Airport
Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla International Airport, Guadalajara, airport code: GDL. The airport is located 17km (12 miles) southeast of Guadalajara. Airport facilities include restaurant, bar, snack bar, post office and shops. As well as banks, ATM's (cash machines) and a bureau de change, there are excellent shopping facilities and a 24-hour restaurant.

Visas
Citizens of many countries - including the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Argentina, Chile and virtually all Western European countries - do not require visas to enter Mexico as tourists. However, if they are staying longer than 72 hours, or are traveling beyond the Border Zone or certain exempted areas, they must obtain a 180-day Mexican government tourist card (tarjeta de turista), available from embassies or at border crossings (US$18).

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Currency
The currency of Mexico is Peso (Mex$). New Peso (peso) = 100 centavos. Notes are in denominations of peso500, 200, 100, 50 and 20. Coins are in denominations of peso20, 10, 5, 2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10 and 5 centavos.

Credit Cards
American Express, Diners Club, Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available. There is a government tax of six per cent on such transactions.

Tipping
Mexico is not a rich country and foreigners are seen as relatively wealthy. Consequently, tipping is usually expected. As a guide, waiters should be tipped about 10 to 15 per cent of the bill (depending on the service), and busboys and porters, about seven MXP. Guadalajara hotel maids should receive around three MXP per night and taxi drivers should only be tipped if they provide help with luggage when they should be paid about four MXP to eight MXP, or 10 per cent of the fare. Check your change for unfamiliar coins as pesos were replaced by new pesos in 1993. Credit card receipts should always be checked for inaccuracies as mistakes do occur.

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Useful Numbers
International country code: 52
Guadalajara: 33
Emergency (fire, police, ambulance): 06
Police, Fire, Ambulance (non-emergency): 08
Lost persons information: 658-1111
Secretary of Tourism (multilingual): 5 240-0123-51

Electricity
110V, 60Hz

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Health Risks
Never drink tap water; don't even use it for brushing your teeth, and avoid ice cubes, or risk contracting 'Montezuma's Revenge.' Avoid raw vegetables and fruit unless they've been washed in a chlorine solution. Diarrhea is common for travelers who are unaccustomed to the new diet and water. The high altitude in Guadalajara and Guadalajara may cause temporary shortness of breath, headache, fatigue and nausea. The dust and smog may cause bronchitis. Air pollution in Guadalajara and Guadalajara is specially severe from December to May.
Most of Mexico is extremely hot, so take precautions against sun and heat stroke, drink lots of liquids, and use sunblock when outdoors.

Time Zone
6 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (-6 GMT). Daylight Saving Time is observed from the first Sunday in April until the last Sunday in October

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Business Hours
Offices: Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. There is a one to two hour break for lunch.
Banks: Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and limited transactions from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Government: Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Retail: Monday to Saturday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Shorter hours on weekends.

Holidays
2008
1 Jan New Year's Day.
4 Feb Constitution Day.
17 Mar Birthday of Benito Juárez.
20 Mar* Maundy Thursday.
21 Mar* Good Friday.
1 May Labour Day.
5 May* Anniversary of Battle of Puebla.
1 Sep* President's Report.
16 Sep Independence Day.
12 Oct* Día de la Raza (Columbus Day).
2 Nov* Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead).
17 Nov Anniversary of the Mexican Revolution of 1910.
12 Dec* Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
25 Dec Christmas Day.

2009
1 Jan New Year's Day.
4 Feb Constitution Day.
17 Mar Birthday of Benito Juárez.
9 Apr* Maundy Thursday.
10 Mar* Good Friday.
1 May Labour Day.
5 May* Anniversary of Battle of Puebla.
1 Sep* President's Report.
16 Sep Independence Day.
12 Oct* Día de la Raza (Columbus Day).
2 Nov* Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead).
17 Nov Anniversary of the Mexican Revolution of 1910.
12 Dec* Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
25 Dec Christmas Day.

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Climate
Guadalajara's climate is mild year-round -- which helps explain its popularity as a retirement area. Winters are springlike and summers can get a little warm, though not terribly uncomfortable. The driest month is May. The rainy season is mid June to October, though an occasional hurricane can dump loads of water anytime from August to November. A light jacket is recommended in winter. Women should bear in mind that this is a refined colonial city and that shorts are not appropriate attire on the street, even in the warmest months.

Clothing
Since the climate in Guadalajara can be hot, wear loose, light fabrics with an emphasis on casual comfort.
Men should always wear a shirt and tie, except at casual affairs. Both men and women should dress conservatively.
Recommended colors are navy and dark gray.
Women should always wear make-up.

GDP Growth Rate
Real growth rate: 1.3%

Inflation
4.5%

Imports
metalworking machines, steel mill products, agricultural machinery, electrical equipment, car parts for assembly, repair parts for motor vehicles, aircraft, and aircraft parts

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Exports
manufactured goods, oil and oil products, silver, fruits, vegetables, coffee, cotton

Trading Partners
USA, Canada, Japan, Germany

Industries
Food and beverages, tobacco, chemicals, iron and steel, petroleum, mining, textiles, clothing, motor vehicles, consumer durables, tourism

Teledensity
13.72 Main telephone lines per 100 inhabitants

Government
Federal republic

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Geography
Guadalajara lies in the southwest of the country, at an elevation of approximately 5000 feet, on the great Mexican Plateau. The Plateau covers nearly three fifths of the country.
Mexico is located in Middle America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, between Belize and the US and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Guatemala and the US. The terrain is high, rugged mountains; low coastal plains; high plateaus; desert .

Population
Mexico: 106.4 million
Guadalajara: 5,000,000

Ethnic Groups
Approximately 60% mestizo (mixed European and Amerindian descent) and 30% Amerindian (indígena - including Nahua, Maya, Zapotecs, Mixtecs, Totonacs, and Tarascos or Purépecha)

Languages
Spanish, various Mayan, Nahuatl, and other regional indigenous languages

Literacy
89.6%

Religion
Roman Catholic