Which are the working hours at offices and shopping malls?
In Zacatecas, as is the case in almost every city in Mexico, public and private offices usually work Mondays through Fridays from 9:00 hours up till 19:00 hours, with a recess between 13:00 hours and 15:00 hours for lunch.
The shopping malls open their doors Mondays through Saturdays from 10:00 hours up till 20:00 hours; only a few work on Sundays.
Working hours at the banks are Mondays through Fridays from 9:00 hours up till 15:00 hours; these hours are stretched when the agencies are located in shopping malls.
Will I have any problem in communicating with my country?
No, you will have no problem whatsoever; in Zacatecas you can call abroad with no inconvenience. Travellers will be able to call their countries from the public phone booths disseminated across the city using prepaid cards, which can be purchased at diverse shops and newsstands.
If your budget is rather tight or you wish to save a few pesos, you may consider calling collect; bear in mind that rates in Mexico are higher than in other countries.
It is also feasible to complete international phone calls from your hotel; in this case the cost is even higher; however, you will pay to enjoy privacy. Before you use the service, ask the operator in order to learn about the phone rates.
Access to the Internet is another alternative, and there are several cyber cafés in Zacatecas. The cost of the service is not that high; besides, ever more hotels offer this service to their guests.
Is it easy to drive in the city?
Driving is relatively easy in Zacatecas; the city does not present big traffic jams or an excessive chaos in the streets; nevertheless, it is recommendable to drive with precaution and to avoid rush hours.
What do I need to produce in order to rent a car?
If you are thinking on renting a vehicle in Zacatecas, you need only to present a valid driver license, an official ID (passport or another document), and a credit card accepted in Mexico.
On the other hand, take into consideration that rental firms have offices at the airport; regarding the rates, the local firms offer the most economic rates, although the international ones offer more guarantee to the eyes of travellers; it is also advisable to acquire an insurance policy against accidents.
Where can I purchase handicrafts?
The best place is the Jesus Gonzalez Ortega Market, which is adjacent to the Cathedral of Zacatecas, in the sheer centre of the city.
Here you will find the finest silver and basketworks of the region of Los Cañones, Juchipila and Tlaltenango, wool textiles of Villa Garcia and Miguel Auza, leatherworks from Zacatecas and Jerez, and pottery from Guadalupe.
What voltage has the electric power?
As is the case in the rest of the country, electric output in Zacatecas is of 110 volts and 60 cycles; outlets usually have flat slots and are of American style. If you happen to have appliances working with 220 volts, ask for a transformer at your hotel's reception desk.
