Name in local language:  México o Estados Unidos Mexicanos.

Government:  Federal Republic, including 31 states + 1 federal district.

Population:  122.300.000

Capital:  Mexico City

Spoken languages:  Spanish (official). Indigenous languages (Nahuatl, Maya)

Religion:  Catholic 89,7 Protestant 4,9 Hebrew 0,1

Currency:  Mexican peso (MXN or MN)

Taxes:  16% IVA (VAT) in all the states of the country.

Time Zone:  -5 / -6 / -7 GMT.

Good to know!

• Getting on Mexico time – Usually long travel and jetlag can play havoc with your internal time clocks. To avoid wasting the first few days of your vacation sleeping daytime and being awake at night, we suggest on your day of arrival avoiding taking a nap during the day and instead trying to stay wake until at least around 9 pm before retiring. This way you should wake up on your second day refreshed and on Mexico time.
• Driving in Mexico is not too different from the USA and most Europeans whilst for visitors from the UK everything is reversed and extra care needs to be taken. You can rent a car or scooter with your own drivers license, no need to go through the trouble of applying for an International license as was necessary some years ago. Everyone needs to take extra care at larger junctions because the traffic lights are on the opposite side of the junction and it is easy to get confused and end up in the middle of a busy intersection with a risk of an accident. Also at these junctions (and similar to the USA) you can turn right on a red light using with caution “con precaucion”. If you are at the lights turning right and being tooted from behind this is your cue that it’s allowed to turn right on the red light. If you are planning to go away from main tourist areas, cell phones often do not work so always leave a note at your front desk on your intended destination for the day so that if you experience technical challenges at least someone will know where to find you and send assistance.
• Ensure to exercise caution at all archaeological sites where the rules for videography and photography are strictly enforced. If you wish to use your video, you must tell the staff at the entrance so you can pay the tax due on this before using your video or you will be liable to a hefty fine. In order to protect ancient murals and frescos, it is also forbidden to use flash photography.
• Only cats and dogs are permitted to enter the country and only if they hold all relevant paperwork issued by a veterinary expert in your home country. Please check the rules and regulations online prior to leaving your home country with your favourite four legged family member. You will also need to check ahead of time with your hotel as some accept pets and others do not.

• Usual opening times for bars and restaurants are as follows

Breakfast from 7 am to 11 am

Lunch from 1 pm to 4 pm

Dinner from 7 pm – 11 pm