Mexico travel Tips

With all there is to see and do, Mexico is a traveller’s paradise. It may not be the most convenient place to get around, but each expedition is worth it. Yet being a relatively poor country, Mexico has some pickpocketing and street crime targeting foreigners. With the right precautions, this should pose little problem.

• If you are driving in Mexico, you must buy Mexican insurance. If you get pulled over without any insurance, you are going to prison. Also, you should know some Spanish, have basic mechanical aptitude and access to cash for emergencies.

• Mexico is enjoyable year round, but October to May is generally the most pleasant time to visit. The May-September period can be hot and humid, particularly in the south, and inland temperatures can approach freezing during December-February. Facilities are often heavily booked during Semana Santa (the week before Easter) and Christmas/New Year, the peak domestic travel periods.

• Mexicans love their celebrations, just about every month sees a major national holiday or fiesta, and every other day is a local saint's day or town fair celebration. These are a great way to mix and have fun with the locals.

• The highway system between major cities is modern and similar to the freeways farther north. Expect to pay tolls often, as they are not taxpayer funded. Have a hefty handful of small bills available so you'll encounter no problems with making change.

• When buying fresh fruits and vegetables, be sure to wash them with distilled or bottled water before eating; peel them if possible.

• Buses are the most common mode of public transport and bus routes are extensive. But note that highway robbery is a real risk in Mexico, especially at night on isolated stretches of highway. Local bus rides can add colour to your trip, but they are often hot and crowded.

• It's best to bring US dollar denomination travellers cheques and some US dollars in cash. You can exchange money in banks or in ‘casas de cambio’. Note that bank exchange facilities are often only open between 09:00 and 15:00 or 16:00.

Useful travel tips resources

Footprint Guides - Mexico
Extensive resource on travelling in Mexico from this well-known travel guide publisher.
http://www.footprintguides.com/

Mexico Travel Guide
A useful site full of travel tips and articles on Mexico.
http://www.go2mexico.com/

Mexico Online
Exhaustive resource on all things Mexican.
http://www.mexonline.com/

More topics on this site…
Mexico travel information
Mexico health and safety
Mexico maps and geography

Essentials

Visas: Stays longer than 72 hours require a tourist card valid for 180 days.
Season: Enjoyable year round, October to May is the most pleasant time to visit.
Money: Peso – ATMs widely available, US dollars also accepted
Language: Spanish – English understood in tourist areas
Emergency #: Ambulance: 060

Mexico