Mexico Basics |
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Electricity: 130 volts, 60Hz. Two-pin flat blade attachment plugs are standard.
Money: Mexican currency is the New Peso (MXN) divided into 100 centavos. Credit cards are widely accepted, particularly Visa, MasterCard and American Express. Travellers cheques are generally accepted, and are best taken in US Dollars. ATMs are available in most cities and towns and are the most convenient way to get money, but for safety reasons they should only be used during business hours. Although most businesses will accept foreign currency it is best to use pesos. Foreign currency can be exchanged at one of many casas de cambio (exchange houses), which have longer hours and offer a quicker service than the banks.
Currency Exchange Rates |
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| MXN1.00 = | US$ 0.09 | £ 0.05 | C$ 0.10 | A$ 0.12 | R 0.76 | € 0.06 | NZ$ 0.14 |
Language: Spanish is the official language. Some English is spoken in tourist regions.
Entry requirements for Americans: United States passport holders must have a valid passport. A visa is not required for stays of up to 180 days, if holding a Tourist Card/FMT form issued free of charge by airlines. From 23 January 2007 all US citizens travelling to and from Mexico by air will require a passport; by 1 January 2008 the requirement will be extended to include all land and sea border crossings as well.
Entry requirements for UK nationals: British passport holders must have a passport valid for at least six months from date of entry. A visa is not required for stays of up to 180 days, if in possession of a Tourist Card/FMT form and holding a passport endorsed British Citizen. If the passport is endorsed British National (Overseas) the visa exemption is for a maximum of 90 days. Travellers must have a return or onward ticket (unless a British Citizen with a Tourist Card or visa), as well as necessary documents for further travel, and sufficient funds.
Entry requirements for Canadians: Canadian passport holders must have a valid passport, or other proof of citizenship, such as an original birth certificate, and an official photo ID (driver's license is acceptable), plus marriage certificate if your name has changed. A visa is not required for stays of up to 180 days if in possession of a Tourist Card/FMT form issued free of charge by airlines. Travellers are required to have the necessary documents for further travel, and sufficient funds.
Entry requirements for Australians: Australian passport holders must have a valid passport. A visa is not required for stays of up to 180 days if in possession of a Tourist Card/FMT form issued free by airlines. Travellers are required to have tickets and documents for a return or onward journey, and sufficient funds.
Entry requirements for South Africans: South African passport holders require a passport valid for at least one year. A visa is required for both tourists and business travellers, but there is no charge for a visa. Travellers are required to have tickets and documents for a return or onward journey, and sufficient funds.
Entry requirements for New Zealanders: New Zealanders must have a passport. No visa is required for a touristic stay of up to180 days, if holding a Tourist Card/form FMT issued by airlines (free of charge).
Entry requirements for Irish nationals: Irish nationals must have a valid passport. A visa is not required for stays of up to 180 days if in possession of a Tourist Card/FMT form issued free by airlines. Travellers are required to have tickets and documents for a return or onward journey, and sufficient funds.
Passport/Visa Note: All visitors must hold a tourist card (FMT form), which is issued free of charge and obtainable from airlines, Mexican Consulates, Mexican international airports and border crossing points.
Health: Those entering Mexico from an infected area require a yellow fever certificate. There are no vaccination requirements for visitors to Mexico, however visitors should take medical advice if travelling outside the major tourist areas. Immunisation against hepatitis A and typhoid is generally recommended. A malaria risk exists in some rural areas, but not on the Pacific and Gulf coasts, and the dengue fever mosquito occurs. Other risks include dysentery and diarrhoeal diseases, and sensible precautions regarding food and water are strongly advised, visitors are advised to be cautious of street food and stick to bottled water. Medical facilities are very good, but medical insurance is recommended.
Tipping: Tips are expected in Mexico by almost all services; waiters and bar staff should be tipped 10 to 15% if a service charge hasn't already been added to the bill. The American custom of tipping 15 to 20% is practiced at international resorts, including those in Los Cabos. Taxi drivers are not usually tipped unless they have helped with luggage.
Safety: There is a risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks in public places. Crime is high in Mexico, especially in Mexico City, where robberies and muggings are prevalent. Travellers should avoid displays of wealth and be particularly vigilant on public transport, at stations and tourist sites. Only use authorised taxi services. All bus travel should be in daylight hours and if possible it is advisable to travel first class. Women travelling on their own should be alert, especially in tourist areas; a number of serious sexual assaults have occurred in Cancun recently. Visitors drawing money from cash machines or exchanging money at bureaux de change should do so in daylight hours and be especially vigilant on leaving. Visitors are advised to be wary of people presenting themselves as police officers attempting to fine or arrest them for no apparent reason, leading to theft or assault; if in doubt ask for identification, and, if possible to make a note of the officer's name, badge number and patrol number. The practice is most common in Cancun where increasing numbers of motorists in rental cars have been stopped and threatened with imprisonment if an immediate fine is not paid. Hurricanes may affect the coastal areas between June and November. Demonstrations relating to the contested July 2006 elections led to severe disruption in Mexico City; visitors should avoid all demonstrations, which have the potential to become violent. In Oaxaca, southern Mexico, an ongoing protest against the governor has resulted in violent demonstrations leading to several deaths and injuries; protests have also been aimed at the tourist industry. The situation, although calm, remains tense, and there is a possibility of further violence.
Customs: Homosexuality is tolerated, but not generally accepted; public displays of affection between same sex couples should be avoided.
Business: Business in Mexico tends to be conducted formally, particularly in initial meetings. Face-to-face contact is important in order to build a good working relationship. Dress tends to be formal with suits and ties the norm, though it can be more relaxed in hotter areas. It is always important to be punctual, although your counterpart might be late. Greetings are polite and formal, using surnames and titles unless otherwise indicated. A handshake is standard, though follow your host's lead - if pulled forward, or your host leans forward, put your left arm around his back and pat firmly (known as abrazo). Business cards are usually exchanged and it can be helpful to have them printed in English on one side and Spanish on the other. English is used in a business context, but an attempt at speaking Spanish will be highly appreciated. Women should be aware that business is Mexico is very male dominated. Business hours can vary, though usually from 9am to 5pm, often closing at lunchtime for an hour.
Communications: The international access code for Mexico is +52. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 001 for North America). City/area codes are in use, e.g. (0)55 for Mexico City, (0)744 for Acapulco and (0)998 for Cancun. Some US long-distance phone companies have access numbers which can be dialled in order to use your phone card - calls are usually cheaper than direct-dialled calls from a hotel room. If calling internationally from a phone booth only use the official TelMex phone booths, as all others charge very high fees. GSM 1900 mobile networks cover most of the country. Internet access is widely available in most of the country, especially in tourist-orientated areas.
Duty Free: Travellers to Mexico over 18 years do not have to pay duty on 400 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g pipe tobacco; 3 litres wine or other alcoholic beverages; perfume, eau-de-cologne or lotions for personal use; a video camera and one standard camera. Non-residents are allowed to bring in 12 rolls of film or video cassettes, and goods to the value of US$300 without incurring duty fees. Prohibited goods include fresh food products and the import of canned food. The export of archaeological artefacts is strictly forbidden.