Tour Guide, Cancun, Mexico
| 8 mins read
Useful Tips for Your Holiday to Mexico
A valid passport with an expiration date of not less than 6 months is required to enter Mexico. No tourist visa is required (which lasts 180 days maximum in the country). Upon arrival, the "tourist card" (FMT migration form) provided by the airlines during the flight, or available from local authorities, must be presented.
The "tourist card" must be kept throughout the stay and returned when leaving the country. It is also necessary to pay an airport tax, normally included in the cost of the air ticket issued.
Those (both adults and children) who pass through the USA when entering or leaving the country must be in possession of an optical reading passport. Digital photography is mandatory if the passport was issued after October 25, 2005. We also remind you that even if you are only in transit in the United States, normally the baggage must be collected at the first city of arrival and consequently, after being inspected by the competent authorities, it must be "re-boarded" in the designated desks, to be sent to the final destination. Since January 12, 2009, all those who travel or transit through the United States of America under the "Visa Waiver Program" program are now subject to higher security requirements. For any doubt in this regard, request information from the agency that sold the flight tickets to you or directly from the airline. This procedure is the jurisdiction of the individual traveler.
Currency
One euro equals about 22 Mexican Pesos. You can convert euros and/or American dollars into local currency at any bank or exchange house. In Mexico, both euros and dollars are accepted. It is not always possible to pay by credit card, but it is useful to withdraw currency and avoid carrying too much cash (Remember the secret code x be able to withdraw!). If you opt for the International ATM, check with your bank before leaving if it is valid in Mexico.
Insurance Policy
When booking a trip, it is highly recommended to take out an insurance policy. We hope you never have to use it but it is good to know that it can often be extremely useful to have one.
Hygiene, Health and Vaccinations
There are no mandatory vaccines for Mexico. We recommend, outside the hotels and restaurants used by our local agency, to drink only bottled liquids and to refrain from eating raw vegetables or already peeled fruit, as germs and bacteria present in those regions are different from those to which our organisms are accustomed. We recommend starting with a supply of essential drugs such as antihistamines, antibiotics and anti-inflammatories. Of great use are high protection sun creams, mosquito repellents and intestinal disinfectants.
Travelers to Mexico must take precautions mainly against food and diseases transmitted by mosquitoes, so it is important to bring a good insect repellent and pay attention to what you eat and drink. Private hospitals generally provide better care than public ones, but travel insurance is still more expensive
Time Zone
Mexico spans three time zones. Central Standard Time states are 7 hours behind Central Europe:
Mexico City
Oaxaca
Yucatan
Campeche
Tabasco
Chiapas
While the Riviera Maya (Cancun, etc.) is 6 hours behind Central Europe during the winter only.
Language
The official language is Spanish. The possibility of meeting someone who speaks Italian or English is scarce, however it depends on the areas where you will travel.
Telephone and Internet
The international prefix +is 52, if you need to call a Mexican mobile number to the prefix +52, add 1+ and the mobile number consists of 10 numbers. In cities, the internet is accessible everywhere, hotels, restaurants and bars offering wifi service; in most cases, it is free, so just ask for the password. While traveling, if you cross mountainous or rural areas, there is likely to be no telephone coverage
Electric Current
The electric current in Mexico is: 110 volts. Adapters for American type A sockets (flat plugs or blades) and transformers must be provided.
What to Put into a Suitcase to Start Your Mexico Holiday
Mexico is one of the most tourist destinations in the world. In any case, it is the number one destination in Central America. The country is developed enough for you to find everything you may have forgotten to pack on the spot.
Depending on the time of your trip, it should almost certainly be warm and good weather. Bring especially light clothes with you to withstand high temperatures. Remember to bring your swimsuit and something to protect yourself from the sun. A hat, glasses, and sunscreen are also recommended. In this regard, you can add to your pharmacy bag the necessary to treat small pains. Don't forget what you need for any digestive disorders. It is not uncommon to have this type of problem in Mexico. Remember in particular to bring a good mosquito repellent product with you.
If you pass through areas such as San Cristobal de Las Casas or Mexico City, being around 2000 meters away, it will not always be hot, especially in the winter (November, December and January) so add sneakers, jeans, sweatshirt and windbreaker. During the rainy season (May-October), carrying a light and space-saving raincoat is essential. For excursions to archaeological sites and walks in the forest, practical and comfortable footwear is a must.
Other things to pack:
A Spanish translation dictionary to communicate with Mexicans
An adapter to recharge your electronic devices
Medical prescriptions if you travel with many medicines
Finally, one last thing you need for any trip, in case of loss it is very important to have a photocopy of your passport.
Climate
Mexico: In the coastal plains, both those on the Pacific and the Atlantic, the climate is warmer and wetter. Inside the country, on the other hand, it is milder and more temperate, especially in higher areas such as Mexico City and San Cristobal de Las Casas. The rainy season runs from May to October and generally consists of short afternoon rain showers. In Yucatan, there is, in general, a hot and humid climate.
Food
The cuisine is very varied and full of strong flavors. Numerous Mexican specialties: "tortillas", "enchiladas", "tacos", "tamales", and "guacamole". Each region has its own specialties which are generally served with spicy sauces. There is also a large variety of exotic fruit. In case of allergies, intolerances and particular dietary regimes, notify your Alamos Travel Service agency or your local operator, and point out your dietary needs to the guide who will accompany you.
Shopping
Mexico's artisan tradition offers countless products. Mexican craftsmanship is very varied and in each area where you will go you will find particular typical objects that characterize it, real examples of traditional folk art. The variety of colourful and decorative objects, which are found both in the markets and in the shops, it is very vast. In the markets, it is possible to find perhaps less perfect, but for this reason more real, some of the handmade objects, and where the use of bargaining on the price is almost a ritual.
Roads, Distances and Routes
Mexico is a huge country and those who come from aboard have no idea of the distances that separate one city from another. Moreover, the Mexican road network has some shortcomings and in some areas, in light of this, it is important to underline that the kilometric distances do not reflect the real travel times.
Tourist Services
It is a good rule, as well as a form of appreciation, to tip for the services received (restaurants, cafes, guides, drivers, etc.). Normally, it is 10% or 15% of the amount, but if you cannot quantify it, ask advice from your guide.
In some hotels, it is customary to request a blank coupon with credit card details. This procedure is not intended as an act of mistrust towards the guest but is the only way to enjoy unlimited credit in the hotel for drinks and services (including telephone calls).
The official classification of the hotel facilities may not correspond, in terms of quality standard, to the analogous one in force in Europe. Thus hotels do not always offer accommodation and treatment corresponding to the European establishments of the same category, especially in periods of high or very high season.
Rooms: Rooms with double bed are not always available, despite notifications during the booking process. The double rooms based on the types present in each hotel can have:
Two single beds and a half (which in Mexico define doubles)
A queen-size bed (European double bed)
A king-size bed (US double approx. 1.90 mx 2m)
Internal Flights
Air passes are made with scheduled flights and therefore, we are not responsible for any delays, missed connections, overbooking or strikes that cause inconvenience and extra expenses.
Solidarity Tax in the Maya Riviera
We inform you that a new tax issued by the local government of the state of Quintana Roo has been implemented in the Riviera Maya area. The Solidaridad tax will be USD 3.00 aprox per room per night and will be added to the final bill upon check out.
Safety
Mexico is not a dangerous country if you take the right precautions, as in all the countries of the world. So if you travel following small tricks, your stay in this country will be fantastic.
Beware of wallets and backpacks with valuable things in particular in markets, stations, public transport (buses and metro) and in the more touristy and crowded squares and streets.
At this point, we just have to wish you: Feliz Viaje!
Let yourself fall in love with this wonderful country!