Useful Imformation for Mexico City

General Information

Nickname

• Mexicans refer to Mexico City as DF (def-fee) which stands for Distrito Federal (Federal District).
  
• The name given to the people from Mexico City by those living outside the city, is ‘Chalango'

State

México State

Area

Approx. 5,000 sq km (1,931 sq miles)

Population

19,000,000

Elevation

2,240 m (7,349 ft)

Daylight Saving

Starts the first Sunday in April, and ends the last Sunday in October

Security

Mexico City may have a bad reputation for crime, despite this, scores of travelers venture there incident free. Common sense usually keeps crime at bay, along with preventative measures such as keeping to well-lit areas and not venturing into isolated parts. Always take Sitio taxis or radio taxis, which may cost a little more than hailing off the street, but worth the extra expense for security. It is important not to flaunt valuables and to leave them in a safety-box back at your hotel. Do not take your travel documents such as passport or flight tickets anywhere unnecessarily, although a photocopy of your passport should always accompany you. Just take out what you think you may need, and leave the rest in a secure location.

There is a Tourist Police Station in the Historic Centre, where you will find a very friendly and quick response to incidents. This is situated on Calle Victoria, three blocks South of the Palacio Bella Artes on Eje Central Lázaro Cárdenas to the left side.

Post Offices

Post Office Palace / Palacio de Correos

For postage stamps go to the window marked estampillas. Postcard rates to the US or Central America will cost you about $10.50 pesos; to Europe or South America about $13 pesos; and everywhere else $14.50 pesos.

Banks

ATM's are found all over Mexico City and many in tourist areas have an English option. Machines are usually marked with the type of card accepted. Banks tend to keep the hours of 9.00 to 17.00, with some open until 2pm on Saturdays.

Historic Centre Banks

• Banamex on La Palma & Carranza: change foreign currency, Visa Traveler's Cheques and give cash advances on Visa Cards over the counter.

• Scotiabank Inverlat on Isabel La Catolica & Uruguay: change cash and give cash advances on Visa and Mastercard. It is best to check with the ‘information' desk before you join the queue.Telephone

Dialing

The Mexican area code is +52, and the Mexico City area code is 55. Within Mexico, when making Long Distance calls to Mexican areas outside Mexico City, dial 0 followed by the area code. Long distance international phone numbers need the prefix 00 followed by the country code. E.g. The United States would be 00 + 1 followed by the phone number; Australia would be 00 + 61 + local number.

Public Telephones

Some phones are coin operated, but phone card only phones are becoming the norm. Latatel phone cards are the best, and can be bought at many shops around town, sometimes from venders at traffic lights. Look for a yellow and blue sign with ‘Ladatel' written on it.

Cellular Phone

You can bring your cell from home if it is GSM Sim card compatible. Purchase a Sim card chip with a Mexican phone number from Télcel shops, which is probably the largest Mexican cellular company with the widest coverage. A Sim card will cost you about $200 pesos ($20 US) or alternatively buy a new phone. The cheapest Nokia or Motorola go for about $400 pesos complete with Sim card.

Immigration Office

For immigration enquiries and tourist card extension, go to the Instituto Nacional de Migracion. Call first to find out what you need, because many people get turned away for not having the right documents.