(Last updated: 29 July 2012)
Visiting
Business hours
Private and business office hours vary but are generally from 9.00am to 6.00-7.00pm. Most executives take lunch hours between 2.00-4.00pm.
Banks are usually open Monday to Friday from 9.00am to 5.30pm, and many of the larger banks keep branches open with limited services on Saturdays from 9.00am to 2.30pm. However, there is an extensive network of automatic telling machines (ATMs), which operate 24 hours a day.
Government offices usually open to the public from 8.00am to 6.00pm.
Retail stores are generally open from 11.00am to 7.00pm and large supermarket/shopping centres are open until 9.00pm.
Theatres, most archaeological zones and museums generally close on Monday.
Public holidays
January 1 – New Year’s Day
February 4 – Constitution Day
March 16 – Benito Juarez Day
April 9 – Maundy Thursday
April 10 – Good Friday
May 1 – Labour Day
May 5 – Anniversary of Battle of Puebla
September 16 – Independence Day
October 12 – Dia de la Raza/Columbus Day
November 2 – Day of the Dead
November 20 – Anniversary of the Revolution
December 12 – Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe
December 25 – Christmas Day
Climate
During the day in Mexico City the temperature averages around 24°C year-round, but temperatures can drop significantly at night to 4-5°C in the dry winter months. There is very little humidity in Mexico City regardless of the season.
The warmest months are March, April and May, immediately before the rainy season that typically runs from June to September. During this period, it rains almost every afternoon from about dusk for two or three hours. Temperatures in the more arid and lower states to the north are generally higher than in Mexico City.
For weather details in Mexico, please visit the World Meteorological Organization.
Currency
Oanda currency converter
The official currency in Mexico is the Mexican New Peso (MXN).
Time zones and time differences
Most of the country uses Mexico’s Central Time, which is 16 hours behind Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST). The only exceptions are the States of Baja California, Baja California Sur, Sinaloa, Sonora, Chihuahua and Nayarit, which use Pacific Standard Time.
Daylight saving normally starts the first week in April and runs until early September. During that time Mexico’s Central Time is 15 hours behind AEST.
To find out the current time in Mexico City, view the World Clock.
Dialling codes
Mexico's country code is 52.
For calls to Mexico from Australia dial: 0011 + 52 + area code + telephone number.
For calls from Mexico to Australia dial: 00 + 61 + area code + telephone number.
For further information (eg. area codes) please visit the White Pages - international dialling codes.
Electricity and water
Mexico’s power supply is 110 volts, 60Hz 1, 3 phases, 2, 3, 4 wires. Mexican plugs have either two flat vertical slots of equal size or of one larger than the other.
Links and resources
Travel and tourism
Mexico Connection – www.mexconnect.com
Visit Mexico – www.visitmexico.com
Please note: this list of websites and resources is not definitive. Inclusion in this list does not imply endorsement by Austrade. The information provided is a guide only.