My Bills in Mexico

Filed in archive Latin Travel on February 22, 2008

In my mid twenties I had experienced the cushy comforts of family life in Mexico and the independence of college life in the USA. The first time I set out to find lodging as an adult in Mexico, I realized two important things: I had no idea where to get anything and while bills for service aren't always issued, I'm still expected to pay in full and on time.

You read it right the first time: bills don't always show up at your home or they show up a month late. So, to avoid remembering after the electricity has already been cut off, an automatic reminder on your computer, a note on your calendar, post-its all over the house, a new tatoo, etc., would be a good idea.

Telemex - No matter where in Mexico you are, these are the phone people. They are a mix of heaven and hell, because they provide you with phone and Internet service (heaven)... but they are in fact the only ones that have real live people everywhere (hell).

Alestra is your other choice (AT&T in Mexico), but unless you'll be living in Monterrey, you only have access to customer service by phone. Trust me, this is not a good idea.

Telmex has regular tellers or automatic payment machines that look like ATMs that you can use as long as you are paying before the due date-which, you are solely responsible for tracking. Be sure to bring the exact amount and a bit extra in small bills. The machines will only give you up to $50 pesos in change.

If you are paying late, be ready to stand in line and encounter surprise fees (so bring extra money or you'll be back in line soon for a very small sum). You are welcome to ask to speak to a manager, but beware of going off on him. Blowing up won't get you far in Mexico. At best you'll get a soothing answer and then be completely ignored anyway. Nice gets you further.

CFE (Comisión Federal de Electricidad) - These are the electricity people. Yes, they're the only ones who can turn the lights on for you. Try to go at times with fewer customers, and use the automatic payment machines so you don't have to stand in line.

The rest of the services you'll need will vary from one city to the next. Here are some resources in the Cancun area:

Gas company - Big trucks come to your home to fill your stationary gas tank or you can take a portable tank for them to fill on site. If you're placing an order for a truck to come, be prepared to wait, as they don't always show at the designated time. If you are taking a tank to be filled, just know that if you don't have a car, you can't bring a tank on a bus, and getting a taxi will be a little tricky.

Aguakan - The water utility company hasn't caught up with the other utilities and has no machine option. You'll have to stand in line and practice jedi-like powers of patience. If you feel comfortable prepaying, it may save you a few visits a year. Just keep in mind that getting money back in case of an error will be pretty much impossible.

Drinking water - There are several companies that deliver purified drinking water. You can choose to boil water at home, but this is a convenient option. A truck brings 20-liter plastic jugs of water to your house as often as you order, taking empty jugs with them (like the Ozarka people in the US). You can buy an inexpensive hand pump at any grocery store to make serving easier.

Alternative paying sites for some of your bills: Oxxo, Soriana, and Walmart. They charge a small fee.