What is Mexico known for?

There are so many things Mexico is known for. Tourists come to Mexico for varied experiences, from beach getaways to cities and towns chock-full of history. Those who come to Mexico to enjoy the beaches love to partake in water sports such as diving, snorkeling, surfing, yachting, and parasailing, and a growing number of visitors also enjoy outdoor recreational eco-tours, many of which combine pyramids and temples built by the Mayans. Spanish colonial influence is evident in many of Mexico`s cities and towns, and colonial buildings are just a stone`s throw by the temples and sacred grounds built by both the Mayans and the Aztecs. No matter where you go in Mexico, it is a great place for shopping at every price point, from Liverpool luxury department store to small, locally-owned souvenir shops. Visitors to Mexico also take the time to sample many Mexican dishes (the more the better!), complete with shots of delicious tequila and mezcal.

What are the best places to visit in Mexico?

Tourists typically visit Mexico a region at a time and explore from there, so the best places to recommend depend on which part of the country you want to visit. If you are arriving in Mexico City, spend a few days exploring this beautiful capital city and then head south to Oaxaca or northwest to Guanajuato and charming San Miguel de Allende. If you want to visit the Riviera Maya, fly into colonial gem Mérida or the nightlife mecca of Cancún and explore further to such sights as Chichén Itza, Playa del Carmen, Isla Mujeres, Cozumel Island, and Tulum. Those who head west from Mexico City should take time to visit Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, and Mazatlán. Visitors to Baja California love to see such tourist spots as Los Cabos, Tijuana, and Ensenada. If you`re combining Tikal in Guatemala with your stay in Mexico, stop by the quaint town of San Cristobal de las Casas in Chiapas state.

When is the best time to visit Mexico?

We recommend seeing Mexico during the dry season, which corresponds to the period of time between December and April. Pacific and Atlantic hurricane seasons occur between June and November, which is the rainy season for much of the country. Prices will be lower but humidity and rain chances will be at their highest. The dry season is also the high season, so if you are looking for a better deal, you might want to consider summer and autumn.

How many days should I spend in Mexico?

We recommend approximately 7-10 days based on what you want to see and do. We offer flexible vacation packages so you can select your number of nights in each city, desired hotel and activities. We suggest a minimum of 3 nights in Mexico City, along the Pacific Coast, and on the Riviera Maya.

What is the best way to get around Mexico?

We recommend seeing Mexico by air and by private transfer. While it is possible to rent a car and drive in many parts of Mexico, it may come as a culture shock for Americans, as driving over the speed limit is the norm and this may frazzle people whether they are on highways or in big cities. Mexico`s road system is not developed to the same extent seen in the United States, making cross-country road trips more difficult in terms of not just amenities along motorways but also in terms of safety (many stretches of highway are not illuminated at night). Let trusted drivers pick you up from your hotel or the airport in late-model, air-conditioned luxury instead, taking the guesswork out of getting from Point A to Point B.

Note: You will notice police checkpoints set up along motorways leading up to major towns and cities; don`t be alarmed, the police are checking for trafficking of illicit drugs, and most times travelers who present themselves as if they are tourists are immediately waved through the checkpoints without any further inquiry.

What is the currency of Mexico?

The currency of Mexico is the Mexican peso (written in shorthand as $, MXN$ or MXP). U.S. dollars are not legal tender and are not accepted in most shops, but many tourist-geared shops and resorts accept payment in U.S. dollars, usually on a more disadvantageous exchange rate than the current rate at banks. We recommend paying and tipping in Mexican pesos as much as possible in order to make your funds on vacation stretch for a longer period of time. Be prepared to arrive with the correct currency on hand or make sure to retrieve pesos on arrival, which you can do at a number of ATMs in the airport and across the country. (The ATMs with the best exchange rates are typically ones operated by Banco Santander (red) and Citigroup/Banamex (gray).) There are currency exchange desks at many locations throughout the country as well, some offering competitive exchange rates in relation to ATMs.

Do people speak English in Mexico?

Spanish is the official language of Mexico. English speakers will be found in most places there are a lot of tourists, such Mexico City and other major cities, historic sites, resorts, and major shopping districts popular with tourists. English is also popular with younger Mexicans who routinely consume media from the U.S. and U.K., many times with English audio and Spanish subtitles. It may be more difficult to find people who speak English in smaller towns or in shops away from tourist zones, but most Mexicans are accommodating and will work with tourists who are positive and pleasant in their interactions with them. Be prepared to learn basic Spanish phrases like hello/goodbye, please/thank you, how much is it?, where is the bathroom, and the numbers from 1-10 and 50, 100, and 1,000. To say `Do you speak English?`, say `¿Habla inglés?`