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Mexico
General Information for Mexico
Geo-political:
Capital City: Mexico City (Ciudad de Mexico). 19° 26.00′ N, 099° 08.00′ W
Nationality: (noun) Mexican(s), (adjective) Mexican.
Population: 128,649,565 (July 2020).
Communications:
International Direct Dial Code: 52.
Number of Internal Airports: 1714 (2013).
Major Languages Spoken: Spanish only 92.7%, Spanish and indigenous languages 5.7% and indigenous only 0.8%.
Economy:
Currency: 1 Mexican Peso (MXN) of 100 Centavos.
Exchange Rates:
(as of November 2020)
USD 1.00 = MXN 21.28
MXN 1.00 = USD 0.05
Exchange rates under licence from
XE.com
Main Industries: Food, beverages, tobacco, chemicals, iron, steel, petroleum, mining, textiles, clothing,
motor vehicles, consumer durables and tourism.
Agricultural Products: Corn, wheat, soybeans, rice, beans, cotton, coffee, fruit, tomatoes, beef, poultry,
dairy products and wood products.
Imports: Metalworking machines, steel mill products, agricultural machinery, electrical equipment,
automobile parts for assembly, repair, aircraft, aircraft parts, plastics, natural
gas and oil products.
Exports: Manufactured goods, electronics, vehicles, auto parts, oil, oil products, silver,
plastics, fruits, vegetables, coffee, cotton and Mexico is the world's leading producer
of silver.
Commodities: Crude: Production 1,852,000 bbl/d. Exports 1,214,000 bbl/d. Reserves 6,630,000,000 bbl.
Products: Production 844,600 bbl/d. Exports 155,800 bbl/d. Imports 867,500 bbl/d.
LNG: Production 31,570,000,000 cu.m.. Exports 36,810,000 cu.m.. Imports 50,120,000,000 cu.m..
Reserves 279,800,000,000 cu.m..
Environment:
Territorial Sea: 12 n.m.
Contiguous Zone: Contiguous Zone: 24 n.m. Continental Shelf: 200 n.m. Exclusive Economic Zone: 200 n.m.
Coastline Extent: 9,330 km.
Climate: Varies from tropical to desert.
Natural Resources: Petroleum, silver, antimony, copper, gold, lead, zinc, natural gas and timber.
Natural Hazards: Tsunamis along the Pacific coast, volcanoes and destructive earthquakes in the center
and south, and hurricanes on the Pacific, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean coasts and
volcanic activity in the central-southern part of the country; the volcanoes in Baja
California are mostly dormant; Colima (3,850 m), which erupted in 2010, is Mexico's
most active volcano and is responsible for causing periodic evacuations of nearby
villagers; it has been deemed a Decade Volcano by the International Association of
Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to its explosive
history and close proximity to human populations; Popocatepetl (5,426 m) poses a threat
to Mexico City; other historically active volcanoes include Barcena, Ceboruco, El
Chichon, Michoacan-Guanajuato, Pico de Orizaba, San Martin, Socorro, and Tacana; see
note 2 under "Geography - note".
Terrain: High, rugged mountains; low coastal plains; high plateaus; desert.
Average Temperatures:
| Month | High | Low |
|---|---|---|
| January | 19° C | 6° C |
| June | 24° C | 12° C |
| September | 22° C | 11° C |
CHARTS:
Charts and nautical publications available from Direccion General Adjunta de Oceanografia,
Hidrografia y Meteorologia (DIGAOHM), the hydrographic section of the Mexican Navy.
digaohm.semar.gov.mx/hidrografia.html
DOCUMENTS:
Individual ports operate a Sistema Puerto Sin Papeles (PSP), a web-based system for
the submission of pre-arrival information and documentation. Access to the port’s
PSP is possible through its website, and access is available to registered users only.
| Port | PSP Website |
|---|---|
| Altamira | psp.puertoaltamira.com.mx/php/ser/?tCodSeccion=01.03 |
| Dos Bocas | sop.puertocoatzacoalcos.com.mx:8081/SOP3/ |
| Coatzacoalcos | www.mediport.com.mx |
| Ensenada | psp.puertoensenada.com.mx/apl/sist/sist-inse/inicio-de-sesion/ |
| Guaymas | sop.puertodeguaymas.com.mx/sop/ |
| Lazaro Cardenas | sop.apilazaro.com.mx/sop/ |
| Matamoros | apitamaulipas.com/sistema-rsp |
| Manzanillo | www.puertosinpapeles.com.mx/php/ser/?tCodSeccion=1.1 |
| Mazatlan | www.mediport.com.mx |
| Progreso | www.sparp.com.mx/sparp/Default.aspx |
| Puerto Madero | www.puertochiapas.com.mx/sop_/ |
| Puerto Vallarta | www.puertodevallarta.com.mx/sop/ |
| Salina Cruz | www.apisalinacruz.com.mx:8088/sop/ |
| Tampico | www.mediport.com.mx |
| Topolobampo | www.puertotopolobampo.com.mx/sop/ |
| Tuxpan | sop.puertotuxpan.com.mx/ |
| Veracruz | www.mediport.com.mx |
MEDICAL:
Health risks in Mexico include Zika virus, chikungunya, dengue and cyclospora.
Outside state capitals and larger urban areas, medical and emergency services may
be limited. This includes immediate response, ambulances, basic medical equipment
and expertise. Contact your insurance or medical assistance company quickly if you
are referred to a medical facility for treatment.
In Mexico City, you can use emergency buttons on CCTV cameras across the city to immediately
connect to the emergency services. Otherwise, dial 911 throughout the country and
ask for an ambulance.
Not all hospitals will agree to deal directly with medical insurance companies. Be
prepared to pay for treatment yourself up front and then get a refund.
Many pharmacies in large cities in Mexico provide 24-hour service. You must get prescriptions
issued outside Mexico translated into Spanish. Local pharmacies may still decide to
reject a foreign prescription. Many pharmacies have a GP who can assess a patient
and prescribe medication.
Only drink boiled or bottled water and avoid ice in drinks.
HOLIDAYS:
1 January (New Year's Day); 6 January (Three King's Day); 5 February (Dia de la Constitucion);
21 March (Natalicio de Benito Juarez); Maundy Thursday; Good Friday; Easter Sunday;
1 May (Labour Day); 5 May (Cinco de Mayo); 16 September (Mexican Independence Day);
12 October; 1–2 November (Day of the Dead); 20 November (Revolution Day); 12 December
(Our Lady of Guadalupe's Day); 24 December (Christmas Eve); 25 December (Christmas
Day).
WEATHER/TIDES:
The hurricane season in Mexico normally runs from June to November and can affect
both the Pacific and Atlantic coasts. Monitor local and international weather updates
from the US National Hurricane Center.
www.nhc.noaa.gov/
TELEPHONES:
Telephone numbers in Mexico are made of ten digits with either two-digit or three-digit
area codes
The following prefixes are used when making a telephone call in Mexico:
| Prefix | Use | Format |
|---|---|---|
| 00 | International direct dialling | 00 + CC + AC + PN |
| 01 | Domestic direct dialling | 01 + AC + PN |
| 02 | Domestic operator dialling | 02 + AC + PN |
| 09 | International operator dialling | 09 + CC + AC + PN |
| 044 | Local mobile from a land line | 044 + AC + PN |
| Mobile to mobile (local and national) | AC + PN | |
| 045 | National mobile from a land line | 045 + AC + PN |
CC - Country code
AC - Area code
PN - Phone number
To reach a Mexican telephone number from another country, you must dial the international
access code of the country you are calling from, followed by the national code for
Mexico (52) + area code + phone number.
To call a Mexican registered mobile telephone from outside Mexico, you must dial the
international access code of the country you are calling from, followed by the national
code for Mexico (52) + 1 + area code + phone number; the prefix 044 or 045 is omitted.
CUSTOMS:
There are strict rules about goods you can bring into and take out of Mexico. You
must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.
Check whether you will need to declare anything to customs officials. If you have
goods to declare, you must submit a Customs form online before travelling to Mexico.
If you do not declare goods, customs officials may seize them and you could get a
fine.
Customs forms can be completed online at
siat.sat.gob.mx/app/declaracion/faces/pages/plantilla/declaracionAduana.jsf
Customs and immigration information can be found at
consulmex.sre.gob.mx/reinounido/index.php/es/contenido/79-customs-and-migration-information
SHORE LEAVE:
Street crime in Mexico is a serious problem throughout all the major cities, including
in the tourist resort areas. Dress down and avoid wearing expensive jewellery or watches.
Be particularly alert on public transport, at airports, bus stations and tourist sites.
Passengers have been robbed and/or assaulted by unlicensed taxi drivers, particularly
in Mexico City. At airports, use only authorised prepaid airport taxi services.
Theft on buses is also common; only use them during daylight hours and then only first-class
buses if possible. You should stay alert and keep an eye on your belongings when travelling
by bus.
Exercise caution when withdrawing money from ATMs or exchanging money at a Bureau
de Change; it is safer to use ATMs only during daylight hours and inside shops or
malls. Avoid ATMs when they are being refilled, as there has been an increase in the
number of armed robberies during these transactions. You are advised to limit the
amount of cash or credit/debit cards you carry with you, given the risk of theft and/or
“express kidnapping” (where victims are required to withdraw money from a cash point
in order to obtain their release).
Be wary of persons presenting themselves as police officers attempting to fine or
arrest you for no apparent reason. There have been instances of visitors becoming
victims of theft, extortion or sexual assault by persons who may or may not be police
officers. When in doubt, ask for identification and, if possible, note the officer's
name, badge number, and patrol car number.
Exercise caution when accepting food, drinks or rides from strangers. Do not leave
your food and drinks unattended in bars and restaurants. Cases of travellers being
robbed or assaulted after being drugged have been reported.
Serious Violence:
Drug-related violence in Mexico has increased over recent years.
Drug-related violence is concentrated in specific areas in Mexico and some regions
are almost completely spared. Many fatalities are suspected gang members killed in
turf wars between the different organisations that compete for control of trafficking
routes into the US.
There is a high risk of drug-related violence and other violent crime in the states
of Baja California (north), Chiapas, Chihuahua, Colima, Guanajuato, Guerrero, Jalisco,
Michoacan, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas and Zacatecas. Foreign nationals should consult up-to-date
travel advisories (for example from national governments) before travelling to Mexico.
REPATRIATION:
Foreign nationals entering Mexico by air or land are required to complete a FMM (Forma
Migratoria Multiple) prior to arrival. A FMM is available to tourists, business visitors
and others. Foreign nationals arriving by air must obtain a digital version of a FMM
(FMMd) and online applications can be completed at
www.inm.gob.mx/spublic/portal/inmex.html
Foreign nationals who wish to enter Mexico by land must complete a FMMe form which
can be obtained online at
www.inm.gob.mx/fmme/publico/en/solicitud.html
Foreign nationals arriving by sea will complete immigration formalities at the first
port of arrival in Mexico.
The maximum stay for visitors (tourists and business visitors) in Mexico is up to
six months. The maximum stay for visitors in transit is up to 30 days.
Border agents will stamp the relevant FMM form upon arrival. Please keep it in a safe
place and do not lose it. You will be asked for your FMM on your departure from Mexico.
To leave Mexico, you must show your passport with the entry stamp showing how many
days you were allowed to stay.
If you lose your passport, you must pay a fee to replace the entry stamp. The fee
is about MXP 700, to be paid at the immigration office by card or in a bank with cash.
Migration officers do not accept cash. (Updated fees should be displayed at the immigration
offices.)
You can replace the stamp at the immigration office at any international airport in
Mexico or start the entry stamp replacement process online at
www.inm.gob.mx/mpublic/publico/inm-tramites.html?a=thgeGuQHx2k%3D&tr=OxdxfZW6EOE%3D&h_sdp00=giUnJ9XgtISVcdYJXduIGw%3D%3D
Fake immigration officers can operate in international airports. Always refuse offers
of help and head directly to the immigration office.
If you are travelling or transiting through the USA to or from Mexico you will be
required to have an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) visa waiver
or the correct US visa. You will not be allowed to pass through the USA without the
correct travel document.
Customs and immigration information can be found at
consulmex.sre.gob.mx/reinounido/index.php/es/contenido/79-customs-and-migration-information
Departure Tax:
You may need to pay a departure tax when leaving Mexico by air or land. The cost can
vary, and some airports or border crossings only accept cash. Most airlines include
the cost within the ticket price. If in doubt, check with your airline, agent or tour
operator.
IDENTIFICATION CARDS:
The police sometimes ask foreigners to show some form of identification. You may wish
to carry photocopies of the relevant pages of your passport and important documents
and leave the originals in a safe place.
AUTHORITY:
Secretaria de Marina, Direccion General de Puertos, Boulevard Adolfo Lopez Mateos,
No. 119, Piso 7, Col Los Alpes Tlacopac, Deleg Alvaro Obregon, CP 01010 Mexico, Distrito
Federal, Mexico. www.gob.mx/semar
