"Aquascalientes" México by Davart

I travelled here a number of time on work and while before going there I never heard of the place. Aquascalientes, it mean hot water do to the natural hot springs in the area, is one of the smallest states in Mexico. Great food, great people and lots to see. I'm writing this nearly 4 years after the fact so I might be rusty on what I remember.
The food is fantasic and the Feista de San Marcos in April is nothing but a huge party that last a month until May 5th (Cinco de Mayo) as with anyplace if you're not from around there you might get charged more than the locals. I remember one store that wanted US$200 for a pair of sunglasses, I got a local to go buy them US$8 which is still a lot in Mexico but it's better than 200! Try the food, try lots of it, street vendors, alley shops and the finer dinning places are great.
I promise to add more as I get time to do it ... so don't slam me for being brief, please.

Expoplaza

Try to learn spanish or at least some phases. As with any culture if you speak the tongue you'll get further down the road. Smile start and prices drop. Spanish and Englist are not that far apart if you pay attention, I'm not claiming to be an expert I'm not, I know enough to get by and that's about it. If you need a cab have the hotel call it for you and find out the price, some cabbies will jack it when they see a non local face. You'll still likely pay more than the average Mexican but then again if you're American you'll likely have about 500 times the money they do too.
Clearly the futher away from the downtown area you get the lower the prices get and most vendors are just happy to be selling something. Don't be afraid of the food, but beware of the water. Mexico doesn't have the same water filtation that most western countries have, and thus if you drink it plan to send time in the bano. So don't say no one told you! :-)

If it's to far to walk then you'll have to take a cab. If you find an honest cabby that knows their way around, get there name and request them by name or hire them for the day. Some cabbies will skip "work" and drive you around all day in there own car, less money out of your pocket and more in theirs a win-win for the two of you. Note that in Mexico "STOP" signs seem to mean speed up and beat the car to the intersection, I don't think I ever saw a car stop at a stop sign. Most of the raod are in bad shape and your butt will know it at the end of the day, Mexico is making efforts to improve it's infastructure. Most taxi are in poor shape and have only windows down for A/C thus the speed. Street kids are at every corner begging and washing windows or selling some that is for the most part worthless. It makes a stronge comment on the economy of Mexico. Everytime I flew into Mexico I had kids, young kids fighting to carry my bags for mear pennies. At first you heart goes out to these kids but after a while they really start to get on your nerves. You make the call for yourself.

• Pros:Cheap prices if deal with honest vendors.
• Cons:Price jacking for those out of towners.
• In a nutshell:Lean a little spanish, and all will be well!