Mexican vacations are attractive for many reasons. College students road-trip to Mexico by car and do not have to deal with the hassle or expense of an airplane flight. Honeymooners take Mexican vacations for the beautiful beaches, the wide variety of hotels at different prices, and the opportunity to spend time together in an excluded setting. Families travel to Mexico for fun in the sun and a break from real life.
Hotels and airlines offer discounted rates for Mexican vacations during the summer, which is the destination’s off-season. However, it is the off-season for a reason – the heat can be unbearable for some travelers, resulting in entire Mexican vacations being spent in an air-conditioned hotel; and hurricanes strike the area between May and October.
Many travelers often assume that because of Mexico’s proximity to the United States, conditions will not be much different than those at home while on Mexican vacations. There are many potential situations travelers need to be aware of when planning Mexican vacations. Entry into and out of Mexico is no longer as simple as presenting a U.S. driver’s license.
The Government of Mexico requires that all U.S. citizens present proof of citizenship and photo identification before entry into Mexico for Mexican vacations or other visits. The U.S. Department of State recommends using a U.S. passport, as entry back into the U.S. without a passport will be difficult and time consuming. Airlines, in some cases, have refused to board passengers who could not present proper documentation. These circumstances can damage Mexican vacations from the beginning.
Travelers by car on Mexican vacations should be aware that when traveling beyond the border zone, a temporary import permit must be obtained from Mexican custom officials, or the car can be legally confiscated by customs.
While on Mexican vacations, travelers need to take extra precautions when it comes to food and water consumption. The U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) states that food and waterborne diseases are the number one cause of illness in travelers on Mexican vacations. Bacteria and parasites found in water or food can cause infections, fevers, diarrhea or liver damage. For those taking Mexican vacations, the CDC advocates drinking only bottled water, as tap water potentially contains many parasites. The CDC also recommends not buying food from street vendors, as the food may not be cooked thoroughly and fruit and vegetables can also carry diseases.
When planning Mexican vacations, it is also recommended to do some research on the intended area before booking hotel reservations or airline flights. Some areas in Mexico have high rates of malaria infection or are in a state of civil unrest, and therefore, other destinations would be more suitable for less stressful Mexican vacations.
For the 100,000 teenagers and young adults who go on Mexican vacations over spring break, the U.S. Department of State advises against excessive alcohol consumption, lewd behavior or disturbing the peace, among other activities, which are all considered criminal acts by Mexico. Those who buy or sell drugs can be held in jail without bail for up to a year before trial, and anyone 16 years and older are considered adults there.
While Mexican vacations can be a journey into another world, travelers should take the above precautions to ensure their experience does not include the inside of a jail cell or hospital.
By Virginia Zignego