Arriving and Departing

Airport Name: Benito Juárez Intenational Airport; code MEX

Location: 6.5km. east of the downtown historic center.

Facilities
A truly fine international facility, the airport is now actually two connected facilities. The older but nicely appointed original terminal houses Mexican-based carriers, while the newer terminal (opened n 1993 at a cost of $80 million) has most international carriers (including all U.S. airlines).

The older terminal has now been spiffed up thanks to a major modernization project completed in early ’98. Improvements in the upstairs gate are include carpeted floors, remodeled restrooms, comfortable seats, and improved concessions. There is also a Hilton Hotel, located above the gate area in the new passenger terminal (see Lodging section in this chapter for details).

Mexico City Airport offers dozens of shops selling an amazing variety of domestic and imported items. An excellent art gallery occupies a portion of the main terminal lobby. There are several bars and snack stands, several restaurants, a fast-food court, bank outlets, an excellent visitor info center (including Hotel Association Offices in the baggage claim areas offering local information and hotel bookings), and impeccably clean, shiny marble floors throughout.

Free for holders of American Express Gold and Platinum Cards is the Club Centurion lounge in the new terminal.

MEXICO CITY INFO

Federal District Tourism Office Mexico City
Tel. 55334700
Tel 55259387
www.mexicocity.gob.mx
Ticketmaster
Tel. 53259000

Getting Around

From the airport, look for booths inside of baggage claim with a large TAXI sign. AVOID ALL OTHER AIRPORT TAXI SOLICITATIONS. Set rates apply to all areas of the city, with most fares running around $10 U.S. per trip. Tip 10% of the fare if driver handles you luggage. Around town there are several choices.

TAXIS: All cabs are not equal, particularly in Mexico City where several options are available. Outside most hotels and visitor attractions are larger (more expensive!) unmarked sedans with English speaking drivers and guides. These larger sedans can be hired by the hour ($20-$30 US) and are perfect for the business traveler with appointments at different locations. Drivers carry cellular phones. For chauffeur-driven private limos, call Turismo Leibnitz, 5255311640; fax 5314763.

Crossing the streets are taxis of three distinctions - the orange & white four door cabs offering comfort and metered rates; green & white, newer VW bugs with cheaper, metered rates; yellow & white, older VW bugs (soon to be phased out in favor of the green bugs which use unleaded fuel) which offer the cheapest metered rates of all. However, a recent surge in petty crime has caused city authorities to recommend visitors use only "sitio" cabs, avoiding the roaming VW vehicles (see below for safety tips).

In any case, cabs are CHEAP by international standars and easy to find. Rates may be higher on Sundays and in the evening after 10pm. Tipping is generally not expected.

Always check that the meter is working or running ("ON") before you drive off. The meter should read "2" (2pesos) when starting a journey at normal hours.

SUBWAY: Yes, Mexico City has one of the finest systems in the world. For 1.5 pesos you can cruise the entire city in rapid efficiency on board quiet, French-designed trains. There are nine lines covering 175 km of track. Stations are clean

d and attractive; some have special attractions. The Zócalo station, for instance, features hyge models of Mexico City during three historic periods; the Bellas Artes station has replicas of archaeological relics, the Pino Suárez station has an actual Aztec temple unearthed during station construction. Best to avoid rush hours, and be cautious with your belongings. Hours vary but must run 6am-midnight.

RENTAL CAR: Get real!

Note: Strict anti-pollution laws restrict vehicle usage in Mexico City on certain days of the week. The schedule, determined by the last digit on your license plate for out-of-state cars, is as follows:

Monday------------------5 or 6
Tuesday------------------7 or 8
Wednesday--------------3 or 4
Thursday-----------------1 or 2
Friday---------------------9 or 0
Sat/Sun-------------------No restrictions apply.

(The schedule is determined by the color band on the license plate for Mexico City residents.) This law is strictly enforced and uniformly applied – even to foreign visitors arriving in their own private autos or rental cars. Heavy fines apply (up to $300 U.S. or vehicle impoundment).

Mexico City Safety Tips

• Be street smart; don’t draw attention to yourself with flashy jewelry o by exposing large quantities of currency.
• Only board taxis at a established taxi stand ("Sitio" pronounced "C-T-O), rather than flagging taxis down on the street.
• When departing restaurants/clubs/museums look for "sitio" cabs, rather than those roaming the streets. You may phone 5197690 or 5166020 to have a cab dispatched by radio to your location.
• Stay in groups when walking through the city.
• Only use ATM’s in well lit, high traffic areas.
• When leaving bus terminals, try to schedule trips that arrive/depart during daylight hours.
• Carry only those credit cards you plan to use during your stay.

Remember : Of Mexico City’s 7.8 million annual visitors, in 1998 only 1590 complaints about criminal activity were reported. Less that 1% of those complaints were filed by foreign visitors.