Mexico - Nuts and Bolts

Mexico has a population of 95,800,000, with Mexico City being the largest population center with some 17 million people. Mexico's climate varies from arid desert in the north to tropical in the south. About 97 percent of Mexicans are Roman Catholic; the remaining 3 percent are Protestant. The official language is Spanish. English is understood in highly touristed areas, but not in the countryside.

Telephone and fax service is good in the major cities and direct-dial calls to the U.S. can be made from the tourist centers and major cities. In the boonies, if you can find a phone, an international operator may be required to make an international call. Almost every town in Mexico has a post office. Most are open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mexican businesses are also open during the same hours, most taking a one-hour break for lunch (some close for 2 hours). The electrical current is 110V/60C. Mexico's currency is the peso (7.5 pesos = US$1).

In an emergency, call [91] (5) 250-0123, the 24-hour hot line of the Mexican Ministry of Tourism. The hotline is for immediate assistance, but it can give you general, nonemergency guidance as well. In Mexico City, dial 06 for police assistance.

If you have problems filling out a police report or in filing a report, you can call the Silver Angels. This group helps tourists who are victims of crime file a police report.

If you have an emergency while driving, call the Ministry of Tourism's hotline to obtain help from the Green Angels, a fleet of radio-dispatched trucks with bilingual crews that operate daily. Services include protection, medical first aid, mechanical aid for your car and basic supplies. You will not be charged for services, only for parts, gas and oil. The Green Angels patrol daily, from dawn until sunset. If you are unable to call them, pull well off the road and lift the hood of your car; chances are good that they will find you.

Embassy and Consulate Locations

American Embassy

Paseo de la Reforma 305

Mexico 06500, D.F.

Tel.: [52] (5) 211-0042

Fax: [52] (5) 511-9980

http://www.usembassy-mexico.gov/

American Consulate

Circunvalacion No. 120 Centro

Mazatlan, Sinaloa

Tel.: [52] (678) 5-22-05

Fax: [52] (678) 2-1775

American Consulate

Paseo Montejo 453

Merida, Yucatan

Tel.: [52] (99) 25-5011

After Hours (emergencies)

Tel.: [52] (99) 25-5409

Fax: [52] (99) 25-6219

American Consulate General

Avenue Lopez Mateos 924-N

Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua

Tel.: [52] (16) 134-048

After Hours (emergencies)

Tel.: (915) 525-6066

Fax: [52] (161) 34048 ext. 210 or

[52] (161) 34050 ext. 210

American Consulate General

Avenida Constitucion 411 Poniente

Monterrey, Nuevo Leon

Tel.: [52] (83) 45-2120

Fax: [52] (83) 42-0177

American Consulate General

Progreso 175

Guadalajara, Jalisco

Tel.: [52] (36) 25-2998,

[52] (36) 25-2700

Fax: [52] (36) 26-6549

American Consulate

Avenida Allende 3330, Col. Jardin

Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas

Tel.: [52] (871) 4-0696 or

[52] (871) 4-9616

After Hours (emergencies)

Tel.: (512) 727-9661

Fax: [52] (871) 4-0696 ext. 128

American Consulate

Calle Monterrey 141, Poniente

Hermosillo, Sonora

Tel.: [52] (621) 723-75

After Hours (emergencies)

Tel.: [52] (621) 725-85

Fax: [52] (62) 172375 ext. 49

American Consulate General

Tapachula 96

Tijuana, Baja California

Tel.: [52] (66) 81-7400 or

(706) 681-7400

After Hours (emergencies)

Tel.: (619) 585-2000

Fax: [52] (66) 81-8016

American Consulate

Avenue Primera No. 2002

Matamoros, Tamaulipas

Tel.: [52] (891) 2-52-50 or

[52] (891) 2-52-51

Fax: [52] (89) 138048