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Mexico

Welcome to Mexico Travel Guide

Most people think of tropical resorts when you mention Mexico, but there is so much more.  The home of tacos, Aztecs, sombreros, and tequila, Mexico offers an irresistible blend of Mesoamerican cultures, Spanish traditions, and contemporary arts.

Typically, we think of Cancun as a Spring Break resort town, but nearby is Chichen Itza, where you will discover the Mayan temples. Brimming with history, Mexico City is an incredible place to start with the breathtaking architecture, Aztec art, museums, and limitless entertainment. A colorful city such as Guanajuato, with its colonial architecture and tree-lined plazas surrounded by numerous mountains, a must-see destination.

Mexico offers a wide range of water activities as it is one of North America’s most visited coasts. One of the world’s barrier reefs is near Cozumel, which makes a great place to snorkel. Fishing charters are a great option to catch a roster-tail fish along with Cabo San Lucas. Porta Vallarta offers unique adventures in underwater cave diving.

 

Dining out is an endless adventure as each region offers a unique blend of spices that create dishes such as in the Yucatan’s, slow-cooked pork, or mole sauce in Oaxaca. Along the coast, fresh seafood along with tortillas and homemade salsa. One of the most bio-diverse states is Oaxaca and one of the food capitals in Mexico. With different indigenous groups of people living here, you will have a real cultural experience.

Things to See and Do in Mexico

Snorkel in Cozumel
Hike the scenic Paso de Cortes
Pyramids in Chichen Itza
Historical town of Tepoztian
Boat ride in the Sumidero Canyon
Sip on a margarita at Acapulco

Typical Costs When Travelling

Accommodation – A stay at a hostel will cost between $7-$10 a night, which are dorm-like rooms with a shared bathroom and free Wi-Fi. If requesting a private room, expect to pay $30+ a night. Budget hotels with limited amenities can start around $60 per night. Airbnb costs about $30-$90+ per night.

(I recommend using www.Airbnb.com when looking for moderate price accommodations that offer amenities such as small kitchens)

Food – Throughout Mexico, you will find street food, great places to eat meals for a very cheap price ($10-$15). Rice, beans, fruits, and vegetables like tomatoes, corn, avocado, and peppers are a part of every Mexican cuisine. You will find everyday dishes: tacos, mole (sauce with lots of mixed ingredients and a dark chocolate color), salsa, enchiladas, tamales, and guacamole. A meal at a sit-down restaurant will cost around $7-$10 but can be more if you are near the beach or resort. I recommend you drink bottled water or carbonated drinks.

(Use www.TripAdvisor.com when trying to locate a restaurant within your budget range)

Transportation – Mexico is a large country, and journeys between destinations can be exceedingly long. If time is an issue, I suggest taking a commuter flight as the prices are reasonable. For a more budget way to travel, I recommend using the bus. A couple of tourist train routes to experience is the Copper Canyon railway in Chihuahua and the Tequila Express in Guadalajara. Public city buses are available in most cities, which cost around $1-$2. In larger cities such as Mexico City, it is best to ride the subway system, which cost $.50. Hop-on-hop off the bus for sightseeing on Tuibus cost for a 1-day ticket $10 per person. Taxi fairs range in price from $.50 – $1 but ride with caution. Only take taxi rides from outside hotels or restaurants as these are authorized taxis. Uber is another option in most major cities. Ferries are available to connect Baja California with the Pacific mainland or travel from the mainland to Cozumel. We choose to rent a car because of the number of people traveling with us and our schedule. Driving in Mexico is safe and easy to navigate.

Suggested daily budget – Average daily budget should be approximately $80 per person, including hotel, transportation, meals, and sightseeing. A two-week vacation for two people costs roughly $1,700 staying at mid-range hotels.

Money Saving Tips

1
Markets Markets are a great place to eat inexpensively and a great place to purchase snacks, drinks, fruit, and veggies, with the average cost per each item is less than $1.
2
Travel Traveling between April and early December is off-season, and you will find great bargains.
3
Mid-day Mid-day meal options are between 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm tend to be the least expensive.
4
Alcohol It is cheaper to buy your alcohol at local stores than at a bar.
5
Activities Avoid the middleman when booking activities.
6
Tours Learn the history behind the places you see in Mexico City with Estacion Mexico free tours.
7
Transportation If the bill already includes the IVA (value-added tax), you will be paying 16% in taxes, consisting of the tip. Tips are expected, so when the taxi driver helps with luggage (10-90 pesos) or the housekeeper cleaning your room (20-50 pesos).

What can I expect from Mexico?

Mexico has over 5,800 miles of beaches, with an interior consisting of deserts, thick jungle, mountain ranges, and everything in between.  If you plan to visit one of their many beaches, I suggest waiting until after hurricane season between November and April. If you plan to explore Mexico’s jungles or mountains, the best time to go is during November – March. Check the destination for the rainy season if you plan to go hiking, as this can make for a miserable trip!

  • Language: The official language is Spanish, although the government recognizes 68 national languages.
  • Currency: Mexico’s official currency is the peso, and the current exchange rate is $1 = 19.23 MXN.  Major credit cards are accepted, and ATMs are available in all major cities. Do not carry too much cash at one time.
  • Plugs: The plugs are A and B standard voltage of 127 V, and the frequency is 60Hz.
  • Safety: Mexico has an advisory warning and on a scale of 1 to 4 (exercise increased caution) is a level 2. The drug cartel violence is at its worst. Exercise increased caution. Tell those at the front desk your plans and let them know when you will return.
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