...MEXICAN MONEY... visum and other Mexico Warning Or Danger Tips

...HERE ARE THE AUTHORIZED BILLS AND COINS FROM MEXICO.. take in mind there is one new bill of 20 pesos that is made with plastic paper, its the only one bill ! ..

On dec 2004 was a NEW BILL
of 1000 pesos, with the image of HIDALGO... ALSO ONLY bills of 20, 50, 200 pesos have NEW PLASTIC BILLS PRESENTATION IN 2007 not before

be sure to know the mexican money otherwise one smart guy will give you in change old bills of mexico.. and you will be cheated

EXCHANGE RATE
Average March 2008 ( buy, spot)
www.elfinanciero.com.mx

I DOLLAR - 13 PESOS
1 EURO - 18.20 PESOS
1 POUND - 21 PESOS

See in the link Banxico "Nuevo Billete de 1000 Pesos" New bill of 1000 pesos

SOME STUFF ABOUT VISUM....

If you CROSS TO MEXICO BY BUS, you must ask first in your country if you need visum to go in MEXICO, you MUST ask in the mexican border for a stamp in your passport or pay for the format of inmigration, sometimes the tax is included in your flight ticket, but problems will come at inmigration when you leave the country, or if soldiers stop you in the highways in buses and show your ID you might spend some money in tips....

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Website: http://www.sanmiguelguide.com/currency.htm
Other Contact: www.banxico.org.mx/cMoneda/FSmon

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Warnings Or Dangers: TAX REFUND IN MEXICO for tourists

Tip Rating:

Updated by pedroebc

on Mar 18, 2009

BLUE DEMON, MIL MASCARAS

Since june 2008 tourist can ask tax refunds if they want, when they bought mexican products in Mexico more than 200 pesos,
The next 3 companies offer the service of refound in Mexico.
Global Refund Group, Premier Tax Free,Yvesam Retornos Mundiales

Next airports offer tax refounds in Mexico : DF, Cancún, Guadalajara, Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta.

http://www.premiertaxfree.com

****Premier Tax Free Mexico S.A de C.V.

Lope de Vega 117-303
Col. Polanco, C.P. 11560 México D.F.
Tel: +52(55)5027 0146
Fax: +52(55)3873 0413
Email: info@mx.premiertaxfree.com

Oficina Quintana Roo
Premier Tax Free
Av. Tulum 200-314(Plaza Mexico)
Mza 16, Smza 4,
C.P. 77500,Cancun
Quintana Roo
Tel: +52(998)892 3846
Fax: +52(998)883 9977

*****Global Refund Group
http://www.globalrefund.com/

******Yvesam Retornos Mundiales

http://www.yvesam.com.mx/
contacto.turista@yvesam.com.mx
(0155)5207-2165
(0155)5207-2325
(0155)5511-0884

Cd. de México

Aeropuerto Internacional
Benito Juárez
México, Distrito Federal

Terminal 1, sala de última espera
Zona estéril
Terminal 1, Bahía F2-F3
(Planta alta) Puerta 12
Zona abierta

Cancún

Aeropuerto Internacional de Cancún
Cancún, Quintana Roo

Terminal 2, sala de última espera
sala 5A
Terminal 3, sala de última espera
junto al SPA

http://www.sectur.gob.mx/wb/sectur/sect_Boletin_069_Inicia_en_Junio_Proceso_para_Devo

*******
BLUE DEMON and MIL MASCARAS some of the friends of EL SANTO are a legend too!

that movies are just unique in all the world you must see one !!

check this one...... the best movie ever and forever... listen the music, efects, etc

EL SANTO, BLUE DEMON,
MIL MASCARAS vs. momias de Guanajuato

xxxxx LUCHA LIBRE / PRO WRESTLING xxxxxx

the easiest arena to reach and safer area to walk is Arena Mexico...located near metro Cuahutemoc station(pink line) . I have been at show fridays at 7.30 pm.
tickets available in www.ticketmaster.com.mx

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Website: http://www.premiertaxfree.com/
Other Contact: BLUE DEMON, MIL MASCARAS

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Warnings Or Dangers: Inmigration, Visas, suggestions, complains.

Tip Rating:

Updated by pedroebc

on Mar 18, 2009

dont worry be happy !!

Visas in MEXICO

A passport is necessary traveling to Mexico, but US and Canadian citizens need only show a birth certificate or a naturalization certificate (www.embassyofmexico.org)
Tourists need the free tourist card (FM-T), from the offices or on the aircraft of airlines operating into Mexico, and at land borders.
Ask for at least 30 days (maximum 90 days). Tourist cards are available ask in mexican embassy if you need visa before travelling.

Depending the nationality turists can get 3 months in visum, later apply to inmigration office www.inami.gob.mx for an extention of other 3 months,
during this time if you do not tramit your FM3 form (as legal citizen) with a job, study or marry..... you have to leave mexico and you can come back to stay longer ( be sure to show cash to the officer if you say you are going to travel more).. Depending of your nationality you can apply for this
The local office INM for visas extentions terms is located in:
Avenida Ejercito Nacional almost corner Molliere in Polanco, in front Antara shopping in Polanco. Mexico city. Polanco subway station close by.
*INMIGRATION information:
informesdrdf@inami.gob.mx
tel 25810164 and 65

*************
USEFUL TELEPHONES OF EMERGENCY
IN MEXICO CITY
**************

police 060
emergencies 066 or 080
anonymus denounce 089
Red Cross 5395 1111
LOCATEL Missing persons 5658 1111
Tourism secretary 55538984
Human Rights comission mec city 52295600
Federal Police 018004403690 , 54840490
PROFECO comercial sercives complais 55688722

>>>>>>>>> SUGGESTIONS AND COMPLAINS in:

*TURISM
oramirez@sectur.gob.mx ,
oramirez@mexico-travel.com
jcedillo@sectur.gob.mx ,
jcedillo@mexico-travel.com

*POLICE :
buzon@ssp.gob.mx , denuncia@ssp.gob.mx
54840490 POLICIA FEDERAL PREVENTIVA (PFP)
01800 4403690
visiquejas@pgjdf.gob.mx
www.pgjdf.gob.mx tel 52009000

*INMIGRATION :
gvazquezr@sre.gob.mx, cinquejas@sre.gob.mx, fdiaz@sre.gob.mx

*HIGHWAYS, TRANSPORTATION :
buzon_sct@sct.gob.mx
buzon_dgcf@sct.gob.mx

*TOURISM IN MEXICO CITY
jorgecp@mexicocity.gob.mx
ricardorh@mexicocity.gob.mx

* * * * * * * *
The information bellow... are experiences of more than 200 travelers interviewed face to face since year 1995
* * * * * * *

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Website: www.inami.gob.mx

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Warnings Or Dangers: WARNINGS IN MEXICO CITY and MEXICO TRAVEL ALERT

Tip Rating:

Updated by pedroebc

on Mar 18, 2009

Chilangolandia

THE CRIME IN MEXICO became a serious problem after the crisis of the economy in 1994 ( and still) when Mexico suffered the highest devaluation and inflation of 10 000%( belive it), narcotrafic exist in Mexico maybe 30 years narcopolitics, something like organised crime in Italy or Rusia. The most type of robberies for turist... its just pickpockets, gun or knife showing. Its very low the cases of robbery with violence against turists. Most of bad cases are foreigners involved in drugs and black market.
Murders all around Mexico is involved with narcotrafic and people involved. Kidnapping is only happening with mexicans and cases with people lot of money
www.proceso.com.mx ( the mexican politics magazine )

____________________________________________

AT AIRPORT, if you need to call by public phone, in the magazines shops sell TELMEX phone cards cost 30 pesos or 50 pesos, that ones are plastic cards with a chip.. and works in all Mexico..sometimes they sell you OTHER CARDS for some international phone cards that do not work correctly and cost 100 pesos .. I dont recommend them.

You can take a safe YELLOW TAXI inside the airport, that ones are safe ..( buy a ticket of safe taxis inside the airport )
if you are new in the city just spend in this taxi no problem. In case you are brave.. just take the subway METRO thats is besides national arrivals.. under your risk...
some robberies happened in non authorized taxis that people take from airport.
More security, cameras, and police has been working at ariport recently.

Female first timers in Mexico city better DO NOT TAKE THE METRO IN THE MORNINGS , its crowded from 6 am to 9am and from 5 pm to 7pm, in case you take it in morning and you are a woman ..go in the first 3 wagons of ` just children and women' in the mornings.. in case male turist with companion female go together first wagons.

robbers work more in the next subway stations inside / outside: HIDALGO, PINO SUAREZ, BALDERAS

dont wear or show expensive things in conflictive areas..like:

around ZONA ROSA its supposed nice but its just a place with stores, close the subway Insurgentes at night tourists can be target for robbers ... gay scene area.
watch out what you drink in bars....

GREEN BEETLE TAXIS in mexico city have bad reputation ,so better take cheap public transportation or subway. otherwise take a TAXI of SITIO or the new ones., this new ones means safe taxis parking in special places or hotels or new taxis of 4 doors
if you really have to take a TAXI , NOT TAKE that old green beetles in the city, that are the risky ones..... in case no option be sure to take one with the driver is an old guy.

SAFER TAXIS are the ones with 4 doors color white with red stripe or green stripe, that ones are good and new. look they have a plate behind a serial number in the doors.
Do not take taxis outside bars sometimes are the bad ones.. so better ask for " taxis de sitio " or " radio taxis " or just find a taxi at street but around there not exactly outside the bar.. some incidense of taxi drivers robbers from taxis of Condesa area.

.. Risky taxis - are the ones that stop to you and ask you for a ride... rather than you ask for one !

Inside the CHAPULTEPEC PARK there are some robbers just catching turists with nice cameras, or asking special permission or money to take pictures. give me a break! :0D

always keep your backpack and keep there your camera , dont walk like an old turist showing you have a good camera and money.
you must know the mexican coins and bills, some cases of people give old bills to tourist as a change... better have small denomination of bills.

USE your 5 senses and enjoy MEXICO !!!

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Website: www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/conseils-aux-voyageurs_909/pays_12191/mexique_12292/index.html
Other Contact: French TRAVEL WARNING website

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Warnings Or Dangers: ..HOSTELS / HOTELS around the zocalo and night ...

Tip Rating:

Updated by pedroebc

on Dec 9, 2008

FIRST TIME TRAVELERS staying at DOWNTOWN ZOCALO in Mexico city,
will experience:.. pollution, lot people, few restaurants, few nightlife, strange people and lot of pyshical men arrasment, possible robbers, music events in the main square, but also strikes...that why I suggest other hostels or hotels in other places in the city.

..AROUND ZOCALO area 3 streets besides the square at night CAN BE DANGEROUS, STREETS AS: Brasil, Peru and Rep, Salvador , Plaza meave, San salvador, etc...
its high risky (MORE AT NIGHT) walking at streets behind PLAZA GARIBALDI, ( mariachi area )

better walk in the more transit avenue EJE LAZARO CARDENAS at night

More comfortable options to have acomodation in the city are around : Chapultepec, Condesa,
careful in : Plaza de la republica and Zona Rosa

5 HOSTELS AROUND ZOCALO area :
Hostel Catedral Mundo joven, Hostel Amigo, Hostel Moneda, Hostel mexico city
www.hostelworld.com

you better also take some warnings in some streets around at night.
some streets have police around others not. walk safe in lightened streets.

take care your belongings since other people not staying at the hostels stop there in the lobby for a drink

the place TEPITO and LAGUNILLA its a black market / flea market TAKE CARE, the robbers are around, few police in the area. Its a zone of high risk.. dont be statistic :0/ as me
...go under your own risk, its a coin in the air !...

other places with risk for tourists are LA MERCED, LAGUNILLA, around BASILICA GUADALUPE.

OPTION: TAKE OTHER HOSTELS IN MEXICO CITY.

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Other Contact: 060 emergency number

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Warnings Or Dangers: MEXICO TRAVEL WARNING

Tip Rating:

Updated by pedroebc

on Dec 9, 2008

keep clean the mexican beaches,

Zipolite

In MEXICO CITY around Reforma avenue and Zocalo (downtown) you can find new touristic police, they know english and they are trustful, help people for free.... take it in mind.. tourist info offices near tourist points.
there are some guys wearing brown uniform like police, but begging for coins, they are just musicians not police, so dont be cheated with money..

BEFORE TRAVEL TO MEXICO put safe locks in your bags or roll with plastic your bags, machines sometimes break the bags or some bad employes at airport take sometimes things from your baggage ( example: my battery charger, my brother mp3player, my sister Palm etc..)

When you arrive to the INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT , take authorized taxis , you buy the ticket for the taxi just in the office in the right side of the international arrivals gate, prices depend in the ZONE and baggage(example to downtown are like 90 pesos), just check to pay the right amount in the office (not 400 pesos), Also do not permit other people take your bags otherwise they are going to ask you for tip ....
if you order a taxi from the airport from your hotel specify you want an ordinary taxi a single car for 1 person , otherwise they will take ventage and send you a Van truck and you have to pay like 4 times the price.

Robbers inside the CHAPULTEPEC PARK in Mexico city act showing a special credential as police, but they dont have uniform, you always have the RIGHT TO CALL YOUR EMBASSY , you can not be in jail they can not stop you, in case you are in troubles shout and they will be in panic..real police will help you.
Inside/outside the park dont eat nothing there, you can get a very bad stomach infection..later incubation of amibas in your intestins.. nice trip with diarrea uh !!!
robbers around ZOCALO AREA are searching specialy guys that go out from subway meanwhile they sit and read a travelguide books take care your belongings.

In all Mexico.... when you go to a bar or club, take care your belongings if you leave them in the chair or table and you go to dance... robbers are taking ventage.

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Website: www.travel.state.gov
Other Contact: U.S. TRAVEL WARNING website%

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Warnings Or Dangers: ... MORE WARNINGS AND TIPS

Tip Rating:

Updated by pedroebc

on Dec 9, 2008

Palacio Nacional, zocalo DF

About HEALTH if you dont have insurance and want cheap doctor and medicine, around Mexico..FARMACIAS SIMILARES.. this chain of drugstores they have doctors and offices that help poor people so just ask about help... you can buy medicine in Mexico without medical prescription.

TAXIS IN BUS STATIONS.- do not permit someone take your bags, they can put you in a fake taxi or a expensive taxi, you better take an authorized prepayed where you drive safe. Offices of prepayed taxis are inside bus stations. you pay first and they give you a ticket

Be familiar with the bills of Mexico, otherwise you can be cheated for some taxi drivers or people , example ..they can give you old bills not in circulation anymore.

ATM machines are around all Mexico city.... do not take money in dark places can not be safe.
you can do it inside restaurants or malls or shopping centers at night...or banks at day..
clonation of cards in ATM is possible so look very well if the entrance of the card dont look strange

ALWAYS take a copy of your passport (photocopy) , if you have problems with the police, the police have the obligation to talk with your embassy, or follow to your hotel to get the original one, give money can be worst.

IN POCHUTLA OAXACA,(mazunte,zipolite) NEVER leave your bags in the storage baggage bus station of bus line Cristobal Colon CC, they steal some things in your bags, frecuent complains.Lonelyplanet Forum

ASK 3 times to people to find a direction of a place,if 2 are correct you are in the good direction, people are friendly want to help but sometimes they dont know.

Some urban local buses in some turistic cities charge more to tourist so you better ask first the price for the ride.

LEAVE STUFF IN THE CAR.. think about it twice in case they steal the bags from the car or the car complete you might have problems?? it depends of the area..

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Website: http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1007029390590&a=KCountryAdvice&aid=1013618386217
Other Contact: BRITISH EMBASSY TRAVEL ADVICE

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Warnings Or Dangers: more warnings and tips.. vs EL SANTO

Tip Rating:

Updated by pedroebc

on Dec 9, 2008

In Playa del Carmen.. the hotel Caribbean Paradise has a really bad reputation of a hotel that your belongings are stolen from your room. big complains of french people.. French travel forum routard.com

in Guatemala, Antigua ( some cases in mexico city ).. IN SOME ATMs criminals can put a optional entrance or small cameras to put your plastic card in the machine ,so if you want to get money, they can copy and get your nip and take all the money they want.

In the state of Puebla, Mexico, have been some robberies with pirate taxis outside street bus station.
They can kidnapp you with gun, and asking for the nipcode of your bank cards, in case is not the right nipcode they can hit the person, better coperate in all circustances..manage emotions, dont look to the face to the criminal that make them nervous.
I recommend to take authorized taxis INSIDE bus stations. Better spend some more pesos and be safe than lose all your belongings and banking savings. keep your banking cards in a safe place not in your pockets neither wallet.
(this situation happen to me, NO JOKE )

MALARIA AND DENGUE it more common in rainy seasson in the ara of the border with Guatemala and Chiapas. Around Yucatan can happen just in huracane seasson (sept-oct) if there is a natural disaster, goverment always prevent with campaigns of prevention.

NARCOTRAFIC / MURDERS the narcotis is a huge problem in Mexico thanks to the big demand of USA consumers, recently the mexican goverment attacked the points of narcotrafic so in revange the capos and mafias has killed people involved in antinarcotics and narcotrafic dealers, just as punishment not to abandon the business and gainst police for revange.

States with high narcotrafic index of crimes: Michoacan, Sonora, Nuevo Leon, Guerrero, Zacatecas

*****************
.....well if you are in troubles EL SANTO can not save you anymore.

the movie Santo and Blue Demon vs the mommies of Guanajuato is rules!!!!!!!

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Website: http://www.elsanto.com.mx
Other Contact: EL SANTO el enmascarado de plata

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Warnings Or Dangers: EMBASSIES IN MEXICO WEBSITES/ TRADE CHAMBERS...

Tip Rating:

Updated by pedroebc

on Jan 24, 2009

**********************
EMBASSIES LOCATION IN MEXICO CITY
www.sre.gob.mx/acreditadas/default.htm

http://www.delmex.ec.europa.eu/

DETAILED MAP OF MEXICO CITY
http://guiaroji.aol.com.mx
**********************
Embassy of USA
http://mexico.usembassy.gov/
www.amcham.com.mx

Embassy of the Republic of France
www.francia.org.mx
www.consul-fr.org.mx
www.cfmci.com

Embassy of the Republic of Italy.
www.pentanet.com.mx/Embitaly/
www.camaraitaliana.com.mx
www.ice.it/estero2/cittamessico
www.italcultmexico.om.mx

Embassy of Spain
embaes@prodigy.net.mx
www.camescom.com.mx
www.centrocultesp.org.mx

Embassy of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
www.embajadabritanica.com.mx
www.britchamexico.com
www.britishcouncil.org.mx

Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany
www.embajada-alemana.org.mx
www.camexa.com.mx
www.goethe.de/mexiko

Embassy of the Hellenic Republic (Greece)
grecemb@prodigy.net.mx

Embassy of the Kingdom of Belgium
ambelmex@adetel.net.mx
www.belumex.com
Embassy of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
001(202)265.4171

Embassy of the Kingdom of Denmark
www.danmex.org

Embassy of the Kingdom of Sweden
www.suecia.com.mx
swedcham@attglobal.net

Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
www.paisesbajos.com.mx

Embassy of the Republic of Austria
www.embajadadeaustria.com.mx
www.austriantrade.org/mx

Embassy of the Republic of Finland
www.finlandia.org.mx
www.finpro.fi/mexico

Embassy of the Republic of Portugal
embpomex@prodigy.net.mx
icepmexico@intermark.net.mx

Embassy of Ireland
embajada@irlanda.org.mx

Embassy of Poland
www.polonia.org.mx

Embassy of Letonia
sbtmex@mail.internet.com.mx

Embassy Chez Rep.
mexico@embassy.mzv.cz

Embassy Eslovaquia
obeo@prodigy.com.mx

Embassy of Hungary
hungria@avantel.net

Embassy of Switzerland
www.aems.com.mx

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Phone: EMBASSIES LOCATION IN MEXICO CIT
Website: www.sre.gob.mx/acreditadas/default.htm

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Warnings Or Dangers: EMBASSIES IN MEXICO CITY

Tip Rating:

Updated by pedroebc

on Dec 9, 2008