Home

Programmes

OCB

Ecological Niche ...

Bangalore

Information for ...

GBIF Data Modeling Workshop
4-8 April 2005
Mexico City, Mexico

Information for Participants

Dear Participants,

Enclosed please find some practical information about the forthcoming Data Modeling Workshop that GBIF is jointly organizing with CONABIO in Mexico. Should you need any additional information please do not hesitate to contact Ms. Rocio Nuñez from CONABIO at rnunez@xolo.conabio.gob.mx

1. Venue of the meeting:

PLEASE TAKE NOTE OF THE CHANGE OF VENUE

CONABIO
Comisión Nacional para el Conocimiento y Uso de la Biodiversidad
Av Liga Periférico-Insurgentes Sur 4903
Col. Parques del Pedregal,
14010 Deleg. Tlalpan,
México, DF


Tel. (52-55) 5528-9102
Fax: (52.55) 5528-9148

Contact person: Ms. Rocío Nuñez (rnunez@xolo.conabio.gob.mx)

(N.B. CONABIO is within walking distance of the Radisson Hotel, where all the participants attending this workshop will stay)



2. Hotel Information:

Please take note that CONABIO is doing a block booking at the Radisson Hotel.



Radisson Paraiso Hotel Mexico City
Cuspide 53,
Col. Parque del Pedregal
14020 Mexico D.F.
Tel: (+52 55) 5927-5959
Fax: (+52 55) 5606-4006
http://www.radisson.com.mx/





The hotel is located next to the main Periférico South freeway and Insurgentes Avenue. Facing PERISUR Mall, in the most important cultural, recreational and business area of the Mexican capital. Close by, you will find Mexico's National Autonomous University Campus (UNAM), Netzahualcoyotl concert hall, Carrillo Gil Art Museum, Anahuacalli Museum, Loreto and Cuicuilco Malls and a Medical Hospital.

Also it is 20 minutes drive to Coyoacán, a wonderful historical little suburb with lots of restaurants, coffee shops and handcrafts.

How to get to your Hotel: from Airport Boulevard take a right on Viaducto Miguel Aleman Freeway take the right exit Tlalpan Avenue, then turn right on Periferico Freeway to Perisur Mall-Exit right to hotel. Aprox. 14 miles from downtown.

According to the GBIF traveling regulations, the participants will be covered for a maximum of 6 nights of hotel accommodation. Please take note that breakfast, taxes and tips are already included in your reservation.

However, any extras (phone calls, drinks, etc.) will be directly settled by the participants.

To confirm your hotel accommodation please inform Rocio Nuñez as soon as possible of your arrival and departure dates to/from Mexico City . Send a message to rnunez@xolo.conabio.gob.mx

Local transportation: The local organizing committee will provide information on schedules for the daily transportation to and from the hotel to the venue of the meeting in due time.

3. ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE TO MEXICO CITY AIRPORT:

Mexico City is serviced by the Benito Juarez International Airport (~45 minutes from the Radisson Paraiso Hotel). It is recommended that you only use authorized taxis which are available at the airport (you need to buy the ticket inside the airport). The cost is approximately $220.00 Mexican Pesos (USD$21.00) for a one way trip. Ask for zone 8 (Hotel Radisson near Perisur Shopping center).

4. TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS:

GBIF participants will have their airfare tickets expenses, visa fees (if any) and per diem covered to attend this meeting in accordance to GBIF rules (for further information on the rules to attend GBIF-sponsored meetings please see http://www.gbif.org/Support/travel. Participants are requested to make their own airline reservations (most direct, economy fare) and GBIF will reimburse you for the cost of the airline tickets.

For those Participants from developing countries who may have difficulties purchasing their tickets directly we ask you to URGENTLY contact Ms. Susanne Sheldon at the GBIF Secretariat at slsheldon@gbif.org, phone + 45 35 32 14 70 or vía fax at + 45 35 32 14 80.

5. ENTRY VISA / CUSTOMS

Please take note that several countries require entry visas to Mexico. Based on previous experience we need to inform you that the visa procurement procedures are lengthy and very cumbersome.

Therefore we strongly encourage you to take action and immediately contact the nearest Mexican Consulate/Embassy to secure your entry visa to Mexico, in addition contact Ms Rocío Nuñez at: rnunez@xolo.conabio.gob.org.

1. You are hereby requested to promptly contact the nearest Mexican Consulate/Embassy and ensure that you have all the needed documents to enter Mexico.

2. Enclosed please find the list of countries which DO NOT require a visa to enter Mexico:

Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxemburg, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay and Venezuela.

VERY IMPORTANT: As this list of countries can change, we recommend you to ask at your closest embassy or consulate if you need a visa to enter the country as a tourist.

For further information about Mexican Embassies and Consulates:

http://www.sre.gob.mx/delegaciones/dire.htm

3. If you do not require an entry visa, it is suggested that upon arrival to Mexico you declare that you are there as a tourist.
4. For those requiring an entry visa in addition to promptly contacting the nearest Mexican Embassy to initiate the visa application procedures, we urge you to URGENTLY send the following documents to CONABIO:
   
   
   1. Full Name (as it shows on your passport)
   2. Nationality
   3. Passport number and date of expiration
   4. Location of the Mexican Embassy/Consulate where you will process your visa
   5. Digital image of your passport (if this is not possible, send it via fax).
   
   
   Send the requested information to:
   
   
   • Ms. Rocío Nuñez (rnunez@xolo.conabio.gob.mx)
   • Fax: (52 55) 55 28 91 48
   • Phone: (52 55) 55 28 91 01 / (55 55) 55 28 91 02
   
   
   
CONABIO will send your information to the Mexican Institute of Migration, which in turn will contact the respective visa-issuing Embassy or Consulate. Please take note that without the approval of the Mexican Institute of Migration the visa will not be issued.


6. WEATHER:

During the month of April in Mexico City the average temperature is 22 °C with a maximum of day 28°C during the day and minimum average temperature of +15°C. The weather may be cloudy and rainy in the evenings with approx. 50% of humidity.

7. VOLTAGE:

110 volts, 60 Hertz.

8. WATER:

Water is potable in the Hotel but it is advisable to use bottled water.

9. CREDIT CARDS:

Major credit cards are accepted in most hotels and restaurants in Mexico City (Visa, Master Card, American Express).

10. OFFICIAL LANGUAGE AND CURRENCY:



Please take note that the workshop will be conducted in English.

The official language in Mexico is Spanish, but English is understood and spoken in most hotels and restaurants. The currency in Mexico is the Peso ($). The current exchange rate against the US dollar stands at approximately $11.20 per dollar.

11. PUBLIC TRANSPORT:

We suggest not taking taxis from the street. It is better if you ask the hotel or request a radio-taxi.

Our local organizers also suggest not to walk alone on the streets at night and to keep your passport and valuables in the Security Boxes at the Hotel.

12. FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Please contact: Ms. Rocío Nuñez
CONABIO
Comisión Nacional para el Conocimiento y Uso de la Biodiversidad
Av Liga Periférico-Insurgentes Sur 4903
Col. Parques del Pedregal,
14010 Deleg. Tlalpan,
México, DF

Tel. (52-55) 5528-9102
Fax: (52.55) 5528-9148
rnunez@xolo.conabio.gob.mx