Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories From: 76702.1202@CompuServe.COM (Charlie Smith) Subject: *NEW* TRAVEL INFORMATION -- Mexico Organization: The World @ Software Tool & Die Distribution: wstd Date: Fri, 30 Oct 1992 14:06:55 GMT STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Mexico ============================================================ Mexico - Consular Information Sheet October 27, 1992 Embassy and Consulate Locations: The U.S. Embassy is located in Mexico City at Paseo de la Reforma 305, Colonia Cuauhtemoc, telephone (52-5) 211-0042. There are also U.S. Consulates General in Ciudad Juarez at Avenue Lopez Mateos 924-N, telephone (52-16) 134048; in Guadalajara at Progreso 175, telephone (52-36) 25-2998; in Monterrey at Avenida Constitucion 411 Poniente 64000 Monterrey telephone (52-83) 45-2120; and in Tijuana at Tapachula 96, telephone (52-66) 81-7400. There are U.S. Consulates in Hermosillo at Ave. Monterrey 141 telephone (52-62) 172578; in Matamoros at Avenue Primera 2002, telephone (52-891) 6-72-70; in Merida at Paseo Montejo 453, telephone (52-99) 25-6366; and in Nuevo Laredo at Calle Allende 3330, Col. Jardin, telephone (52-871) 4-0512. There are Consular Agencies in Puerto Vallarta at Parial del Puerto Local 12-A; in Acapulco at Hotel Club del Sol; in Cancun at Av. Coba #30 Esq. Nader; in San Luis Potosi at Venustiano Carranza #1430; in Mulege at Hotel Serenidad; in Durango at Juarez Norte 204; in Oaxaca at Alcala 201; in San Miguel de Allende at Dr. Hernandez Macias #72; in Tampico at Ave. Hidalgo #2000 Local 4; and in Veracruz at Victimas del 25 de Junio #388. 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. For further information concerning entry requirements, travelers may contact the Embassy of Mexico at 1911 Pennsylvania Avenue N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006 tel: (202) 728-1600, 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. However, visitors who take proper precautions with food and drink are rarely at risk. Air pollution in Mexico City is severe, especially from December to May. Air pollution plus Mexico City's high altitude is a particular 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 United States. 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 (404) 332-4559. 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. 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. Highway 15 in the state of Sinaloa and Highway 40 between the city of Durango and the Pacific coast are particularly dangerous areas where a number of criminal assaults have occurred. Express Highway 1 (limited access) in Sinaloa has been a particular target - even in daytime. Bringing Vehicles into Mexico: On April 1, 1992, the government of Mexico issued regulations governing the entry of vehicles into Mexico. These regulations do not apply to owner-operated vehicles temporarily (less than six months) in Mexico and remaining within the "free zone" - approximately 20 kilometers south of the U.S./Mexican border and all of Baja California. Importers of vehicles traveling beyond the "free zone" must present a tourist card/visa, a driver's license (original and copy) and the vehicle title in the importer's name. If the operator of the vehicle is other than the importer, the operator must have the same immigration status as the importer and the importer of the vehicle must be present in the vehicle at all times while it is being operated in Mexico. If the above documents are in order, the temporary vehicle importer has two options: (A) post a bond based on the value of the vehicle as determined by local customs officials. However, there is no need to pay a bond on the total value of the vehicle, as licensed Mexican bonding agencies on both sides of the U.S./Mexican border provide the service for a fee of up to 1 percent to 2 percent of the vehicle's value; or (B) make a sworn statement at the Banco Nacional del Ejercito, Fuerza Aerea y Armada (The Army, Air Force and Navy National Bank, usually called The Military Bank) located in all customs offices at ports of entry. A $10 fee is required and can only be paid with a credit card (Visa and Mastercard) issued by a bank from the importer's country of residence. Cash payments are not accepted. American Express and Diner's cards are not considered bank cards. All visitors may be ased to show vehicle importation documents at any time; they must be returned to the Mexican Customs Office at the border when leaving Mexico. Failure to comply with Mexican laws governing temporarily imported vehicles can result in vehicle confiscation and/or fines. If lost or stolen, replacement vehicle importation documentation can be issued by regional Mexican Customs Offices after the importer obtains a certified document from the U.S. Embassy or consulate attesting to the loss. Additional information, can be obtained from the Mexican Embassy or a consulate. Drug Penalties: Penalties for drug and firearm offenses are strict, and convicted offenders may expect lengthy jail sentences and fines. A permit from a Mexican consulate in the U.S. is required in order to import firearms or ammunition. Some Mexican cities have ordinances prohibiting the possession of knives or anything that might be construed as a weapon. 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 a Mexican embassy or consulate to determine their status. In some instances, dual nationality may hamper U.S. Government efforts to provide protection abroad. Tips for Travelers: The Department of State's pamphlet "Tips for Travelers to Mexico" is available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402. Useful information on guarding valuables and protecting security while traveling outside the U.S. is provided in the pamphlet, "A Safe Trip Abroad," obtained from the same address. Registration: Americans who register at the U.S. Embassy or a U.S. consulate can obtain updated information on travel and security within the country. No. 92-079