Tips for Travelers to Mexico
Between 15 and 16 million U.S. citizens
visit Mexico each year, while more than
385,000 Americans reside there year round.
Although the majority of visitors thoroughly
enjoy their stay, a small number experience
difficulties and serious inconveniences.
Travel conditions in Mexico can contrast
sharply with those in the United States.
This brochure offers advice to help you
avoid inconveniences and difficulties as you
go. The Department of State and its Embassy
and consulates in Mexico offer a wide range
of services to assist U.S. citizens in
distress. U.S. consular officials meet
regularly with Mexican authorities to
promote the safety of U.S. citizens in
Mexico.
Before you go, learn as much as you can
about Mexico. Your travel agent, local
bookstore, public library, the Internet and
the embassy of the country or countries you
plan to visit are all useful sources of
information.
How To Have a Safe and Healthy Trip
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, or
that is experiencing civil unrest or some
natural disaster, you are encouraged to
register with the Department of State. The
web page for Americans to register with us
is
https://travelregistration.state.gov.
You can register your entire itinerary on
the web site. Alternately, after you have
arrived in Mexico, you can register at the
U.S. Embassy in Mexico City or one of the
U.S. consulates.
Registration takes only a few moments, and
it may be invaluable in case of an
emergency.
Other useful precautions are:
-
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 your birth certificate
and current, valid 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 traveler’s 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.
-
Take travelers checks, not 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.
Consular Information Program
The Department of State’s
Consular Information Sheets are
available for every country of the world.
They describe entry requirements, currency
regulations, unusual health conditions, the
crime and security situation, political
disturbances, areas of instability, and
special information about driving and road
conditions. They also provide addresses and
emergency telephone numbers for U.S.
embassies and consulates. In general, the
sheets do not give advice. Instead, they
describe conditions so travelers can make
informed decisions about their trips. You
can read the Consular Information Sheet for
Mexico on our web site at
http://travel.state.gov/. It is updated
at least twice a year and has the most
current information on travel to and in
Mexico.
In some dangerous situations, however, the
Department of State recommends that
Americans defer travel to a country. In
such a case, a
Travel Warning is issued for the country
in addition to its
Consular Information Sheet.
Public Announcements are a means to
disseminate information about relatively
short-term and/or trans-national conditions
posing significant risks to the security of
American travelers. They are issued when
there is a perceived threat, even if it does
not involve Americans as a particular target
group. In the past,
Public Announcements have been issued to
deal with short-term coups, pre-election
disturbances, terrorist violence and
anniversary dates of specific terrorist
events.
You can access
Consular Information Sheets,
Travel Warnings and
Public Announcements 24-hours a day the
following ways:
Internet
The most convenient source of information
about travel and consular services is the
Consular Affairs home page. Our web site
is
http://travel.state.gov.
Telephone
Consular Information Sheets and Travel
Warnings may be heard any time by dialing
the office of American Citizens Services
at 1-888-407-4747 from a touchtone phone.
From overseas, that number is:
1-202-501-4444.
A Guide to Entry and Exit
Regulations
Getting Into Mexico
New Requirements for Travelers
Between the United States and the Western
Hemisphere: Western Hemisphere Travel
Initiative (WHI)
Travelers to and from Mexico will be
required to have a U.S. passport or other
secure, accepted document to enter or
re-enter the United States. This is a
change from prior travel requirements and
will affect all U.S. citizens entering the
United States from countries within the
Western Hemisphere. The goal is to
strengthen border security and facilitate
entry into the United States for U.S.
citizens and legitimate foreign visitors.
The U.S. passport is the document of choice
because of the incorporated advanced
security features.
For land border crossings to Mexico, other
documents that we anticipate will be
acceptable under WHI are SENTRI and FAST
program cards. No other document is
currently available that will be an
acceptable substitute for a U.S. passport,
SENTRI or FAST card. However, we are using
new technologies to create other acceptable
travel documents. We will make public
additional travel document options as they
become available.
The travel initiative requirements will be
rolled out in phases, providing as much
advance notice as possible to the affected
public to enable them to meet the terms of
the new guidelines. The proposed
implementation timeline is as follows:
-
December 31, 2005 –
Passport or other accepted document
required for all travel (air/sea) to or
from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Central and
South America.
-
December 31, 2006 –
Passport or other accepted document
required for all air and sea travel to or
from Mexico and Canada.
-
December 31, 2007 –
Passport or other accepted document
required for all air, sea and land border
crossings.
Current Requirements for Getting
Into Mexico
The Government of Mexico requires that all
U.S. citizens present proof of citizenship
and photo identification for entry into
Mexico. While U.S. citizenship documents
such as a certified copy of a U.S. birth
certificate, a Naturalization Certificate, a
Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or a
Certificate of Citizenship are acceptable,
the U.S. Embassy recommends traveling with a
valid U.S. passport to avoid delays or
misunderstandings. U.S. citizens have
encountered difficulty boarding onward
flights in Mexico without a passport. U.S.
citizens boarding flights to Mexico should
be prepared to present one of these
documents as proof of U.S. citizenship,
along with photo identification. Driver’s
permits, voter registration cards,
affidavits and similar documents are not
sufficient to prove citizenship for
readmission into the United States.
Tourist Cards
U.S. citizens do not require a visa or a
tourist card for tourist stays of 72 hours
or less within “the border zone,” defined as
an area between 20 to 30 kilometers of the
border with the U.S., depending on the
location. U.S. citizens traveling as
tourists beyond the border zone or entering
Mexico by air must pay a fee to obtain a
tourist card, also known as an FM-T,
available from Mexican consulates, Mexican
border crossing points, Mexican tourism
offices, airports within the border zone and
most airlines serving Mexico. The fee for
the tourist card is generally included in
the price of a plane ticket for travelers
arriving by air.
The tourist card is issued upon presentation
of proof of citizenship, such as a U.S.
passport or a U.S. birth certificate, plus a
photo I.D., such as a driver’s license.
Tourist cards are issued for up to 90 days
with a single entry, or if you present proof
of sufficient funds, for 180 days with
multiple entries.
Upon entering Mexico, retain and safeguard
the traveler’s copy of your tourist card so
you may surrender it to Mexican immigration
when you depart. You must leave Mexico
before your tourist card expires or you are
subject to a fine. A tourist card for less
than 180 days may be revalidated in Mexico
by the Mexican immigration service (Instituto
Nacional de Migración.)
Tourists wishing to travel beyond the border
zone with their car must obtain a temporary
import permit or risk having their car
confiscated by Mexican customs officials.
To acquire a permit, one must submit
evidence of citizenship, title for the car,
a car registration certificate and a
driver’s license to a Banjercito branch
located at a Mexican Customs office at the
port of entry, and pay a processing fee.
Mexican law also requires the posting of a
bond at a Banjercito office to guarantee the
departure of the car from Mexico within a
time period determined at the time of the
application. For this purpose, American
Express, Visa or MasterCard credit card
holders will be asked to provide credit card
information; others will need to make a cash
deposit of between $200 and $400, depending
on the age of the car. In order to recover
this bond or avoid credit card charges,
travelers must return to any Mexican Customs
office immediately prior to departing
Mexico. Disregard any advice, official or
unofficial, that vehicle permits can be
obtained at checkpoints in the interior of
Mexico. Avoid individuals outside vehicle
permit offices offering to obtain the
permits without waiting in line. If the
proper permit cannot be obtained at the
Banjercito branch at the port of entry, do
not proceed to the interior where travelers
may be incarcerated, fined and/or have their
vehicle seized at immigration/customs
checkpoints. For further information,
inquire with Mexican Customs offices about
appropriate vehicle permits. Additional
information (in Spanish) can be found at
http://www.aduanas.sat.gob.mx/webadunet/aga.aspx?Q=ImpTempVehiculos_Tema1.
Upon arrival in Mexico, business travelers
must complete and submit a form (Form FM-N
30 days) authorizing the conduct of
business, but not employment, for a 30-day
period. Travelers entering Mexico for
purposes other than tourism or business or
for stays of longer than 180 days require a
visa and must carry a valid U.S. passport.
If you wish to stay longer than 180 days, or
if you wish to do business or conduct
religious work in Mexico, contact the
Mexican Embassy or the nearest Mexican
consulate to obtain a visa or permit.
Persons conducting religious work on a
tourist card are subject to arrest and
deportation.
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.
In an effort to prevent international child
abduction, many governments have initiated
procedures at entry and exit points,
including requiring documentary evidence of
relationship and permission of the parent(s)
or legal guardian not present for the
child’s travel. Parents of minor children
(under 18 years old) should carefully
document legal custody prior to traveling to
Mexico. If a minor child is traveling with
only one parent, the absent parent should
provide notarized consent. If only one
parent has legal custody, that parent should
be prepared to provide such evidence to
airlines and Mexican authorities. In cases
in which a minor child is traveling to
Mexico alone or in someone else’s company,
both parents (or the sole, documented
custodial parent) should provide notarized
consent. If a child traveling to Mexico has
a different last name from the mother and/or
father, the parents should be prepared to
provide evidence to airlines and Mexican
authorities, such as a birth certificate or
adoption decree, to prove that they are
indeed the parents. Mexican entry
regulations require Spanish translations of
all legal documents, including notarized
consent decrees and court agreements.
Enforcement of this provision is not always
consistent, however, and English-language
documents are almost always sufficient.
Residing or Retiring in Mexico
If you plan to live or retire in Mexico,
consult a Mexican consulate on the type of
long-term visa required. As soon as possible
after you arrive in the place you will live,
it is a good idea to register with the U.S.
Embassy or the nearest U.S. consulate or
consular agent. You may register on line at
https://travelregistration.state.gov.
If you wish to register in person, bring
your passport or other identification with
you. Registration makes it easier to contact
you in an emergency. (Registration
information is confidential and will not be
released to inquirers without your express
authorization.)
For further information concerning entry and
visa requirements, travelers may contact the
Embassy of Mexico at 1911 Pennsylvania
Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20006, phone
(202) 736-1000, Internet site:http://portal.sre.gob.mx/usa/ or
any Mexican consulate in the United States.
Returning to the United States –
Caution!
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 re-enter 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 with a photo
is acceptable.
The following frequently-cited documents are
NOT sufficient proof to enter the United
States: US driver’s license alone, Social
Security Card, US military ID, a
non-certified photocopy of a US birth
certificate, a notarized Affidavit of
Citizenship signed at the airport in the
U.S., or even a voter’s registration card.
Travelers with only these documents may not
be able to enter the U.S.
Without proof of both identity and
citizenship, the traveler will not be
allowed to board an airplane to the U.S.
The airline faces a fine of $3,300 if a
passenger that the airline boarded is not
admitted to the U.S., and in addition the
airline must bear the cost of flying the
passenger back to the point of departure.
Because of these penalties, most airlines
will not board anyone – including probable
U.S. citizens – without proof of citizenship
and identity.
Health
Health problems sometimes affect visitors to
Mexico.
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 and a travel health home
page at
http://www.cdc.gov/travel.
For information about outbreaks of
infectious diseases abroad, consult the
World Health Organization’s web site at
http://www.who.int/en. Further health
information for travelers is available on
the World Health Organization’s
International Travel and Health page at
http://www.who.int/ith.
Immunizations are recommended against
typhoid, hepatitis A and hepatitis B.
Booster shots for tetanus-diphtheria and
measles are also recommended. For visitors
coming directly from the United States, no
immunization certification is required to
enter Mexico. If you are traveling from a
part of the world infected with yellow
fever, a vaccination certificate is
required.
Malaria is found in some rural areas of
Mexico, particularly those near the
southwest coast. Travelers to malarial areas
should consult their physician and take the
recommended dosage of chloroquine,
mefloquine (Lariam™), doxycycline, or
atovaquone/proguanil (Malarone™) or other
anti-malarial medication. Although these
preventative drugs are not considered
necessary for travelers to the major resort
areas on the Pacific and Gulf coasts,
travelers to those areas should use insect
repellent and take other personal protection
measures to reduce contact with mosquitoes,
particularly from dusk to dawn when malaria
transmission is most likely. Wear
long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats,
and, use insect repellents that contain DEET.
Air pollution in Mexico City is severe. It
is most dangerous during thermal inversions
that occur most often from December to May.
Air pollution plus Mexico City’s high
altitude are a particular health risk for
the elderly and persons with high blood
pressure, anemia, or respiratory or cardiac
problems. If this applies to you, consult
your doctor before traveling to Mexico City.
In high altitude areas, such as Mexico City,
most people need a short adjustment period.
Spend the first few days in a leisurely
manner, with a light diet and reduced intake
of alcohol. Avoid strenuous activity,
including everything from sports to rushing
up the stairs. Reaction signs to high
altitude are lack of energy, a tendency to
tire easily, shortness of breath, occasional
dizziness, and insomnia.
Drink only bottled water or water that has
been boiled for 20 minutes. Beware of ice
cubes that may not have been made with
purified water. Vegetables and fruits should
be peeled or washed in a purifying solution.
If you can’t peel it or cook it, do
NOT eat it. Don’t eat food
purchased from street vendors. Don’t eat
dairy products unless you know for a fact
that they have been pasteurized. Diarrhea
sufferers may benefit from anti-microbial
treatment that may be prescribed or
purchased over the counter. Travelers should
consult a physician, rather than attempt
self-medication, if the diarrhea is severe
or persists several days.
It is wise to review your health insurance
policy before you travel.
In some places, particularly at resorts,
medical costs can be as high or higher than
in the United States. U.S. medical insurance
plans seldom cover health costs outside the
United States unless supplemental coverage
is purchased. Further, U.S. Medicare and
Medicaid programs do not provide payment for
medical services outside the United States.
However, many travel agents and private
companies offer insurance plans that will
cover health care expenses incurred
overseas, including emergency services such
as medical evacuations. If your insurance
policy does not cover you in Mexico, it is
strongly recommended that you purchase a
policy that does. Short-term health
insurance policies designed specifically to
cover travel are available.
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
Mexico City. Some remote areas or coastal
islands may have few or no medical
facilities. For these reasons, in addition
to medical insurance that you can use in
Mexico, consider obtaining insurance or
joining a medical assistance program to
cover the very high cost of medical
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. The cost of medical evacuation
coverage is minimal for a trip of 30 days.
Without this insurance, medical evacuation
can cost thousands of dollars.
When making decisions regarding health
insurance, consider that many foreign
doctors and hospitals require payment in
cash prior to providing service and that
medical air evacuation to the U.S. may cost
over $50,000. Uninsured travelers who
require medical care overseas often face
extreme difficulties. When consulting with
your insurer prior to your trip, please
ascertain whether payment will be made to
the overseas healthcare provider or whether
you will be reimbursed later for expense
that you incur. Some insurance policies also
include coverage for psychiatric treatment
and for disposition of remains in the event
of death.
If you become seriously ill, U.S. consular
officers can assist in finding a doctor and
in notifying your family and friends about
your condition.
Useful information on medical emergencies
abroad, including overseas insurance
programs are listed in our publication,
Medical Information for Americans Traveling
Abroad, accessible at our Internet site at
http://travel.state.gov/.
The U.S. government cannot pay to have you
medically evacuated to the United States.
Safety Tips
General information on personal safety
abroad can be found in our brochure,
A Safe Trip Abroad , on our home page at
http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/safety/safety_1747.html.
In an Emergency
Call (55) 5250-0123, the 24-hour hotline of
the Mexican Ministry of Tourism. They also
have two toll free numbers: if calling
within Mexico (01) 800-903-9200 and from the
U.S. 1-800-482-9832. The hotline is for
immediate assistance but it provides
general, non-emergency guidance as well. It
is an important number to keep with you. In
an emergency, you should also call the U.S.
Embassy, nearest U.S. consulate or consular
agent. (See the contact information at the
end of this brochure.)
As a visitor to Mexico, be alert to your new
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.
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.
At the Hotel
Travelers to Mexico should leave valuables
and irreplaceable items in a safe place. All
visitors are encouraged to make use of hotel
safes when available.
On Public Transport
Be vigilant in bus and train stations and on
public transport. Watch for pickpockets in
these areas.
On Streets and Highways
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 ever
encounter difficulties with police or other
officials.
If a Mexican official solicits a bribe from
you, it is up to you whether to pay.
Bribing officials is illegal. Demands for
bribes are often dropped if the subject
insists on being taken to the “delegación”
(police station).
Do not be surprised if you encounter several
types of police in Mexico. The Preventive
Police, the Transit Police and the Federal
Highway Police all wear uniforms. The
Judicial Police who work for the public
prosecutor are not uniformed.
At the Pool or Beach
Do not leave your belongings on the beach
while you are swimming. Keep your passport
and other valuables in the hotel safe.
Visitors to Mexican resorts should carefully
assess the risk potential of recreational
activities. Diving equipment provided by
dive shops may not meet U.S. safety
standards and due to frequent use, may be
substandard or defective. Unless you are
certain that scuba diving equipment is up to
standard, you should not use it. “Pool
certification courses” lasting a few hours
are not considered adequate by U.S. dive
certification entities. Inexperienced scuba
divers in particular should beware of dive
shops that promise to “certify” you after a
few hours’ instruction. Safe diving requires
lengthy training.
Parasailing is offered at many Mexican beach
resorts. Be aware that by putting your name
on the passenger list, you may be relieving
the boat operator and owner of
responsibility for your safety. There have
been cases in which tourists have been
dragged through palm trees or slammed into
hotel walls while participating in this
activity.
Be extremely careful when renting jet-skis.
Several tourists have been killed or injured
in jet-ski accidents, particularly when
participating in group tours. Often
inexperienced tour guides allow their
clients to follow too closely or operate the
jet-skis in other unsafe manners. In one
case the jet-ski rental company carried
liability insurance limited to $2,500 U.S.
dollars. Make sure that the rental company
has adequate medical/accident insurance, is
staffed with personnel on-site with water
rescue training, and properly demonstrates
safe operation of the vehicle to you before
you rent or operate such equipment.
Do not use pools or beaches without
lifeguards, or, if you do, exercise extreme
caution. Warning flags on the beach should
be taken seriously. If black flags are up,
do not enter the water. Do not dive into
unknown bodies of water because hidden rocks
or shallow depths can cause serious injury
or death. Some Mexican beaches, such as
those in Cancun, have warning signs about
undertow; take them seriously. Newer resorts
may lack comprehensive medical facilities.
Travel by Car
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.
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 U.S. 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.
All vehicular traffic is restricted in the
capital city of Mexico City to reduce air
pollution. The restriction is based on the
last digit of the vehicle license plate.
(This applies equally to permanent and
temporary plates. Cars with license plates
ending in letters may not be driven on
Fridays.)
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, 0 or a letter.
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. Shoulders are often narrow or
absent altogether, making it difficult to
recover if a wheel strays from the pavement
momentarily. 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. Mexican
driving conditions are such that, for your
safety, you must drive more slowly than you
do at home.
Learn 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.
When it begins to rain, immediately slow to
a crawl. 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. Beware
of sudden rains. Stop, or go extremely
slowly, until conditions improve.
To avoid highway crime, try not to drive at
night and never drive alone during this
time. Never sleep in vehicles along the
road. Do not, under any circumstances, 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. You may not be
able to avoid all problems, but at least you
will know what to expect if you have done
some research. Also, some of the newer roads
have very few restaurants, motels, gas
stations or auto repair shops. 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 sin) is generally available
throughout Mexico.
If you have an emergency while driving, call
the Ministry of Tourism’s hotline or (55)
5250-8221, extension 130/297, to obtain help
from the “Green Angels,” a fleet of radio
dispatched trucks with bilingual crews.
Services include protection, medical first
aid, mechanical aid for your car, and basic
supplies. You will not be charged for
services, only for parts, gas, and oil. The
Green Angels patrol daily, from dawn until
sunset. If you are unable to call them, pull
off the road and lift the hood of your car;
chances are good they will find you.
Insurance
Mexican auto insurance is sold in most
cities and towns on both sides of the
border. U.S. automobile liability insurance
is not valid in Mexico nor is most collision
and comprehensive coverage issued by U.S.
companies. Therefore, when you cross the
border, 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.
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.
On many of the toll highways you may be
automatically covered by the insurance that
is included in the toll fee. This can
provide added coverage for you in certain
situations.
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.
Renting a Car in Mexico
The standard insurance included with many
car rental contracts in Mexico provides only
nominal liability coverage, often as little
as the equivalent of $200. Because Mexican
law permits the jailing of drivers after an
accident until they have met their
obligations to third parties and to the
rental company, renters should read their
contracts carefully and purchase additional
liability and comprehensive insurance if
necessary.
Yucatan-Campeche and Quintana Roo
Borders
The State of Yucatan has agricultural
inspection stations on its border to
eradicate swine fever and inspectors may
confiscate pork products at these inspection
stations. Yucatan health inspectors may hold
travelers for possible arrest by Federal
authorities if travelers appear in violation
of any Mexican laws, such as immigration,
firearms, narcotics, etc.
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.
Travel through Mexico to Central
American Countries
Mexican authorities require that all
international transit of persons (transmigrantes)
and merchandise from the U.S. through
Mexico, destined for Central America, be
handled only at the Los Indios Bridge
located south of Harlingen, Texas, on Route
509. Every transmigrante must
obtain the services of a Mexican customs
broker to prepare the documents required by
Mexican Customs for their entry into
Mexico.
Transmigrantes must declare
everything they are bringing through Mexico
or any undeclared items found by Mexican
Customs will/will be confiscated. Although
items for international transit are not
taxed, transmigrantes will have to
pay a fee to the customs broker for their
professional services. The customs broker
is responsible for informing the
transmigrante about items that are
prohibited for international transit.
Crossing into Mexico by a bridge other than
Los Indios is considered importation of
goods and will result in everything being
taxed. When the transmigrante
leaves Mexico through Chiapas, he must then
also pay export taxes. The earlier “import”
tax is not returned.
Transmigrantes on their way to
Central America have ten days to leave
Mexico through Chiapas. Mexican Customs now
has a barcode system that controls the entry
and exit of transmigrantes.
Americans who intend to transit Mexico are
cautioned that some unscrupulous vendors on
the U.S. side, known as “grupos,”
purport to be Mexican customs brokers but
are not. “Grupos” have been known
to charge large sums of money but do not
provide the required services that only bona
fide Mexican customs brokers can,
potentially leaving the American
transmigrante bilked and his goods
confiscated.
Currently, there are only two Mexican
customs brokers handling transmigrantes.
For further information, travelers can
contact the U.S. Consulate in Matamoros
prior to departing the U.S. at (011-52)
868-812-4402 and ask for the American
Citizens Services Unit, or visit the
Consulate’s Web site at
http://usembassy.state.gov/matamoros/Matamoros.html
.
Bringing Your Own Plane 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.
Crime
In Mexico City, crime has reached critical
levels. Low apprehension and conviction
rates of criminals contribute to the high
rate of crime. Metropolitan areas other than
the capital are considered to have lower but
still serious levels of crime activity.
Travelers to Mexico should leave valuables
and irreplaceable items at home in the U.S.
All visitors to Mexico are encouraged to
make use of hotel safes when available,
avoid wearing obviously expensive jewelry or
designer clothing and carry only the cash or
credit cards that will be needed on each
outing. Travelers are discouraged from
bringing very large amounts of cash into
Mexico, as officials may suspect money
laundering or other criminal activity.
While public safety officials in Mexico City
point to statistical evidence that crime in
the capital has fallen off in the last three
years, public concern regarding security –
and in particular kidnappings – is greater
than ever.
The most frequently reported crimes involve
taxi robberies, armed robbery, pickpocketing
and purse snatching. In several cases,
tourists report that uniformed police are
the crime perpetrators, stopping vehicles
and seeking money or assaulting and robbing
tourists walking late at night. The area
behind the U.S. Embassy and the Zona Rosa, a
restaurant/shopping area near the Embassy,
are occasional sites of street crime against
foreigners. Caution should be exercised when
walking in these areas, especially at night.
Any U.S. citizen victims of crime in Mexico
are encouraged to report the incident to
local police authorities and to the nearest
U.S. consular office.
U.S. citizens should be very cautious in
using ATM cards and machines in Mexico. If
an ATM machine must be used, it should be
only during the business day at large
protected facilities (preferably inside
commercial establishments, rather than at a
glass-enclosed, highly visible ATM machine
on streets where criminals can observe
financial transactions.)
| 
