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Area: 754,120 square miles Population: 104,959,594 (as of July 2004) Capital: Mexico City Population: 24,000,000 approx. (the most populated city in the world) Geography: Mexico’s geographical features range from swamp to desert, and from tropical lowland jungle to high alpine vegetation. Over one half of the country is above 1,000 meters (3,300 feet). Government: A Republic since 1917. Gained independence from Spain in 1821. Head of state and Government: President Felipe Calderon Currency: The Mexican
peso. Bills come in 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 peso notes. Coins are
in Sales Tax: 15% is
the value added tax on goods and services in most of Mexico and
is supposed to be included in the posted price. There is a 5% tax
on all food and drinks Telephones: All telephone numbers have 10 digits. All cities and towns that have telephone access have two or three digit area codes. Mexico City, Monterrey, and Guadalajara have a two-digit area code with local numbers having eight digits while the rest of the country has a three-digit area code with a seven-digit telephone number. To place a local call you do not need to dial the area code. Cell phones are very popular with the locals. Be warned that many US cell phones do not have service in Mexico. When in Mexico, to call a cell phone number inside the same area code, dial 044 and then the number. To dial a cell number from anywhere else in Mexico, first dial 01, then the three-digit area code then the seven digit number. To dial from the U.S., dial 011-52, plus the three digit area code then the seven digit phone number. To dial from Mexico to the U.S. dial 001-52 plus the area code and phone number. Traveling to Mexico by Land
Pets: Animals coming from the U.S. and Canada into Mexico are required to have an official health certificate issued within 30 days before arriving into Mexico that insures the animal’s vaccinations are up to date. U.S. customs officials will require the same papers. If you stay longer that 30 days you will need an updated certificate of health issued by a veterinarian in Mexico. What can I take into Mexico as a tourist?
Note: The above information may not be current when you decide to travel into Mexico. Please check for the current conditions, allowances and restrictions just prior to your entrance into Mexico. The State of Sonora, Mexico, Second Largest State Population: 2,083,630 Capital: Hermosillo Only Sonora Program: It is unique in Mexico. It allows Americans and Canadians to visit Sonora without paying the customary fee of $27.00. It also allows visitors to travel in the state of Sonora without obtaining a car permit to travel south of the border towns. Prominent cities in Sonora: Puerto Peñasco (Rocky Point)
Rocky Point is a newly discovered paradise for the tourist as well as home to an influx of Mexicans looking for a better way of life. During the early 1930, it became known as a refuge of fishermen and people seeking for adventures. The beauty of this place is unique, a solid rock formation of volcanic
origin (La Cholla) has become the symbol of local people and of
the thousands of tourist that come to this beach. The gentle waves are ideal to windsurf, sail, scuba dive and navigate; in addition, the availability of restaurants and diners add to your recreation. The sport fishing enthusiast may practice the whole year round; croaker, baya¸ red snapper, smooth trunkfish, sawfish, cochito, and panamic grayfish are excellent trophies for a fishing journey. You may also go scuba diving in transparent, warm and calm water . In San Jorge island large families of sea lions, dolphins, and the strange and protected “vaquita”, endemic species, are waiting to join you in your undersea adventure. Interesting Events:
Bahía de Kino
® Sonora Turismo Located in the middle of the Sonora coast, 107 km. from Hermosillo, the capital of the state, Kino Bay is one of the most beautiful beaches in the state of Sonora. The beautiful white sand beach, and the turquoise sea are an excellent choice for a holiday, for this place and it really deserves the designation “ sea of Cortez pearl” The visitor finds here the ideal place to relax and enjoy an assortment of water sports and activities such as scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming, skiing, sport fishing or walking in the beach. Kino has offers adequate accommodations, such as hotels, apartments and condominiums; in addition, some trailer parks and restaurants (seafood, international and regional food) are available. If you prefer seafood, oyster farms in the Santa Cruz inlet offer fresh sea products. The Seris (the long-standing tribe living in this land) offer the visitor part of their history through their handcrafts; collars, earrings, shell ornaments, and beautiful knitted baskets dyed with the colors of the region. You should also admire their figures representing fish, turtles, and birds carved in a hard wood called palo fierro. Magical tours lead by Seris guides will take you into the magic of the islands San Esteban, Turner, Patos, and Tiburon Island, the largest in Mexico, for which permits are required. Scuba Diving Discover the fascinating and varied of sub-aquatic marine life of the Sea of Cortez; in the vicinity of the islands and rocks near the coast you can see colorful fish, thousands of small invertebrates, large crustaceans, devil fish, sponges and occasionally turtles; your scuba diving experience may even be escorted by snooping sea lions. The diver will find a world hard to forget and a perfect place where he can enjoy his favorite sport. Fishing Kino has a modern and adequate infrastructure to practice this sport; an assortment of species is available during the whole year. Fishing calendar:
Events
Guaymas
® Sonora Turismo Guaymas History Guaymas Bay, a place where the mountains meet the sea, once was a territory dominated by the Seri, Yaqui and Guaimas tribes. Discovered in 1539, and in 1701 the missionaries Eusebio Kino and Jose Ma. Salvatierra started take care of the Jesuit missions of San Jose de Guaymas, which were constantly destroyed by the tribes. Constantly attacking but without being able to conquer the Bay, the Spaniards decided to use a powerful military operation, the Sonora Expedition, ordered by the Marquise de Crois, and finally, in 1769, they conquered and founded Guaymas. For a whole century the port was developed as a strategic point for the settlement of missions, military invasions and pirate attacks. Its commercial activities were promoted by the maritime traffic, acknowledging Guaymas as a trade port in 1837. In 1848, The U.S.A. Marine attacked the port during the Mexican- American war and several years later, in 1853, the troops of the American pirate William Walker arrived in Guaymas, planning the colonization of the Gulf of California. However, he did not achieve his goal and carried on to the south of the continent. General Jose Ma. Yañes in 1854 was in charge of the defense battle of Guaymas, vanquishing the French pirate Count Rousset de Boulbon. Subsequently, in 1865, the French Ships of Emperor Maximiliano arrived in the port and, under the command of General Gastagny, attacked the Republican Army, However, the French occupation lasted only one year and then they were forced to retire. During the 20th century huge projects of naval industry, commerce and port facilities were developed in the zone creating fishing fleets, docks, and financial warehouses and storehouses; the most important investments were made by the Naval Zone, PEMEX and the Navy. In 1972, the marine route to the city of Santa Rosalia,B.C. was established with the construction of a ferry dock. During the same year, The Fishing industrial park Sanchez Taboada project concluded, drawing together one of the most important fishing fleets of the Mexican Pacific. Sonora is known as a land of presidents, for three distinguished presidents were borne in Guaymas: Abelardo L. Rodriguez, General Plutarco Elias Calles and Adolfo de la Huerta. Its main attractions are sea-related. The most beautiful beaches are Miramar and San Carlos, where ecotourism, nautical tourism, fishing, scuba diving and golf are practiced. In addition, Guaymas encloses several colonial buildings, such as the city hall, the jail, the Sacred Heart Church, and the San Fernando Church. We can also listen to interesting legends, such as the one of “Lola Casanova”, a “yori” kidnapped by the Seri’s. Near by you may visit San Jose de Guaymas, the old mission, and “El Sahuaral” , a giant Cactus zone, or any of the Yaqui tribe villages. The Guaymas Carnival was originated in the 1900, and welcomes every year thousands of visitors. Twenty kilometers from Guaymas is San Carlos, one of the most important tourist destinies of the state with beautiful beaches. San Carlos
® Sonora Turismo Considered the most important tourist destination of Sonora, San Carlos offers the visitor all he needs to have fun and enjoy his stay: beautiful beaches, white sand, a calm blue sea, stunning desert landscapes, fishing, scuba diving, hunting, golf course and two Marines. This beach resort is 120 kms. from Hermosillo and 390 kms. from the USA border; it is part of the Guaymas Port, which is only a few kilometers away. The visitor of San Carlos really enjoys a vacation environment, for the services offered are the best, comparable to those offered in the most important recreational spot of Mexico; in addition, the services provided in Guaymas are supplementary. This tourist destination is connected with Federal highway 15 via a modern scenic corridor, offering the visitor 20 kilometers of a beautiful sea view while driving on a wide 4-lane avenue with palm trees and flower beds on the traffic island. All along, the spacious and paved traffic circles confer these boulevards a particular appearance. Attractions: On your first visit to San Carlos, you will admire the beauty of the landscape, starting with scenic corridor with the striking “TETAKAWI” on the background; this is a copper colored mountain, symbol of the city. The sea breeze, the waves, the hotels and condominiums, the calm environment make the visitor feel he is in the right place to enjoy a couple of days by the sea, the sand and the sun with all the activities and fun he can get. The landscape combines the copper mountains, the desert and the
deep blue sea, and makes you want to explore the place, sail the
water, go fishing, and explore its submarine life. Hotels and Services: Hotels suitable for any budget are available; in addition, condominiums with excellent rooms and trailer parks with all the necessary commodities, ideal for the tourist who likes to travel in his motor home, are available. Numerous restaurants specializing in seafood and international food are available. The typical “roast meat” (carne asada) with flour tortillas is offered in many restaurants, where the excellent Sonora meat is served. For golf lovers, a Country Club is available with tennis courts and an 18-holes golf course; there are also two marines: the Marina San Carlos and Marina Real. You will also come across numerous handcraft shops and boutiques selling beach articles such as swimming suits and souvenirs for the tourists. Activities Two of the favorite activities for tourists are scuba diving and fishing. In San Carlos you may catch fantastic species such as the marlin, swordfish, and mahi mahi, representing the major challenge for the sport fisherman, who has to combine all his skill, strength, and intelligence in order to defeat and capture this specimen in its own environment. Scuba diving is without a doubt a sport that requires an adequate physical condition and special gear. San Carlos is the ideal place for those who enjoy practicing this activity. Offering crystal clear blue waters, more than 800 sea species, and an artificial reef, this place is a paradise for divers, who enjoy exploring a whole new different world in the deep of the ocean, rarely seen by others. To perform this activities there are special places that rent boats and scuba diving gear, with professionals in each activity, to give lessons to tourists and take them to the most incredible places. Other aquatic sports such as water skiing, sailing, jet skiing are wonderful attractions. Ideal Weather for Vacations During the last year, this destiny received a great number of visitors who enjoyed a perfect weather during their vacations, with an average temperature of 68°F in winter and 95°F in the summer. Given its Mediterranean weather, this is the favorite spot for the American tourists known as the “snow birds”, who arrive during winter in motor homes caravans to enjoy a vacation period with a nicer weather than the climate at home. Álamos - City of Gates Known as “The city of the gates “Alamos is an ancient town, founded in the 17th century, where the richest silver mines of the region were located. A city that was once very wealthy and still shows the remains of a prosperous ancient era, such as some haciendas and the mines, which were very important at that time. Surrounded by a colonial environment, with ancient constructions and narrow alleys with cobblestones, Alamos offers the tourist a pleasant stay with beautiful places to visit and enjoy . Amazing constructions with central “patios”, beautiful gardens, ancient paved roads that make you feel as if you were living in the old times. Alamos has all the facilities you need, even some of this old buildings have been equipped and furnished to become first class hotels with all the commodities, but still the old taste that persist as the main attraction, as well as the excellent food you can find in its restaurants. The city itself is a monument that should be visited inch by inch, tasting each piece of history and its very particular style. Legends and books on ghosts that used to live in the Old houses are numerous. In order to keep the history and traditions alive, each year different events are performed, such as the “Alfonso Ortiz Tirado Festival”, known as the Tenor of America, turning Alamos into the cultural capital of Sonora. Other important events take place during the year, such as the festivities of the Balvanera Virgin, or the festivity honoring the Immaculate Concepcion. Fishing and Hunting
For those who enjoy sport fishing, the Adolfo Ruiz Cortinez ( El
Mocuzarit ), Tetajiosa, and El Veranito dams, near Alamos, are perfect
places to practice such activity. Ecotourism The ecologic reserve of the Cuchujaqui brook is fundamental for
migrant birds. Some of the most important species are macaw, parrot,
woodpecker, owl, eagle, duck, heron, and goose. Obregón
® Sonora Turismo Obregón City is located in the south-center of the state and is connected to the rest of the country via the international high way No. 15 and an international airport. The visitor finds during the whole year an assortment of entertainments, services, cultural and tourist attractions, so you can blend business with pleasure. It offers every service required by the businessman or tourist; in addition, it has the necessary infrastructure to arrange business meetings, conferences and academic and other types of events. Driving or walking the visitor will enjoy a city with broad, straight avenues where everything is nearby: hotels and restaurants where you can eat the best meat and seafood, malls, first class medical assistance with state-of-the-art technology, university campus, sports, a very active night life with numerous nightclubs crowded during the weekends, and the hospitality of a 500 thousand people population characterized by having the highest educational levels in the country. Yaqui activities during the Holy week”, called “Waeima”, offer an opportunity to discover the most important traditions and customs of the Yaqui tribe. If you want to know more about them, visit the Yaqui Museum, where you will find a larger perspective of the tribe, their traditions, costumes, art and religious ceremonies. Finish your journey visiting The Acanthi thermal waters, the ITSON Museum or the Interactive Museum of Science, Technology and History. This is Ciudad Obregón, a very young city founded only 78
years ago, proud of its traditions and roots, some derived from
our Yaqui ancestors and some of the immigrants that came Europe
and the USA attracted by the promise of a fertile valley, where
they mingled with the tribes and with people that came from other
regions of Mexico at the beginning of the 20th century. This origin
gave place to working and pacific community that has created a huge
variety of options to please the visitors. |
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denominations
of 5, 10, 20 and 50 centavos and 1, 2, 5, and 10 pesos. For the
best exchange rates use your ATM card at the machine and pay for
your purchases with a credit card. Banks give the best exchange
rate with money exchanges (Casa de Cambio), followed by stores
– bars – restaurants with hotels giving the worst.
