Wayzata World Factbook 1994/World Factbook - 1994 Edition - Wayzata Technology (1994).iso/pc/text/txtfiles/mexico.tvl

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#CARD:Mexico:Travel\Consular Information
Mexico - Consular Information Sheet
June 1, 1993

Country Description:  Mexico has a rapidly developing economy.  Luxury
accommodations in major cities and resorts are widely available.  Tourist
facilities in more remote areas may be limited.

Entry Requirements:  Proof of citizenship is required for entry by U.S.
citizens.  A passport and visa are not required for a tourist/transit stay
of up to 180 days.  A tourist card issued by Mexican consulates and most
airlines serving Mexico is required.  Minors traveling without a valid
passport require notarized consent from parent(s) if traveling alone, with
one parent, or in someone else's custody.  Import regulations issued by the
government of Mexico on December 1, 1992 limit the value of goods brought
into Mexico by American citizens arriving by air or sea to $300 per person.
Persons entering by land are limited to $50 per person.  A number of other
travel-related items may also be brought in duty-free.  Merchandise
exceeding the duty free limit should be declared at the time of entry.
Amounts exceeding the duty-free limit are subject to tax at the rate of 32.8
percent.  For further information concerning entry requirements, travelers
may contact the Embassy of Mexico at 1911 Pennsylvania Avenue N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20006, telephone [phone], or any of the Mexican
consulates in major U.S. cities.

Medical Facilities:  Adequate medical care can be found in all major cities.
 Care in more remote areas is limited.  Cholera is present in Mexico.
Travelers in the usual tourist areas of Mexico should not encounter
difficulties if they follow simple rules of hygiene, such as eating in clean
restaurants, drinking only boiled/bottled/chlorinated water, eating only
cooked seafood or fish, making sure that all fruits and vegetables are
properly disinfected, and frequently washing their hands.  Air pollution in
Mexico City is severe, especially from December to May.  Air pollution plus
Mexico City's high altitude create a medical risk for the elderly and
persons with high blood pressure, anemia, and respiratory or cardiac
problems.  Health facilities in Mexico City are excellent.  U.S. medical
insurance is not always valid outside the U.S.  In some cases, supplementary
medical insurance with specific coverage abroad has proved helpful.  For
additional health information, travelers may contact the Centers for Disease
Control's international travelers hotline at [phone].

Crime Information:  Street crime is common, especially in urban areas.
Persons driving on some Mexican roads, particularly in isolated regions have
at times been targets for robbery by bandits who operate primarily after
dark.  Criminals sometimes represent themselves as Mexican police or other
local officials.  Any U.S. citizen victims of crime in Mexico are encouraged
to report the incident to the nearest U.S. consular office.  Consular
officers will ensure that Mexican authorities are made aware of the
situation, and will seek to ensure that appropriate assistance is provided
to the victim.

The U.S. Embassy advises its personnel not to travel on Mexican highways
after dark.  Highway 15 in the state of Sinaloa is a particularly dangerous
area where a number of criminal assaults and murders have occurred, during
the day and at night.  Express Highway 1 (limited access) in Sinaloa has
been a particular target.  Many robbers in Sinaloa initially present
themselves as police officers.  Travelers should be aware that there are
numerous customs and immigration checkpoints inside Mexico and that all
travelers must stop at each checkpoint.

The city of Culiacan, Sinaloa and its immediate area have been averaging 1.5
violent deaths per day during the last nine months.

Driving Information:  U.S. citizens planning to drive in Mexico may do so on
a current U.S. driver's license.  U.S. or Mexican insurance is required.

All vehicular traffic is restricted in Mexico City in order to reduce air
pollution.  The restriction is based on the last digit of the vehicle
license plate.  (There is no specific provision regarding license plates
with letters only).
-Monday:  No driving if license plate ends with 5 or 6.
-Tuesday:  No driving if license plate ends with 7 or 8.
-Wednesday:  No driving if license plate ends with 3 or 4.
-Thursday:  No driving if license plate ends with 1 or 2.
-Friday:  No driving if license plate ends with 9 or 0.  Also, no driving of
vehicles with temporary license plates or any other plate that does not
conform with the above.
-Saturday and Sunday:  All vehicles may be driven.

Traveling in Baja:  Heavy rains in January 1993 severely damaged five
bridges in Baja California.  Road conditions are difficult and travelers can
become stranded.  Temporary repairs made roads passable by March, but
complete bridge repairs will take longer.  For current Mexican road
conditions between Ensenada and El Rosario, Mexico, travelers can contact
the nearest Mexican consulate or tourism office or the U.S. Consulate
General in Tijuana.  Tijuana Consulate hours are 8:00 am to 4:30 pm PST.

Bringing Vehicles into Mexico:  The government of Mexico strictly regulates
the entry of vehicles into Mexico.  These regulations were revised on March
31, 1993.  The most important changes in the regulations are the following:
-entry and exit points must be from the same border crossing port of entry.
-the owner is more likely to avoid legal difficulties with local authorities
if the owner of an imported vehicle is present in the vehicle at all times
the vehicle is in operation.

Because of the complexity of the regulations, travelers are advised to
contact the nearest Mexican consulate in the U.S. for specific, detailed
information prior to departing the U.S.  Bonding companies may ask travelers
to leave original documents such as passports, the car title or social
security cards.  U.S. citizens who choose to use the services of bonding
companies should not leave their U.S. passports with those companies because
passports are U.S. government property.

Drug and Firearms Penalties:  Penalties for drug and firearm offenses are
strict, and convicted offenders can expect lengthy jail sentences and fines.
 Sentences for possession of drugs in Mexico can be as long as 25 years plus
fines.  Just as in the U.S., purchase of controlled medication requires a
doctor's prescription.  The Mexican list of controlled medication differs
from the U.S. list, and Mexican public health laws concerning controlled
medication are unclear.  Possession of excessive amounts of a psychotropic
drug such as valium can result in arrest if the authorities suspect abuse.
A permit from a Mexican consulate in the U.S. is required in order to import
firearms or ammunition into Mexico, whether or not the firearm is legally
registered in the U.S.  Sentences for possession of firearms in Mexico can
be as long as 30 years.  Some Mexican cities have ordinances prohibiting the
possession of knives or anything that might be construed as a weapon.
Travelers should check with the nearest Mexican consulate before traveling
to Mexico with firearms or to purchase medication.

Dual Citizenship:  U.S. citizens who are also considered to be Mexican
citizens could be subject to compulsory military service and other aspects
of Mexican law while in Mexico.  Those who may be affected can inquire at
the Mexican Embassy or a consulate to determine status.  In some instances,
dual nationality may hamper U.S. government efforts to provide protection in
Mexico.

Other Information:  American citizen travelers are subject to Mexican laws
while in Mexico and enjoy no special consideration as American citizens.
Many American travelers to Mexico become involved in time-share or other
real property purchases.  Travelers should be aware that Mexican laws and
practices regarding real estate are markedly different from those in the
U.S.  Travelers wishing to obtain competent legal advice may obtain a list
of local attorneys from the U.S. Embassy or nearest consulate in Mexico.

Tips for Travelers:  The loss or theft of a U.S. passport should be reported
immediately to the local police and the U.S. Embassy or nearest U.S.
consulate.  Useful information on guarding valuables and protecting personal
security while traveling abroad is provided in the Department of State
pamphlet "A Safe Trip Abroad" which is available from the Superintendent of
Documents, U.S. Government printing office, Washington, D.C. 20402.  The
Department of State pamphlet "Tips for Travelers to Mexico" is also
available from the same address.

Registration:  Americans who register at the U.S. Embassy or a consulate can
obtain updated information on travel and security within Mexico.

Embassy and Consulate Locations:  The U.S. Embassy is located in Mexico City
at Paseo de la Reforma 305, Colonia Cuauhtemoc, telephone [phone].

There are also U.S. Consulates General in:
Ciudad Juarez at Avenida Lopez Mateos 924-N, telephone [phone];
Guadalajara at Progreso 175, telephone [phone];
Monterrey at Avenida Constitucion 411 Poniente 64000 Monterrey, telephone
(52-83) 45-2120;
and in Tijuana at Tapachula 96, telephone [phone].

There are U.S. Consulates in:
Hermosillo at Ave. Monterrey 141, telephone [phone];
Matamoros at Ave. Primera 2002, telephone [phone];
Merida at Paseo Montejo 453, telephone [phone]; and in
Nuevo Laredo at Calle Allende 3330, Col. Jardin, telephone [phone].

There are Consular Agencies in:
Puerto Vallarta at Parian Del Puente Local 12-A, telephone [phone];
Acapulco at Hotel Club Del Sol, telephone [phone];
Cancun at Avenida Nader #40, Edificio Marruecos, 3rd floor office #31, tel.
(52-98) 84-24-11;
San Luis Potosi at Francisco De P. Mariel 102, Desp. One, telephone (52-481)
2-1528;
Durango at Castaneda 533 Nte., telephone [phone];
Oaxaca at Alcala 201, telephone [phone];
San Miguel de Allende at Dr. Hernandez Macias #72, telephone (52-465) 2-
2357/2-0068;
Tampico at Ave. Hidalgo #2000 local 4, telephone [phone];
and in Veracruz at Victimas del 25 de Junio #388, telephone [phone].

Consular Agencies will open soon in Cabo San Lucas and Mazatlan.

No. 93-145

This Consular Information Sheet replaces the one issued February 2, 1993 to
update information on crime, drug penalties, and to add information on
reporting the loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport.

#ENDCARD