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Currency – Mexican Peso ($)
Language – Spanish, Some indigenous communities still speak pre-Hispanic languages
Vaccine – not required
Electricity – 110 V. 60 Hz. Power plugs and sockets are of type A/B
EMERGENCY TELEPHONES
National Police: 911
Medical emergency: 911
Mexico, country of mysticism and folklore, of hospitable people who offer brotherhood to those who visit them from distant lands. Its streets tell stories: walking them, flooding the senses with their colors, aromas and flavors… Enter and visit the innumerable number of museums that faithfully guard its history.
Mexico is a very diverse land; Its ostentatious tourist centers coexist with imposing ancient cities, and its snow-covered volcanoes give way to pine forests, deserts and paradisiacal tropical beaches. The hustle and bustle of the industrial megalopolis of Mexico City is an hour’s flight from Chiapas, a state rich in natural resources where indigenous people are facing off against paramilitary forces of the ruling party. On the northern border, Mexican heritage converges with the ultramodern cultures of California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.
The landscape and the people of Mexico reflect the extraordinary history of the country, part indigenous and part Spanish. It is enough for the traveler to take a quick glance at this nation to remember that the so-called New World had nothing new. Despite the considerable colonial legacy and rampant modernization, some fifty indigenous peoples survive, still preserving their own language and some vestiges of their traditional way of life.
TOURIST SITES OF MEXICO
Guadalajara – This city, whose name means “Valley of the Stone”, is picturesque wherever you see it. Its streets are the reflection of the authentic Mexico full of mariachi, tequila and traditions. Its historic center houses beautiful temples, monuments and squares through which you can walk comfortably.
When visiting the Historic Center, visit the Plaza de Armas. This site has a beautiful kiosk that reflects the four seasons of the year and will remind you of the Art Noveau theme in its architecture. You will hear traditional mariachi playing Mexican music if you are lucky.
Monterrey – One of the most famous cities in our country is Monterrey, the capital of the state of Nuevo León. Its industrial and technological growth makes it a metropolis with an exceptional quality of life, as well as a fascinating offer of culture, cuisine and entertainment, so whether you are looking for something to do day or night, as a couple, with friends or family.
Puebla – Puebla is also called the “city of angels” Its almost 365 baroque domes delineating the horizon; the delirious flavors of its gastronomy, such as mole and chiles en nogada; the intense blue of its Talavera; its colonial houses converted into museums and hotels and the hospitality of its people.
León – León is one of the most important industrial cities of the Bajío and the country. It is located in the state of Guanajuato in the northwest and you can get there by car or plane. By land, it is 40 minutes from Guanajuato capital. Flights last approximately one hour from the Mexican capital.
Juárez – Nestled in the desert, with an arid and extreme climate, in which it combines the old with the modern, this is Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, the industrial destination of northern Mexico. With a relaxed atmosphere, it is one of those places where time passes slowly and leads us to discover how the well-known “Paso del Norte” has evolved over the years.
Tijuana – The city of Tijuana suits all these adjectives in a multicultural, young, irreverent, borderline, inventive and creative way, though it does not stop evolving. The large number of cultures that meet in the streets of Tijuana have made their creative side develop extraordinarily, expressing themselves in various artistic manifestations.
Perhaps the backbone of its tourist activity and the location where a large part of Tijuana’s life goes by is Avenida Revolución.
Mérida – This destination seems like a set ready to be photographed, to shoot a movie. Its impeccable presence matches the guayaberas worn by his men, the suits of his women with extravagant embroidered flowers, exact and ready to show off on the Paseo de Montejo. Walk through its zócalo, an area known to the Yucatecans as “Plaza Grande”. Churches, markets, museums, restaurants and hotels can be found in this part of the city.
Chihuahua – The city by itself is a living museum, which is manifested through each statue erected in its Historic Center, which opens the doors to those who decide to enter its entrails and walk steadily under the sun of the desert climate. The Metropolitan Cathedral of Chihuahua is one of the capital’s key attractions, with its baroque architecture and a structure that took about a century to construct. Santuario del Cristo de Mapimí, the site also has a Museum of Sacred Art, located in its basement, where you can visit its permanent collection of 18th century oil paintings.
Acapulco – Acapulco is an icon of tourism in Mexico, being the first world-famous sun and beach destination. It was the holiday, party and wedding hideaway for Hollywood jet setters and British royalty in the 1950s, who left the stages or their palaces to admire the lush beauty. Over the years and the significant increase in travelers, Acapulco was divided into three main tourist areas: Traditional, Dorada and Diamante.
Cancun – Its scenic beauty framed by beaches of white sand and turquoise sea; the extension and biodiversity of its reefs, islands, lagoons, cenotes and jungle; the ancestral wealth of the Mayan culture; its first class hotel infrastructure, have positioned Cancun in the most recognized Mexican tourist destination worldwide and a leading city in Latin America.
General Information about Mexico
DAILY LIFE
Patience and calm are their main characteristics. Dignity and courtesy are taken into account. It is also considered rude not to buy a thing that has been haggling over once the price has been lowered.
Working hours in Mexico:
Mornings from 09:30 to 14:00.
Afternoons from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
The main businesses work during meal times. Saturdays and Sundays open.
IN BARS AND RESTAURANTS
There are many and of all kind of bars and restaurants. The waiters admit the tips, it is necessary to bear in mind that sometimes they live practically of them.
TIPS
In restaurants it is 15%, porters and bellboys are given between 5 and 10 pesos and taxi drivers are not usually given, unless they have been hired by the hour.
RELIGION
96% of the population is Catholic and the remaining 4% practice other religions.
HOLIDAYS
1 of January – New Year.
February 5 – Constitution Day.
March 21st – Birthday of President Juárez.
May 1 – Labor Day.
May 5th – Battle of Puebla.
August 13 – Commemoration of the fall of Tenochtitlán.
September 1 – National Day.
September 16 – Independence Day.
October 12 – America Discovery Day.
November 1/2 – All Saints Day.
November 20 – Annual day of the Revolution.
December 12 – Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe.
December 16 to 25 – “Las Posadas”. Popular dances, precede the birth of Christ.
From Holy Thursday to Easter Sunday, movable.
There are also a series of Indian festivals.
CLIMATE
Mexico is located in a tropical zone, but the different altitudes give rise to varied climates, ranging from very humid tropical to dry and desert climates. The interior highlands have a temperate climate. The northern regions of the country are desert, the center is more humid and the south is warm and temperate.
Gastronomy of Mexico
Part of the appeal of Mexican cuisine is that through the years it has received countless influences that have allowed it to bring together a complex combination of indigenous, American and European tastes, turning out to be one of the world’s favorite cuisines.
Chocolate, vanilla, corn, tomatoes, pumpkins, zucchini and peppers, as well as a wide variety of edible fruits and seeds, are Mexico’s legacy to the world.
TYPICAL DISHES
Enchiladas – Corn cakes stuffed with chicken.
Chiles en nogada – Green peppers stuffed with meat with a sweet sauce of walnuts and pomegranate bones.
Chiles Rellenos – Green peppers stuffed with meat, fish or cheese.
Barbecue Mutton or goat meat, roasted on the stone.
Manchamantel Pork in red wine sauce.
Chicharrón – Toasted pieces of pork skin that are taken once cooled.
Mole Poblano – Chile with pepper, spices and chocolate, accompanied by pancakes.
Mixiotes – Chunks of lamb wrapped in magüey leaves and roasted in an earth oven.
Pozole Soup – Stew made from pork, corn, onion, lettuce, radish, oregano and chili sauce, with a few drops of lemon.
Tamales – Based on corn, meat and pepper semolina.
Quesadillas – Fried tortillas with different fillings (meat, cheese, pumpkin flower).
Tacos – Tortillas stuffed with egg, meat, cheese, chilies or vegetables, the whole is fried in plenty of oil.
Tostadas – Flat fried tortillas, covered in bean puree, finely chopped lettuce, chunks of chicken meat, chopped onions and grated cheese.
BEVERAGES
The most typical drinks in Mexico are tequila, beer, and pulque, whose alcohol composition varies by region. Natural soft drinks are made from flower fruits such as hibiscus, or grain such as rice or pepita horchata.
The coffee is of great quality, mainly from Veracruz and Chiapas, with an excellent flavor. There is also a great variety of teas, among which the chamomile and peppermint stand out.
LOCAL FRUITS
Bananas, plantains, custard apples, papayas, mangoes, guavas, grapefruits, prickly pears, etc.
Transportation in Mexico
AIR TRANSPORT
It has two large commercial aviation companies: Aeroméxico and Mexicana de Aviación that link Mexico City with the other major cities. Mexico has a total of 57 airports, around 15 are open to international traffic. Among them we will mention Mexico City, Acapulco, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Mérida, Puerto Vallarta, Tampico, Chihuahua, Ciudad Juárez, Tijuana, Veracruz, La Paz and Cancun.
BOAT TRANSPORT
The ferries sail between Baja California and the mainland, they generally make their trips during the night. If you pay an extra to the waiter you can sleep more comfortably.
BUS TRANSPORT
It is the most used means of transport throughout the country, safe and cheap. There are two classes: first and second class. It is preferable to travel in first class, they are provided with air conditioning, reclining seats and toilets, in addition they stop only in the main centers, while the others stop whenever a signal is given. It is advisable to buy the ticket in advance at Christmas and Easter. As for urban buses, they are very practical for traveling within cities, especially in Mexico City. They are cheap.
RAILWAY TRANSPORT
This is an interesting way to travel between cities. It is a comfortable way, with many departure times in general and at a cheaper price than traveling by plane. You will be able to find train schedules and fares for any city in the United States online.
ROAD NETWORK
The Mexican highway network is of excellent quality. In recent years, highways have become the main means of transportation in the country. Among the most important routes are the Mexican trunk of the Pan-American Highway. Equally important are the highways that link the capital with Nuevo León, as well as the Mexico-Acapulco route. There are toll roads out of Mexico City, but they are expensive. There are also highways between Tijuana and Ensenada.
DRIVING
You have to be very careful, since driving is reckless in Mexico, signs and stops are not respected and the indicators are adorned with them. It is highly dangerous to travel at night since apart from the usual dangers it is easy to find an animal sleeping in the middle of the road or highway or any other surprise. Traffic police are usually lenient towards foreign tourists, except for very serious offenses. The speed limits are as follows: national highways, 80 km / h., And highways 100 km / h.
RENTAL CARS (We recommend reserving us in advance):
There are agencies in the main cities and tourist places. To rent you need to be 25 years old, have an international credit card and have a valid driving license. The prices vary according to the type of car and the place and the rates are lower if they are rented for longer.
In general, the rent is expensive and the insurance coverage is not very extensive.
RENT A CAR at Cancun international airport >>>
TAXIS
There are many types of taxis in Mexico. Prices can be abusive, for this reason before getting on it is better to ask the taxi driver for the price. To get an idea of the prices, it is advisable to consult the hotel reception.
Types:
Site Taxis (orange with white) must be requested at a central.
Normal taxis (yellow with white) circulate through the city.
Collective taxis (light green) go by pre-established routes, they go through the main roads. They are cheapest. They also go to the airport.
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