Money

Mexico's currency is the Mexican Peso (MXN). There are one hundred Mexican cents (centavos) to every Peso.

The symbol for the Mexican Peso is $. To distinguish this from the Dollar, you sometimes see it presented as MX$ or e.g. $100 MN. The MN stands for Moneda Nacional, or National Currency.

Notes come in denominations of MXN 20, MXN 50, MXN 100, MXN 200, MXN 500 and MXN 1,000.

Coins come in denominations of 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents and MXN 1, MXN 2, MXN 5, MXN 10, MXN 20, MXN 50 and MXN 100. [More info here]

Foreign currency can easily be exchanged at the airport, hotels, banks or licensed money changers.

Major credit and debit cards are accepted (e.g. Mastercard, Visa and American Express) at hundreds of thousands of hotels, shops, restaurants and travel service providers in Mexico. Your purchases will be charged in pesos, and your bank will convert the amount back to the equivalent in the local currency where your account is held and charge it to your account.

Making Small Change in Mexico: Getting change always seems to be a perennial problem in Mexico: try to make as much change as possible to use with independent traders by spending larger denomination notes in big stores; you will need the smaller notes for taxis, local buses and other small purchases where the traders often don't have the available change to hand.

Travelers' Cheques / Travelers' Checks are a safe way to carry 'virtual cash' with you to Mexico, and will complement the use of a cash-machine card if you have one.

Most exchange houses and banks do not levy additional fees to cash traveler's cheques in Mexico; you get the face value of the check multiplied by the day's rate of exchange.

If the place you go to cash your traveler's checks does charge a fee, find somewhere else: it's NOT normal practice to levy commission charges or fees to cash traveler's checks (or foreign currency cash) in Mexico.

Note: Even if you have a cash-machine card, you may consider carrying traveler's cheques as a back-up to your bank card, should it get lost, damaged or retained by an ATM for some reason.

If you carry traveler's checks, here are a few tips for using them in Mexico:

• Carry well-known branded checks; American Express or VISA are the best known in Mexico.
• Although in the past, US or Canadian Dollar Traveler's Checks were the best option, these days both Sterling and Euro Traveler's Checks are widely accepted and the rates of exchange are favorable. Australian Dollars are still not as widely recognized in Mexico.
• You'll have trouble cashing traveler's cheques on Sundays as banks and exchange houses (except main airport branches) are generally closed. Plan ahead or use an ATM card.
• Keep the checks safe - you may want to leave them at the Hotel Deposit Box if they're just for emergencies.
• Some places ask for two forms of identification to cash traveler's checks (e.g. passport AND driver's license).
• Hotels will take payment by traveler's check (or cash them for you) but their rates will generally be unattractive in comparison to banks or currency exchange houses.

Banking

Banking hours are Mondays to Fridays: 08.00 hrs to 16.00 hrs. Saturdays: 09.00 hrs to 14.00 hrs.

Most banks handle travelers' cheques and change foreign currencies. However, some banks do not have foreign exchange dealings on Saturdays.

Passports are required when cashing in travelers' cheques. A nominal commission may be charged.

Due national law, it's prohibited to use mobile phones and/or communication gadgets inside Banks, in order to protect the integrity and heritage of users and staff working in them.

Money Changers

Apart from banks and hotels, money can be changed wherever the sign "Licensed Money Changer" is displayed. Most shopping complexes have a licensed money changer. Visitors are discouraged from changing money with unlicensed money changers.

Passport, Visa and Entry Facilities

A valid passport is required for entry into Mexico. Generally, foreigners from

do not require visas for entry when visiting Mexico as tourists. They may be given a social visit pass upon their arrival in Mexico.

Please, contact the Mexican consular representation in your country, to inform you about the requirements and perform the processing required to obtain your visa.

At the point of entry, the migration officer may also request you to proof your financial solvency and the ticket back to your country.

If you are a foreigner of any other of nationalities listed above, you should go to the consular representative of Mexico in your country for more information.

Time

Mexico time is 6 hours (-6 GMT) behind of Greenwich Mean Time.

Climate

The temperature of the city is warm and tropical, moderated by the marine breeze which circulates through its avenues.

Depending on the season, maximum temperatures are typically between 26°C (78.8°F) and 33°C(91.4°F) in the day and 18°C (64.4°F) and 25°C(77°F) at night. Temperature extremes have ranged between a maximum of 39.5°C (103.2°F) and a minimum of 9.5°C (49.2°F) 5km inland at the Airport.

More temperate conditions occur from November to February and it is hottest from April to September, due to proximity to the Caribbean and Gulf humidity is high all-year around (averages close to 70% on rain free days). Ocean borne breezes temper the heat and humidity, especially in Coastal areas from the hotel zone north, such as Puerto Juarez however this effect is lost the further inland on the Yucatan one goes or further south along the Mayan Riveria (which is more sheltered).

All hotel rooms in the Hotel Zone and many on the mainland are air conditioned. Weather is highly variable. During winter nortes, (northerly storms with a cold front passing southward from the North Amercian continent) drop temperatures sharply to below 20°C (68°F) and even cooler, however such periods are usually short-lived.

In the course of a single day, the weather can turn from bright sunshine to dark and stormy and back again. It's not uncommon to look out one's window and see sunshine, while rain is falling on the opposite side. Sun showers and rainbows are frequent throughout the year, but especially during the summer rainy season.

Many weather sites on the Internet will routinely report rain every day and this causes undue alarm among future vacationers. Cancun is on the ocean, the high level of humidity near in the air and therefore always the chance for rain, but all-day rain is infrequent.

The tropical storm season lasts from July to December; the rainy season extends into January with peak precipitation in September. February to early May tend to be drier with some occasional scattered showers.

Clothes

Light and summer clothing made from natural fabrics like cotton is best for everyday wear. Casual dress is acceptable for most situations and occasions but some establishments may require a more formal dress code. It is always advisable to check beforehand on dress regulations, if any.

Smart casual attire for all Conference sessions and social functions is advisable.

Security

Increasingly, personal safety and security are becoming critical concerns of international travelers. The situation in Cancun remains calm and stable, and it remains one of the safest in the world to visit.

Enhanced security measures at key installations and other sensitive places ensure that Cancun continues to remain safe. The Mexican Government explicitly states that extremism originating from religion or race has no place in the country and swift action will be taken against any extremist or terrorist groups or individuals.

Drinking Water

It is perfectly safe to drink water straight from the tap in Cancun. However, it is highly recommended that you buy bottled water. Bottled water, depending on size, typically costs 20-50 pesos ($1.87-$4.62 USD). Most of the resorts in Cancun have purified water at all of the facilities located inside the resorts including the bars and restaurants. The upper-scale restaurants usually have purified water as well.

Drinking Alcohol in Mexico

Legal Drinking Age in Mexico

The legal minimum drinking age in Mexico is 18.

Alcohol Licensing Laws in Mexico

Mexican stores, restaurants and bars are allowed to sell alcohol 24 hours a day. A dry law is enacted once every 6 years - just before, during and just after the General Election Day - for roughly 72 hours.

Technically, it is illegal to drink on the street, but people do, especially in tourist areas. If you want to drink a cold beer while walking down a street in the blazing heat - go ahead. But don't get too drunk - it will call attention to yourself, and you may end up having to deal with the police.

Drinking and Driving in Mexico

Drinking and Driving is a serious crime in Mexico. If you drink, take a cab, they're not expensive. Mexico's police are stepping up their campaign against drunk-drivers, which will reduce accidents and deaths, but it will take time, as these things always do. Don't drink and drive in Mexico, you will not get any leniency as a foreigner for driving drunk.

Drug Abuse

Drug abuse is viewed seriously in Mexico. Illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances is strictly prohibited.

Electricity

Mexico's electricity system is the same as that of the USA: 120 V; 60 Hz. Any electrical equipment you carry with you that operates at the higher (240v) rate will need to be dual-voltage (e.g. hair driers). A lot of electrical equipment (like video cameras, digital cameras, laptops) that operate on 12 volts via a product-specific adaptor will happily cope with dual voltage - check the adaptor and the device instructions to be sure.

You may need a socket adaptor. Most plugs in Mexico are the same as in the US; two flat prongs. Some have a third, circular prong for earth, and adapters can be sought for these too if the plug you want to connect to doesn't have the third (earth) prong socket.

Mobile Phones

Mexico has an extensive cellular telephone network. One side-effect of Telmex spun-off its mobile operations into a separate company called America Movil and their service in Mexico is called 'Telcel'. The other main operators are 'IUSACell' and Spain's 'Movistar' (owned by Telefonica).

Telcel has by far the most extensive network coverage. Outside of big cities and major towns, Telcel may be the only network available, although the others are developing their networks in more remote regions.

Rates from and to cell phones in Mexico are predictably high, especially in comparison with land-line calls. Mexico is divided up into "roaming regions" and when you travel outside of your phone's "home region" charges begin to escalate.

Calls to and From Mexican Phones (Land Lines)

Local Calls - To make local calls, ignore the area code, and dial direct, just as you would do at home. Note that major cities' numbers have EIGHT numbers and other places have SEVEN numbers.

National Calls - Dial 01 which is the prefix for all non-local calls in Mexico, followed by the area code, followed by telephone number.

International Calls - To access a number outside of Mexico, you need to prefix the number with 00 (the international access code) then the country code, and then the national area code (omitting the first zero if there is one), and then the local number.

Dialing TO Mexico From overseas - Dial the International access code (in most cases this is 00, in the USA it is 010) followed by Mexico's country code (52), the area code in Mexico (see National Calls, above) and then the seven or eight digit local number.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted in public service vehicles, museums, libraries, lifts, theatres, cinemas, air-conditioned restaurants, hair salons, supermarkets, department stores and government offices. Offenders can be fined up to MXN 1,000. While it is an offence to smoke in air-conditioned eating places, smoking is permitted in air-conditioned pubs, discos, karaoke bars and nightspots.

Newspapers and Magazines in Mexico

English Language Media

The only English daily in Mexico is The News, which is widely available in Mexico City and its distribution is being expanded to tourist destinations and other large cities.

Some magazine stalls at airports and a few specialized stores sell U.S., British or European newspapers, some of which can be a day or two old.

English-language 'global' news magazines such as Time, Newsweek, People, etc are available in their U.S. editions in cities and large towns in Mexico. The British based magazine 'Economist' is now available at larger news stands in the big cities.

Newspapers and magazines can be bought on street corner stall. Many supermarkets are now beginning to stock newspapers and magazines too; but not all of them.

Spanish Language Newspapers and Magazines in Mexico

Mexico has a wide selection of Spanish language newspapers from all sides of the political spectrum. Click on the names in blue to view the online versions; all are currently subscription-free except Reforma.

Latin Trade - Online version in English of the popular magazine that is dedicated to trade in Latin America

El Economista - Financial/Business Press, in Spanish

El Financiero - Financial/Business Press, in Spanish

Reforma - Mexico's biggest daily, in Spanish (subscription required)

El Universal - One of Mexico's biggest daily papers, news online does not require subscription, in Spanish

Magazines in Mexico

Popular Spanish language magazines include:

Proceso - A weekly publication with informed commentary and opinion about Mexican and Latin American politics

Mexico Desconocido - A travel magazine with lots of photos, dedicated to highlighting travel and tourism in Mexico

Traveling to Mexico with Children

Take your family to Mexico with confidence!

One of the first things that parents seem to notice when they travel with their children is that Mexico welcomes them with open arms. Restaurants, attractions, coffee shops and, indeed, most public places will gladly accept children and make them and their parents feel welcome.

Restaurants and diners in Mexico have children's menus on the table; if not, you can ask for a children's menu and one will be brought to you. Many chain restaurants and diners also offer children's play areas.

Family is a pivotal element of Mexican society and culture and it's quite usually to see three or four generations sitting at a restaurant table enjoying a meal: especially at the weekends.

Generally speaking, children over the age of 6 will benefit more from a trip to Mexico than those younger than this age. This is partly due to the long flights (especially if you are traveling from Canada, north-east USA or Europe) but also because Mexico is a country filled with culture and slightly older children may gain more from the experience than young infants would.

Lone Parents and Children Under 18 Traveling alone to Mexico: It is no longer necessary for single parents, unaccompanied minors, widows/widowers or parents with estranged partners to produce notarized letters or other supporting documentation. Instead, each child MUST have his/her own passport. As with adults, the passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of departure.

Tipping

Tipping is common in the United States: it is almost second-nature and practiced frequently at most service establishments. In many European countries, it is not so common or customary to tip people for services.

In Mexico, not only is it customary, it is expected and appreciated in return for good service.

Most people working in Mexico's tourism and service sectors rely on your tips to supplement their basic pay and they give good service to prove that it makes a significant difference to them.

Even fringe services like someone at a taxi rank opening the door for you (and perhaps putting your cases in the car's trunk) should receive a small tip (just 1 or 2 pesos will suffice in these cases).

Some hotels and tours indicate that "all tips are included in the price"; if this is the case, fair enough, and there is no need to tip further. You may still wish to leave a small tip for the maids at the rooms you stay in, or offer the tour guide a small tip at the end of the program.

Although tips are frequent in Mexico, the amounts are relatively small, and they really can make a different to the person whom you are rewarding.

If you did not get poor service, then you should always tip at:

Restaurants - 10% - 15% is normal, depending on the class of establishment and level of service you received. At diners and similar places 10% is sufficient; at higher-end restaurants and bistros, 15% is expected for good service.

Hotels - Bellboys should be paid around US$1 per bag; Concierge around US$2 equivalent if they do something for you (e.g. book a table at a local restaurant); more if they undertake some particular research (e.g. found you a local tour operator, car rental agency, or chauffeur).

Hotels - Maids. Many people leave a tip for the Maid - about US$1-US$5 equivalent per night's stay, depending on the class of establishment. It's best to leave your tips daily as the maids who are assigned to look after your room are probably on a rota and may not be on duty the day you leave.

Gasoline Service Stations - If you rent a car and buy fuel, 2-5% of the cost of the fuel is normal, with 5-10% of the cost of the fuel if the attendant provides additional services (water, oil, tire pressure, etc). It's usual to leave a few pesos tip within a rounded amount; for example, if you are filling up with $200 pesos of fuel, then you may tell the attendant that you want $190 or $195 pesos of fuel; you hand over the $200 pesos bill and the attendant keeps the change.

Car Valets - If you drive to a bar or restaurant and have your car parked by the establishment's valet service, you should tip the attendant around US$1 equivalent in pesos when you leave, unless the valet has a pre-advertised rate (probably higher than this) in which case, pay that rate and no more.

Taxis - If you take a cab from the street, it's appreciated if you round up the meter charge to nearest 5 or 10 pesos depending on the comfort and speed of your journey; however, taxis hired from taxi ranks at hotels or official taxi ranks should be paid the advertised rate (or the rate you agree in advance) and no more.

Bars and Cantinas - Tables at these are often attended (you don't need to go to the bar to order food or drink) - and a tip of 10% of the value of your spending that evening is normal.

Car Park Attendants - Often, car parks will have an "attendant"; a man or woman dressed up in a security-type uniform, who may direct you to a free spot, and see you reverse out when you return. These attendants are often older men who also keep an eye on things while you're away. 2-3 Pesos is sufficient.

Health Spas - For personal services at Resort Spas, 10-15% of the value of the service (e.g. a Massage) is normal. If you're staying at a Destination Spa, you can tip good service personally, 5-10% of the service's 'stand alone' value is fine; or you can add a tip to your final bill, to cover everyone - even the 'behind the scenes' people - 10-15% of the bill is sufficient.

Insurance

It is recommended that you obtain comprehensive travel insurance.

Touting and Soliciting

While shopping in Cancun is a hassle-free and pleasurable experience, there are, on occasion, incidents of touting and soliciting, as well as incidents where visitors feel pressured into buying products or services from vendors who approach them on the streets. As a consumer, you have every right not to transact with any of these vendors. If you are not interested, ignore the touts or tell them firmly you are not interested and then walk away.

Here is a short list of what to be wary of:

• representatives from companies selling timeshare programmes, promising freebies or deals if you fill in a survey form, visit their showroom or attend a briefing at their office.
• representatives claiming to be from reputable department stores selling premium products like perfume or watches at attractive prices.

Airport Tax

The Mexican Government charges a travel tax of around 500 pesos (46 U.S. Dollars) to leave the country from the airport. Most major air carriers may already have the travel tax charged to the price of the ticket; though it is highly recommended that travelers check this before leaving to/from Cancun.

Medical Facilities

Cancun's medical facilities are among the finest in the world, with well-qualified doctors and dental surgeons.

Pharmacies are ready available at supermarkets, department stores, hotels and shopping centres. Registered pharmacists generally work from 09.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

Most hotels have their own doctor on-call around the clock. Other doctors are listed under Medical Practitioners in the Yellow Pages of the Cancun Phone Book.

Jet Lag

Travelers arriving in Mexico from the east (e.g. from Europe) do not generally experience severe jet lag as they have gained time traveling west. Returning from Mexico and traveling east (e.g. to Europe) can be tiring, as time is lost traveling east.