Mexico
Looking for adventure travel tours in Mexico? Click link below to find more about the professional guided treks and tours we offer.
Country
Mexico: in the land of the Aztecs and Mayans
Vast deserts dotted with pointing cacti, smoldering or snowy peaked volcanoes at over 16,404 feet, jungle and tropical forests and paradisiacal beaches ... In these landscapes with diverse and colorful horizons, fascinating civilizations have flourished for more than 2000 years.
From destinations on the more secret paths, we guide you in the footsteps of these disappeared empires: Aztec, Olmec, Zapotec, Mayan and many more ... The pyramids and shrines demonstrate their past power. In remote villages of sierras (mountains), come meet the worthy heirs of these past civilizations, proudly displaying their traditions and their very much alive and colorful folklore.
A warm and smiling, mixed population, glacial volcanic summits, pre-Columbian sites and colonial cities ... Clearly, this huge and captivating country offers many exciting areas of interest, so as to fill the passions of a mountaineer or another with a passion for ancient civilizations!
Vast deserts dotted with pointing cacti, smoldering or snowy peaked volcanoes at over 16,404 feet, jungle and tropical forests and paradisiacal beaches ... In these landscapes with diverse and colorful horizons, fascinating civilizations have flourished for more than 2000 years.
From destinations on the more secret paths, we guide you in the footsteps of these disappeared empires: Aztec, Olmec, Zapotec, Mayan and many more ... The pyramids and shrines demonstrate their past power. In remote villages of sierras (mountains), come meet the worthy heirs of these past civilizations, proudly displaying their traditions and their very much alive and colorful folklore.
A warm and smiling, mixed population, glacial volcanic summits, pre-Columbian sites and colonial cities ... Clearly, this huge and captivating country offers many exciting areas of interest, so as to fill the passions of a mountaineer or another with a passion for ancient civilizations!
Highlights
- The most comprehensive travel choice to Mexico, with three very typical approaches to meet each individual's interests (browser, seasoned hiker or climber), while at the same time, incorporating a cultural dimension.
- A very good knowledge of Mexican volcanoes: for over 15 years, we have been climbing the highest volcanoes, including the Pico de Orizaba (18,855 feet), the culmination point of the country.
- Well chosen staff members that cater to all specific aspects of your trip: cultural guide, hiking guide and professional mountain guide for glacier climbing.
- Excellent guest service: accommodations of high quality, private vehicle available throughout the voyage.
- Site entrance fees included.
- Confirmed departures from 4 participants on up.
- In brief, an excellent value for your money.
Climate
A wide range of climates, depending on the region, and temperatures that strongly reflect the altitude. The closer you approach the South and the Caribbean, the more tropical the climate becomes. A trip to Mexico is possible year round.
- During the summer months, from April to September, the weather is typically beautiful in the morning, with brief intense rain in the afternoon from May or June onward, depending on the year. The heat hits in May and June, the end of the dry period and the beginning of summer. This is the ideal time to enjoy the beaches of the Caribbean.
- In the winter, from October to March, the weather is generally fine and dry, with excellent visibility. This is the best time to climb the volcanoes whose summits are exposed.
- During the summer months, from April to September, the weather is typically beautiful in the morning, with brief intense rain in the afternoon from May or June onward, depending on the year. The heat hits in May and June, the end of the dry period and the beginning of summer. This is the ideal time to enjoy the beaches of the Caribbean.
- In the winter, from October to March, the weather is generally fine and dry, with excellent visibility. This is the best time to climb the volcanoes whose summits are exposed.
Temperatures
Average temperatures in main cities (day minimum/night maximum) in Mexico (7,546 feet), Fahrenheit degrees:
| Jan | March |
May |
July |
Sept |
Nov |
| 39/70 | 45/77 | 50/79 |
52/73 |
43/72 | 43/70 |
Profile
| Population | 90 million habitants |
| Surface | 759 463 square miles |
| Capital | Mexico |
| Main Cities |
Guadalajara, Monterrey, Puebla, Acapulco, Cancún |
| Peaks |
Pico de Orizaba (18,409 feet), Popocatepeti, active volcano (17,887 feet) |
| Official Language |
Spanish |
| Religion | Catholic religion with Aztec and Mayan religion influences |
| Head of State |
Felipe Calderón |
| Political Status | Independent Republic |
| Time Shift |
Currencies
The currency is the Mexican peso (MXN).
Approximate exchange rate in 2008: $1 = 11 pesos.
You are advised to take dollars, which can easily be exchanged in the big cities. The use of credit cards is widespread in the cities and there are also ATM machines.
Approximate exchange rate in 2008: $1 = 11 pesos.
You are advised to take dollars, which can easily be exchanged in the big cities. The use of credit cards is widespread in the cities and there are also ATM machines.
Travel Warnings
As an organizer for worldwide trips, Mountain World Travel is concerned for our guest's safety and security. We always keep ourselves up to date with current travel warnings and always consider the government safety advices, while organizing and preparing our different trips. Please double check on the official government website regarding each country's warnings.
US citizens, please check with: US department Travel Advices
US citizens, please check with: US department Travel Advices
Our Story
The development of our trips to Mexico is the result of an encounter between Yves Pelissier (responsible for our trips to Latin America) and Eric Nezzar, a certified hiking guide and real globe-trotter, not to mention....he's also a graduate pastry cook! One can not pretend that this man is not versatile! Yves and Eric met in the French Alps where Eric was working at the time, during the summer season, at the Gouter hut, on the "normal route" of Mont Blanc. A fiery discussion began, sharing experiences and memories.
Eric's route is quite full!
From 1988 to 1999, he experienced wild traverses, mostly on bike; from North to South America, and Asia. Three months on the roads of Mexico and Guatemala in 1988, three months in Morocco in 1989, a year of traveling by bicycle in 1990, from Santiago, Chile to Mexico and then from 1998, 2 years spent in Asia and Europe bicycling. During this last trip, with his wife Diana and his daughter Tania who was only a few months old at the time of departure, he toured South East Asia, North Asia and Europe, crossing Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Burma, Southern China and Tibet, Nepal, India, Greece, Italy, and so on.
This great traveler eventually laid his bags in Mexico, his "Coup de Coeur". Settling in Oaxaca, he decided to share his love for his adopted home land and he began his first experiences of organizing trips and excursions. In 1996, he organized a volcano climbing project for 15 high school students and 15 adults. Based on this successful experience, he repeated it again in 2001 for another French high school, organizing and carrying out the ascent of the Parinacota volcano (21,102 feet, Bolivia/Chile) and the visit of Chile, Peru and Bolivia, with 17 students and 15 adults. Then to validate his achievements, Eric completed some guiding courses.
Attracted by this experienced mans' many qualities, Mountain World Travel hired Eric as a tour leader. Eric proved it was worth it while he expands his expertise and brings to Mountain World Travel his perfect knowledge of Mexico's richness, in an effort to help develop our adventure travels. Today he is our exclusive local representative in Mexico. Still very passionate about his country "of heart", he is divided between the field of leading our groups and managing his travel company. He continues to help us in educating a team of Mexican guides.
Eric's route is quite full!
From 1988 to 1999, he experienced wild traverses, mostly on bike; from North to South America, and Asia. Three months on the roads of Mexico and Guatemala in 1988, three months in Morocco in 1989, a year of traveling by bicycle in 1990, from Santiago, Chile to Mexico and then from 1998, 2 years spent in Asia and Europe bicycling. During this last trip, with his wife Diana and his daughter Tania who was only a few months old at the time of departure, he toured South East Asia, North Asia and Europe, crossing Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Burma, Southern China and Tibet, Nepal, India, Greece, Italy, and so on.
This great traveler eventually laid his bags in Mexico, his "Coup de Coeur". Settling in Oaxaca, he decided to share his love for his adopted home land and he began his first experiences of organizing trips and excursions. In 1996, he organized a volcano climbing project for 15 high school students and 15 adults. Based on this successful experience, he repeated it again in 2001 for another French high school, organizing and carrying out the ascent of the Parinacota volcano (21,102 feet, Bolivia/Chile) and the visit of Chile, Peru and Bolivia, with 17 students and 15 adults. Then to validate his achievements, Eric completed some guiding courses.
Attracted by this experienced mans' many qualities, Mountain World Travel hired Eric as a tour leader. Eric proved it was worth it while he expands his expertise and brings to Mountain World Travel his perfect knowledge of Mexico's richness, in an effort to help develop our adventure travels. Today he is our exclusive local representative in Mexico. Still very passionate about his country "of heart", he is divided between the field of leading our groups and managing his travel company. He continues to help us in educating a team of Mexican guides.
Some Useful Words
Spanish.
However, English is growing (since fall of 1993, Mexico, the United States and Canada have formed NAFTA, a vast common market).
Learning some Spanish key words will enable you to gain the respect of your interlocutors and to facilitate your exchanges with the Mexicans.
Do not hesitate to use the following expressions:
Hello, how are you? : Buenos días, cómo está?
Very well, thank you: muy bien, gracias
Please: por favor
Thank you: gracias
Goodbye: Hasta luego
Yes: sí - Not: No
You are welcome: de nada
Excuse me: perdóneme
You can ask your guide how to pronounce these key words; your voyage will only be richer by your attempting to speak the local language.
And smile, it is often the best means of having good contacts!
However, English is growing (since fall of 1993, Mexico, the United States and Canada have formed NAFTA, a vast common market).
Learning some Spanish key words will enable you to gain the respect of your interlocutors and to facilitate your exchanges with the Mexicans.
Do not hesitate to use the following expressions:
Hello, how are you? : Buenos días, cómo está?
Very well, thank you: muy bien, gracias
Please: por favor
Thank you: gracias
Goodbye: Hasta luego
Yes: sí - Not: No
You are welcome: de nada
Excuse me: perdóneme
You can ask your guide how to pronounce these key words; your voyage will only be richer by your attempting to speak the local language.
And smile, it is often the best means of having good contacts!
Respect of Customs and Habits
Mexico and its people with old traditions, from the pre-Columbian civilizations, unite American-Indian and Spanish cultures. The combination of these two civilizations is reflected in all aspects of life. Indians, descendants of the Spanish and half caste people, live in relative harmony, in a social and political climate that is relatively stable. Mexicans generally welcome visitors with a lot of warmth and kindness.
Some Advice
For photo enthusiasts, what you need to know?
For those who are equipped with digital cameras, an adapter is not necessary because the sockets are the same as in the USA, 120 volts.
Does the risk of theft exist in Mexico?
A poor country, Mexico is reputed to have a high theft rate (against tourists in particular). The situation has improved in recent years, but the risk of theft does still exist. The best and appropriate way to avoid being robbed is not to flash one's wealth (jewelry and technological devices...), to be vigilant in the areas that we visit (markets, tourist sites, beaches, downtown areas...) and to leave money and valuables in the safes at the hotels.
What are some interesting souvenirs to bring back from Mexico?
Leather goods, pottery, masks, jewelry, and so on. The Mexican craft industry is particularly rich. Feel free to buy souvenirs that you enjoy when you travel to Mexico, even though it is the beginning of a trip, because you will have the widest choice of gifts in the capital city. Elsewhere, you will only find crafts typical of each region, as in Oaxaca, for example.
For those who are equipped with digital cameras, an adapter is not necessary because the sockets are the same as in the USA, 120 volts.
Does the risk of theft exist in Mexico?
A poor country, Mexico is reputed to have a high theft rate (against tourists in particular). The situation has improved in recent years, but the risk of theft does still exist. The best and appropriate way to avoid being robbed is not to flash one's wealth (jewelry and technological devices...), to be vigilant in the areas that we visit (markets, tourist sites, beaches, downtown areas...) and to leave money and valuables in the safes at the hotels.
What are some interesting souvenirs to bring back from Mexico?
Leather goods, pottery, masks, jewelry, and so on. The Mexican craft industry is particularly rich. Feel free to buy souvenirs that you enjoy when you travel to Mexico, even though it is the beginning of a trip, because you will have the widest choice of gifts in the capital city. Elsewhere, you will only find crafts typical of each region, as in Oaxaca, for example.
Safeguarding the Environment
The geography of Mexico is very diverse and offers a lot of contrasts, with wetlands and desert zones, vegetation and tropical climate zones and high mountains zones. Mexico has more than 6,000 miles of beaches, (no comma) on the Pacific coast, on the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. Nearly half of Mexican territory has an average altitude of 3,000 feet. The central component is a high plateau surrounded by high mountains, some of which have a volcanic origin. The northern part of the plateau is arid and sparsely populated even though it occupies 40% of the country. The southern zone is intersected by a volcanic mountain range, including such magnificent volcanoes as the Pico de Orizaba, Popocatépetl or Ixtaccihuatl. This area contains half of the country's population. East, the Gulf Coast and the Yucatan Peninsula are tropical lowlands which receive 75% of the storms of Mexico. The biodiversity sheltered by the mountainous terrain of Mexico, is among the worlds richest on the planet, aided by the numerous existing local climates.
Respect for the environment is not the major concern for Mexicans.
However, we count on you to leave the natural areas that you pass through as clean as possible:
- In order to not leave your garbage behind you, please remember to always carry with you a little bag for your personal waste: bring it back to the next hotel or camp.
- Separate your waste: do not to leave behind those very polluting items such as batteries, etc... but, instead, bring them back home with you, as there is no recycling for this type of material in Mexico.
Respect for the environment is not the major concern for Mexicans.
However, we count on you to leave the natural areas that you pass through as clean as possible:
- In order to not leave your garbage behind you, please remember to always carry with you a little bag for your personal waste: bring it back to the next hotel or camp.
- Separate your waste: do not to leave behind those very polluting items such as batteries, etc... but, instead, bring them back home with you, as there is no recycling for this type of material in Mexico.
