Mexico Vacation Travels Pictures, Reviews, & Deals » Mexico Shopping: Details & Tips on Mexican Shops to Visit

Mexico TAXBACK Program – Get Your Tax Back!

Eduardo — Sun, 01 May 2011 19:37:26 +0000

In recent years, Mexico has finally caught up with the worldwide trend of tax back programs for international tourists. Since 2008, a privately owned company named TAXBACK started operations and is quickly expanding its business all over the country.

If you are a foreigner visiting Mexico and you are leaving the country by plane (land border crossings do not apply), you can recover a few bucks of the taxes you paid on your shopping at participating retail stores. First, you need to make sure that the total amount on your sales receipt EXCEEDS $1200 pesos (approximately 100 USD) for it to qualify under the program. If you pay cash, though, there is a maximum limit of $3000 pesos that you can apply for a tax back. There is no limit using a credit card. You can accumulate several receipts from the same store and consolidate them as one. Once you have your receipts ready, ask the merchant to issue a “factura” (Government Approved Invoice), using a generic TAX ID for tourists (called an “RFC”), which is XEXX010101000. Keep this “factura” along with your sales receipt(s).

On the day of your departure at the airport, look for the TAXBACK office at the airport, where you will be asked to show your “factura”, receipts attached, boarding pass and passport, to verify that you are indeed a foreign visitor departing Mexico by air. TAXBACK will charge a 35% processing fee of the total tax amount of you have paid and will reimburse you the difference between 40-60 days after processing.

This program currently works in Cancún, Cozumel, Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta and Mexico City, but this year they will expand to cities like Monterrey, Guadalajara, Mérida, Loreto, Acapulco, Ixtapa, La Paz, and others.

Remember that Mexico’s VAT is 16%, except for cities in the border which is 11%. You can find more detailed information at the FAQ section of the TAXBACK website. You can view a list of affiliated stores on the Destination menu, select the city and go to Shopping.

Enjoy!

Ixtapa Weddings

Vic — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 23:00:09 +0000

Having a vacation in Mexico is not all about relaxation and unwinding from your busy schedule, it is also the best place for romance and creating a new chapter in your life. Ixatapa, Mexico is a popular place for tourists to get married. Yep, Ixtapa wedding is one of the most romantic wedding ceremonies you will see.

If you are getting married, and you are looking for a place where you could make your marriage rites and inviting your close friends and relatives as your witnesses in this memorable day of your life, well Ixtapa Wedding could be perfect for you. Remember Hollywood starts getting married in a romantic beach setting? You could be just like them, but, in a more cheaper and well budgeted way.

Ixtapa, Mexico has beautiful beaches and cheap, but wonderful resorts, spas, and hotels, that could accommodate your friends and relatives. Share this memorable date of your life, where your beach wedding dress and be the most beautiful and coolest bride.

Hotels and other resorts in Ixtapa even offer wedding coordinators/event organizer to do all your wedding preparations for you. I witness an Ixtapa wedding when my family and I were on our vacation trip in Ixtapa, and I say, it was the most romantic wedding I’ve ever seen. It was very simple, the bride is not even wearing a wedding gown, but the flowers, the sunset, and the guests wearing all white beach sun dresses, and shorts, were all like in a romantic movie setting. I could say it is even romantic than in the movie because the ceremony we witness does not have any cut, it is a reality and not just a movie scene.

Dreams Los Cabos

Vic — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 02:56:49 +0000

Traveling to Mexico is one of the best experiences of your life. If you are looking for a new place to visit, try visiting Mexico. You can check out Dreams Los Cabos. It is a perfect place to stay in Los Cabos, Mexico.

Dreams Los Cabos has been considered one of the most magical destinations around the world. It is a dream paradise where you may want to spend the rest of your life. Here are some of the reasons why Dreams Los Cabos is a perfect mystical getaway to most tourists:

Nature Paradise

For most of us who are living in the city where tall buildings and skyscrapers are the most beautiful creations that we see everyday, nature tripping can be a best experience for us. If you will go to Dreams Los Cabos, you will definitely enjoy every space and living nature that you will see in this place. It comes with its enchanting mystery on how the place got its natural architectural beauty from its majestic rock formation, El Arco, to its beautiful white sand beach.

Pure Culture and History

Dreams Los Cabos does not only posses natural beauty; it comes with a very rich heritage and cultural history. You will get to enjoy the beautiful architectural designs of Los Cabos.

If you have a modern taste, you will definitely love Dreams Los Carbos Luxurious hotel. The locals here provide excellent services and you will definitely be treated like Queens and Kings. The hotel comes with different suite accommodations filled with amenities that you and your family will enjoy. If you are on a budget, you will still be able to get the suite that you love without ripping off your budget.

Pure Enjoyment and Fun

From Jacuzzi, internet, 24-hour room service, spa, recreational and water adventures, name it, Dreams Los Cabos, Mexico got it. You and your family will surely have a wonderful time in this place.

Mexico Pottery: Puerto Vallarta

nixxi — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 14:22:35 +0000

Puerto Vallarta, a small town in Mexico has been successfully booming in the pottery business for the past few decades. They offer a wide selection of world class Poblana Talavera pottery from the leading stores in Puerto Vallarta.

This is an example of Talavera pottery that is sold in Puerto Vallarta. Pieces can be made to order if you want to have a specific design and they can do most conventional dinnerware sets, table settings and individual pieces.

All of the ceramics produced are handmade and individually crafted by skilled artisans in Puebla Mexico, and they have been in this trade for over 400 years. They, as a people, have a colorful history and yet they keep humble even when their craftsmanship is revered throughout the world. Today, the craft is handed down from generation to generation so that this type of ceramic need never be lost in time.

So if you want to buy some wonderful ceramics, you can head on down to Puerto Vallarta.

Mexico Shopping: Taxco

nixxi — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 11:39:36 +0000

If you want to go shopping in Mexico and you’re a silver fanatic, the town of Taxco is a must visit spot for you. Taxco is Mexico’s “Silver Capital” and anyone who is looking to add some silver jewelry, utensils, and anything silver, they must visit Taxco for their world class silver. Taxco doesnt really have malls or large markets but it will make up for the impeccable silver craftsmanship that is sold there. For silver lovers, it is a must see when coming to Mexico.

This shop is just one of the countless silverware boutiques that you can find in Taxco. The selections are endless and you will surely find yourself purchasing more than what you came for. So make it part of your itinerary to come and visit and shop in Taxco, home of Mexico’s finest silver.

Your Medical Insurance and Your Mexico Travel

dooce — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 00:27:05 +0000

If you will travel to Mexico, you need to make sure that your medical insurance will cover your medical requirements when you travel to Mexico. Unfortunately, your medical insurance might not be able to cover any medical expenses in Mexico City.

So, you might be used to the idea like in Europe where you are free for all your medical treatment and expenses there. In Mexico there is a reciprocal agreement in the place so your private medical insurance at home will not cover up any medical related expenses or needs in Mexico. However, do not be worried about this because medical expenses in Mexico is far much affordable as compared the medical services we have back home.

Mexico Travel Tips: Banks, Office Hours, and Church in Mexico

dooce — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 11:01:53 +0000

If you want to do some bank transactions in Mexico, you need to know that banks in Mexico Mexico operates from a commercial view point. Branches of different banks are open from 9 in the morning to 4 in the afternoon in many cities of Mexico and big towns.

HSBC Mexico branch usually opens from 8 in the morning to 8 in the afternoon six days a week. For commercial office that are US or UK branch, usually their business hours opens at 8 in the morning until 6 in the afternoon. Lunch break usually last from an hour from 12 noon until 1 in the afternoon.

If you will visit churches in Mexico, some of the churches are open permanently. However, others are closed when they do not have any service especially if the church have some valuables or expensive artifacts inside.

Mexico Travel Tips: Public Holidays and Business Hours in Mexico

dooce — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 10:21:44 +0000

If you will travel to Mexico business hours in big towns for shopping is around 10 or 11 am. It will continue until 9 to 10 pm. Most of the shops in the cities of Mexico are open 7 days a week. Smaller stores may be closed on Sundays, except for tourist spots at high season.

Public holdays like Easter and Christmas are observed and most establishments are closed. However, big holiday stores and bigger towns and tourist spots are still open.

Smaller towns will more likely to have limited opening hours. Usually they are closed between 2 in the afternoon until 4 PM. You can also check locally before you go out of your hotel and ask if the destination you want to go is open.

Tiangui-Shopping: Mexican Style

sherylem — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 18:00:12 +0000

Tianguis (Bazaars) are a way of life in Mexico long before the Colombians came. In fact, it is believed that Mexicans have practiced and patronized Tianguis even from the time of the Aztecs. But unlike the modern bazaars, these tianguis are mobile, they pop up in any given town, at any given day to ply their wares.Â It is an interesting aspect of Mexican life because here is a variety and size of merchandise and produce sold at a cheap that you won’t see anywhere in the big supermarket chains. It is a one-stop shop where you can buy anything and everything from vegetables, toys, fresh seafood, meat and poultry, videogames, kitchen utensils, beddings and clothes, and a whole lot more.

You have to remember though that in this type of commerce, you have to learn how to haggle to get the best value for your money.

Paradisus Riviera Cancun, Puerto Morelos

kathy — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 07:00:27 +0000

This beautiful hotel that is modeled on a Mayan Village is halfway between Cancun and Playa del Carmen. The hotels staff will surely treat you like royalty from the moment they pick you up at the Cancun airport which is only a short 15 minutes ride. As soon as you arrive at the hotel, you can treat yourself to international cuisine and entertainment at six world-class restaurants and seven premium bars or at their award-winning spa which is by the way certified by The Leading Spas in the World to take away all your exhaustion from the travel. Also you can even take a dip to one of their 3 waterfront pools featuring exquisite Bali beds underneath luxurious oceanfront palapas.

Paradisus Riviera Cancun offers a total of 496 oversized Suites, including 136 Royal Service Suites and four Ambassador Beachfront Suites. Each of them constructed with only the finest and most luxurious in dÃ©cor, architecture and amenities. Some of the suites are in European-style and amenities that are beyond compare.

Lowest guaranteed rate starts at $185. Visit Paradisus-Riviera-Cancun.com