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General Information

Everything you need to know to enjoy your trip

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Currency

The official currency is the peso. Bills can be of the following denominations: 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1,000 pesos, and coins: 10, 20 and 50 cents and 1, 2, 5 and 10 pesos. The U.S. dollar is accepted at all money exchange offices and in some the Canadian dollar and the Euro are also accepted. The main tourist establishments accept U.S. dollars as payment. Use of the Euro is not as common, but some businesses also accept it. Keep in mind that in rural areas and towns only Mexican pesos are accepted.

Credit cards and cash

Credit cards accepted are: Visa, American Express and Master Card. For excursions outside the cities it is necessary to carry cash with small bills.

There are ATMs at all major bank branches which work with most credit cards and debit cards issued in the U.S. operating with the Cirrus or Plus system. Cashiers only provide Mexican pesos.

Travelers Checks

It is advisable to carry traveler's checks issued by internationally recognized entities, since they can be easily changed in bank branches in addition to being accepted in hotels, travel agencies and various institutions, but it must be taken into account that they are taken for an amount less the nominal.

Types of taxes

The VAT (Value Added Tax) is 16% of the value of any product and/or service.

Hours

Public and private offices are generally open Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm. Some halt their activities between 1:00 and 3:00 pm for lunch. Furthermore, the malls are open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm hours and only a few shops open on Sunday until noon. Bank branches work Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, some also on Saturdays from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm.

Phone calls

For all local and long distance calls, a phone card must be purchased, available at convenience stores, newsstands, hotels, travel agencies and airports, among others. To dial, follow these steps:

Long distance calls

To dial within Mexico: 01 + area code + number

To dial a local cell phone: 044 + area code + number

To dial a non local cell phone: 045 + area code + number

To dial the U.S. and Canada: 001 + area code + number

To dial abroad: 00 + country code + city code + number

Assisted long distance calls with operator assistance: within Mexico dial 020, international line 090:

For local information (bilingual operator): 040

Measuring systems

The measurement systems used are the Metric system for distances, degrees Celsius for temperature and Volts for electric voltage (which is 110V at 60Hz).

Car rental

(Monday to Sunday from 06:00 am to 12:00 pm)

Europcar. Tel. 472 748 20 16 www.europcar.com.mx
Hertz. Tel. 472 748 21 64. www.hertz.com.mx
National. 472 748 21 22. www.nationalcar.com.mx
Avis. Tel. 472 748 21 22. www.avis.com.mx
Budget. Tel. 472 748 21 22. www.budget.com.mx
Thrifty. Tel. 472 748 20 24. www.thrifty.com.mx
Alamo. Tel. 472 748 21 22. www.alamo.com
Dollar. Tel. 472 748 21 22. www.dollarmexico.com.mx

The documentation required for a person of legal age to rent and drive a car in Mexico is:

Valid photo ID
Valid passport
Valid driver’s license
International credit card with a minimum of $10,000.00 available
Liability Insurance (acquired with the car rental)
Collision and theft insurance (acquired with the car rental)

Emergency Numbers

For all of Mexico

Emergencies: 066
Fire Brigade: 068
Police: 060
Anonymous Reports: 089
Red Cross: 065

Campeche
Fire Brigade: +52 981 816 4978
Police: +52 981 811 9110

Chiapas
Fire Brigade: +52 967 816 4978
Police: +52 967 811 9110

Quintana Roo
Cruz Roja: +52 998 832 0571
Fire Brigade: +52 998 832 1578
Police: +52 998 832 1500

En Cancún
Fire Brigade: +52 998 884 12 02
Red Cross: +52 998 884 1616
Police: +52 998 8841913

Tabasco
Fire Brigade: +52 993 358 1271 y +52 993 315 6609
Red Cross: +52 993 315 5555
Police: +52 993 352 0659 y +52 993 352 2504

Yucatán
Fire Brigade: +52 999 930 3200
Red Cross: +52 999 924 9813
Police: +52 999 940 1014