Mexico City is the capital city of Mexico. It has a POPULATION of around 20 million people, which means your visit is going to be crowded. The WEATHER is subtropical with temperatures ranging around 15 degrees and, at times, rainy. It is a good idea to visit the webpage for National Meteorological Service for better weather predictions. With an ALTITUDE of 2,240 metres people may suffer dizziness or headaches. Importantly, remember to enjoy the experience of visiting one of the biggest cities in the world and open your hearts and minds to the Mexican people. Moreover, that even though the country may suffer problems, Mexicans will try to help you in any way they can. ANA LAURA CHÁVEZ TINAJERO VISITING P ATARA M CKEEN R. LEOPOLDO CRUZ BALBUENA MEXICO CITY A short guide Index Practical Information _______________________________________________________________ 2 Arrivals & Departures ______________________________________________________________ 2 Transportation _____________________________________________________________________ 2 Accommodation ____________________________________________________________________ 2 Etiquette____________________________________________________________________________ 3 Life Hacks __________________________________________________________________________ 3 Contacts _____________________________________________________________________________ 4 Emergency Numbers _______________________________________________________________ 4 Hospitals ___________________________________________________________________________ 4 Embassies __________________________________________________________________________ 4 Safety ________________________________________________________________________________ 6 Scams ______________________________________________________________________________ 6 Security ____________________________________________________________________________ 6 Fun __________________________________________________________________________________ 8 Food ________________________________________________________________________________ 8 Places of Interest ___________________________________________________________________ 9 Museums __________________________________________________________________________ 10 Outside the City ___________________________________________________________________ 11 Tourist Dictionary _________________________________________________________________ 13 Greetings __________________________________________________________________________ 13 Information ________________________________________________________________________ 13 Days of the week __________________________________________________________________ 13 Hotel _______________________________________________________________________________ 14 Drinks _____________________________________________________________________________ 14 Restaurant ________________________________________________________________________ 14 PRACTICAL INFORMATION RRIVALS & DEPARTURES Mexico City is big, crowded and suffers 15:00 and from 18:00 to 22:00. This could traffic congestion. The congress will be save you a couple of hours of traffic. taking place is one of the most beautiful For DEPARTURES, the time between 18:00 to places in the city, yet it is occupied by 22:00 should to be avoided. It is important tourists from every corner of the world. to keep in mind that Av. Paseo de la The Angel de la Independencia roundabout Reforma could possibly close at any time, is also a hotbed for political and social any day, because of demonstrations (we protests, demonstrations, parades and will personally monitor that and send an several different types of events – be alert via Oñati Community). careful. In addition, Av. Paseo de la If you plan to ARRIVE ON SUNDAY, in the Reforma is the financial centre of the morning Av. Paseo de la Reforma remains country, therefore their hours of operation closed for cars, becoming a bicycle track. are good to keep in mind. Our Also, some highways are used to make a recommendation for ARRIVALS is to avoid bicycle circuit; this could be a nightmare, coming from the airport to the conference especially if you plan to drive from the between 08:00 to 10:00; from 13:00 to airport. RANSPORTATION Mexico City has numerous transportation these transportation methods are cheaper methods inside the city (bicycle, bus, light and safer than traditional means (even rail, metrobus, microbus, subway and taxi cheaper than airport taxi service). In case services) unfortunately, most of these you do not have/use Uber or Cabify, below options suffer from congestion. Therefore, are links to download them on your these can be challenging and unsecure for smartphone: Uber for android, Uber for travellers that do not know the city. At the iOS, Cabify for android, Cabify for iOS end of the guide you will find a map in case If you plan to rent a car, be aware that you decide to use any of these methods. there are road restrictions and the We strongly recommend travelling through emergency pollution program may prevent the city using transportation apps such as its use, please ask your rental car provider. Uber and Cabify. Arriving to Mexico City CCOMMODATION As you know, Mexico City is big, therefore, Polanco looking for a place to stay during the We do not recommend booking at any congress is going to be vital. Our hostel establishment in Mexico City. They recommendation is to stay at the following could be dangerous, inside and out. These places in order of proximity to the event: establishments are where criminal groups Cuauhtémoc; like to observe tourists. Juárez; Anzures; and, 2 Our recommendation for hotels are: For more discreet budgets, we recommend Hotel City Express - Reforma El Ángel; using the app of AIRBNB available for Marriott Mexico City Reforma; Android and iOS The St. Regis Mexico City; Four Seasons México; and, Camino Real Polanco. TIQUETTE Ask before taking a PICTURE of someone. The most common GREETING in Mexico is The BILL is paid ‘by hand’, by custom you with a strong handshake and a pat on the should give the waiter money or your credit shoulder. Women are usually greeted with card straight into their hand. It is an extended arm. The handshake is valid considered contemptuous to leave money for both presentations and farewells. or the card on the table. Tips are usually HANDS IN POCKETS is considerate a lack of not included in the total, so you may leave, respect when talking to someone. Try to depending on the service, a tip (it is keep your hands out of your pockets. common to add an additional 15-20% to the total). IFE HACKS When arriving to Benito Juárez Airport, go fraction really cheap. Near to the event you to Terminal 1 – the national flights area. can find Office Depot; Office Depot The EXCHANGE rate is always better in the Express; Office Max; and, Office Max airport, especially if you ask at banks, you Express. will get more pesos (Mexican currency) for Fortunately, the whole world seems to be your money. Be aware that there is only a conducting a crusade against TOBACCO, limited sum of currency that you can and Mexico City is an exception. If you are exchange, and some banks do not do a smoker remember that you cannot do it exchanges unless you have an account at in closed public spaces as hotels, that institution. restaurants, bars, hospitals, taxis and Traveling always involves the need to be public transportation. Be aware that some connected to home, modernity gives us the terraces do not allow people to smoke, even chance to be connected at all time through when the place is open. our cell phones. Public INTERNET is only TIPPING is always hazardous when visiting available in some neighbourhoods, such as a new country, in Mexico City we tip in Polanco. To be connected without the need restaurants between 15-20%, we also tip of getting a data plan you can always the bellboy around 10 to 20 Euros when he connect at places such as Starbucks, takes us to our hotel room. We do not tip McDonald’s, or Burger King. The internet taxi drivers. password is usually printed in the receipts, When WALKING on the street, always watch so just buy a coffee and connect your cell your steps, you could find an open drain, phone. gum, dog poop, you name it. In case you need to PRINT something or you You must know that Mexico City has no have an emergency and have to use a public RESTROOMS, therefore, if you are in computer, the big stationery shops have the street and you really need to go, you printing facilities, as well as computers to can always use the restroom of different work, and can be rented for hour or restaurants and coffee shops, Mexicans 3 usually use Sanborns, Starbucks, McDonald’s, among others. CONTACTS MERGENCY NUMBERS TELEPHONE NUMBER SERVICE 911 EMERGENCY Telephone Number 060 Police and other Emergency Services 061 Police Detectives 065 Ambulance 068 Fire Department 5658-111 Locatel (emergencies, missing persons, information) 5229-5600 Human Rights Commission 5250-8221 TOURIST-AID POLICE 01-800-440-3690 Federal Preventive Police 5677-2227 Federal Highway Police 5568-8722 Federal Consumer-Affairs Commission OSPITALS Here are some hospitals near to the conference: Centro Médico ABC Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI Cruz Roja Mexicana Hospital Ángeles Lomas Hospital Español MBASSIES COUNTRY ADDRESS TELEPHONE NUMBER Argentina Paseo de las Palmas 1670, Col. Lomas de +52 (55) 5520 9430 to Chapultepec, C.P. 11000, Del. Miguel Hidalgo, 32 CDMX Australia Rubén Dario 55, Col. Polanco, C.P.