Practical Information » North America » Continental North America » Mexico »

Mexico

Getting Started & Practical Information

When to Visit

Mexico's coasts shift temperature from hot to hotter and humid, however this heat is why most people visit the country to begin with so there's no real bad time to visit unless you mistakenly arrive in Cancun on college spring break (and that's not your intention). Parts of the country's interior are quite mountainous and hence substantially cooler.

The coasts average about 86˚ F (30˚ C) in most places during July-August including Puerto Vallarta and Cancun. During the winters, the coasts dip a bit to about 74˚ F (23˚ C). The inland mountains get much cooler. In Mexico City temperatures range from about 62˚ F (17˚ C) in summer to about 53˚ F (12˚ C) in the winter.

The tourist spots' busy times tend to be over the summer months of July and August and during any major North American holiday period like Christmas-New Years and college spring break which shifts year to year, but tends to fall around Easter. Price also rise with the crowds.

A final point to consider before planning your travel is local holidays. Holidays can make travel either more attractive, such as for large festivals, or less attractive, due to tourist site closings and more expensive transportation options. To see Mexico's Official & Unofficial Holidays, visit the Mexican Government's Official Website.

Weather

Although weather can be generalized based upon years past, for more up to date weather patterns and predicted future weather patterns, visit weather websites like weather.com; many local news sources also have information for international weather forecasts.

Tours & Cruises

If you're looking for a pre-arranged trip, that involves little effort on your part, then you should consider going on an organized tour or cruise. Organized tours and cruises vary from all expenses included to only daily tours and perhaps hotels included in the price, but all the options below will help you arrange all the details so you don't have to worry about finding the best deal or right hotel.

Caravan Tours: In business since the 1950s, Caravan offers tours too all ages, but there are few young people on many of their tours.

Carnival Cruises: Cruises for all ages and families.

Contiki Tours: A tour company that only offers tours to 18-35 year olds; known as offering fun and social tours for young singles and couples.

Gap Adventures: Known best among young adults, Gap Adventures provides local transportation, housing, and food, which cuts costs and introduces the local culture, but can also be challenging for those seeking luxury.

Gecko's Adventures: Active in "responsible" tourism, Gecko's Adventures provides local transportation, housing, and food in small group settings.

Holland America Cruises: Cruises for all ages and families.

Intrepid Travel: Boasts more "off the beaten track" destinations; do your research though since some tours are very adventurous and involves camping and local hotels.

Journey Mexico: Personalized, high-end luxury travel, ranked highly by Conde Nast Traveler.

Road Scholar: For older adults, Road Scholar offers tours with an educational emphasis; formerly known as Elder Hostel.

Guidebooks

If you are just traveling on business and have little free time or are already familiar with Mexico, you may not need anything more than SafariTheGlobe.com's Free Mini Guide to Mexico! However, if you need more detailed and up to date information, there are a number of great country-wide, region-wide, and city-wide guidebooks available for travel in Mexico.

Eyewitness Guides: Incredible pictures and detailed maps of popular tourist sites including museums. Those living abroad can't put these books down.

Fodor's: Good maps and information for the major tourist locations, but has little information for anyone heading off the beaten track. Great for those on organized tours.

Frommer's: Incredible number of lists, which divide travel into various categories based upon your interests. Travelers looking to spend most of their time in a single location or on organized tours enjoy these books.

Lonely Planet: Great maps and updated often with comprehensive housing information, restaurants, & transportation options. Backpackers and adventurers love these guidebooks.

National Geographic Traveler: Almost more of an information book about Mexico, than a guidebook; offers great pictures, maps, history, and culture. Popular with armchair travelers and history buffs on organized tours.

Visas

Many foreign nationals need a visa to enter Mexico, however the requirements for citizens of different nationalities varies. To learn more about who need visas, what type of visa is needed, what requirements are needed to obtain a visa, and visa costs, please visit the Website of Your Local Mexican Embassy (this link is only in Spanish) or the Mexican Department of External Relations.

Health & Insurance

Every part of the world has different health concerns and diseases, including Mexico. Before traveling, consult with a physician to learn more about your destination and what steps you can take to prevent illness. At the time of writing, Mexico didn't have any health immunizations that are required prior to arrival, although a number of immunizations are strongly recommended.

Many health insurance providers don't cover health care that is provided outside your home country. Before going abroad check with your health insurance to see if they cover international care. If not, consider purchasing an international medical insurance option, preferably from a company that specializes in international medical insurance.

Transportation

Unless you're on an organized tour or working with a travel agent, you will have to arrange some transportation. The below links can greatly help you start your planning, first by finding a flight to Mexico, then with domestic airlines and car rental agencies. If you don't know where to begin, try the "Flight & Rental Car Search Sites" to learn competitor's prices during your trip.

Largest International Airlines: Air France, American Airlines; British Airways; Cathay Pacific; China Southern Airlines; Delta; Emirates; KLM; LAN; Lufthansa; Qantas; Singapore Airlines; United Airlines.

Largest Mexican Airlines: AeroMexico & VivaAerobus.

Largest Rental Car Agencies in Mexico: Budget; Dollar; Hertz; Thrifty.

Flight & Rental Car Search Sites: Expedia.com; Farecast.com; Kayak.com; Orbitz.com; & Travelocity.com.

Housing

Housing options are numerous in most tourist destinations, but every individual seeks out something different when it comes to housing. The below links should help you get started, with low- to high-end hotels, hostels, and camping options.

Popular International Hotel Chains: Accor Group (various price ranges); Choice Hotels (low- to mid-price range); Hilton (various price ranges); Hyatt (high-end to resorts); InterContinental Group (mid- to high-price range); Marriott Family (various price ranges); Starwood Hotels (high-end); Wyndham Hotels (low- to mid-price range).

Hotel Search Sites: Expedia.com; Kayak.com; Orbitz.com; & Travelocity.com.

Hostels: Although there are many hostel websites, some of the most popular and reputable include hostels.com, hostelworld.com, & hostelbookers.com.

Camping: The best starting point for Camping Options in Mexico can be found on the Official Mexico Tourism Board's Website

Opening Hours, Expenses, & Tipping

Mexico is on the same time schedule as much of southern Europe. Shops and tourist attractions tend to open at about 9:00-10:00 am and close at about 5:00 pm, but inconsistencies are everywhere. Many factory workers put in much more than 40 hours a week, while shops and attractions may open late, close early, or shut down mid-afternoon based upon whose working that day and what their personal schedules look like. Having said that, all major tourist attractions are on a set schedule and don't tend to shift based upon whose working. Weekends in Mexico are Saturdays and Sundays.

Restaurant hours vary depending on what they serve and who they cater to. Most Mexicans eat a modest breakfast, have a large lunch at about 2:00-4:00 pm then a light dinner at about 7:00-9:00 pm. In tourist locations restaurants tend to be open all day or are on the American and Canadian eating time schedule (lunch at about 11:30 am-2:00 pm and dinner anywhere from 5:00-9:00 pm), however restaurants catering to the locals will only open (or begin service) at about 2:00 pm so you could be stuck waiting hours to get some food.

Bars are very popular in tourist destinations in Mexico, although most people stay at all-inclusive resorts, which eliminates the need for outside bars. Bars tend to open late and tend to close later. Most places in Mexico allow open intoxicants so as bars close they may offer you a plastic glass to pour your drink into to finish on the way home. In tourist locations, bars and dance clubs tend to be on the American schedule, however remain open later (9:00 pm-past 2:00 am).

Mexico is relatively inexpensive on European standards, however at the all inclusive resorts the prices can escalate quickly. Decent hotels can easily be found for about 500 pesos ($40) a night (make sure they have air conditioning included), while resorts tend to begin at 1,200 pesos ($100) during the off season, but more during peak tourist times. Food can range greatly from street food for 30 pesos ($3) and up; average prices are about 200-250 pesos ($10-20) for a good meal in a clean restaurant. Transportation costs in Mexico are reasonable if you take buses, however due to the country's size and mountainous interior, flying or renting a car is often times more convenient. Car rentals tend to be about $40 a day and one-way domestic flights begin at about $100, both of which are often times quoted in US dollars.

When eating out at a sit-down restaurant a tip of between 10-16% (before tax is added) is expected, but some restaurants catering for tourists already include a service charge in the bill so check before tipping. In bars a tip of 10 pesos ($1) per drink is standard and for bell hops in hotels 10 pesos ($1) a bag is appreciated. For tourist services that last more than a couple hours (driver, tour guide in a museum, etc.) tips are expected for the guides in the amount of a few US dollars or Euros. Other services, like taxis don't expect a tip, however if extra service is given so should a tip.

Crime & Safety

Mexico can be extremely dangerous or safe and luxurious depending on how and where you travel. Most major crimes target the local drug and human traffickers in Mexico's major cities and US border towns. For most tourists who book an all-inclusive resort, arriving, taking a taxi to the resort, and relaxing on your private beach for a week poses little threat.

The biggest threats to the tourist are the oceans, the pick pocketers, and the scams, which are numerous both before you arrive and after landing. The oceans can be very dangerous if you don't know the currents and geography so remaining on beaches with lifeguards or simply remaining in your resort's pool are your best options. While swimming though, another threat is the robbery of your unprotected possession that remain on the beach.

Major cities, tourist locations, and public transportation are breeding grounds for pick pocketers so keep your passport and wallet protected at all times if they're not locked away in your hotel safe.

The first of many scams are by taxi drivers, in both legitimate and fake taxis so be careful which taxi you step into. There are often times two taxis, one is owned by the Mexican government and the second by the state government you're in. Both of these are overly expensive but generally safe so long as you make sure you pay in advance at the airport or the driver uses his meter. Don't get into any unmarked taxi and be extra cautious in Mexico City with all taxi drivers, even in government-owned taxis. Another scam is the booking of fake hotels and resorts. While this is quickly decreasing in popularity, booking your flight and hotel through a respected travel agency or at a chain you are familiar with will prevent any related stress.

This page was last updated: May, 2011