DOCUMENTATION: passport valid for at least 6 months for Spanish citizens.

LANGUAGE: the official language is Spanish.

CLIMATE: the altitude conditions the temperature. The warm areas like the Yucatán peninsula have a tropical climate. However, Mexico DF, at an altitude of 2,225 meters, has a considerably cooler climate with an average temperature of 18ºC.

CURRENCY: the national currency is the Mexican peso (Mex$) of 100 cents. There are 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 peso coins, and 100, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000 and 20,000 peso notes. There is currently no limit on the amounts of national and foreign currency that can be imported and exported. The exchange rate is roughly US$1 = 9 pesos.

SHOPPING: haggling is accepted in markets and small shops, but not in department stores where prices are fixed. The most interesting items are silver, handmade fabrics, leather, glass, carved wooden masks, semiprecious stones, etc.

ELECTRICITY SUPPLY: the power supply is 110/220 volts and flat-pin plugs are used, so an adapter is required; the supply is 125 volts in Mexico City.

TIPPING AND TAXES: bar and restaurant bills do not usually include service. It is customary to leave 10-15% of the total.