MEXICO
ALTITUDE
Large mountain ranges are covering the country, except the Yucatan Peninsula which is quite flat.
EMBASSIES
CRAFTS
Mexico has excellent craftsmen who achieve genuine artwork: silver, copper, wood, textiles, ceramics, leathers, stones, onyx, obsidian,…..
BEVERAGES
Traditional drinks to serve with dishes such as fruit waters and beers. The Mexican most emblematic drink is tequila, an alcohol drink made with a type of agave, the blue agave. The mezcal can also be found, produced from another type of agave. You can also find wine which some are great vintages. Do not forget the chocolate originally from Mexico and originally the drink for the Gods reserved for the pre-Hispanic dignitaries.
CREDITS CARDS
International credit cards VISA or MASTERCARD are accepted in hotels and restaurants. You can withdraw cash in Pesos from ATMs. Please refer to Currency information section.
WEATHER
Mexico is a tropical country, nevertheless on the higher elevations, the weather is cooler, even cold, which is the case of Mexico City, like at the center of the country, the Chiapas or the Copper Canyon. Even in the hot climate regions, sometimes in the morning and evening, a sensation of coolness can be noticed. Moreover, public places such as restaurants and hotels have often very cold air conditioning!
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS 2023
- 1 January: New Year’s Day
- 6 February: Commemoration of the promulgation of the Mexican Constitution of 1917
- 20 March: Commemorative day of the birth of Benito Juárez
- 6 April: Holy Week
- 7 April: Holy Week
- 1 May: Labour Day
- 5 May: Battle of Puebla
- 16 September: Mexican Independence Day
- 2 November: Day of the Dead
- 20 November: Commemoration of the Mexican Revolution
- 25 December: Christmas Day
CURRENCY & EXCHANGE
The national currency is the Peso. 1 EURO is worth almost 19 Mexican Pesos. It is convenient to exchange currency at the airports or in big cities. You can withdraw cash from ATMs with International credit cards.
ELECTRICITY
In Mexico, 110 volts outlets, with flat blade plugs. Please bring a plug adapter. Computers and cell phones have an internal transformer, therefore, you will only need a plug adapter.
GASTRONOMY
Mexican traditional cuisine is designated UNESCO Intangible Heritage, to outline how rich and diversified this cuisine is, as the intermixing of cultures outcome. Puebla, Oaxaca and Yucatan Peninsula are the best known gastronomical regions.
CURRENT TIME
Mexico has different time zones and has like France summer time and winter time (the time change may not occur exactly on the same day). As to remember the Mexican Centre Region, is generally 7 hours behind France. Mainly for a big part of the country for Mexico City, the center, southeast, southern as well as most of the Pacific coast.
LANGUAGE
Spanish is the official language in Mexico. English is widely spoken but French much less.
WEB ACCESS
WIFI connections in general work well, and often are free of charge in hotels.
TIPS
In Mexico, the service is not generally included in the bills. It is recommended to leave approximately a 15% tip of the value of beverages.
HEALTH
No vaccination is mandatory to enter the country. It is recommended to drink mineral water.
SAFETY
Respect the basic security rules, such as:
- Avoid walking in isolated streets or neighborhoods with bad reputation.
- Be careful when withdrawing cash or exchanging currency.
- Leave valuable jewels and objects in the safe-deposit-box at the hotel or in a safe place.
- Only take with you the needed cash and credit cards.
- Request help case by case to your tour guide.
TRANSPORT
Mexico is a very vast country. According to the distances to be travelled, it is convenient to travel by plane. For instance, between Mexico and Cancun there is more than two hours flight.
The road infrastructure is of great quality with many highways.
HOW TO DRESS?
Casual outfit and comfortable shoes to visit. Plan to bring light clothes and warmer clothes to wear in case the temperature is colder and/or cooler.
We recommend: hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and mosquito repellent.
Important observation: in protected areas it is forbidden to use sunscreen and mosquito repellent as they are not biodegradable. In the areas of Sian Ka’an and Xcaret on the Caribbean coast.
REGIONS OF MEXICO
Mexico
