FAQ: A trip to any of Mexico’s destinations will be a travel experience you’ll never forget. Its landscape is lined with pristine beaches on the outside and colonial towns on the inside where many identify as Pueblos Magico. Mexico is rich in history, culture, gastronomy, music and much more. For more local information and resources download the FREE GrinGO app: www.gringoapp.com, or click on one of the Mexico States’ digital banners. For general information to make your trip to Mexico as pleasant as possible, we recommend you consider the following useful information:
What you NEED to know before you go: If you are driving down to Mexico, find out what documents are required and how to get them by clicking on the following link and going to the official source for this information: http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/
Making a Phone Call: The country code when dialing to Mexico is +52 and the long distance code is 01. When calling the United States and Canada from a Mexico number, you must first dial 001. To place other international calls, dial 00, followed by the country and city codes. In Mexico, you’ll find pay telephones in most cities; some are coin-operated phones and others require prepaid cards that cost 30, 50 or 100 pesos.
Emergency Numbers:
Maybe the most useful thing to have in any country during an emergency is a mobile telephone. The GSM network uses 112 as a worldwide emergency number. When 112 is dialled from a GSM phone, the network will automatically redirect you to the local emergency dispatch, if it’s available.
Mexico – 066, 060, or 080 (some areas direct 911 to local services)
Dial “066″ – For All Emergencies (Fire, Medical, & Police)
Dial “065″ – For Medical Emergencies (Direct #)
Dia'[l “067″ – Fire Emergencies (Direct #)
Dial “070″ or “072″ – For Police Sindicatura (Internal Affairs)
The phone number to report bad Police in Mexico is toll free 91-800-00148 or in Mexico City 604-1240.
Visas and Passports: To apply for a visa or passport, you can consult the Mexican Embassy’s website at www.sre.gob.mx . You can also consult Immigration Services at www.migracion.gob.mx.
Transportation: Mexico has an excellent highway system, airports in many major cities, and bus terminals in nearly every municipality. For local transport, most cities offer taxi and bus services. Mexico City and Leon use a so-called Metrobus, an express bus line, and Mexico City and Monterrey have underground metro services.
Today, some cities offer rideshare services with UBER being a leading industry option.
The Green Angels – The Green Angels (Angeles Verdes), Mexico’s National Road Emergency Services, patrol fixed sections of major highways daily from dawn to sunset. The bilingual drivers, in green vehicles, provide mechanical assistance, towing and first aid. Their services are free, but there is a charge for parts, fuel and lubricants; tips are appreciated. Dial 078 from any phone in Sonora to contact the Green Angels. If you are unable to contact them, pull off the road and lift the hood of your vehicle.
Internet Access: Mexico offers plenty of Internet cafes and public sites with WIFI connections. “CDMX Para Todos” is the free network ij
Weather: Average temperatures range between 25° C to 30° C (77° F to 86° F). The hottest time of the year runs from May to September (especially on the coasts), and it gets cooler from October to April.
Population: With more than 100 million inhabitants, with the largest populations concentrated in Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey (and their surrounding areas). Official Language: Spanish, although still spoken are some 66 indigenous languages, which come from pre-Hispanic cultures.
Time Zone: During the winter, the southern, eastern and some central region states are on Central Standard Time (GMT –6 hours). The north-west and Pacific coast states are on Mountain Standard Time (GMT –7 hours) and Baja California is on Pacific Standard Time (GMT –8 hours). Daylight savings time is applied during the summer.
Currency: Bills come in denominations of 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1,000 pesos. Coins are issued in denominations of five, 10, 20 and 50 cents, and one, two, five, 10 and 20 pesos (although the latter is no longer accepted in many places). The U.S. dollar is accepted at all money exchange bureaus across the country; it’s also possible to exchange such currencies as the euro and the Canadian dollar.
Leaving Tips: Generally, you should tip waiters, bellhops, skycaps (about US$1 per bag), tourist guides and valet parking attendants. In restaurants, leave 10% or 15% of the bill. Taxi drivers usually don’t expect tips.
Customs: To obtain information concerning cars and other items that you are allowed to bring into the country, visit the following websites: www.aduanas.sat.gob.mx .
Systems of Measurement: Metric (for distances), Celsius (for temperatures), and the 60-cycle, 120-volt system (for electricity).
Holidays: The most important dates are: Independence Day (September 16), Easter week (from March to April), Day of the Dead (November 2) and the Virgin of Guadalupe Day (December 12).
Other Holiday Dates: January 1, May 1 and 5, November 2 and 20, and December 25.
