyon stations at 7000 Ft. altitude.
Due to a government scheme in the early 90's to create infrastructure, the best roads are toll roads. Toll roads can be relatively costly (400-800 pesos is not uncommon on longer trips) but are much faster and better maintained. First-class buses generally travel by toll roads (and the toll is obviously included in the ticket price). US vehicle insurance is not valid in Mexico and while Mexican auto insurance is not required, it is ''highly recommended'', as any minor accident could land you in jail without it. [http://www.mexipass.la MexiPass] and AAA offer Mexican auto insurance.
When traveling on Mexican roads, especially near the borders with the United States and Guatemala, one will probably encounter several checkpoints operated by the Mexican Army searching for illegal weapons and drugs. If you are coming from the United States, you may not be used to this, and it can be intimidating. However, these are rarely a problem for honest people. Simply do what the soldiers tell you to do, and treat them with respect. The best way to show respect when entering a checkpoint is to turn your music down, lift sunglasses from your face, and be prepared to roll your window down. They should treat you with respect as well, and they usually do. If you are asked to unpack any part of your vehicle, do so without complaint. It is their right to make you completely unload in order for them to inspect your cargo.
Tourists are often warned about traveling on roads at night. Although ''bandidos'' are rare in more metropolitan areas, err on the side of caution in more rural areas. The best bet is to drive during only daylight hours. Cattle, dogs, and other animals also appear can on the roadway unexpectedly, so if you do have to drive at night, be very cautious. If possible, follow a bus or truck that seems to be driving safely.
The Secretariat of Communication and Transport recently set up a new mapping tool similar to those in the U.S. like Mapquest, its name is Traza Tu Ruta [http://www.sct.gob.mx] and is very helpful to find how to get to your destination using Mexico's roads. It is in Spanish but can be used with basic knowledge of the language.
Foreign driver's licenses are recognized and recommended. Speeding tickets are common, and to ensure your presence at the hearing, the officer may choose to keep your license. He is within his rights to do so.
At petrol (gas) stations, make sure the pump is zeroed out before the attendant begins pumping your gas so that you don't end up paying more than you should. There is only one brand of gas station (Pemex) and prices are generally the same regardless of location, so don't bother shopping around.
Good maps are invaluable and the Mexico maps included in "North American Road Atlas" books are worse than useless. The Guia Roji maps are particularly good.
''See also: Driving in Mexico''
If traveling by bus, be sure to take the express buses, if available (they are called ''directo''). Other buses often stop at many smaller stations along the way, making the trip a lot longer. If you have experience with Greyhound buses in the US, you're in for a pleasant surprise. First class buses are usually direct routes and are the best option for most. Second class buses may be very similar to 1st class just making more stops or in rural areas they may be essentially chicken buses (polleros). Executive and Luxury lines cost about 60% more than first class, may be faster, usually have larger seats, and they have less frequent departures; they are really only a good option for elderly or business travelers. With the advent of NAFTA, some bus companies are now offering service from US cities. The major bus companies offering these kind of services are Grupo Ado [http://www.ado.com.mx], Estekka de Ori (Estrella de Oro) [http://www.estrelladeoro.com.mx], Enlaces Terrestres Nacionales [http://www.etn.com.mx], White Star Group (Estrella Blanca) [http://www.estrellablanca.com.mx], Red Star [http://www.estrellaroja.com.mx], and Primera Plus [http://flechaamarilla.com].
On the other side if traveling within a city, you won't find a pleasant surprise. You will find one of the most chaotic public transport systems full of the popular "peseros". "Peseros" are small buses with varying color codes depending on the city you are. Usually the route taken is written on cardboard attached to the windshield. Unlike in many countries, bus stops are uncommon and you are expect to signal the bus to pick you up and drop you off wherever you want. You will rarely find a stop button in a pesero; just shout the word "baja" for it to stop. Fares are cheap and vary from 2 to 7 pesos approximately.
Passenger trains are very limited in Mexico with only a few lines in operation in places like the Copper Canyon in the northern state of Chihuahua, that line is also known as the ''Chihuahua Pacific Railway'' [http://www.chepe.com.mx/] since its final destination is the Pacific coastal city of Tobolobampo in the state of Sinaloa. In the state of Jalisco there is also a line which travels from the state capital city Guadalajara to its final destination in the small town of Tequila, this is why this line is called the ''Tequila Express'' [http://www.tequilaexpress.com.mx/]. In the Yucatan Peninsula there is a line of passenger trains which runs from Villahermosa through Campeche, Merida, Playa del Carmen and its final destination being the city of Cancun, this train also runs through a few Mayan ruins including Chichen-Itza and this gives it its name of the ''Expreso Maya'' [http://www.expresomaya.com/] which is Spanish for ''Mayan Express''. Mexico City and Monterrey have subway service, and it might be possible to hop aboard freight cars in some parts of the country (if you happen to be an adventurer).
Although there is no official language by law, Spanish is the ''de facto'' national language. It is used by virtually the whole population and all public communications (signs, documents, media, etc.) are conducted in the language. Bilingual signs in Spanish and English might be available in popular tourist destinations.
English is largely spoken in border cities with the United States as well as tourist destinations, but much of the country is monolingual. Outside these places, more educated Mexicans (specially among the higher class and young people) will more likely be fluent in the language and/or in other languages. The most popular foreign languages to learn within Mexico (but in a far second after English) are French, Italian, German and Japanese. Clerks, policemen, and drivers (outside touristic destinations) are the least likely to know a second language, so a student or a businessman on the street will be a better bet.
Mexico has one of the richest diversity of languages, with more of 60 indigenous languages spoken within the Mexican territory. These languages are spoken within the communities of these indigenous peoples, who are largely segregated from mainstream mestizo society. In any case, the probabilities of finding a speaker of any of these languages is small, since less than 2% of the population belong to an indigenous community. On the other hand, most of these communities are also fluent in Spanish as well. Therefore learning any of these indigenous languages is not indispensable at all, but can gain a lot of respect from these communities.
See also: Spanish phrasebook
Do not accept old pesos (issued before 1993): they are practically worthless.
The symbol for pesos is the same as for US dollars, which can be slightly confusing. Prices in dollars (in tourist areas) are labeled "US$" or sport an S with a double stroke. As of February the exchange rate hovers around $15 MXN to $1.00 USD. As this exchange rate has typically hovered around $10 MXN to $1 USD, vendors and merchants will often use this rate of exchange. Thus it is currently better to purchase with MXN pesos. US dollars are widely accepted in the far north and in tourist locales elsewhere.
Euros are generally not accepted by merchants, and even banks headquartered in Europe may refuse to accept euros for exchange. On the other side, most banks and exchange offices ("casas de cambio") will widely accept them.
Best place to convert USD to pesos is the supermarket. At Pemex gas stations, attendants seem to be private enterprise minded. They will give you 500 pesos of gas and charge you $50 (which is 10.00 pesos to 1.00 dollar). And will readily convert 500 pesos to dollars by multiplying by .105 rather than dividing by 10.5 and thus supplement their hourly wage. Attendants carry a wad of cash and make their own change. While many Pemex stations accept credit cards, especially in locations that have heavy tourist traffic, some do not; travelers who intend to pay by credit card should ask the attendant if the card is accepted before pumping begins.
ATMs are easy to come by. Bank of America customers can avoid ATM fees by using Santander Serfin ATMs. Other banks may have similar policies, check with your respective institution. Otherwise, do not be surprised to find yourself with a fee for each withdrawal. ATMs in smaller towns can run out of currency; sometimes this is a regular occurrence. Check with the bank (or locals) about the best time to use the ATM and don't wait until the very last minute to get cash.
Merchants can be picky about the state of your paper money, they may scrutinize it and reject anything with rips. Try to keep it in as pristine condition as possible. Reputedly, this is more the case the further South you go.
Merchants are often reluctant to make change in smaller towns. Try to avoid paying with overly large denominations; the best customer has exact change. In rural areas, your 'change' may consist of chiclets or other small commodities.
Mexican cuisine can be described better as a collection of various regional cuisines rather than a standard list of dishes for the whole country. Because of climate, geography and ethnic differences, we can classify Mexican cuisine broadly in 4 great categories according to the region:
Ask for the "platillo tipico" of the town, which is the local speciality that may not be found elsewhere, a variation, or the birthplace of a recipe, also consider that most of the recipies change from place to place, like tamales, in the south are made with the banana plant leaves, and in the Huasteca region tamales are very big, one is OK for a complete family.
Traditional Mexican food can often be very spicy; if you are not used to peppers, always ask if your food includes it. (''?Esto tiene chile?'').
There are many food carts on the streets of Mexican cities and towns. Travellers are advised to eat from these carts with caution, as hygienic preparation practices are not always reliable. In doing so, you may (or may not) find some of the most unique and genuinely Mexican dishes you've ever had. From these vendors, you may find tacos, burgers, bread and almost any kind of food and service you would imagine.
You can measure the quality of food by popularity, do not eat on lonely places, even if they are restaurants or hotels.
There are also several Mexican beers, most of which are available outside Mexico, these include:
Lighter Mexican beers are often served with lime and salt, though many Mexicans do not drink beer in this fashion.
Northwestern Mexico, including Baja California and Sonora, also produces wines, and Mexican wine is often quite good, but most Mexicans tend to prefer European or Chilean imports.
Non alcoholic beverages:
In some places you will find beer served as a prepared drink called "Michelada" or simply "Chelada". The formula varies depending on the place, but it's usually beer mixed with lime juice on ice served in a salt rim glass. Other variation called "Cubana" includes Clamato cocktail, soybean sauce, salt and a little bit of hot sauce.
The legal drinking age in Mexico is 18, but not strictly enforced. In many places, consumption of alcohol in public ("open container") is illegal and usually punishable by a day in jail. Be aware of waitresses and barmen, especially at night clubs. If you are not aware of your consumption and how much you already spent, they can add a few more drinks to your account. Some do this, not all.
Alcoholmeters are widely used in driving roads If drinking, always have a designated driver. Driving under the influence of an alcoholic beverage will result in 1 to 3 days in jail.
Mexico, especially the southern state of Chiapas, produces excellent coffee. Cafe con leche, usually one part coffee to one part steamed milk, is very popular. Unfortunately, many places in Mexico that are not cafes serve Nescafe or other instant coffee - you may have to search for the good coffee, but it's there.
Some Mexican universities are very important, such as UNAM (ranked 73__ worldwide, and the best in Latin America), and most of them have programs for foreigners. Foreigners can take a course to learn Spanish, or even study a whole career. Also, there are some other courses where you can learn traditional Mexican activities such as handcrafts.
Most of the the goverment funded universities on mayor cities (state capital) have short courses on history, gastronomy and cultural subjects, most of them are almost free. Other places are the "Casa de la Cultura", (house of culture) this are historical buildings used for cultural related activities (music concerts, teather, paint and other exhibits, they also have "talleres" (workshops).
Many excellent private universities exist in the larger cities (Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey, etc.) and provide excellent education
Another important university is ITESM (Instituto Tecnologico de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey), located in Monterrey but in many other mexican cities, too.
The EGADE Master Business School in Monterrey is ranked No.68 of MBA schools worldwide, the first in Latin America.
There are Spanish languages schools throughout Mexico. The city with the most schools is Cuernavaca, with more than 50 schools. Oaxaca, San Miguel de Allende and Guanajuato also offer a number of schools to choose from. Prices vary; however, most schools are very reasonably priced. Many schools can arrange homestays with local Mexican families.
Working may require a work visa, which is difficult to get if you just want to freelance for a short time.
Many important headquarters are located throughout the main cities of Mexico. Mexican top corporations like Televisa, Bimbo, Cemex, Telmex, Vitro, are often willing to hire professionals who speak English as their native language as most of the business scene is developed with North American corporations.
An excellent way to get to know and understand more of the country is to do some volunteer work. There are several organisations such as Travel to Teach [http://www.travel-to-teach.org] that arrange work for international volunteers in Mexico and other countries in the region.
Native English speakers can pick up work, as English teachers. The upside is that English speakers with no knowledge of Spanish are sought after, because they will force their students to practice English. The downside is that salaries are somewhat low.
A number of hotel chains are available throughout Mexico, including Palace Resorts, Le Blanc Spa Resort, Best Western, Holiday Inn, Fiesta Inn, Fairmont, Hilton, Ritz, Camino Real, Starwood (Sheraton, W, Westin, Four Points) and many others. Rates have risen considerably in recent years, though most are still reasonable compared to similar U.S. or European hotels. Chain accommodations are usually clean and comfortable, good for business travelers, but not necessarily for those wanting to experience Mexico itself. Smaller hotels and motels along the roadside may not be safe or comfortable. Boutique hotels are found all over the country; price range varies but all of them are rich in Mexican traditions, elegance and charm, the perfect way to experience the cultural heritage of each state. A great source of information is Melba Levick's book ''Mexicasa,'' found in many libraries and online bookstores. There are also many all-inclusive resorts for those visiting the major beach destinations.
There is a large backpacker culture in mexico, and there are many hostels offering dorm accomodation and private rooms. You can expect to pay between 50 and 150 pesos for a night in a dorm, often including breakfast. Hostels are a fantastic place to share information with fellow travellers, and you can often find people who have been to your future destinations. There are a number of internet sites that allow you to book hostels in advance for a small fee, and this is becoming an increasingly common practice.
The most authentic accommodation can usually be found by asking locals or gringos, especially in the smaller towns. If you are unsure about the safety or conditions of the room ask to see it before paying. This will not be considered rude.
If you are going to be in cooler areas in the winter consider bringing an electric blanket - as there is power, but no heat in the cheaper hotels. And although it may get quite hot by afternoon outside, adobe and cement are like fridges. An electric tea kettle is also a good idea, hot water might not be available when you want it.
If you're traveling with children, use a plastic case (with wheels and a handle) as luggage, and it can be used as a bathtub for the kids if necessary. Budget hotels rarely, if ever, have bathtubs.
In most of the cities, location is very important as security changes from place to place. Areas close to downtown (centro) are safer to walk at night, especially on the "Plaza", "Zocalo" or "Jardin" (main square) and areas nearby. Stay in populated areas, avoid poor neighborhoods, especially at night, and don't walk there at any time if you are alone.
Some Mexican border cities such as Tijuana, Nogales, Nuevo Laredo, and Juarez can be dangerous in some areas for somebody who is unaware, especially at night. Most crime in the northern border cities is related to the drug trade (check Drug Traffic Issues below) and/or police corruption. However, since law-enforcement figures are so overwhelmed, or involved in the drug business themselves, many northern border town that were previously somewhat dangerous to begin with, are now a hotbed for criminals to act with impunity. Some Mexican northern ''non-border'' cities relatively very safe; such as Monterrey, Saltillo, etc. (Although Chihuahua and Culiacan still make the list of scary places) However, exercize caution in any major city, especially at night or in high crime areas.
Most of the thousands of murder victims that have happened in Mexico over the past year have been either police officers or cartel members. If you plan to spend your Mexico holiday working for a cartel or the police force, you do run serious risks of death. Otherwise, you will be completely unscathed.
As in any city, do not wave cash or credit cards around. Use them discreetly and put them away as quickly as possible.
The Mexican legal system was until recently under Napoleonic code, but if you ever find yourself in trouble with the law in Mexico, the punishments are a lot more severe than in many other countries.
Beggars are not usually a threat, but you will find lots in urban areas. Avoid being surrounded by them as some can pickpocket your goods. Giving away two pesos quickly can get you out of such troubles.
Stingray stings: water as hot as you can bear - the heat deactivates the poison.
Sunburns: avoid them in the first place.
If your are travelling by bus do not put your values in your big bag in the storrage room of the bus. If the police or the military controls the luggage they might take out what they need. Especially in Night Buses when passengers are most likely asleep.
Never drive above the speed limit or run stop signs/red lights as Mexican police will use any excuse to pull over tourists and give you a ticket. If pulled over by a police officer soliciting a bribe, do not pay the amount requested, but pull out USD$30 or MXN$300 pesos, and explain that it is all you have. This technique has worked in the past (but it does not work in Mexico City), but is corruption. Corruption also is a crime in Mexico, so make a conscious choice. The fine for speeding could be as much as US$100, depending on the city. Criminals may pose as police so stay in a visible place, in public, and in your car.
You will mostly find beggars and windshield cleaners in some red lights; have your windows closed at all times. The windshield cleaners will try to clean yours in spite of any negative: a strong and firm "NO" is suggested.
Tourists and travelers are of not interest of drug cartels. Is a very sporadic event and limited to key places for drug traffic in the north part of the country. Popular tourist destinations like Cancun, Oaxaca or Acapulco are largely unaffected by this. Other cities where you may read about this happening, like Ciudad Juarez or Chihuaha is limited to (as described before) only people involved in the process.
Please do not consume drugs while you are in Mexico, the punishment for this is jail for 5 years or more, and you will also be supporting the very thing the country is at war with itself about.
Tap water is safe to drink in Mexico City. Most travelers will tell you that it is not even though they have never even tried drinking it! Heed this advice.
Medicine in urban areas is highly developed, public hospitals are just as good as public hospitals in USA, and just as the American public hospitals, they are always full. It's recommended going to private hospitals for faster service.
In remote areas consider carrying a first aid kit, aspirin, and other related items are sold without medical prescription.
You can call from public phones using prepaid tel. cards ''tarjetas ladatel'', bought at magazine stalls. Cards can be purchased in $30, $50 or $100 pesos denominations. The rate to call the US is roughly equivalent to $USD 0.50 per minute. Beware these are different than tarjetas ''amigo, viva,'' or ''unefon'': they are for cellphones.
Some areas have only a few internet cafes; in others, they are plentiful. Common fees vary from 7 pesos/hour to 20 pesos/hour. Currently, most of the internet cafes offer calls to the US for a better rate than a payphone, usually via VoIP.
If you have an unlocked GSM phone, you can buy a prepaid SIM card in Mexico and have a local mobile phone number for use in cases of emergency. Telcel provides good coverage throughout the country and you can get a SIM card for $150 pesos with $100 pesos talk-time. It's often far cheaper than what hotels will charge you and incoming calls may also be free under certain schemes. Mexico operates on the same GSM frequency as the United States, 1900 Mhz. theres an internet wireless conection in almost every restaurant or hotel in the big cities.
Over Tenosique, La Palma, by boat on the river Rio San Pedro to Naranja (Guatemala). This route is not used by many and still has a touch of adventure. Stay firm when negotiating over the price. Absolutely important! Make sure you get your passport stamped before you leave Naranja or you might catch one of the rare buses back and take a walk through the jungle as the emigrations office is part up the river between the Mexican border and the village.
The USA generally requires a passport for entry. They also have a few express ID cards that may be acceptable for border crossing. US citizens may enter with their US passport or acceptable ID card, such as an Enhanced Driver License or Passport Card. US permanent residents need their permanent resident card and may need the passport from their home country.
Foreign nationals entering the United States without a permanent resident stamp, including those on the Visa Waiver Program, typically receive an I-94 Arrival-Departure Record or I-94W Visa Waiver Arrival-Departure Record upon arrival in the United States. So long as the I-94 has not expired, you can use it to reenter the United States with your passport; however, if you hand it in upon exit, you will need to obtain a new card if your visa allows another entry or, if on the Visa Waiver Program, pay a fee of about $6 to reenter the United States. Unless you are not going to return to the United States, '''keep your I-94 when leaving the United States of America.''' This will facilitate and expedite your reentry, and if your visa is limited to a certain number of entries, it will allow you to not need to use another entry.
Visa Waiver participants cannot reset the 90-day counter unless they leave the Western Hemisphere, so ducking into Mexico will not allow you another 90 days.