The first two days in Mexico City, in priority order: what has to happen, what should, and what can wait. Tick things off as you go.
For Mexico City
How long you are staying
Must do
On a residence visa, make sure the officer recorded the entry for canje, not as a tourist, and keep the record. The 30-day clock for INM starts now.
Telcel has the widest coverage; AT&T is the main alternative. Since 2026 every line has to be registered to a CURP or a passport, and the shop does it when you buy.
Order garrafones (20-litre bottles) from a delivery service or buy a filter. Locals do not drink tap water either.
Buy the card at a metro station machine and top it up there. It covers the Metro, Metrobรบs, Trolebรบs, Tren Ligero and Cablebรบs.
Locate the exits and the meeting point, and install an app that relays the city's seismic alert. The street speakers sound the alert before strong shaking reaches the city.
Fill in the online form and pay the card fee, then book your local INM office. Do it in the first week; slots in the big cities go quickly.
Should do
The national emergency number for police, ambulance and fire. Ask your building administrator which private hospital is nearest.
Markets, taxis, street food and tips run on cash. Cash machines inside banks or shopping centres are safer than street ones, and decline the machine's own exchange rate.
At about 2,240 metres, breathlessness, poor sleep and a lower tolerance for alcohol are normal for the first week or two. Drink plenty of water.
The corner shop chain takes payments for utility bills, phone top-ups, online orders and some transfers. You will use it.
Make the trip at 8am and 6pm on a weekday before signing. Distance means very little here; traffic decides it.
Banks, SAT and phone companies want a recent utility bill in your name. Agree with the landlord which bill moves into your name.
Find out the monthly building charge, which bills stay in the landlord's name, and when CFE sends its two-monthly bill.
Nice to do
Most embassies run a registration or alert service for nationals abroad, useful in an earthquake or a hurricane.
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