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About Traveling to Mexico
General Information
About 18 million U.S.
citizens visit Mexico each year, while more than
480,000 Americans reside there year round. Although
the majority of visitors thoroughly enjoy their
stay, a small number may experience difficulties and
serious inconveniences.
Travel conditions in
Mexico can contrast with those in the United States.
Before you go, learn as much as you can about your
destination. Your travel agent, local bookstore,
public library, the Internet and the Mexican Embassy
are all useful sources of information.
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Know Before You Go
As you travel, keep
abreast of local news coverage. If you plan a stay
in one place for longer than a few weeks, or, if you
are in an area where communications are poor,
experiencing civil unrest or some natural disaster,
you are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S.
embassy or consulate. Registration takes only a few
moments, and it may be invaluable in case of an
emergency.
Other useful
precautions:
Leave a detailed
itinerary and the numbers of your passport or other
citizenship documents with a friend or relative in
the United States.
Bring either a U.S.
passport or a certified copy of a birth certificate
and photo identification.
Carry your photo
identification and the name of a person to contact
with you in the event of serious illness or other
emergency.
Keep photocopies of
your airline or other tickets and your list of
travelers checks with you in a separate location
from the originals and leave copies with someone at
home.
Leave things like
unnecessary credit cards and expensive jewelry at
home.
Bring travelers
checks and a banking checking or debit card and
little or no cash.
Use a money belt or
concealed pouch for passport, cash and other
valuables.
Do not bring firearms
or ammunition into Mexico without written permission
from the Mexican government.
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Entry Requirements
Proof of citizenship
and photo identification are required for entry by
all U.S. citizens. A passport and visa are not
required for a tourist/transit stay of up to 180
days. A tourist card, issued by Mexican consulates
and most airlines serving Mexico, is required.
Minors require notarized consent from parents if
traveling alone, with one parent, or in someone
else's custody. Mexican regulations limit the value
of goods brought into Mexico by U.S. citizens
arriving by air or sea to $300 per person and by
land to $50 per person. Amounts exceeding the
duty-free limit are subject to a 32.8 percent tax.
Upon arrival in Mexico, business travelers must
complete a form (FM-N 30 days) authorizing the
conduct of business, but not employment, for a
30-day period. If the business traveler departs and
re-enters, the 30-day period begins again. For
further information concerning entry requirements,
travelers may contact the Mexican Embassy (202)
736-1000, or any of the Mexican consulates in major
U.S. cities. In response to the increased interest
in immigration matters in the U.S., Mexican
authorities may scrutinize more closely the visa
situation of U.S. citizens residing or working in
Mexico. U.S. citizens planning on working or living
in Mexico should apply for the appropriate Mexican
visa (FM-2 or 3).
Visitors intending to
participate in humanitarian aid missions, human
rights advocacy groups or international observer
delegations should contact the nearest Mexican
Consulate or Embassy for guidance on how to obtain
the appropriate visa before traveling to Mexico.
This is particularly relevant in light of the
tension and polarization in Chiapas and the
international interest the situation there has
attracted.
Make certain that you
can return to the United States with the proof of
citizenship that you take with you. Although some
countries may allow you to enter with only a birth
certificate, U.S. law requires that you document
both your U.S. citizenship and identity when you
reenter the United States.
The best document to
prove your U.S. citizenship is a valid U.S.
passport. Other documents that establish U.S.
citizenship include an expired U.S. passport, a
certified copy of your birth certificate, a
Certificate of Naturalization, a Certificate of
Citizenship, or a Report of Birth Abroad of a U.S.
citizen. To prove your identity, either a valid
driver’s license or a government identification card
that includes a photo or physical description is
acceptable.
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Health
Health problems
sometimes affect visitors to Mexico. Information on
health precautions can be obtained from local health
departments or private doctors.
For the most current
information on immunizations and heath risks, the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
maintains an international travelers hotline at
1-888-232-3228.
It is wise to confirm
or obtain international health insurance coverage
and or obtain a short term or trip travel assistance
coverage before you travel. In some places,
particularly at resorts, medical costs can be as
high or higher than in the United States.
Medicare/Medicaid does not cover you when you are
outside the United States. If your insurance policy
does not cover you in Mexico, it is strongly
recommended that you purchase a policy that does.
Medical facilities in
Mexico differ from those in the United States.
Adequate medical care can be found in all major
cities. There are some excellent health facilities
in major Mexican cities. Some remote areas or
coastal islands may have few or no medical
facilities. For these reasons, consider obtaining
international insurance or purchasing a an
assistance program to cover the very high cost of
medical assistance and/or evacuation in the event of
an accident or serious illness. As part of the
coverage, these programs usually offer emergency
consultation by telephone. They may refer you to the
nearest hospital or call for help on your behalf;
they may translate your instructions to a health
care worker on the scene. Without this coverage,
medical evacuation can cost thousands of dollars.
Quote and purchase travel assistance coverage in
Mexico here.
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Safety Tips
In large cities, take
the same precautions against assault, robbery, or
pickpockets that you would take in any large U.S.
city. Be aware that women and small children, as
well as men, can be pickpockets or purse snatchers.
Keep your billfold in an inner front pocket; carry
your purse tucked securely under your arm; and wear
the shoulder strap of your camera or bag across your
chest. To guard against thieves on motorcycles, walk
away from the curb and carry your purse away from
the street. Do not leave your belongings unattended.
Keep your passport and other valuables in a safe
place.
Be wary of persons
representing themselves as Mexican police or other
local officials. It is not uncommon for Americans to
become victims of harassment, mistreatment and
extortion by Mexican law enforcement and other
officials. Mexican authorities are concerned about
these incidents and have cooperated in investigating
such cases. You must, however, have the officer s
name, badge number, and patrol car number to pursue
a complaint. Make a note of this information if you
are ever involved with police or other officials.
Be alert to your
surroundings. Problem situations in Mexico may be
different from those you are used to, and safety
regulations and their enforcement are generally not
equivalent to U.S. standards. It is recommended that
you purchase travel assistance that will provide you
with a hotline for immediate assistance as well as
non-emergency guidance.
Quote and purchase travel assistance coverage in
Mexico here.
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Traveling by
Automobile
People are often
surprised when inconveniences occur because they
were unaware of the laws regarding crossing the
border. The government of Mexico strictly regulates
the entry of vehicles into Mexico.
It is important for
visitors to remember the following steps when
crossing the border between the United States and
Mexico. There are no procedures to comply with if
you are traveling within the Border Zone or Free
Trade Zone (including the Baja California Peninsula
and the Sonora Free Trade Zone). If you wish to
travel past these zones, you will need to adhere to
certain procedures.
The first step to
take is to obtain the original and photocopies of
the appropriate immigration form, the vehicle state
registration certificate or document certifying
legal ownership, and leasing contract. If the
vehicle is leased or rented then it must be in the
name of the person who is driving the car. If the
vehicle belongs to a company, proper documentation
is necessary to show you work for the company. A
valid driver s license and an international credit
card are needed in the name of the owner of the
vehicle. If you do not possess an international
credit card, you will be asked to post a bond,
payable to the Federal Treasury, issued by an
authorized bonding company in Mexico. An alternative
is to make a cash deposit at Banco del Ejercito in
an amount equal to the value of the vehicle
according to the tables of vehicle values for
bonding companies. This is often a substantial
percentage of the vehicle s value.
The second step is to
present the documents you have received to the
Vehicular Control Module located in Mexican Customs
to process the importation permit. Carry this
document with you at all times! The permit is valid
for periods up to six months. The vehicle may be
driven across the border multiple times during the
authorized period of the permit. Other persons may
drive the car as long as the owner is in the
vehicle. Other foreigners with the same "tourist"
status as the vehicle owner may drive the vehicle
without the owner present in the car. If you wish to
authorize another person to drive your car, record
the authorization with Mexican officials when you
enter Mexico - even if you expect to be a passenger
when the other person drives.
Do not, under any
circumstances, allow an unauthorized person to drive
the vehicle when the owner is not in it. Such a
person would have to pay a fine amounting to a
substantial percentage of the vehicle's value, and
your vehicle would be confiscated. All documents and
the credit card must be in the name of the owner,
who must be present upon crossing the border. We
caution American citizens not to loan their vehicles
to Mexican citizens resident in Mexico as those
vehicles are subject to seizure by Mexican
authorities. If confiscated, they are not returned.
In the third step,
your credit card will be charged for a small amount
in Mexican national currency at the Banco del
Ejercito. If you do not have a credit card, the bank
will accept cash in an amount equal to the value of
your vehicle shown in the table of vehicle values
for bonding companies. Your deposit plus any
interest it may earn will be returned upon departure
from Mexico. You may also, instead, obtain a bond
through an authorized Mexican bonding company
located at all border crossings. The bonding
companies require a refundable deposit equal to a
substantial percentage of the vehicle s value. The
bonding company will also assess taxes and
processing costs for this service.
Finally, upon your
departure from Mexico, and if the vehicle will not
be driven back into Mexico, the permit for temporary
importation must be canceled at Customs. If these
steps are carefully followed, there should be no
problem taking your car to Mexico. If your car is
found in Mexico beyond the authorized time or
without the proper documents, it will be
confiscated. Also, the sale, abandonment, or use of
the vehicle for financial gain will result in its
confiscation. Travelers are advised to consult with
the nearest Mexican Consulate in the U.S. for
additional detailed information prior to departing
the U.S.
Vehicular traffic is
restricted in Mexico City. The restriction is based
on the last digit of the vehicle license plate.
(There is no specific provision regarding plates
with letters only.) Monday: no driving if license
plate ends with 5 or 6. Tuesday: no driving if
license plate ends with 7 or 8. Wednesday: no
driving if license plate ends with 3 or 4. Thursday:
no driving if license plate ends with 1 or 2.
Friday: no driving if license plate ends with 9 or
0. Saturday and Sunday: all vehicles may be driven.
Avoid excessive speed
and, if at all possible, do not drive at night.
Loose livestock can appear at any time. Construction
sites or stranded vehicles are often unmarked by
flares or other warning signals. Sometimes cars have
only one headlight. Many cars lack brake lights.
Bicycles seldom have lights or reflectors. This
makes for very dangerous driving conditions at
night. Be prepared for a sudden stop at any time.
Be aware of local
driving signals. In Mexico, a blinking left turn
signal on the vehicle in front of you could mean
that it is clear ahead and you may pass, or it could
mean the driver is making a left turn. An
outstretched left arm may mean an invitation for you
to pass. When in doubt, do not pass.
An oncoming vehicle
flashing its headlights is a warning for you to slow
down or pull over because you are both approaching a
narrow bridge or place in the road. The custom is
that the first vehicle to flash has the right of way
and the other must yield.
If it rains, slow
down. Freshly wet roads are dangerous because oil
and road dust mix with water and form a lubricant.
Until this mixture washes away, driving is extremely
hazardous.
Try not to drive at
night and never drive alone during this time. Don't
sleep in vehicles along the road. Do not pick up
hitchhikers who not only pose a threat to your
physical safety, but also put you in danger of being
arrested for unwittingly transporting narcotics or
narcotics traffickers in your vehicle. Your vehicle
can be confiscated if you are transporting marijuana
or other narcotics. There are checkpoints and
temporary roadblocks where vehicles are checked.
If you plan to drive,
learn about your route from an auto club, guide book
or a Mexican government tourist office. Some routes
have heavy truck and bus traffic, others have poor
or nonexistent shoulders and many have animals on
the loose. Also, some of the newer roads have very
few restaurants, motels, gas stations or auto repair
shops. You may not be able to avoid all problems,
but at least you will know what to expect if you
have done some research. For your safety, have your
vehicle serviced and in optimum condition before you
leave for Mexico. It is wise to bring an extra fan
belt, fuses and other spare parts. Pack a basic
first-aid kit and carry an emergency water supply in
your vehicle. Unleaded gasoline (magna) is generally
available throughout Mexico. Bring a flexible funnel
to fill your gas tank because some gas stations have
nozzles too large to fit unleaded tanks.
Quote and purchase travel assistance coverage in
Mexico here.
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Insurance
U.S. automobile
liability insurance is not valid in Mexico nor is
most collision and comprehensive coverage issued by
U.S. companies. Therefore, you will need to purchase
auto insurance adequate for your needs in Mexico. A
good rule of thumb is to buy coverage equivalent to
that which you carry in the United States.
Quote and purchase Mexican auto insurance from
various authorized insurers online here.
Motor vehicle
insurance is invalid in Mexico if the driver is
found to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Regardless of whether you have insurance, if you are
involved in an accident, you will be taken into
police custody until it can be determined who is
liable and whether you have the ability to pay any
judgment. If you do not have Mexican liability
insurance, you are almost certain to spend some time
in jail until all parties are satisfied that
responsibility has been assigned and adequate
financial satisfaction received. There may also be
criminal liability assigned if the injuries or
damages are serious.
Quote and purchase Mexican auto insurance from
various authorized insurers online here.
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Rental Cars
Renting in the United
States. Many car rental companies in the United
States have clauses in their contracts prohibiting
drivers from traveling out of the country. The
Mexican police are aware of these regulations and
will sometimes impound rental vehicles driven from
the United States. When renting a vehicle in the
United States, check with the company to see if your
contract allows you to drive it into Mexico.
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Military Checkpoints
Military and law
enforcement checkpoints aimed at detecting
narcotics, alien smuggling, and firearms traffic are
located at various places throughout Mexico. Areas
known to possess these checkpoints include the
Yucatan peninsula, Chiapas, Oaxaca and Guerrero.
Many checkpoints will have a red flag marker and are
operated by uniformed officials; however, others
will not be marked and are manned by police/military
officers not in uniform. These checkpoints have
"spiked devices" and are sometimes used to deflate
tires of vehicles attempting to evade these
checkpoints.
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Travel through Mexico to
Central American Countries
Mexican authorities
require that all international transit of persons (transmigrantes)
and merchandise through Mexico, destined for Central
America, from the area from Ciudad Acuna to
Matamoros, be handled by the Lucio Transmigrantes.
Persons and merchandise entering Mexico from areas
other than the Ciudad Acuna-Matamoros zone continue
to use their regular ports of entry. Mexican
authorities require that a customs broker handle the
temporary entry into Mexico of all non-personal
property of travelers destined for Central American
countries. Fees will be processed through the
customs broker. For more detailed information,
travelers can contact the nearest Mexican consulate
or tourism office, or the U.S. Consulate in
Matamoros prior to departing the U.S.
Quote and purchase Mexican auto insurance from
various authorized insurers online here.
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Bringing
Your Own Airplane or Boat to Mexico
Private aircraft and
boats are subject to the same Mexican customs
regulations as are motor vehicles. When you arrive
at a Mexican port in your private boat, you can
obtain a temporary import permit similar to the one
given for motor vehicles.
Flying your own plane
to Mexico, however, is more complicated. Well before
your trip, inquire about private aircraft
regulations and procedures from a Mexican consulate
or Mexican Government Tourist Office.
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Avoiding Legal
Problems
Avoid public
intoxication. It is against the law to be drunk in
public in Mexico. Certain border towns have become
impatient with teenage (and older) Americans who
cross the border to drink and carouse. This behavior
can lead to fights, arrests, traffic accidents and
even fatalities. If narcotics are found in your
vehicle, you will be arrested and your vehicle
confiscated.
While traveling in
Mexico, you are subject to Mexican laws and not U.S.
laws. Tourists who commit illegal acts have no
special privileges and are subject to full
prosecution under the Mexican judicial system.
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WARNING ON FIREARMS
The Department of
State warns U.S. citizens against taking any type of
firearm or ammunition into Mexico without prior
written authorization. Entering Mexico with a
firearm or a single round of ammunition carries a
penalty of up to five years in jail, even if the
firearm or ammunition is taken into Mexico
unintentionally.
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Customs Regulations
Tourists should enter
Mexico with only the items needed for their trip.
Entering with large quantities of an item a tourist
might not normally be expected to have, particularly
expensive appliances, such as televisions, stereos
or other items, may lead to suspicion of smuggling
and possible confiscation of the items and arrest of
the individual.
Mexican regulations
limit the value of goods brought into Mexico by U.S.
citizens arriving by air or sea to $300 U.S. per
person and by land to $50 U.S. per person. Other
items may also be brought in duty-free. Amounts
exceeding the duty-free limit are subject to a 32.8
percent tax.
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Currency
The Mexican
government permits tourists to exchange dollars for
pesos at the fluctuating free market rate. There are
no restrictions on the import or export of bank
notes and none on the export of reasonable
quantities of ordinary Mexican coins. However, gold
or silver Mexican coins may not be exported.
Take travelers checks
with you because personal U.S. checks are rarely
accepted by Mexican hotels or banks. Major credit
cards are accepted in many hotels, shops and
restaurants. An exchange office (casa de cambios)
usually gives a better rate of exchange than do
stores, hotels or restaurants.
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Pets
U.S. visitors to
Mexico may bring a dog, cat or up to four canaries
by presenting the following certificates at the
border:
(1) a pet health
certificate signed by a registered veterinarian in
the United States and issued not more than 72 hours
before the animal enters Mexico; and (2) a pet
vaccination certificate showing that the animal has
been treated for rabies, hepatitis and other.
Certification by Mexican consular authorities is not
required for the health or vaccination certificate.
A permit fee is charged at the time of entry into
Mexico.
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Shopping
Beware of purchasing
souvenirs made from endangered wildlife. Mexican
markets and stores abound with wildlife, most of it
prohibited from international traffic. You risk
confiscation and a possible fine by U.S. Customs if
you attempt to import virtually any wildlife from
Mexico. In particular, watch out for and avoid all
products made from sea turtles, including such items
as turtle leather boots, tortoise-shell jewelry, and
sea turtle oil cosmetics; fur from spotted cats;
Mexican birds, stuffed or alive, such as parrots,
parakeets, or birds of prey; crocodile and caiman
leather; black coral jewelry; wildlife curios, such
as stuffed iguanas.
When driving across
state lines within Mexico, you can expect to be
stopped at agricultural livestock inspection
stations.
Antiques
Mexico considers all
pre-Colombian objects to be the "inalienable
property of the Nation" and that the unauthorized
export of such objects is theft and is punishable by
arrest, detention and judicial prosecution. Under
U.S. law, to import pre-Colombian monumental and
architectural sculpture and murals, you must present
proof that they were legally exported from the
country of origin. U.S. law does not prohibit the
import of non-monumental or non-architectural
artifacts from Mexico.
Glazed Ceramics
According to the U.S.
Food and Drug Administration, it is possible to
suffer lead poisoning if you consume food or
beverages that have been stored or served in
improperly glazed ceramic ware. Analysis of many
ceramic pieces from Mexico has shown them to contain
dangerous levels of lead. Unless you have proof of
their safety, use glazed ceramics purchased in
Mexico for decorative purposes only.
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