How to go in Mexico

General Tips

clothes

In Mexico the temperatures vary according to the different regions, is recommendable bring fresh clothes of linen or of cotton for the visits during the day. Sport or comfortable shoes are recommendable.

For archaeological zones it is recommendable that use comfortable shoes, long sleeve and a hat.

A jacket is recommendable always with one light sweater during time of rains since normally mornings and nights are cold.

For winter, bring a jacket or thermal clothes, since the temperatures in Mexico city, Puebla and San Cristobal de las Casas are lower.

luggage

A big suitcase per person in the bus of Alico Tours is allowed. Hand luggage is authorized from 5 kg to 10 kg, according to the airline.

international credit cards

Credit cards accepted: Visa, MasterCard and American Express.

It will be possible to withdraw money from a cash machine “ATM” a maximum of 450 usd.

handcrafts

Different types from handicrafts like baskets, bags, rugs, made with vegetal fibers can be found, also is the pottery and ceramics of which we can find different utensils like sets of dishes from Talavera and diverse pieces done of black mud.

Also to metals and precious stones like the silver, gold, onyx, etc.

telephone

The telephone calls (both, national and international) are considerably more expensive than in other countries. Ask at front desk of the hotel about the cost before making the call.

Most recommendable it is to buy a sim card with a local number or use skype or any other app. If you don’t have a smart phone you can use the card LADATEL, to make your phone calls in public telephones.

photography and video

In all the archaeological sites and museums, it is necessary to pay a fee of use of video cameras (approximately 4 USD per site per video camera).

Please be discreet to take photography’s to the natives or preferably ask for their authorization before. Strictly it is prohibited to take photography’s within the Church in San Juan Chamula in Chiapas state.

tips

TIP IS NOT mandatory, in Mexico, is an additional courtesy, since many people who work in the hotels and restaurants, receive a very low wage and basically they live of gratuities, but this does not imply an obligation for the tourist.

Tips for local Mexican guides and drivers, are expected if the services were satisfactory.

2 USD per person are recommended for the guide per day
1 USD per person is recommended for the driver per day

opening hours at stores an main sites

Department store and the supermarkets normally open from Monday to Sunday, from 09h00 – 20h00.

Banks open from Monday to Friday, from 09h00 – 16h00.

Exchanges houses open from Monday to Friday, from 09h00 – 18h00, Saturdays and Sundays from 09h00 – 14h00 and at the airport every day, 24 hours.

General Info

procedures

The procedures to visit Mexico as most of the countries is that you will have to go to the consular representation of Mexico in your Country, to inquire about the requirements and to realize the necessary proceeding to obtain the visa, since the requirements are different for some countries.

To enter to Mexico you must fill a Migratory form, who can be obtained in travel agencies or air lines. The Migratory form of Tourist, must be filled and given when coming out those are valid for a period of 30 days, but the competent authorities can extend this term. A valid passport is required and must have a validity of minimum 6 months beyond the final date of stay.

For more information please go to: https://www.inm.gob.mx/

currency

The currency is the Mexican peso

1 peso =100 cents of peso
1 dollar = 19 Mexican pesos

However the exchange rate is variable

In all major cities in Mexico the American dollar is accepted, others as the Euro is admitted in certain places like airports, banks or exchange. In big cities money could be changed at currency exchange (which are fast, effective, and opened almost all day) The traveler’s checks, in American dollars or Euros are not accepted so easily, reason why it is not recommended to bring them to Mexico.

However we strongly recommend to change to the national currency (peso), to be able to pay in stores, restaurants, since it is not so easily to pay with a foreign currency.

language

The official language is the SPANISH, which is spoken by the majority of the population although 58 different languages are spoken among native people.

population

The Mexican population is composed by three great groups: of European descendant, mestizos who are a mix of Spaniards and native and finally native descendants of native of the region

electricity

The electrical current is 110 WATS – 60 Hertz. An adapter of current for flat pins of American type is necessary.

time zone

Zona Sureste (Southeast Zone) covers the state of Quintana Roo (the equivalent of Canadian and U.S. Eastern Time).
Zona Centro (Central Zone) covers the eastern three-fourths of Mexico, including Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey (the equivalent of Canadian and U.S. Central Time).
Zona Pacífico (Pacific Zone) covers the states of Baja California Sur, Chihuahua, Nayarit, Sinaloa, and Sonora (the equivalent of Canadian and U.S. Mountain Time).
Zona Noroeste (Northwest Zone) covers the state of Baja California, including Tijuana (the equivalent of Canadian and U.S. Pacific Time).

calling code

(+52)

Safety

To visit Mexico is without a doubt a unique and rewarding experience by the warm of its people, so that the experience does not become nightmare we will do several recommendations to you of security, since you are not free of being attacked by a thief:

• Not left alone the luggage in airports not to receive orders or packages from estrange people.

• Avoid the use of jewels or showy clocks and be careful with cameras

• Not bring with yourself money in cash, is better always to load with credit card and to bring the important thing in stuck hidden bags to the body.

• Avoid walking by yourself in dark streets

• Not take drugs with yourself, the Mexican laws are very severe. If in case by reasons for health requires of controlled medicines, always bring prescription

• If you need to take a taxi, it is recommended to take a hotel Taxi, a radio taxi or UBER.

• If you take a street taxi, check the conductor ID is in a visible place usually right at the passenger’s door and that the face of the photography corresponds to the appearance of the driver. Check the plate and if you noticed something suspicious, please calm down and just ask to get out of the car.

• Single travelling women, will be able to receive words from men, since in Mexico they get used to saying phrases to the women, reason why you are advised not to take importance and of moving away him.

In case of natural disasters:

Mexico is not either free of the sudden and sporadic occurrence of a natural phenomenon. We recommended to you follows the instructions according to the norms of security of each place where one mainly is and to keep the calm, because the natural acts we cannot control.

Sanitary measures

No vaccination is required to enter to Mexico, nevertheless is recommended to have the following vaccines: hepatitis A, tetanus and dengue.

It is not recommendable to consume meals on the streets, since these count on very little or no hygiene conditions. Bring mosquito repellent.

Sun Block is wise to use when outdoors. We recommend to drink purified and bottled water and never to do it directly from the faucet.

do not forget

It is necessary to bring official documents in case of a rent a car, as effective driver’s license and credit cards.

Some of our recommendations are:

Mexican cuisine