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Answers to the most commonly asked questions
Frequently Asked Questions
There are many questions that arise when you are traveling to a different county. Below you will find some useful information that will help to make your stay more enjoyable.
Telephone & Fax
Telephone area codes are gradually being changed all over the country. The change may affect the area code and first digit or only the area code. Some cities are even adding exchanges and changing whole numbers. Courtesy messages telling you that the number you dialed have been changed do not exist. You can call operator assistance for difficult-to-reach numbers. Many fax numbers are also regular telephone numbers; you have to ask whoever answers your call for the fax tone ("tono de fax, por favor").
The country code for Mexico is 52.
Can I drink the water?
Most people feel the water is safe to drink. Pruified water is always the safest. We have installed a water purification system for safe drinking water. Most hotels have decanters or bottles of purified water in the rooms, and the better hotels have either purified water from regular taps or special taps marked agua purificada. Some hotels will charge for in-room bottled water. Virtually any hotel, restaurant, or bar will bring you purified water if you specifically request it, but you'll usually be charged for it. Bottled purified water is sold widely at drugstores and grocery stores (look for TK brands). Some popular brands are Santa Maria, Ciel, Agua Pura and Pureza. Evian and Bonefit are widely available.
Will my electrical appliances work?
The electrical system in Mexico is 110 volts AC (60 cycles), as in the United States and Canada. However, in reality it may cycle more slowly and overheat your appliances. To compensate, select a medium or low speed for hair dryers. Many older hotels still have electrical outlets for flat two-prong plugs; you'll need an adapter for using any modern electrical apparatus that has an enlarged end on one prong or that has three prongs. Many first-class and deluxe hotels have the three-holed outlets. Those that don't may have loan adapters, but to be sure, it's always better to carry your own.
What time zone are you in?
Central Standard Time prevails throughout most of Mexico. The west-coast states of Sonora, Sinaloa, and parts of Nayarit are on Mountain Standard Time. The state of Baja California Norte is on Pacific Time, but Baja California Sur is on Mountain Time. Mexico observes daylight saving time.
If I am injured will I be able to find health care?
Every embassy and consulate is prepared to recommend local doctors and dentists with good training and modern equipment; some of the doctors and dentists even speak English. See the list of embassies and consulates under "Embassies/Consulates," below. Hotels with a large foreign clientele are often prepared to recommend English-speaking doctors. Almost all first-class hotels in Mexico have a doctor on call.
Other useful precautions are:
- Leave a detailed itinerary and the numbers of your passport or other citizenship documents with a friend or relative in the United States.
- Bring either a U.S. passport or a certified copy of your birth certificate and current, valid photo identification.
- Carry your photo identification and the name of a person to contact with you in the event of serious illness or other emergency.
- Keep photocopies of your airline or other tickets and your list of traveler's checks with you in a separate location from the originals and leave copies with someone at home.
- Leave things like unnecessary credit cards and expensive jewelry at home.
- Bring travelers checks, not cash.
- Use a money belt or concealed pouch for passport, cash and other valuables.
- Do not bring firearms or ammunition into Mexico without written permission from the Mexican government.
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