Do you have any advice about the airports at México City and Querétaro?
For the México City Airport:
• Do not let your luggage out of your sight even for a second, bag snatching is not uncommon.
• Once in the main terminal, do not talk to cab drivers and others who come up to you. Ignoring them is best, as they may try to convince you to take a cheap cab to your final destination. This will cost you more than you bargained for, and may not be safe. If you are staying in México City and need to take a cab, there is a Taxi Stand inside the main Terminal where you can buy the taxi tickets and then proceed outside to where the authorized taxis are located.
For the Queretaro Airport:
• This is a small airport, not many flights arrive here.
• If you need to take a taxi, there is a taxi ticket counter when you get out of the customs area. Buy your ticket there and proceed outside of the airport where you will see the taxi line. Have your homestay address available. It is about 35-40 min. ride to downtown.
Price: Approx. $20 USD one way (This price may vary)
Is there a bus from the México City airport to Querétaro?
Yes, there is a direct first-class bus and it’s a 3-hour trip. Buses leave directly from the Airport.
Price: Approx. $25 USD one way (This price may vary)
Bus line: Primera Plus
www.primeraplus.com.mx
To find the buses:
• Buses leave directly from the Airport.
• There are two terminals in the México City Airport. Buses to Querétaro leave from both terminals.
• First, they leave from Terminal 2, then they stop at Terminal 1 and then they go to Querétaro.
Terminal 2:
Leave the international customs area and make a right. Walk straight ahead until the end. Go through the glass doors and you will see the bus terminal. You have to buy the ticket first at the ticket stand for Primera Plus buses to Queretaro and then proceed to board the next bus. There you will find clearly marked signs which indicate the destination areas; look for the one that says “Querétaro”.
Terminal 1:
Leave the international customs area and find an escalator to the second floor, go to the food court. Proceed directly through the food court and look for the glassed hallway. Straight ahead you will see the “ticket sales” stand. Here you may purchase your bus ticket to Querétaro.
Once you buy your ticket you can proceed to the bus boarding areas. There you will find clearly marked signs which indicate the destination areas; look for the one that says “Querétaro”.
On arrival to Querétaro bus station, students can take a taxi to their accommodation.
Price: Approx. $4 -8 USD one way (This price may vary).
As you enter the bus station look for the taxi ticket counter. Buy your ticket there and proceed outside of the bus station and make a leſt, you will see the taxi line. Have your homestay address available. Do not talk to cab drivers and others who come up to you. Ignoring them is best, as they may try to convince you to take a cheap cab to your final destination. This will cost you more than you bargained for, and may not be safe.
Terminal 2:
Bus schedule
Terminal 1:
About 20 min. aſter the departure time of terminal 2.
Times may chance please check before you arrive at:
www.primeraplus.com.mx
•• (This is the last bus so please make sure you will arrive in México City at least an hour and a half before so you will have enough time to go through customs).••
What documents are required to enter México?
• This varies by nationality and by age, so please check with your airline or travel agent when booking your flight and for more information contact the Mexican Embassy.
• Foreign citizens are required to have a valid passport. When entering México, you will go through Immigration, where they will check your documents and stamp your tourist card. Write the number of days you will be in México on this card. Be sure to put the correct number of days or longer. DON’T LOSE THIS CARD, you must turn it in when you leave the country.
• You are also required to carry a photo ID and a photocopy of your passport and tourist card with you throughout your stay in México.
• For further information please contact the Mexican embassy or consulate.
Are additional documents required for minors under 18 years old?
Please check with your airline and country authorities for these specifics.
Do I need Health Insurance?
When you come to our school, we require you to have PROOF OF MEDICAL INSURANCE that covers you during your stay with us. If you do not have medical insurance, you will be asked to sign a document which release Olé of any legal responsibility for not having insurance during your stay. We recommend that you acquire one for the length of your stay. This is a company we have worked with before: The agency is HTH
Worldwide Insurance Services (www.hthstudents.com)
Health recommendations
• No vaccinations are generally required to enter México but you may want to check with your local physician for recommendations several weeks before traveling.
• To avoid getting sick, it is recommended that you wash your hands with soap and water often; you might even want to bring hand sanitizer with you especially use aſter handling money.
• Also, don't eat food purchased from street vendors, and eat only pasteurized dairy products. Eat only thoroughly cooked food and if eating raw fruits and vegetables, only those that have been peeled. Remember: boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it.
Where can I buy Pesos?
• The easiest way is with a debit or credit card which works in ATM machines here just as it does in other countries.
• You can also exchange your money to pesos at the México City and Querétaro Airports.
• The currency exchange stores are usually open from 5 am to 9 pm.
What is the exchange rate?
The rates change daily.
What is the weather like in Querétaro?
In Querétaro it is usually warm all year round. Over the course of the year the temperature usually varies from 48° - 90°F (6° - 30°C) and is rarely below 36°-96°F (2° - 32°C). during the day, sometimes it can be hotter.
Warm evenings in summer and cool evenings in winter. Check www.weather.com.
What should I pack?
• December through February the weather is cooler so bring warm clothes; sweater and jacket. It feels cooler inside than outside, many times homes do not have heating systems.
• May through September is the rainy season in México. Generally, it rains in the evening, so a raincoat and/or umbrella is necessary. It can be quite hot in April and May before the rainy season begins.
• Dress is informal if you are not going to work, offices, etc. So casual clothing is fine. We suggest that you dress modestly in México. At school and with your host family shorts are fine, but in town you are better off in slacks, jeans or dresses/skirts.
• Short shorts or revealing tops may make you feel uncomfortable.
• Mexican men tend to dress in jeans/slacks and button-down shirts.
• Women tend to wear dresses, skirts, jeans or pants.
Comfortable walking shoes are a must.
Small backpack
Sunscreen
Hat
Hand sanitizer
Travel size toiletries
Water bottle
• Supply of prescription medication to last your entire stay. Be sure to put them in your carry-on luggage.
• Over the counter medicine, you can find these in México but you may want to bring a small supply of the medicine and first aid items that you normally use. If you need to use a specific type or brand, please bring the necessary amount as they may not be available in México.
• For class you will need pens, pencils and spiral notebooks and a Spanish dictionary is helpful.
What are typical business hours?
Businesses are open Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, and from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Museums and archeological sites are usually open 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, but museums are usually closed on Mondays. On Saturdays these hours may vary.
When and how much should I tip?
• Airport pick-up service drivers do not expect to be tipped.
• You do not tip your host family, but if you'd like to bring them a little gift from home, or take them for a beverage sometime during your stay, it would be a nice gesture.
• If eating out, your servers will appreciate a 10% to 15% tip.
• No tip for taxi drivers is needed just check before getting a cab what the price will be.
• There is Uber & Cabify service in Querétaro, no tip is necessary.
Will I need an electrical converter?
• Electrical current in México is the same as in the USA and Canada. Europe and some countries in Asia do use different current and you will need an electrical converter. The sockets, though, may not work with your appliance's plug, as some do not have the grounding plug hole, or it may have two equally sized flat slots, not accommodating a plug with a wider grounding prong. If necessary, purchase an adapter before you come, or you can buy one here in México.
Will my cell phone work in México?
Check with your mobile phone company and be sure to understand what the costs will be for using your mobile phone in México.
How much spending money should I bring?
This is difficult to say without knowing your spending habits, but students generally budget an average of $10-20 USD per day for incidentals, shopping, nightlife, etc.
Is Querétaro a safe City?
Querétaro is considered one of the safest and cleanest cities in México, but as in any city you should take normal precautions.
Does Olé have a doctor on staff?
There is no staff doctor, but Olé does provide advice on doctors if needed. Each doctor will charge the student directly, even if you have medical insurance. In most cases, to receive your reimbursement you have to send the receipt to your Insurance Company. Querétaro has medical facilities similar to other major industrialized cities.
Can I get an internet connection in Querétaro?
Yes, here at Olé we offer free WiFi service. Other parts of the city can offer WiFi depending where you’re at.
What meals are included with the homestay?
The host families provide three (3) meals a day: breakfast (desayuno), lunch (comida), and dinner (cena). On Sundays most mothers do not cook, but you can make use of the kitchen to prepare your own meal. The main meal in México is the "comida".
Do the families provide laundry service for personal items?
Yes, host families will let you use their washer but you must buy your own soap. We strongly recommend you use a laundry service. The charges are reasonable and they provide free pick-up and delivery service.
Does my host family provide towels and sheets?
Yes, and they will launder them once a week for you.
Are the rooms at the homestay air-conditioned?
Rooms are not air conditioned; but the majority have fans.
What happens if I get lost in the city?
Bring the name of your host family, address and phone number with you at all times. In case you get lost you can always take a taxi and show them the address.
Can you provide some interesting links?
Consejo Estatal para la Cultura y las Artes
www.conaculta.gob.mx/
Información Turística del Estado de Querétaro
www.queretaro.travel/
What to do in Querétaro
www.de-paseo.com
Mexico tourism board
www.visitmexico.com
Buses from the airport to Querétaro
www.primeraplus.com.mx
Some suggestions our students have made:
• Bring student ID. It can get you a discount in many places and can sometimes lower the price of bus tickets.
• Bring good shoes as big sizes are very difficult to find in the stores.
• Bring any specific medicines you might need.
• If you bring cash, make sure the bills are crisp and new with no extra marks or writing on them as Banks will not change them like this.
• Ask the taxi driver in Querétaro what the fare will be before you get in (most fares $2 - $7 USD). City buses are good too.
• Movie theatres are cheap. Wednesday 1/2 price off.
• If you use the Laundry service, it can average around $10 USD per week.
• It rains fairly often and unexpectedly during the summer, so bring a raincoat or a small umbrella.
