Mexico View Itineraries

You could spend anything from a few days to several weeks on your Mexico travels, depending on whether you plan to explore the entire country or just focus on one region such as Mexico City and its environs, Chiapas State, Merida and the Gulf of Mexico, the Yucatan Peninsula or the Riviera Maya on the Caribbean coast. 

Mammal species found in Mexico include opossums, manatees (fully aquatic herbivorous mammals), armadillos, sloths, anteaters, tamanduas, howler and spider monkeys, porcupines, agoutis, pacas, squirrels, chipmunks, beavers, gophers, prairie dogs, tapirs, kangaroo rats, voles, shrews, bats, whales and dolphins. Amongst the carnivores are ocelots, pumas, Mexican wolves and Mexico’s national mammal, the jaguar.

Mexico’s national bird is the golden eagle. Mexico is also home to albatrosses, tropicbirds, boobies, frigatebirds, snake-birds, pelicans, flamingos, vultures, macaws, parakeets, owls, hummingbirds, toucans, trogons, flycatchers and the tinamou amongst countless others.

The national reptile of Mexico is the green turtle with seven of the eight sea turtles of the world living and breeding in Mexico. The country is home to numerous species of lizards, four species of crocodiles and over 380 species of snakes. The Yucatan Peninsula alone boasts over 180 species of reptiles and amphibians.

• Passport, photocopy of passport & spare passport photos
• Travel Insurance documents  
• Air tickets and itinerary
• Foreign Currency (US$) and/or debit/credit cards, traveller’s cheques
• Money belt 
• Small daypack
• Basic first aid kit High UVA sun block 
• Sunglasses & sunhat
• Mosquito spray & insect repellent
• Comfortable walking shoes/boots
• Sandals 
• Long sleeve tops and trousers 
• Light-weight clothing
• Warm clothing (depending on itinerary and time of year)
• Camera with spare battery and memory cards
• Security code padlock
• Adaptor
• Small torch 

Mexico, owing to its size, has a diverse climate depending on the region with the Tropic of Cancer dividing the country into tropical and temperate zones. The country has pronounced wet and dry seasons with most of the country experiencing a rainy season from June to mid-October. February is generally the driest month and July the wettest. Mexico lies within the hurricane belt, and both coasts are susceptible to hurricanes from June to November. Hurricanes on the Pacific coast tend to be less violent than those affecting Mexico's Caribbean coastline.

Spanish is the official and most widely spoken language of Mexico, but over 60 indigenous languages are also recognized by the government. Some Indigenous words have been incorporated into Mexican Spanish, especially from Nahuatl - the language of the Aztecs.

Most Australian travellers fly to Mexico via a connecting flight in the US, often Los Angeles or Dallas, Texas. 

The level of fitness needed will depend on the Mexico tour that you choose to take in terms of places to be visited and the types of activities to be included on your itinerary. Hiking and trekking are not activities that are generally associated with Mexico although most Mexico tours include visits to one or more archaeological site where some steep climbs involving many steps may be involved, often on uneven surfaces. Parts of Mexico lie at altitudes over 2,000 metres, including Mexico City at 2,250 metres. Although altitude sickness is generally not a problem in Mexico, you may feel a little breathless if your Mexico tour starts in Mexico City, or if you fly into Mexico from the coast, until you acclimatise to the higher altitude.

• do not show any outward signs of wealth or wear expensive jewellery
• keep your valuables in your hotel in safety deposit boxes
• keep any valuables that you must carry with you hidden, as pickpockets can be present in crowded areas and around tourist areas
• use only registered taxis with official identification
• avoid going on your own to remote areas/ruins where tourists would not be expected to go
• always keep your day pack and camera close to you and never leave them unattended