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GDP: US$815.3 billion
GDP per head: US$8300
Annual growth: 4.8%
Inflation: 18.6%
Major industries: Food and beverages, tobacco, chemicals, iron and steel, petroleum, mining, textiles, clothing, motor vehicles, consumer durables, tourism
Major trading partners: USA, Canada, Japan

Traveling Guidelines

Visas: Citizens of many countries - including the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Argentina, Chile and virtually all Western European countries - do not require visas to enter Mexico as tourists. However, they must obtain a Mexican government tourist card (tarjeta de turista), available from embassies or at border crossings. Travelers entering Mexico from Guatemala or Belize are often given only 15 days on their tourist cards.
Health risks: Cholera, dengue fever, hepatitis, malaria, polio, rabies, tetanus, typhoid. Air pollution in Mexico City is extremely high between December and May.
Time: Most of Mexico is on Central Standard Time (6 hours behind UTC). Baja California Sur and several other states in the northwest are on Mountain Standard Time (7 hours ahead of UTC) and Baja California Norte is on Pacific Standard Time (8 hours ahead of UTC).
Electricity: 110V, 60Hz
Weights & measures: Metric
Tourism: Estimated 16.5 million visitors per year

Ideal Time to Visit

Mexico's climate varies according to the country's topography. It's hot and humid along the coastal plains on both sides of the country, but inland, at higher elevations (such as in Guadalajara or Mexico City), the climate is much drier and more temperate.

The hot, wet season is May to October. The southern coastal regions can be uncomfortably hot and extremely humid between July and September. Unless you want to do nothing but lie on the beach and avoid occasional downpours, it's best to avoid the southern coast of Mexico during these months - especially since July and August are also the peak holiday months for foreign visitors and the coastal resorts attract large numbers of tourists.

October to May is the most pleasant time to visit since it is fairly dry and still comfortably warm. December to February are generally the coolest months, but north winds can make inland northern Mexico decidedly chilly, with temperatures sometimes approaching freezing. The peak domestic travel periods are Semana Santa (the week before Easter) and Christmas/New Year, when facilities are often heavily booked.

Events

Mexico's frequent fiestas are full-blooded, highly colorful affairs that often go on for several days and add a great deal of spice to life. There's a major national holiday or celebration almost every month, to which each town adds almost as many local saints' days and fairs. Carnaval (Carnival), held late February or early March, the week or so before Ash Wednesday, is the big bash before the 40-day penance of Lent. Día de los Muertos is held on 2 November (when the souls of the dead are believed to return to earth), and is perhaps Mexico's most characteristic fiesta. Families build altars in their homes and visit graveyards with garlands and gifts to commune with their dead ancestors. Sweets resembling human skeletons are sold in almost every market.