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Mexico is a traveler's paradise, crammed with a multitude of opposing identities: desert landscapes, snow-capped volcanoes, ancient ruins, teeming industrialized cities, time-warped colonial towns, glitzy resorts, deserted beaches and a world-beating collection of flora and fauna.
This mix of modern and traditional, clichéd and surreal, is the key to Mexico's charm, whether your passion is throwing back margaritas, listening to howler monkeys, surfing the Mexican Pipeline, scrambling over Mayan ruins or expanding your collection of posable Day of the Dead skeletons.
Travel Warning: Crime Warning
Travel in Mexico is generally safe. However travelers are targeted by criminals in well-touristed areas such as Mexico City and the beach resorts. Most of these incidents involve petty theft but more serious crimes such as kidnappings and sexual assaults do occur. Recently, there have been reports of violent armed robberies by paramilitary-style criminals in Baja California, who have been targeting American surfers. Travelers should use common sense at all times to avoid any potential risks and take extra caution at night.
Violence stemming from Mexico's drug trade does occur throughout the country, particularly in Sinaloa, the northern border states and recently in Acapulco. Travelers should avoid any obviously dangerous situations and respect any local advice regarding safety.
severity: Mid-level alert
Fast Facts
Country Full Name
Estados Unidos Mexicanos
Population
108,000,000
Currency
Name: Mexican Peso
Code: MXN
Symbol: $
Electrical Plugs
127V 60Hz
Languages Spoken
Official: Spanish
Time Zones
GMT/UTC -6 (Most of Mexico is on Central Standard Time in winter)
GMT/UTC -7 (The northwest state of Sonora is on -7 GMT all year round)
GMT/UTC -8 (Baja California Norte is on Pacific Standard Time)
GMT/UTC -7 (The northwest state of Sonora is on -7 GMT all year round)
Country Dialing Code
+52
Weights & Measures
Metric
Puerto Vallarta & Pacific Mexico - Pick & Mix Chapters
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Disclaimer: We've tried to make the information on this web site as accurate as possible, but it is provided 'as is' and we accept no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from this information. You should verify critical information (like visas, health and safety, customs and transportation) with the relevant authorities before you travel.
