1.  Mexico is a Foreign Country. 
 

It is important to keep in mind that Mexico is a foreign country (unless you are a Mexican National).  The laws and customs are different than in the United States or Canada, but people tend to be the same no matter where you go.  If you treat people with respect and courtesy and honor their laws and customs, you will find Mexico and the Mexican people warm and friendly. 

Although Mexico is rapidly changing, the majority of the people are poor (relative to North Americans) and rely on tourism and tourists as their primary means of income.  Be generous.  A few extra pesos won’t break you, and it may mean a lot to a local merchant or worker.

Firearms and ammunition are not legal in Mexico, but you will see soldiers and police with rifles. Don’t be alarmed, it is just the way it is.

There tend to be just two seasons in Mexico.  The dry season is approximately from December to June.  Temperatures are wonderful, and the humidity is lower.  The wet season is usually from late June to October.  Temperatures are warmer, and the humidity is high.  If you are on the beach or poolside, it doesn’t matter.
 

2.  Passports.
 

Passports are now required for entry to Mexico (as of 2007).  In addition, if you are traveling with your children and your spouse or ex-spouse is not with you, you will need a notarized letter from said spouse allowing you take the kids out of the country.
 

3.  At the Airport.

The airport is always an interesting place.  All the happy faces of people coming to have an incredible vacation, and all the sad faces of people who have to leave. (Que Lastima…what a pity!). 

Note: The time in Lo de Marcos is now the same time as the Puerto Vallarta airport as of April 4, 2010.  Set your smartphone to Puerto Vallarta time (if the time setting is on "Automatic," it may default to the wrong time zone). 

The airport is a good place to get pesos.  There are ATM’s available (and ATMs generally provide the best exchange rate), and also there are a couple of money exchange Cambios.  We recommend using the ATM, a better exchange rate even with the small fee charged.  You also will see the money exchange kiosks in the baggage claim area.  The ATM’s are located past the car rental booths on the right before exiting the airport building.

Most of the major car rentals have rental desks in this same area of the airport, and many will take you offsite to get your car.  If you use Gecko-Rent-A-Car, they will be there waiting to pick you up with your name on a little sign.  Taxis are available, but for some reason are more expensive onsite at the airport.  The rates are somewhat fixed and can be negotiated down sometimes ($1000 pesos to Lo de Marcos is a good price).  There are yellow taxis waiting across the foot bridge that are much cheaper than the airport taxis, expect to pay between $800 to $1,000 pesos to travel to LDM. 

There is also a public bus service from the Airport area to Lo de Marcos.  The name of the bus to take is the Compostela. You can catch the bus across the highway at the end of the footbridge.  It is very cheap, maybe about $60 pesos.  Make sure that the bus says “Lo de Marcos” painted on the windshield, and/or ask the driver to confirm.

If you have a lot of luggage, it is probably worth it to get some help carrying your bags. Don’t worry, the guys with hand trucks are everywhere. Charge is $1 USD/$20 pesos per bag.  The porter will take your luggage to a waiting car or airport taxi only at the airport only.
 

4.  Money.

Cash is King. Mexico is a cash country, so don’t get caught short.
 

• Banks, and Cambios:  Make sure you have your passport.  Again, ATM’s give the best exchange rate.  ATMs and money exchanges (Cambio) are available everywhere in PV, but scarcer up north.  Lo de Marcos does NOT have a Cambio, but there is an ATM machine at the gas station right on the highway at the entrance to town and on the west side of the town plaza.  (However, at times the ATM machine is out of order.)  It is advised to get pesos at the ATMs at the airport or banks along the way.  Many banks are no longer exchanging dollars for pesos but they do have ATM’s.  Bucerias has a bank with ATM’s.  La Penita (9 miles north of Lo de Marcos) has a bank and an ATM.  San Pancho now has an ATM nearby the hospital.  Most of the larger grocery stores have ATM’s generally located in front of the check stands.
   

• Credit Cards and Checks: Very few establishments north of Puerto Vallarta Bay accept credit cards.  Cash is best. Most places will not accept traveler’s checks, but fortunately all the Cambios do.  Have your passport ready.
   

5.  Transportation.

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• Car Rentals: 
  Rentals are available at the airport with all major rental companies (Hertz, Dollar, etc.).  It is best to book in advance (online) to assure the best price and that you have a car when you arrive.  We have had great luck with Gecko-Rent-A-Car in Bucerias.  No hassles, no hidden costs (the price they quote you includes taxes and insurance), and they even pick you up at the airport, meeting you with your name on a sign as you come out of the baggage area.  They will take an imprint of your valid credit card and total up the charges upon return of the car.  Contact Gecko at www.geckorentcar.com or at email geckorentcar@hotmail.com.  They will discount the rate if you pay in cash, pesos or USD.  Do ask about the cash discount upon your inquiry.
   

• Buses and Taxis: 
  Buses are available and reasonable to travel from town to town.  Some are express busses and some stop in the towns.  Taxis are available and are more expensive the further you get from Puerto Vallarta.  The cost of a taxi directly from the airport to Lo de Marcos is now arond $1,600 pesos, but if you cross the bridge over the highway the yellow cabs will transport you for around $800 to $1,000 pesos. 
  
  There is a transportation service available.  Diva Tours will pick you up at the airport, take you to our door, and take you back for a price of about $160 US round trip. Their website is www.divatours.net and their email address is info@divatours.net.  Many of our guests who return each year say that this service is very reliable.
   

• Gasoline: 
  Gasoline is readily available anywhere in Vallarta.  The government owns the gas company (PEMEX), so the price is the same everywhere.  There is are gas stations in Bucerias, La Cruz, La Penita (about 9 miles north of Lo de Marcos), and at the entrance to Lo de Marcos.  They seem to be everywhere now.  Attendants will pump your gas for you.
   

• Driving in Mexico: 
  Mexican drivers will try to pass anywhere, so be a defensive driver.  When you want to turn left off of a two lane highway with NO LEFT HAND TURN LANE, you will need to pull off to the RIGHT and wait for traffic to clear.  We now have a left hand turn lane coming into Lo de Marcos – a very exciting recent development!  VERY IMPORTANT:  Turning your left blinker on (on a two lane highway) signals the driver behind you to pass.
  
  The Green Angels are a free Government road service, which cruise around helping broken down motorists.  Wear your seat belts, as they do enforce it.  Don’t be in a hurry, let the other drivers pass; you are on vacation!
  
  The highway to Puerto Vallarta has several single-lane stretches and often slows to a crawl behind trucks going over the hills, so be sure to plan accordingly when you return to the airport. 
   

6.  Eating, Drinking and Bugs.
 

• Groceries.
  The large grocery stores you see in Mexico are just like the ones you see in the US and Canada (specials and all).  You can get most of your basic needs in Lo de Marcos, but it is fairly limited.  You can do your "big" shopping at the MEGA Commercial Super Market, La Comer, or Chedauri in Bucerias, or the WalMart in Mescales, about 5 miles South of Bucerias.  Other supermarkets have sprung up on the highway between Puerto Vallarta and Lo de Marcos as well.  If you are renting a car from Gecko, ask for directions there.  There are also banks and ATMs located in the supermarket locations.  Costco, Wal-Mart and Sams are both about 5 miles south of the airport.
   

• Water, Ice and Produce.
  Bottled water is available everywhere, but sometimes you need to ask for it in restaurants.  Bagged ice is available in most markets, and is made with purified water.  Most restaurants use purified ice, but it never hurts to ask.  Tap water in Casa Lo de Marcos is fine for bathing, doing the dishes and swimming.  We have never had a problem.  We supply bottled water in the casita. 
  
  The rule of thumb for produce is “If you can peel it, you can eat it.”  There is an iodine based liquid called Microdyn that you can buy to wash the produce, we try to keep it on hand in the kitchen at the Casa.  They say the Bismuth in Pepto Bismol will kill the bacteria, which causes travelers' diarrhea.  A week before you enter Mexico and while you are there, take one tablespoon once a day (porque no?).
   

• Bugs.
  Use tea tree oil bug spray.  We usually spray our feet and legs with “Off.”  Sitting down in restaurants on the sand seems to be the areas where you have a problem, especially around sunset.  Keeping the spray handy usually works.  We have rarely ever had a problem with mosquitoes at the Casa.  Maybe it has to do with being on the ocean.  If you do get some bites, tea tree oil is a miracle.  It makes the itching go away immediately.  You can get it anywhere in the U.S.