 Mexico City, 20 million strong and growing, is the largest City in the
Americas. It is built upon the ruins of the most glorious City of the pre-Columbian
Americas by the Aztecs who were the last of many ambitious civilizations who rose to power
and glory beginning around 1200 BC with the Olmecs of Veracruz. At the beginning of
another age, about 500 years ago, our featured Carnaval City Veracruz was again the cradle
of the Mexico today when Hernán Cortés landed on the coast near modern-day Veracruz on
Good Friday 21 April 1519 with 11 ships, 550 men and 16 horses. The determined man
of destiny ordered his ships burned. (history continued)
Daily News Update from Mexico & Latin America
Traveling
in Mexico requires proof of citizenship, which is easiest to provide by
carrying a valid passport. If you do not have a passport, never fear.
It is also possible to get a tourist visa
(tarjeta de turista) with certified copy of your birth
certificate (embossed seal do impress) and a photo ID at border
crossings. The
cost of a tourist visa is about $20 USD, and is included in the cost of your
international plane or cruise ship ticket . Visas are typically valid for 180 days
Visas And Red Tape by roughguides for travelnow USA
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OFFICIAL
www.visitmexico.com Mexico-travel.com / Ministry of Tourism of Mexico
Guide to Mexico
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starsanddiamonds.com.mx has certification program with 5 stars as the highest rating |
Although Mexico is
considered a third world country, its general concern about sanitation and
cleanliness have improved enormously in the past decade. As is the case in
most tropical countries, consider what your system is used to before you
eat it. Nationally: Red
Cross Medical emergency 15-20-55 Travelers’ Health Information for
Mexico & Central America
USA
http://travel.state.gov/medical.html
Since 1998 when we began check the exchange rate for the U.S. dollar, and the one used in this book, is around 10 pesos; at that rate, an item that costs 10 pesos would be equivalent to US$1. However the peso is very unstable so you cannot count on this being the rate. Check before you go  Best Exchange Rates:
Automated teller machines (ATMs) and credit cards continue to offers the best exchange
rates. Traveler's checks experiencing declining relative exchange rate and reduced
acceptance. U.S. cash is accepted by many merchants at exchange rates that vary widely.
Banks usually give the best exchange rate. Credit cards are widely accepted in most cities
and resort areas at exchange rate determined by your bank. ATMS
( Cirrus and PLUS
systems)
are widely available and
allow you to not carry too much cash.Tipping: Luxury resort
areas are equivalent to US levels- 15% and 20%. Elsewhere 10% is acceptable. $1 per day
for your hotel maid or $1 per bag for the porter. Taxi drivers don't expect tips but be
sure to negotiate the price in advance.
A tip of U.S.
coins, which cannot be exchanged into Mexican currency, is of no value to
the service provider. Support your Tour guides (including this one)
VAT:
Mexico has a value-added tax of 15% (Impuesto de Valor Agregado, or
IVA; pronounced "ee-bah") on most everything, including restaurant meals,
bus tickets, and souvenirs. (Exceptions are Cancún, Cozumel, and Los Cabos,
where the IVA is 10%; as ports of entry, they receive a break on taxes.)
Hotels charge the usual 15% IVA, plus a locally administered bed tax of 2%
(in most areas), for a total of 17%. You quoted hotel rate may not have
included this fee
Costs And Money in Mexico by travelnow.com Shopping in Mexico by nationalgeographic.com 800/424-7787 or
www.mastercard.com. Electricity: 110V, 60 Hz same as USA Long-distance calls are expensive, it is best to arrange to have a calling card access number in advance. You can also place reversed-charge calls by reaching an international operator, dial 09. Business Hours: Banks are open 9 AM–1:30 PM Monday–Friday, although some
banks are now expanding hours. Stores often open between 9 AM–8 PM, but can close for
siesta in midday. Holidays Banks and most businesses close on New Year's Day (1
January), Constitution Day (5 February), Birthday of Benito Juaréz (21 March), Good
Friday through Easter Monday (four days in March or April; date varies), Labor Day (1
May), Anniversary of Battle of Puebla (5 May), Independence Day (16 September), Columbus
Day (12 October), All Saints' Day (1 November), All Souls' Day (2 November), Anniversary
of the Mexican Revolution of 1910 (20 November), and Christmas Day (25 December).Area: 1,972,000 sq. km (769,080 sq. mi) Capital city: Mexico City (pop 20 million) Population: 97,967,000 in 1995 (growth rate 2%);Literacy rate 88%. People: Approximately 70% mestizo (mixed European and Indian descent) 9% European and 20% indígena (Native Americans or Indians - including Nahua, Maya, Zapotecs, Mixtecs, Totonacs, and Tarascos or Purépecha) 8% of the population speak Indian languages. Also includes Arabic 400,000, Chinese 31,000 Language: Language: Language: Spanish Religion: 90% Roman Catholic, 6% Protestant GDP: US$370 billion GDP per head: US$4000. Travel Seasons-- Mexico has two principal travel seasons. High season begins around December 20 and continues to Easter; in some places it begins as early as mid-November. Low season is from the day after Easter to mid-December; during low season, prices may drop 20% to 50%. In beach destinations popular with Mexican travelers, such as Veracruz and Acapulco, prices will revert to high season during July and August, the traditional national summer vacation period. Prices inland fluctuate little from high to low season, but may rise dramatically during the weeks of Easter and Christmas and at Carnaval time at the port Cities of Veracruz and Mazatlan.
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Mexico is often
considered tropical but is rather temperate or spring like
year-round. Dry winter (November through April) and rainy (May through
October) season, although the rain is usual tolerable for travelers.
In short, anytime of year is going to be relatively nice for travel. Satelite Photo of the Hemisphere  Be
your own weather predictor.
Weather and Climate of Mexico by nationalgeographic.com |
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OFFICIAL State Tourism Offices in Mexico
by mexico.netgate.net
Frequently updated inclusive list from Publisher Ron
Mader, 
