Visiting Mexico

(Last updated: 02 Apr 2008)

Visas

The most common entry permit for individuals entering Mexico temporarily for business purposes is the FM-3 visa, which is renewable yearly for up to four years. Application for a FM-3 visa will typically need to be supported by a range of documentation, including a description of the locations and type of activities to be carried out by the individual in Mexico. Tourist visas, valid for 90 days, are normally issued on flights into Mexico, or can be obtained at the immigration counter at Mexico’s international airports.

For information about what type of visa or the documentation required, visitors to Mexico should check with:

Embassy of Mexico
14 Perth Avenue
Yarralumla ACT 2600
Australia
Tel: +61 2 6273 3963 or 6273 3947
Fax: +61 2 6273 3905 or 6273 1190

As the most common way to enter Mexico is via the United States, visitors to Mexico should also keep abreast of the latest requirements for transiting via the USA. Please contact your nearest US Embassy or Consulate.

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.

Airports

There are no direct flights from Australia to Mexico. However, there are numerous connecting flights between cities in the USA and Mexico. By way of guidance, the flight time between Los Angeles and Mexico City is about three hours, slightly less between Dallas or Houston and Mexico City and about five hours between New York and Mexico City.

Benito Juarez Airport in Mexico City is the country’s major international airport. However, large cities such as Guadalajara and Monterrey and resort centres also handle international traffic. If your business is not in Mexico City, it is worth exploring the possibility of direct flights in and out of the USA to your destination.

On arrival, and after clearing Customs, please be aware that you cannot take luggage trolleys with you. Official airport staff (usually in a blue uniform) provide assistance to passengers that require baggage assistance. Prices are based on tips but are usually MXN$10 pesos per bag with a minimum of MXN$20 tip. Assistance from strangers should not be accepted.

Ground transport

Although the most common taxis in Mexico are metered green and yellow Volkswagens, it is recommended for safety purposes that visitors do not hail these taxis in the street. There are specially accredited taxis coloured yellow and white, which are recommended as the easiest and safest way to transfer from the airport.

Passengers should pre-pay their taxi fare at special ticket booths inside the airport. The price is set on a zone basis and they take US dollars. Typically, the trip from the airport to any of the main hotel zones should take between 40-60 minutes (however, it could take twice that long during bad traffic periods) and cost about US$13-20. ATM's and money exchange offices are plentiful at the airport once you have cleared Customs. Alternatively, most hotels will offer pick-up services, although more expensive they are highly recommended and can provide additional safety and security.

In Mexico, buses are widely available in most towns. The cost to catch a bus is very low and the service is good, with frequent trips.

Given the size of Mexico City, it is important to have a good idea of exactly where you are going and an estimate of how long it will take you to get there. Travel time can vary quite dramatically:

• Peak hours start a little later and last longer in Mexico City. During the rainy seasons, it storms most afternoons during peak hour. 
• The 15th and 30th of each month are official pay days, which typically translates into more traffic on the road, particularly if it falls on a Friday.

Security and health

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) provides advice for business travellers and tourists going to Mexico. This is regularly updated, and should be checked before planning travel.

Street crime can be a problem, particularly in Mexico's larger cities such as Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey. Visitors should exercise normal caution and always be aware of surroundings, especially when using banks and ATM facilities. Specifically, visitors should be aware of the following:

• Use ATMs only during the business day at large protected facilities, preferably inside commercial centres.
• Carry only enough cash or credit cards for each outing.
• Do not hail taxis in the street - only use taxis from authorised taxi ranks or hotels.
• Keep car doors locked when in a car or a taxi and keep wallets/purses and valuables out of sight.
• Allways carry identification.
• Avoid wearing expensive or obvious jewellery or watches.

Health

No vaccinations are required when travelling to Mexico, however it is important to take normal, sensible precautions:

• Avoid drinking tap water
• Avoid eating at street stands
• Check that vegetables, salads and fruits have been disinfected before eating
• Raw meats and seafood should also be approached with caution

Tipping

When tipping the standard rate is 10 per cent. Some other points to be aware of about tipping:

• You should expect to tip between 10 and 20 pesos per bag at the airport and hotel.
• Taxi drivers are generally not tipped unless they provide some extra service, such as carrying your bags.
• It is normal to pay a few pesos to the staff at supermarkets that pack your groceries at the checkout.
• It is also common to pay a small amount to the parking attendants who wave you in and out of parking spots both in parking stations and on the street.
• It is adequate to tip from 10-20 per cent of the total of the meal. Tips are not included in the bill. When paying with credit cards, it is common practice to add the tip in the voucher.

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.

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 5 – Constitution Day
March 21 – Benito Juarez Day
May 1 – Labour Day
September 16 – Independence Day
October 12 – Dia de la Raza/Columbus Day
November 2 – Day of the Dead
November 20 – Anniversary of the Revolution

Currency

Oanda currency converter

The official currency in Mexico is the Mexican New Peso (MXN).

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.

Dining

Mexico offers a great variety of excellent restaurants. Mexican traditional cuisine is the most popular along with Spanish, French and Italian. Most restaurants in Mexico open for dinner around 8.00pm and don’t close until 2.00am.