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Bicentennial Route
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Practical Information
Business Hours
Starting at 7:00 a.m. you will find some restaurant chains like Sanborns and Vips open; you will also find some supermarkets open, like those called Superama, and naturally some markets.
At 8:00 a.m. practically all markets and supermarkets are open, so you can make your purchases at Superama, Walmart, Gigante, Chedraui, Soriana, etc.
If you want to eat breakfast, you will surely find various places in which to do so - you just need to look for the best option for you.
9:00 a.m. is when basically all business activity begins. By this time, offices and banks have begun to work and you will see a wide variety of restaurants offering service.
10:00 – 11:00 a.m. It’s at this time when the boutiques, department stores and large shopping malls begin to open.
2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Generally, businesses in Mexico City do not close during this time, but in some cities in the interior of the country and in some beach locations it is possible that you will find various services closed for lunch hour. At the same time, if you need to do official business, keep in mind that many government offices close to the public at 3:00 p.m.
Closing times begin at 8:00 p.m., but depending on the business and its trends some stay open later.
Offices and banks are closed on Sundays and on holidays.
(although some banks are open on Sunday; see “Money” for more information).
Holidays
January 1: New Years
February 5: Consitution Day, it is celebrated the 1st Monday in February
February 24: Flag Day
March 21: Benito Juárez’ Birthday, it is celebrated the 3rd Monday in March
May 1: Labor Day
May 5: Anniversary of the Battle of Puebla
September 16: Independence Day
October 12: Race Day
November 1-2: Day of the Dead
November 20: Revolution Day, it is celebrated the 3rd Monday of November
December 1 (every 6 years): Official turnover of Presidential power. The next will take place in 2012.
December 25: Christmas
Climate and When to Come
Mexico is a country of vast territory and different varieties of climate.
Fortunately for the traveler, Mexico is a destination you can enjoy year round.
The rainy season is generally from April to October with showers primarily in the afternoons. This way, the traveler can take advantage of the mornings to do activities and visit different places of interest.
If you come in the summer and visit the northern part of the country, you will encounter dry and very strong heat. In the south there is also a great deal of heat, but it is more humid. Some places are equipped with air conditioning and…well, if it is hot at the beach we know it won’t bother you!
If you choose wintertime, early mornings and nighttime are when it is the coldest. In the northern states and some central regions you should be prepared with warm clothes since there can be cold winds and snow in the mountains. As for the rest of the country, with the exception of a cold front, you will find the climate overall comfortable.
High Season
Defining when this season begins and ends is not easy. Christmas, New Years, Holy Week and summer vacations tend to be the most congested times – above all in beach destinations.
When holidays fall on a Monday or Friday, they call it a “puente” (“bridge”) and on these days it can be a bit more complicated to find lodging.
February 5th, March 21st, May 1st, September 16th, November 1st and 2nd and November 20th are dates that, if they fall on days called “puente”, the traveler should keep this in mind and make advance reservations.
What Clothes to Bring
Each traveler has different habits and interests, so those interested in ecotourism and adventure will have a suitcase full of different things than those who are looking to tour colonial cities or relax on the beach.
At any rate, we offer you a few suggestions that apply to practically all types of travel:
Comfortable shoes that allow you to walk for extensive periods of time. Avoid wearing new shoes for the first time during your trip.
Light-colored cotton clothing that allows you to stay cool in the sun.
A sweater or light jacket. If you come in the winter or plan to be in the mountain zones, bring warmer clothes. Mexico has a great climate, but when it is cold – it’s cold!
Sunglasses, sun block and a hat or cap will also be useful to you.
The amount that you decide to bring will depend on the length of your stay and your needs. In hotels you will always find laundry and dry-cleaning services. There are also public laundromats and dry cleaner’s where you can take your clothes to be washed and ironed with no problem.
Electrical Current
Those who come from countries where the plugs are not flat and rectangular will need an adapter in order for their electrical items to function. If for some reason the traveler forgets or was mistaken about their adapter, they can do 2 things: in the airport or nearby it is possible to buy a new adapter, or if that is not the case, you can find them in stores like Radio Shack and Steren or in department stores like Liverpool or Palacio de Hierro.
The voltage in Mexico is 110-125 V. If the electrical device uses 220 V you will obviously also need a transformer.
Smokers
Hotels and restaurants offer smoking and non-smoking sections. In banks, hospitals, government offices and inside the airport smoking is prohibited. In the case of the airport, in some restaurants or cafés it is possible to smoke, although you should also make a purchase.
In bars there are generally no restrictions.
Tips and “Bargaining”
In bars, cafés and restaurants it is customary to leave a tip ranging from 10% to 15% of the bill. The amount of the tip is always in accordance with the service received. In any case, when you get the bill, check it over and see if the gratuity is included or not.
In hotels, it is customary to give between 15 and 50 pesos (1 to 4 euros) to the bellhop.
With services, it is not customary to tip, although there are those who decide to give a small amount to round-off the cost of the service.
With taxis, it is exactly the same – although if you ask the taxi to wait for you, you will also be charged for that time.
Those who fill your car with gasoline, fill or carry your shopping bags in the supermarket, bring you your car in a parking garage or who assist you in parking to avoid hitting another car, it is customary to give them between 2 to 5 pesos, although it is not obligatory.
In regards to bargaining, it is a common practice in street stands, markets or with people who approach you in tourist centers. We want to remind you to bargain for the fair price, since for many people (above all artists and indigenous people) the direct sale of their products is their only way to make a living.
We trust that you will know when, where and with whom you should bargain.
Public Restrooms
Although they exist, sometimes it’s not easy to find them. Our recommendation is that you use the restroom before leaving the place where you are lodging. If you are in a museum, archeological site, movie theater or restaurant, you will have no problem.
If you find yourself in an emergency, enter a hotel or restaurant along your route and explain to person in charge and we are sure that they will help you resolve this small but great inconvenience.
Keep in mind that all cautious travelers always carry with them some toilet paper for the unexpected.
Luggage Storage
In the international area of airports you will find lockers where you can store some of your belongings, although they won’t work for storing large suitcases. Some bus terminals also offer this service, but it is best to ask at an information desk where they can surely assist you.
In the near future, MEXICO4TRAVELLERS will offer this service in Mexico City.
Photography
For those who love photography, in Mexico you will find innumerable reasons to take pictures and, without a doubt, you will return home with beautiful images.
In general, taking pictures should pose no problem, although you should always pay attention when using a flash and ask permission when using photography equipment in museums, monuments and archeological areas.
For those who like to photograph people, remember that you should do so discreetly and, whenever possible, ask permission to take the picture. In some places around the country, like at the Church of San Juan Chamula in Chiapas, it is absolutely forbidden to take pictures inside the church. We suggest you respect this arrangement, made by the indigenous communities in the area, to avoid serious problems.
This is also important to remember in the festivals and celebrations of the different ethnic groups of the country, since it may be associated with strong beliefs. We recommend you act with respect and prudence, and it’s never too much to ask.
If you have filled up your memory card or you want to buy a new one, it won’t be difficult buy one in larger cities. Just go to the shopping malls, department stores or supermarkets and there you will find them. The same applies to those who use rolls of film.
If you want to download your photos and burn them on a CD, in shopping malls you will find shops that offer this service.
Religión and Places of Worship
89.7% of Mexicans profess to be Catholic, 4.9% are Protestant, 0.1% Jewish, 2.1% profess other religions and 3.2% claim no religion.
Keep in mind that it is not well-viewed to enter a church in shorts except at beach locations (and sometimes not even there). The same goes for wearing hats or caps inside these places.
Catholic churches offer Mass daily, although the majority of people attend on Saturdays or Sundays.
Cda. de Seminario #22 Local C Col. Olivar de los Padres, Álvaro Obregón, C.P. 01780, México, D.F. Teléfonos: +52 (55) 5668 8709 / 1718 0181 / 1718 0192