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Fondo Nacional de Fomento al Turismo (FONATUR)
Area: 1,958,201 sq km (756,066 sq miles). Population: 87,341,000 (1993). Population Density: 44.6 per sq km. Capital: Mexico City. Population: 8,236,960 (1990). Geography: Mexico is at the southern extremity of North America and is bounded in the north by the USA, northwest by the Gulf of California, west by the Pacific, south by Guatemala and Belize, and east by the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean. Mexico's geographical features range from swamp to desert, and from tropical lowland jungle to high alpine vegetation. Over half the country has an altitude above 1000m (3300ft). The central land mass is a plateau flanked by ranges of mountains to the east and west that lie roughly parallel to the coast. The northern area of this plateau is arid and thinly populated, and occupies 40% of the total area of Mexico. The southern area is crossed by a range of volcanic mountains running from Cape Corrientes in the west through the Valley of Mexico to Veracruz in the east, and includes the magnificent volcanoes of Orizaba, Popocatépetl, Ixtacc'huatl, Nevado de Toluca, Matlalcueyetl and Cofre de Perote. This is the heart of Mexico and where almost half of the population lives. To the south the land falls away to the sparsely populated Isthmus of Tehuantepec whose slopes and flatlands support both commercial and subsistence agriculture. In the east the Gulf Coast and the Yucatán peninsula are flat and receive over 75% of Mexico's rain. The most productive agricultural region in Mexico is the northwest, while the Gulf Coast produces most of Mexico's oil and sulphur. Along the northwest coast, opposite the peninsula of Baja California, and to the southeast along the coast of Bah'a de Campeche and the Yucatán peninsula, the lowlands are swampy with coastal lagoons. Language: Spanish is the official language. English is widely spoken. Religion: 90% Roman Catholic. Time: Mexico spans three different time zones: South, Central and Eastern Mexico: GMT - 6 (Central Standard Time). Nayarit, Sonora, Sinaloa and Baja California Sur: GMT - 7 (Mountain Time). Baja California Norte (Pacific Time): GMT - 8 (GMT - 7 from first Sunday in April to Saturday before last Sunday in October). Daylight saving is operated during summer months; clocks are put forward by one hour. Electricity: 110 volts AC, 60Hz. US 2-pin (flat) plugs are usual. Communications: Telephone: IDD is available. Country code: 52. Outgoing international code: 98. Long-distance calls are very expensive. Fax: Major hotels have facilities. Telex/telegram: International telex facilities are available at a number of hotels in Mexico City and in Acapulco, Chihuahua, Guadalajara, Mérida, Monterrey, Puebla, Tampico and Veracruz. The telegraphic system is run by Telegrafos Nacionales and telegrams should be handed in to their offices. In Mexico the main office for international telegrams is at Balderas y Colón, México 1 DF. Post: Airmail to Europe takes about six days. Surface mail is slow. Within the capital there is an immediate delivery (Entrega Inmediata) service, which usually takes two or three days. Press: The major daily newspapers published in Spanish are Excélsior, El Universal, Uno Más Uno and El D'a. The English-language papers available are New York Times, Mexico City Times, and USA Today. BBC World Service and Voice of America frequencies: From time to time these change. BBC: MHz 17.84 15.22 9.590 5.975 Voice of America: MHz 15.20 11.91 9.775 6.130
NOTE: Currency regulations and exchange rates will vary depending on the nature and size of the transaction: the details given in this section generally apply only for small transactions by individuals, with the exchange rate an average of the buying and the selling prices. For more detailed information consult your bank. Currency: Nuevo Peso (MXN) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of MXN500, 200, 100, 50, 20 and 10. Coins are in denominations of MXN10, 5, 2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10 and 5 cents. Note: The Nuevo Peso was introduced on January 1, 1993. It is equivalent to 1000 former Pesos. There was a dual exchange rate system in effect between December 1982 and November 1991. Currency exchange: The exchange rate of the Mexican Peso against Sterling and other hard currencies has, in recent years, been subject to considerable fluctuation (see table below). Credit cards: American Express, Diners Club, Visa and Access/Mastercard are widely accepted. Check with your credit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available. Travellers cheques: Travellers cheques or letters of credit in US Dollars issued by well-known banks or travel organisations are readily negotiable in banks and hotels. Sterling travellers cheques are not readily negotiable except at head offices of banks in the capital, and may be subject to a considerable discount. Currency restrictions: Local currency may be imported up to MXN5000; the import of foreign currency is unlimited provided declared. Foreign currency may be exported up to the amount imported and declared; local currency may be exported up to MXN5000. The export of gold coins is prohibited. Banking hours: 0900-1330 Monday to Friday; some banks are open Saturday afternoon.
The following goods may be imported into Mexico by persons over 18 years of age without incurring customs duty: 400 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of pipe tobacco; 3 litres of wine or spirits; a reasonable amount of perfume or eau de toilette; 1 stills camera, 1 portable film or video camera and up to 12 unexposed rolls of film or video cassettes for each camera; a reasonable amount of personal and electrical goods; various objects with the value of up to US$300 or equivalent. Prohibited items: Any uncanned food, pork or pork products, plants, fruits, vegetables and their products. Firearms and ammunition need an import permit. All pets require a veterinary certificate. Dogs and cats need a rabies vaccination certificate. Birds need an import permit. Archaeological relics may not be exported.
Air: Mexico's national airlines are Aerovias de Mexico (AM)and Mexicana (MX). For free advice on air travel, call the Air Travel Advisory Bureau in the UK on (0171) 636 5000 (London) or (0161) 832 2000 (Manchester). Approximate flight time: From Mexico City to London is 10 hours; to Los Angeles is 5 hours 20 minutes; to New York is 5 hours; to Singapore is 22 hours 45 minutes and to Sydney is 19 hours. International airports:Mexico City (MEX) (Benito Juárez) is 13km (8 miles) south of the city. Airport facilities include duty-free facilities (0600-2400), restaurants (0700-2400), bank/bureau de change, 24-hour bar, 24-hour snack bar, chemist (0500-2200), 24-hour shops, tourist information (0600-2300), 24-hour left luggage, post office (0800-1900), first aid (with vaccinations for cholera and yellow fever available) and car rental (Avis, Dollar and National). Buses run to the city every 15 minutes from 0600-2200 for a fare of MXN5 (travel time - 35 minutes). Return is from Camino Real Hotel, Reforma Street from 0600-2200. Metro trains depart to the city every 20 minutes. The airport metro station is 20 minutes walk from the airport terminal. Hotel courtesy coach is available to the Airport Holiday Inn. Taxis are also available for approximately MXN90 (travel time - 20 minutes). Guadalajara (GDL) (Miguel Hidalgo) is 20km (12 miles) southeast of the city (travel time - 30 minutes). Airport facilities include restaurant, bar, snack bar, bank, post office and shops. Coaches depart to the city every 10 minutes (0500-2400). Hotel courtesy coaches are available to Camino Real, El Tapatio, Holiday Inn and Sheraton hotels. Acapulco (ACA) (General Juan N Alvarez) is 26km (16 miles) southeast of the city (travel time - 30 minutes). Airport facilities include restaurant, bank, post office and car hire. Coaches run to the city. Return is from Las Hamacas Hotel. Taxi services are available to the city, with a surcharge after 2200. Monterrey (MRY) (General Mariano Escobero) is 24km (15 miles) northeast of the city (travel time - 45 minutes). Airport facilities include restaurant, bar, bank, post office, shops and car hire. Coach and taxi services run to the city. Departure tax: Approximately US$11.50 for international flights; children under two years are exempt. Sea: The major cruise ports in Mexico are Cozumel, Acapulco, Tampico, Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa, Manzanillo, Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlán. Regular passenger ships run from the USA, South America and Australia. Principal shipping lines are Polish Ocean Lines, P∓O and Fred Olsen Lines. Rail: Railway connections with Mexico can be made from any city in the USA or Canada. All trains are provided with pullman sleepers, restaurant cars, lounge observation and club cars. Most trains are air-conditioned. Road: Main points of entry from the USA are Mexicali from San Diego; Nogales from Phoenix/Tucson; El Paso/Ciudad Juárez from Tucson and Alberquerque; Eagle Pass/Piedras Negras from Del R'o, San Angelo and El Paso; Laredo/Nuevo Laredo from Houston, San Antonia and Del R'o; and Brownsville/Matamoros from Houston and Galveston. From Guatemala there are two main roads into Mexico. The Pan American Highway crosses into Mexico from Guatemala and continues through Central America and South America.
Air: There is an excellent network of daily scheduled services between principal commercial centres operated by Aerovias de México and Mexicana. Many of these smaller airports will also have capacity for large planes and some international flights. Flights between Mexico City and Guadalajara take about 55 minutes and Mexico City to Monterrey about 75 minutes. Departure tax: Approximately US$9.75 for domestic flights. Sea: Steamer ferries operate regularly between Mazatlán and La Paz (Baja California) daily; between Guaymas and Santa Rosalia, across the Gulf of California; between La Paz and Topolobampo three or four times weekly; and from Puerto Vallarta to Cabo San Lucas twice-weekly. Some west coast cruises include Pacific ports such as Mazatlán, Puerto Vallarta and Acapulco. Rail: Mexico has a good railway network and trains link all the main towns in the country. However, most people travel by bus since it is considerably faster and provides a more extensive service. Children under five travel free, provided they are accompanied by a parent. Children aged 5-11 pay half-fare. Road: Traffic drives on the right. Mexico's road network extends to almost 250,000km (155,350 miles), of which slightly less than half is paved. A toll is charged for use of the expressways, which are managed by Caminos y Puentes Federales de Ingresos y Servicios Conexos. Rest areas at toll sites also provide ambulance and breakdown services. An organisation known as 'Angeles Verdes' (Green Angels) provides breakdown assistance to tourists on the highways free of charge except for petrol, oil and spare parts. Bus: Mexico is linked by an excellent and very economical bus system. There are first-class and deluxe coaches as well as ordinary buses. Central bus terminals in major cities provide service and information on fares and schedules. Car hire: Self-drive cars are available at airports, city centres and resorts. Documentation: Foreign driving licence or International Driving Permit accepted. It is suggested that visitors insure their vehicle; there are some short-term policies available at very reasonable rates in Mexico. Urban: There is an excellent and cheap metro system in Mexico City with frequent trains and flat fares. However, it is often crowded and some familiarity with the city is necessary to use it successfully. The metro opens at 0500 Monday to Saturday and 0700 Sunday. There is also a small tramway network, and extensive bus and trolleybus services. The latter system has recently been modernised, and also has a flat fare. There is a state-run bus and trolleybus service in Guadalajara, with trolleybuses running in tunnels, and also extensive private bus services. Taxi: Four different types of taxi operate in Mexico City. Yellow and white taxis (usually Volkswagens) are metered, as are orange taxis (Sitio), which are available at taxi-stands. These charge slightly more, and it is advisable to agree the fare before starting the journey. Turismo taxis with English-speaking drivers are available outside main hotels. They are not metered and fares should be agreed before starting journey. Peseros (green and white) are shared taxis travelling on fixed routes, for which fares are charged according to the distance travelled. Tipping is not compulsory for any of the taxi services.
Hotels: The enormous growth of tourism in Mexico is reflected in the wide range of hotels from the modern, elegant and expensive to the clean and modest. There are a variety of chain hotels throughout Mexico as well as 'dude' ranches, thermal spas and resorts that feature specific facilities. Reservations should be confirmed by hotels in writing at the time of booking as hotel tariffs are liable to alteration at any time; it is especially important to make reservations when travelling in the high season. There is a wide range of prices with plenty of choice throughout the country; every hotel is required to display officially approved rate schedules, but the visitor should note that most rates do not include meals. There are also a number of more modest guest-houses (casas de huespedes). Information can be obtained from the Mexican Hotel and Motel Association, CP 11590, Thiers 83, Colonia Anzures, México DF. Tel: (5) 571 3262 or 203 0466. Grading: Mexico operates a 5-star grading system similar to that in Europe, with an additional Gran Turismo category. All hotels are covered. The criteria for inclusion in each of the six grades are as follows: Gran Turismo: 108 criteria including central air-conditioning, satellite dish and minimum floor area of 32 sq metres (105 sq ft). Shopping area and additional quality services are also required. 5-star: 96-101 criteria including room service 16 hours a day and minimum floor area of 28 sq metres (92 sq ft). Restaurant, cafeteria, nightclub, commercial areas, good hygiene and security are also required. 4-star: 71-76 criteria including adequate furniture and minimum floor area of 25 sq metres (82 sq ft). Some commercial areas and a good standard of maintenance are also required. 3-star: 47-52 criteria including adequate furniture and minimum floor area of 21.5 sq metres (71 sq ft). Restaurant, cafeteria, ceiling fan and some complimentary service are required. 2-star: 33-37 criteria including adequate furniture and minimum floor area of 19 sq metres (62 sq ft). Standards for hygiene and security should be met. First-aid facilities are required. 1-star: 24-27 criteria including adequate furniture and minimum floor area of 15 sq metres (49 sq ft). Standards for guests' comfort should be met. CAMPING/Caravanning: The national parks in Mexico are officially the only areas where no permits or fees are required for camping and hiking. Camping is allowed anywhere within the park areas. Further information can be obtained from the Ministry of Tourism (see entry above). Most camping, however, is outside national parks, the most popular regions being the west coast and Baja California. The western Pacific coast has excellent caravan 'hookups' while Baja California is far more informal and isolated. The number of caravan parks along Mexico's major motorways is growing, and there is no difficulty in locating places to park.
Mexico, rich in reminders of ancient civilisations, is also a modern developing nation. Temples and cathedrals contrast with futuristic buildings, motorways and fully-equipped beach resorts. Mexico City, one of the world's largest cities, has one of the world's largest universities. Elsewhere, elements of the ancient and colonial cultures persist in aspects of rural life. Fetes and festivals are celebrated with enthusiasm, and the markets in towns and villages are lively and colourful. Mexico City The capital of Mexico stands at an altitude of 2240m (7350ft) beneath two snow-capped volcanoes, Popocatépetl and Ixtacc'huatl. It is a huge rambling city with a distinctly colonial feel. Many of the buildings are in the exuberant Latin American Baroque style. In the centre of town is The Zócalo. It was begun in 1573 and completed in the 19th century and is enormous. Only the Red Square in Moscow is larger. The National Palace, built in 1692 on the ruins of the Palace of Montezuma, is now the office of the President of the Republic. Plaza de las Tres Culturas celebrates the three major cultures that have shaped Mexico: there are Aztec ruins, a 17th-century colonial church built in the Baroque style and several fine late 20th-century buildings. The Basilica of Nuestra Señora De Guadalupe , a shrine built on a spot where the Virgin is said to have appeared to the Indian Juan Diego in 1531, is a major pilgrimage site. Built in 1976, it has a capacity of 10,000 inside plus another 25,000 outside when the 70 surrounding portals are opened. Chapultepec Park is the site of a castle that houses the National Museum of History and the National Museum of Anthropology, which holds an enormous and absolutely fascinating collection of Pre-Columbian artefacts. The floating gardens of Xochimilco are an amazing piece of Aztec engineering. Bands of 'Mariachis' (so-named because 'mariachi' was often used at weddings) ply their trade from small boats. They play a very emotional music form with guitars and trumpets and sentimental singing. The Mariachis themselves are usually dressed in ornate clothes and giant sombreros. Another good afternoon visit is the Plaza Garibaldi where musicians from all over Mexico play for the public. The Polyforum de Siqueiros, built to an exciting design by David Alfaro Siqueiros, is a huge exhibition centre with plenty of space for dancing and theatrical performances. The Ciudad Universitaria, located in Pedregal Square, is another fine example of modern Mexican architecture. The complex includes a stadium with capacity for 100,000 spectators. Central Mexico and Colonial Cities The central highlands, benefitting from a milder climate, constitute the most populous region of Mexico. Many of the colonial cities include a unique blend of indigenous and Spanish culture; these historic centres have remained virtually intact since the time of the conquest. The conquistadores built very Spanish-looking villages near the silver mines. Today, the main attractions of this region are the architecture, the views, and some very good local cooking. Guadalajara: , capital of Jalisco, still has a Spanish colonial atmosphere, despite being the agricultural, commercial and industrial centre of the western highlands. The Cathedral has 11 altars, 30 columns and a big art collection. There are also a lot of parks: the Parque Agua Azul ('Blue Water') is noteworthy for its forest-like atmosphere; the Parque des las Armas is where the boys and girls of the town serenade each other. Around the Cathedral there are two parks, the Parque de los Laureles and the Parque de la Revolución. The Plaza de Rotunda contains columns and statues in honour of Jalisco's past heroes; the Plaza Libertad has a market with a wide range of locally produced goods. During the annual October Festival, horsemanship and bullfighting can be seen at the charreada (rodeo). The famous 'Mexican Hat Dance' originated in this area, locally it is called 'Jarabe Tapati'. Northern Mexico The north is mostly desert, a vast, high, windswept plateau flanked by the Occidental and Oriental chains of the Sierra Madre. Most of the population is gathered in several large cities and on the coasts; parts of the plateau are used for agriculture, but much of the north bears little trace of man. Chihuahua: , capital of the state of the same name (Mexico's largest), is an important industrial and commercial centre. There are many edifices dating from the colonial era, including the 18th-century Cathedral, the Government Palace, the City Hall and Quinta Luz, which is the Villa Museum (containing Pancho Villa memorabilia). There is a monument to the División del Norte of Doroteo Arango (Pancho Villa in the unfamiliar guise of his real name). Entertainments include bullfights, dog and horse-races, nightclubs and restaurants. In the state of Chihuahua, Ciudad Juárez has a commercial and cultural centre with modern buildings based on traditional styles of architecture. The handicrafts section includes sarapes (blankets) and glassware. There are bullfights, and horse-and greyhound-racing, along with a good nightlife. Restaurants serve international and Mexican food. Baja California Baja California is a peninsula 1100km (700 miles) long that extends south from Tijuana into the Pacific Ocean. It comprises two states, Baja California Norte and Baja California Sur. The enclosed Gulf is rich in marine life and offers excellent opportunities for experienced divers and anglers (although the currents are treacherous). The estuary of the Colorado River lies at the top of the Gulf; only a trickle of fresh water now reaches the sea, most having been diverted for agriculture far upstream. The Pacific coast of the peninsula is an important breeding ground for whales. The interior is mountainous desert, for the most part waterless and inhabited by only the hardiest plants and animals. Cabo San Lucas: and San Jose del Cabo are the main tourist destinations, offering miles of excellent beaches. At Cabo San Lucas on the tip of the peninsula, 260km (162 miles) from La Paz, seals may often be seen. Mexicali: is the capital of Baja California Norte. It provides a base for those who wish to explore the surrounding mountains and countryside of Rumorosa. La Paz: , the capital of Baja California Sur, is in a bay on the Gulf of California. Watersports and deep-sea angling are well catered for. The beaches of Las Hamacas, Palmeira, El Coromuel and Puerto Balandra provide excellent bases for swimmers and skindivers; the waters are calm and clear. Fish and seafood figure prominently on local menus. Southern Mexico The states of Guerrero, Oaxaca, Chiapas and Tabasco form the junction between North and Central America. Here is where the two Sierra Madre chains merge before continuing south towards the Andes, the deserts give way to highland forests and lowland jungles, and the mean annual temperature is 21°C and more. Acapulco attracts the most visitors (see below), but there is much else to satisfy the more adventurous tourist. As elsewhere in Mexico, there are many picturesque and charming hilltop towns. There are lagoons on both coasts and many beautiful lakes high up in the mountains. Mayan World More than 3000 years ago, there emerged a highly sophisticated civilisation, the Mayas, in the diverse landscape of what is now Guatemala, Belize, western Honduras and part of El Salvador as well as the Mexican states of Yucatán, Quintana Roo, Campeche, Chiapas and Tabasco. The variety of landscape is matched by the abundance of flora and fauna, unrivalled anywhere else in the continent. Birdlife, especially, seems to abound, including toucans, parrots and macaws, hummingbirds and others. The lowland rainforest of Chiapas, Campeche and Quintana Roo is home to such exotic wildlife as ocelots, margays, whitetail deer, anteaters, peccaries, tapirs, howler and spider monkeys and jaguars, the largest wildcats in the Americas. The upland cloud-forests are home to the multicoloured guacamayas as well as the resplendent and elusive quetzal, an emerald-coloured bird with trailing feathers once considered sacred by the ancient Mayas. The coast also supports a wealth of birdlife, as well as alligators and manatee, a rare aquatic animal distantly related to the elephant, which can be found in the coastal lagoons. The Wildlife Reserve of Contoy Island is the resting and nesting place for hundreds of migrant and resident birds. Even the underwater world can offer a richness of species such as marlin, snapper, grouper, bonito, wahoo, shrimp, lobster, octopus and sailfish, and the beaches are important nesting places for sea turtles during the summer months. Beach Resorts PACIFIC COAST: Acapulco, situated on Acapulco Bay, is probably the most famous beach resort in Mexico. The town stretches for over 16km (10 miles) round the bay. It has many beaches as well as numerous top-class hotels. The malecón (seaside promenade) runs along the beaches. There is a square in the centre of the old town to the west of the Bay. This lively and fashionable resort offers skindiving, angling, parachute sailing, water-skiing, golf, tennis, riding and the unique spectacle of the Quebrada divers. The waters of the Bay are famous for their calmness and safety, though the beach of La Condesa has rougher waters and a good surf for those who want it. The two beaches nearest the centre of the town are Playa Caleta and Playa Caletilla; the sun on these is considered to be at its best in the morning. The late afternoon sun is thought to be best on Playa Hornos, which is further around the bay to the east. Scuba-diving lessons can be arranged on request. Nearby is Roqueta Island, visited regularly by glass-bottomed boats from which the underwater image of the Virgin of Guadelupe can be seen. The island itself is popular for family trips. Fort San Diego: , in the middle of the town, is where the last battle of the Mexican War of Independence was fought. Admission is free but it is closed Thursday. Behind the town of Acapulco rise the Sierra Madre Mountains , a favourite location for photographers who relish the verdant greenery, the rocky cliffs and the breathtaking views over the bay. 16km (10 miles) away is Pie de la Costa which has a lagoon and several large beaches. The surf is risky. Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo: , to the north of Acapulco, is a new resort complex with moorings for yachts and a golf course. Manzanillo: , a major seaport, has recently become an important resort. The emphasis is on watersports, but the spacious beaches afford good swimming. Fishing is of a world-class standard. CARIBBEAN COAST: Cozumel, Canc'n and Isla Mujeres are island resorts off the Yucatán Peninsula. Only recently developed for tourism, they offer sun, sand and sea in a wild and beautiful tropical setting. The seafood is particularly good. Giant turtles come ashore to breed on Isla Mujeres. Veracruz: is a lively seaport, with excellent seafood cuisine - the visitor will particularly enjoy carnival time in this easy-going city. POPULAR ITINERARIES: 5-day: (a) México DF-San Miguel de Allende-Guanajuato-Guadalajara-Morelia-México DF. (b) Canc'n-Chitchén-Itzá-Mérida-Uxmal-Tulum-Canc'n. 7-day: (a) México DF-Oaxaca-Tuxtla Gutierrez-San Cristobal de las Casas-Palenque-Mérida-México DF. (b) México DF-Oaxaca-Puerto Angel-Acapulco-Cuernavaca-México DF.
Food & Drink: Self-service (fast food) is available but table-service is usual. Bars have table- and/or counter-service. There are laws relating to minors and licensing on civic holidays. Mexican cuisine is delicious and varied; there are many specialities, such as turkey mole, a sauce containing a score of ingredients including several sorts of chilli, tomatoes, peanuts, chocolate, almonds, onions and garlic. Another sauce, guacamole, incorporates avocado pears, red peppers, onions and tomatoes, and often accompanies turkey or chicken with tortillas (pancakes made with maize). There are also enchiladas, tacos (maize pancakes served with pork, chicken, vegetables or cheese and chilli) and tamales. Every region of Mexico has its own cuisine. International cuisine is available at most hotels in the larger cities, and at most restaurants. There is a wide variety of exotic fruits such as papayas, mangoes, guavas, zapotes, pineapples, mameyes and tunas (juicy prickly pears, fruit of the cactus). Drink: Imported spirits are expensive, local spirits probably give better value for money; the best buys are rum and gin. European aperitifs are produced in Mexico and are of excellent quality; and, of course, there is tequila (made from maguey, a variety of cactus). It is traditionally drunk neat with a pinch of salt and a bite of lemon, and makes excellent cocktails. Mexico's coffee liqueur, kahl'a, is world famous. Hidalgo, Domecq and Derrasola are good Mexican white wines, whilst Los Reyes and Calafia are excellent reds. Mexico is a producer of excellent beer; both the dark beers and the light beers are worth sampling. All the big supermarkets sell spirits, beer and wine. Nightlife: With a range of settings from panoramic restaurants to intimate bars, Mexico City offers excellent music and assorted cuisine, with some of the best bars and restaurants located in hotels. Nightlife is very vibrant and exciting and features a large variety of top-name entertainers, international shows, jazz groups, rock groups, traditional Mexican music and dancing, Spanish flamenco dancers and gypsy violins. Worth seeing is the impressive light show, with accompanying sound show at the archaeological site of Teotihuacan. The history and mythology of this ancient civilisation are re-created through a gorgeous display of coloured lights, poetic dialogue and music. The season runs from October to May. Shopping: Good buys include silverware, ceramics and locally made pottery, woven wool blankets (sarapes), brightly coloured scarves in wool or silk (rebozos), richly embroidered charro hats, straw work, blown glass, embossed leather, hard and semi-precious stones, gold and silver jewellery, finely pleated men's shirts in cotton voile (guayaberas), white dresses embroidered with multi-coloured flowers (huipiles), which are sold in the markets, and hammocks. The best shopping is in Mexico City, Cuernavaca, Taxco, San Miguel de Allende, Acapulco, Guadalajara, Oaxaca, Mérida and Campeche. Shopping hours: 0900-2000 Monday to Saturday (Mexico City) and 0900-1400 and 1600-2000 Monday to Friday (rest of the country). Sport: Horseriding: Horses and professional guides are available in major towns and resorts. Tennis: Almost all major resorts have tennis courts and there are complexes which include luxury accommodation at Canc'n on the Caribbean coast and at Manzanillo, Ixtapa and Puerto Vallarta on the Pacific coast. Acapulco, however, remains the tennis capital, with almost perfect weather from October through to June. Golf: Although many of Mexico's best golf courses are part of private clubs or resort hotel complexes, some of them allow visitors, particularly in the tourist resorts. Swimming: Major city hotels and most hotel resorts have swimming pools and some towns have public baths. Both seaboards have warm waters ideal for bathing and there are many resorts, the most famous of which is Acapulco. Water-skiing: Acapulco has particularly good facilities, but other resorts also have equipment for hire, including speedboats. Surfing/parasailing: Surfing can be enjoyed on the pacific breakers and parasailing is another exciting sport. Scuba diving/snorkelling: Diving is particularly popular in the clear waters of Cozumel and Canc'n, although equipment can be hired in most major coastal resorts. Sailing/windsurfing: The Gulf, Caribbean and Pacific coasts and mountain lakes offer excellent sailing. Most resort hotels will rent small sailing boats to guests. Windsurfing has become extremely popular. Fishing: Mexico's coast offers some of the best deep-sea fishing in the world. Every major port has charter boats and fishing gear for hire and even the smallest fishing village is likely to have at least one fishing boat for hire. Freshwater fishing is also allowed in lakes, lagoons, dams and rivers. Regulations vary according to season. A Mexican fishing permit is obtainable, free of charge, from the local game or fish warden, the office of the Captain of the Port, or any local office of the Secretary of Commerce. Spectator sports: Football is played every Sunday at noon and Thursday night throughout the year at the Aztec Stadium in Mexico City and at other locations throughout the country. The Mexican baseball league begins in April and in the capital games can be seen almost daily since there are two home teams. Jai alai is a very fast game of Basque pelota played with a small ball and straw rackets and can be watched at Fronton courts in Acapulco, Tijuana and Mexico City. Horse-races: are held four times a week at The Hippodrome de las Americanas in Mexico City and Tijuana (October and September). Special Events: Handshaking is the most common form of greeting. Casual sportswear is acceptable for daytime dress throughout the country. At beach resorts, dress is very informal for men and women and nowhere are men expected to wear ties. In Mexico City, however, dress tends to be smart in elegant restaurants and hotel dining rooms. Smoking is unrestricted except where notified. Mexicans regard relationships and friendships as the most important thing in life next to religion and they are not afraid to show their emotions. A large Mexican family always seems to find room for one more and a visitor who becomes friends with a Mexican will invariably be made part of the family. Visitors should always remember that local customs and traditions are important. Tipping: Service charges are rarely added to hotel, restaurant or bar bills and many of the staff depend on tips for their livelihood. 15% is expected and 20% if the service has been very good. Airport porterage is charged at the equivalent of US$1 per bag.
Economy: The agricultural sector produces various staple crops, including sorghum, wheat, maize, rice, beans and potatoes, largely for domestic consumption, while coffee, sugar cane, fruit and vegetables are grown for export. The contribution made by agriculture (including fishing, which is a major employer in coastal areas) has declined since 1980. The government has sought to combat this by scrapping the allegedly inefficient ejido (very roughly - 'collective') system introduced after the Revolution of the 1910s. The biggest growth has been in manufacturing where the most important products are vehicles, food products, iron and steel, chemicals and machinery. An increasing number of these are located in so-called maquiladora plants, under which semi-finished goods or raw materials from the southern US are shipped across the border into Mexico, completed, and then (for the most part) returned to the US. The purpose is to take advantage of lower wages and running costs and the absence of major restrictions on the behaviour of corporations (environmental controls, health and safety etc.). NAFTA (see below) has stimulated growth in this area. Mexico also has a large mining sector, producing a wide range of minerals, including silver, bismuth, arsenic and antimony; there are also smaller deposits of sulphur, lead, zinc and cadmium. However, Mexico's largest single natural resource, and the source of much of its wealth in recent years, is oil. While oil prices were relatively high, Mexico used the revenues to fund rapid industrial growth. Since the end of the 1970s, however, much of that income has been necessarily earmarked for debt repayment and IMF-supervised economic restructuring. Oil, gas and oil products account for one-third of total export earnings. In the service sector, tourism is the most important single industry, with most of the business coming from North America. Economic relations with the economic giant to the north have become even more important since Novemeber 1993 and the signing of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which created a free market among the US, Canada and Mexico. Originally an initiative of Mexcian president Salinas, NAFTA created a free trade bloc able to rival the EU in both population and economic output. The longer-term prospects for the Mexican economy, which stands to benefit most from NAFTA, are reasonably good. However, the near collapse of the Mexican peso in 1994 (caused by corruption scandals in the ruling PRI and an armed rebellion by Zapatista rebels in the south of the country) served as a reminder of the continuing vulnerability of the economy to upheaval arising from various, often unexpected quarters. As well as NAFTA, Mexico is a member of the Inter-American Development Bank, the Association for Latin American Integration (ALADI) and, most recently, the Asian-Pacific Economic Forum (APEC). While much of its recent attention has been concentrated to the north, Mexico has not ignored economic relations with its southern neighbours, having concluded in the early 1990s a number of free trade agrements with Colombia and Venezuela (The Group of Three) and with the Hispanic countries of Central America. The USA dominates Mexico's trade, providing 70% of the country's imports (US$14.5 billion) and taking slightly under 70% (US$18 billion) of its exports. Outside the American continent, Japan, Germany and Spain are Mexico's other important trading partners. Britain is the largest foreign investor in Mexico after the USA. Business: English is widely spoken in business circles although it is preferable for the visitor to be able to speak Spanish. Letters written in Spanish should be replied to in Spanish. Business wear is formal. Mexicans attach much importance to courtesy and the use of titles. Prior appointments are necessary and if in doubt about a correct title it is advisable to use licenciado in place of señor. Best months for business visits are January to June and September to November. Avoid the two weeks before and after Christmas and Easter. Office hours: Vary considerably; usually 0900-1600 Monday to Friday. Commercial Information: The following organisation can offer advice: Confederac'on de Cámaras Nacionales de Comercio, Servicios y Turismo (CONCANACO), Apartado 113 bis, 2° y 3°, Balderas 144, Centro Cuauhtémoc, 06079 México DF. Tel: (5) 709 1559. Fax: (5) 709 1152. Telex: 1777318. Conferences/Conventions: The meetings, conventions, exhibitions and incentives planner's kit issued by the Mexican Ministry of Tourism lists over 70 convention venues in Mexico City, Acapulco, Taxco, Morelia, Puerto Vallarta, Ixtapa, Guadalajara, Mazatlán, Canc'n and Mérida. Taxco, Acapulco, Morelia and Canc'n have dedicated centres, the largest of which, in Acapulco, can seat up to 8000 people. GOVERNMENT GOVERNMENT: Mexico is a federal republic with 31 states and one federal district. The bicameral National Congress is elected by universal adult suffrage. The 64 members of the Senate (two per state plus two for the federal district) serve for a term of six years. The 500-seat Chamber of Deputies consists of members elected for three years, 300 from single-member constituencies with the remaining 200 allocated to minority parties on the basis of proportional representation. The president, who appoints a cabinet, has executive power and serves a term congruent with that of the Senate. Each state has its own governor and elected Chamber of Deputies.
Climate varies according to altitude. Coastal areas and lowlands (tierra caliente) are hot and steamy with high humidity, while the central plateau is temperate even in winter. The climate of the inland highlands is mostly mild, but sharp changes in temperatures occur between day and night. The cold lands (tierra fr'a) lie above 2000m (6600ft). Rainfall varies greatly from region to region. Only the Sierra Madre Oriental, the Isthmus of Tehuantepec and the state of Chiapas in the far south receive any appreciable amount of rain during the year, with the wet season running between June and September. All other areas have rainless seasons, while the northern and central areas of the central plateau are dry and arid. There is some snow in the north in winter. The dry season runs from October to May.
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