Content

• Steps
• What do you need

Mexico is a beautiful tropical destination.Whether you are heading there to lie on the beach, take a cruise in the Caribbean, or see the Mayan and Aztec cultural attractions, you need to prepare well before leaving. You must make sure that you have collected all the necessary documents, vaccinated and so on. This article will guide you on how to properly prepare for your travel to Mexico.

Steps

1. 1 Pay attention to your passport. In order to enter Mexico, your passport must be valid for at least 90 days after the date of departure. Usually, passport replacement is carried out within 4-6 weeks; however, it is best to start doing this about three months before the planned trip (in case of delays).
   • Passport fees vary by country. Usually passport workers require a completed form, photographs with a white background, birth certificate or other proof of identity. If you are renewing your passport, you must provide your old passport.
2. 2 Apply for a visa if needed.
   • Residents of the USA, Canada and citizens of most European countries do not need a visa if they have stayed in Mexico for less than 180 days.
   • People who are looking for work or want to study in Mexico are most likely required to obtain a visa.
   • Businessmen who visit the country on business do not need a visa, provided that their stay in the country is less than 180 days; however, they are required to complete and submit a special immigration form (FMM) for business events.
3. 3 Get vaccinated 4-6 weeks before departure. For travel to Mexico, it is recommended to get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B, rabies and typhoid fever. If possible, get this vaccination at the Road Clinical Hospital.
   • Make sure you are up to date with all your past routine vaccinations for diseases such as influenza, chickenpox, polio, measles / mumps / rubella (MMR), and diphtheria / whooping cough / tetanus (DPT). You must know this information when traveling to any foreign country.
4. 4 Check for malaria outbreaks in the country you are traveling to. Visit the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) website to see if your trip will go through this area. Areas near the US-Mexico border are not currently contaminated.
   • Areas with reported cases of infection: Chiapas, Nayarit, Oaxaca, Sinaloa, Chihuahua, Durango and Sonora, Quintana Roo and Tabasco.
   • Prevention of malaria includes prescription antimalarial medicines, insect repellent and mosquito nets over the bed.
5. 5 Learn simple Spanish phrases, such as how to call a taxi, order food, or get to your hotel room (if you don't already speak Spanish). In some rural areas, very few people speak foreign languages. It is a good idea to start memorizing these phrases at least a month before your trip, or even earlier if you want to be more knowledgeable in Spanish.
   • Buy and take a Spanish phrasebook with you in case you need to chat about something you haven't learned.
6. 6 Find and read information about your destination to get the most out of Mexican culture and history. If you do not speak Spanish, tourist information in your language may not be sufficient.
7. 7 Find out what your current overseas health insurance covers. If you do not have current insurance, take out travel insurance. The Mexican insurance system is private and you will need proof of coverage in the event of injury or illness.
8. 8 Pay attention to current events and travel warnings. Certain areas of Mexico, near the US border, as well as major cities, have been the subject of discussion for tourists in recent years. Adjust your trip or postpone if your country warns against traveling there.
9. 9 Please inform your country's embassy about your trip. In the United States, for example, you can register for the Smart Travel Program by submitting a free application and providing your emergency contact information.
10. 10 Leave expensive jewelry and flashy electronic devices at home. As with most major cities and tourist destinations, there is a risk of petty theft. Try not to display money or merchandise to avoid being targeted.
11. 11 Leave copies of your travel documents, passport, visa, and all contact numbers to your nearest neighbor, friend or family member.
12. 12 Bring enough sunscreen, sunglasses, and hats with you. Mexico is close to the equator and the sun is very strong there. Sunburn and prolonged exposure to direct sunlight can lead to skin cancer. Cover your body whenever possible and reapply sunscreen every few hours or after getting out of the water.
13. 13 Forward your mail or ask the post office to collect and store your correspondence while you are away. You can do this a couple of days before departure. If you do not arrange this moment and your mailbox is full, your mail may be sent back to the sender.
14. 14 Let your bank know where you are going. Credit or debit cards used to make questionable purchases outside their home country are often viewed as suspicious, leading to the suspension or cancellation of cards.
    • It is advisable if you will receive your pesos through an ATM, so as not to carry too much money every time. It is not necessary to change your local currency to the peso before traveling, unless you intend to travel to the countryside where there are no ATM machines.

What do you need

• The passport
• Visa
• Immigration form
• Vaccinations
• Phrasebook
• Medical insurance
• Copies of passport and other travel documents
• Guide