Assistance and orientation

Embassies and Consulates in Britain

Mexican Embassy
42 Hertford Street, London W1Y 7TF
Tel: (0171) 499 8586. Fax: (0171) 495 4035.

Consular Section of the Mexican Embassy
8 Halkin Street, London SW1X 7DW
Tel: (0171) 235 6393. Fax: (0171) 235 5480 (visa information). Opening hours: 0930-1300 Monday to Friday; recorded visa information out of hours.

Trade Commission of the Mexican Embassy
5th Floor, 3 St James' Square, London SW1Y 4JU
Tel: (0171) 839 6586. Fax: (0171) 839 4425. Opening hours: 0930-1730 Monday to Friday.

Mexicana Airlines
215 Chalk Farm Road, London NW1 8AF
Tel: (0171) 284 2550. Fax: (0171) 267 2004.
E-mail: sales@mextours.demon.co.uk

Mexican Ministry of Tourism
2nd Floor, 60-61 Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DS
Tel: (0171) 734 1058. Fax: (0171) 930 9202.
Opening hours: 0930-1330 and 1500-1800 Monday to Friday.
E-mail: mexicanministry@easynet.co.uk

Embassies and Consulates in Canada

Mexican Embassy
Suite 1500, 45 O'Connor Street, Ottawa, Ontario K1P 1A4
Tel: (613) 233 8988 or 233 9272 or 233 9917. Fax: (613) 235 9123.
E-mail: nstn0281@fox.nstn.ca
Consulates in: Calgary, Montréal, Québec, Toronto, Vancouver and Winnipeg.
Mexican Government Tourism Office
Suite 1801, 2 Bloor Street West, Toronto, Ontario M4W 3E2
Tel: (416) 925 0704 or (1-800) 446 39426 (44 HiMexico). Fax: (416) 925 6061.
E-mail: mexgo3@inforam.net
Opening hours: 0930-1700 Monday to Friday except public holidays.
Office also in: Montréal.

Embassies and Consulates in the USA

Mexican Embassy
2827 16th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20006
Tel: (202) 736 1000 (operator and visa information). Fax: (202) 797 8458. Opening hours: 0830-1300 Monday to Friday.

Mexican Government Tourism Office
Suite 1401, 405 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10022
Tel: (212) 755 7261 or (1-800) 44 63942 (44 Mexico). Fax: (212) 753 2874.
http://mexico-travel.com/
Offices also in: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami and Washington, DC.

Embassies in Mexico

British Embassy
Río Lerma 71, Colonia Cuauhtémoc,
06500 México DF, Mexico
Tel: (5) 207 2089. Fax: (5) 207 7672.
Consulates in: Mexico City, Acapulco, Cancún, Ciudad Juárez, Guadalajara, Mérida, Monterrey, Tampico and Veracruz.

Canadian Embassy
Apartado Postal 105-05, Calle Schiller 529 (Rincon del Bosque), Colonia Polanco, 11580 México DF, Mexico
Tel: (5) 724 7900. Fax: (5) 724 7980 (administration) or 724 7983 (immigration).
Consulates in: Acapulco, Cancún, Guadalajara, Mazatlán, Monterrey, Oaxaca, Puerto Vallarta and Tijuana.

Embassy of the United States of America
Paseo de la Reforma 305, Colonia Cuauhtémoc, 06500 México DF, Mexico
Tel: (5) 211 0042. Fax: (5) 511 9980.
Consulates in: Ciudad Juárez, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Tijuana, Hermosillo, Matamoros, Mérida and Nuevo Laredo.

FOOD, BEVERAGES AND HEALTH

Avoid drinking non purified water; major hotels and renowned restaurants prepare and serve reasonably hygienic drinks and dishes. It's not advisable to have meals at stalls or untidy restaurants. You must consider that traditional mexican cusine uses a lots of spicy ingredients and fat; for that reason it's better not to consume it in large quantities.

LEGAL ASSISTANCE

Through the year, 24 hours a day you can denounce offences at the Agencias del Ministerio Público.
Zona Rosa: 20 Florencia Ave. Tel. 5625 8761 y 5625 8618.
Downtown area: Argentina St. and San Ildefonso. Tel. 5789 0833

MONEY EXCHANGE

You will find boureaus at the airport, commercial areas and major streets. Chek the constantly changing rate.
Most banks offer exchange as well but they are usually more busy.

WEATHER and DRESS

It is possible to beleive that Mexico City has a tropical weather, since it is located at the 19th parallel North. However, its 7 872 feet above sea level and even higher mountain ridges that sourrounds the city freshens the temperature (50° F; 16° C in average).

Nevertheless the weather changes through hours: fresh in the mornings and evenings and warm during the day. Distance from the sea shore makes humidity relatively low, and wind is moderate. All this conditions makes polution a major problem and unconfortable for those who just arrived but it is only at peak hours when you shouldn't stay outdoors.

During the year there are two climate conditions in Mexico City: from May to September sky is usually cloudy but rain occurs in the evening; during the dry season, from October to March, Ozone pollution is higer due to sunlight.

You shoud be prepared for rapid changes in temperature but also consider that the city inhabitants usually wear formaly. Short pants are not common and even odd. On the other hand, men should wear suit and tie in some cases when going out for dinner. At night clubs short pants or tennis shoes are not accepted.

EMERGENCIES

Tourist Security: 52 50 01 23, 01-800-00 77 100

Emergency line (police, fire deparment and ambulances): 080

Red Cross: 5395 11 11

Missing persons, Citizen line, women, children and elder (LOCATEL): 56 58 11 11

Emergency: 08

Fire: 57 68 37 00, 55 60 38 68

ORGANIZATIONS

AIDS Foundations (TELSIDA): 5666 7432 and toll free 01 800 712 08 86
Alcoholism assistance. Tel. 55 10 28 83, 55 15 1528
Consumers Boureau: 55 68 87 22.
Drugs addiction. Tel. 55 34 34 34.
Neurosis and mental health: 55 39 55 51

TIME MERIDIAN

Mexico City time is -6 GTM from October 27th to April 24th

During Summer -5 GTM from April 25th to October 26th.

TOURIST INFORMATION IN MEXICO CITY

Airport International Arrivals (DDF)
Airport Domestic Arrivals (DDF)
Buenavista Railroad Station (DDF)
Alameda, Juárez Ave., Centro. (DDF)
Ministry of Tourism (SECTUR): 171 Presidente Masaryk Ave., Polanco. Tels. 5250-0123, 5250-8419, 5250-8601. Within Mexico: (91) 800 90 39 200 Daily 24 hours.
Pink Zone (DDF): 545 Amberes St., and Londres.

By phone

INFOTUR: 525-9380, 525-9381, 525-9382, 525-9383, 525-9384. Daily from 9.00 to 21.00 hours.
Domestic Hotel Reservation System: Tel. 52 64 42 65.

SECURITY

• Avoid carring too much money or jewels with you. It is better to use only one credit card.

• Use safety boxes at hotels.

• Keep on watching over your bags and purses in public areas.

• People are friendly so try to conversate to know about them.

• If you are involved in an odd situation be calm.

• When arriving to the city ask for authorized taxy cabs. Once in the city take precautions or ask for a car by telephone.

• Common sense and communication allways help.

TELEPHONE

Mexico code is 52
You can phone inside Mexico by charge using 01 code.
Mexico City Code is 5 for all numbers. Now it is usually incorporated, making an eight-digit number. If you see a seven-digit number add the 5 at the begining.

TRANSPORTATION

Mexico city drivers' are usually unpolite, agressive and don't consider pedestrians as humans, so be extremely careful at crossing streets and avenues. Frantic cars and lorries circulate all day and night and traffic jams make drivers even more anxious. Speed is usually override and a red lights don't mean that a car will stop.
As a tourist you should ask for a special drivers licence if you dare to drive.
If you use public transport consider this:

• Underground is efficent, safe, fast, cheap and clean. Runs from 6.00 AM to Midnight. Unlimitted distance fare.

• Trolley cars are neat, cheap and efficient but there are only few routes. Fixed price.

• Coaches are less confortable but they have even a lower rate.

• A curious mean of transport are the so called microbuses. Their design is pretty uneven, usually unconfortable but practical, since they cover any possible destination.

• There is a fixed rate in taxis but sometimes you have to deal a reasonable payment. Giving a tip is a good idea because rates are still low.

• Radio taxi service charge double fee but are very secure.

Some radio taxi telephones are:
Entire city: 5-516 6020, 5-519 7690, 5-648 2828
South area: Cuicuilco 5-674 6120, Tlalpan 5-573 6857, Las Aguilas 5-680 3930
North area: Polanco 5-282 1883, Palmas 5- 282 4698, Lomas Verdes 5-344 4199

Would you like to see the map?

Frequuent Asked Questions FAQ

Note: No brief account of the complex Mexican Passport/Visa regulations is likely to be fully successful.
Visitors are advised to use the following for general guidance, but to check on the requirements that specifically apply to them with the appropriate Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy) before travelling.
Non-compliance with visa regulations will result in fines and transportation (at the carrier's expense) to the visitor's country of origin.

PASSPORTS: Passport valid for at least 1 year after date of entry is required by all except the following:
(a) 1. nationals of the USA holding a certified copy of a birth certificate and photo identification (eg driver's
licence or student ID).

TOURIST CARDS: Available only to people entering Mexico on holiday, for reasons of health, or to engage in
scientific, artistic or sporting activities which are neither remunerative nor lucrative. Valid for the holder only. Other persons (including minors) travelling on the same passport must have their own card. The card is a single-entry document and is issued free of charge.
The Consular office retains the right to request further evidence of the applicant's intention to visit Mexico as a tourist whenever such intention has not been established to the Consul's satisfaction. The same right applies with regard to evidence of the applicant's financial means to sustain him/herself while in Mexico.

Note: (a) Visitors eligible for Tourist Cards (see below) can be issued with Tourist Cards by any Mexican Consulate, on board the plane or at the point of entry in Mexico. (b) Tourist Cards must be kept by the visitor
during the entire length of stay as they will have to be presented and stamped on leaving.

Nationals of the following countries are eligible for a Tourist card: (a) 1. EU countries for stays of up to 180 days (except nationals of Austria, France, Greece and Luxembourg who can stay for up to 90 days); (b) 2. Australia, Canada, Japan and the USA for stays of up to 180 days; (c) Andorra, Argentina, Bermuda, Chile, Costa Rica, Hungary, Iceland, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, Norway, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Switzerland and Uruguay for stays of up to 180 days; (d) Czech Republic, Israel, Monaco and Poland for up to 90 days; (e) Korea (Rep. of) for up to 60 days; (f) Brazil and Venezuela for up to 30 days. For requirements and regulations relevant to other nationalities, contact the Mexican Embassy.

Application requirements: Tourist Cards: (a) Passport with a minimum of 6 months' validity. (b) If applying by post, a covering letter giving dates of entry and departure. Postal applications must be accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope for recorded or registered delivery. (c) Return or onward ticket. (d) Proof of sufficient funds if staying for up to 6 months.

Note: In some cases a personal application may be required.

Cost: Tourist Cards are issued free of charge.

VISAS: Required by all except holders of a Tourist Card or visa-replacing document. Nationals of the following countries require a special authorisation from the Ministry of the Interior in Mexico: Afghanistan, Albania, Bangladesh, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Cambodia, China (PR), Croatia, Eritrea, Iraq, Iran, India, Jordan, Korea (DPR), Lebanon, Libya, Macedonia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Syria, Taiwan, Turkey and Vietnam.
Authorisation takes approximately 3 to 4 weeks.

Application requirements: Tourist Visa: (a) Passport with minimum of 6 months' validity. (b) Application form. (c) 1 passport-size photo. (d) Original return ticket. (e) Fee (payable in cash only). (f) Proof of sufficient funds (US$50 per day) to cover length of stay. (g) Postal applications must be accompanied by a covering letter specifying the purpose of the trip and the dates of entry and departure. Applications should be made in a
stamped, self-addressed envelope with recorded or registered delivery.
Business Visitors Card: (a)-(b) and, (c) 2 passport-size photos. (d) Letter from applicant's employer accepting financial responsibility to cover the applicant's stay, which also states the nature of business to be undertaken and the name and address of the business contact(s) in Mexico. For visits of more than 30 days, a multiple-entry card is needed, as well as a letter from the local Chamber of Commerce (or Department of Trade and Industry) confirming the sponsoring company is a member of either body. (e) Fee (payable in cash, postal order or company cheque). (f) Postal applications must be accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope with recorded delivery.

Note: 3. If intending to undertake business or work of a technical or scientific nature, normal visa regulations do not apply, and it is necessary to obtain a Visitors Card. It is vital to contact the local Mexican consular representative well in advance of the intended date of departure in order to secure the necessary authorisation (see address section). Non-British Nationals seeking to visit Mexico on business are advised to check with the
Consulate regarding visa requirements and fees.

Application to: Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy); see address section.

Cost: Tourist: £25.90. Business Visitor's Card: £69.10 (non-lucrative) or £112.30 (lucrative). Visa prices fluctuate according to the exchange rate.

Working days required: 2 (in person); 1 week (by post). Applications should not be made more than 3 months before date of departure.

Temporary residence: Application should be made to the Mexican Home Office with proof of sufficient funds (US$50 per day) to cover length of stay without working. Contact the Consulate (or Consular section at the Embassy) for further details.