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A Guide to Entry and Exit Requirements

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.)

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.

Traveling with Minors

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.

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 .

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.

Food and water within the hotel is based on the American water system and is relatively safe to consume. When outside the hotel zones 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.

The U.S. government cannot pay to have you medically evacuated to the United States.

About Riviera Maya

The capital of the Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen, evolved from a small village of Mayan pilgrims to a lively, cosmopolitan city with the highest urban growth in the country. Its natural features, beauty and long beaches, its enviable geographical location and its blend of sea and jungle make this destination on the Mexican Caribbean a magnet for both Mexicans and visitors from other parts of the world  

 

In this city, activities and imagination go hand in hand: the coast lends itself to all kinds of water sports. There are diving facilities both inland and in the sea, the deep waters separating it from Cozumel are idea for sport fishing, the jungle invites you to explore its lush, magical world while trips to nearby archaeological sites are extremely gratifying. The evening offers a number of options such as places to dance and shake off the insomnia caused by Caribbean nights, popular fiestas on the beaches and lively bars.                           

Playa del Carmen is also an ideal spot for visiting one of the most beautiful parks in Mexico: Xcaret, which is also the place where ferries set off to the Island of Cozumel. It is also near the natural well area of Puerto Aventuras while the largest natural aquarium in the world, Xel-Há, is just forty-five minutes away.    

The pace of life in Playa del Carmen varies considerably. At times it reflects the gentle waves that bathe its shores with their warm, white sands, and at others, it mirrors the rhythm of Quinta Avenida, with its improvised artists, and dozens of languages blended into a single murmur. Everything about Playa is surprising. Grand hotels and resorts rub shoulders with small, traditional hostels, while dozens of snack-bars and cafés jockey for space with elegant, first-class restaurants. Life in Playa del Carmen is characterized by variety and diversity.                        

Until recently, Xaman-Há, a meeting point for the Mayans to attend their ceremonial appointment with the goddess Ixchel on the neighboring island of Cozumel, was a small fishing village. It is now the second most important tourist destination in the Mexican Caribbean

Playa del Carmen lies halfway between Cancún and Tulúm on a coastal strip that combines jungle, mangrove swamps and white sandy beaches. It is characterized by its diversity; the porous soil of the Peninsula creates a variety of features such as natural wells surrounded by jungle, bays where underground rivers blend with the sea and extensive mangrove swamps.

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