Fast Facts

Area Codes -- Tijuana, 664; Rosarito Beach, 661; Ensenada, 646; Mulegé and Santa Rosalía, 615; Loreto, 613; La Paz, 612; Todos Santos, 612; Los Cabos and East Cape, 624.

Business Hours -- In general, businesses in larger cities are open between 9am and 7pm; in smaller towns many close between 2 and 4pm. Most close on Sunday. In resort areas it is common to find stores open at least in the mornings on Sunday, and for shops to stay open late, often until 8pm or even 10pm. Bank hours are Monday through Friday from 9 or 9:30am to anywhere between 3 and 7pm. Increasingly, banks open on Saturday for at least a half-day.

Drinking Laws -- The legal drinking age in Mexico is 18; however, asking for ID or denying purchase is extremely rare. Grocery stores sell everything from beer and wine to national and imported liquors. You can buy liquor 24 hours a day, but during major elections, dry laws often are enacted by as much as 72 hours in advance of the election -- and they apply to tourists as well as local residents. Mexico does not have laws that apply to transporting liquor in cars, but authorities are beginning to target drunk drivers more aggressively. It's a good idea to drive defensively.

It's illegal to drink in the street, but many tourists do. If you are getting drunk, you shouldn't drink in the street, because you are more likely to get stopped by the police.

Drug Laws -- To be blunt, don't use or possess illegal drugs in Mexico. Mexican officials have no tolerance for drug users, and jail is their solution, with little hope of getting out until the sentence (usually a long one) is completed or heavy fines or bribes are paid. Remember, in Mexico the legal system assumes you are guilty until proven innocent. Important note: It isn't uncommon to be befriended by a fellow user, only to be turned in by that "friend," who's collected a bounty. Bring prescription drugs in their original containers. If possible, pack a copy of the original prescription with the generic name of the drug.

U.S. Customs officials are also on the lookout for diet drugs sold in Mexico but illegal in the U.S., possession of which could land you in a U.S. jail. If you buy antibiotics over the counter (which you can do in Mexico) and still have some left, you probably won't be hassled by U.S. Customs.

Electricity -- The electrical system in Mexico is 110 volts AC (60 cycles), as in the United States and Canada. In reality, however, it may cycle more slowly and overheat your appliances. To compensate, select a medium or low speed on hair dryers and bring a surge protector for your laptop. Many older hotels still have electrical outlets for flat two-prong plugs; you'll need an adapter for any plug with an enlarged end on one prong or with three prongs. Many better hotels have three-hole outlets (trifásicos in Spanish), and only a fraction of Baja's most budget hotels may require you to bring your own adapter.

Embassies & Consulates -- They provide valuable lists of doctors and lawyers, as well as regulations concerning marriages in Mexico. Contrary to popular belief, your embassy cannot get you out of a Mexican jail, provide postal or banking services, or fly you home when you run out of money. Most countries have an embassy in Mexico City, and many have consular offices or representatives in the provinces.

The Embassy of the United States in Mexico City is at Paseo de la Reforma 305, next to the Hotel María Isabel Sheraton at the corner of Río Danubio (tel. 55/5080-2000); hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 5:30pm. Visit www.usembassy-mexico.gov for information related to U.S. Embassy services. In Baja, there is a U.S. Consulate at Av. Tapachula 96, Tijuana (tel. 664/622-7400); in addition, there is a consular agency in Cabo San Lucas (tel. 624/143-3566).

The Embassy of Australia in Mexico City is at Rubén Darío 55, Col. Polanco (tel. 55/1101-2200; www.mexico.embassy.gov.au). It's open Monday through Thursday from 9:30am to 1pm.

The Embassy of Canada in Mexico City is at Schiller 529, Col. Polanco (tel. 55/5724-7900, or for emergencies 01-800/706-2900); it's open Monday through Friday from 9am to 1pm and 2 to 5pm. Visit www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca or www.canada.org.mx for addresses of consular agencies in Mexico. In Baja, there is a Canadian consulate in Tijuana (tel. 664/684-0461).

The Embassy of New Zealand in Mexico City is at Jaime Balmes 8, 4th Floor, Col. Los Morales, Polanco (tel. 55/5283-9460; www.nzembassy.com/home.cfm?c=50). It's open Monday through Thursday from 8:30am to 2pm and 3 to 5:30pm, and Friday from 8:30am to 2pm.

The Embassy of the United Kingdom in Mexico City is at Río Lerma 71, Col. Cuauhtémoc (tel. 55/5207-2089 or 5242-8500; http://ukinmexico.fco.gov.uk/en). It's open Monday through Thursday from 8am to 4pm and Friday from 8am to 1:30pm.

The Embassy of Ireland in Mexico City is at Cda. Bulevar Manuel Avila Camacho 76, 3rd Floor, Col. Lomas de Chapultepec (tel. 55/5520-5803). Visit www.dfa.ie/home/index.aspx?id=5495. It's open Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm.

Emergencies -- In case of emergency, dial tel. 065 from any phone within Mexico.You should also contact the closest consular office in case of an emergency.

Gasoline (Petrol) -- There's one government-owned brand of gas and one gasoline station name throughout the country -- Pemex (Petroleras Mexicanas). There are two types of gas in Mexico: magna, 87-octane unleaded gas, and premio, which is 93-octane. In Mexico, fuel and oil are sold by the liter, which is slightly more than a quart (1 gal. equals about 3.8L). Many franchise Pemex stations have bathroom facilities and convenience stores -- a great improvement over the old ones. Gas stations accept both credit and debit cards for gas purchases.

It's common practice for an attendant to fill your tank for you. I've watched many gringos hop out of their car to avert a "scam" but, rest assured, locals rarely fill their own tank. If the attendant cleans your windshield, a small tip of 5 to 10 pesos is appropriate.

Holidays -- Independence Day (September 15 and 16), Christmas (December 25), Easter, and Three Kings Day (January 6) are the biggest holidays celebrated throughout all of Baja, and mainland Mexico aficionados may be surprised to find them devoid of the pomp and circumstance surrounding some of these holidays on the mainland. The only time of year that may outdo the mainland is spring break in Los Cabos, San Felipe, Ensenada, and Rosarito Beach.

Hospitals -- In Tijuana, there are two major hospitals: Hospital Angeles (tel. 664/635-1832) and Hospital y Centro Medico del Prado (tel. 664/681-4900). In Los Cabos, the main hospital is Amerimed (tel. 624/143-9670). In La Paz, the major hospitals are Hospital Militar (tel. 612/122-3488) and Hospital Salvatierra (tel. 612/122-1593). In Todos Santos, the hospital is Todos Santos Centro de Salud (tel. 612/145-6387).

Insurance -- Chances are the worst ailment you'll face in Baja is a sunburn, but it's important to know emergency healthcare is not Baja's strength (although even in the most remote areas, the peninsula is full of excellent doctors and healers). As a safety net, you may want to buy travel medical insurance, particularly if you're traveling to a remote or high-risk area where emergency evacuation might be necessary.

For information on traveler's insurance, trip cancellation insurance, and medical insurance while traveling please visit www.frommers.com/planning.

Internet Access -- In large cities and resort areas, like Los Cabos, a growing number of top hotels offer business centers with Internet access. You'll also find cybercafes in destinations that are popular with expats and business travelers. Even in remote spots, Internet access is common, although that's less true in Baja than on the mainland.

Language -- English is widely spoken throughout Baja, and most of all in the border towns and Los Cabos.

Laundromats -- You will find laundromats, or lavanderías, speckling the downtown area of most towns in Baja. If you'd like to leave something to be dry-cleaned, be sure to specify that the item needs the tintorería so it doesn't get washed in water and ironed, like everything else.

Legal Aid -- The most important fact to remember when it comes to la ley is that in Mexico, you're guilty until proven innocent. This can mean sitting in jail after a car accident even if you're not at fault. That being said, if you follow the law, it's unlikely that you will have any legal hassles during your stay in Baja. Illegal activities in Mexico include using a false ID, urinating in public, disturbing the public, nudity, littering, jaywalking, and of course, using illegal drugs.

If you run into trouble the first thing you should do is contact your nearest consulate. Although consulates cannot have you released from custody or act as your attorney, they can work to protect your interests, refer you to a local attorney, and contact friends and family back home. For a list of consulates in Baja, see "Embassies & Consulates" above or visit www.embassiesabroad.com.

Mail -- The Mexican postal service is not the most reliable, especially when sending something important, so it's usually best to send mail through DHL, FedEx, or the UPS Store. Postage for a postcard or letter is 11 pesos; it may arrive anywhere from 1 to 6 weeks later. The price for registered letters and packages depends on the weight, and unreliable delivery time can take 2 to 6 weeks.

Newspapers & Magazines -- In southern Baja, a number of local English-language papers are available at newsstands in all the places tourists frequent, including Los Cabos Guide (www.loscabosguide.com), Los Cabos News, Destino Los Cabos, and the irreverent, entertaining Gringo Gazette (www.gringogazette.com), which has Southern Baja and Northern Baja editions. The Baja Real Estate Guide (www.bajarealestateguide.com) is for the traveler who's fallen in love with Southern Baja and wants to own a piece of it. There's also a magazine of the same name in Northern Baja.

Passports -- Visit www.frommers.com/planning for information on how to obtain a passport.

Police -- In case of emergency, dial tel. 065 from any phone within Mexico.

Smoking -- Nonsmoking areas and hotel rooms for nonsmokers are becoming more common in higher-end establishments, but there are many places that are a bit old-fashioned in this aspect. Luckily in Baja there are many outdoor and open-air cafes where you can get your share of fresh air.

Taxes -- There's a 15% IVA (Impuesto al Valor Agregado, or value-added tax, pronounced "ee-bah") on goods and services in most of Mexico, and it's supposed to be included in the posted price. This tax is 10% in Los Cabos; as a port of entry, the towns receive a break on taxes. There is a 5% tax on food and drinks consumed in restaurants that sell alcoholic beverages with an alcohol content of more than 10%; this tax applies whether you drink alcohol or not. Tequila is subject to a 25% tax. Hotels charge the usual 15% IVA, plus a locally administered bed tax of 2% (in many but not all areas), for a total of 17%. In Los Cabos, hotels charge the 10% IVA plus 2% room tax. Prices quoted by hotels and restaurants will not necessarily include IVA. You may find that upper-end properties quote prices without IVA included, while lower-priced hotels include IVA. Always ask to see a printed price sheet, and always ask if the tax is included. Mexico imposes an exit tax, which usually is applied to your ticket at purchase, on every foreigner leaving the country.

Time -- The state of Baja California Norte -- from Tijuana to Guerrero Negro -- is on Pacific Standard Time, and Baja California Sur -- from south of Guerrero Negro to Los Cabos -- is on Mountain Standard Time. Mexico observes daylight saving time. The rest of Mexico observes Central Standard Time.

Tipping -- Most service employees in Mexico count on tips to make up the majority of their income -- especially bellboys and waiters. Bellboys receive the equivalent of $1 per bag; waiters generally receive 15% to 20% of the bill, depending on the level of service. In Mexico, it is not customary to tip taxi drivers, unless they are hired by the hour or provide touring or other special services.

Toilets -- Public toilets are not common in Mexico, but an increasing number are available, especially at fast-food restaurants and Pemex gas stations. These facilities and restaurant and club restrooms commonly have attendants, who expect a small tip (about 5 pesos).

Water -- Tap water in Mexico in generally not potable, and it is safest to drink purified bottled water. Most hotels have decanters or bottles of purified water in the rooms; the better hotels have either purified water from regular taps, or special taps marked agua purificada. Some hotels will charge for in-room bottled water. Virtually any hotel, restaurant, or bar will bring you purified water if you specifically request it, but you'll usually be charged for it. In Los Cabos, it's generally safe to drink resort tap water, but bottled is always safer. Bottled purified water is sold at drugstores and grocery stores (popular brands include Santa María, Ciel, and Bonafont). Evian and other imported brands are also widely available.