Mexico Travel Planning & Travel Tips
Embassy Contact Information: Americans living in or visiting
Mexico are encouraged to register at the U.S. Embassy or at one of the U.S.
Consulates, in order to obtain updated information on travel and security
within Mexico. The U.S. Embassy is located in Mexico City at Paseo de la
Reforma 305, Colonia Cuauhtemoc, telephone from the United States: 011-52-55-5080-2000;
telephone within Mexico City: 5080-2000; telephone long distance within
Mexico 01-5080-2000. You may also contact the Embassy by e-mail at: ccs@usembassy.net.mx.
Mexico Climate: The best time to visit Mexico is mid September-mid May, though some parts still have a fair amount of rain in October and November. (It rains most during the summer, but usually not often enough to spoil a vacation.)
Mexico City is chilly in the early morning and at night during the winter. Be prepared for higher humidity in coastal areas and at the inland archaeological sites in the Yucatan peninsula. Summer temperatures there can hover at the 100 F/38 C range with near 100% humidity. The average coastal day temperatures year-round are in the 70s-80s F/23-32 C, with nights in the 60s-70s F/15-27 C. Take a sweater and an umbrella any time of year.
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.
Calling Internationally: All telephone numbers have 10 digits.
Every city and town that has telephone access has a 2-digit (Mexico City,
Monterrey, and Guadalajara) or 3-digit (everywhere else) area code. In Mexico
City, Monterrey, and Guadalajara, local numbers have 8 digits; elsewhere,
local numbers have 7 digits. To place a local call, you do not need to dial
the area code. Many fax numbers are also regular telephone numbers; ask
whoever answers for the fax tone ("me da tono de fax, por favor").
Cellular phones are very popular for small businesses in resort areas and
smaller communities. To call a cellular number inside the same area code,
dial 044 and then the number. To dial the cellular phone from anywhere else
in Mexico, first dial 01, and then the 3-digit area code and the 7-digit
number. To dial it from the U.S., dial 011-52, plus the 3-digit area code
and the 7-digit number.
The country code for Mexico is 52.
Travel Insurance for Mexico Trips: You should consider the benefits of travel
insurance as part of your Mexico travel planning. Most travelers
look for travel tips that discuss the importance of travel insurance and
travel insurance through AIG Travel Guard can provide important coverage for your trip.
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trip interruption, medical emergency assistance and treatment services
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For more than 20 years, AIG Travel Guard’s plans have covered millions
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*Non-insurance services provided by AIG Travel Assist.
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