As you see yourself, I once saw myself; as you see me now, you will be seen.
      Mexican Proverb

MEXICO WORLD'S MOST POPULOUS SPANISH COUNTRY

México is the most populous Spanish-
speaking country in the world. According to the latest statistics, México's total population is over 99 million. Mestizos, of Indian and Spanish blood), make up 60% of the population, followed by indigenous peoples  (30%), whites (9%), and other ethnic minorities  (1%).

Carnaval in Mazatlan

Visitors and locals scream, sing, shout and dance amid confetti and ribbons. Bands of all kinds play the infectious rhythms of the State of Sinaloa. And the food–oh, the food–camarones (shrimp) prepared in every way possible, washed down with ice cold Pacifico beer, for it’s Carnaval Time, Mazatlán’s biggest pachanga (fiesta). 
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Updated
March 12, 2006

 
BASIC TRAVEL TIPS
by Bob Brooke



ENTERING AND LEAVING:
Everyone who visits Mexico must have a tourist card (actually a small paper form), available free from travel agents, airlines, and Mexican Government Tourist Offices and valid for six months. The card must be accompanied by proof of citizenship–either a valid passport, birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or voter registration card. Keep the copy of the tourist card with you throughout your trip. Both the tourist card and proof of citizenship must be shown when leaving the country.

CURRENCY:
The currency of Mexico is the peso. The best exchange rate is always at the airport in Mexico City, however, exchange booths and hotels have similar rates. There’s no need to go to a bank to exchange money, the difference is not worth the time. Though traveler's checks and major credit cards are widely accepted in major resorts, they aren’t in small towns. Gasoline cannot be purchased with a credit card. You must pay in pesos.

TAXES:
Mexico has a Value Added Tax (VAT), which adds 15 percent to all goods and services except surface transportation. A fluctuating domestic airport tax is also charged on separate flights within Mexico, but not on those connected to international flights. Be advised that long-distance phone calls are subject to a 39 percent federal tax. Use a phone card or call collect.

HEALTH:
Everyone who goes to Mexico thinks they'll get sick. Many do. While it used to be blamed on the water, in most cases today visitors get sick because of overindulgence in the rich food. For the first 24 hours of your trip, eat as you would at home, avoiding hot and spicy foods and all tropical fruits, especially papaya. As for beverages, drink beer or sodas (they are always served cold), coffee or tea. Avoid unpeeled fruits and food sold by street vendors. All major hotels have water purification systems. Before departure, you may want to purchase acidophilus tablets (yogurt cultures) at a health food store and take two a day to build up the bacteria in your digestive tract. All hotels have doctors on call should you get sick.

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