Banks: 08:00 to 19:00, Monday to Friday, some open Saturday mornings
Post Offices: 08:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday
Department Stores and Shops: 10:00 to 22:00, daily
Museums: 09:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday
Business Offices: 09:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday
The currency used in Mexico is the peso. Bank notes come in denominations of 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 pesos; while coins come in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10 and 20 pesos, as well as 20 and 50 centavos (100 centavos is equal to 1 peso).
Most of the time, it is difficult to get small change, so you should change up large notes in your hotel.
The exchange rate fluctuates daily and its best not to exchange all your money at once. Banks generally offer the best exchange rates but casas de cambio (exchange houses) are generally more convenient.
ATMs are widely available in major cities and resort areas. It’s recommended you only use them in the daytime for safety reasons. Most machines offer Spanish and English menus and dispense pesos. Visa, MasterCard and American Express are the most accepted credit cards.
When arriving in Mexico, you should declare all products of animal origin, including: pets, dairy produce and meats. You also need to declare plants, flowers, fruits, seeds and bulbs, as well as insecticides, insects, medicines and vaccines. All pets must have a health certificate.
Visitors are permitted to bring in two cartons of cigarettes or 50 cigars, plus 1 kilogram of smoking tobacco; two single litre bottles of wine or hard liquor, and 12 rolls of film. Basically, you shouldn’t bring anything that looks as if it's meant to be resold in Mexico. Mexican officials have no tolerance for drug users and jail sentences are long and extremely unpleasant.
There is a good standard of medical care in Mexico's major cities and in the popular resort areas. Additionally, prescription medication is widely available at pharmacies.
Depending on what region of Mexico you travel to, you could experience altitude sickness. Make sure you drink plenty of fluids, avoid alcoholic beverages, and don't overexert yourself during the first few days.
Steer clear of mosquito bites by using a good insect repellent. Although there have been recent cases of dengue fever, which is transmitted by mosquitoes, you should be safe in the urban areas. If you are stung by a scorpion, you should seek medical attention immediately. The scorpion toxin antidote is for sale at most drugstores and it would be wise to purchase some if you plan on being in a remote area of Mexico.
Parts of Mexico can be very hot and as a traveller you may be spending much more time in the sun than usual. Remember to drink plenty of water as dehydration is a common ailment among visitors. Additionally, make sure you are well protected with sunscreen.
Spanish is the official Language in
As with many large cities, crime in Mexico is high. You should use common sense and always be aware of your surroundings. Do not wear expensive jewellery or draw attention to yourself.
Never walk back to your hotel at night, take a taxi. It is also important to only withdraw cash from ATMs in the day from protected facilities.
Women travelling on their own should be watchful. It is recommended that you have a guide with you, especially at night.
The pace of life in Mexico is much slower than some travellers are used to, and you should always be patient. Additionally, using a smile as a greeting without actually saying anything can be taken as amusement, smugness or superiority. It’s best to at least give a general greeting. Mexico is a traditional country, where the hierarchies between social positions, age, sex and cultural level are well noticed and observed.
Tipping is customary in Mexico, with porters, taxi drivers, maids, waiters and waitresses appreciating a small token. As wages are typically very low here, your tour guides and others rely on visitors tips to cover their expenses. Tips make a significant difference to their income.
Visitors to Mexico will find the residents here to be relaxed and laid back, with no strict rules of etiquette being likely to effect your holiday. Time is more flexible that in most European countries, with people typically arriving 30 minutes late for a meeting, so have patience if things seem to get off to a slow start.
When meeting a Mexican for the first time, a hand shake is an appropriate greeting, while hugging and a light kiss on the cheek is common between friends of both sexes. Physical contact is very important here, so don’t shy away if someone touches you, it is most likely a sign they like you and want to get to know you.
The most noticeable difference in dining for most tourists to Mexico is the different times that meals are taken. Breakfast is typically eaten from 08:00 to 11:00; lunch from 14:00 to 16:00; and dinner doesn’t normally start until 21:00.
Electricity: 110 volts/60 AC
Every city and town that has telephone access has a two-digit (Mexico City, Monterrey, and Guadalajara) or three-digit (all other cities) area code. In Mexico City, Monterrey and Guadalajara, local numbers have eight digits; elsewhere, local numbers have seven digits. To place a local call, you do not need to dial the area code. Cellular phones are very popular for small businesses in resort areas and smaller communities. If you are calling someone with the same area code, you can dial 044 and then the number but if you are calling elsewhere in Mexico, first dial 01, and then the three-digit area code and the seven-digit number. The country code for Mexico is 52. To make international calls from Mexico, first dial 00, then the country code. For directory assistance dial 040 for a number inside Mexico. To call long distances within Mexico, dial 01 before dialling the area code and then the number.
All travellers to Mexico are required to present proof of citizenship, such as an original birth certificate with a raised seal, a valid passport, or naturalization papers. Those using a birth certificate should also have current photo identification, such as a driver's license or official ID. http://www.sre.gob.mx/
British tourists visiting Mexico need a passport that is valid for at least 6 months from the intended date of entry and should also obtain a tourist card (called an FMT) which can be obtained from Mexican consulates, Mexican international airports, border crossing points and most airlines serving Mexico.
Mexico’s tourist information office is located in the airport and can be contacted by calling: +52 9 884 80 73. Alternatively, the office can be visited for free advice, maps and information.
The hotel is undergoing some refurbishment, but still provides all comfort to guests, except for elevators to upper floors (had to carry all luggage up and down stairs). Still highly recommended....
