Guides & basic info

Touristic Guides

• LGBT

Language

Spanish is the official language of Mexico. Most hotels and tourist services have English-speaking staff.

Electricity

Voltage in Mexico is 110V at 60Hz. Plugs are Type B, with flat pins, as the ones used in the USA. We recommend you bring your own adapter, for they are not always available at hotels.

Measurement units

Mexico utilizes the metric system for distances (km), and Centigrade degrees (ºC) for temperature.

Climate

The weather is mild in the winter, hot and dry in April and May. The rainy season starts in May and lasts until October, with sunny mornings and cloudy, rainy afternoons. It can be cold in the mornings and in the evenings, especially during the winter. Average temperature is 16ºC (61ºF). Check the weather forecast.

Business hours

Normal opening hours for public and private offices and businesses are Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm, sometimes with a break between 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm for lunch. Shopping malls open Monday to Saturday from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm, and they are often open on Sundays too. Bank offices are open Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, and some of them also open on Saturdays from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm.

Tips

In Mexico the custom is to leave a 10% tip -15% if the service was exceptional- over the total of the check at restaurants, bars and cafes. Some businesses include the tip in the check so we recommend you look carefully. It is also customary to leave a service tip to waiters, valets, gas station attendants, bellboys and other service providers. Not tipping is considered rude.

Phone calls

Check roaming charges with your service provider for calls from your cell phone.

We recommend you purchase a phone card, available at convenience stores, magazine stands, hotels, travel agencies and the airport. To make a call follow these steps:

Long-distance calls:

• To make a call within Mexico dial area code + number
• To make a call to a local cell phone number dial number (10 numbers)
• To make a call to a cell phone in a different state of the Republic dial area code + number
• To make a call to the USA and Canada dial 001 + area code + number
• To make a call to foreign countries dial 00 + country code + area code + number

For operator-assisted long-distance calls dial 020 from a Mexican phone or 090 if you are calling from an international line.

For local information (in Spanish and English) please dial 040.

Recommendations for your security

You shouldn't run into any problems in Mexico City if you follow these recommendations:

1. Avoid ostentation: do not carry jewelry or shiny accessories when you go on the streets.
2. Keep an eye on your wallet at all times, especially at very crowded, touristy places.
3. Keep your important documents and valuable objects in the safety box of your hotel.
4. Carry only the money you need for the day's expenses and a credit card. You can get money out at any ATM anytime.
5. Carry an official ID with you, the original or a copy.
6. Avoid solitary, dark places.
7. Use the taxis from official stops (white).
8. Ask for a receipt of every purchase. Should you have any problems, the Consumer Protection Office (Procuraduría Federal del Consumidor - Profeco) can help you with any issue relative to shopping and services. 

No circulation days

If you are coming by car, check here on which days you may circulate depending on your licese plate.