Before You Book

PREPARING TO GO TO MEXICO

 

CAPITAL

Mexico City

LANGUAGE

Spanish is the official language of Mexico.

RELIGION

The majority of Mexican’s are Roman Catholic’s (approx. 90%), most of the remainder are Protestant’s.

LOCAL TIME

The standard time for Mexico is calculated from Mexico City. Central Daylight Time (CDT) is 5 hours behind GMT.

ELECTRICITY

220/110 - twin prong round European and twin prong flat US sockets.

PASSPORT & VISA

A valid passport is required by all nationals. All Passengers are responsible for securing proper documentation prior to joining the tour. Please ensure that passport/s are valid for a minimum of 6 months beyond the intended date of return and contain between 2-6 blank “Visa” pages. You should have at least two free pages in your passport. Please access the Travel & Visa Requirements Section on the top of this page for the latest visa entry requirements for the country/ies you are visiting. Passports are required; in addition, travelers are also advised to check with local consulates for full details regarding visa requirements. Please note securing a valid visa for entry is the sole responsibility of the traveler.

LOCAL CURRENCY

The monetary unit in Mexico is the Mexican Pesos (MXN). Mexican Peso (MXN; symbol M$) = 100 centavos. Notes are in denominations of M$1,000, 500, 200, 100, 50 and 20. Coins are in denominations of M$10, 5, 2 and 1, and 50 and 20 centavos.

Note: The M$1,000 and M$500 notes can be difficult to change and are sometimes not accepted.

XE.com is a useful site for currency conversion.

MONEY EXCHANGE, CREDIT CARD & ATM

US dollars (cash) are accepted for purchases in Mexico; however, you will need local currency. If you have the choice of paying for things in $USD it will be in your favour to use local currency.  Often the easiest way to obtain local currency is to use the ATM machines (cajeros automaticos) located in most cities. Visa, Plus, and Cirrus/Maestro are accepted in most ATMs, as long as you have a 4 digit pin number. You can only receive local currency from ATM machines. You may also be able to receive a cash advance on a Visa credit card at the bank. Note that some banks will require a copy of your passport. Credit cards are accepted in most shops, restaurants, and hotels.  The most accepted credit card is Visa, although bank cards are often the easiest way to go, there are times where it will not work for you even if your bank at home tells you it will. Do not rely on your card as your only source of money. Always have a few back-ups with you.  Always make sure you put your cash inside your money belt before you leave the premises. Pickpockets tend to loiter near banks, ATMs foreign currency exchange houses.

CLOTHING

This varies from area to area. Natural fibres are best in the heat but have a sweater on hand as the nights are generally cooler. A sun hat will help to avoid dehydration. In the mountains, heavier clothing will be required.

COMMUNICATION & EMAILS

Internet
There are cheap and reliable internet cafés located throughout Mexico.  Internet is available across the country. Most hotels provide Wi-Fi or access to computer terminals.

Phone
Long-distance calls are very expensive.

Mobile Phone

Mobile phones can be purchased at a low cost and credit can be added by prepaid card. Of the major providers Telcel has the most coverage. Roaming agreements exist with a few international mobile phone companies but is pricey.

BEST TIME TO VISIT: 

Mexico is a great destination to visit throughout the year. Temperatures drop, though, from November to February when it's best to pack a sweater or jacket. In general, altitude is a determining factor, with cooler temperatures at higher elevations (Mexico City, Puebla, San Cristóbal de las Casas) and warmer weather as you descend (Guadalajara, Cuernavaca, Oaxaca). October and November is perhaps the best time to visit, after the rains have ended and everything is still green. Early spring tends to be hotter and dustier. Along the Pacific and Caribbean coasts, winters are comfortable, summers very hot and humid, though resorts like Cabo San Lucas benefit from a sea breeze. Late summer months bring heavy rains and the occasional hurricane.

Mexico City: (approx)

Cancun: (approx)

FOOD

Corn is the main ingredient in Mexican cuisine, and every meal comes with a basket of hot tortillas - rounds of toasted cornmeal. Tacos, available everywhere, consist of hot tortillas topped with beef, pork or fish. Other common corn-based antojitos (snacks) include tamales (banana leaf or corn-husk packages of cornmeal laced with various spicy sauces), quesadillas (fried tortillas filled with cheese and/or vegetables) and flautas (chicken-filled tortillas rolled like cigars and deep fried). Zesty salsas, often served in clay bowls, are another must at any table or lunch counter.

Fresh fish and shellfish are the main attraction along both coasts. For vegetarians, nopales, the succulent and slightly slimy leaves of the prickly pear cactus are a good option, as are squash blossoms and all kinds of wild mushrooms. Also look out for exotic fruits like zapote (sapodilla) and tuna (cactus fruit).

Among local spirits, tequila, mezcal and rum reign supreme. Corona and Sol are the most popular beers - light and refreshing, and often drunk with a wedge of lime.

Specialties:

• Mole refers to a range of complex sauces based around chilis and several other herbs and spices. The most famous version, mole poblano, was reputedly created by nuns at a Puebla convent. The chocolaty blend is usually poured over türkiye and sprinkled with sesame seeds.
• Guacamole is an avocado mole with red peppers, onions, and tomatoes.
• Look out for exotic fruits like zapote (brown fruit resembling an avocado), and tuna (juicy prickly pear, fruit of the cactus).
• Cabrito asado (roasted kid goat) is a northern specialty: in Monterrey, Saltillo or Torreón, restaurant windows display whole goat carcasses grilling on a stake over coals, served on a bed of sizzling onions with cowboy beans and plenty of tortillas.
• Cochinita pibil is Yucatán's signature dish: suckling pig marinated in citrus juice and the reddish dye of annatto seeds, wrapped in banana leaves, then slow roasted in an underground pit.

MEALS

Approximate costs for meals and snacks not included are shown below:

• Simple snack - $US 5-10
• Light meal - $US 11-14
• Fancy restaurant - $US 15-30

Regional drinks:

Tequila is a double or triple-distilled spirit made from the blue variety of agave, which is not a cactus, but a plant related to the lily. Young blanco tequilas can have a rough 'cowboy' edge to them. Older añejo varieties are woody and sometimes as smooth as a fine brandy. Mezcal is like tequila but is distilled only once and can be made from different varieties of agave. It is not generally used in cocktails like tequila but consumed in shots. Sip slowly to savour the taste. Mexico's coffee liqueur, kahlúa, is world-famous.

DRINKS

Tea and coffee are provided with breakfast but all other drinks (i.e. bottled water and soft drinks) are at your own expense. Approximate costs for drinks bought in a shop in the street are shown below but note that prices in restaurants and hotels can be as much as double those specified.

• 1l of water - $US 0.50
• 30cl bottle of soft drink - $US 0.5-1
• 65cl bottle of beer - $US 1-2

Water in bottles or marked 'drinking/sterilised water' can be drunk without precautions. All other water should be boiled or sterilised before consuming. Milk in major cities, hotels and resorts is pasteurized, otherwise it will probably be unpasteurized. Travellers concerned about drinking unpasteurized milk will find powdered or tinned milk readily available. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, cooked vegetables, and peeled fruit.

SUGGESTED TIPPING SCALE:

Tipping is a way of showing your appreciation and will be welcomed by the recipient, although if you decide not to tip in a particular circumstance, this doesn’t mean you’ll receive a lower level of service. Ultimately, tipping is discretionary and should be done at a level that feels comfortable.

Here are some guidelines that you may find helpful:

HEALTH & MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS & GUIDELINES

As a general recommendation, it is advisable to check with your family doctor or travel clinic for latest health information.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

It is highly recommended that you purchase travel insurance from your travel agent. Health plans only provide limited coverage while traveling outside of the country. Your travel agent can offer you a complete travel insurance package. Some credit cards do offer travel insurance; however, they do not always provide adequate coverage. Review and understand the terms of your credit card insurance policy. Extra travel insurance can be purchased