The basic Tourist Visa is good for a stay of 30 days. You may have your visa extended up to a maximum of 180 days. You will be asked to surrender this visa upon leaving Mexico and not having the visa could cause major problems. Mexico has a new computerized system to control tourism and they can be quite touchy about paperwork, so keep your visa in your possession. Do not overstay your visit, or you could be subject to fines.

CUSTOMS & REGULATIONS - Tourists normally are subject to a brief and informal baggage inspection when entering Mexico. There are minor limitations and restrictions on items that you can bring into Mexico. 

BANKING AND MONEY - Mexican bank hours are normally from 9 AM to 2:30 PM and 4 to 6 PM, weekdays. It is possible to find banks open on Saturday but, not always. ATMs can be found in most Mexican cities and large towns. You may withdraw cash, in pesos from these machines. 

Many smaller towns do not have banks or ATMs so take care when traveling outside the cities. In high traffic tourist areas money can be exchanged at casas de cambio (currency exchange houses). They offer quicker service, are open longer hours than banks, but generally have a higher fee for transaction. 

TIPPING - You will hear that tips in Mexico follow the 15% rule and some people adhere to it, however, Mexicans tip just under 10% for good service, and so do I. It is traditional to tip gas station attendants, and men with a red towel who help you park your car, 1 or 2 pesos. 

A dollar is normal for hotel bell boys and maids. Musicians playing specifically for your benefit charge if you request a song. Otherwise they can be tipped. Tour guides are normally tipped based on performance. Usually, you're not expected to tip a taxi driver. In general, tip those service people that you normally would when traveling elsewhere.

Here are a few hints that can keep you healthy and happy. Mexicans are actually very hygiene conscious. When entering restaurants Mexicans will wash up and many times there is a sink in the restaurant just for that purpose. Use it.

You will here many "travel experts" tell you not to eat from open-air food stands or street vendors, and you may want to follow their advice. But, these foods are sometimes the best of the best in terms of quality and flavor. Open air food stands make their living selling food, and as such they take care in the quality of the product or they will be out of business in a hurry. 

Because no one would eat there! The food is generally good and the prices better. Always choose a stand that has business. Stay away from ones that are set up for tourists. So my advice is try them, and the farther away you get from the tourist areas the better they are likely to be.

DO NOT DRINK TAP WATER - with few exceptions. Hotels owned by major chains and corporations sometimes have an internal purification system. These are advertised and unless the hotel tells you this up front, drink bottled water. Keep a bottle of purified water in your room and with you when you are traveling. 

Every knows the old saying "Don't drink the water" but, this does not apply to restaurants. The water in good restaurants is purified, yes, even the ice. You can ask for purified water and they will sell it to you, but you just paid for the same water you would have been served anyway. This applies to the tourist areas in Mexico, however, when off the beaten path you should use caution.

Eat lightly, and ease into local eating and drinking habits gradually. Remember the word "picante", it means hot as in spicy. If you don't eat hot as in spicy just ask, and you only need to point to the menu and ask, picante? The tourist areas are very aware that the vast majority of North Americans won't eat very spicy food, especially HOT so they will rarely serve it unless asked. 

Also to be noted, hot foods here are not all hot as in Thailand. In Mexico, generally the salsa picante is added by the consumer at the table. In that way everyone gets what they want. There are many native born Mexicans who do not like nor will they eat very picante food.

Mexico has a nationalized healthcare system, in fact several, and almost every town and city in Mexico has either a national hospital or medical clinic. If you do have a medical problem check with your hotel desk and they will generally be able to direct you to the nearest location.

It's also a good idea to check with your health insurance carrier before leaving home. Your insurance plan may cover you in Mexico.

AIR CONDITIONING - AC as a subject is always brought up by overheated tourists. The unfortunate truth is that while air-conditioning does exist in some places it is not standard fare or always available. Due to the popularity of Cancun and Playa Del Carmen you will find many rooms that have coolers. But, let me warn you about the danger to your health. 

The tropics are humid most of the year and if you are out in the humidity and sun you are going to sweat. And that, believe it or not is a great thing. It removes toxins from your body and is good for you. Going from sweating into an ice cold room can be very bad. I tend to stay away from AC except at night to cool down a room, if it's available, but as a general rule I use fans. Moving air, especially humid air, can be very cooling to the body and is not a shock. Also the use of steam baths will help you acclimate to the heat.

THINGS TO BRING TO MEXICO - Sunblock and suntan lotions can cost double in Mexico if you can find them. Bring a couple of baseball hats and buy straw type hats in Mexico. Bring good quality insect repellent, one that contains DEET. Also, Avon has a product called 'Skin So Soft' that smells good and works. Bring one or two T shirts and buy others in the market place. 

They have all kinds and styles. Bring a good bathing suit and good walking shoes. Good quality leather shoes and sandals are a bargain all over Mexico. Bring a wash cloth and at least one handkerchief. At least one for each of you as many hotels don't have them and they are great to keep in your day pack when touring. Bring several packages of 'Beef Jerky' especially if you will be touring. They don't make, sell or eat jerky in Mexico. Bring your vitamins. Personal hygiene items are available in any pharmacy and at good prices. If you drink Bourbon or fine Scotch bring a bottle or two but, don't bring Rum or Tequila to Mexico.

SHOPPING - Mexico is full of great places to shop. Generally the markets removed from the main tourist areas offer better bargains and a great selection of goods to choose from. In these markets getting a bargain, or bargaining, is part of the charm, and you have to understand how it is done. Bargaining is called "regateo" and is normal in certain places. 

Shops in malls, on main streets or in Hotels have fixed prices and don't bargain. They will, however, make discounts if you buy several items. It doesn't hurt to ask. Bargaining, as an art, can be fun, but it takes a bit of work. In areas where bargaining is normal the first price quoted is not the selling price. 

A counter offer is required. The idea is not just to get a better price, it is to arrive at the real value of the item. A reply to the first price should be something like shaking of the head and the words "Muy Caro" meaning very expensive. Then shut up and wait for a better price. Ultimately starting to walk away will bring the actual selling point of the item. It is bad form to start bargaining over items you really don't want to purchase.

RUIN TIPS - Find out at least a little about the ruins you will be visiting. It will make the experience much fuller. Try to arrive early in the day if possible. Even the Maya didn't work at mid day here in the tropics. Most ruins are open at 8 in the morning and close just before sun down. Respect the ruins. Areas that don't look like much are probably waiting for excavation. And whatever you do... do not remove anything! It is a federal offense to take or even to have artifacts in your possession. 

Be careful during storms and always climb carefully. We have accidents, and bad ones every year by reckless tourists so be careful. Ruins cost anywhere from $7.00 down to $2.00 US and are always free on Sundays. Tour guides are available in all of the large ruins and some of the smaller ones. Prices vary.