México 101
Electrolit:
People usually do not realize that Mexico City is located at more than 7,000 feet above sea level. This means it’s extremely easy to get altitude sickness when you first arrive (not to mention working out is way harder). Drinking Electrolit (Mexican Pedialyte) is the best way to combat dehydration. It’s sold at every Oxxo and 7/11 and can be delivered via Rappi/UberEats.
Getting Cash:
DO:
Bring your debit card for withdrawing pesos from an ATM.
Go to one of these banks to pull out cash:
Santander
Banamex
HSBC
Banco Azteca
BBVA
When withdrawing cash, you will be asked if you accept the proposed exchange rate. Always click “NO.” You can read more about why here.
DO NOT:
Get cash from ATMs not physically in a bank. ATMs inside a bank are safe.
Do not get cash from the airport. The exchange rates are bad at the airport.
Credit Cards:
Nearly every place foreigners go to accept credit/debit cards (even some taco stands). Visa and Mastercard credit cards are more widely accepted than Amex.
Water & Cooking:
It is not safe to drink the water in Mexico. In general, buy water only from Oxxo, 7/11, or supermarkets. Out of an abundance of caution, never buy bottled water from people selling on the street (even if the bottle is sealed).
Buying bottled water at restaurants is safe. When in doubt, ask restaurants if they’re serving filtered water and/or purified ice.
If you’re going to cook, you should clean your produce with iodine solution. You can buy iodine solutions at any supermarket (La Comer, City Market, Sumesa, Walmart, etc.). It’s often sold under brand names BacDyn or Golden Hills microbicida.
Conveniences:
How do delivery services work?
You can get food delivered via Rappi or UberEats. On Rappi, there’s a section called “Turbo” (slightly more expensive), which means you can get a whole bunch of items delivered within 10 minutes!
Where do I buy convenience items?
Oxxo and 7/11 are the best places to get quick convenience items (snacks, drinks, OTC medicine, etc.) They’re located every couple of blocks.
Walmart, Costco, Sumesa, La Comer, and City Market are all good places to buy groceries and household items. You can also order items from Amazon. However, the importation taxes are extremely high for goods from outside the country, so it is usually cheaper to shop locally.
Laundry / Dry Cleaning / Alterations:
There are laundry/dry cleaning services all over the city. Some services pick up your clothes, too. The average turnaround time is 1-2 days.
Alterations are extremely cost-effective. The average turnaround time is between 2 days - 1 week. If you’re getting a dress tailored, you need to bring the heels you plan to wear with the dress, or they usually won’t accept your item for tailoring.
Print Shops:
There are many places to get documents printed. Look for stores advertising “copias.” You usually Whatsapp or email them what you’re trying to print, and they’ll print immediately. The cost is usually around 1 peso per page, and you need to pay with coins (versus credit cards).
Gyms:
There are countless gyms in Mexico City and numerous classes taught in English. There’s also an app called Fitpass, which allows you to go to different independent gyms/classes in the city. In order to download the app, you might need to change your app store country to Mexico.
Tipping:
It’s culturally normal to tip between 10-15% (more towards 15% these days).
If you’re ordering any items off of Rappi/UberEats or taking an Uber it’s customary to give a tip, too.
Many places, like nail salons, hair salons, pet groomers, etc., only accept cash tips, so carrying some small bills when using services is best practice.
Health / Wellness:
What are the safest pharmacies to go to?
Farmacias del Ahorro
Farmacias San Pablo
Farmacias Benavides
Where do I go if I’m sick but not an emergency?
There is a free doctor on-site during normal business hours at these three pharmacies: Farmacias del Ahorro, Farmacia San Pablo, and Farmacias Benavides. They can treat minor concerns as well as provide prescription refills. Tipping 100-200 pesos is customary if you receive good care.
What medicine do I take if I get Montezuma’s Revenge (traveler’s diarrhea)?
The go-to medicine for this issue is found by the brand names Treda, Kaomycin, and Nineka and contains the following medicines: Neomicina, Pectina, and Caolín. You can get it easily via Rappi or every pharmacy in a few minutes. If that medicine doesn’t work, you likely have an infection and need antibiotics. You can get antibiotics at the pharmacies listed above by seeing one of the free doctors.
Where do I go if I need prescription refills/medication?
You might not be able to get the same medication in Mexico. It’s generally best to bring the amount of your prescription medication from the United States you’ll need for your stay.
What is the best hospital in case of an emergency?
The best hospital in the city is Medica Sur.
Emergency Information:
What is the emergency number in Mexico?
911
Where is the United States Embassy?
Address: Av. P.º de la Reforma 305, Cuauhtémoc, 06500 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
What is the United States Embassy phone number (calling from within Mexico)?
What is the United States Embassy phone number for after-hour emergencies (calling from within Mexico)?