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Required documents You will not be allowed into Mexico without a passport which is valid for 6 months beyond your departure date. If you are a US or Canadian citizen you may enter with a certified copy of your federal government-issued birth certificate accompanied by photo ID. Travelers need a tourist VISA (FMT document), approved for a time period related to the purposes of your journey. Usually the visa is approved for a maximum period of 90 days if you arrive in Mexico by plane for a vacation, after which it can be renewed for an additional 90 days at any Mexican Immigration office. You can pick up a blank FMT form at any Mexican Consulate, at the
check-in counter at the airport or on the plane while en route to
your destination. If you are coming to Mexico via automobile, you
can request an FMT form at the border. Be prepared to fill out the
information requested which includes your place of birth, your destination
and the reason for your visit.
Vaccinations There are no mandatory vaccinations for traveling to Mexico, unless you are coming from areas infected by serious diseases, like malaria or yellow fever. However, if you are planning to travel off the beaten track, to take part in jungle tours, or to visit areas where there may be hygiene problems, vaccinations against Diphtheria, Tetanus, Typhoid, Polio, and Hepatitis A are recommended. Always ask the opinion of your doctor, especially about the necessity of malaria prophylaxis. Some good insect repellents and other simple measures such as mosquito nets should be enough. Health problems Diarrhoea - popularly known among Mexican travelers as "Montezuma's Revenge” - is the most common health problem. It can be caused simply by the change of food and climate, but you can have severe problems, or even get Typhoid, by drinking non-purified water or eating food that has not been properly prepared. Always try to keep your body hydrated in case of vomiting and diarrhoea, and do not hesitate in consulting a doctor if the problem becomes more serious or prolonged. It is really important to follow some simple measures like drinking only bottled water, avoiding ice and hand made ice cream and sorbets, unpeeled fruit and raw vegetables. Be careful with all food sold in the streets and in the markets, where there is no hygiene control. Some other health problems can be caused by altitude, sun and humidity.
Many archaeological sites and places of interest are at high altitude,
or in very hot places, and you can experience headache, insomnia
and dizziness. Always wear a hat and sunglasses, drink a lot of
water and some drinks enriched with mineral salts. Money Currency Even though US Dollars are accepted in the main cities and tourist
areas, we suggest you pay in Pesos. Change You can also change money in banks and casas de cambio (open 9am-3/4pm). Check the local competition for exchange rates, and be careful with the “No commission” adv, as there are often other fees to be added. Credit cards Prices In all other areas you can easily find good value accommodation and enjoy excellent meals for less than 100 pesos. Shopping can be a really pleasant experience, especially in the markets where bargaining is allowed and very common. VAT in Mexico is 15% and by law it must be included in the quoted prices, unless clearly specified otherwise. Tips are expected in the areas frequented by tourists (between 10% and 15% and up to 20% in resort areas) but not in the small cheaper places. Communication Telephone If you have a "Tri Band" hand set, and your national network provider has a roaming agreement with Telmex you can use your own mobile phone. Check before leaving that international roaming has been enabled on your account and bear in mind that charges are extremely high. Reverse charges international calls will cost a lot to the receiver. Internet Other info Time Zone Electricity Business Hours Office Hours
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