Mexico: practical information to prepare your trip

Mexico

Capital: Mexico City
Languages: Spanish (Castilian) and 68 other indigenous languages
Currency: Mexican peso. Exchange rate: 1 MXN = ± 0.05 EUR
**Tourist Office: **visitmexico.com
Belgian Embassy in Mexico: mexico.diplomatie.belgium.be
Emergency numbers:

• General emergency number: 911
• Municipal and state police: 060 and 066
• Federal police: 088
• Mexican Red Cross: 065
• Fire brigade: 068

Driving licence: The Belgian type B driving licence is accepted in Mexico for a stay of less than 3 months.

Card Stop (lost or stolen credit cards): +32 78 170 170
Doc Stop (Belgian ID card or passport lost or stolen): 00800 2123 2123 or + 32 2 488 2123

Assistance: Redion (Belgium):

• Tel.: +32.(0)2/533.75.75 (general number)
• Website: http://www.redion.be
• For medical and technical assistance only: Email: help.be@redion.com

Basic expressions / common words:

• Buenos días - Good morning
• Buenas tardes – Good afternoon
• Buenas noches – Good night
• Hola - Hello / Hi
• Adiós - Goodbye
• Por favor - Please
• Gracias - Thank you very much
• ¿Dónde está…, por favor? - Where is…, please?
• ¿Cuánto cuesta, por favor? - How much does it cost, please?
• (Yo) entiendo, / Lo siento, (yo) no comprendo - I understand / I'm sorry, I don't understand
• De nada - You're welcome
• ¿Dónde están los servicios, por favor? - Where are the toilets, please?

Did you know?

The Chihuahua only existed in Mexico in the 19th century; today this dog breed is found all over the world.

Travel documents and customs formalities

To enter Mexico, you must have a passport valid for at least 6 months after you return from your trip. No visa is required for stays of less than 90 days. On presentation of your passport and return ticket, you will receive a tourist visa on arrival to keep in your passport. On departure, you will need to hand in this visa as proof that you visited Mexico. If you stay in Mexico for more than 90 days, a visa is required. This can be applied for through a visa office or a Mexican diplomatic representative in Belgium, in Brussels or Liège.

When you arrive in Mexico with goods worth between 300 and 500 US dollars, you must pay a tax on the total added value of the goods. There is no restriction on cash amounts up to 10,000 USD. If you exceed this sum, you must state the cash amount on the customs form to be filled in on arrival.

The healthcare system in Mexico

Mexican law does not provide public healthcare for foreigners. As a tourist, you therefore only have access to private healthcare facilities, which are generally of average standard and very costly. We therefore strongly recommend taking out travel insurance before you leave, so you can fully enjoy your holiday. No compulsory vaccination is required for Mexico.

Safety in Mexico

Crime is significant in Mexico, both in tourist areas and in more remote regions. This is mainly due to the level of poverty and conflicts between rival gangs. Always be careful at night, even in quiet places; don't walk alone, and don't wear jewellery or distinctive accessories. If you're staying in Mexico City (the capital), it's best to travel by taxi booked officially through your hotel or restaurant.

Before you leave, read the latest travel advice for Mexico on the website of the Federal Public Service for Foreign Affairs.

It is recommended that you register your trip to Mexico on Travellers Online. This allows the Federal Public Service for Foreign Affairs to contact you should an emergency arise.

Traffic in Mexico City (the capital) is extremely chaotic, and we advise against driving yourself. To travel from one place or region to another in Mexico, it's best to travel by bus, train or plane, and in first class.

Climate and religion in Mexico

The best time to visit Mexico is between October and May, a dry period that isn't too cold. The rainy season runs from June to September. During the summer months, it's very humid and very hot in the southern coastal areas, and there's a significant influx of foreign tourists.
The weeks around Easter, Christmas and New Year are the most popular holiday periods for Mexican holidaymakers, so it can be difficult to find accommodation.

The most important religion is Catholicism.

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Mexican cuisine

Mexican cuisine is bold and spicy. Mexican dishes are rooted in pre-Columbian tradition, in which corn is a fundamental ingredient. You'll find it in the empanada, a classic made from crispy puff pastry filled with meat, vegetables and cheese. Other essential ingredients are potatoes, avocado, tomatoes and beans. Traditional dishes such as chili con carne, nachos and fajitas can be very spicy, and go perfectly with a nice cold Mexican beer!

Which travel insurance should I choose for a trip to Mexico?

At Redion, you can take out either temporary or annual travel insurance.

All travel insurance policies include the following benefits:

• Reimbursement of medical expenses
• Organisation of, and assistance with, your repatriation and that of your travelling companions if necessary
• Early return in the event of hospitalisation or death of a relative in Belgium
• Assistance in case of lost documents

If you only travel abroad once a year, temporary travel insurance may be useful. If you travel several times a year, annual travel insurance will be the more cost-effective option.