Mexico is a traveller's paradise, crammed with a multitude of opposing identities: desert landscapes, snow-capped volcanoes, ancient ruins, teeming industrialised cities, time-warped colonial towns, glitzy resorts, lonely beaches and an impressive display of flora and fauna.
This mix of modern and traditional, the clichéd and the surreal, is the key to Mexico's charm, whether your passion is throwing back margaritas, listening to howler monkeys, surfing the Mexican Pipeline, scrambling over Mayan ruins or expanding your Day of the Dead collection of posable skeletons.
One look at this country is enough to remind visitors that there is nothing new about the so-called New World. Despite the considerable colonial legacy and rampant modernisation, almost 60 distinct indigenous peoples survive, largely thanks to their rural isolation.

Electricity: 110V, 60Hz
Time Zone: Most of Mexico is GMT - 6, Southern Baja and other Northwest states are GMT - 7, Northern Baja is GMT – 8.
Dialling Code: 52

Climate

Mexico is enjoyable all year-round, but October to May is generally the most pleasant time to visit. The May-September period can be hot and humid, particularly in the south, and inland temperatures can approach freezing during December-February. Facilities are often heavily booked during Semana Santa (the week before Easter) and Christmas/New Year, the peak domestic travel periods.
Mexico's climate has something for everyone: it's hot and humid along the coastal plains, and drier and more temperate at higher elevations inland (Guadalajara or Mexico City, for example). Try to avoid Mexico's southern coast between July and September - the resorts are decidedly soggy and jam-packed, as July-August is also the peak holiday months for foreign visitors.

Festival Calendar

May 5th - Cinco de Mayo - Anniversary of Mexico’s victory over the French
Week before Ash Wednesday - Carnival is celebrated throughout Mexico complete with floats, parades, elaborate costumes and dancing.
Late July - Los Lunas del Cerro - Celebrated on the last two Mondays of July. Indian groups come from all over to Oaxaca for a grand festival featuring dances from each state.
September 15th – 16th - Independence Day in Mexico City - Fireworks and parades surround the Zocolo and Palacio Nacional
October 12th- Columbus Day - Celebrations commemorating the discovery of the New World
November 1st - All Saints Day
November 2nd- Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) - One of Mexico’s most colourful fiestas. Families
believe the dead return to earth and so they celebrate by crafting garlands and gifts to commemorate their dead ancestors. Candy skulls are sold in all markets.
December 12th - Dia de Nuetra Senora de Guadalupe (Festival of Our Lady of Guadalupe) – The best celebrations can be found in Mexico City

Currency

Mexico’s money, the Peso is divided into 100 centavos. On average, prices tend to be higher than the neighbouring Central American conutries. Budgeting $25 USD per day should be adequate,
depending on your personal tastes. You can get by on less in the more remote areas.
It is best to bring US currency as most establishments will accept it (although usually at a poor rate of exchange). Bank and Casas de Cambios’ business hours can be sporadic. They tend to operate around siesta times. ATMs are popping up all over the place as well, especially in tourist areas. Credit cards are widely accepted. Be careful of price tags labeled in dollar signs. The peso is often denoted in the dollar sign as well so ask if you are unsure of the currency being requested. Normally, if the price is quoted in US dollars, you will see a USD marked behind the dollar sign.
Banks are open between 9am and 1:30pm Monday to Friday (some a while longer) and open 9am to 12:30pm on Saturdays.

Visas

Most travellers do not require a visa for stays no longer than 30 days. All visitors do however require a tourist card that can be obtained at the airport. They are valid for the holder only and must be kept with you at all times during the entire length of your stay. You will be required to present the tourist card upon exiting the country.

Health

Yellow fever no longer occurs in Central America, but many Central American countries, including Mexico, require a yellow fever vaccine before entry if you're arriving from a country in Africa or South America where yellow fever occurs. If you're not arriving from a country with yellow fever, the vaccine is neither required nor recommended. Yellow fever vaccine is given only in approved yellow fever vaccination centers, which provide validated International Certificates of Vaccination ('yellow booklets'). The vaccine should be given at least 10 days before departure and remains effective for approximately 10 years. Reactions to the vaccine are generally mild and may include headaches, muscle aches, low-grade fevers or discomfort at the injection site. Severe, life-threatening reactions have been described but are extremely rare.
Typhoid fever is caused by ingesting food or water contaminated by a species of Salmonella known as Salmonella typhi. Fever occurs in virtually all cases. Other symptoms may include headache, malaise, muscle aches, dizziness, loss of appetite, nausea and abdominal pain. Either diarrohea or constipation may occur. Possible complications include intestinal perforation, intestinal bleeding, confusion, delirium or (rarely) coma. Unless you expect to take all your meals in major hotels and restaurants, a typhoid vaccine is a good idea. It's usually given orally, but is also available as an injection.
Dengue fever is a viral infection found throughout Central America, and is transmitted by Aedes mosquito, which bite preferentially during the day and are usually found close to human habitations, often indoors. They breed primarily in water containers such as barrels, cans, plastic containers and discarded tyres. As a result, Dengue is especially common in densely populated, urban environments. Dengue usually causes flu-like symptoms including fever, muscle aches, joint pains, headaches, nausea and vomiting, often followed by a rash. The body aches may be quite uncomfortable, but most cases resolve uneventfully in a few days.

 

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