México - History, Maps and Useful Information
Getting There has practical information on Booking your trip, Living in México has details on Visas, Driving and Buying Property
With a Native American Heritage and a distinct Spanish flavour, México is vibrant, colourful and unique. Its varied terrain ranges from cactus-studded deserts to white sandy beaches and blue waters, tropical rainforest and jungle-clad hills to steep rocky canyons and narrow gorges, and from snow-capped volcano peaks to bustling cities such as México City. 
Since the height of Mayan and Aztec civilisations, México has suffered the destructive force of the Conquistadors, European colonial rule, civil and territorial wars, rebellions, dictatorships, recessions and earthquakes. Yet its people remain warm and friendly, much of the countryside remains unspoilt by development, and its cities display a unique style of architecture. The extraordinary history is reflected in the ancient Maya temples strewn across the jungles and ruins of Aztec civilisations, rural indigenous villages, Spanish colonial cities and silver mining towns, and traditional Mexican ports. Buildings display a unique combination of colonial and pagan architecture, blending together Art Nouveau, Baroque, Art Deco and Native American design into the structure of their churches and public structures. The country's culture displays a similar blend of the traditional and modern, where pagan meets Christian in a series of festivals, or fiestas throughout the year (see my Day of the Dead Video for an example). Besides a combination of unique culture and fascinating cities, México also boasts several hundred miles of coastline extending down through both the Pacific and the Caribbean, which has branded the country as a popular summer retreat destination. Beach resort cities such as Acapulco,Cancun and those of the Baja California peninsula are accepted vacation havens. See Playa del Carmen for my favourite beach. although rapid expansion threatens to spoil it in the next few years. Tulum, a bit further south, is another stretch of beautiful coastline with beautiful beaches.
The countryside is rich in archaeological treasures with pyramids,
(see Chichén-Itzá,Cobá,Uxmal,Palenque,Toniná & Teotihuacán) ruins of ancient cities and great stone carvings of ancient gods standing as testament to a country once ruled by the Aztecs and Mayans.
The Last King of Palenque
Profile of México
History Timeline of México
Maya History - Maya Civilization
México Official Tourism site
Money & Language The Mexican currency is the Peso and there are about 20 pesos to the British Pound and 10 pesos to the US Dollar. Credit cards are widely accepted, particularly Visa, and MasterCard. Travellers cheques are generally accepted, but cannot be cashed on Sundays. ATMs are available in most cities and towns and are the most convenient way to get money. Although most businesses will accept foreign currency (dollars are widely accepted, 
pounds are not) it is best to use pesos. Foreign currency can be exchanged at one of many casas de cambio (exchange houses), which have longer hours and offer a quicker service than the banks. Tipping is customary in México by almost all services as employees are not paid sufficient hourly wages and rely on tips. Waiters and bar staff should be tipped 10 to 15% if a service charge hasn't already been added to the bill. If it has been then it is likely the Waiter will not recieve the whole tip (as in the UK) so insist on leaving it on the table as cash. One notable exception is Taxi drivers, who do not expect one - certainly in Mérida !
Spanish is the official language and is easy to learn, even speaking a few phrases will be really appreciated ! Some English is spoken in tourist regions. There are also around 30 different Mayan Languages , beautiful to listen to but not easy to learn ! - still being spoken today in México.
MONEY NEWS: A change in tax regulations will allow tourists to claim a refund of
federal value-added tax (IVA), beginning July 1 2010. The measure,
strongly supported by the Tourism Secretariat, offers refunds only to visitors arriving by sea or air, who spend at least 1,200 pesos
(about 110 dollars) on products they subsequently take out of Mexico.
Many countries already operate similar refunds, and report that tourist
expenditures are much higher as a result.
Climate & Customs
The Yucatán is located in the Tropic of Cancer, on the same latitude as Honolulu, Hawaii, and therefore enjoys similar pleasant weather all year long. 
Spring/Summer is from April through September, when temperatures average highs of 34°C (93.5°F) and lows of 23°C (73°F). Rainy season is from June through October, when typical weather features full sun until late afternoon at which time it rains for one or two hours before the sun makes a welcome return. This is also the Hurricane Season so do check this excellent site The National Hurricane Centre before you leave to see if there are any in the vicinity! Autumn/Winter which lasts from November through March is paradise - with sunny skies and little rain, average highs of 30°C (86°F) and average lows of 19°C (67°F).
Mexicans are not impatient and do not appreciate this emotion in others, so travellers should behave accordingly and expect opening hours and public transport times to be flexible and laid back. Mexicans are friendly and hospitable people and courteous behaviour and polite speech in return, is greatly appreciated. Travellers should also note that it is common for Mexicans to communicate closer than one arm's length from each other and that it is not an attempt to be forward.
Health
Those entering México from an infected area require a yellow fever certificate. There are no vaccination requirements for visitors to México, however visitors should take medical advice if travelling outside the major tourist areas. Immunisation against hepatitis A and B and typhoid is generally recommended. A malaria risk exists in some rural areas, but not on the Pacific and Gulf coasts, and dengue fever is on the increase. Other risks include dysentery and diarrhoeal diseases, and sensible precautions regarding food and water are strongly advised, visitors are advised to be cautious of street food and stick to bottled water. Medical facilities are very good, but medical insurance is a must, so make sure your Travel Insurance includes it.
Arriving at Cancun Airport -Tips and Transport Information 
By Bus: Buses are efficient, air-conditioned, clean and cheap and leave from outside Terminal 2 and go to Cancun Bus Terminal from where you can connect to many destinations in México including Mérida. See Getting There for full details of how to get to Mérida by bus. You can go direct to Playa del Carmen by bus from Terminal 2. Journey time to Cancun is 30 - 45 minutes depending on traffic. Note: Most but not all charter flights from the UK arrive at the new Terminal 3 So ask WHICH Terminal you have landed at ! If you are not at 2 you will have to take a FREE minibus shuttle to Terminal 2 first. (NOTE: Flights sometimes come into Terminal 3 but LEAVE from the other one - Terminal 2 - so top tip : check inside the arrivals hall BEFORE letting your taxi go, like I did on my last trip!) If you are connecting in Cancun for another destination, it is a long day so, although it is pricey, I recommend shelling out 600 pesos, US$60 (£30) for a taxi direct to the bus Terminal in the centre of Cancun rather than faffing around in the heat trying to find the free Shuttle to the other Terminal!
By the way the "dolmus" minibuses (known in México as "combis") that go to Cancun go to the Hotel Zone (Zona Hotelera) NOT the Town Centre where buses connect from and are very slow since they visit all the hotels en route.
By Taxi: Readily available from outside the Arrivals Hall. Only use official taxis prepaid at a booth at the exit from the Airport. About 20 minutes to Cancun and approx US$60 (£35) and 200 pesos US$25 (£20) when returning to the Airport. About 40 minutes to Playa del Carmen US$80 (£45) and US$40 (£25) when returning to the Airport.
By Car:The 307 Highway links the Airport, Cancun and the Riviera Maya. Same journey time as a Taxi. Prices for hiring a car start at around $360 (£200) for a week.
Note: When Leaving Cancun Airport to return home on a Charter Flight there is a departure tax to pay in cash (Pesos or US Dollars ONLY) of approximately US$ 55 per person (600 pesos). So make sure you keep this back. Do not expect change ! Scheduled flights include this in the ticket price.
www.cancun-airport.com
Duty Free: Travellers to México over 18 years do not have to pay duty on 400 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g pipe tobacco; 3 litres wine or other alcoholic beverages; perfume, eau-de-cologne or lotions for personal use; a video camera and one standard camera. Non-residents are allowed to bring in 12 rolls of film or video cassettes, and goods to the value of US$300 without incurring duty fees. Prohibited goods include fresh food products and the import of canned food. The export of archaeological artefacts is strictly forbidden.
Travel Advice: See the Foreign Office's Travel Advice for Mexico here. Please note that the Yucatán is very safe, México City is the problem area. However if you are sensible you can, and should visit the Capital City - to see the wonderful Pyramids at Teotihuacan if nothing else !
Telephoning the UK
Dialling code from México to the UK is +44, followed by the local area code without the 0 and then the subscriber’s number.
Mexico from the UK
Dialling code from the UK to Mexico is 52, followed by the local area code without the 0 and then the subscriber’s number. The national call prefix in México is 01 Local area code: 998
Map Showing the most Important Cities of Ancient MesoAmerica
BACK TO TOP OF PAGE NEXT PAGE