Mexico: In the Country

Categories of Restaurant

 

• Fondas

Also known as 'inexpensive cuisine', they offer a three course meal at a reasonable price: soup is usually served as a starter along with a side dish (rice or pasta) and a stew. Dessert is sometimes included. They also sell typical regional dishes.

• Taquerias

Place where the famous 'tacos' and other snacks are sold. They are generally open until late hours and allow one to fill up at a reasonable price.

• Fast food restaurants

Due to American influence, it is very easy to find hamburgers, pizzas and other fast food meals.

• Typical food restaurants

These restaurants propose real Mexican cuisine with a more complex elaboration. Their menus may offer specialties from all over the country or only  from a specified region.

• International restaurants

International restaurants offer French, Italian, Japanese and other cuisines

Rules For Eating Out

A tip of 15% is recommeneded unless the service was dreadful.

Price Indications

Food Specialties

Recognised all over the world for its cultural wealth and its flavour blending, Mexican cuisine draws upon indigenous and European culinary traditions. The large size of the country and the rich diversity of regional culinary styles ensures a great range of food options. Two staples include chili peppers and corn, which are utilised in a variety of ways throughout the country. Corn products such as tortillas, tamales, sopes and chiles can be found at nearly every meal.

Some typical dishes are:
- Tacos: tortillas with a filling of choice, typically served with cilantro, onions, lime wedges and a variety of salsas. Taco fillings vary considerably by region and range from pork to beef tongue.
- Mole poblano: known as the national dish of Mexico, mole poblano is a sauce containing 20 or so ingredients (including chiles and chocolate).
- Tamales: corn flour filled with chicken or vegetables, cooked inside plantain or corn leaves.

Drinks

Aguas frescas are popular non-alcoholic drinks that consist of fruit, cereals, flowers or seeds and water and sugar. These drinks are staples of street vendors, with some examples including horchata, melon and tamarind. Typical Mexican alcoholic beverages include tequila, mezcal and pulque, all of which are based on agave. Meals are usually accompanied with beer.

Dietary Restrictions

There are no dietary restrictions in the country.

Table Manners

In Mexico relationships are based on respect and gratitude not only to table companions but also to restaurant personnel. If you are invited to a home, thank your host and compliment the hostess on the meal.

Means of Transport Recommended in Town

Recommendation

Traffic circulation in major cities, especially Mexico City, is very heavy. Many roads are undergoing improvements, so it is common to experience delays related to road-work.

Public transportation is recommended, but the conditions of city buses may be dissatisfying to some. The subway, called Metro, circulates throughout the city and is very inexpensive. There is also a suburban train which connects the main cities in the state of Mexico with the capital (D.F.). It travels 20 kms. in 15 minutes.

Taxis are available in all major avenues. It is advised to hire an authorised taxi in order to have a safe ride at a fair price. A directory can be found here.

Maps of Urban Networks

Mexico City Metro System: Maps
Maps of Mexico (UT Library)

Urban Transport Agencies

Passenger transportation agencies directory

Find an Itinerary

Turista.com.mx

Taxi Companies

Taxi Mexico

Transportation From Airport to City Centre:

Airport	Distance	Taxi	Bus	Train	Car Rental
Mexico City Intl (MEX)	12 km / 7 miles	USD 17-25 / 45 min	USD 0.20 / 40 min	-	Available
Guadalajara (GDL)	17 km / 12 miles	USD 12-18	USD 10 / 35 min	-	Available

Means of Transport Recommended in the Rest of the Country

Recommendation

The bus is the most popular type of transportation for travel around Mexico. Prices are inexpensive and conditions are generally good.

Rapid travelling throughout Mexico's large territory is facilitated by dozens of international airports. Air transit has rapidly increased in recent years, fuelled by low cost airlines. Fifteen companies operate within the airline market and offer several itineraries, including frequent  flight connections in between the capital and the major cities.  It is important to make reservations in advance in order to secure low fares. 

Rail Companies

Ferromex

Airlines

You Can Consult The EU Air Safety List. Look Also at the rating of the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Travelling By Yourself

Recommendation

Roads are asphalted, well kept and functional in most parts of the country. International insurance policies are not accepted, so it is necessary to obtain auto insurance in Mexico. In Mexico City, an alternating traffic system has been established in order to fight environmental pollution- vehicles with a foreign license plate cannot circulate on Fridays. Drivers should be cautious when driving at night on highways - roaming livestock and frequent speed bumps may pose a challenge for drivers.

Driver's License

Tourists with foreign driver's licences are authorised to drive in Mexico.

Conditions For Renting a Vehicle

The minimum age to rent a car is 21 years old.
In Mexico City, a driver has to comply with the No Driving Today programme.

Rental Agencies

Avis

Tolls or Taxes

There are toll highways and free highways. However, road and safety conditions are better in toll highways. Tolls are paid when entering each highway.

Road Maps

Guia-Roji: Maps of Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey

Find an Itinerary

Map24

Traffic Conditions Online

Traffic alert - El Universal

Parking Facilities

It is very difficult to find a parking place in the business areas of the major cities. It is advised to use parking lots, which are usually underground.
There are also parking meters in the downtown areas of major cities.
If a car is parked in a street where there is not a parking meter, chances are there will be a young guy who will 'watch' the car and expect some coins in return.

Rules of the Road

Minimum Driving Age

A driver's licence can be requested from the age of 16 and 17.

Side of the Road For Driving

Right side.

Speed Limits

30-40 km per hour in the city and 100 km per hour in the highway.

Safety Belts

The use of safety seat belts is mandatory.

Permitted Amount of Alcohol in the Blood

0.40 mg of alcohol per liter of exhaled air.

National Roads Organizations

Ministry of Roads and Transportation D.F.
Ministry of Communications and Transportation

Quality of Communications

Telecommunication systems with countrywide coverage is available but expensive.
Rural areas can be problematic for Internet connection or cell phones.

Telephone Codes

To Make a Call From Mexico, Dial 00
To Make a Call to in Mexico, Dial +52

Number of Digits of National Telephone Numbers

10 digits: state code + 8 digits.

Mobile Telephone Standards

GSM, TDMA, CDMA, 3G, Trunking Services (Nextel)

National Mobile Phone Operators

Telcel, Telefonica Movistar, Iusacell, Unefon and Nextel

Availability of Internet

Internet Suffix

.mx

National Internet Access Providers

Telcel, Telmex, Terra, Iusacell and Cablevision.

Access in Public Places

There are cyber cafes in the cities. Some restaurants and shopping centres offer free Internet.

Access in Hotels

Most of the executive hotels and major tourist centers offer free Wifi connection or business center with a fee schedule.