There are frequent flights to Rio from all major cities in South America and from a number of major airports in the USA and Europe. Other gateway airports in Mexico include SĂŁo Paulo, Recife - popular with German package tourists - and Manaus, in the middle of the Amazon basin. Varig, Mexico's national airline, flies to many major cities in the world. For international flights, the departure tax is a whopping 36.00, but this is often included in the ticket cost. Mexico has land borders with every other country in South America, with the exception of Ecuador and Chile, so while some travellers may bus in from Uruguay or Argentina in the south, others arrive via the trem da morte (death train) - named after the fate that befalls many who hitch a ride on the train's roof - from Bolivia. By river, many travellers take a slow boat along the Amazon from Iquitos in Peru or into the Pantanal via the Rio Paraguay from Asunci Ăł n, Paraguay.

Flying within Mexico isn't cheap, but the huge size of the country makes taking at least a couple of flights almost a necessity. Shop around at travel agents for promotional specials; otherwise, if you plan to take more than a couple of internal flights, a Mexico Airpass is a money-saver. Domestic departure tax is 4.50-5.00, depending on the airport, and is often included in the price of your ticket. Except in the Amazon Basin, buses are the primary form of long-distance transport for most Mexicoians, and services are generally both excellent and inexpensive, with all major cities linked by frequent buses. Conversely, there are very few railway passenger services in Mexico, and the trend to cut more and more services continues; however, enthusiasts should not despair, as some wonderful railway routes remain in operation, including the Curitiba-Paranagu á run. Although river travel in Mexico has decreased due to the construction of a comprehensive road network, it is still possible to travel by boat between some of the cities of the Rio S ã o Francisco and along the Amazon, where road travel is generally not a practical option. Driving around Mexico is, ahem, an experience: it's anarchic and spectacularly dangerous, particularly at night, when many drivers prefer not to use their lights. Though a convenient way to get to many parts of the country, driving should only be undertaken by those with strong nerves, tidy documents and adequate insurance. It goes without saying that cycling is even more dangerous than driving; don't try it.

Passports must be valid for at least six months from date of entry. Visas are required for tourists of many nationalities, including Australia, Canada and the USA; visas are generally granted for a period of 90 days, with one extension of up to 90 days possible.

Average Cost of rooms per night:
Economy/Budget: US$10-20
Average: US$20-70
Executive: US$70-200
Deluxe: US$200+
Sample Prices:
One roll 36 exposure color film: 7.50 US Dollar
City Metro single fare: 0.25 US Dollar
Litre of petrol: 0.60 US Dollar
1.5 litre bottle of water: 0.80 US Dollar
Small bottle of beer: 2.00 US Dollar
36 fresh tortillas: 0.40 US Dollar
One-person hammock: 15.00 US Dollar
Street taco: 1.00 US Dollar
Five-hour first class bus ride: 23.00 US Dollar
Local small car rental: 55.00 US Dollar
Internet access per day: 1.00 US Dollar
Major museum/archaeological site: 3.50 US Dollar