Fast Facts

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's common to find stores open at least in the mornings on Sunday, and for shops to stay open late, often until 8 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 is not legal to drink in the street; however, many tourists do so. If you are getting drunk, you shouldn't drink in the street, because you are more likely to get stopped by the police.

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. 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). Those that don't may have loan adapters, but to be sure, it's always better to carry your own.

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 jail, provide postal or banking services, or fly you home when you run out of money. Consular officers can provide advice on most matters and problems, however. 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 http://mexico.usembassy.gov for information related to U.S. Embassy services. There are U.S. Consulates at López Mateos 924-N, Ciudad Juárez (tel. 656/611-3000); Progreso 175, Guadalajara (tel. 333/268-2100); Av. Constitución 411 Pte., Monterrey (tel. 818/345-2120); Tapachula 96, Tijuana (tel. 664/622-7400); Monterrey 141, Hermosillo (tel. 662/289-3500); Primera 2002, Matamoros (tel. 868/812-4402); Calle 60 No. 338 K, Mérida (tel. 999/942-5700); Calle San Jose, Nogales, Sonora (tel. 631/311-8150); and Allende 3330, Col. Jardín, Nuevo Laredo (tel. 867/714-0512). In addition, there are consular agencies in Acapulco (tel. 744/469-0556); Cabo San Lucas (tel. 624/143-3566); Cancún (tel. 998/883-0272); Cozumel (tel. 987/872-4574); Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo (tel. 755/553-2100); Mazatlán (tel. 669/916-5889); Oaxaca (tel. 951/516-2853); Puerto Vallarta (tel. 322/222-0069); San Luis Potosí (tel. 444/811-7802); and San Miguel de Allende (tel. 415/152-2357).

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 8:30am to 5:15pm.

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. There are Canadian consulates in Acapulco (tel. 744/484-1305); Cancún (tel. 998/883-3360); Guadalajara (tel. 333/671-4740); Mazatlán (tel. 669/913-7320); Monterrey (tel. 818/344-2753); Oaxaca (tel. 951/513-3777); Puerto Vallarta (tel. 322/293-0098); San José del Cabo (tel. 624/142-4333); and 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). 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; www.embajadabritanica.com.mx). 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. Boulevard Manuel Avila Camacho 76, 3rd floor, Col. Lomas de Chapultepec (tel. 55/5520-5803). It's open Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm.

The South African Embassy in Mexico City is at Andrés Bello 10, Edificio Fórum, 9th floor, Col. Polanco (tel. 55/5282-9260). It's open Monday through Friday from 8am to 4pm.

Emergencies -- In case of emergency, dial tel. 065 from any phone within Mexico. For police emergency numbers, turn to the "Fast Facts" section in each chapter and for each major city. The operators don't always speak English, but they are always willing to help.

Hotlines -- There are several helpful numbers to know: Tourist Help Line, available 24 hours (tel. 01-800/987-8224 toll-free inside Mexico; or dial 078); Mexico Hot Line (tel. 800/446-3942); U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory, staffed 24 hours (tel. 202/647-5225); U.S. National Passport Center (tel. 877/487-2778); and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention International Traveler's Hot Line (tel. 877/394-8747).

Language -- Spanish is the official language in Mexico. English is spoken and understood to some degree in most tourist areas. Mexicans are very accommodating with foreigners who try to speak Spanish, even in broken sentences.

Legal Aid -- International Legal Defense Counsel, 405 Lexington Ave., 26th floor, New York, NY 10174 (tel. 212/907-6442), is a law firm specializing in legal difficulties of Americans abroad.

Lost & Found -- Be sure to tell all of your credit card companies the minute you discover your wallet has been lost or stolen and file a report at the nearest police precinct. Your credit card company or insurer may require a police report number or record of the loss. Most credit card companies have an emergency toll-free number to call if your card is lost or stolen; they may be able to wire you a cash advance immediately or deliver an emergency credit card in a day or two. Visa's Mexico emergency number is tel. 001/800-847-2911. American Express cardholders and traveler's check holders should call tel. 001/800-001-3600. MasterCard holders should call tel. 001/800-307-7309.

If you need emergency cash over the weekend when all banks and American Express offices are closed, you can have money wired to you via Western Union (tel. 800/325-6000; www.westernunion.com).

Mail -- Postage for a postcard or letter is 11 pesos ($1/50p); 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. The recommended way to send a package or important mail is through FedEx, DHL, UPS, or another reputable international mail service.

Newspapers & Magazines -- The English language newspaper is the Miami Herald published in conjunction with El Universal. You can find it at most newsstands. Newspaper kiosks in larger cities also carry a selection of English-language magazines.

Passports -- The websites listed provide downloadable passport applications as well as the current fees for processing applications. For an up-to-date, country-by-country listing of passport requirements around the world, go to the "International Travel" tab of the U.S. State Department at http://travel.state.gov.

For Residents of Australia -- You can pick up an application from your local post office or any branch of Passports Australia, but you must schedule an interview at the passport office to present your application materials. Call the Australian Passport Information Service at tel. 131-232, or visit the government website at www.passports.gov.au.

For Residents of Canada -- Passport applications are available at travel agencies throughout Canada or from the central Passport Office, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Ottawa, ON K1A 0G3 (tel. 800/567-6868; www.ppt.gc.ca). Note: Canadian children who travel must have their own passport. However, if you hold a valid Canadian passport issued before December 11, 2001, that bears the name of your child, the passport remains valid for you and your child until it expires.

For Residents of Ireland -- You can apply for a 10-year passport at the Passport Office, Setanta Centre, Molesworth Street, Dublin 2 (tel. 01/671-1633; www.irlgov.ie/iveagh). Those under age 18 and over 65 must apply for a 3-year passport. You can also apply at 1A South Mall, Cork (tel. 21/494-4700) or at most main post offices.

For Residents of New Zealand -- You can pick up a passport application at any New Zealand Passports Office or download it from their website. Contact the Passports Office at tel. 0800/225-050 in New Zealand or 04/474-8100, or log on to www.passports.govt.nz.

For Residents of the United Kingdom -- To pick up an application for a standard 10-year passport (5-year passport for children under 16), visit your nearest passport office, major post office, or travel agency or contact the United Kingdom Passport Service at tel. 0870/521-0410 or search its website at www.ukpa.gov.uk.

For Residents of the United States: Whether you're applying in person or by mail, you can download passport applications from the U.S. State Department website at http://travel.state.gov. To find your regional passport office, either check the U.S. State Department website or call the National Passport Information Center toll-free number (tel. 877/487-2778) for automated information

Police -- In Mexico City, police are to be suspected as frequently as they are to be trusted; however, you'll find many who are quite honest and helpful. In the rest of the country, especially in the tourist areas, most are very protective of international visitors. Several cities, including Cancún, have a special corps of English-speaking Tourist Police to assist with directions, guidance, and more. In case of emergency, dial tel. 065 from any phone within Mexico.

Taxes -- The 15% IVA (value-added) tax applies on goods and services in most of Mexico, and it's supposed to be included in the posted price. This tax is 10% in Cancún, Cozumel, and Los Cabos. 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. Mexico imposes an exit tax of around $24 (£12) on every foreigner leaving the country by plane.

International tourists to Mexico can now make tax-free purchases while vacationing, thanks to a law passed by Mexico's Congress. The law grants international visitors a full refund of the tax added to purchases if the buyer adheres to certain criteria. The merchandise must be purchased in Mexico and verified by airport or seaport Customs, and be verified with a receipt presented at time of departure to be worth at least 1,200 Mexican pesos (approximately $110/£61 at current exchange rates). Reimbursement to tourists will be contingent upon any added costs that a possible return may generate.

Time -- Central Time prevails throughout most of Mexico. The states of Sonora, Sinaloa, and parts of Nayarit are on Mountain Time. The state of Baja California Norte is on Pacific Time, but Baja California Sur is on Mountain Time. All of Mexico observes daylight saving time.

Tipping -- Most service employees in Mexico count on tips for the majority of their income, and this is especially true for bellboys and waiters. Bellboys should receive the equivalent of 50¢ to $1 (25p-50p) per bag; waiters generally receive 10% to 15%, depending on the level of service. 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 50¢/25p).

Water -- Tap water in Mexico in generally not potable and it is safest to drink purified bottled water. Some hotels and restaurants purify their water, but you should ask rather than assume this is the case. Ice may also come from tap water and should be used with caution.