How Does Emergency Numbers Work in Mexico?
Last verified: 2025-06 · Americas
1The Quick Answer
Call 911 for all emergencies nationwide; dial 078 for the tourist assistance hotline.
2What You Need to Know
Mexico unified its emergency number to 911 in 2016, covering police, ambulance, and fire services nationwide. The 078 line is a dedicated tourist assistance service offering help in English and Spanish for tourists in distress, lost documents, or other non-life-threatening situations. The US Embassy in Mexico City can be reached at +52 55 5080-2000. LOCATEL (5658-1111) assists with lost persons in Mexico City. Response times vary significantly between urban tourist zones and rural areas.
3Practical Tips
Practical Tips
- 1Save 911 and 078 in your phone before you need them — 078 operators often speak English
- 2The US Embassy emergency line for US citizens is +52 55 5080-2000, available 24 hours
- 3In resort areas like Cancún, tourist police (Policía Turística) patrol the hotel zones and are generally helpful
How does this compare?
Emergency Numbers rules in nearby and similar countries:
Police (Polícia Militar): 190; ambulance (SAMU): 192; fire brigade (Bombeiros): 193; Federal Police: 197.
Call 911 for all emergencies — police, fire, and ambulance — anywhere in Canada.
Call 101 for police, 107 for ambulance (SAME service), and 100 for fire anywhere in Argentina.
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