UR2018 Quick Links

We looking forward to welcoming you in Mexico City! Please see below for helpful logistics information on accommodation and the venue.

Important notice: You will be required to go through a metal detector calibrated to detect weapons, and no luggage will be accepted or checked. Please also note that we will not be registering anyone on site. This is due to security measures.

Downloadable PDF

Before you arrive in Mexico City

Language

Spanish is the official language of Mexico. Most hotels and tourist services have English-speaking staff.

Electricity

Voltage in Mexico is 110V at 60Hz. Plugs are Type B, with flat pins, as the ones used in the USA. We recommend you bring your own adapter, for they are not always available at hotels.

Measurement units

Mexico utilizes the metric system for distances (km), and Centigrade degrees (ºC) for temperature.

Climate

The weather is hot and dry in April and May. The rainy season starts in May and lasts until October, with sunny mornings and cloudy, rainy afternoons. It can be cold in the mornings and in the evenings. Average temperature is 16ºC to 27 ºC. Check the weather forecast www.accuweather.com

Currency

Mexico uses the Mexican peso (MXN). Some resort cities may accept U.S. dollars; however, it’s likely that you will be charged more than if you paid in pesos. The
exchange rate from dollar to peso fluctuates, but as of the beginning of May, US$1 is approximately equal to MX$18.

Where to Exchange Your Money

Every major city in Mexico has places to exchange money. You will be charged a commission, but it’s generally a lot lower than if you exchanged at an airport, bank or hotel. Use Google Maps to search “cambio” or “exchange” to find places that will perform exchanges. To avoid exchange fees, consider having an account at a U.S. bank with branches in Mexico.

Debit Cards and Credit Cards: What You Need to Know

In the past, tourists were advised to not even bother with debit cards and credit cards in Mexico, but that’s changed. When visiting a local restaurant, an outdoor artisan market or a street food booth, cash is absolutely necessary. However, today’s popular restaurants, hotels and large shopping malls accept debit or credit cards.

ATMs

ATMs are all around Mexico, but use one at the bank rather than a kiosk on the street or at a convenience store. Doing so ensures that the ATM is monitored and secure, and you will be less likely to accidentally withdraw counterfeit money, which does happen. Each bank charges a different rate to withdraw pesos on a foreign card, but generally, the fee is around $5.

Tipping

Tipping is not as necessary in Mexico as it is in the U.S., but when eating at a restaurant, you may want to leave a little something for the waiter or waitress. In Mexico, 10 percent is standard, but if the service is exceptional, you can always tip more. Make sure to give the tip directly to the server to avoid it landing in the wrong hands.

Getting Pesos Before You Arrive

You should have some pesos on hand when you land in Mexico to buy a bottle of water, a snack or perhaps pay for a taxi ride, especially if using a debit card or credit card isn’t an option. If your main concern is having money for transportation, in Mexico City, many hotels arrange shuttle services. Just to be safe, $2,000 pesos (about $100) should cover an official airport taxi ride.

Arriving in Mexico City

Authorized taxis from airport

Authorized taxis offer comfortable and safe service from the Airport to your destination. These are the only taxis authorized by the Communications and Transport Authority (SCT Secretaría de Comunicaciones y Transportes). Taxi services are located at the international and domestic entrances at Terminals 1 and 2. In both cases, taxi tickets are sold at the modules located near the arrival gates and in the walkway area. Rates are posted in a visible place and are authorized by the Secretaría de Comunicaciones y Transportes (SCT). For your safety, we recommend you only use the taxi services authorized by this airport, which include:

Terminal 1:
Porto Taxi, Sitio 300
Nueva Imagen and Excelencia

Terminal 2:
Porto Taxi, Sitio 300
Nueva Imagen
Excelencia
Confort and Yellow Cab

Any other service is illegal.

There are two types of services:

  1. Ordinary: four door sedan for four passengers, plus the driver.
  2. Executive: SUVs or vans for eight passengers, plus the driver.

It is very important you consider the distances and times before using taxi services in the city. You must purchase the corresponding ticket in authorized retail outlets before you use their services. Taxis operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year at both terminals. You can email suggestions, complaints and comments to the Airport’s address: quejastaxis@aicm.com.mx

Phone calls

Emergency services throughout Mexico can be accessed by dialing 911. This service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. 911 may be called free of charge from landlines and cellphones. Check roaming charges with your service provider for calls from your cell phone. We recommend you purchase a phone card, available at convenience stores, magazine stands, hotels, travel agencies and the airport.

To make a call follow these steps:

  • To make a call within Mexico dial 01 + area code + number
  • To make a call to a local cell phone number dial 044 + area code + number
  • To make a call to a cell phone in a different state of the Republic dial 045 + area code + number
  • To make a call to the USA and Canada dial 001 + area code + number
  • To make a call to foreign countries dial 00 + country code + area code + number
  • For operator-assisted long-distance calls dial 020 from a Mexican phone or 090 if you are calling from an
    international line.
  • For local information (in Spanish and English) please dial 040.

Recommendations for your security

You shouldn’t run into any problems in Mexico City if you follow these recommendations:

  1. Avoid ostentation: do not carry jewelry or shiny accessories when you go on the streets.
  2. Keep an eye on your wallet at all times, especially at very crowded, touristy places.
  3. If you are carrying a bag, please make sure you carry it in front of you while walking and keep it close to you at a restaurant.
  4. Keep your important documents and valuable objects in the safety box of your hotel.
  5. Carry only the money you need for the day’s expenses and a credit card. You can get money out at any ATM limited during the day.
  6. Carry an official ID with you, the original or a copy.
  7. Avoid solitary, dark places.
  8. Use the taxis from official stops.
  9. In general, but mostly in public places, avoid making comments regarding political issues and electoral matters.
  10. Identify evacuation routes in all the visited venues, but especially at your hotel.
  11. If caught in a potentially violent situation such as public demonstrations, immediately seek shelter in upscale hotels or large public buildings, such as libraries, theaters, hospitals, or museums.
  12. Use credit and debit cards only in recognized establishments. As much as feasible avoid carrying more than the equivalent of 60 USD.
  13. Ask for a receipt of every purchase. Should you have any problems, the Consumer Protection Office (Procuraduría Federal del Consumidor – Profeco) can help you with any issue related to shopping and services. Call 01 800 468 8722 or send an email to: asesoria@profeco.gob.mx.

To file a complaint from your place of residence you may send an email to the traveler unit: extranjeros@profeco.gob.mx or call this Mexico City number: +52 (55) 5211 1723 / 01 800 468 8722.

Event information

Please note that you will go through a metal detector that is calibrated to detect weapons. 

Palacio de Mineria

Tacuba #5, Col. Centro. 06000, Historic Center

It is a neoclassical building, the most representative of the style in America. It was planned and built between 1797 and 1813 by Manuel Tolsá, a Valencian architect and sculptor, to be used as the headquarters of the Real Seminario de Minería. The most prominent areas are the Old Chapel, the Hall, the Rector Hall, the Director Hall, the Gallery of the Rectors the Library and the Manuel Tolsá Museum. It is not just a palace because of its architecture, details and decor, but because of its commitment to culture, with activities organised for all audiences.

Registration info

Registration will take place at 8:00am every day except Wednesday, when it will start at 2:00pm.

Please have your photo ID and registration confirmation email to access the event.

Green Conference Guidance

Participants and guests are urged to respect the environmental, cultural, social and historical values of the local community. Among other specific actions, the conference venue will be set to 25 degrees celsius to reduce the use of air conditioning. We therefore recommend that participants do not wear suits and ties, but instead opt for business casual or traditional attire for warm climates.

Participants and guests are also encouraged to calculate their carbon emissions at Carbon Fund and to off-set the equivalent amount at https://offset.climateneutralnow.org/register

When offsetting, we encourage you to mention under “reason for purchase” #UR2018 and to post about the offset on social media using #UR2018 and #GoGreen.

Accommodation

Given the extensive amount of traffic in Mexico City, we strongly encourage all attendees to stay in accommodation near to the venue (Palacio de Mineria) in Centro Histórico (historic center). There are numerous hotels around the area.

Please know that May is high season for tourism in Mexico City. We recommend that you book your hotel as soon as possible in order to ensure that you can be as close to the UR2018 venue as possible. 

The World Bank Group security team has approved the following hotels from a security perspective and a seismic perspective:

Venue

The Palacio de Minería is located in the historic center of Mexico City near to many beautiful old buildings and attractions. It was built between 1797 and 1813 by Valencian Spanish sculptor and architect Manuel Tolsá. It opened in 1813 to house the Royal Seminar of Mines. Today it is run by the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) and its Continual and Distance Education Division. Please note that the Palacio is a continuously operating school and you may at times see students around the venue, although many of the classes are in the evening.