Online Travel Resources

Online Travel Links, Information & Resources. Mexico Travel Tips.

Entry Requirements

Three items are needed to enter Mexico:

• Photo I.D. (such as a Driver's License or a passport, starting at age 18 and above)
• Tourist Card or F.M.N.

  This two part document is your "permission" from the Mexican government to visit Mexico . It is available free of charge, although sometimes difficult to obtain in large quantities. The airlines always have an ample supply upon check-in. Or, if all else fails, you can obtain one in Mexican Immigration upon arrival.

• Valid Proof Of Citizenship

  U.S. Citizens may use one of the following for entry into Mexico:

  • Valid Passport: This is the most recommended document - secure and convenient.
  • Certified Birth Certificate: (hospital certificate is not acceptable). A birth certificate must include your given name and surname, date and place of birth, date the birth record was filed, and seal or other certification of the official custodian of such records (usually the Department of Health Services in the city where you were born).

  Canadian versions of the above documents are acceptable; notarized affidavits must be executed in Canada . The "Canadian Identification Card" is an acceptable proof of citizenship document as well.

  Other Nationalities: Most foreign citizens traveling to Mexico from the U.S. need a valid passport and U.S. "Alien Registration" card only. Contact the airlines serving Mexico or the Mexican Consulate for more details or specific situations.

• Returning to the U.S. and Canada:

  You are allowed to enter free of duty any purchases with a combined value of up to USD $400.00 For Canada the amount is CD $500.00 IF travelers have been outside of Canada at least seven days. This allowance may be claimed every 30 days. With a verbal declaration a returning Canadian resident can claim duty-free entry for articles (excluding tobacco products or alcoholic beverages) that do not exceed a total value of CD $20.00 upon return from each trip of more than 24 hours.

  Contact the U.S. Treasury Department for a detailed list (Dept. of the Treasury, U.S. Customs Service, Washington , D.C. 20229 ).

Banking, Currency & Credit Cards

• Bancomer ATM's are now in the Cirrus and PLUS systems, and even offer Spanish/English language menus.

  Some ATMs dispense pesos or dollars. Money is often exchanged at casas de cambio (exchange houses) that are open longer hours and offer quicker service. Although dollars are widely accepted in resort areas (and often preferred), we recommend using pesos during your stay. Note that the worst exchange rates are often at hotels, the best at exchange houses. Expect a slightly lower rate for travelers checks. Exchange fees are generally not charged. Credit cards are widely accepted, with Visa and MasterCard being the cards of choice. American Express is also widely accepted.

• Capitalizing on the Dollar's Increased Value

  Exchange your dollars for pesos in Mexico, rather than through a U.S./Canadian currency exchange company. Rates can be significantly higher in Mexico than abroad.

• Use pesos rather than dollars for transactions in Mexico.

  In general, restaurants, shops and taxis will exchange your dollars at a rate lower than what is paid by local casas de cambio, by exchanging dollars for pesos, and then shopping with pesos, you will maximize your savings.

• Use credit cards whenever possible.

  Your purchase will be converted into dollars at an exchange rate more favorable than what you will likely earn by changing dollars into pesos at your hotel for example; secondly, credit card charges are often converted into dollars several days after the purchase is made. Assuming the peso continues to "slide" against the dollar, your credit card purchase may be converted to dollars at a rate higher than what you would have paid the day the transaction was made

Long Distance Calls to Mexico

• 52 is the international calling code for Mexico
• From within Mexico: 01 + city code + local number
• From the U.S. or Canada: 011 + 52 + city code + local number
• From other countries: international access code + 52 + city code + local number
• Calls to a cellphone from outside Mexico: omit the "044" which often prefixes a cellphone number

Long Distance Calls from Mexico

• To a Mexican telephone number: 01 + city code + local number
• To the U.S. or Canada: 001 + area code + local number
• To other countries: 00 + country code + city code + local number
• Operated-assisted calls in Mexico: 020
• Operated-assisted calls to other countries: 090

Canadian Travel and Health Insurance - Pucher Insurance
We provide travel medical insurance and health insurance for Canadians planning a trip abroad or for visitors to Canada / Pucher Insurance.

Magellan's
The mail-order travel product source that I most enthusiastically recommend is Magellan's, with headquarters (and a very nice retail store) in Santa Barbara, California. If you're not already receiving their catalogs, phone them right away to get on their mailing list. Of the items on my packing list that you don't already have, most can be obtained from Magellan's.

TravelSmith
Mail-order travel product supplier, with an emphasis on clothing rather than equipment. Their Web site has a "sale annex", with special prices on discontinued products.

Tilley Endurables
Adventure clothing specialist Tilley Endurables makes great travel wear. Their AdventureCloth, when sufficiently broken in, stands up to the rigours of travel better than most anything.

Carry-On Restrictions: By Airline
The Federal Aviation Administration is limiting all airline passengers to one carry-on bag and one personal article such as a purse or briefcase. The new rule takes effect immediately. These restrictions can change at any time. Be sure to check with your airline for the latest information.

FrequentFlyer.com
The Internet's premier site for frequent flyer program information and advice.

U.S. Department of State: Passports
Health related warnings, notices, etc.

Frequently Asked Questions from U.S. Residents Who Travel Abroad
U.S. Customs & Border Protection official website.

Currency Exchange Rates

U.S. Embassys Abroad
The Electronic Embassy provides information on each of the embassies in Washington D.C., with links to Web-based resources where available.

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