Calling to Mexico
Making Calls while in Mexico
Making Calls while in Mexico
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Information About Mexico’s Telephone System
Mexico’s telecommunications system is expanding. However, rural areas continue to be poorly served. Several major American telecommunications corporations are active in Mexico, including AT&T, Worldcom, and SBC Communications.
Currently, over 19 million land lines and over 56 million cellular lines are in use.
Important Phone Numbers To Know if Traveling to Mexico
You may want to research the contact information for your country’s Embassy in Mexico before traveling. Information for American visitors can be found below:
The U.S. Embassy in Mexico City is at Paseo de la Reforma 305, next to the Hotel María Isabel Sheraton at the corner of Río Danubio (tel. 55/5080-2000 or 555/511-9980); hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 5:30pm. There are U.S. Consulates General at López Mateos 924-N, Ciudad Juárez (tel. 656/611-3000); Progreso 175, Guadalajara (tel. 333/268-2100); Av. Constitución 411 Pte., Monterrey (tel. 818/345-2120); and Tapachula 96, Tijuana (tel. 664/622-7400). There are also consular agencies in Acapulco (tel. 744/469-0556); Cabo San Lucas (tel. 624/143-3566); Cancún (tel. 998/883-0272); Cozumel (tel. 987/872-4574); Hermosillo (tel. 662/217-2375); Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo (tel. 755/553-2100); Matamoros (tel. 868/812-4402); Mazatlán (tel. 669/916-5889); Mérida (tel. 999/925-5011); Nogales (tel. 631/313-4820); Nuevo Laredo (tel. 867/714-0512); Oaxaca (tel. 951/514-3054); Puerto Vallarta (tel. 322/222-0069); San Luis Potosí (tel. 444/811-7802); and San Miguel de Allende (tel. 415/152-2357).
Other Important Information to Know About Mexico
Time Zone:
Central Standard Time: GMT –6 .00 hours. Current time in Mexico City.
Mountain Standard Time: GMT –7.00 hours. Current time in Chihuahua.
Pacific Standard Time: GMT –8.00 hours. Current time in Mexicali.
Currency:
1 U.S. dollar is worth 14.85 Mexican pesos. Current exchange rates for Mexican peso.
Population:
107,449,525 (Mestizos, of both European and Amerindian ancestry: 60-75%; pure Amerindian 11%; Ethnic Europeans 10-15%, and small numbers of people of Middle Eastern, Asian, and African descent)
Holidays:
Mexico has a large Roman Catholic population that is reflected in its holiday celebrations. Most every town has a patron saint, and the saint’s day festivals are high points of the year with processionals and fiestas.
Secular holidays include Constitution Day (February 5th), Flag Day (February 24th), Benito Juarez’s Birthday (March 21st), Cinco de Mayo (May 5th), Independence Day (September 16th), and Revolution Day (November 20th).
Language:
Mexico does not have an official language, but Spanish is spoken by 97% of the population and used to political, education, and media purposes. There are also 62 indigenous languages spoken in the country; 6% of the population speaks at least one. The two with the largest numbers of speakers are Nahuatl (1.5 million) and Yucatec Maya (800,000).
Climate:
Mexico's climate varies tremendously. Both coasts can be hot and humid, but inland, at higher elevations such as Guadalajara or Mexico City, the climate is drier and more temperate. The hot, wet season is May to October. June and September tend to be the hottest and wettest months throughout the country. December to February are the coolest months. Inland northern Mexico can get quite chilly, with temperatures approaching freezing.
Fun Facts About Mexico
- Mexico has two travel seasons: the high season lasts from December to Easter, and the low season lasts from Easter to mid-December. Prices often drop significantly during the low season. So, if rain and heat do not bother you, travel then for the best bargains.
- Mexico was home to some of the most advanced ancient civilizations including the Aztecs and the Maya.
- The state of Baja California runs for almost 900 miles south of San Diego, California. It’s anchored by Tijuana at the north and Cabo San Lucas at the south. Make the drive between to see the many beautiful beaches and fishing villages that separate the two.
- Indulged too much in Mexico’s fine tequilas and beers? Chilaquiles, a breakfast casserole of tortillas and salsa, is a preferred hangover cure across the country.
- Tipping is the norm for service people in Mexico, with the exception of taxi drivers. You should tip taxi drivers, however, if they provide touring or other special services.
- Millions of butterflies congregate in a small part of a forest in the Tarascan region in the state of Michoacan.
- Water is not safe to drink in most parts of Mexico. Look for water labeled “agua purificada.”
- Mexico has an amazing diversity of regional cuisines. Though staple crops are often the same, the cuisines that develop out of them can differ dramatically.
- The Copper Canyon is a region in northern Mexico where canyons are etched into volcanic rocks. The Chihuahua al Pacifico railroad takes you through 20 of the canyons.
- Lucha Libre, professional wrestling, is a popular source of entertainment in Mexico.
- Mexico is famous for its dramatic “telenovelas” or soap operas. They are watched regularly in even the most isolated villages.
- Mexico protects 17 million hectares as “Protected Natural Areas.”
- The Municipal Tourist Information Office in Jerusalem can arrange day trips to assist with archeological digs during the summer months.
- Some bars in Mexico offer free botanas (snacks) when you order drinks. In some bars, these are generous enough to make up a meal!
- First class buses are an excellent way to travel between cities in Mexico. They are air-conditioned, roomy, and affordable.
- Mexico is the 5th largest country in the world.
- Mexicans have a liking for sweets. Be warned: they do put chili powder on many of their fruits and candies!
- Tacos are the most popular Mexican street food. You can find delicious ones most anywhere in the country.
- Mexico is one of 17 “megadiverse” countries in the world. It is home to over 200,000 different species.