What you actually need to know before arriving. This section gathers the practical ground rules: how to get into the city, how to move around it, money, safety, health and where to ask for help. Below are the things that catch out most first-time visitors.
Altitude. Mexico City sits at 2,240 metres. The first two days are noticeably harder than you expect: go easier on alcohol, drink more water, and do not plan a mountain hike on day one. The sun burns at this height even when the air is cool.
Water. Tap water is not drunk. Bottled or purified water is universal, free in most hotels, and cheap in any shop. Ice in established restaurants is made with purified water and is fine.
Money. The currency is the Mexican peso. Cards are accepted almost everywhere indoors; markets, street food, taxis and small cantinas are cash. Withdraw from ATMs inside banks or shopping centres rather than on the street.
Getting around. Buy a Movilidad Integrada card on arrival: one card for the Metro, Metrobús, Tren Ligero, Trolleybus, Cablebus and Ecobici. Fares are among the lowest in the world. Use app taxis rather than hailing in the street, particularly at night.
Hours that differ from Europe or the US. Lunch is at 14:00, dinner from 21:00. Most museums close on Mondays and are free on Sundays for residents, which makes Sunday the busiest day.
Emergencies. 911 nationwide, with English-speaking operators. Locatel (55 5658 1111) answers general city questions 24 hours a day. Save both before you leave the hotel.
Spanish is the official language of Mexico. Most hotels and tourist services have English-speaking staff.
Voltage in Mexico is 110V at 60Hz. Plugs are Type B, with flat pins, as the ones used in the USA. We recommend you bring your own adapter, for they are not always available at hotels.
Mexico utilizes the metric system for distances (km), and Centigrade degrees (ºC) for temperature.
The weather is mild in the winter, hot and dry in April and May. The rainy season starts in May and lasts until October, with sunny mornings and cloudy, rainy afternoons. It can be cold in the mornings and in the evenings, especially during the winter. Average temperature is 16ºC (61ºF). Check the weather forecast.
Normal opening hours for public and private offices and businesses are Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm, sometimes with a break between 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm for lunch. Shopping malls open Monday to Saturday from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm, and they are often open on Sundays too. Bank offices are open Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, and some of them also open on Saturdays from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm.
In Mexico the custom is to leave a 10% tip -15% if the service was exceptional- over the total of the check at restaurants, bars and cafes. Some businesses include the tip in the check so we recommend you look carefully. It is also customary to leave a service tip to waiters, valets, gas station attendants, bellboys and other service providers. Not tipping is considered rude.
Check roaming charges with your service provider for calls from your cell phone.
We recommend you purchase a phone card, available at convenience stores, magazine stands, hotels, travel agencies and the airport. To make a call follow these steps:
Long-distance calls:
For operator-assisted long-distance calls dial 020 from a Mexican phone or 090 if you are calling from an international line.
For local information (in Spanish and English) please dial 040.
You shouldn't run into any problems in Mexico City if you follow these recommendations:
If you are coming by car, check here on which days you may circulate depending on your licese plate.
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