Time Difference
Mexico spans four time zones. Mexico City is six hours behind GMT, on the west coast in Baja California the time difference is seven hours while on the Yucatan Peninsula on the east coast it’s five hours behind.
Money
The national currency is the Mexican peso. Note that the "$" sign is used in Mexico to refer to pesos; US dollars are recorded US $ or USD. Banks are open Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 17:00 or 18:00. And often on Saturdays until 14:00. They are equipped with ATMs, which accept major credit cards.
Electricity and Plugs
110 volts; US sockets.
Local Amenities
In general, shops open from Monday to Saturday, 09:00 or 10:00 to 19:00 and 20:00. In the south of the country and in small towns, some shops close for siesta (14:00-16:00) and open until 21:00. In resorts and shopping centres, many shops are open on Sunday. Usually, museums open from 09:00 or 10:00 to 17:00 or 18:00; they are closed on Mondays. Archaeological sites are open daily from 08:00 to 17:00 (in principle). Despite political reform in the late 90s, Mexico still has a long way to go before it achieves a truly free press.
Media
The media landscape is incredibly complex; on the one hand, socio-political conflict and organised crime still pose a threat to independent journalism, on the other hand Mexico is home to a strong and diverse alternative media. Two of the most popular are Excelsior (which has been in print since 1917 and is the second oldest in Mexico City) and Reforma, a moderate newspaper which provides the best coverage of international news. For English language news, a number of American publications are available in Mexico, while mexiconewsdaily.com is an online English-language paper.
Post
In most cities, there is only one post office. A letter for Europe will take, on average, two weeks to arrive. In an emergency, it is best to use an express service such as DHL, FedEx or UPS.
Phone
To phone Mexico from the UK, add 00 52 to the front of the number you’re dialling (removing the first zero from the number you’re dialling). To call the UK from Mexico, use 00 44 before dialling the number (again, without the first zero).
Internet and Mobile Coverage
WiFi hotspots are common across Mexico, even in more rural areas. Most independent cafes will also offer WiFi. Mobile coverage is also good across Mexico. Check with your operator for information on accessing local networks.
Currency
MXN
