What to see, what 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.

Reservations are generally not necessary, except for very touristy sites and the rare places that require them (for example, the Museo Frida Kahlo in Mexico City). If you're planning a small-group excursion, it may be a good idea to book in advance, especially if your time on site is limited and your schedule inflexible.

Most sites charge an entrance fee of between $50 and $100, sometimes more than double that for the most popular tourist spots. Some sites offer preferential rates to Mexicans or residents of their state. Students, teachers, children and the elderly (65 and over) often benefit from reduced rates, whatever their country of origin, on presentation of an identity and/or professional card.

Mexico offers festivals, shows and performances all year round. In February, Carnival is celebrated in many cities, but it's in Mazatlán and Veracruz that the celebrations are most impressive. National Independence Day is celebrated in September. On this occasion, the head of state rings the bells of the Zocaló in Mexico City and pushes el grito to commemorate the heroes of the revolution. Finally, the country's most important holiday takes place at the beginning of November: El Día de los Muertos is an opportunity for Mexicans to celebrate their dead in an explosion of color and joy.

We cannot recommend enough that you take the services of a guide to discover the archaeological zones. Unfortunately, the explanatory notes are often limited (if not non-existent) and you miss out on fascinating information about the pre-Hispanic peoples and their customs. Organized tours are an excellent way to explore the many facets of Mexico and meet the people in the local communities. This is a particularly good option for those who do not have a vehicle and are unable to explore a region on their own. In every city where there are tourists, travel agencies offer a variety of tours lasting several hours or days. Ask your hotel or youth hostel for more information. In some cities, guided walking tours are offered free of charge by Free Tour (www.freetour.com). You should always leave a tip for your guide, but be especially generous when you take a free tour.

Smoking is strictly prohibited indoors. Archaeological zones, nature reserves and certain protected areas are entirely non-smoking. In Mexico City, smoking in the Centro Histórico is now punishable by a fine. Smoking is not forbidden on beaches, although some members of parliament are trying to change the law. In any case, be respectful of the environment and don't leave your cigarette butts lying around.

If you wish to hire a guide to visit an archaeological area or tourist site, beware of those who approach you at the entrance: they are not official guides and their competence is not guaranteed. If you can't find an official guide, don't hesitate to talk to the guides who canvassed for you at the entrance, to gauge their level of knowledge, their English (if you're not fluent enough in Spanish) and their rates.