Duty Free
The following goods may be imported into Mexico by persons over 18 years of age without incurring customs duty:

a)400 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of pipe tobacco.
b)3 liters of wine or spirits; a reasonable amount of perfume or eau de toilette.
c)Total of 2 photo, movie or video cameras for non-residents and up to 12 unexposed rolls of film or video cassettes for each camera.
d)Goods up to the value of US$300 or equivalent.

Prohibited items
Any uncanned food, pork or pork products, plants, fruits, vegetables and their products. Canned food is permitted, provided it is not pork or pork products. Firearms and ammunition need an import permit. Archaeological relics may not be exported.

Social Conventions
Handshaking is the most common form of greeting. Casual sportswear is acceptable for daytime dress throughout the country. At beach resorts, dress is very informal for men and women and nowhere are men expected to wear ties. In Mexico City, however, dress tends to be smart in elegant restaurants and hotel dining rooms. Smoking is unrestricted except where notified.

Mexicans regard relationships and friendships as the most important thing in life next to religion and they are not afraid to show their emotions. Visitors should always remember that local customs and traditions are important

Tipping
Service charges are rarely added to hotel, restaurant or bar bills and many of the staff depend on tips for their livelihood. 15% is expected and 20% if the service has been very good. Airport porterage is charged at the equivalent of US$1 per bag.

Health care
Health insurance is recommended. Medical facilities are very good and there are both private and state-organised hospitals, doctors, clinics and chemists. Medicines are often available without prescriptions and pharmacists are permitted to diagnose and treat minor ailments. The levels of pollution in Mexico City are extremely high and are considered a health threat, so caution should be taken.

Getting There
By Air:
Mexico's national airlines are Aeromιxico (AM) and Mexicana (MX). British Airways operates three direct flights each week from Heathrow to Mexico City.

By Sea:
The major cruise ports in Mexico are Cozumel, Acapulco, Tampico, Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa, Manzanillo, Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlαn. Regular passenger ships run from the USA, South America and Australia. Principal shipping lines are Polish Ocean Lines, P&O and Fred Olsen Lines.

By Rail:
Railway connections with Mexico can be made from any city in the USA or Canada. All trains are provided with pullman sleepers, restaurant cars, lounge observation and club cars. Most trains are air-conditioned.

By Road:
Main points of entry from the USA are Mexicali from San Diego; Nogales from Phoenix/Tucson; El Paso/Ciudad Juarez from Tucson and Alberquerque

Getting Around
By Air:
There is an excellent network of daily scheduled services between principal commercial centers operated by Aeromexico and Mexicana. Many of the smaller airports also have capacity for large planes and some international flights.

By Sea:
Steamer ferries operate regularly between cities.

By Rail:
Mexico has a good railway network and trains linking all the main towns in the country.

By Road:
Traffic drives on the right. Mexico's road network extends to almost 252,000km. a)Car:
Car use in Mexico City is restricted to cut down on pollution. The last digit of the car number plate determines when that car cannot be driven.

b)Bus:
Mexico is linked by an excellent and very economical bus system. There are first-class and deluxe coaches as well as ordinary buses. Central bus terminals in major cities provide service and information on fares and schedules.

c)Car hire:
Self-drive cars are available at airports, city centres and resorts. An International Driving Permit or a full British Driving Licence is required for locally registered vehicles. Minimum driving age is 18.

Currency
New Peso (peso) = 100 centavos. Notes are in denominations of peso500, 200, 100, 50, 20 and 10. Coins are in denominations of peso20, 10, 5, 2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10 and 5 centavos.

Currency exchange
Currency may only be exchanged at authorised banks. The exchange rate of the Mexican peso against Sterling and other hard currencies has, in recent years, been subject to considerable fluctuation.

Credit cards
American Express, Diners Club, Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted. There is a government tax of 6% on such transactions.

Travelers cheques
Travelers cheques or letters of credit in US Dollars issued by well-known banks or travel organizations are readily negotiable in banks and hotels. Sterling travelers cheques are not readily negotiable except at head offices of banks in the capital, and may be subject to a considerable discount. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travelers are advised to take travelers cheques in US Dollars.

Currency Restrictions
Local currency may be imported up to the equivalent of US$10,000. Larger amounts are to be declared. Foreign currency may be exported up to the amount imported and declared. Local currency may be exported up to the equivalent of US$10,000. The export of gold coins is prohibited.