Know Before You Go MEXICO
Introduction The anticipation of your holiday should give you enormous pleasure. In order to ensure you are fully prepared for your next trip we have put together this document which contains essential information about the country you are soon to visit. We know that visa requirements and electrical currents are not the most scintillating of topics but we also know that being forewarned is forearmed and we would hate for you to come back from your holiday, thinking “if only Steppes had told me that!” Travelling should be inspirational but above anything else it should be fun. We hope this information takes care of the more mundane matters of planning a trip so that you can then focus on building up excitement levels pre-travel, safe in the knowledge you’ve got everything covered.
DID YOU KNOW? “Mexican children do not receive presents on Christmas Day. They receive gifts on January 6, the day on which Mexicans celebrate the arrival of the Three Wise Men. ”
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS How long are the flights to Mexico?
What is the typical food and drink in Mexico?
Flights from London Heathrow to Mexico City airport take just over 11 hours Mexico spans 3 different time zones being 8 hours behind in the West, 7 in central Mexico and 6 in the Yucatan and the east of the country behind GMT. Mexico does observe daylightsaving time and generally changes in April and October similar to ours.
Mexican food is probably one of the most well-known here in the UK but do note that chili con carne is more of a westernised dish than Mexican. Mole sauces are famous containing chocolate and chili plus tortillas, black beans are served in most places with salsa and guacamole. For drinks Tequilla, Margaritas and national beers are consumed widely.
What is the International dialling code for Mexico?
Are there any festivals I can see during my trip, or spend time with ‘real’ locals?
+ 00 52.
We should have discussed this with you and if this is of particular interest then do ask and your travel consultant can arrange this for you. Whether it is a small fiesta you are looking for or one of a much bigger scale, such as Day of the Dead in Oaxaca, there are many on offer here. Regarding spending time with locals, we can offer time spent with artisans (local artists), explore indigenous weaving villages and homestays with local families.
What is the time Zone in Mexico?
Can I use my mobile phone in Mexico? Roaming agreements exist with most international mobile phone companies and coverage is generally good and better in recent years. We suggest checking with your network provider before travel. Please consider other guests when using your mobile phone and when in poorer areas. Phones are available at all hotels and restaurants. Public phones generally operate with calling cards. Phoning from any hotel room can be very expensive, enquire at the reception.
What clothing should I take to Mexico? It is always best to pack light and while casual dress has become more acceptable in recent years, Latin Americans tend to devote great care to their clothes and appearance. A laundry service is available at most if not all hotels but when you are on the move there is not always the time for laundry and you pay a premium for same day delivery. Depending upon where you are travelling in Mexico will dictate what is best to wear. We find that a good fleece, waterproof jacket, layers and zip-off trousers work well for all areas. Aside from clothing a high factor suncream, insect repellent, hat, sunglasses, photocopy of your passport and swimming costume are good things to include.
Are there too many tourists, will I feel like a sheep? At the larger sites such as Chichen Itza yes, do expect to see coach loads of tourists with a guide holding an umbrella, but there are many other sites where you can get away from the crowds. We work with an incredible agency and guides that understand that here at Steppes we do things differently.
How much luggage can I take? International airlines mostly work on an allowance of 2 pieces of checked baggage at 23kg each and 1 piece of hand luggage.
Do most hotels have hair dryers? Yes, most hotels supply these in the rooms, or you can ask for a ‘secadora de pelo’ from reception.
What about the altitude in Mexico?
Can I use my credit card?
Mexico’s highest point is some 5,636 metres but this is very much off the beaten track. Both Copper Canyon and Mexico City are over 2,400 metres so a couple of days acclimatisation is suggested, but other than these areas there is little to worry about. Some suffer, whilst others have no symptoms at all and we advise visiting or contacting your GP before travel if you have any concerns.
Yes, most hotels and restaurants will accept credit cards for purchases. It is also wise to carry some cash for staff gratuities, US Dollars are accepted but we suggest having a supply of local currency just in case. ATMs can be found in most cities.
What can I expect travelling in Mexico? Travelling typically involves moving around quite frequently Mexico being such a huge country and spanning some three time zones.
When is the rainy season in Mexico? Generally May to October but rains tend to be short, tropical bursts rather than continuous.
Where can I find updates on the weather before my trip? Worldwide weather information is available: www.onlineweather.com or www.bbc.co.uk/weather
LANGUAGE We feel that it is important to try to learn the native language, even if it is only the words for hello and goodbye, not forgetting thank you. Mexico mainly speaks Spanish with some 62 indigenous Amerindian languages spoken.
English Good morning Good afternoon Good evening Hello (to a group or informally) How are you? Fine, thanks Goodbye Bye for now Please Thank you (very much) Yes/No Can I take a photo? How much is it? Do you speak English? I (don’t)understand Excuse me Sorry
Spanish Buenos dias Buenos tardes Buenos noches Hola ¿Cómo está? Bien, gracias Adios Hasta luego Por favor (Muchas) Gracias Si/No ¿Puedo sacar una foto? ¿Cuánto cuesta/cuánto es? ¿Usted habla inglés? (No) entiendo Permiso Perdon
FOREIGN OFFICE ADVICE In association with the 'Know Before You Go’ campaign Steppes Travel are working with the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) to do all that we can to help British travellers stay safe overseas. Please visit the Foreign Office website for any updates: www.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo
VISA REQUIREMENTS
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Visas are not required for British Nationals to Mexico but you do need a tourist card, which you can get upon arrival when passing through immigration. Do note that you will need a tourist card to leave the country. If you lose this you will need to buy a replacement $295 Mexican Pesos (£15 approximately), payable at a bank. If you are heading to Baja California via the US do note that you will need an ESTA visa waiver to transit.
For your safety and peace of mind, comprehensive travel insurance is required when travelling with Steppes Travel. We suggest the specialist travel insurance brokers Campbell Irvine. To arrange cover you can speak to our specialists or call Campbell Irvine on 020 7938 1734.
If you are arriving by sea then your Mexican tourist card will be provided onboard Other nationals please check with the respective embassies or representatives. Please note that it remains your responsibility to organise visas when required (unless otherwise specified by your consultant) although we are more than happy to advise, help and provide the relevant supporting documentation where necessary.
If you already have travel insurance then we require confirmation that your policy provides adequate cover for the duration of your trip, covers the full value of your invoice, is sufficient for the destination(s) you are visiting and includes medical, evacuation and repatriation cover. Please send your travel consultant the insurers name, policy number and emergency contact number.
VACCINATIONS
HEALTH & SAFETY
Presently there is not a risk of Yellow Fever in Mexico and a certificate is not required. Prophylactics are generally only suggested for travel to southern Mexico bordering Guatemala and Belize. We advise you to either check online at the Fit for Travel website www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk or with your local GP/ travel clinic regarding ‘boosters’ for standard immunisations such as Tetanus, Typhoid and Hepatitis A.
Travelling with Steppes Travel is a wonderful chance to experience a stunning array of cultures, landscapes, ecosystems and activities. At the heart of this experience are the differences between our respective ways of life. You should understand that this means that standards of health and safety will not be the same as in the UK and may often be lower. Please refer to our full health and safety information on our website under Travellers Code.
Pre-existing conditions If you have specific medical requirements, please consult your doctor prior to departure to obtain adequate supplies of any necessary medication that may be required whilst on holiday. Please carry personal medication with you in your hand luggage (in line with current airline regulations), remembering to keep a copy of your prescription or the usage guidelines with you as well.
AIRPORT & FLIGHT INFORMATION • • • •
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While travelling, please make sure that your passport is valid for at least six months beyond the duration of your trip. Have appropriate visa for your destination and transit points. Please note the date, time of your flight and also the time to arrive at the airport. Please be on time. Please advise if you have a special meal requests (fasting, vegetarian, medical, Muslim, baby food, etc…), while booking your flight or buying your ticket. Food items are not allowed to be carried in the cabin or inside the hand baggage. Please affix your name and address label on the baggage. It is also recommended to put the label inside of your checked in baggage to help us identify the bag in case the baggage tag/label attached outside is detached & lost. Please do not put valuable items such as money, jewellery, cameras and other expensive electronic items in your check-in baggage. If hand baggage is collected at the check-in counter or at the gate due to its size being above the allowed limit, the airline will not be liable for the damage and loss of valuable items in the baggage. It is not allowed to carry liquids or gels of over 100ml, toy or replica guns, razor blades, household cutlery, knives, scissors, knitting needles etc. in your hand baggage. For your own and the flight's safety and security, please do not accept any item from anyone as you will be held responsible & accountable for the contents of any of the items found in your custody.
SHELF IMPROVEMENT
ETIQUETTE & CULTURE
We have put together a small list of books that are set around Mexico. Both fiction and non-fiction, they will help you establish an understanding and feel for the country.
Mexico’s culture has changed rapidly during the last few centuries and has very much been influenced by Europe and the U.S. With nearly half the population living in large cities villagers tend to adopt the old lifestyle.
Author
Title
Peter Moore Fabio Bourbon Isabella Tree Tony Cohan Laura Esquival Harriet Doerr Jeff Biggers Graham Greene Ronald Wright Sybille Bedford Hayden Herrera
The Full Montezuma Lost Cities of the Maya Sliced Iguana On Mexican Time Like Water for Chocolate Stones for Ibarra In the Sierra Madre The Lawless Roads Time Among the Maya A Visit to Don Otavio Frida: A Biography of Frida Kahlo
ELECTRICITY Electric current in Mexico is 110V and most four and five-star hotels provide this. Electrical outlets offer the American-style plug with two parallel flat blades above a circular grounding pin or the Japanese-style plug with two parallel flat blades.
As with the majority of South and Central America, Mexicans practice Roman Catholic religion and many festivals incorporate this. Customs such as the piñata, made from papier-mâché, and mariachi bands have been recognised worldwide. Carnival, Semana Santa and Day of the Dead are hugely popular, especially the latter and hotels book up a while in advance. Outdoor adventure wear is perfectly acceptable, however for churches you should show discretion covering shoulders and knees. Mexicans are rather conservative in their dress. Airports, military, police and defence establishments should not be photographed and some churches and museums forbid photography. Permission should always be obtained to photograph local people and art. Please be aware that you are travelling in a country where services and transport structures are very different from our own western viewpoints.
CLIMATE
FOOD & DRINK It is very important that you drink plenty of water especially when at altitude. Dehydration is also quite common and bottled water is available throughout Mexico. It is generally recommended that guests drink at least 2 to 3 litres of water per day to limit the effects of dehydration. This excludes tea, coffee and alcoholic beverages, which act as diuretics and can actually contribute to dehydration and this also applies when at altitude.
We want your holiday to be unspoilt by food and drink related health problems, please… Being such a vast country, Mexico’s weather is not just dictated by season but also by whereabouts in the country you travel to. The coldest months are from December to February and in areas of altitude there is likely to be snow which can make travel tricky. The rainy season is from May until October but tends to be pretty hot and humid during this time with short tropical rains. We believe the best time to visit Mexico is from November to April and do note that June to November sees the hurricane season and the Caribbean coast is best avoided then.
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Avoid buffets in warm climates, and stick to dishes that have been freshly cooked and served, and not left hanging around in the warm. Do not buy food from roadside stalls unless you have seen it cooked in front of you. Stick to bottled water and make sure the seal is unbroken. Make sure that all fruit and vegetables eaten raw, are washed in boiled or bottled water before eating.
MONEY The official currency in Mexico is the Mexican Peso ($) which is divided up into 100 cents. US Dollars are also widely accepted in most commercial establishments, restaurants and it is generally recommended to have crisp dollars. ATMs are commonplace in the main cities within Mexico. To find the present, up to date currency rate for where you are travelling to, log on to: www.xe.com/ucc or use the XE app.
Credit cards International Visa, MasterCard and American Express are usually accepted throughout Mexico, the latter less so in all destinations. Before you leave home advise your credit card company that you will be heading abroad.
Tipping Tipping is not compulsory. If, however, you want to tip because you have received good service, below is a brief guideline to assist you. Restaurants & Bars Hotels
Tour guides Taxi drivers Transfer driver/guides
10% tip is customary wherever a service charge is not included in the bill. Tips are generally only expected at the more upscale hotels. US$1 per day for cleaning staff and $0.50-$1 per bag for porters. US$5-8 per person for a day of guiding, depending upon length of tour, type of guiding etc. Tips are not generally expected unless they carry your bags, wherein $1 per person should be sufficient. US$5-10 per person per day (guides who also do the driving) plus private drivers the same – a long journey with only 1-2 passengers would warrant the higher tip.
Giving money Whilst the giving of money is a matter of personal preference or conscience, Steppes Travel feels that it is best to give a donation to a proper charitable entity, as opposed to freely giving cash to individuals.
RESPONSIBLE TOURISM Just because we believe travel should be of benefit to both traveller and the host country, that doesn’t mean having fun is frowned upon. On the contrary, it is positively encouraged and because you’ll feel like you’re giving something back to the local people, wildlife and environment, you’ll have even more to smile about. Our policy is that we endeavour:
In return we ask you:
To work with privately owned companies and hotels rather than state owned or foreign companies in the countries that you visit. • To support a number of charities which promote a wide range of education programmes together with environmental and community projects in the countries we visit. When possible, we encourage you to visit these initiatives. • To encourage travellers to visit unspoilt areas of the world where low impact tourism can have a hugely beneficial effect. • To take you beyond the ordinary, to local markets or community craft schemes rather than large corporation tourist shops so that your money benefits those who need it most. Our ‘responsible policy’ is not just limited to the destinations in which we operate. Responsible practice is exercised in our office with various measures put in place aimed at reducing, re-using and recycling resources where possible.
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To be sympathetic to local customs, traditions and idiosyncrasies, which to us might seem strange. To be aware of local resources, particularly water and its purity, and treat them with care. To be generous in relation to local monetary values, but do not over tip To give money where it is needed and not to hordes of children. Handing out gifts creates an air of expectancy and exacerbates the problem. Far better to give items such as pens to teachers. To not buy goods that will have a detrimental effect on either wildlife or the environment however beautiful or plentiful they may seem. It only encourages others. You are encouraged to report back on your experience and on the behaviour and awareness of our agents and local guides on your return. Only in this way can we improve and ensure our demands are being met.
We are committed to developing our Policy of Responsible Practice even further in the future. Our aim is to continually incorporate new responsible practices into our business at all levels and encourage our suppliers to do the same.
USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS
British High Commission British Embassy Mexico City Rio Lerma, No.71, Col.Cuauhtemoc, CP.06500 Mexico City Mexico
+52 (55) 1670 3200
ukinmexico@fco.gov.uk
0845 8502829
www.malariahotspots.co.uk www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk
The Visa Service
0870 8900185
www.cibtvisas.co.uk
Identity and Passport Service
0870 210410
www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-passport-office
Heathrow Airport
0870 0002468
www.heathrowairport.com
Gatwick Airport
0870 0002468
www.gatwickairport.com
Health and Vaccinations Malaria Hotspots Foreign & Commonwealth Office advice Fit for travel
Passport and Visa requirements
Airports
Flights Airline information
www.airlinequality.com
Currency Currency converter
www.xe.com/ucc/
WHAT TO PACK You will have your own ideas from past experiences regarding your personal list of ‘utterly indispensables’ and favourite items, so the following are our suggestions to supplement your own packing list.
Important Stuff
Essentials •
Soft bag between 45-70 litres
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20-litre daypack, for keeping everyday items handy
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Field Guides/pocket language guide
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Passport and photocopy (keep photocopies separate)
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Good quality sunglasses, preferably polarised
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Itinerary & Airline reference number
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Camera, memory cards, cleaning materials, spare batteries
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Copy of insurance policy
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Diary, note pad, pens, reading material
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Credit cards/cash
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Torch with spare batteries and bulb
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Emergency contact numbers
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Waterbottle – 1 ltr
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International vaccination card where relevant (i.e Yellow Fever Certificate)
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Camera Bag
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Wash-kit
*Please keep your photocopies separate from your originals.
Clothing • • • • • • • • • •
Base-layer: T-shirts and vests Outer-layer: wind/waterproof jacket/ Mid-layer: Fleece or sweatshirt Comfortable walking boots or trainers Long trousers suitable for walking. Pockets helpful 2/3 Long-sleeved shirts Wide-brimmed sun hat Small spare towel Socks / underwear Mid –layer: Fleece or jumper Walking sandals
Medical equipment • • • • • • •
Personal medical travel kit Personal prescription medicines Insect repellent Lip salve Spare prescription glasses Contact lens & cleaners Sunscreen
USEFUL TRAVEL APPS
XE Currency Know how much you’re spending with live updates.
Google translate Translates between 64 languages, with audio too.
Evernote Food Document recipes you love as you travel.
Map My Walk Calculate your duration, distance, pace and speed.
Weather Pro
Pin Drop
Weather reports for up to two million locations.
Pin on a map to record locations you’ve discovered.
Flight Track
Travel Smart
Follow detailed paths of thousands of flights.
Access to emergency services & health advice.
Prizmo
Trip Journal
A pocket scanner for all your important documents.
Tipulator Nifty tip calculator, also helps to split bills easily.
Flashlight Simple gadget, always handy for travelling.
Virtual scrapbook, geotagging pictures & videos.
WhatsApp Messenger Free to send pictures, videos & sound clips over wifi
Viber International calls and messaging for free.
Packing Pro
Triposo
Packing suggestions based on your destination.
Pocket Wikitravel, internet connection not required.
THE STEPPES TRAVEL GROUP 51 CASTLE STREET CIRENCESTER GLOUCESTERSHIRE GL7 1QD
T +44 (0)1285 880 980 F +44 (0)1285 885 888 ENQUIRY@STEPPESTRAVEL.COM WWW.STEPPESTRAVEL.COM