Mexico - Μεξικό


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Location
Mexico on the globe (Mexico centered) .svg
Flag
Flag of Mexico.svg
Fast Data
Capital cityMexico City
StateFederal Presidential Republic
CoinMexican Peso (MXN)
Area1,964,375km²
water: 20 430km²
land: 1,943,945km²
Population118,395,054 (2013 estimate)
LanguageSpanish is the common language, as well as other indigenous dialects.
ReligionRoman Catholicism: 82.7%, Protestantism 6%, other religions 5%
Electricity127V, 60Hz (US type "A" plug)
Calling Code 52
Internet TLD.mx
Time zone(UTC -6 to -8)

The Mexico (isp .: Mexico) is known for its cuisine, archeological sites, pyramids, museums, estates (sp .: haciendas), the 9,600 kilometers (or 6,000 miles) of coastline, for its magnificent architecture, fishing and climate: from the snow-capped Sierra Mountains Sierras) to the rainy jungles to the southeast and the desert to the northwest. It also has many golf courses.

The once poor nation, which belongs to the "Puma of the Pacific", in recent decades has significant economic growth and improved infrastructure.


Areas

Areas of Mexico
Baja Southern California (Spanish: Baja California) (Baja California, Southern Baja California)
It is a vast western peninsula, stretching for 1,200 km. From Tijuana on the US border to Cabo in the south, it is a region of deserts and unexplored beaches. It is one of the largest migratory areas of whales that takes place every year from December to April. Also included is the remote Island of Guadeloupe.
Northern Mexico (Isp: México Norte) (Chihuahua (state) | Chihuahua, Koaila, Durango, Nuevo Leon, Sinaloa, Sonora, Ταμαουλίπας )
Large desert areas as well as mountains near the border are mostly overlooked by tourists. Culturally and naturally it is a "world" that is quite different from the tropical south. It is also home to the bustling industrial city of Monterrey, Mexico, which is the 3rd largest and most prosperous city. It also includes the Barrancas del Cobre (Barrancas del Cobre), the only railway in the country that passes through the gorges and indigenous villages.
El Bahio (Spanish: El Bajío) (Aguascalientes, Guanajuato, Ζακατέκας, San Luis Potosi, Κερέταρο)
It is the former colonial hinterland and one of the most historic areas of Mexico full of well-preserved colonial cities that flourished from silver mining. Includes cities San Miguel de Allende (ibid .: San Miguel de Allende) and Guanajuato (cf .: Guanajuato) among other lesser known.
Central Mexico (Spanish: México Central) (Hidalgo, Mexico City, State of Mexico, Morelos, Puebla, Τλαξκάλα, Veracruz)
The city of Mexico (Spanish: Ciudad de México) has always been the political, cultural and economic center of the country with a sophisticated urban core and a huge urban expansion that surrounds it. It also includes the formidable ruins of Teotihuacán, the historic city of Puebla and Veracruz, one of the most neglected areas in the country.
Pacific Coast (Esp .: Pacífica Costa) (Kolima, Guerrero, Χαλίσκο, Michoacάνn, Nayarit, Oaxaca)
Here are the tropical beaches on the south coast of Mexico. The city of Jalisco (Jalisco) is the birthplace of mariacci and tequila. Guadalajara is the second largest city in the nation. The mountains of the Oaxaca region are famous for their distinctive cuisine.
Yucatan and the South (Spanish: Yucatán y Sur) (Καμπέτσε, Tsiapas, Quintana Roo, Tabasco, Yucatan )
This area is home to the jungle and the Mayan archeological sites, along with the Caribbean and Gulf coasts with well-known resorts such as Tulum and Cancún. The colonial city of Merida (Meridas) and the ruins of the Plenenk jungle. It is geographically isolated from the rest of the country, part of Central America (dividing line is the Isthmus of Teuantepek), is culturally closer to Guatemala and Belize (Belice) than the rest of Mexico, where the Mayan culture is very live.

Cities

Syntagma Square (p .: Plaza de la Constitución), also known as Zocalo, Mexico City.
  •   Mexico City - (ισπ .: City of Mexico) Capital of the Republic, one of the three largest cities in the world and a sophisticated urban hub with a history of 700 years. In Mexico City, you will find everything: parks, Aztec ruins, colonial architecture, museums, nightlife and shopping.
  •   Acapulco - (ισπ .: Acapulco) A sophisticated urban environment, known for its nightlife, elegant food and nightmarish traffic. Many of the older concrete structures (before the 1990s) have suffered tropical damage.
  •   Cancun - (ισπ .: Cancún) One of the most popular and famous beaches in the world, known for the clear waters of the Caribbean, the lively party atmosphere and the wealth of leisure facilities. During the US college spring break (mid-February to late March) more student parties are held from morning till night.
  •   Guadalajara - (ισπ .: Guadalajara) A traditional city, capital of the state of Jalisco and home to the music of the mariacci and tequila. Guadalajara is blessed with "eternal" spring and its colonial center is elegant and refined.
  •   Mazatlan - (ισπ .: Mazatlán) The vibrant Pacific coast city of Mazatlan is one of the main ferry ports to Baja California and a coastal destination with miles of sandy shores. It is a popular destination for US college spring breaks due to the variety of affordable accommodation options.
  •   Monterrey - (ισπ .: Monterrey) A large modern city that is a commercial and industrial hub of Northern Mexico. Monterrey has a dry, mountainous environment and is known for its high quality educational and transportation infrastructure.
  • San Luis Potosi - (ισπ .: San Luis Potosí) Located in central Mexico, a colonial city that was once a major producer of silver, but today relies on construction for its economic base.
  • Taxi - (ισπ .: Taxco) In central Mexico west of Cuernavaca (Spanish: Cuernavaca), this beautiful steep mountain town was once a major producer of silver and now holds a strong position in the decorative silver trade, from cheap accessories to the most elegant jewelry and intricate castings.
  • Tijuana - (ισπ .: Tijuana) The busiest crossing of the Mexican border for pedestrians and private vehicles.

Additional tourist destinations

The moon over Barrancas del Cobre.
  • Barrancas del Cobre (isp .: Barrancas del Cobre / Cañon del Cobre) - An exotic destination for travelers looking for a unique remote adventure! An awesome mountain rail ride - one of the largest in the world - takes you over 2,440 meters (8,000 feet) to CHEPE, the Chihuahua al Pacifico Railway. You can go hiking, horseback riding, bird watching and it is the place where the Tarahumara Indians live. It is also home to the Sierra Madre and the Chihuahua Desert in Mexico. This area is designed for adventurous people who will be willing to make a difficult journey to get to their points of interest (although the famous train ride has no difficulty / difficulty in traveling). Barrancas del Cobre is a beautiful remote desert and is unlikely to become a mass market destination.
  • The Sea of ​​Cortez - (ισπ .: Cortés Sea) You can see whale births, swim with dolphins and kayak in the warm waters of the Cortez Sea, along the east coast of Baja California, near La Paz. La Paz). Also, you should not miss the sunsets in Puerto Peιάasco (sp .: Puerto Peñasco) and in San Carlos (p .: San Carlos).
  • Monarch butterfly breeding areas - (ισπ .: Sites of monarch monkeys) Protected natural areas in the highlands of the state of Michoacάνn (sp .: Michoacán). Millions of butterflies flock to that area from November to March each year, although the numbers have plummeted.
  • Canyon del Sumidero - (ισπ .: Cañon del Sumidero) From the docks in Rio Grihalva (p .: Rio Grijalva), the only large river in Mexico, near Tuxtla Gutierrez (sp .: Tuxtla Gutiérrez) in the state of Chiapas (Spanish: Chiapas), the excursions start and lead you to this steep National Park. You will probably see huge flocks of flamingos, pelicans and other waterfowl, as well as crocodiles.

Archaeological sites

Palenque
  • Chichen Itza - (ισπ .: Chichén Itzá) The majestic Mayan city was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988 and was voted one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
  • From Balam - (ισπ .: Ek Balam) A remodeled Mayan area, famous for its uniquely decorated concrete and stone temples that you can climb.
  • El Tahin - (ισπ .: El Tajín) In the state of Veracruz (sp .: Veracruz) near the city of Papandla (p .: Papantla). UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • Platouelas i Peralta - (ισπ .: Plazuelas and Peralta) In the state of Wanahuato (sp .: Guanajuato), two areas that are part of the Bahίο' παρά tradition (sp .: Tradition to Bajío).
  • Monte Alban - (ισπ .: Monte Albán) In the state of Oaxaca, a Zapotec area dating from around 500 BC. UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • Palenque - (ισπ .: Palenque) Mayan city in Chiapas state. Palenque is famous for its elaborate paintings. It is also known for the largest rainforest area in Mexico located in the same area.
  • Teotihuacan - (ισπ .: Teotihuacan) Located in the state of Mexico, close to Mexico City. It is a huge area with many large pyramids.
  • Tulum - (ισπ .: Tulum) Mayan seaside town with stunning Caribbean views. It dates from the end of the Mayan period.
  • Max - (ισπ .: Uxmal) Impressive Mayan city in the Puc region (Spanish: Puc), was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.

Get to know it

Mexico, the United Mexican States (p .: United Mexican States), is one of the most visited countries in the world. Most of the tourism industry is located in the beach resorts and in the mountain range in the central part of the country. A visit to its northern part allows tourists to escape a little from the trampled route. American tourists tend to dominate its peninsula Baja California and in the most modern beach resorts (Cancun, Puerto Vallarta), while European tourists prefer the smaller areas of the south, such as Playa del Carmen and colonial cities like his San Cristobal de las Casas.

Climate

Mexico uses metric system for all measurements. All weather forecast is in Celsius (° C).

The climate varies from region to region. There are some that look like a desert in the northwestern part of the country, cities like Hermosillo (sp .: Hermosillo), the Ciudad Juárez (p .: Ciudad Juarez) or Los Campos (Spanish: Los Cabos), to be measured in the northeastern part, cities such as Monterrey (sp .: Monterrey), Nuevo Laredo (p .: Nuevo Laredo), Ciudad Akounia (Spanish: Ciudad Acuña). However, much of northern Mexico gets quite cold during the winter with average daily highs of 8 ° C (39 ° F) to 12 ° C (59 ° F), with a low average at night of about -4 ° C (24 ° F). Snow is sometimes common in some northern areas, such as the Sierra Madre de Chihuahua, Durango, Coahuila, and Nuevo Leon. .: Nuevo León) and northern Tamaulipas, but can also occur at higher altitudes in temperate forests in central Mexico. Also, northern Mexico gets very hot in summer with sudden thunderstorms in the afternoon, with heavy rain and hail, an isolated tornado can also occur with these storms but rarely, and daytime temperatures can quickly exceed 39 ° C (100 ° F). The Bajío region is semi-arid, cities such as Aguascalientes, León and Zacatecas. There are temperate forests in the central part of the country (Mexico City, Toluca) and tropical rainforests in the southern and southeastern regions such as Chiapas, Cancún. The area from Guadalajara to Morelia enjoys what many consider to be one of the best climates in the world, with daily high temperatures of 21 ° C to 26 ° C (in the high 70's and 80 ° F) all year round. Hurricanes can be common in coastal cities, especially those near the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico.

Landscapes

Pico de Orizaba or Citlaltépetl is the highest mountain in Mexico

In Mexico the visitor can see all kinds of landscapes from high, rugged mountains to low temperate coastal plains with meadows and Mezquite trees in the northeast, desert and even rougher mountains in the northwest and tropical rainforests in the south and southeast in places like Aguasc San Luis Potosí and temperate coniferous and deciduous forests in the central part of the country (Mexico City, Toluca).

Holidays / Holidays

  • 1st of January:New Year
  • January 6:The day of the Three Magi, is the day that celebrates the arrival of the three magicians who bring gifts to Jesus (It is not an official holiday)
  • February 2:The Day of the Candles, is the day celebrated in many parts of the country (It is not an official holiday)
  • 5 February:The day of the Constitution (1917)
  • February 24:Flag Day (It is not an official holiday)
  • March 21:The birth of Benito Juarez (1806)
  • April 30:Children's Day
  • May 1:Labor Day
  • May 5:The Battle of Puebla (isp .: Cinco de Mayo) against the French army in the 19th century (Not an official holiday)
  • May 10:Mother's Day
  • May 15:Teachers' Day
  • September 1:
  • September 15:The day of Scream of pain (isp .: Grito de Dolores)
  • September 16:Independence Day, celebrates the beginning of the battle for independence from Spain 1810, which was achieved on September 27, 1821)
  • October 12:The day of the Race (It is not an official holiday)
  • November 2:The Day of the Dead (ισπ .: Día de Muertos)
  • November 20:The day of the Mexican Revolution (1910)
  • December 12:The feast of Mary of Guadeloupe. It is not a holiday, but it is a very important holiday for Mexicans.
  • December 24:Christmas Eve
  • December 25:Christmas
  • December 31:New Years Eve

Easter is widely celebrated nationally, according to the annual universal calendar (the first Sunday after the first full moon in spring). Actual non-working days may be moved to the Monday before the holidays.

Cinco de Mayo is an important part of Mexican-American cultural identity, is not considered a major celebration in Mexico and is hardly celebrated by Mexicans outside the state of Puebla.

Time zone

The 24-hour clock system is used to save time. Mexico uses the same four time zones as the neighboring United States, but three of them are used only in peripheral parts of the country.

Almost all of Mexico observes daylight saving time (DST) in the same way as the US before 2007, from the first Sunday in April to the last Sunday in October. This includes the tropics of southern Mexico. States near the US border, with the exception of Sonora, observe daylight saving time (DST).

History

Pre-Columbian Period

See also:Indigenous cultures of North America

In Mexico there were great civilizations of equal value to Mesopotamia and ancient Egypt. In the southern part of Mexico (Central America) there are various archeological sites of civilized settlements such as the Maya, the Olmecs, the Zapotecs, the Mixtecs and others.

The culture of Olmec (isp .: Olmecas) flourished from 1500 BC up to 900 BC in the coastal region of the Gulf of Mexico (where the states of Veracruz and Tabasco are today). This culture was located in the central area of ​​the so-called inhabitants of the rubber country. The archeological sites are La Veda (sp .: La Venta), in the state of Tabasco, and La San Lorenzo i Tre Zapote (sp .: La Lorenzo y Tres Zapotes). In La Venta the construction of its buildings is symmetrical, placed on a long axis that goes from north to south and the monuments are placed on the sides. This ritual center served as an example to other Central American cultures, as similar designs are seen in other urban centers.

In the Yucatan, due to its history, its sacred warehouse stands out Chichen Itza, which is located north of the pyramid Koukulkan and was used to make offerings to the god Chaac (lord of the rains) which consisted of valuables. Legend has it that human sacrifices were made, usually by noble girls dressed in jewelry and ritual clothing.

In central Mexico, the height of the classical period saw the flourishing of the Teotihuacan culture. Teotihuacan), who formed a military and commercial empire. It had the largest pyramid structures built in pre-Columbian America.

During the early post-classical period, Mexico was dominated by the Toltec culture. Toltec), and in the lowlands the Mayan culture, which had important areas in Calakmul (sp .: Calakmul) and in Chichen Itza (Spanish: Chichén Itza). At the end of the post-classical period, the Aztecs built a riparian empire that covered most of central Mexico. Middle American cultural traditions ended him 16th century and in the following centuries, the native Mexican cultures were under Spanish colonial rule. However, contrary to popular misconceptions, neither Yeast nor their culture Aztecs They "disappeared" completely and to this day many Mexicans trace at least part of their heritage to indigenous roots and languages ​​such as Nahuatl and many Mayan languages ​​are still spoken by hundreds of thousands or even millions of Mexicans. Indigenous elements are still visible today in words in Mexican Spanish, in traditional clothing, in Mexican cuisine, in architecture, and even in religious festivals. The eagle and the snake on a cactus depicted on the Mexican flag, for example, refer to an Aztec legend about the founding of Tenochtitlan, the city that is now Mexico City.

Colonial period and early independence

Mexico remained under Spanish colonial rule until 1821, when it declared independence under the "Iguala Plan". After his short Mexican empire 1821-1823 (the former Spanish general and hero of independence Augustine de Iturbide (isp .: Augustin de Iturbidedeclared itself emperor but was overthrown after two years) Mexico became a democracy with a fragile balance of power between the liberals (allies mainly with urban traders) and conservatives (allies with church and large landowners) and Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna (isp .: Antonio López de Santa Anna) became president several times, while he was also overthrown by his opponents several times, thus having eight non-consecutive terms as president as well as five "permanent" exiles.

Mexico's Independence

The early Mexican state was more than stable. Texas (led by American immigrants wanted to make Texas a US slave state) and the Yucatan withdrew from various places. Mayan rebels fought against the Yucatan independence movement and the federal government in the so-called "caste war."

After Texas gained its final independence, there was a dispute over its southern borders, such as the Newesque River. Nueces) claimed by Mexico or Rio Grande and Texas. This disagreement led to US involvement in a brief war that resulted in a catastrophic defeat for Mexico (in the "halls of Montezuma", the Marines' song refers to the presidential palace in the US-occupied city of Mexico) and the loss of Alta California (now the state of California, USA), Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico and the final loss of Texas, north of Rio Grande.

The ceded lands were quickly colonized by immigrants from Europe and the eastern United States. See also:Old West.

French intervention and second Mexican empire

In 1861, when President Benito Juarez Benito Juarez) suspended the payment of Mexico's debt and France decided to invade the country in order to recover some or all of its money. This was only possible because the United States, which had stated in the Monroe Doctrine that it would not tolerate any European intervention in the sovereign states of America, started its civil war the same year. After the overthrow of the government (although Mexico's resistance to the conquerors never stopped), the French installed a Habsburg prince Emperor Maximilian I as emperor to act as their puppet. While the Mexican monarchy had some Conservative support, its days were numbered when French troops withdrew after the end of the American Civil War, and in 1867, Maximilian was executed by an executive detachment. Cinco de Mayo is celebrated in memory of her battle Puebla which took place during the French occupation and was decisively won by the Mexican democratic forces.

Benito Juarez

Statue of Benito Juarez in Ildago.

THE Benito Juarez(Spanish: Benito Juárez) was the first president of indigenous people throughout Latin America and is one of the few political figures who are still considered almost exclusively positive figures in Mexican history. He was president from 1858 to 1864 and from 1867 to 1872. His motto is often quoted:

"Respect for the rights of others is peace." The respect for the right ajeno is the paz)"

Purple Diaz

THE Purple Diaz(Spanish: Porfirio Diaz) He was a general during the French intervention and came to power shortly after Juarez's death and ruled Mexico from 1876 to 1911. While initially willing and able to reform and modernize the country, his vast reign and his corruption led to much resentment for his government and in 1911 the Mexican revolution broke out to oust him from power, but soon escalated into factional battles between various contenders for power and attempts at radical social and economic reform.

The Mexican Revolution

The Mexican revolution began with resistance against a blatantly fraudulent election of Porphyry Diaz, but the revolutionary forces could not agree on their goals, resulting in much controversy and even US intervention.

Revolutionary institutional party

The ideas of the revolution had just calmed down Revolutionary Institutional Party(isp .:Revolutionary Institutional Party / PRI- pronounced "BEFORE") became the dominant political force and all presidents before the early 1990s were members of the PRI. However, they did not establish a party state and other parties were still legitimate and running in the elections, however the success of the PRI candidate (especially at the federal level) was almost always a given. As such political struggles took place mainly in the PRI with more conservative or left-wing factions winning the upper hand for a long time. In 1988 during a presidential election that was almost shut down for the first time in decades, a computer that counted the votes allegedly crashed and the words with which it was announced (ισπ .: se cayó el sistema) are noted for their ambiguity, as they can mean either "the computer is broken" or "the (political) system has fallen". However, according to the official result (which is disputed and still disputed by many) the PRI candidate won a six-year term, almost exceeding the limit of 50% required to avoid elections. In 2000 the PRI finally lost its first presidential election when Vicente Fox (Spanish: Vicente Fox) of the preservative National Action Party(PAN) won a close victory in a three-way race. In 2006 PAN won again with Felipe Calderon (Spanish: Felipe Calderon) to be elected president, but in 2012 the PRI returned to power with Enrique Pena Nieto (Spanish: Enrique Peña Nieto), who promised to end the drug war when elected president. Whether this will be temporary or whether the PRI has indeed regained its once dominant status remains to be seen.

Mexico today

Despite problems such as corruption and drug warfare in the north (with some areas under the de facto control of different cartels), Mexico has grown steadily and there have been democratic multilateral elections with a peaceful transition of power. A fairly stable three-party system has emerged:

  • the PAN (the Conservative Party)
  • the PRI (center, sometimes left party) have won the presidency several times
  • the PRD (left of PRI) has been a serious candidate in almost all elections

The war on drugs continues and some parts of the country are not entirely safe, but the situation has improved greatly since the 2000s. In general, cities with cities like Ciudad Jimenez famous for their violence are more dangerous than the south and the Yucatan is one of the safest regions in Latin America.

The president Male Manuel Lopez Obrador(Spanish: Andrés Manuel López Obrador / AMLO) took power on December 1, 2018, after conducting a populist anti-corruption campaign and winning the 2018 elections by a margin more than 30% against his next closest opponent. He is its leader center-left National Renaissance Movement (MORENA). Having a reputation on the left in the past, AMLO has moderated its policies to attract a wider share of the electorate, although it remains a consistently left-wing, populist politician. Under his leadership, Mexico served as a coordinator for the wider Latin American policy, for example, in the crises of Venezuela and Bolivia, while at the same time carefully scrutinizing relations with an increasingly erratic United States government under Donald Trump. trade and immigrants.

How to get there

Visa and other entry requirements

By air

From the USA and Canada

From Australia or New Zealand

From Europe

By train

By road

By car

By bus

By boat


How to move

By road

By car

By bus

By air

By train

hitchhiking

Language

What to see

Sports

Entertainment


Transactions and purchases

Monetary Currency

Banks

Tip

markets

Local cuisine

Local drinks

Studies

Job opportunities

Tourist infrastructure

Stay safe

Tourist police, Mexico City.
Travel Warning'WARNING:The states most affected are:Guerrero, Michoacάνn, Kolima, Sinaloa and Ταμαουλίπας.

The U.S. government advises caution when traveling in Mexico, and suggests avoiding the above five states due to high crime. The Mexican government is trying to protect visitors. Mexico's major tourist destinations and resorts generally do not have high levels of drug-based violence and crime, such as in the border area. However, crime and violence are serious problems and can occur anywhere. For more information visit the website of the Mexican Embassy in Greece.

(Information last updated Oct 2020)

The international emergency number is 911.

In most cities, location is very important as security changes from place to place. Areas near the city center (Spanish: centro) are safer for walking at night, especially in the main square (Spanish: Plaza, Zócalo, Jardín) and nearby areas. Stay in residential areas, avoid poor neighborhoods, especially at night, and do not walk there at any time if you are alone. Bad beatings have been reported at resorts by people who have traveled alone, so stay alert for any suspects. If you wish to visit one of the slums, you should only go as part of a guided tour with a reputable tour guide or travel company.

Drug cartel violence is an issue. See drug trafficking issues below.

Political violence in Chiapas and Oaxaca has diminished and the threat from drug-related crime is far less. However, Mexican authorities do not welcome foreigners who take part in demonstrations (even peaceful ones) or support groups such as the Zapatista de Liberation Nacional (ισπ .: Ejército Zapatista de Liberación Nacional) and its leader, Subcomandante Marcos (Spanish: Subcomandante Marcos), even if their pictures and slogans are written on tourist t-shirts and hats in the markets.

Do not display cash or credit cards. Use the badges and collect them as soon as possible.

If you ever have a problem with the legislation in Mexico, the penalties are much stricter than in many other countries. Also keep in mind that many police officers are corrupt and are known to harass and rob foreigners. There is not much you can do about it.

Beggars are not usually a threat, but you will find many in urban areas. Avoid being surrounded by them, as some may steal your belongings. Fast delivery of two pesos can get you out of such trouble (but it can also attract other beggars). Most poor and homeless Mexicans prefer to sell baubles, chewing gum, sing, or provide some meager service rather than begging altogether.

Other cities, such as Guadalajara and Mexico City, are safer than most places in Mexico. However, caution is advised.

Drug Trafficking Problems

Understand that the country is going through a transition period. Former President Felipe Calderon waged a war on drug cartels, and they in turn waged war on the government (and more often, among themselves).

Some cities in Mexico in the northern and border areas, such as Tijuana, the Nogals, the Nuevo Laredo, the Chihuahua, the Kouliaka, the Darango and the Juarez, can be dangerous if you do not know them, especially at night. Most crimes in northern cities are related to drug trafficking and / or police corruption. However, because law enforcement numbers are so overwhelming or involved in the drug business itself, many northern border towns that were once somewhat dangerous are now a hub for criminals to act with impunity. Ciudad Jimenez, in particular, bears the brunt of this violence, accounting for nearly a quarter of all Mexican killings, and travel there requires special attention.

Stay away from the northern states, the violence associated with the partnership is concentrated in specific areas, including the Pacific coast states of Michoacάνn and Guerrero. However, beware of any large city, especially at night or in areas with high crime rates.

For the most part, tourists are not interested in drug cartels. Many popular tourist destinations such as Oaxaca, Guanajuato, Los Campos, Mexico City, Puerto Vallarta, Cancun, Merida and Wallajara are largely unaffected simply because there are no borders. Ciudad Jimenez is a key battleground in the war on drugs, and while foreign travelers are not often targeted here, the presence of two war cartels, several small opportunistic gangs, and armed police and soldiers has created chaos.

Surprisingly though, the new victim of drug violence is Monterrey. The city is at one point crowned the safest city in Latin America, and the tough work environment and entrepreneurial spirit was what defined the city for most Mexicans. Today, it was the last city to fall into the hands of drug gangs, and there are deadly shots even in daylight. People have been abducted in high-profile hotels and while the city still does not reflect Ciudad Jimenez, it is not far behind.

Surprisingly, Mexico City is the safest city on this issue, and people go there to seek refuge from border violence because so many politicians and military are there.

Drug use is not recommended while you are in Mexico because although the possession of small quantities of all major drugs has been decriminalized, consuming in public places will impose a fine and probably put you in danger with the police. The military also sets up random checkpoints on all major highways in search of drugs and weapons. Drug use is also condemned by a large percentage of the population.

Tips for the beaches

Pinch jellyfish: Put vinegar or mustard on the wound.

Stingray skate bites: Put water as hot as you can - the heat turns off the poison.

Sunburn: Wear sunscreen if you go to beaches because you may not find it available in some areas.

Tide or rift: Very dangerous, especially during and after thunderstorms

Public Transport

When you are in big cities - especially in Mexico City - it is better and safer to travel by taxi. The best options are to call a taxi company, ask your hotel or restaurant to call you a taxi or pick up a taxi from a square (ισπ .: "Taxi de Sitio"). Taxis can also stop in the middle of the road, which is ok for most of the country but particularly unsafe in Mexico City.

As chaotic as it can sometimes be, the subway is the best way to get around Mexico City: it is cheap ($ 5 for a ticket from February 2, 2020), safe, has a large network that covers almost anywhere you want to go in the city and is extremely fast, compared to any road transport, as it does not need to suffer from constant traffic difficulties. If you have never been to a busy subway, avoid rush hour (usually 6-9 am from the place you are trying to reach. Your hotel can provide you with this information and subway maps are available Internet and stations Most stations also have maps of the area.

Avoid taking the subway late at night, but during the day many stations are patrolled by police and the subway is safer than the public bus, your main concern in the subway is your wallets, so keep your important items and wallets in safe place.

Warning for people accustomed to European or major American metro systems that operate around the clock: even in Mexico City the last subway leaves around midnight with the service starting again early in the morning. Taxis are priced accordingly, and you should be careful when driving during this period.

If traveling by bus, do not put your valuables in your large bag in the bus depot. If the police or the army check the luggage, they can get what they need. Especially on night buses when passengers are probably asleep. It is highly recommended to use a money belt (worn under clothes and in sight).

Driving

Natural Disaster

Natural disasters in Mexico include hurricanes and earthquakes.

Possession of weapons

Every year some American tourists go through the strict gun laws of Mexico. Carrying weapons into Mexico is illegal in most cases and this includes weapons kept for personal protection on private boats. Mexican authorities can and do search for boats moored in Mexican ports or entering Mexican territorial waters, and if they find weapons, the owner of the boat may be in serious trouble. Covert transport licenses issued in the US do not apply in Mexico: if you try to cross the border with a concealed firearm, even unintentionally, you will almost certainly end up in a Mexican prison. Permits may be issued in advance for aliens to bring certain types of weapons into the country for what the law considers lawful use, such as hunting (usually on an organized hunting trip) or participating in shooting sports. If you are considering transporting a firearm to Mexico, be sure to carefully research the current legal requirements for licensing and documentation, as well as for transporting and storing a firearm while in Mexico. Even if you get the necessary license for a firearm, there are strict ammunition laws.

Health and precautions


Respect local customs


Communications

Visit also

Belize / Belize

Guatemala

USA


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Mexico
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