Staying
healthy when traveling
Due to the H1N1 world pandemic, we suggest that you follow
standard preventive measures like getting the flu shot, and by washing your
hands frequently or using anti-bacterial gel. For more details visit the World
Health Organization website http://who.org
In your quest for a good time on your vacation in Mexico, your
eating and drinking habits are often radically different than what you're used
to back home. In addition, climate and altitude changes can throw your system
off. To ensure you enjoy your vacation to its fullest, consider the following:
Be sure to drink lots of fluids; especially the day before arriving.
Try not to go overboard your first night. Give your body a
chance to acclimate. Drink only distilled or bottled water.
When buying fresh fruits and vegetables, be sure to wash them
with distilled or bottled water before eating; peel them if possible.
Staying
safe when traveling
Most people who travel to Mexico have a wonderful time and don't
encounter any problems. However, as in other tourist destinations throughout
the world, crime is a fact of life, and as a tourist you may be targeted for
theft. In order to increase your chances of having a safe and pleasant
vacation, follow these tips for Mexico travel safety.
Before you leave:
·
Research your destination. The US State Department's Web site
has information about Mexico as well as current public announcements regarding
safety issues for travelers.
·
As you're packing, think twice about taking valuables with you.
If they're not essential, they're probably better off left at home. This will
also make for lighter bags, allowing you greater ease of movement which can
deter potential thieves.
·
Scan your passport and travel documents and e-mail them to
yourself. That way, if your documents are lost or stolen you can easily access
copies from your e-mail.
·
Take your bank or credit card's international telephone number
with you (the 1-800 numbers used in the United States don't work in Mexico).
·
Leave a copy of your itinerary with someone at home, but don't
share details of your travel plans with others you meet while traveling.
·
Buy a money belt (not a fanny pack) to carry your money and
passport underneath your clothing.
·
Credit or debit cards are the most convenient way to access your
money while traveling, but losing your card (or having it swallowed by a cash
machine) can be a great inconvenience, so have a back-up plan. Take some
travelers cheques (or a small amount of cash) just in case.
While you're there:
·
Blend in as much as possible. Walking around with a camera
around your neck and a guidebook in your hand advertises your tourist status
and may make you a mark for thieves. Try to be discreet.
·
Choose ATMs in malls, airports or stores if possible. Avoid
using ATMs at night or in deserted places. When you withdraw money from an ATM
put it away immediately.
·
Carry only the cash you need for the moment in your pocket or
purse. Carry your passport, credit card and extra money inside your clothes in
a money-belt, or leave them in your hotel's safe. When you need to get
something out of your money belt do it in a private place.
·
Exercise particular caution when in crowds, markets or on public
transportation. Pickpockets can be very crafty and sometimes work in pairs -
one person will distract you while another takes your wallet.
·
Ask your hotel manager or another knowledgeable person if there
are some areas of the city you should avoid.
Taxis
In Mexico City you should avoid hailing cabs in the street. Ask
your hotel to call a cab for you. They will take note of the number of the taxi
and the driver's name. At the airport and bus stations in Mexico City and other
major cities there are official taxis (Taxis Autorizados) that you should take.
For US
Citizens
For the latest security information, U.S. citizens traveling
abroad should regularly monitor the Department's internet web site at
http://travel.state.gov/ where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings,
and Travel Alerts can be found. Up-to-date information on security can also be
obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United
States and Canada, or, for callers from Mexico, a regular toll line at 001-202-501-4444 001-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to
8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal
holidays). American citizens traveling
or residing overseas are encouraged to register with the appropriate U.S.
Embassy or Consulate on the State Department's travel registration website at https://travelregistration.state.gov/.
For any emergencies involving U.S. citizens in Mexico, please
contact the U.S. Embassy or the closest U.S. Consulate. The U.S. Embassy is located in Mexico City at
Paseo de la Reforma 305, Colonia Cuauhtémoc, telephone from the United States:
011-52-55-5080-2000; telephone within Mexico City: 5080-2000; telephone long
distance within Mexico 01-55-5080-2000.
You may also contact the Embassy by e-mail at: ACSMexicoCity@state.gov
The Embassy's internet address is http://www.usembassy-mexico.gov/
Consulates:
Ciudad Juárez: Paseo de la Victoria
3650, tel. (52)(656) 227-3000. http://ciudadjuarez.usconsulate.gov
Guadalajara: Progreso 175, telephone
(52)(333) 268-2100. http://guadalajara.usconsulate.gov/.
Hermosillo: Avenida Monterrey 141,
telephone (52)(662) 289-3500. http://hermosillo.usconsulate.gov/
Matamoros: Avenida Primera 2002,
telephone (52)(868) 812-4402. http://matamoros.usconsulate.gov/
Mérida: Calle 60 no. 338-K x 29 y 31,
Col. Alcalá Martin, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico 97050, telephone (52)(999) 942-5700
or 202-250-3711 202-250-3711 (U.S. number). http://merida.usconsulate.gov/
Monterrey: Avenida Constitución 411
Poniente, telephone (52)(818) 047-3100. http://monterrey.usconsulate.gov/
Nogales: Calle San Jose, Nogales,
Sonora, telephone (52)(631) 311-8150. http://nogales.usconsulate.gov/
Nuevo Laredo: Calle Allende 3330, col. Jardín,
telephone (52)(867) 714-0512. http://nuevolaredo.usconsulate.gov/
Tijuana: Tapachula 96, telephone
(52)(664) 622-7400. http://tijuana.usconsulate.gov/service.html
Consular Agencies:
Acapulco: Hotel Continental Emporio,
Costera Miguel Alemán 121 - local 14, telephone (52)(744) 484-0300 or (52)(744)
469-0556.
Cabo San Lucas: Blvd. Marina local c-4,
Plaza Náutica, col. Centro, telephone (52)(624) 143-3566.
Cancún: Plaza Caracol
two, second level, no. 320-323, Boulevard Kukulcan, km. 8.5, Zona Hotelera,
telephone (52)(998) 883-0272 or, from the U.S., 202-640-2511 202-640-2511.
Ciudad Acuña: Closed
until further notice.
Cozumel: Plaza Villa Mar
en el Centro, Plaza Principal, (Parque Juárez between Melgar and 5th ave.) 2nd
floor, locales #8 and 9, telephone (52)(987) 872-4574 or, from the U.S., 202-459-4661 202-459-4661.
Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo: Hotel Fontan, Blvd. Ixtapa, telephone
(52)(755) 553-2100.
Mazatlán: Playa Gaviotas #202, Zona Dorada, telephone
(52)(669) 916-5889.
Oaxaca:
Macedonio Alcalá no. 407, interior 20, telephone (52)(951) 514-3054
(52)(951) 516-2853.
Piedras Negras: Abasolo #211, Zona
Centro, Piedras Negras, Coah., Tel. (878) 782-5586.
Playa del Carmen:
"The Palapa," Calle 1
Sur, between Avenida 15 and Avenida 20, telephone (52)(984) 873-0303 or, from
the U.S., 202-370-6708 202-370-6708.
Puerto Vallarta: Paradise Plaza, Paseo de los Cocoteros #1,
Local #4, Interior #17, Nuevo Vallarta, Nayarit, telephone (52)(322) 222-0069.
Reynosa:
Calle Monterrey #390, Esq. Sinaloa, Colonia Rodríguez, telephone:
(52)(899) 923 - 9331.
San Luis Potosí: Edificio "Las Terrazas", Avenida
Venustiano Carranza 2076-41, Col. Polanco, telephone: (52)(444) 811-7802/7803.
San Miguel de Allende: Dr. Hernandez Macías #72, telephone (52)(415)
152-2357 or (52)(415) 152-0068.
