Welcome to Mexico! If this is your first visit (or even if it isn't), you will probably find the following information very helpful!  Between 15 and 16 million U.S. citizens visit Mexico each year and although the majority of visitors thoroughly enjoy their stay, a small number experience difficulties and inconveniences.  Here are some traveling tips to ensure everyone has a safe trip. 

Identification Required to Enter 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 or a Certificate of Citizenship are acceptable, the U.S. Embassy recommends traveling with a valid U.S. Passport to avoid delays or misunderstandings.  

A tourist card is required. The card is a single-entry document, is issued free of charge, and is provided by the airline. The card is valid for the holder only. Other persons (including minors) traveling on the same passport must have their own card.  The tourist card is issued upon presentation of proof of citizenship.

For details and information, check with the Embassy of Mexico or the nearest Consulate General.  Internet: http://www.embassyofmexico.org

Navigating Immigration

When entering the airport, you will go through immigration. This is the first stop you will make after you disembark the plane.  Here you will have to present your passport or birth certificate along with the tourist card you filled out.  They will want to check your identification and see that you have correctly filled out the tourist card, which you will be given either at check in or onboard the plane. You will have one tourist card for each person in your party.  Be sure to keep your copy of the tourist card because you will need to turn it in when you leave.  Your tourist visa and passport will be stamped to make you arrival official.  

Passing through Customs
After immigration, you will pick up your bags and proceed to customs. There you will hand in the declaration form on which you have stated whether you have anything to declare, like large sums of money, produce or items of a value that exceed the $600 USD per person limit. You need only one form per family. Mexico has adopted a “Red Light – Green Light” system for customs.  If you have nothing to declare, you will be asked to push a button.  If the light is green you can exit without inspection; if the light is red you will be subject to have your bags searched.  This is a random system, and therefore there is no way to know whether you will get a green or red light.  Consequently you should be honest on your customs declaration and declare anything over and above what is allowed, paying all applicable duties.  If not, and you are caught by the red light, the fines may be very steep.

Getting Dinero (Money)!
Everybody needs it and here are the best ways to get it while in Mexico!  Don’t be afraid to operate in pesos, you will get your best deals this way.  Most vendors and restaurants will gladly accept US dollars, but the exchange rate will not be in your favor. Just for ease of figuring, you will most likely get only 10 to 1 from a vendor. 
 

Using ATM's
ATM’s are located around town, but be sure to get enough money at the airport to last you for a bit.  There are safes in the rooms, so you can always lock up the extra.  ATM’s usually gives you the best exchange rate, but remember that the ATM is in Spanish and the amounts are in pesos, so if you pick 200, you are only getting about $20.00 USD.

Traveler's Checks
Traveler’s checks are generally cashed without problem around town, but the rate of exchange is not as good as you will get at an ATM or for USD. Though most businesses (stores and restaurants) will happily accept Dollars instead of Pesos, they will not accept traveler’s checks; you will have to exchange them for Pesos first. On that note, smaller denominations of traveler’s checks are better as the exchange rate BACK (from Pesos back to Dollars) is much less than Dollars to Pesos.  Just a side note, some banks are requiring extra security steps and a passport for cashing traveler’s checks.

Credit Cards
Credit cards are widely accepted, but tour operators routinely charge 6% more if you want to charge your tickets, and usually, deposits must be paid in cash.  Also, many of the smaller, restaurants do not accept credit cards, so you should plan on using more cash on this trip than you normally might if you were vacationing in the States.  It is a good idea to notify your credit card company of the dates you will be out of the country so they do not put a security block on your card when foreign charges start appearing. We recommend you keep all your charges on one card, and keep a different, backup card for emergencies.  Visa and MasterCard are more widely accepted than American Express, and Discover IS NOT used here.

Returning to the United States

Make certain that you can return to the United States with the proof of citizenship that you take with you.  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.  To prove your identity, either a valid driver’s license or government identification card with photo is acceptable.  The following documents are NOT sufficient proof to enter the States:  A U.S. driver’s license alone, social security card, U.S. military ID, a non-certified photocopy of a U.S. birth certificate, or even a voter’s registration card.  Travelers with only these documents many not be able to enter the U.S.

Exchange Rates (As of April 1, 2006)

US Dollars to Pesos:  The exchange rate is 1 US Dollar to 10.98 Pesos

Pesos to US Dollars:  The exchange rate is 0.91 Pesos to 1 US Dollar.