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Mexico - PRACTICAL INFORMATION |
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Currency
The currency is the Mexican peso, it is issued in bills of 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 pesos.
Business hours
Banks are open to the public from Monday to Friday from 9.00 to 13.30.
Transportation
Road
Good condition despite the occasional presence of distortions or pot-holes. Roads are asphalted, well-maintained and serve most parts of the country.The toll roads or highways have the best guarantees of safety. The use of a 4x4 vehicle is necessary for any mountain sightseeing trip or in the desertic areas in the North of the country. Tourists can take their own vehicle to Mexico for a maximum period of 180 days. The temporary import license is delivered at the border after the payment of a tax by credit card and on presentation of the logbook of the car, the driving license and an ID which is valid for the immigration services (including the F.M.E). The foreign insurances are not valid. It is therefore compulsory to subscribe a Mexican car insurance. It is advised to check, on rental of a car, that the insurance policy comprises "full risks" and that it is still valid. In case of an accident, the driver can be kept in custody until the investigation is made. In case the driver cannot pay the fine, he can be kept in custody, and the vehicle may be seized. When there are seriously injured people, the judge can decide to jail the driver until the responsibilities of everyone in the accident are definite. After an accident, never try to run away. Stay calm, civil and, depending on the other persons involved, call the police as soon as possible and also both insurance companies, in order to draw up the jointly agreed statement for insurance purposes. If the accident is quite serious, do not move the vehicles unless you are asked to do so by the police. In Mexico, it is necessary to respect the traffic alternation established according to the number plate, in order to fight pollution. Vehicles with a foreign number plate can not be driven on Fridays. In any case, you have to be cautious while driving, respect all traffic rules and marking of the roads. Avoid driving at night. Group trips by bus in first and second class are usually comfortable and reliable. However it is not recommended to use them for night trips.
Rail
Obsolete and disrupted network (disregard schedules, no comfort except in first class). The train that serves the Chihuahua - Pacifico line is a tourist attraction. It is advised to drive it with few money on you.
Air
No more than 50 airports for the whole country. Secondary cities are served by regional airlines. It is not sure that the aircrafts are well maintained.
Internet
The Internet suffix is:
.mx
Basic conversation guide
Yes = S?
No = No.
Thank you = Gracias
Hello = Hola
Good morning = Buenos dias
Good afternoon = Buenas tardes
Goodbye, Goodbye = Adios
I do not understand = No entiendo
What's the price? How much does it cost? = ?Cuanto esta? ?Cual es el precio?
I would like to buy = Me gustaria comprar...
Do you accept the credit cards? = ?Aceptan tarjetas de credito?
Where is? = ?Donde est?
Post office = la oficina de correo
The bank = el banco
The police station, the police force = la estacion of policia; la comisaria de policia
The pharmacy = la farmacia
An airport = el aeropuerto
The train station = la estacion del tren
One ticket to..., please. = Un billete para..., por favor.
Would you have any available room for tonight? = ?Tiene habitaciones para esta noche?.
Official language: Spanish. Many Mexicans also know English and many of them appreciate the efforts made to speak Spanish. Moreover, even if Spanish is the language of preference used when corresponding with Mexican firms, English can also be used.
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Last modified in
January 2004
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