Travel Tips DOCUMENTS NEEDED TO ENTER MEXICO If you are coming form the U.S. before January 1, 2007 you will need a birth certificate or voter registration and a picture id, like a driver’s license or you will need a Passport. The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 requires that by January 1, 2008, travelers to and from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Panama, Mexico and Canada have a passport or other secure, accepted document to enter or re-enter the United States. In order to facilitate the implementation of this requirement, the Administration is proposing to complete it in phases following a proposed timeline, which will be published in the Federal Register in the near future. http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html
If you plan to drive in Mexico follow these tips:
Driving Permit for your car. You will need to secure a temporary importation document for your vehicle when you cross the border. You will need all the documents on your vehicle and you will need a driver’s license and a credit card. The process will take about an hour. Also be sure to return the permit to Mexican customs upon return. If you are going to a beach be sure to bring plenty of sun block. Mexico is probably much closer to the equator than where you live. So you may not realize how much sun you are getting. Always put a little sun block on when you hit the beach or pool. There is no since in getting knocked out of commission because you fell asleep for 2 hours on the beach or by the pool on the first day of your vacation or holiday. Too much sun is one of the main reasons people do not enjoy their vacation as much as they should. Just use a little common sense. Be careful with the all you can drink propositions from many bars in Mexico. Sometimes there are “no strings” attached and sometimes there are rules and hoops you may have to jump through to get the deal. Always ask the guy who is selling you a wristband /cover, what are the stipulations. (Sometimes the all you can drink is only at a certain parts of the bar, or only on certain drinks...) Also please understand that in an all you can drink environment you will not be getting the best quality liquors. Inferior quality can definitely impact the way you feel the next day. During these nights, remember to stick together, you or your friend may need a shoulder to get home... Oh, and always remember to tip, even if you aren't paying for the drinks individually you should pay for the service and tipping will generally insure you get good service.
DON'T DRINK THE WATER! You know that. You can easily and cheaply buy bottled water, so don't risk ruining your vacation. When not in the tourist zone, try the local cuisine, be adventuresome but cautious. If by chance you do start to feel cramps in your stomach, run don't walk to a local pharmacy "farmacia" and buy some antibiotics, (Bactrim and Lomotil) to cure it in a day or so. (DON'T TAKE THESE IF YOU ARE ALLERGIC TO ANTIBIOTICS, ask your doctor...) If you don't catch it in time you may have to stick around a bathroom for a day or so, so grab some Imodium or your favorite remedy. Some people also like to chew one or two Pepto-Bismol tablets each day a precautionary measure.
In today’s electronic world the best way to get pesos is to use the ATM machines. You will find them in all the banks, some hotels, large grocery stores, and in the banks. Check with local bank before leaving home and make sure you have your debit card or credit card. Both work fine. Oh don't forget your pin number. Now if you have dollars and want to exchange them for pesos finding a place to exchange your money will never be a problem. Exchange houses called "Casa de Cambio" are generally scattered in the downtown areas. Don't exchange money at hotels - you will get fewer pesos for your dollars. Many of the Banks at their teller windows also exchange dollars for pesos and give good rates. And always count the money before you send it into to the person making the exchange and ask for a receipt. The Airport is also a good place to exchange money. You can get pesos here on arrival and exchange your leftover pesos for dollars on the way out. We do not recommend that pay for anything in Mexico in dollars. You will lose every time on the exchange rate. Be very careful when buying calling cards, we suggest only purchasing a card from the phone company. They will say TelMex or LadaTel somewhere on them and they all should have a small microchip in them. Some of the other cards charge outrageous rates or won't work at all! They come in prices of 30, 50 and 100 pesos. We suggest getting a 100 pesos card if you are going to call home. Collect calls are fine as long as you realize that anytime you go through an operator the call will be more expensive. Don't assume everyone will take them. Paying with a credit card is one way to get a good exchange rate on your dollars for pesos. However don't assume everyone will take them. Many places are cash only, and you will feel foolish if you eat and can't pay, so always carry some pesos on you. Most places will take American Dollars, but you will lose on the exchange rate, go trade US cash for pesos when you arrive in Mexcio, but not at the hotel. Know the rates. Many taxi drivers will over charge if you appear not to know where you are going or how much it should cost. Always negotiate the rate before you get in the taxi. Don't hesitate to say no if you don't feel the rate he is requesting is fair. Wait for the next taxi. In some cities in Mexico the taxis have a tariff meter. If they have one make sure they use it. The taxi meter will generally be lower that the quote price. In Mexcio City it is safer and a little more expensive to take taxis from Taxi stands and not directly from the street... Oh, by the way... It is not expected that you tip taxi drivers. In most places Tips "propinas" are not included. Just like at home, many of your waiters/bartenders make the majority of their wages through tips. 10-20% is standard, generally they expect between 10% and 15%. (Just remember in Mexico , the service depends on the tip...) If you feel the service was exceptional tip accordingly, if you feel the service was poor tip accordingly. Stick together when out on the town. While most of Mexcio is a very safe there is safety in numbers. Also treat Mexico with respect, and don't leave your manners at home. Have a safe fun time! The Mexicohotels2000 Reservation Team |
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