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Mexico

Mexican Law on Accepting U.S. Dollars

The Mexican Government passed a new law which goes into effect in Mexico beginning September 14, 2010. With this new law, the use of American Dollars (CASH) to make purchases in Mexico will not be as free as it has been in the past.

Other payment methods such as credit cards of all types and all issuing banks, Travelers Checks, Mexican pesos and non-American foreign currencies (such as Euros or Canadian Dollars) are not affected in any way by this new law.

for any purchase at all (this may include shops, etc), however still accepting Mexican Pesos.


Travel News

Warnings issued for Spring breakers heading to Mexico

As spring break nears, the U.S. government is warning Americans to stay out of much of Mexico because of rising drug-cartel violence -- and tells travelers to one of Mexico's most popular beach destinations to stay close to their hotels. A newly expanded travel warning from the State Department says that U.S. travelers should avoid four entire states, as well as large areas of ten others, most in the north and west of the country. read more...

22 cruisers robbed during shore excursion in Mexico 2/26/12
PUERTO VALLARTA, Mexico – Mexican security officials say an armed group has robbed 22 foreign tourists who were traveling by bus near the coastal city of Puerto Vallarta. read Full Story...

Travel warning for Mexico Feb. 8th

An FYI…note major resort areas NOT included in warning…

U.S. updates Mexico travel warning

The U.S. State Department updated and expanded its travel warning for Mexico due to growing drug violence and the spread of cartels.

The updated warning advises against nonessential travel to areas within 16 Mexican states, including Veracruz and the border areas of Aguascalientes and Zacatecas, and Colima and Michoacán.

No advisories are in effect for the state of Quintana Roo (Cancun, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya and Tulum), the Riviera Nayarit, Mexico City, Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara and Guanajuato (San Miguel de Allende and Leon).

Travelers are advised to stay within the tourist areas of Acapulco, Ixtapa, Mazatlan, Monterrey and Zihuatanejo.

Statue of Liberty temporarily closes

On October 29th, just two years after the Statue of Liberty reopened to visitors, the monument will shut down for a year to conduct renovations. Check your guides for dates on opening information.
Princess will soon be returning to the Port of Galveston
Princess Cruises announced it would resume sailings out of Texas in 2012, something it hasn't offered since 2007. The line says the 3,070-passenger Crown Princess will move to Galveston for the winter of 2012-13, operating a series of 19 seven-night sailings to the Western Caribbean that feature stops in Costa Maya, Mexico; Roatan, Honduras; Belize City, Belize; and Cozumel, Mexico. The voyages will kick off on Dec. 22, 2012 and continue through April 27, 2013.

High Gas Prices = Surcharges in Travel
As crude oil prices hover over $110 per barrel, travelers may experience higher travel
costs. Cruise lines are implementing higher fuel surcharges charging customers a per day fee added to their bill. Travelers on extended vacations will also see an increase in their costs as tour companies continually fight to keep costs at a minimum.

Tips for Traveling Abroad

For detailed information about steps you can take to ensure a safe trip, see How to Have a Safe Trip. Meanwhile, here are some quick tips to make your travel easier and safer:

  • Sign up for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program so the State Department can better assist you in an emergency: Let us know your travel plans through the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, a free online service at https://travelregistration.state.gov. This will help us contact you if there is a family emergency in the U.S., or if there is a crisis where you are traveling. In accordance with the Privacy Act, information on your welfare and whereabouts will not be released to others without your express authorization.

  • Sign passport, and fill in the emergency information: Make sure you have a signed, valid passport, and a visa, if required, and fill in the emergency information page of your passport.

  • Leave copies of itinerary and passport data page: Leave copies of your itinerary, passport data page and visas with family or friends, so you can be contacted in case of an emergency.

  • Check your overseas medical insurance coverage: Ask your medical insurance company if your policy applies overseas, and if it covers emergency expenses such as medical evacuation. If it does not, consider supplemental insurance.

  • Familiarize yourself with local conditions and laws: While in a foreign country, you are subject to its laws. The State Department web site at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1765.html has useful safety and other information about the countries you will visit.

  • Take precautions to avoid being a target of crime: To avoid being a target of crime, do not wear conspicuous clothing or jewelry and do not carry excessive amounts of money. Also, do not leave unattended luggage in public areas and do not accept packages from strangers.

  • Contact us in an emergency: Consular personnel at U.S. Embassies and Consulates abroad and in the U.S. are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to provide emergency assistance to U.S. citizens. Contact information for U.S. Embassies and Consulates appears on the Bureau of Consular Affairs website at http://travel.state.gov. Also note that the Office of Overseas Citizen Services in the State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs may be reached for assistance with emergencies at 1-888-407-4747, if calling from the U.S. or Canada, or 202-501-4444, if calling from overseas