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Time: GMT/UTC -6 (Central Standard Time).
Dress code: The dress standards in Mexico City are mostly casual, but
appropriate and conservative outfits are recommended when visiting
well-established places like big restaurants or government offices. Women
should keep their legs covered. Also, it is a must to take precautions
against sun and heat stroke by using sunblock and put on hat and jacket to
protect your skin when going outdoors.
When to go: Any period from January to June is pleasant to visit
Mexico City as the temperatures are cool and there are not a lot of tourists.
The most crowded and busy periods are during the Semana Santa and Christmas to
New Year, but are great time for festivals observers. However, you may
need to book your lodgings and transportation well in advance.
Language: Spanish, but English-speaking staff can be found in large
hotels and restaurants as well as in tourist centers.
Banking hours: 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday.
Currency:
New Mexican Pesos (MXN), sometimes written $.
Notes issued: $20, $50, $100, $200, $500.
Coins issued: 10 cents, 50 cents, $1, $2, $5, $10, $20.
Hospital: Embassies should be able to provide a list of
English-speaking doctors if necessary, and American Express cardholders can make
use of their Global Assist medical referral service.
Phones: Local, domestic and long-distance and international phone
calls can be made from any public phone with a phonecard. Otherwise, a
number of shops have public phones (for international services look for the blue
"Larga Distancia" signs). You can dial direct from most big
hotels, but the charge will be much higher.
Useful numbers:
International country code: 52
Mexico City: 5
Emergency (fire, police, ambulance): 06
International operator: 090
Lost persons information: 658-1111
Secretary of Tourism (multilingual): 5 240-0123-51
Dialing tips:
National calls: 01 - area code - number
International calls: 00 - country code - number
Dialing Mexico from abroad: +52 - area code - number
Internet access: There are numerous cybercafes all over the city and
they usually charge around US$2 per hour. However, it's recommended to
shop around as the places where the locals go to tend to offer cheaper rates.
Districts: Mexico City is divided into 16 boroughs called delegaciones,
which are further divided into colonias or neighborhoods.
Public holidays:
New Year's Day - 1 January
Constitution Day - 5 February
Day of the Flag - 24 February
Anniversary of Benito Juarez's birthday - 21 March
Good Friday - March/April
Easter Sunday, Labor Day - 1 May
1862 Victory Celebration - 5 May
Dia de la Independencia - 16 September
Dia de la Raza - 12 October
Dia de la Revolucion - 20 November
Dia de Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe - 12 December
Dia de Navidad - 25 December
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