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Time Zone
Querétaro is in the same Time Zone as US Central Time.
Passports and Tourist Cards
Passports are now required for all US citizens traveling to Mexico. If
you’re flying in, you will complete a Mexican tourist card,
required for all travel beyond the border towns. If you drive in or
walk across the border to catch a bus or plane from, say, Tijuana, you
must go to the Immigration office on the Mexican side of the border and
ask for a tourist card. You are allowed to stay for six months with
this card. You are required to carry it with you and to turn it in on
your departure from Mexico. We suggest carrying your card and passports
in a fabric pouch under your shirt, so you always know where it is.
Language
Most of the professional class in Querétaro have studied English
and most of today’s schoolchildren learn English. But since
Querétaro is not an American tourist hotspot, they don’t
have much chance to use it. We have selected dentists who have at least
an understanding of English, even if they are not fluent English
speakers (yet!). If you know a few words of Spanish, that’s a
great ice-breaker and may encourage the locals to try out their English
on you to help you out.
Money
The US dollar has been worth between 10 and 11 Mexican pesos for
so long that locals tend to think of the peso as being one-tenth of a
US dollar, to keep the calculation simple. This may change at any time
of course. The symbol for the peso is $, as for the US dollar, so
unless a Mexican sign specifically says “US$” or “dolares”, the price is in pesos.
Electricity
Mexico's electricity system is the same as that of the USA: 120 V, 60
Hz. Sockets are most often for two-pin plugs, so you may need an
adaptor if you have three-pin grounded plugs on any equipment you
bring.
Internet access
There are Internets (like Internet cafés, but
without the café!) scattered throughout the city, which cost
about US$1 per hour. Occasionally, you will find one (such as Ciber@net next to the Templo de Santa Clara) that has Wi-Fi (internet inalámbrico), as do some of the sidewalk cafés and the grander hotels. Just ask them for the log-on code (la clave), if necessary.
Bargaining
Part of the fun of being in Mexico is finding local arts and crafts at
bargain prices. In artisan markets, the traders will always let you
haggle over prices, since it’s the accepted way of doing business
in Mexico, and for some travelers that is part of the fun. As always,
it’s a thin line between getting a fair price and offending the
artisan by under-valuing his work.
Tipping
Taxis - Querétaro taxi drivers
don’t expect tips on city fares, unless they do something special
for you, of course, like carrying or loading luggage, when about 10% is
fine.
Restaurants - 10% - 15% is normal, depending on the establishment and level of service you received.
Hotels - Bellboys should be
paid around US$1 per bag; Concierge around US$2 equivalent if they do
something for you (book a table at a local restaurant); more if they
undertake some particular research (e.g. found you a local tour
operator, car rental agency, or chauffeur. If you don't speak Spanish,
remember that they will also be acting as translators for you and you
should take this into account with your tip. Most people leave a tip
for the Maid - about US$1 equivalent per night's stay, depending on the
type of establishment. Leave the tip in the room just before you leave
for the last time.
Our Agent – Mario
Cantarell-Valdés will be working hard on your behalf to make
your stay as carefree as possible. Any gratuities you wish to give him
will be happily received.
Packing
Our advice is to travel light, with only carry-on luggage, if possible.
You will probably be making one plane and terminal change en route, and
a lost suitcase is no fun. Having said that, without checked baggage,
you will have to adhere to the TSA’s and Department of Homeland
Security’s latest restrictions on what can be in your carry-ons.
Before packing, check their website www.tsa.dhs.gov
and adhere strictly to their rules. You don’t want to miss a
flight because you have a big bottle of shampoo in your bag that
prompts a full search.
One item you might want to take is a pack of
moist towelettes. Some of the best food you can eat in Mexico is
‘finger food’, such as gorditas with salsa and guacamole. If you want to clean your hands before and after, those towelettes are great, but hard to find in Mexico.
Health Insurance in Mexico
Mexico has a national health care system called the IMSS (Instituto Mexicano de Seguro Social),
however only Mexican Nationals and Legalized Immigrants are entitled to
free treatment; this includes emergency medical treatment. Mexico does
not have any reciprocal health care agreements with any other country
in the world. This means that you must pay for any treatment you
receive from private medical professionals as well as medicines and
support services from private clinics and hospitals. Some health
insurance plans offer coverage for foreign travel. However, this cover
is sometimes limited in terms of days allowed overseas, services
covered -- or both. Check with your HMO or insurer.
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