Mexico Arrival (Important, If you do not read anything else Please read this)
Proof of US citizenship is required. A valid passport and a Tourist Card (Do not lose your tourist card copy, write the number down and keep with your other documents) are the Only standard acceptable travel documents.
Tourist card are given to you with your tickets or on the plane.
If a child is traveling with one parent or traveling with someone other than their legal parent they will need an "Affidavit of Permission from Parent for Minor to Travel with Other Parent or Escort" notarized by the parent NOT traveling. We have these forms in the office.
You could be subjected to a brief and informal baggage inspection when entering Mexico. What is not legal in the United States would definitely not be legal to bring into Mexico. The authorities will not be as lenient as our authorities are.

Your Documents
You should receive your documents approximately 10 days before you depart. Most important when you receive your itinerary please look it over and make sure it is correct. When you receive your documents please review and if not to your satisfaction let us know immediately!
Names are released by the tour operators to the hotel, condos, or airlines not more than 30 days prior to departure, if you try to reconfirm before that time they will not have your name yet, don't' be alarmed you do have a room and an air ticket.
Seat assignments can not be done until reservations are paid in full.

Confirm your flight
Flight times are tentative and subject to change, please reconfirm all flights 24 hours prior to departure, remember to call on your return flight also.
Aeromexico 800/237-6639
Mexicana Airlines 800/531-7921
United Airlines 800/241-6522
Alaska Airlines 800/426-0333
Continental Airlines 800/231-0856
Delta Airlines 800/221-1212

Check-in
We recommend that you check in Two (2) hours before departure. This is minimum for an international flight.
Please check your baggage through to your final destination of the day.
Look at the air tag to make sure it is to your destination.
Do to increase security photo I.D. will be required at check-in. (See Mexican Arrival above.)

Baggage
Two pieces per person may be checked, neither bag may exceed 62 inches (total linear dimensions) in size or 70 pounds in weight. One piece, which must fit under the seat in front of you, may be carried on. The dimensions are a total of 45 inches. Add together the - height - width - depth. These measurements added together cannot total over 45 inches.
Bags can be checked through to your final destination of the day.

Flights
Your itinerary reflects the time difference and should indicate if meals are served. The airline will usually serve a meal, coffee and soft drinks. Long walks are not recommended.

Time Zones
Most of Mexico is on Central Standard Time along with our Daylight savings Time schedule. Some exceptions: Baja is on Pacific Daylight or Pacific Standard Time year 'round.

Transfers to and from your hotel or condo
From the airport, rates are posted inside the terminal and are generally quite economical. Unfortunately, your return trip to the airport will cost more, since a different rate structure usually applies.
Ground Transportation
Overall, rates are cheap and regulated, It's still a good idea to ask before you get into a cab what the charge will be. Most hotels can tell you exactly what the authorized charge is.

Car Rental
Be prepared for steep rates and limited availability of vehicles. You must be 21 years of age, hold a valid drivers license, and a major credit card. Mexican auto insurance is mandatory, since your U.S. policy is invalid in Mexico.

Hotel/Condominium and Check-in
When your hotel or condo is prepaid it will be including tax. Present your voucher at the front desk upon check-in. Normal check-in is 3:00 PM although earlier check-in is sometimes available. Upon check-out you will be able to pay your incidental charges such a phone calls, etc. When checking in your are often asked for a credit card for incidental charges, and asked to sigh a blank charge slip. This is a common practice and should not be viewed with suspicion.

Attention
With the increasing number of properties offering time-share accommodations, we feel it is our obligation to advise you of the highly persuasive sales people you may encounter upon your arrival in Mexico. They can be very aggressive and could offer you free city tours, free breakfast, etc., provided you come and tour their property and attend their sales seminar. It would be in your best interest to decline these offerings unless you are truly interested in purchasing time-share accommodations. Do you really want to give up 1/2 a day of your vacation to attend this?

Currency
Mexico re-designed its currency in October, 1994 Bills are now printed in 10-20-50-100-200-500 denominations. This new currency is noted N$25.00, this would be for 25 new peso's. You may want to exchange 25 to 30 dollars in the U.S. before you leave, but U.S. dollars are widely accepted in resort areas and often preferred. Carry $20 to #30 in one dollar bills, they're great for tipping It is recommended using pesos during your stay. Note that the worst exchange rates are often at hotels, the best at exchange houses (casas de cambio). If you don't want to bother with pesos dollars and credit cards work very well.

Staying Healthy
Remember, the vast majority of visitors don't get sick, When there is a problem (intestinal illness, or "Turista") it is often caused by a combination of factors which may gang up on your system. Consider the fact that in Mexico your eating (and drinking!) habits are often radically different than what your are used to back home. There are also altitude, climate, and time zone changes to throw your system off.
A very simple way to ruin a Mexico vacation is to become paranoid about getting sick. Use common sense, and follow these guidelines:
Always wash your hands before eating
Eat from open air food stands with discretion
Drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluids don't become dehydrated!
Drink bottled water
Take pepto bismos, yogurt or papaya enzyme tablets throughout your stay
Take it slow the first few days
Take a "siesta" each afternoon, your on vacation.
If you have a problem, Mexico has excellent pharmacies (farmacias) which dispense prescription drugs (often without prescriptions) at a fraction of their cost back home. Diarrhea drugs such as lomotil are readily available. Or go the natural route with te de manzanilla (Chamomile tea). fresh papaya, lots of rest, and good-ol' chicken soup.
Note that currently no vaccinations are needed to enter Mexico.

Check-out

The front desk (Reception) is where guest check-in and check-out. Make sure you give your self enough time, Express check-out is rare. Once the bill is settled, guest are often given a pase de salida, or an exit pass. this slip of paper is given to the bell man as you depart the hotel.

Leaving Mexico

We recommend that you check-in about Two (2) hours before your flight departs. Prior to check-in, all baggage will go thorough agricultural inspection. Baggage should then be checked through to your final destination of the day.
Remember to reconfirm your flight 72 hours prior to leaving Mexico.
You will clear customs in the United States, usually in your first U. S. City you land at. The procedure is that you will get off the plane with everyone and proceed to baggage claim. You will pickup your bags and take them through customs. After you have cleared customs you will be directed to a baggage turnstile where you will put your bags back on and they will be put onto your next plane. Hopefully you will see them at your last destinations baggage claim area. There will be a departure tax of approximately $15.50 U.S. Usually this will be a part of your airline tickets, if we haven't said anything or maybe you forgot ask us again to make sure.

Ten things not to forget
1. Mexico is a foreign country.
2. Behave like a guest, and you will be treated like one.
3. Mexico isn't perfect, nor is it for everyone.
4. Always re-confirm your air travel arrangements.
5. Whenever possible, Speak Spanish. your hosts will love you for trying
6. Mexicans are wonderfully friendly people, get out and make some friends.
7. Learn something about Mexico and its fascinating history before you go.
8. Don't expect everything to be like it is back home, that's what makes visiting Mexico such a captivating experiencing.
9. Be sensitive to Mexico's 40,000 year old culture and heritage.
10. See more than just beach resorts.

Packing and Travel Hints
Don't forget to bring:
Comfortable walking shoes
A pocket size English/Spanish dictionary
A travel guide book
A small first aid kit
Camera and film (film is very expensive out of the U.S.)
Small appliances, such as a hair dryer, Note: Mexico's electrical current is 110 volts AC, the same as the U.S. and Canada.
Keep your travel documents and much of your cash and or travelers checks in a safe place.

Tipping
Tips in Mexico generally follow the 15% rule
It is traditional to tip you gas station attendant.
Usually, you're not expected to tip a taxi driver.
In general, tip those service people (hotel maids, bellhops, waiters) that you normally would when traveling elsewhere.

Weights and Measures
Mexico operates on the metric system. that means kilos for pounds, Celsius/centigrade for Fahrenheit, and kilometers for miles.
1 Kilo = 2.2046 Pounds
1 Kilometer = .62 Miles
1 Liter (liquid) = 1.057 Quarts

Gracias for traveling with Carlson Wagonlit Travel