Living in Querétaro

How do I use calling cards?

There are different types of calling cards in México. The most common ones, sold at nearly every grocery store, work in phone-booths and are useful for local calls; these range from $100, $200 to $500 pesos. You should be aware that these are plastic cards with a chip, and go into the slot of the public phones.

Long-distance prepaid cards use a toll-free number that gives you access to the service, but that would usually be dialed from your country. Be sure to ask the company which is the appropriate number to get access to their service in Mexico.

   A couple of those international access numbers:    AT&T: 01-800-288-2872 or 01-800-462-4240    MCI (Avantel): 01-800-021-8000

Another option for long-distance calls is buying prepaid cards in México that work both as phone cards and internet cards (Todito). These work similarly to the ones you may buy back home; you have to dial an access number, followed by a card-code and a PIN number. Afterwards, you can call to the telephone that you want, ending with a #.

To call the U.S. or Canada: 001 + area code + telephone number + #

What should I know about cell phone usage?

You should be aware that cell phones in México are usually pretty cheap ($200 or $300 pesos), but calls are rather expensive with most companies. Check your options and decide whether is worth it to buy one, (which might be if you are staying for a long period). The most common alternative is to get just the telephone, without contract or plan, and buy cell phone-cards that give you “tiempo aire”, so that you pay for $100 pesos (or 200, 300, etc) in calling-minutes.

To call a cell-phone from a house-phone or phone booth you dial 13 digits: (044)-442 *** ** **

To call from cell phone to cell phone you don’t dial the 044 (10 digits only)

Keep in mind: when you receive a local call in your cell phone you don’t get charged; if the call is from abroad you will have to pay, even if you are only receiving it.

Where is the post-office? Where do I get stamps?

Querétaros’ post-office is located in Arteaga #5, Colonia Centro. Nevertheless, you can send mail through the International Programs Deparment; stamps are available at our office and we’ll take care of sending it.

How can I move around the city? What kind of public transportation do I find?

Urban buses: There are plenty buses that ride through most of the city, however they might take a while in getting from place to place. These buses do not have a set schedule but they are constantly passing by the many stops placed throughout the city.

Cabs: You’ll find many of them in all streets of the city. They charge between $25 and $50 pesos, usually, but if you are going farther they might charge you more. A good idea is to always use safe cab companies (Taxi Seguro, Radio Taxi)

Taxi Seguro Tec: 2 61 14 50

Radio taxi. 212 42 90.

Long-distance buses: Querétaro has a great terminal that provides trips to all important sites that appeal to tourists in México. There are three kinds of buses:

   First class: These travel to the main cities and have all necessary commodities: air conditioner, toilet, television, etc.

   Second class: Main cities also, but these buses stop a lot throughout the journey.

   Third class: take you to small towns in the state

Which is the best place to buy groceries?

Querétaro has a lot of large supermarkets where you can find virtually anything that you might need. There’s also a local market, a great and colorful place, where you can really get in touch with traditional Mexican culture. Lastly, there are small grocery stores (tienditas) at nearly every corner in the city.

Which are the main streets in the city?

Querétaro is a medium-sized city constantly growing, and to move around it you should know the following streets:

Zaragoza and Constituyentes- these two avenues run parallel to each other through most of the city.

Corregidora: Perpendicular to Zaragoza and Constituyentes; will take you to all the main streets downtown.

"5 de febrero" and "Bernardo Quintana" - these wide avenues surround the city (particularly the former)

What things can I do in Querétaro?

Querétaro is a wonderful place precisely because of its cultural diversity, which provides multiple sources of entertainment for all ages and personalities. For those interested in history and architecture, Querétaro is a colonial paradise, with its restored old buildings and impeccable squares, stone-paved pedestrian walkways and narrow streets. The beauty of these locations earned the Historic Monuments Zone of Querétaro the designation of World Heritage Site by the UNESCO in 1998.

However, the city has much more to offer in other aspects, and its medium size and industrial growth provide a practical equilibrium: it has the great malls, movie-theaters, restaurants, and stores of a big city with the comforts of a safes small town. Therefore, young people often enjoy their afternoons walking around downtown, hanging at cafés, or catching a movie; nights come with various options like bars, clubs, and discotheques with all kinds of local and international music.

Querétaro is also perfect for people who like to travel, because it is a window to the geographic and cultural diversity of Mexico, given its location in the heart of the country.

Where can I log-on to the internet? What’s the most efficient alternative?

A great advantage for all our students is our campus’ wireless Internet connection, so you can log-on no matter where you are in our college grounds. Other places in Querétaro, like malls, also have wireless internet connection. However, if you want to have the service at home there are many alternatives (cable, dial-ups, internet cards, etc.)

Is the water safe?

Yes, you just have to make sure to drink that which has been filtered, boiled or bottled; avoid drinking directly from the tap. Our campus also has various safe drinking-fountains, distributed throughout all buildings.