Simon Calder's report on Mexico - Tips
Posted On
02.07.07
Even though self-drive is widely available, be very careful when driving in Mexico. While the highway system is improving, local driving techniques are, well, imaginative. And the death toll is much higher than on British roads. An excellent network of buses, ranging from cheap and rickety to extraordinarily luxurious, provides a good alternative. Simon Calder, travel writer
Take a mixture of Mexican pesos and US dollars: you can spend dollars in most places, but you’ll receive change in pesos. Be sure to keep back enough US dollars to pay the Departure Tax (about $38 per person). Fiona Braithwaite, Travel Counsellor
We had a fantastic family holiday in the Mayan Riviera – in fact, my children preferred this holiday to Orlando! What with snorkelling through the myriad of underground caves at Xcaret Eco Theme Park and staying at Xpu-Ha Palace, a thatched ecological hotel and park, we really felt like we were in tune with nature. Jane Zollo, Travel Counsellor
It’s worth making a round-trip through Yucatan, visiting Chitzen Itza, Tulum and Merida, for the historical Mayan remains. If you like scuba-diving Cozumel is the place to be. There are lots of shopping malls in Cancun; Playa del Carmen is smaller and more Mexican. From September to November the weather can be more European (rain and wind) but still with Caribbean temperatures. Fred van Eijk, TC Head Office (Netherlands)
Xelha Ecological Park is worth a visit – the snorkelling is fantastic. I am not a confident swimmer but they provide life jackets as well as good quality snorkelling equipment in the admission price. Mexico has the second largest reef behind the Great Barrier so snorkelling is a must. Suzanne Barney, Travel Counsellor
In big resorts, American habits of tipping have caught on: 15 or even 20 per cent is expected in restaurants in Cancun and Puerto Vallarta. Elsewhere, 10 per cent is quite sufficient. Taxi drivers do not expect any tips. Simon Calder, travel writer
Some of the content of the magazine refers to flights or prices from the UK. At Travel Counsellors Ireland we can source flights from Ireland and provide full quotes in Euros. Please call me for latest availability and prices.
