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Fast FactsBusiness Hours -- Most 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 stores commonly open in the mornings on Sunday, and shops stay open late, until 8 or even 10pm. Bank hours are Monday through Friday from 9 or 9:30am to anywhere between 3 and 7pm. 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. 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://www.usembassy-mexico.gov for information related to U.S. Embassy services. There are U.S. Consulates at Paseo de la Victoria #3650, Ciudad Juárez (tel. 656/227-3000); Progreso 175, Col. Americana, Guadalajara (tel. 333/268-2100); Av. Constitución 411 Poniente, Monterrey (tel. 818/345-2120); Av. Tapachula 96, Tijuana (tel. 664/622-7400); Calle Monterrey 141 Poiniente, Hermosillo (tel. 662/289-3500); Primera 200 y Azaleas, Matamoros (tel. 868/812-4402); Calle 60 No. 338 K x 29 y 31, Col. Acala Martin, Mérida (tel. 999/942-5700); Calle San Jose, Fraccionamiento "Los Alamos" Nogales, (tel. 631/311-8150); and Allende 3330, Col. Jardin, Nuevo Laredo (tel. 867/714-0512). In addition, there are consular agencies in Acapulco (tel. 744/469-0556 or 484-0300), 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 or 514-3054), Puerto Vallarta (tel. 322/222-0069), Reynosa tel. 882/823-9331), San Luis Potosí (tel. 444/811-7802, -7803), and San Miguel de Allende (tel. 415/152-2357). 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, -3200), 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 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 9:30 a.m. to noon. 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. Boulevard 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. 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. 060 from any phone within Mexico. Dial tel. 065 for the Red Cross. The 24-hour Tourist Help Line in Mexico City is tel. 01-800/987-8224 or 55/5089-7500, or you can now simply dial tel. 078. The operators don't always speak English, but they are always willing to help. 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 3.8 liters). 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. 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. Mail -- 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. 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 the Miami Herald is published in conjunction with El Universal. You can find it at most newsstands. The News is a new English-language daily with Mexico-specific news, published in Mexico City. Newspaper kiosks in larger cities also carry a selection of English-language magazines. Police -- 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. 060 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 on every foreigner leaving the country by plane. Time -- Central Time prevails throughout the Yucatán, Tabasco, and Chiapas. 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 5 to 15 pesos 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 5 pesos). Visitor Information -- The Mexico Tourism Board (tel. 800/446-3942; www.visitmexico.com) is an excellent source for general information; you can request brochures and get answers to the most common questions from the exceptionally well-trained, knowledgeable staff. The Mexican Government Tourist Board's main office is in Mexico City (tel. 55/5278-4200). Satellite offices are in the U.S., Canada, and the UK. In the United States: Chicago (tel. 312/228-0517), Houston (tel. 713/772-2581), Los Angeles (tel. 310/282-9112), Miami (tel. 786/621-2909), and New York (tel. 212/308-2110). In Canada: Toronto (tel. 416/925-0704). In the United Kingdom: London (tel. 020/7488-9392). The Chiapas Tourism Board is at Blvd. Belisario Dominguez 950, CP29060 Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas (tel. 961/613-9396). The Quintana Roo Tourist Board is at Carr. a. Calderitas 622, CP77010 Chetumal, Quintana Roo, (tel. 983/835-0860). The Tabasco Tourism Board is at Av. Los Rios s/n, Tabasco 2000, CP86035 Villahermosa, Tabasco (tel. 993/316-5134). The Yucatán Tourism Board is at Calle 59 No. 514, Centro, CP97000 Mérida, Yucatán (tel. 999/924-9389). The Mexican Embassy in the United States is at 1911 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20006 (tel. 202/728-1600). The Mexican Embassy in Canada is at 055 Rue Peel, Ste. 1000, Montreal, QUE, H3A 1V4 (tel. 514/288-2502); Commerce Court West, 199 Bay St., Suite 4440, Toronto, ON, M5L 1E9 (tel. 416/684-3522); 411-117 W. Hastings Street, 4th Floor, Vancouver, BC, V6E2K3 (tel. 604/684-1859); and 1500-45 O'Connor St., Ottawa, ON, K1P 1A4 (tel. 613/233-8988; fax 613/235-9123). The Mexican Embassy (Consular Section) in the United Kingdom is at 16 Georges Dr., London, W1S1FD (tel. 020/7235-6393). Water -- Tap water in Mexico is 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. Online Traveler's Toolbox Veteran travelers usually carry some essential items to make their trips easier. Following is a selection of handy online tools to bookmark and use.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip. Related Features Deals & News
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