MEXICO

The US State Department provides Country Specific Information sheets for every country in the world as well as Travel Alerts and Warnings. For this information, call 888 407 4747 or 202 501 4444 or see travel.state.gov.

• Plan to visit your doctor or local travel clinic at least 4-6 weeks before departure to allow time for any vaccinations to take effect or to fill any prescriptions.
• We strongly suggest purchasing appropriate trip insurance covering medical, baggage, and trip cancellation as needed.
• Before traveling to any destination, we recommend consulting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for up-to-date information on required and recommended vaccines and medications. Visit cdc.gov/travel or call 800 232 4636 for more information.
• For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad, consult the World Health Organization (WHO), which contains additional health information for travelers, including detailed country-specific health information.
• If you received any vaccinations in preparation for your journey, pack your vaccination certificates in your personal carry-on baggage in case you are asked to show them on arrival.
• Make sure that any medications you require, as well as copies of your prescriptions, are packed in your carry-on luggage and not in your checked baggage.
• Special meals and allergies: If you require special meals for health or dietary reasons, please let your J² operator know at least 60 days prior to your departure.

We strongly recommend that you purchase your own travel insurance. Please discuss land, air. and health insurance options with your insurance provider. Some insurance programs provide more comprehensive coverage when the policy is purchased in close proximity to the initial trip deposit. We therefore recommend that you secure insurance within 14 days of your initial deposit payment date.

• The currency in Mexico is the Mexican peso. Each peso is divided into 100 cents. When you’re buying currency for Mexico, look out for the currency code MXN. And once you’re in Mexico, you’ll see the symbol $ used to show prices. You’ll find Mexican banknotes in denominations of 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000. Mexican coins come in 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 40 and 100 pesos and 5, 10, 20 and 40 cents.
• Click here to obtain the most current exchange rates.
• ATMs (called cajeros automáticos) are common in Mexico, accepting Visa/Mastercard, but always use machines inside bank branches (like Santander, Banorte, Inbursa, Banamex) for safety against scams, and always decline the on-screen currency conversion to get your home bank’s better rate.
• Expect fees and daily withdrawal limits (around 4,000-11,000 MXN), and use your 4-digit PIN as usual, covering the keypad to protect it from skimmers. 
• We recommend that you contact your bank in advance of departing on your journey to determine whether you will be able to use your ATM and credit cards while traveling. When contacting your bank, notify them of your travel dates so that they will anticipate charges being made outside of your hometown and do not suspend your cards for what may appear to them to be “suspicious” charges. We also recommend that you make a photocopy of the front and back sides of your ATM and credit cards to leave behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your cards are misplaced, lost, or stolen.
• For more information about money in Mexico, click here.

• Mexico uses Type A (two flat pins) and Type B (two flat, one round pin) , similar to North America, with a standard 127V voltage and 60Hz frequency.
• You usually don’t need an adapter for the plug shape, but you might need a voltage converter as Mexico’s standard 127V (60Hz) is slightly lower than the US’s 120V, though most modern electronics (laptops, phones) handle this range (100-240V) automatically.
• Always check your device labels for “INPUT: 100-240V” to confirm. 

• Mexico’s time is generally close to North America (often Central Time), but its lack of DST for most regions means it’s frequently on different time (usually 1 hour off) than US/Canadian areas observing DST.
• To determine current time in major cities around the world, visit timeanddate.com.

• Contact your US/Canadian carrier (T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon, Rogers, Bell) to see if Mexico is included in your plan for seamless use.
• Your phone will connect to local Mexican networks (like Telcel or AT&T Mexico). Expect potentially slower speeds (even 2G) outside major areas.
• If your phone is unlocked, you can easily swap in a local SIM or use an eSIM for much better rates. 
• Telcel SIM card offers much better coverage and faster speeds across Mexico. Telcel also offers tourists unlimited use of WhatsApp and Instagram.

For international calls from Mexico to the US: Dial 00-1, followed by the US or Canadian area code and number.

Here’s a recommended restaurant list to help you decide which of Mexico’s many restaurants might suit you best. These are all popular places so we suggest that you plan ahead and make reservations in advance.

• To enjoy this journey in Mexico, you should be in good health and able to walk reasonable distances, often over uneven or unpaved surfaces. Some of the most memorable sightseeing experiences can only be enjoyed on foot. You may encounter cobblestone streets, narrow passageways, uneven sidewalks, and occasional steep or winding staircases, especially in historic centers and archaeological sites. For the most part, however, the amount of walking you do at the various towns and attractions is at your discretion.
• The decision to participate in one of these tours is at the sole discretion of each participant.
• Major airports, public transportation systems in large cities, and many tourist sites are wheelchair-friendly, and most hotels offer special rooms designed for travelers with disabilities. Accessibility standards may vary in smaller towns and rural areas.
• When making dinner plans, your hotel will be able to recommend restaurants that can accommodate your needs. Should you require specific equipment or facilities, please contact us in advance.
• If you require handicapped facilities or special assistance, please contact our Customer Service Center prior to departure.

• The Constitution of Mexico does not declare an official language; however, Spanish is the de facto national language.
• English is the most widespread non-native language used in Mexico. Visitors are fine with English in the tourist regions.

Mexico City has a pleasant, mild climate year-round due to its high altitude, with distinct dry (Nov-Apr) and rainy (May-Oct) seasons; expect warm, sunny days and cool nights, but with frequent, intense afternoon showers and thunderstorms from June to August, making it the wettest period, while winters (Dec-Feb) are dry, sunny, and cool, with nights getting chilly.

• Dry Season (November – April): Sunny, low humidity, clearer skies, ideal for exploring. Warm days, cooler nights. March/April are warmest.
• Rainy Season (May – October): Characterized by afternoon downpours, often with thunder and hail, though the sun still shines most days. July is typically the wettest month.
• Coolest Months (December – February): Dry and sunny days, but nights can get cold, with lows dipping to around 6°C (43°F).

• Warmest: March to May, with highs around 27°C (80°F).
• Coolest: December to February, with lows around 6°C (43°F).

Coastal regions and lowland areas, such as the Riviera Maya, Yucatán Peninsula, and parts of southern Mexico, have a tropical climate with higher temperatures and humidity. These areas experience warm weather year-round, with hotter, more humid conditions during the summer months.

• September often has the most rain.
• February to April are the driest months.
• July and August are the hottest months.
• January and February are the coolest months.

Confirm baggage limitations with your international carrier before packing. Remember that airlines can change their baggage restrictions at any time.

• Be sure to reconfirm your international flights with your airline 24 hours prior to your departure.
• Passengers must check in for international flights from the US/Canada at least three hours prior to departure time.

Airport Security
Security checks are carried out routinely for your protection and safety. Expect to be asked about the contents of your luggage, who packed it, whether anyone asked you to transport items for them, and whether your luggage remained with you before you arrived at the airport. Do not take any mail, packages, or unknown items from anyone either before or after arriving at the airport.

• If your package includes arrival and departure transfers, this will be detailed in your travel documents which will be e-mailed to you up to one week prior to your trip.
• If you deviate from the arrival and/or departure dates and time as specified in your travel documents, you will need to arrange your own transfers. Alternatively, you may request a transfer service up to three working days prior to your arrival and the cost of the transfer service will be added to your invoice.
• When requesting a transfer service, please provide us with your flight information. Your arrival transfer is guaranteed for up to one hour from your scheduled arrival time in order to compensate for minor delays.
• J² Adventures or the transfer company will not be responsible for delays, for any reason, beyond one hour from your originally scheduled arrival time. In case of a delay, it will be your responsibility to contact J2 Adventures directly and/or to make other transfer arrangements, such as by taxi.
• Transfer costs are not refundable and any additional expenses will be your responsibility.

You can reach almost any destination in Mexico by bus, and long-distance services are frequent, comfortable, and inexpensive. Major cities are well connected, and even remote towns are usually accessible by regional buses or vans.

• Travel by Bus: Local buses in Mexico are commonly called camiones, micros, or peseros, depending on the city. They can be fast, crowded, and a little chaotic, but they’re an excellent way to see daily life and get around cheaply. Routes are often displayed on the windshield rather than numbered clearly, so it helps to ask the driver or other passengers if the bus goes where you need. Payment is usually made in cash directly to the driver as you board, and exact change is often required. In some larger cities, including Mexico City, prepaid transit cards are used on certain buses and can be purchased or recharged at metro stations and kiosks.
• Subway: Mexico City has an extensive subway system known as the Metro, which is one of the cheapest and fastest ways to travel around the capital. Stations are marked by distinctive symbols rather than just names, making it easier to navigate even if you don’t speak Spanish well. Trains can be extremely crowded during rush hours, but the system is efficient and widely used by locals.
• Traveling by Taxi: Taxis are plentiful in Mexican cities, but it’s important to choose carefully. Street taxis vary in quality and safety depending on the city. A safer option is to use taxis de sitio (authorized taxis from designated stands) or to order a taxi by phone or app. These taxis are registered, identifiable, and generally more reliable. Ride-hailing apps like Uber, Didi, and Cabify are widely used in many cities and are often the safest and most convenient choice, as fares are set in advance.

If you do take a traditional taxi, agree on the fare before getting in, as many taxis outside Mexico City do not use meters. Have small bills ready, as drivers may not have change for large notes. Tipping taxi drivers is not customary, though rounding up the fare is common if the service was good.

• If you arrive at your hotel before the customary 3:00 p.m. check-in time, your room may not be available. Store your luggage with the concierge and take the time to walk around and get a feel for your new city.

• Hotel safes are usually provided and can be used to protect valuables such as passports, medications, jewelry, money, and electronics. If you must carry valuables, keep them on your person at all times, be mindful of your surroundings, and take extra caution in crowds.
• We recommend photocopying the personal information pages of your passport and leaving one copy with a family member or friend and packing another in a place separate from the passport itself. You can also scan your passport and email a copy to yourself for easy online access. This will help you to secure a replacement quickly should the need arise.

• Where and whether to shop while traveling with us is a personal choice and shopping is never compulsory. If at any point during your journey you feel pressured to shop or make purchases, please immediately discuss the matter with your tour educator.

We recommend the following for tipping (amounts in US dollars):

• Groups of 20 participants or more:
  J² adventures educator $14, local guide $5, driver $3 per participant per day.
• Recommended restaurant tipping when lunch or dinner is “not included in package”:
  While not mandatory, tipping is desirable. Locals will tell you 10%-15% (or less) is standard and tourists will normally tip more. 15-20% of the service is standard at most spas.
• Porter:
  Ususaly included in your package. If not included, $2.