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Mexico
Spanning temperate and tropical zones, reaching 5km into the sky and with 10,000km of coastline, Mexico provides a variety of opportunities for any visitor.
The country has a population of 108 million people and the official language is Spanish.
Mexican currency
The domestic currency of Mexico is the Mexican peso, which has been the national currency for over 200 years. Prices throughout the country are commonly shown with a dollar sign ($) in front of the peso amount.
Even though in some parts of the country businesses accept US dollars, it is almost always cheaper for travellers to pay with Mexican pesos. When spending or exchanging notes, you should make sure that they are not torn or excessively worn – otherwise your money may not be accepted.
For a breakdown of denominations, have a look at the table on the right. These peso notes and coins are used frequently in Mexico. Limited edition MXN$20 peso coins are also in circulation. It is now very rare to see coins of less than 50 centavos.
Currency restrictions
Local currency and foreign currency up to the value of MXN$10,000 may be imported and exported, but larger amounts must be declared.
Banking hours
Mexican banks are usually only open from 8:30am to 4pm, Monday to Friday, with some larger branches offering limited Saturday opening hours.
Taking pesos with you is advisable, to avoid poor exchange rates once you get to Mexico.
Eating out
In Mexico, you'll find lots of restaurants offering local cuisine that are very reasonably priced. Mid-range Mexican restaurants will charge around MXN$50-150 or MXN$100-300 per person. If you choose a French or Italian eatery, prices can be a lot higher. Beer costs around MXN$30-50. You are likely to find even cheaper prices if you head to restaurants outside of tourist areas.
Tipping
It is common for restaurants to apply a service charge, so tipping is welcomed but not expected. If you feel the level of service is particularly high, a tip of 10%-15% of the total bill is considered generous.