MEXICO MINI GUIDE

Mexico: General information

Location: North America

Local time:
Baja Calif Sur, Nayarit, Sinaloa & Chihuahua: From 30 Oct 05 to 2 Apr 06 GMT -7, From 2 Apr 06 to 29 Oct 06 GMT -6
Baja Calif Norte: From 30 Oct 05 to 2 Apr 06 GMT -8, From 2 Apr 06 to 29 Oct 06 GMT -7
Rest of Mexico: From 30 Oct 05 to 2 Apr 06 GMT -6, From 2 Apr 06 to 29 Oct 06 GMT -5
Sonora: GMT -7

Capital: Mexico City

Language: Spanish

Electricity: 110V AC 60Hz

International direct dialling code:52

Driving: Driving is on the right. National licence or International Driving Permit required

Currency: Mexican Peso (MXN 1 = 100 Centavos)
Notes: MXN: 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500
Coins: MXN: 1, 2, 5, 10. Centavos: 10, 20, 50

Traditions/Mores: Business is usually conducted in Spanish. Many executives speak English. On social occasions be punctual and dress as for business meetings unless otherwise indicated. The minimum drinking age is 18 years

Emergency services: Police: 060/080. Fire: 5768-3544. Ambulance: 5557-5758

Climate

Almost two thirds of the country has a warm temperate climate whilst other parts have a tropical climate where temperatures are governed by altitude. The coastal and lowland areas are hot and humid while the central plateau region has a temperate climate. The highlands tend to be fairly mild but can experience sharp drops in temperature at night. Rainfall varies greatly from region to region. Only the Sierra Madre Oriental, the Isthmus of Tehuantepec and the state of Chiapas in the far south receive any appreciable amount of rain during the year with the wet season running between Jun-Oct. All other areas have rainless seasons. Some snow in the north in winter. Dry season runs from Nov-May

Air Travel

Mexico’s national airlines are Aeroméxico (AM) (website: www.aeromexico.com) and Mexicana (MX) (website: www.mexicana.com). British Airways operates three direct flights each week from Heathrow to Mexico City.

Approximate flight times:

From Mexico City to London is 11 hours 25 minutes; to Los Angeles is four hours 20 minutes; to New York is six hours; to Singapore is 22 hours 45 minutes and to Sydney is 19 hours.

International airports:

Mexico City (MEX) (Benito Jua'rez) is 13km (8 miles) south of the city. Buses run to and from the city at regular intervals (travel time – 35 minutes). Underground trains and taxis are also available. Airport facilities include duty free shops, restaurants, bank/bureau de change, bar, snack bar, chemist, shops, tourist information, left luggage, post office, first aid (with vaccinations for cholera and yellow fever available) and car hire (includes Avis, Budget, Dollar and Hertz).
Guadalajara (GDL) (Miguel Hidalgo) is 20km (12 miles) southeast of the city (travel time – 35 minutes). Airport facilities include restaurant, bar, snack bar, bank, post office and shops.
Acapulco (ACA) (General Juan N Alvarez) is 26km (16 miles) southeast of the city (travel time – 35 minutes). Coaches and taxi services run to the city. Airport facilities include restaurant, bank, post office and car hire.
Monterrey (MTY) (General Mariano Escobedo) is 24km (15 miles) northeast of the city (travel time – 45 minutes). Coach and taxi services run to the city. Airport facilities include restaurant, bar, bank, post office, shops and car hire.

MEXICO FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Where to find cheap, possibly non-stop tickets to Mexico? Can I get the best lowest airfare at the last moment? Which airlines fly to Mexico? Which travel documents, passport, visa required, what are health immunization requirements in Mexico.

Recommended immunisations:

*diphtheria, hepatitis A, *hepatitis B, *malaria, polio, *TB, tetanus, typhoid
* recommended in some circumstances, travellers making 3 or more visits per year, stays of more than 3 months in a rural area, high-risk occupational groups & backpackers staying more than 1 month

Health risks in Mexico:

Malaria exists all year in some rural areas not often visited by tourists. High risk in some areas of: Chiapas, Quintana Roo, Sinaloa & Tabasco & moderate risks in the states of Chihuahua, Durango, Nayarit, Oaxaca & Sonora & low risk in Campeche, Guerrero, Michoacan & Jalisco. Rabies

Mexican Passports

Required, but NOT by the following:
1) Citizens of Canada, Mexico & United States holding proof of citizenship e.g. birth certificate, naturalisation certificate, voter`s registration certificate
2) Holders of a `Documento de Identidad y Viaje` issued in Mexico to stateless persons resident in Mexico
3) Holders of a `Certificado a Peticion de Partes` issued by Mexican consulates to stateless persons resident in the US

Notes:

Passport validity: Passports must be valid for 6 months from date of entry (minors require individual passports)

Mexican Visas

The following DO NOT require a visa:
1) Nationals of Mexico
2) Holders of Blue Tourist Cards & customs form issued by authorised airlines operating into Mexico or at point of entry as follows:
a) For tourist stays up to 180 days to:
a1) British nationals
a2) Nationals of Andorra, Argentina, Belgium, Bermuda, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ireland Rep, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, San Marino, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United States & Uruguay
b) For stays up to 90 days to nationals of Australia, Austria, Cyprus, Czech Rep, Estonia, France, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Korea (South), Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Monaco, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia & Slovenia
c) For stays up to 30 days to nationals of Venezuela

Notes:

Transit

Required by all except those as noted above and:
1) Persons continuing their journey to another country within 24 hours on a flight without further intermediate stops in Mexico provided holding confirmed tickets and documents for their next destination

Special notes: Immigration authorities may require proof of onward/return tickets & sufficient funds for length of stay

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