Daily Life

Time Zone

Check the Mexico Time Zone Map for the part of Mexico you plan to visit. Like the United States, Mexico is a large country with multiple time zones.

Weather

The following are average temperatures, not extremes. As in the U.S., weather patterns can vary. We recommend checking weather sites on the internet for the region of Mexico and the time of year you will be traveling.

In Mexico City and in Cuernavaca, there are two distinct seasons: rainy and dry. The rainy season extends from late May to late October. During this time period, it rains frequently. The total monthly rainfall ranges from 5 to 11 inches, and temperatures average in the mid to upper 70s. The dry season temperatures from November to January are cooler with highs in the upper 60s to low 70s; lows range from 50° to 55°F. February is a transition month of increasing temperatures, and from March to May (before the rains begin) temperatures increase to the 80s and even low 90s. Year-round temperatures fluctuate from night/early morning to mid-afternoon. We recommend that you plan to wear layers of clothes so that you can wear a long sleeve shirt or sweater in the morning and take it off in the afternoon as the sun gets stronger.

In mountainous regions, such as the highlands in Chiapas, Oaxaca or the Sierra Norte de Puebla, daytime temperatures are warm (70s & 80s), but evenings during November through February can be very cold with temperatures dropping as low as the upper 30s. Keep in mind that there will not be central heating!

Money

Most participants find USD $150-$250 to be sufficient spending money for a two-week trip in Mexico. Of course, your personal spending habits dictate how much you should bring. For current information on exchange rates, visit http://www.xe.com.

Plan to bring an ATM card if you have one, along with some cash. We recommend exchanging your dollars into pesos at the airport upon arrival in Mexico. Money exchanges will not accept U.S. dollar bills that are worn, written upon, or torn. CGEE strongly encourages you to use a money belt.

ATMs are relatively accessible in urban areas. Credit cards are accepted in many shops and restaurants.

Important: It is a good idea to call your bank and/or credit card company to let them know that you will be using your card outside of the United States during a set time period. Some people encounter trouble using a ATM or credit card abroad because it is paused due to "suspicious activity."