Helpful Mexico Travel Tips

Air travel

Americans traveling by air to Mexico must have a valid U.S. passport to enter and exit the country. A passport is an internationally recognized travel document that verifies your identity and nationality. It is needed regardless of age – so even babies and young children must have one. If you don’t already have a U.S. passport or you need to get one for your child, you should apply at least six months before your trip. Information about this process is available on the U.S. Department of State website.

Land and sea travel

Since June 1, 2009, all U.S. citizens traveling by land or sea are now required to present one of the following Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative-compliant documents:

• A U.S. passport. See the “Air travel” section above.
• A U.S. passport card. This is a limited-use, wallet-size travel document that costs less than a passport. More information about obtaining a U.S. passport card is available on the U.S. Department of State website at http://travel.state.gov/passport/ppt_card/ppt_card_3926.html. 
• An enhanced driver’s license (EDL). Designed for cross-border travel, this also denotes your identity and citizenship. Only the following U.S. states are currently issuing WHTI-compliant EDLs: Michigan, New York, Vermont and Washington.
• A trusted traveler program card. These are enrollment cards that provide expedited travel for frequent border crossers through dedicated lanes. SENTRI is the only program currently serving the U.S./Mexico. Issued by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the application process includes an interview and fingerprinting. For more information, go to http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/trusted_traveler/sentri/sentri.xml.
• Special groups may also be able to utilize WHTI-compliant documents or ID cards to enter and exit Mexico. These include Native Americans, U.S. military, merchant mariners and U.S. lawful permanent residents. For more specific information, visit http://www.getyouhome.gov/html/lang_eng/eng_sa.html.

Note: Children under the age of 16 can enter and exit Mexico by land or sea only with an original or a copy of a birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad or a naturalization certificate.

American Embassy in Mexico City

The American Embassy in Mexico City is located at:

Paseo de la Reforma 305
Colonia Cuahtémoc
06500 Mexico City
E-mail: ccsmexicocity@state.gov
When calling from inside Mexico, you can reach the Embassy at: (01-55) 5080-2000
When calling from the U.S., you can reach the Embassy at: (011) 52-55 5080-2000

The Embassy’s purpose is to protect U.S. citizens while abroad. They assist with lost passports, medical issues, victims of crime, missing persons, death or arrests of U.S. citizens, etc. The U.S. Citizens’ Consular Services division of the Embassy is open from Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time. For emergencies after hours, please call the main number and ask the switchboard operator to put you in contact with the officer on duty.

For further information, please visit the Embassy’s website at: http://mexico.usembassy.gov/eng/main.html

For U.S. Citizens
You don’t need a visa to visit Mexico as a tourist for a short period of time. You will, however, be required to show a valid passport.

For non-U.S. Citizens
Please visit the Mexican Consulate closest to you. There are different requirements for different countries.

Keep in mind that if you travel with a minor and only one parent is present, you may be asked for a notarized letter from the other parent authorizing the trip. You will also need to accompany the letter with a birth certificate showing the name of the parent accompanying the child.

There are few exceptions:

• In cases where only one parent's name appears on the birth certificate, that parent's authorization is sufficient, along with presentation of the birth certificate.
• If one parent has sole custody of the child. (A certified copy of a court order may be required.)
• If a parent is deceased, the death certificate may be required.

Arriving in Mexico

When arriving by air you will be issued a tourist card allowing a maximum stay of six months. However, the card may be stamped, allowing you only a short stay. That stamp will define the period of time you are allowed to stay in the country. If you want to stay longer, you will need to apply for an extension.

Helpful tips

• While traveling in Mexico keep your tourist card with you all the times. If you lose it, you can get a new one when leaving the country, but there’s a fee and you might miss your flight waiting for your new card.
• Make sure to get all necessary information from your travel agency or airline before you leave the country.
• Policies may change without further notice. Be on top of your traveling requirements so you can relax and enjoy your trip!