Mexico By Mail

Keep in mind that Mexican mail service is painfully slow, even domestically. Airmail from major cities in Mexico to Canada and the US takes anywhere from 10 days to six weeks; to Australia or New Zealand, one month; to Ireland or the UK, three weeks to one month. Add another one or two weeks for mail sent from more rural areas. Sending postcards and letters to the United States via air mail costs approximately 10.90 pesos.

Outgoing mail is picked up infrequently, but the bright plastic orange boxes labeled Express that have popped up in large cities are quite reliable and are picked up every morning. Anything important should be sent registrado (registered mail) or taken directly to the post office, at the very least. To speed service, it’s a good idea to write Spanish abbreviations or names for countries (e.g., E.E.U.U. for the US). Write “airmail,” “par avion,” or “por avión” on the front of the envelope. Surface mail is by far the cheapest and slowest way to send mail. It takes one to two months to cross the Atlantic and one to three to cross the Pacific—good for heavy items you won’t need for a while, such as souvenirs that you’ve acquired along the way.

Packages cannot weigh more than 25kg. Keep in mind that all packages are opened and inspected by customs at border crossings; closing boxes with string, instead of tape, is recommended. Sometimes you may have to provide certain information: your tourist card data, the contents, value, and nature of the package (“gift” works best), and your address and return address.

Mexpost, a more expensive, but more reliable, mailing system, guarantees two-day delivery out of state and three-day delivery to major international cities. Despite the promises, expect at least a week for delivery. Mexpost offices are usually found next to regular post offices; if not, the post office staff can usually give you directions to the nearest Mexpost office. Mexpost may not be available in smaller towns.

Sending Mail To Mexico

To ensure timely delivery, mark envelopes “airmail,” “par avion,” or “por avión.” In addition to the standard postage system whose rates are listed below, Federal Express (Australia ☎13 26 10, Canada and the US 800-463-3339, Ireland 1800 535 800, New Zealand 0800 733 339, the UK 08456 070 809; www.fedex.com) handles express mail services from most countries to Mexico.

There are several ways to arrange pick up of letters sent to you while you are abroad. Mail can be sent via Poste Restante (General Delivery; Lista de Correos in Spanish) to almost any city or town in Mexico with a post office, but it is not very reliable. Address Poste Restante letters like so:

- Gael García BERNAL
- Lista de Correos
- Street address of post office
- City, State, Postal Code
- MEXICO

The mail will go to a special desk in the central post office, unless you specify a post office by street address or postal code. It’s best to use the largest post office, since mail may be sent there regardless. It is usually safer and quicker, though more expensive, to send mail express or registered. Letters should be marked “Favor de retener hasta la llegada” (Please hold until arrival); they will be held for up to 15 days. Bring your passport (or other photo ID) for pick up; there may be a small fee (check in your country). If the clerks insist that there is nothing for you, ask them to check under your first name as well. Let’s Go lists post offices in the Practical Information section for each city and most towns.

American Express’s travel offices throughout the world offer a free Client Letter Service (mail held up to 30 days and forwarded upon request) for cardholders who contact them in advance. Some offices provide these services to non-cardholders (especially AmEx Travelers Cheque holders), but call ahead to make sure. Let’s Go lists AmEx locations for most large cities in Practical Information sections; for a complete list, call ☎800-528-4800 or visit www.americanexpress.com/travel.