Safety regulations

In Mexico, there is a high level of crime, in the first place - pickpocketing and robbery. It is recommended to travel by car, bus and train only during the day.

Taxis are recommended only from official stations ("sitios"), otherwise the chance of becoming a victim of a robbery is quite high. It is recommended to order a taxi by phone, be sure to get the car number and taxi driver's license number from the dispatcher. At Mexico City Airport, only yellow airport taxis (with airport symbols on the door) should be hired, paying in advance at the appropriate "Transportacion Terrestre" kiosk in the airport lobby.

Try to drive on toll roads ("cuota") - they are safer. It is also recommended to avoid solo trips in provincial areas, and often use hitchhiking. There are known cases of extortion of money by people in uniform. Armed insurgent detachments operate in some areas of the country; if you need to travel to such areas, you should follow the recommendations of local authorities.

Entry tax to Mexico and extortion of money from tourists

As you know, Mexican laws oblige each tourist to pay an entry tax in the amount of 300 MXP, but if you arrived in the country by plane, then the tax has already been paid by you and is included in the ticket price. The problem arises when leaving Mexico for neighboring countries by land. It is not uncommon for Mexican border guards to demand payment of the tax, arguing that it should be paid regardless of what mode of transport you arrived in Mexico with. They do not enter the money received from tourists into the database, they do not issue a receipt for payment. Such actions are absolutely illegal, and if you are faced with such a situation, you must demand to call the head of the border shift, or threaten that you will complain to the supervisory authority. Usually, this is enough to besiege zealous officials.

Tips

Tips are usually 10% of the billed price. It is customary to tip in a restaurant (up to 15%), a porter ($1-2), driver and guide for the tour.

Hotel classification

The existing classification of hotels is somewhat different from the accepted European one - the number of "stars" does not always coincide with the quality of service.

natural hazards

The level of natural natural hazards is quite high in the country. In addition to the hot tropical sun, seismic activity and volcanism are quite high, and many active volcanoes are located quite close to large cities (Popocatepetl is 60 km from Mexico City). Around the volcanoes, 12-kilometer security zones have been created, access to which is closed. The colossal air pollution in Mexico City can also pose a real health hazard.

Smoking

Smoking is prohibited in most public places. In Mexico City, smoking in public places is punishable by a fine of 500 to 1,500 pesos ($46 to $139), and a second violation will result in arrest for up to 36 hours. Fines for owners of public establishments that allow smoking on their territory will reach several thousand dollars with the prospect of a complete closure of the establishment. The only exception is made for hotels, however, even in them the number of rooms for smokers should not exceed 25% of the total housing stock.

Electricity

The voltage in the electrical network is 110 V., 60 Hz. Sockets with flat connectors are used.

Sometimes a comb forgotten at home can cause a lot of trouble while traveling. Therefore, when going to a distant country, which differs significantly in climate, national mentality, household infrastructure, it is useful to know these features so as not to get into a mess or even an unpleasant situation. This is especially important when you go on vacation, because it is a pity to overshadow such a precious time in your life.

In Cancun, time is 9 hours behind Moscow. That's a lot for the body! When Mexicans go to bed, Muscovites go to work. It is impossible to explain to an organism why it should radically change its rhythm, and therefore it diligently resists innovations. This is manifested in the fact that the first days you will wake up at 3-4 am and lie in bed for a long time with your eyes open. But by lunchtime you will be unbearably sleepy. The procedure is unpleasant, but it will have to be endured. In five days, you will bounce back and realize that the delights of the Caribbean coast are worth a little torment. Experience shows that it is important not to succumb to sleep during the day and endure until midnight, then the adaptation will be faster.

Mexico, like other countries in Central and South America, is Spanish-speaking. English is not widely spoken here. If you decide to go to the province, be prepared for this. On the resort coast and in major tourist centers English language widespread throughout. Given the ever-increasing flow of tourists from Russia, on the Mayan Riviera, merchants, waiters and hotel staff spoke Russian. One of the first Russian words you hear from Mexicans is "friend." The most advanced merchants pour in catchphrases from Soviet comedy films.

Only 110 volts are present in Mexican outlets. Charging device phones, cameras, camcorders, computers, electric shavers and other household devices will not feel this in any way, since they have a built-in voltage converter. The problem is the "American plug", which is made in the form of two flat pins. Domestic plugs with round pins cannot, in principle, be inserted into an American socket. This requires an adapter (adapter). In some hotels it can be rented or taken on bail at the reception, but in some (where many Americans or immigrants from Latin America rest) they are not. Therefore, it is better to stock up on such an adapter in advance.

Don't forget to take with you sunscreens. The beauty and insidiousness of the Caribbean region is that comfortable temperatures always reign on the coast. Even with a light sea breeze, the heat is not felt, so it is very easy to burn out in the first hours of your stay at the resort, which will poison your subsequent vacation. Do not even believe cloudiness, because clouds do not stop the flow of ultraviolet radiation. To protect your shoulders from the sun, it's better to swim in a T-shirt at first, otherwise you will have to sit under an umbrella or in a hotel room, grimacing in pain.

The currency of Mexico is the peso. The peso to dollar exchange rate is 1:10/1:12. You can exchange money at exchange offices, banks and hotels. Be careful when shopping, as price tags are quoted in pesos with a sign very reminiscent of the dollar symbol. If you make a purchase thinking that the price is in dollars, you will overpay 10 times. On the resort coast and in tourist centers, dollars are accepted for payment everywhere, but change is given in pesos. Carefully check the amount received, taking into account the exchange rate.

Safe - best friend your diamonds

More than half of the Mexican population lives below the poverty line. It is completely safe to stay in resort areas and hotels - the population lives off tourism, so no one will "cut the goose that lays the golden eggs." However, the hotel administration strongly recommends that you keep money and valuables in a safe, not leaving them unattended in an open place. It is better to be safe than to get negative emotions.

In Mexico, as in other countries in the region, outdated mobile phones do not work. Do not try to change the SIM card - it has nothing to do with it. It's just that older models don't work on the frequencies used for communications in those countries. This also applies to places like South Korea and Japan. Therefore, before the trip, consult with the operator cellular communication. In extreme cases, a call abroad can be made from any pay phone using a LADATEL calling card, which costs about 100 pesos (300 rubles). This is about 5 minutes of conversation with Russia. Rent possible mobile phone in place. To call from Mexico to Russia, you need to dial 00 - access to an international line, 7 - Russia code, area code, phone number. Telephone code Cancun - 998, Riviera Maya - 984, Yucatan - 99. From the hotel, a minute of conversation with another country costs from $6 and more.

Southern part of North America. Mexico's northern border separates the country from the United States. The eastern border runs between Mexico, Guatemala and Belize. Mexico is bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the south and west, and the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea to the east. Area of ​​Mexico: The length of the territory of Mexico is 1,964,375 square kilometers, which is approximately 3% of the entire territory of the continent.

Population of Mexico:

122,730,392 (according to 2014 data)

Capital of Mexico:

Climate of Mexico:

Mexico has several climatic zones ranging from tropical to desert. On the coast of the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico - the climate is tropical.

Mexico's government system:

Federal Republic.

President of Mexico:

Enrique Peña Nieto, the next elections will be held in 2018.

Mexican language:

92.7% of the Mexican population speaks Spanish.

Religion in Mexico:

76.5% of the population are Catholics, 6.3% are Protestants.

Mexico timezone:

There are 3 time zones in the country, Central Time Zone UTC-6, Mountain Time UTC-7, North American-Pacific Time Zone UTC-8. In the Caribbean resorts of Mexico: Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Akumal, Puerto Aventuras in winter time is UTC-8, and in summer UTC-7. This means that in summer the difference with Moscow is minus 9 hours, and in winter minus 10 hours.

Electricity in Mexico:

Electrical outlets in Mexico look like those in the US and currently run on the same 110-volt system. For Russians, a converter adapter is required, in some places an adapter with three pins.

Tipping in Mexico:

Most service personnel in Mexico rely on tips, as this makes up the majority of their income. Porters - should receive the equivalent of 50 cents to $1 per suitcase. Waiters - usually receive 10% to 20%, depending on the level of service. Maids - get about $2 a day. Taxi Drivers - In Mexico, it is not customary to tip taxi drivers unless they are hired by the hour as sightseeing transport. However, recently numerous tourists have spoiled taxi drivers in resort towns and more and more tip taxi drivers from 10 to 20% of the cost of the trip.

Public transport in Mexico:

Mexico City has a subway system. During rush hours on the Mexico City subway, it is customary to ride in separate carriages for women and men. In other cities, residents travel by ADO buses from the bus station and which have stops throughout the country. Minibuses "Collectivo" run for short distances. Transport in Mexico is inexpensive and safe.

National currency of Mexico:

Mexican peso.

Customs rules of Mexico:

Allowed to import: no more than 2 packs of cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco, 2 liters of high-strength alcoholic beverages or wine, one video camera, one camera, gifts worth no more than 300 USD.

It is forbidden to import: fruits, vegetables, plants, flowers, vegetable products, meat products, medicines (requires a prescription or medical card), psychotropic substances, weapons, drugs.

Forbidden for export: archaeological and cultural values, antiques, rare animals and birds, their skins and stuffed animals, plants and their seeds, corals and shells.

Visa to Mexico:

Types of sockets in hotels of tourist countries (UAE, Cyprus, Thailand, Vietnam, Italy, etc.)

While abroad, tourists sometimes face the problem of a mismatch between the plug and the local electrical outlet. Most often this happens when recharging gadgets, when trying to use a hair dryer or electric razor.

In most hotels in the world, there are no problems in order to rent the necessary adapter for a symbolic amount. Often the necessary adapter can be purchased at the nearest store. But if you travel frequently, prefer not to stay at a hotel, or don't want to leave it to chance, the following information will be useful to you.

To connect household appliances to the mains in the world, two types are used. electrical voltage and two mains frequencies:

• European current at 220-240 V with a frequency of 50 Hz
• US-Japanese at 100-127 V at 60 Hz.

At the same time, there are no longer 2 or 3, but as many as 15 different types of electrical plugs for household appliances and socket standards. They differ not only in shape, but in the size of the plugs, the absence or presence of grounding.

The diagram shows all 15 types of outlets, they are arranged in the numbering order adopted by the ITA - US Department of Commerce, in 1998. (Some models are similar in the drawing, but they differ in the size of sockets and plugs.)

afraid of so many different types sockets are not worth it. If you wish, you can buy an adapter in advance and travel with it. There are several types of adapters that will allow you to connect your device to a different type of outlet and there are universal adapters.

Knowing what type of outlets is used in a particular country will help you choose the right adapter, or understand that you do not need it on a given trip.

Cyprus

In all hotels in Cyprus, electrical plugs for household appliances and the corresponding sockets are type G. This is a well-known British system with three rectangular pins - one vertical and two horizontal. How they look can be seen in the photo. If you do not want to spend money on an adapter, you can rent it at the hotel reception, leaving a small deposit. The money will be returned upon departure. Some Russian narrow plugs are inserted into such outlets, so it's worth a try first (without the use of physical force).

Sockets in Thailand

Thai sockets have either two holes, or two pins, or two pins with a hole. Accordingly, this is type C (Euro socket), A and B (American sockets with and without grounding). Russian and Ukrainian electrical appliances are connected to type C sockets without any problems. There are also universal hole options (pictured). Refrigerators are usually plugged into flat-prong plug sockets, which is why they are less cluttered in hotels. If you need to charge your phone or laptop, then it is better to find an adapter and use such type A “refrigerator sockets”, and when you need to turn on several devices at once, it is useful to have an extension cord with several sockets, they are inexpensive in Thailand. What kind of sockets in Thailand - you can see in the photo (universal option). However, if you have expensive equipment, it is better to have a ground adapter.

Features of sockets in Vietnam

The type of sockets in Vietnam varies by region. In South Vietnam - type A (pictured), in North Vietnam - type C (European). In expensive hotels, British G sockets can be found. But everywhere - the usual mains current is 220 V, 50 Hz. There are adapters in hotels, but with a large influx of visitors, they may not be enough for everyone.

India

The generally accepted types of sockets in India are C, D and M. The current in the network is European. Russian plugs are quite suitable for Indian sockets. There are no problems with euro plugs, but some thin pins may not fit tightly and will have to be fixed somehow, in which case it is better to use adapters. In general, tourists with sockets do not have problems in hotels of any star rating. In the photo - a common example of the type of outlets in hotels in India.

Italy

Most sockets in Italian hotels are type F. There is a grounding bracket inside, which does not interfere with inserting most of our domestic plugs. The European type of sockets C and the three-point type L are also common. If the plugs have thick legs or have grounding, like a computer, then you can not do without an adapter. In the photo on the left - type L socket, on the right - type F in Italy. If necessary, adapters are bought in any shop for 1-2 euros, and at the hotel reception they will be issued free of charge.

Sockets in the Dominican Republic and Cuba in hotels. Mains voltage features

Sockets in the Dominican Republic in hotels have types A and B - American, with and without grounding. Adapters in hotels are at the reception. But the country's power supply standards are different: the mains voltage is 110 V, the frequency is 60 Hz. If you plug in a kettle, a razor or an iron for 220 V, they will work at a quarter of the force, and charging will take longer. Transformer adapters are sold, they cost about $ 16, although they do not have much power. Sockets in the Dominican Republic in more modern hotels are suitable for plugs not only of American models, but also of European ones, both with or without grounding. Similarly, the situation with the mains voltage and types of outlets is in Cuba. In modern hotels in Cuba, there are even Euro sockets with a voltage of 220 V.

Sockets in Israel

Israel is "famous" for its unusual sockets, which are used only in this country, the voltage standard is European. Type H sockets are designed for a plug with three plugs. In old buildings, old European type C sockets are still preserved. Modern hotels are equipped with sockets where a three-plug input allows you to connect a regular European plug. Chargers and others Appliances turn on without problems, even the old Soviet model.

Sockets in the UAE

Many who have visited this country will give different answers to the question of what sockets are in the UAE and whether an adapter is required. The fact is that three standards coexist there - the widespread type G of the British socket with three flat pins, where an adapter is needed, type C of the usual European one, which does not need an adapter, and type D, which came here from Old England. It is no longer used in Britain, but it is found in India. Many narrow European plugs are stuck into this type, and with plugs of the old Soviet model, you can connect through an adapter. The problem is easily solved on the spot - adapters are available in hotels. The voltage and frequency in the UAE network are the same as ours.

France

Sockets in France are the usual European type C and type E (pictured), the voltage and frequency are standard. Sometimes you need an adapter, as for the old Tefal kettles, but most often a tee and an extension cord are useful, since the socket in the hotel room will be in the singular.

Spain

Sockets in Spain in hotels of types C and F, which fit the European standard. In the photo - type F. Adapter is not needed.

Greece

In Greece, sockets are European standard (type C). In Crete, you may need an adapter - there are sockets with three inputs (D in the photo), so you won’t be able to use them just like that.

Maldives

G, J, K - types of sockets in the Maldives. Power supply 230 V, 50 Hz. An adapter is required, but it is better to decide on its type on the spot. Expensive hotels already have the necessary adapters.

G J K

Indonesia

The most common types of electrical outlets are C and F; adapters are not needed for them. Less often - British G, then an adapter is needed. The current in the network is 220 V 50 Hz, in Bali - 127 V, there may also be sockets and American type B with grounding.

Mexico

Voltage 127 V, frequency 60 Hz. Types of sockets - North American A and B. Therefore, an adapter is needed. Not everywhere in Mexico hotels offer it for free, so you have to spend a little. It can come in handy on the road - at the airport, on the ferry, cafes, so it's better to get your own.

Singapore

Types of electrical sockets A, C and G are used to connect video equipment, M - for air conditioners and stationary hair dryers; hotels have different adapters. European current.

Sri Lanka

In four-five-star hotels in Sri Lanka, the type of sockets is more often British G, although there are types D and M. Current 230 V, 50 Hz.

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