ASAP
__ Ensure passport is up to date and check in with your country's website for other relevant travel documentation. The Tourist Card replaces the need for a travel visa.
__ Purchase phrasebooks and download any language apps to help you communicate more effectively in Mexico City. See the Communication page for some suggestions.
A few months before
__ Register for the ARLIS/NA 51st annual conference. Look for available tours and workshop opportunities to fit in your schedule.
__ Book plane ticket and make your hotel reservation. Use the conference hotel reservation link through the conference event page to receive the discounted rate for the conference.
__ Start planning any extra excursions you would like to enjoy during your stay in Mexico City. See the Self-Guided page and local guide map for ideas. Identify which destinations require extra planning on your part - booking tour guides, figuring out transportation logistics, booking advanced reservations for museums or restaurants that require it, etc.
2 weeks before
__ Go to your bank or local financial institution to convert currency for at least 1-2 days. Don't leave this to the last minute - your bank may need to get currency shipped from elsewhere if they don't have enough on hand. See the Money page for more info on converting currency.
A week before
__Check the weather and start packing!
__ Print out your conference schedule or add your schedule to your digital calendar so you can coordinate tours/activities, meals, and conference presentations.
__Gather your passport and other travel documents to place in an easy to access part of your luggage.
__ Make sure all rideshare, communication, and other relevant apps are downloaded so you can easily utilize them once you are in Mexico City. If any apps are new to you, take them for a test drive beforehand to get comfortable with their features.
__ Stay hydrated, get plenty of rest, and pack ibuprofen/naproxen to help prevent altitude sickness and soften the effects of jet lag.
Mexico voted to end Daylight Savings Time in 2023 so clocks will not be springing forward in Mexico City this March. This means that many travelers will have an extra hour to adjust to as you arrive for the conference in April.
To reduce the effects of both jet lag and altitude sickness make sure that you are well-rested and well hydrated before, during, and after your trip. Sources like National Geographic, Frommer's, and Forbes also mention booking your arrival/departure times thoughtfully.
Mexico City in April will be fairly cool and comfortable. The high will be around 80 degrees Fahrenheit and the low around 50 degrees Fahrenheit. The conference will be held a couple of months before the rainy season starts in June, so chances of showers are relatively low. Check The Weather Channel or your preferred weather website/app a few days before traveling to help you pack a comfortable wardrobe.
Mexico City has an altitude of over 7,000 feet (2,000 meters). Visitors who live at lower elevations may need some time to acclimate to the lower pressure and reduced oxygen levels. Drink lots of bottled water, take aspirin or ibuprofen, and go slow the first day to help prevent altitude sickness. Refer to the CDC's Yellow Book chapter on High-Altitude Travel and Altitude Sickness for more information. For a resource in more layman's terms, REI has a basic guide on preventing and treating altitude sickness.