Time difference Mexico

Mexico spans three time zones. For the area between Mexico City and Yucatán, the time difference with France is seven hours less. Southern Baja California, Sonora, Nayarit and Sinaloa are eight hours behind. Northern Baja California has the same time difference with France as California (minus nine hours). As Mexico has adopted daylight saving time to align itself with the New York Stock Exchange, the time difference is the same in summer as in winter. The only exceptions: the state of Quintana Roo (Riviera Maya) keeps the same time all year round, as do the states of Baja California and Sonora.

Opening hours Mexico

To see / To do Mexico

As a general rule, museums are open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm. In smaller towns or less touristy areas, museums may also be closed on Tuesdays or Sundays and during the lunch break, from 2pm to 4pm. Under normal circumstances, archaeological areas are open daily from 9am to 5pm; it's advisable to arrive as soon as they open, to avoid the crowds and have plenty of time to spare. Please note that archaeological sites close to 1h30 before closing time.

Enjoying yourself Mexico

Mexicans have a very different rhythm of life from the French. First of all, you can eat at any time of the day, on the go by ordering a few tacos in a puesto, these street stalls that attract people from 8am, or in a comedor if you are walking in a market. The main meal of the day is lunch, called comida. It is eaten quite late, around 2pm, and is relatively hearty. Many restaurants do not open until 1pm, unless they offer breakfast. Finally, dinner is a traditionally light meal, which is taken around 9pm. This does not prevent restaurants from opening for dinner and serving it as early as 6 or 7 pm. Note that more and more establishments offer continuous service and stay open all day or all afternoon.

Take a break Mexico

Cafés are open every day, especially in the city, often from 8am until early evening. Bars open in the late afternoon and may stay open until 1 or 2 am. However, since they also serve food, cantinas usually open at lunchtime and do not close until 11pm or midnight. Some bars offer a happy hour when they open, especially on weekdays.

(To) please yourself Mexico

The opening hours of the shops may vary according to the season and the region. However, most shops open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 8pm. Shops close earlier in rural areas. In very touristy areas, shops often have extended opening hours during the high season and close on certain days during the low season. Local markets generally open every day from 7am until 9pm at the latest.

Get out Mexico

Mexicans live late and love to party. On weekends, in some cases as early as Wednesday, bars and cantinas are packed to the rafters and stay open until closing time. However, bars in the cities rarely close after 2 a.m. and nightclubs are not open until the early hours of the morning: with a few exceptions, customers are kindly turned away as 4 a.m. approaches. Nightclubs are rarely open from Sunday to Tuesday, and some only open on weekends.

Shows generally take place in the evening, starting between 6 and 8pm, with occasional extra performances in the early afternoon on Saturday and Sunday.

Cancún and Playa del Carmen, for example, have been attracting party-goers from all over the world for many years for their wild parties and world-famous DJs. It's here that the nightlife is at its wildest, and the party goes on until first light.