Blog Posts
Mexico: Mexico City – National Anthropology Museum
Mexico: México – Teotihuacan
Mexico: Colonial Cholula & Puebla
Mexico: Mexico City – National Autonomous University (UNAM)
Mexico: A playground in the sun, on the Riviera Maya – Playa del Carmen
Mexico: Quintana Roo – Tulum Mayan Ruins
Mexico: Mexico City – Xochimilco
Mexico: Mexico City – the trendy districts of Roma and La Condesa
Mexico: Mexico City – Historic Centre
Mexico: Mexico City – Chapultepec Castle and forest
Mexico: Mexico City – Coyoacán and Frida Kahlo’s Casa Azul
Mexico: Quintana Roo – Las Robles (Review)
Mexico: Quintana Roo – Puerto Morelos
Mexico: Quintana Roo – Pitted Date (Review)
Mexico: Quintana Roo – Zöetry Paraiso de la Bonita
- Capital: Mexico City
- Area: 1,972,550 sq km
- Population: 129.1 million
- Languages: Spanish, also Nahuatl, Yucatec Maya, Zapotec, Mixtec, Mayo, Yaqui, Tzeltal, Tzotzil, Chol, Totonac and others
Regions
| Aguascaliente Baja | California Nortes | Baja California Sur |
| Campeche | Chiapas | Chihuahua |
| Coahuila | Colima | Durango |
| Guanajuato | Guerrero | Hidalgo |
| Jalisco | México | Mexico City |
| Michoacán | Morelos | Navarre |
| Nuevo León | Oaxaca | Puebla |
| Querétaro | Quintana Roo | San Luis Potosí |
| Sinaloa | Sonora | Tabasco |
| Tamaulipas | Tlaxcala | Veracruz |
| Yucatán | Zacatecas |
| Cities | ||||
| Mexico City | Cancun | Oaxaca | Tijuana | Guadalajara |
Mexico is a country in the southern portion of North America. It is bordered to the north by the United States; to the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; to the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and to the east by the Gulf of Mexico. Covering almost 2,000,000 square kilometres (770,000 sq mi), the nation is the fourth largest country in the Americas by total area and the 13th largest independent state in the world. With an estimated population of over 129 million people, Mexico is the tenth most populous country and the most populous Spanish-speaking country in the world while being the second most populous nation in Latin America after Brazil. Other metropolises in the country include Guadalajara, Monterrey, Puebla, Toluca, Tijuana, and León. Pre-Columbian Mexico dates to about 8000 BC and is identified as one of six cradles of civilization and was home to many advanced Mesoamerican civilizations such as the Olmec, Toltec, Teotihuacan, Zapotec, Maya, and Aztec before first contact with Europeans. In 1521, the Spanish Empire conquered and colonized the territory from its politically powerful base in Mexico-Tenochtitlan (part of Mexico City), which was administered as the viceroyalty of New Spain. The Roman Catholic Church played a powerful role in governing the country as millions were converted to the faith, although King Charles III expelled the Jesuits in the 1770s. The territory became a nation-state following its recognition in 1821 after the Mexican War of Independence. The post-independence period was tumultuous, characterized by economic inequality and many contrasting political changes. The Mexican–American War (1846–1848) led to a territorial loss of part of the huge northern territories to the United States. The Pastry War, the Franco-Mexican War, a civil war, two empires, and the Porfiriato occurred in the 19th century. The Porfiriato ended with the Mexican Revolution in 1910, which culminated in the promulgation of the 1917 Constitution and the emergence of an authoritarian one-party state, once described as the “perfect dictatorship”, that ruled for much of the 20th century until the opposition victories led Mexico to democratic transition in the 1990s. |
USEFUL INFORMATION
Currency & banking
$1USD = 16.61 Peso
The currency in Mexico is the Mexican peso. Each peso is divided into 100 cents.
When you’re buying currency for Mexico, look out for the currency code MXN. And once you’re in Mexico, you’ll see the symbol $ used to show prices.
You’ll find Mexican banknotes in denominations of 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000.
Mexican coins come in 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 40 and 100 pesos and 5, 10, 20 and 40
Credit cards from major providers are accepted almost everywhere. That includes Visa and Mastercard as well as American Express and Diners Club.
Just be wary of the charges you might incur for using your credit card overseas. These can include:
- International transaction fees
- High exchange rate margins
- ATM fees
- Potential ‘cash advance fees if you use an ATM
Getting around
Boats
The only way to travel to the small tropical islands off the coast is by boat. These are usually smaller-sized boats that can take you to the islands quickly. Most boat rides take approximately 30-45 minutes. If you travel to the Taman Negara, you’ll sail on a wooden jungle boat for about 2hrs.
Buses
If you’re travelling around Mexico on a budget, buses are the most efficient form of long-distance transport. Within Mexico, buses (long-distance buses are called camiones rather than autobuses in Mexican Spanish) are by far the most common and efficient form of public transport. The legendary craziness of Mexican bus drivers is largely a thing of the past, and many bus companies have installed warning lights and buzzers to indicate when the driver is exceeding the speed limit (though these are often ignored by the driver). In recent years the government has been trying to improve the safety record through regular mechanical checks and also with random alcohol and drug tests on the drivers.
There are basically two classes of bus, first (primera) and second (segunda), though on major long-distance routes there’s often little to differentiate them. First-class vehicles have reserved seats, videos and air-conditioning (which can be fierce – you may want a jumper), though an increasing number of second-class lines have the same comforts. The main differences will be in the number of stops – second-class buses call at more places, and consequently take longer to get where they’re going – and the fare, which is about ten percent higher on first-class services (sometimes a lot more). On important routes there are also deluxe, or pullman, buses, with names like Primera Plus or Turistar Plus and fares around thirty percent higher than those of first-class buses.
Trains
Malaysia has a limited railway network from south to north. It’s not the quickest means of transport, since the train will stop at most train stations along the way, but we feel it is well worth including during your trip as the train is an enjoyable means of transport and a great way to meet some locals. You can travel by train on the route from Singapore to Malacca (Tampin) or Kuala Lumpur, which stops at Butterworth, the closest stop to Penang Island.
Domestic Flights
If you are short on time or would prefer to cover longer distances quickly then domestic flights are the best option. For some routes flying is the preferred option, for example between Penang and the east coast. Air Asia is the most commonly used airline, along with Silk and Batik Air.
Driving and vehicle rental
The roads in Peninsular Malaysia are good, making driving a viable prospect for tourists – though the cavalier local attitude to road rules takes some getting used to. It’s mostly the same story in Sarawak, though in Sabah a sizeable minority of roads are rough, unpaved and susceptible to flash flooding.
Driving is on the left, and wearing seat belts is compulsory in the front of the vehicle. To rent a vehicle, you must be 23 or over and need to show a clean driving licence
General advice
Part of planning your trip to Mexico will involve deciding what you need to take with you. A bit of thought beforehand about what clothing will be most appropriate for the destination, time of year, and activities you have planned will allow you to enjoy your trip without the discomfort of being inappropriately attired.
Mexicans may dress more formally, and in some cases, more modestly than people north of the border may be accustomed. Of course, you’re free to dress as you wish, but if you choose to dress very differently from the majority of people you will be singling yourself out as a tourist, and worse, you may be seen as being disrespectful to your host country.
Here are a few general guidelines about what to wear depending on your destination, the type of activities you plan to participate in, and the weather.
Depending on your destination
In Mexico City and Mexico’s colonial cities, people generally dress more modestly than in beach destinations. Women in Mexico’s interior destinations seldom wear shorts, and men rarely do. Women who don’t want to attract excessive attention from men would be well advised to avoid short skirts and shorts and revealing clothes in general. Lightweight pants and long skirts are good options, as are blouses and tops that cover your cleavage. Sleeveless tops are acceptable, tank tops less so.
For beach cities and towns, casual clothes and shorts and tank tops are generally acceptable on the street. If you’re going to the beach or pool, take something to cover up on your way there and back—wearing swimsuits away from the beach or pool is considered inappropriate.
Evenings out
For restaurants or nightclubs, you should dress a bit more formally. Some restaurants require men to wear long pants and closed shoes. The old adage “Men wear pants. Women, look beautiful.” still applies in some establishments. For men, guayaberas are generally a good option—you’ll be cool and will be dressed appropriately even for formal occasions.
Depending on your activities
If you’re visiting churches, short shorts, short skirts, and tank tops are frowned upon, but Bermuda-type shorts and t-shirts are generally fine.
For visiting archaeological sites, comfort is key. Wear comfortable walking shoes. A closed toe is best for climbing pyramids and walking on sometimes treacherous surfaces. Although the weather may be hot, it’s best to cover up to avoid excessive sun exposure.
Adventure activities: Of course, it will depend on the type of adventure you have planned. For zip-lining, wear shoes that attach firmly to your feet so you don’t risk losing them. Shorts that are long enough so that the harness does not chafe your skin is a good idea. If you have a white water rafting adventure planned, water shoes are the best and quick-drying clothes. You may want to wear a bathing suit under your clothes.
Check the weather
A lot of people assume that the weather in Mexico is always hot, but that’s not the case. Be sure to check the forecast for your destination before you leave so that you will be well prepared with a sweater or jacket and or a raincoat if necessary. In southern Mexico, the rainy season usually falls from spring through early fall.
Health advice
The US Center For Disease Control maintains an updated list of medical advice for those travelling to Mexico.
The CDC recommends being up to date with all your regular shots. These vaccines include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, polio vaccine, and your yearly flu shot
They also suggest be vaccinated for typhoid and hepatitis A. There is also some advice about protection for hepatitis B, rabies and malaria – but this depends to some degree on where you are heading and what you are doing.
Healthcare
Health insurance is recommended. Government and private hospitals are found in all the main cities and can deal with major medical needs, but all charge for treatments. Standards are generally higher at private hospitals.
Food and water safety
As with many developing countries it is wise to be careful about what you drink and eat.
The cliche about Mexico is that tourists shouldn’t drink the water. South of Cancun, even the locals don’t drink the water. The water table in the Yucatan is very close to the surface and is contaminated by garbage dumps and runoff. Even in the poorest sections, the corner store sells huge bottles of purified water and kids drag carts filled with bottles to sell. You can buy bottled water anywhere, but when you buy water, make sure it is factory-sealed to guarantee it is safe to drink. Crystal is one popular brand in the Mayan Riviera.
Fruits and vegetables usually come directly to the store from local farms and are not washed well. Many vegetables are contaminated by fertilizer (usually pig or human dung) and will make you sick. Most of the restaurants catering to tourists purify their fruits and vegetables with iodine drops before serving them. If they go through this process, there will be a note about it on the menu. If it isn’t written on the menu, ask or don’t eat uncooked or cold fruits and vegetables.
One culprit for illness is salsa. In some restaurants, it sits out all day and the same salsa is used for multiple customers. Even if the salsa is changed with every patron, remember that salsa is RAW VEGETABLES which is on the list of no-nos. Resist, unless the menu says “our vegetables are purified”.
Seafood can also get you sick if it is spoiled or mishandled. Cooked seafood is the safest. Only eat raw seafood in nicer, very busy restaurants.
Safety
Here is a link to the US State Department Travel Advisory for Mexico for the latest information on travelling to Mexico.
In light of escalating drug-related crime in Mexico’s big border cities, safety is a valid concern. In November 2018, the US State Department issued an extension of its travel warning for citizens travelling to Mexico. According to the State Department, drug cartels are battling each other for control of the drug trade and are simultaneously fighting government attempts to crack down on their activities. The result has been an increase in violent crime in parts of northern Mexico. While foreign tourists are not typically targeted on purpose, they occasionally find themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Visitors to Mexico may become accidentally involved in carjackings, robbery or other violent crime situations.
Complicating the issue is the lack of news information coming from the affected areas. The cartels have begun to target Mexican journalists who report drug-related murders, so some local media outlets are not reporting on this issue. The reports that do trickle back indicate that kidnappings, murders, robberies and other violent crimes are on the rise in border areas, particularly in the cities of Tijuana, Nogales and Ciudad Juarez.
The State Department has classified five regions of Mexico as unsafe for tourists. These regions include Colima, Guerrero, Michoacán, Sinaloa and Tamaulipas.
Useful emergency numbers
| Service | Dial |
| Police and Ambulance | 911 |
| Fire | 911 |
Climate
Mexico is a vast country and has different types of climate, however, it is generally arid on the west coast and in the central-northern highlands, it is moderately rainy in the mountain ranges and in the southern plateaus, while it’s very rainy in some tropical southern areas. Summer is the rainiest season almost everywhere.
The temperature increases gradually from north to south, to the point that the south has a purely tropical climate. Altitude plays an important role as well: there are many cities located at high altitude, including the capital, where the climate is cooler.
During winter, the “Norte”, a cold wind from the United States, able to cause sudden drops in temperature, can blow, especially in the centre-north. Because of this wind, the northern inland areas (and a little less the northern coastal areas), during winter may experience cold waves, especially in hilly and mountainous areas.
The mild coast
Baja California, coast
In the peninsula of Baja California, practically a continuation of California, the climate is very mild on the west coast, where daytime temperatures range from 19/20 degrees Celsius (66/68 °F) in winter to 24/25 °C (75/77 °F) in summer in the northern part. The sun shines throughout the year, and the rare rains fall from November to March; rainfall totals around 200/250 millimetres (7.8/10 inches) per year. Here too, as in California, a cold current flows, which makes the sea cool and causes a bit of fog, but in return, it provides a lot of suns, little rain and a pleasant climate. However, when the wind blows from the interior, the temperatures can suddenly increase, even surpassing 40 °C (104 °F). A city that is located in this area is Tijuana, just south of the border with the United States and a short distance from the greater San Diego area.
Moving towards the south, the sea becomes progressively warmer. In the southern part of the state of Baja California, the sea temperature reaches 21/22 °C (70/72 °F) between August and October, while in the state of Baja California Sur, the sea is decidedly warmer.
Los Cabos
Cabo San Lucas is located at the southern tip of Baja California. Here, as in the rest of the peninsula, the climate is arid; winter is sunny, with cool nights, around 12/13 °C (54/55 °F), and pleasantly warm days, around 26/27 °C (79/81 °F). Spring is warm and sunny: daytime temperatures reach 29 °C (84 °F) already in April. Summer is hot, with highs around 32/34 °C (90/93 °F), but in the second part, from mid-July to October, owing to the little monsoon, there’s some chance of showers and thunderstorms, sometimes intense, especially in September.
Tierras frías
In the plateau of the centre-south above 1,800 meters (5,900 feet), there is a considerable difference in temperature between day and night, especially in the dry season. The tropical sun’s rays are very strong, even if the temperature is not so high. As for the rains, there is a dry season from November to April and a rainy season from May to October.
Mexico City
The huge federal capital, Mexico City, is located in the southern part of the plateau, at an altitude of 2,200 meters (7,200 ft); administratively it belongs to the Federal District. Winter is dry and sunny, with cold nights. In January and February, lows are around 6/7 °C (43/45 °F), but sometimes they can drop a few degrees below freezing (0 °C or 32 °F), while days are pleasant, with highs around 21/23 °C (70/73 °F). In spring, the temperature rises gradually until April and May, which are the months with the highest daytime temperatures, around 27 °C (81 °F), while night-time temperatures are still pretty cool, around 11/12 °C (52/54 °F). In June, owing to the summer monsoon, which brings clouds and rains from June to September, the daytime temperature does not increase any further, in fact, it drops by a few degrees, to around 23/24.5 °C (73/76 °F). In a typical year, 710 millimetres (28 inches) of rainfall, with a maximum of 160 mm (6.3 in) in July.
The Mexican capital is polluted, and it’s wrapped in an almost constant haze.
Yucatán
In the east, in the Yucatán Peninsula (in the states of Campeche, Yucatán and Quintana Roo), the climate is generally warm to hot all year round, but winter is not as dry and sunny as on the south coast: the months of December and January, when highs are around 28/30 °C (82/86 °F), are quite rainy; in addition, from December to March, sometimes the cold wind from the United States, the Norte, can blow, and in these cases, the minimum temperature can drop to 10 °C (50 °F) or even below.
Cancún.
In Cancún, the least rainy period runs from February to April, and the driest month is April, so it is an advisable destination for the Easter holidays when the Norte is less likely to blow.
The best periods to explore the northern regions of Mexico (coasts and deserts) are spring and autumn, in March-April and September-October, and in particular, you can choose October.
In the tierras frìas too, spring and autumn are the best periods, even though the main purpose in this area is to avoid the summer rains; therefore, you can also avoid the month September, which is still a rainy month. You can go to the tierras frìas in winter as well, bearing in mind that it can get cold at night.
You can go to the tierras calientes from December to February, to avoid both the heat and the rains of summer, and because in some areas the months of October and November are still very rainy. In spring, in April and May, the rains have not arrived yet, but the weather is usually hot.
As regards to the sea, the southern coast (see Acapulco) is warm and sunny in winter (eg Christmas and New Year), with a warm sea, around 28 °C (82 °F), so it’s recommended for a beach holiday. The good season in Acapulco is long, from November to April.
The coasts of the Gulf of Mexico and Yucatán (see Veracruz, Cancun), do not have an ideal climate in winter, at least for a beach holiday: the sky is often cloudy, sometimes it can rain, and the Norte can bring a bit of cool weather. Spring is a better season, from March to May, with a preference for April: in March, sometimes a bit of cool air can still arrive, especially in the first half of the month, while in May it begins to get hot, with the first thunderstorms.
Spring is fine also in Cabo San Lucas and the southern part of Baja California. On the northern coast of Baja California, where the air is mild even in summer, you can sunbathe, even though the water is quite cold.
What to pack
In winter: for the Chihuahuan desert and the mountains, bring warm clothes, a jacket, a hat, gloves. For Baja California, the eastern plains and the tierras templadas, bring clothes for spring and autumn. For Mexico City and the tierras frìas, bring clothes for spring and autumn during the day, but also a warm jacket and a hat for the evening. For the highest mountains, bring warm clothes, such as a down jacket, gloves, a beanie.
For the tierras calientes, light clothing, a sweatshirt for the evening in Yucatan and Riviera Maya. When going to the reef, you can bring snorkelling equipment, including water shoes or rubber-soled shoes.
In summer: bring light clothing, sunglasses, sunscreen, a light raincoat. For the Chihuahuan Desert, add a sweatshirt for the evening. For Mexico City and the tierras frìas, add a sweatshirt or sweater for the evening, a jacket and an umbrella. For the highest mountains, warm clothes, a warm jacket, a wind jacket, gloves, a hat, hiking shoes.
| Current Weather Forecasts | ||
Visa information
To visit Mexico as a tourist a visitor will need to obtain a tourist visa. The Mexico tourist visa is valid for six months for a single entry. The tourist visa can be extended for double or multiple entries in particular circumstances.
The Mexico tourist visa must be used within 90 days of issue.
Mexico tourist visa exemption
Mexico exempts the citizens of several countries (including all countries under the European Union) and regions from obtaining a tourist visa to visit the country for a period varying from 30 days to 180 days. The following is the list of the visa-exempted countries and regions for Mexico:
Electrical
In Mexico, the standard voltage for electrical outlets is 127 volts, with a 60 hertz (Hz) frequency. This voltage differs from other countries, such as Europe, Asia, and Australia. However, Europe also varies in frequency (50Hz).
Which power plugs and sockets are used in Mexico?
In Mexico, you’ll come across two common types of electrical outlets: Type A and Type B. These outlets have different plug configurations, so it’s essential to familiarize yourself with them to ensure your devices can be connected properly.
Type A
Type A outlets feature two flat parallel pins. They are similar to the outlets in the United States and Canada. If you’re from one of these countries, your devices with Type A plugs will work seamlessly in Mexican outlets without needing a plug adapter.
Type B
Type B outlets in Mexico consist of two flat parallel pins and an additional round grounding prong. While Type A plugs can be inserted into both Type A and Type B outlets — making them a versatile option for US, Canada, and Mexico devices; Type B plugs can only be used in Type B outlets.
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