The Mexico Page
The Ultimate Mexico Web Metadirectory
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CountriesCosta RicaCuba Mexico Nicaragua Panama Uruguay Boomers Abroad Home Expat Stuff Site Map RecommendedLiving Abroad in MexicoHow, why and where to live in Mexico Gringo Gazette Baja California Sur Gringo Gazette North Baja California Guadalajara Reporter Guadalajara and Western Mexico  Balance your travel carbon emissions with TerraPass. Los Angeles to Mexico City and return is almost three-quarters of a ton of carbon dioxide.
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Official Government Web SitesVisit MexicoThis excellent site from the Mexico Tourism Board is almost the only tourist site you'll need President of Mexico Ministry of Foreign Affairs Consulate General, San Diego Consulate General, Los Angeles LocationMiddle America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico between Belize and the U.S., and bordering the Pacific Ocean between Guatemala and the U.S. Enlarge LandLand area is 1,923,040 sq km, slightly less than three times the size of Texas. The terrain consists of high, rugged mountains in the interior, low coastal plains, high plateaus, and desert.Population104,960,000 (2004 estimate)Mexico City (capital) 8,600,000 (metro area 15,000,000) Ethnic GroupsMestizo (Amerindian-Spanish) 60%, Amerindian or predominantly Amerindian 30%, white 9%, and other 1%>ReligionsRoman Catholic 89%, Protestant 6%, other 5%U.S. State Dept. International Religious Freedom Report LanguagesSpanish, various Mayan, Nahuatl, and other regional indigenous languages.English/Spanish - Spanish/English Translation Time ZoneMexico City (-6 GMT)Mazatlan (-7 GMT) Tijuana (-8 GMT) Veracruz (-6 GMT) Guadalajara (-6 GMT) Cancun (-6 GMT) Mexico City local time/sunrise/sunset Telephone CodesCountry Code - +52Dial 011 + 52 + area code + the number Area CodesAcapulco - 744Cancun - 998 Guadalajara 33 Mazatlan - 669 Mexico City - 55 Tijuana - 664 Veracruz - 229 City Codes in Mexico All International Phone Codes Internet country code.mxClimateThe central plateau and mountainous zones tend to be cool, while the coastal regions are warmer with relatively high humidity. Nights can get cool, even by the beach. Typically, the rainy season in Mexico starts in early June and lasts through October. In coastal Mexico, the rainy season is also the hottest season.Weather/Climate Guide Customs/VisasVisitors from the U.S. need a valid passport or must present an original birth certificate and photo ID. Travelers from other countries may need a visa. After proof of citizenship has been verified, you will receive a free Mexican Tourist Card, which you must keep with you at all times when in Mexico. This permit must be given to officials upon departure. If you lose your Mexican Tourist Card, you can obtain a copy or permission to leave the country from the local Immigration Office.In Mexico, like many other countries, any person under the age of 18 is considered a minor. Very strict regulations govern travel by minors into Mexico. For example, if traveling alone, the minor must have a notarized consent form signed by both parents. If traveling with only one parent, the minor must have a notarized letter of consent signed by the parent not travelling. Consular Information Sheet Foreign Entry Requirements Mexican Tourist Visa Requirements for All Countries CurrencyMexican peso (MXN)Mexican pesos per US dollar - 9.66 (2002), 9.34 (2001), 9.46 (2000), 9.56 (1999), 9.14 (1998) Today's exchange rate A 15 percent value added tax (IVA) is added to all retail items except medicine. Some luxury goods have a higher tax. The IVA is usually added into the sale price, meaning your bill will have the 15 percent tax already included. US dollars are easily exchanged for pesos in banks, major hotels, airports and exchange houses. Most Mexican banks are open on weekdays only from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. but there are some open on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 2 p.m. Exchange houses are open longer and offer quicker service (and usually a better exchange rate) than banks. International Currency Conversion SafetyThe government of Mexico is working hard to improve safety throughout the country for both citizens and tourists. Safety in Mexico City is comparable with other big cities. It is advisable not to carry a lot of cash. Store any valuables in your hotel's safe when possible and keep a copy of your important document numbers (passport, visa, travelers checks, etc.) in a safe place.U.S. State Dept. Tips for Travelers Consular Information Sheet Health/WaterPurified water is used in beverages and ice and for cooking in all big-city hotels and restaurants. It is best to stick with bottled water and beverages, without ice, in outlying areas.MDTravelHealth.com Comprehensive and valuable information Acapulco Cancun Mexico City All Mexico Frommer's Health and Insurance Traveler's Health Information Mexico Health Statistics (WHO) ElectricityStandard current is 110 volt AC, as in the US, however adapters are useful because three prong outlets are not widely available.National Anthem"Mexicanos, al grito de guerra" (Mexicans, At the Cry of Battle), with lyrics by Francisco González Bocanegra and music by Jaime Nunó, was named the national anthem on February 9,1854, after a national contest. It was first played on September 15, 1854, for the Fiestas Patrias (Independence Fiesta). ListenNational HolidaysOfficial and ReligiousNational Drinks
Tequila - Fermented and distilled from the agave plant, mainly in Jalisco, and particularly in the town of Tequila Pulque - Made by fermenting agave, but not distilling it Atole - Corn flour, evaporated milk and sugar. Particularly good for an upset stomach Horchata - Cold drink of rice, almonds, cinnamon, lime zest and sugar Hot Chocolate - Chocolate, cream, sugar, cinnamon and, to be totally authentic, spices Popular BeersCorona, Modelo, Victoria, Pacífico, Estrella, Léon, Montejo, Dos Equis, Sol, Indio, Bohemia, Carta Blanca, and Tecate.Food SpecialtiesBeans (frijoles), chocolate, peppers, seafood (particularly along the coasts and specially in the Yucatan), tamales, tortillas, guacamoleChocolate has been popular in Mexico since the Olmecs and Mayas. The most commons uses are as a hot beverage or in a mole sauce (made with cocoa, dried chile peppers, spices, nuts, seeds and other ingredients). Mexican Cooking Terms Foods of the Americas Most Popular Tourist AttractionsThe coastal resort cities on both Pacific and Atlantic/Caribbean coasts; Mexico City and its museums, archaeological sites and galleries; Yucatan and the Mayan pyramids; Copper Canyon; colonial cities such as Guanajuato, San Miguel de Allende, Cuernavaca, Taxco and Oaxaca; and of course Tijuana (simply because it's so close to Los Angeles).Mexico's Tourist Destinations ActivitiesSunbathing, swimming, scuba diving, snorkeling, paragliding, hiking, dining, sightseeing, horseback riding, golf, sailing, fishing, birding. Mexico is a huge and varied country, and there is no end to the activities it offers. BirdingBirdingpal CelebritiesFamous Mexicans |
View Full Index [See Page Two] Regional InformationMexico has 31 states and one federal district.Ministry of Tourism Popular DestinationsComplete ListAcapulco Baja California Cabo San Lucas Cancun/Riviera Maya Costa Alegre Cuernavaca Guanajuato Guadalajara Ixtapa Lake Chapala Mazatlan Merida Mexico City Morelia Nuevo Laredo Oaxaca Puerto Vallarta San Jose del Cabo San Miguel de Allende Taxco Todos Santos Veracruz Yucatan Zihuatanejo Country Profiles and GuidesAll About MexicoAtlapedia BBC Country Profile BBC Timeline British Govt. Mexico Country Profile Canadian Govt. Mexico Cultural Insights Canadian Govt. Mexico Travel Report CIA Factbook Columbus Guide Library of Congress Lonely Planet Guide Mexico Connect One of the very best sites Mexico Expo Vacation Guide Focuses on major tourist areas Mexperience Another excellent site NationMaster Rough Guides U.S. Department of State Post Report Wikipedia General Guides/Interesting Websites[listing implies no endorsement]Audubon Society of Mexico Birding in Mexico Border Wait Times Carlos Fuentes on Chiapas Documents on Mexican Politics Douglas Bower Many excellent articles on living in Mexico Eco Travels in Mexico Gayscape Gay-owned and gay-friendly accomodations Geocaching History of Mariachi Jewish Walking Tours of Mexico City Major Volcanoes of Mexico (map) Mexico Solidarity Movement Mexico Volcanoes (Volcano World) Map, information and photographs Mexico Volcanoes and Volcanics VolcanoCams Popocatepetl - Latest News Purple Roofs Excellent directory of gay-owned and gay-friendly lodging National Geographic On the Road in Mexico RV and camping sites Suggested BooksAdapter Kit: MexicoA Traveler's Tools for Living Like a Local Birder's Mexico A Bird-Finding Guide to Mexico Cancun and the Yucatan for Dummies Choose Mexico Travel, Investment and Living Opportunities for Every Budget Culture Shock! Mexico Driving the Pan-American Highway Fodor's Mexico Frommer's Cancun, Cozumel, Yucatan Frommer's Mexico Head for Mexico: The Renegade Guide Let's Go 2003: Mexico For the low-budget backpacker Live Better South of the Border in Mexico Practical Advice for Living and Working Live Well in Mexico: How to relocate, retire, and increase your standard of living Living Abroad in Mexico Lonely Planet - Mexico Mexico (Eyewitness Travel Guides) Mexico's Beach Resorts for Dummies Mexico's Lake Chapala and Ajijic: The Insider's Guide Mexico: The Trick is Living Here A humorous guide to living and retiring in Mexico Midlife Mavericks Women reinventing their lives in Mexico Moon Handbooks: Baja Moon Handbooks: Cabo Moon Handbooks: Mexico City Moon Handbooks: Northern Mexico Moon Handbooks: Pacific Mexico Moon Handbooks: Yucatan Peninsula On Mexican Time A New Life in San Miguel People's Guide to Mexico Plain Truth About Living in Mexico, The The Expatriate's Guide to Moving, Retiring, or Just Hanging Out Rough Guide to Mexico Unofficial Guide to Mexico's Beach Resorts Wallpaper City Guide - Mexico City LanguageLanguage Immersion School (Veracruz)Spanish Language Classes in Mexico Latin American Spanish Phrase Book Mexican Spanish: A Rough Guide Phrasebook The Language Travel Company (two locations) FlagsFlagline.comFlags, pins, patches, key rings and more VHSArt of Mexico, TheVols. 1 & 2 - Ancient and Modern Traditions / The Painters (2002) Cancun, Mexico (1999) Fishing the Gulf of Mexico (1999) Mexico Is : The Sights and Sounds of Modern Mexico (1998) Mexico Mama's Travel & Retirement Videos: Travel or Retire to Lake Chapala Mexico (2000) Mexico's Great Pyramids (2000) A&E Puerto Vallarta , Mexico (1999) Romantic Mexico - Acapulco and Puerto Vallarta (2000) Travels in Mexico and the Caribbean Cuernavaca & Oaxaca (1999) DVDCruise Coastal Mexico(2003) Que Viva Mexico Sergei Eisenstein Documentary (1932) Siestas & Olas A Surfing Journey Through Mexico (2002) Travels in Mexico & the Caribbean Merida, Cancun & Belize (1999) Video Visits: Mexico, Journey to the Sun (1990) Music CDsAll the Best from Mexico40 Mexican Favorites Mexico A blend of traditional and modern from Putumayo World Music Music and Mariachis Music from and inspired by Robert Rodriguez's El Mariachi Trilogy MapsBuyMexico MapsView OnlineMap ListUniversity of Texas Maps of Mexico The ultimate Mexico map site Country States Relief Climates Temperatures Zoomable Cancun Peninsula Cozumel Isla Mujeres Playa del Carmen PostersAllPosters.com Posters Art.com Posters and prints WebcamsSea of Cortez, San Felipe (Baja)Geocam, San Felipe (Baja) Medano Beach (Cabo San Lucas) Westin Regina (Cabo San Lucas) Los Cabos Golf Resort (Cabo San Lucas) Royal Sands Resort (Cancun) Royal Mayan, Royal Caribbean & Vacation International (Cancun) Colima Volcano Hermosillo Tower (Hermosillo) International Bridge - Laredo, TX/Nuevo Laredo, MX Pandas at Chapultepec Zoo (Mexico City) World Trade Center (Mexico City) Matamoros, MX/Brownsville, TX Popocatépetl Volcano Puerto Vallarta Beach (Puerto Vallarta) PhotographsImages of the YucatanMexico Connect Photo Gallery Mexico Tourist Attractions Mexperience PhotoAtlas Maps of Mexico Over 2,000 photos Todos Santos AuctionsMexican Items on eBayInternet ForumsAmigo BBSFrom MexOnline.com Baja Web Questions and Answers on Baja California Cocina Mexicana To share cooking techniques and recipes for Mexican cuisine. Escape to Mexico For those who dream of moving south of the border. Gay Mexico Gays living in Mexico or visiting the country. International Living Very active forums Life in Mexico For those living in, wanting to live in, or curious about life in Mexico. MazInfo For residents of Mazatlan or those with an interest in Mazatlan. Mexico Connect Very active forums, paid subscription to post Mexico Travel General discussion on all areas of Mexico Oaxaca All things concerning Oaxaca and the surrounding area Puerto Vallarta.net For anyone interested in Puerto Vallarta. Soc.culture.mexican.american Usenet group devoted to Mexico and Mexican issues. In both Spanish and English Travel Mexico For discussion of Mexican travel, places, people, food, cooking or other aspects of the Mexican culture Zapatista Network For all Zapatista supporters and sympathizers, and anyone looking for information on the Zapatistas. MeetupsMeetups in Mexico CityGetting ThereAir
All Airports in Mexico Agencies specializing in low cost air travel to Latin AmericaAmericas TravelLatin Discounters Me Again Travel BoatNoonsiteA superb one-stop site for cruising sailors Destination Mexico: Planning a Cruise to Mexico Latitude 38's First Timer's Guide to Mexico MarinasPorts of MexicoBaja Naval (Ensenada) Cabo Marina (Cabo San Lucas) Ensenada Harbor (Ensenada) Juanito's Boats (Ensenada) Marina de La Paz (La Paz) Club de Yates Palmira (La Paz) Marina San Carlos (San Carlos, Sonora) Marina Seca (Guayamas) Opequimar (Puerto Vallarta) Puerto Aventuras (Riviera Maya) CarArt of Mexican DrivingDriving in Mexico Lots of region-specific information Driving Regulations/Information Restrictive Road Signs Short, Practical Guide U.S. State Dept. Traveler's Tips Driving the Pan-American Highway to Mexico and Central America InsuranceDiscover Baja Travel ClubSanborn's Auto Insurance Cruise ShipBook Now! - Upcoming Mexico CruisesThe Complete Cruise Ship Handbook Crystal Cruises Crystal Harmony Webcam Crystal Serenity Webcam Dawn Princess Webcam Diamond Princess Webcam Sapphire Princess Webcam Current NewsAll Headline NewsTopix.net Washington Post Yahoo Yahoo News Photos NewspapersGringo GazetteSouth Baja Gringo Gazette North North Baja Guadalajara Reporter Guadalajara and Western Mexico IndyMedia Mexico Español Novedades Vallarta Today RadioAmateur Radio in MexicoEmbassiesU.S. Embassy, Mexico CityU.S. Consulates and Consular Agencies throughout Mexico Canadian Embassy, Mexico City German Embassy, Mexico City BusinessAmerican Chamber of Commerce of MexicoBusiness MagazinesDoing Business in MexicoA World Bank report on the ease of doing business Foreign Guide to Mexico Risk Management Association Latin Trade Latin America's largest, most respected pan-regional business magazine, with a monthly readership of 400,000 business executives across the Americas. Mexico Watch A comprehensive, one-stop monthly briefing on politics, business and trends and forecasts in the economy. ArticlesBusiness ArticlesExpatriatesPopular areas for expats are Puerto Vallarta, Guanajuato, San Miguel de Allende, Guadalajara and the nearby Lake Chapala area, Morelia, Cuernavaca, Oaxaca and Mexico City. In Baja California, popular towns are Tijuana, Ensenada, San Felipe, La Paz, and Cabo San Lucas.Etiquette Guide MeetupsAmericans in Mexico CityBrits in Mexico City Canadians in Mexico City Expat SitesCancun AssistExcellent, very practical information for the Cancun area Mexico Insider Paid membership required Mexico Connect E-magazine and expat meeting place. Excellent site. Solutions Abroad Expats of all nationalities living in Mexico ArticlesAmericans Stake Claims in a Baja Land RushFrom the New York Times Health Care in Latin America It's Better Than You Think How many Americans live in Mexico? Part 1 Part 2 La Vida Cheapo Avoiding the "Ugly American" Stereotype LegalImmigration and Legal IssuesImmigration Mexico Information on all categories of immigration and visas Mexico Visa Requirements Working in Mexico Intentional CommunitiesPlanned/Existing CommunitiesCost of LivingCost of Living - ChapalaRetirementChapala FAQEasy Living in Mazatlan Foreigners Living in Mexico A compilation of useful information Friends Amigos Home Exchange Free home exchange system. Spend some time somewhere first before you actually move Home-Sweet-Mexico Inside information for those who want to work, live, and retire in Mexico How to Move to Mexico Direct, detailed information from someone who did it Living Abroad in Mexico How, why and where to live in Mexico Living in Mexico Living, Working and Retiring in Mexico Lots of articles, resources and discussion forums Move to Mexico Retire in La Paz CNN/Money article Retirement in Mexico Some Thoughts on Baja Retirement Your Guide to Retiring to Mexico, Costa Rica and Beyond Finding the Good Life on a Fixed Income (book) Buying PropertyBuying Property in MexicoStewart Title Insurance |
