MEXICO Ask our Mexico Specialist to assist you with your travel to Mexico! CLIMATE Differences in temperature are basically due to altitude rather than time of year (i.e. Mexico City, which is 7,200 feet above sea level, generally has sweater/jacket weather during the winter, particularly at night). Beach resorts are hotter and more humid in summer, but perfect for swimming year-round. The rainy season runs from approximately May to October. CURRENCY Legal tender is the peso, but credit cards and travelers checks are accepted everywhere. Dollars may be exchanged at banks between 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. There are also money exchange offices, casas de cambio, which stay open long after the banks close. Some exchange offices are even open on weekends and they almost always pay a higher rate than the banks. Money may also be changed at hotels, but at a lower rate of exchange. ATM machines also dispense pesos at the official rate of exchange. It's always a good idea to carry $20 or so in single U.S. dollar bills that are good for tips and extras when you run out of Mexican pesos. CUSTOMS Visitors are allowed to bring in clothing, photographic and sports equipment, a portable computer (for personal use), two liters of wine or spirits, 400 cigarettes and 50 cigars. ELECTRICAL CURRENT 110 volts, 60 cycles, same as in the U.S. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS For U.S. and Canadian citizens, an up-to-date passport or a certified copy of birth certificate, plus photo I.D. A Mexican Government Tourist Card, issued FREE at departure from the U.S., must be presented upon arrival in Mexico and surrendered at departure. Information regarding requirements for other nationalities is available from the Mexican consulate. MUSEUMS Generally, museums are open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday, but this can vary from area to area and season to season. There is a modest admission charge (50% OFF for children). FREE admission on Sundays. Same at the archaeological sights, which are generally open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION Mexico has 87 airports, two dozen new toll highways, deluxe bus and ferry service, extensive inner city bus lines and taxis. International airports are located in Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Cancun, Cozumel, Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos, Mazatlan, Leon and Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo. SHOPPING Most shops are closed for siesta every afternoon. But depending on the area, many, particularly in hotels, malls, and crafts markets stay open. There are also "market" days in most small towns and cities. Except for major shops in the cities, bargaining is not only acceptable, it is encouraged. TIME ZONES Baja California Norte is on Pacific Time; the states of Baja California Sur, Sonora and Sinaloa, are on Mountain Time; the rest of Mexico is on Central Time. Daylight Savings Time is the same as in the U.S. WEDDINGS Original birth
certificates |
Page