Business Hours
Shops: Shopping hours in large towns and cities start between 10 to 11am, and continue to about 8 to 10pm. Shops in cities and large towns are open 7 days a week; smaller places may close on Sundays, except tourist spots at high season. Christmas & Easter public holidays are observed; on other public holidays you'll find most places open in cities and larger towns and tourist areas. Smaller towns tend to have more limited opening hours, and in hotter, non-tourist regions, may close between 2 and 4pm; check locally or with our professional hotel staff.

Banks: Branches are open from 9am to 4pm in many cities and big towns, and some even open Saturday mornings.

Office Hours: Commercial Office hours tend to run in line with those of the US and the UK: 8am - 6pm. Lunch breaks usually last an hour, but business lunches can go on much longer.

Museums: Museums tend to have specific opening hours, and those outside of the major tourist areas usually close for a day in the week.

Archaeology Parks: Archaeology parks are open from 8am to 5pm, and all except those in the most frequented tourist areas (e.g. Chichen Itza in Yucatan) are closed on Mondays.

Public Holidays in Mexico
· January 1st. Año Nuevo - New Year's Day
· February 5th. Dia de la Constitucion - Constitution Day
· February 24th. Dia de la Bandera - Mexico's National Flag Day
· May 1st. Dia del Trabajo - Labor Day
· May 5th. Cinco de Mayo - Victory over France in Puebla
· September 16th. Dia de la Independencia - Celebrating Independence
· October 12th. Dia de la Raza - Columbus discovers the New World
· November 20th. Dia de la Revolucion - Anniversary of the 1910 Mexican Revolution
· December 25th. Dia de Navidad - Christmas Day

Legal Drinking Age in Mexico
The legal minimum drinking age in Mexico is 18.
You will be requested for proof of age or identification when asking for an alcoholic beverage in Mexico or entering a nightclub.

Currency
The official currency in Cancun is the Mexican pesos, but American dollars are also widely accepted. Please make sure you always carry pesos. That way, you will pay the fair price.

Language
Mexico’s first language is Spanish, but in most of the tourist areas English is spoken.

Tipping in Mexico
Tipping in Mexico, not only is it customary, it is expected and appreciated in return for good service.

When you are traveling in Mexico, always keep some loose change in your pocket because you never know when you're going to need some of it for a tip.

Bargaining and Barter in Mexico
Bargaining and barter are common activities in Mexico, especially at markets, artifact stores and handicraft workshops.

Markets and Street Traders
Mexican market traders are usually polite people who enjoy a good trade negotiation.


Department Stores, Malls
Department stores and large (chain) hotels will not barter with you.


Taxis
Some taxis are not metered (especially in small provincial towns) so strike a bargain with your price before you get in.

Electricity
Mexico's electricity system is the same as that of the USA: 120 V; 60 Hz.

Time Zones in Mexico
Although Mexico now adheres to the Daylight Saving Time (DST) protocol, Mexican clock-time change dates do not always synchronize with the clock-time change dates in the US & Canada and Europe, so check this year's DST schedule for precise details.

Most of Mexico, including Mexico City adheres to Central Time in the USA.

The second time zone starts just north of Puerto Vallarta (Puerto Vallarta itself is not affected) and affects all areas on the coast north and all of Baja California Sur, including the popular areas of Los Cabos, La Paz, Loreto and Todos Santos. This time zone adheres to Mountain Time; one hour behind Mexico City.

The third domestic time zone begins in the northern reaches of Baja California (the northern area of the peninsula). This area adheres to Pacific Time and is, therefore, one hour behind Mountain Time and two hours behind Mexico City.

Telecommunications
All the main tourist areas have facilities such as fax and Internet services, and you will find wireless Internet access in most hotels and also in many restaurants and cafes.

To make international calls from Mexico you dial access code 001 for the US and Canada; and 00 + country code for the rest of
the world.