Weather

The temperature and rainfall vary with the altitude, hot with high humidity on the coast, temperate on the central plateaus with greater changes between day and night temperatures in the highlands. Above 2000m, the temperature drops considerably. Rainfall is sparse, and the northern and central areas of the central plateau are dry year-round. There is enough snow in the north in winter for Mexicans to enjoy skiing.

Visa, Immigration, Customs

Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your date of entry. Canadians and US citizens are only required to be in possession of valid official photo identification (such as a driver's licence) and proof of citizenship (such as a birth certificate). Canadians born in the Province of Québec must present a birth certificate issued after January 1, 1994. Some have encountered difficulty in boarding flights in Mexico without a passport. We strongly recommend that a valid passport be carried. If it is not apparent to a border official that you are only visiting Mexico (by presenting your itinerary and/or return ticket) you might be asked to provide the address of your accommodations and your planned departure date. Regulations change periodically. Please contact the consulate office closest to you.

Visa/Permit/Tourist Card Tourist cards (Multiple Migratory Forms)are issued to each traveller (including children travelling on your passport) free of charge. They are good for stays of up to 180 days (90 days for Australians). These must be kept during your entire length of stay as they will have to be presented and stamped on leaving.Single parents or other adults vacationing alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country.

Transportation

Many regional routes are run by small, domestic carriers. Double confirm all flights, as scheduling can be unstable. Air travel is preferred over a hot bus ride.

Airports in Mexico:There are 1833 airports in Mexico.

Travel by Rail:Mexico has a good railway service and most towns are linked.

Travel by Water:Car and passenger ferries run between Baja California and the Mexican mainland, and to the Caribbean islands of Isla Mujeres and Cozumel.

Travel by Road:Rates for renting a car with driver through a tour operator are very good. Highway robbery is a real risk in Mexico, especially on isolated stretches of highway at night, so you may not wish to rent a car.

Bus and taxi travel are good in the city.

What Side of the Road?:Driving is on the right side of the road.

Speed Limits:Urban areas - 20/30 kph; out of town 80/110 kph

Culture & Food

Languages Spoken:Spanish, various Mayan, Nahuatl, and other regional indigenous languages. Tour guides and service professionals in tourist-oriented facilities are very likely to speak English.

Religions:Roman Catholic 89%, Protestant 6%, other 5%

People and Culture:Colonial Spanish, American and native culture reflects the fascinating past of Mexico. Its ancient civilizations produced spectacular monuments and temples, and more than 60 different native languages spoken by over 7 million people. The official language is Castilian Spanish, and the art of the colonial period is largely Christian, but Mexican Spanish predominates, with English being the language of commerce and business. The art and architecture is a living history book. The influence of the local artisans and artists can be seen in the elaborate altarpieces and church decorations. Frida Kahlo's and Diego Rivera's painting is internationally acclaimed, as is the magic realism of writers of the calibre of Carlos Fuentes, Octavio Paz and Juan Rulfo.
A resident or national of Mexico is called Mexican. The Term used to describe things from here is Mexican. For example, Mexican food.

Tipping and Bargaining: Tipping is practiced and done U.S.A style in resort areas. Expect to be able to bargain in markets.

Restaurants:	10-15% or 15 -20% in resort areas
*Porters:	10 New Pesos per bag
Taxi:	50 cents

* Try to use local currency. Foreign coins cannot be exchanged and will be useless to the person receiving them. Foreign paper money requires a trip to the bank for exchange. However paper US dollars are accepted almost universally.

Food:Traditional Mexican cuisine includes delicate seafood dishes, marinated and stuffed vegetables. Mole is a sauce for which many recipes exist; Mole Negro mixes bitter chocolate with savoury spices, and is traditionally served over chicken.

Money Conversion

Mexico's currency is called the Mexican New Peso (MXN)

Currency Converter :use the following currency converter tool to help you with your vacation. Currency Convertor Tool

Currency Cheat Sheet: use the following currency cheat sheet as a quick conversion reference on your vacation.Currency Cheat Sheet

Attractions

Destination Cities:Mexico City is over 700 years old and was the ancient capital of the Aztec Empire. It is the oldest continuously inhabited city in the Western Hemisphere, with a population of over 20 million. Acapulco and Puerto Vallarta, beach resort towns, have vibrant night life, many good restaurants and lots to do. Cancun on the Yucatan Peninsula is a world-class resort town with drinkable tap water, well-kept roads, fascinating ruins and good diving.

Points of Interest:Oaxaca has a thriving contemporary art scene. Buy your silver in Taxo. Cuernevaca, an industrial centre, is known for artisan's goods also. The lost city of Palenque in the northeast part of Chiapas state is surrounded by verdant jungle noisy with howler monkeys. Just northwest of Creel is the Cascada de Basaseachi, the highest waterfalls in Mexico (246m), spectacular in the rainy season. Major currencies are easily exchanged in the large cities and resort towns. Those with overseas accounts may find the bank machines uncooperative. Check before you leave about a branch or affiliated bank in the areas you expect to be.