Mexico...

A Love/Hate Relationship

Many travelers are unsure what they are going to experience when they visit Mexico. Visitors to Mexico probably bring with them far more stereotypes than any other Latin American country. Keep this in mind....don't try and see it all. Mexico is huge...especially by European standards. Climate can vary from frigid mountains to deserts to jungles. You really need a good idea of your interests. One of the dumbest questions on the Thorn Tree(and yes there are dumb questions) is "Where should I go in Mexico?" If you ask a question like that the proper response should be to go fuck yourself and think.

Starting Out

You'll arrive in a couple ways. Most people flying into Mexico come into either Mexico City or Cancun. This is especially true if you are coming from Europe. There are a few other options if flying from the US. Flights within Mexico used to be expensive...and still can be. But in the last year or so several cut rate domestic airlines have started up. It remains to be seen how many will survive or what their final route structure will be. From the U.S. there are numerous land crossings..but if you are entering by/or continuing on with public transport it will probably be at one of the major border cities. Land connections are easy. Mexico has an excellent bus system. To the large majority of locations you can take first class or higher buses. The chicken bus network exists...usually to outlying small rural areas. You will also find chicken buses on secondary roads that parallel the relatively expensive toll roads. For bus travelers on major routes there is seldom the need to book tickets in advance...holidays excepted. Buses leave as often as every hour. I'll be posting some links to bus company sites. Trains...forget it except on a couple specialized tourist routes.

When you enter the country you will receive what everyone calls a tourist card if you are a U.S., Canadian or western European citizen. For others the need for an actual vias varies. Up to you to know that. There is a $20 fee. If you enter by air it is included in the ticket price. By land you must go to a bank...list on the back of the paper and pay the fee before leaving. You can stay up to 6 months. You may not get that long at first...but extensions are simple. If in a private car you need to fill out some paper work. Insurance is available at all border crossings. Sanborns is probably the biggest. Get it or be sorry.