-Tipping is a widespread habit in Mexico though it is not compulsory. It is usual to tip 15 percent of the total at restaurants, in addition to the Tax to the Aggregated Value (IVA); while either one dollar or euro, or its equivalent in Mexican pesos, is the usual amount to tip doormen, bellboys, cleaning personnel, taxi drivers, and luggage haulers at the airport.
Tourist guides are tipped with 10 pesos a day, while employees at gas stations get 5 pesos, and the parking valet between 2 and 5 pesos. -All products and services in Mexico, including hotels and restaurants, are subjected to a Tax to the Aggregated Value (IVA), whose rate is 15 percent, save for Cancun, Cozumel, Los Cabos and frontier cities like Tijuana, where the IVA is 10 percent.

-Post offices are open to the public Mondays through Fridays from 9:00 hours to 19:00 hours, and Saturdays from 9:00 hours to 13:00 hours. Working hours are fewer in small towns.
The service is not expensive though it is a little slow and sometimes quite inefficient, hence it is recommendable to use certified postage. This kind of postage is only accepted until 17:00 hours Mondays through Fridays, and until noon on Saturdays.

-The official calendar highlights the following days as holydays:

January the 1st: New Year's Day.
February the 5th: Constitution Day.
March the 21st: Anniversary of Benito Juarez' Birthday.
March / April (changeable date): Holy Week, Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
May the 1st: Labour Day.
May the 5th: The Battle of Puebla.
September the 1st: Annual Presidential Address to the Nation.
September the 16th: Independence Day (Cry of Dolores).
October the 12th: Race Day.
November the 20th: Revolution Day.
December the 25th: Christmas.

Likewise, many establishments close their doors or work only till noon on unofficial festive days such as:

January the 6th: Day of the Three Wise Men.
May the 10th: Mothers' Day.
November the 2nd: Day of the Deceased.
December the 12th: Feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe.

-In Mexico electrical output is of 110 volts. The outlets are flat and with two pins, American type. If you need 220 volts, ask for a transformer at the reception desk of your hotel.

-If you like shooting still photos bear in mind that 35 millimetre rolls of film (colour negatives, slides, and others), as well as the developing process, are very expensive in Mexico.
On the other hand do not forget that it is forbidden to use a flash or a tripod in museums, colonial buildings and archaeological sites without an especial permit.

Time zones

Mexico's vast territory embraces three time zones. In summer (from the first Sunday of April to the last Sunday of October) the clocks are adjusted one hour forward, while they are moved one hour backwards in winter (from the last Sunday of October to the first Sunday of April).

-Time in the south, centre and east of Mexico is -5 GMT in summer and -6 GMT in winter. This is considered the standard time for all the country for it is valid in most of the national territory.

-Time in the west (Nayarit, Sinaloa, Sonora and Baja California) is -6 GMT in summer and -7 GMT in winter.

-Time in northern Baja California is -7 GMT in summer and -8 GMT in winter.

Renting a car

The main car rental firms have rental offices in the City of Mexico and at the main tourist destinations in the country. In order to rent a car take the following considerations into account:

-You need to be over 21 years old and have and international driver licence, or that of your country of origin, and to produce a credit card issued by an internationally known company.

-Rates vary depending on the firm you choose for the service and on the kind of vehicle you are willing to rent. Usually renting a car at local firms is cheaper than doing so at international agencies such as Avis, Hertz or Budget, although in many cases they do not offer the same kind of insurance coverage and guarantee.

-Make sure the vehicle is in good conditions; be aware at the moment of filling the card pointing out the existing dents and imperfections the car may have before you take it, for any damages not listed at the moment you handle it back well be charged on your final account.

-Be informed about the insurance coverage that comes with the vehicle and always have at hand the firm's phone number. Do not hesitate to call them in case you have a problem.