| |
Overview: Once a small, unremarkable fishing village, the resort of Cancun is today the reason most people visit Mexico. It is made up of two parts: the glitzy hotel zone dedicated to tourism, and the downtown area inhabited by the permanent residents. A different atmosphere prevails in each, with a dramatic contrast between the air-conditioned shopping malls, chic restaurant dining, and wealthy pleasure-seeking tourists in one; and bustling market street stalls, noisy vendors, and the daily grind of people at work in the other. The hotel zone, situated on a thin strip of land (Isla Cancun) in the shape of a figure ‘7’, is what people imagine when they talk about Cancun. It is a vision of Caribbean paradise with soft white sand beaches and clear blue-green waters. There is plenty of high quality accommodation available, a wide choice of restaurants and shops, a notoriously energetic nightlife, and an array of activities, including both land and water sports. The city is also a good base from which to explore some of the nearby attractions, particularly the ancient Mayan site of Chichén Itzá on the mainland, which is the best restored and most famous of the archaeological sites on the Yucatán Peninsula.
Cancun Travel Facts: Time: Mexico spans four different time zones: GMT -6, -7 and -8 with daylight saving, and GMT -7 all year round in the state of Sonora.
Electricity: 130 volts, 60Hz. Two-pin flat blade attachment plugs are standard.
Money: Mexican currency is the New Peso (MXN) divided into 100 centavos. Credit cards are widely accepted, particularly Visa, MasterCard and American Express. Travellers cheques are generally accepted, and are best taken in US Dollars. ATMs are available in most cities and towns and are the most convenient way to get money, but for safety reasons they should only be used during business hours. Although most businesses will accept foreign currency it is best to use pesos. Foreign currency can be exchanged at one of many casas de cambio (exchange houses), which have longer hours and offer a quicker service than the banks.
Language: Spanish is the official language. Some English is spoken in tourist regions.
Entry requirements for UK nationals: British passport holders must have a passport valid for at least six months from date of entry. A visa is not required for stays of up to 180 days, if in possession of a Tourist Card/FMT form and holding a passport endorsed British Citizen. If the passport is endorsed British National (Overseas) the visa exemption is for a maximum of 90 days. Travellers must have a return or onward ticket (unless a British Citizen with a Tourist Card or visa), as well as necessary documents for further travel, and sufficient funds. Passport/Visa Note: All visitors must hold a tourist card (FMT form), which is issued free of charge and obtainable from airlines, Mexican Consulates, Mexican international airports and border crossing points.
Health: Those entering Mexico from an infected area require a yellow fever certificate. There are no vaccination requirements for visitors to Mexico, however visitors should take medical advice if travelling outside the major tourist areas. Immunisation against hepatitis A and typhoid is generally recommended. A malaria risk exists in some rural areas, but not on the Pacific and Gulf coasts, and the dengue fever mosquito occurs. Other risks include dysentery and diarrhoeal diseases, and sensible precautions regarding food and water are strongly advised, visitors are advised to be cautious of street food and stick to bottled water. Medical facilities are very good, but medical insurance is recommended.
Tipping: Tips are expected in Mexico by almost all services; waiters and bar staff should be tipped 10 to 15% if a service charge hasn't already been added to the bill. The American custom of tipping 15-20% is practiced at international resorts, including those in Los Cabos. Taxi drivers are not usually tipped unless they have helped with luggage.
Safety: There is a risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks in public places. Crime is high in Mexico, especially in Mexico City, where robberies and muggings are prevalent. Travellers should avoid displays of wealth and be particularly vigilant on public transport, at stations and tourist sites. Only use authorised taxi services. Women travelling on their own should be alert, especially in tourist areas; a number of serious sexual assaults have occurred in Cancun recently. Visitors drawing money from cash machines or exchanging money at bureaux de change should do so in daylight hours and be especially vigilant on leaving. Visitors are advised to be wary of people presenting themselves as police officers attempting to fine or arrest them for no apparent reason, leading to theft or assault; if in doubt ask for identification, and, if possible to make a note of the officer's name, badge number and patrol number. The practice is most common in Cancun where increasing numbers of motorists in rental cars have been stopped and threatened with imprisonment if an immediate fine is not paid. Hurricanes may affect the coastal areas between June and November. Hurricane Wilma hit the north eastern part of the Yucatan Peninsula, including Cancun, Riviera Maya, Cozumel and nearby islands, on 21 October 2005. There was damage to the tourist infrastructure in the area, but most hotels and tourist facilities are operating normally again. Cancun and Cozumel were the most affected.
Communications: The international access code for Mexico is +52. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 001 for North America). Some US long-distance phone companies have access numbers which can be dialled in order to use your phone card - calls are usually cheaper than direct-dialled calls from a hotel room. If calling internationally from a phone booth only use the official TelMex phone booths, as all others charge very high fees. GSM 1900 mobile networks cover most of the country. Internet access is widely available in the tourist areas. |
|
