5. Other Logistical issues:

• The weather in Tuxtla Gutiérrez is very warm and humid during the summer. It usually gets 30° - 35° C. During the day, however you will need a jacket for San Cristobal de las Casas, which has a cold and rainy climate and can get as low as 10° in the mornings and evenings.

• There is a wide variety of banks and ATM in Mexico City, Tuxtla Gutiérrez and San Cristobal de las Casas.
• The official currency of Mexico is the Mexican Peso. (exchange rate is 12 to 13 Mexican Pesos for USD$1)
• US dollars are accepted at the hotel and several places in San Cristobal de las Casas, but not so in Tuxtla Gutiérrez.
• US dollars and traveller cheques can be exchanged at the airport in Mexico City as well as in banks and hotels.
• Most major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, and Amex) are widely accepted in Mexico City and Tuxtla Gutierrez but be sure to carry some cash with you when you are in San Cristobal de las Casas.

• Government offices are generally open from 8:00 to 20:00,
• Banks are open only in weekdays from 8:30 to16:00
• Most shops in Chiapas (both in Tuxtla Gutiérrez and San Cristobal de las Casas) close at lunch hour (14:00 – 16:00) except from grocery stores, which stay open throughout the day and until 21:00; some convenience stores (such as 7-11) stay open 24 hours.

• The International code access to Mexico is (00) 52 and for Mexico City is (55), Tuxtla Gutiérrez is (961), San Cristobal de las Casas is (967).
• When calling from a fixed phone, dial the prefix 044 for local mobile calls and then dial the following ten numbers.
• When calling from a fixed phone, dial the prefix 045 for a mobile phone from a different city, and then the following ten numbers.
• The main mobile phone companies are Telcel, Iusacell, Movistar and Unefon
• For emergencies, dial 060
• Taxis
  • Mexico City Authorized Taxis Tel: (55)56-601122
  • Tuxtla Gutiérrez Authorized Taxis: Tel: (961) 6143904
  • San Cristobal de las Casas authorized Taxis: Tel: (967) 678 9340

• People in Mexico have 3 meals a day: breakfast is usually served from 7:30 to 9:00. The strong meal of the day is a late but plentiful lunch, usually served around 14:00-16:00 hours and a late light dinner between 20:00 and 22:00.
• Tips are not included in restaurants and other establishments. Though voluntary, it is common to leave around 10% of the total to the waiter.
• Cultural recommendations: When in Chiapas, do not take pictures of people unless you ask them first and offer to pay some money. Do not be surprised if they are not at all interested and tell you to get lost.