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Before You Travel to Mexico
By Suzanne Barbezat, About.com Guide

Are you ready to plan your trip to Mexico? There are many different things to think about before you go, from travel documents to health and safety concerns. Here are some resources to help you get your trip planned, and figure out what you need, where you should go and what you should do.

Passports, Travel Documents and Entry Requirements

The first thing you'll need to do when planning to travel to Mexico is make sure you have all the necessary travel documents. Passports can take a few months to process so make sure you apply far enough in advance. You probably won't need to apply in advance for a visa, but when you enter the country you will be given a tourist card.

Passports and Travel Documents

Do I need a passport to travel to Mexico?
With new travel document requirements in effect, many people are confused about whether or not they need a passport to travel to Mexico. The requirements have been phased in gradually and differ depending on the mode of transportation used to enter and exit the country.

Travel by air As of January 2007 the US Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) requires all travelers entering or re-entering the United States by air to present a passport.

Travel by land or sea As of June 2009, US citizens entering the United States by land or sea must present a passport or other WHTI compliant travel document such as a passport card. The passport requirement is waived in some cases for minors. Read about travel documents for kids.

Permanent Residents of the US Document requirements for lawful permanent residents of the United States do not change under the WHTI. Permanent residents should continue to present their I-551 Permanent Resident Card when entering the United States. A passport is not required to enter the US, but you may need one to enter Mexico, depending on your nationality.

A passport is the best form of ID It's a good idea to get a passport if you're planning to travel to Mexico, whether or not it is an official requirement. A passport is the best form of international identification and having one may help you avoid hassles when crossing the border. Find out how to get a passport.

What is a tourist card and how do I get one?
A tourist card, or FMT, is a tourist permit required for travelers to Mexico who will be staying longer than 72 hours, or traveling outside the United States-Mexico border zone. Tourist cards are valid for up to 180 days and allow the holder to remain in Mexico as a tourist but not to perform any type of remunerated work.

Border zone For travel to Mexico within the United States border zone for up to 72 hours, you do not need a tourist card. The border zone is comprised of an area roughly 20 km into Mexico from the U.S. border and also includes most of Baja California and the Sonora "free zone."

Tourist cards There is a fee of about $23USD for a tourist card. If you are traveling by air or on a cruise, the fee for your tourist card is included in the cost of your trip, and you will be given the card to fill out. If you are traveling over land you can pick up a tourist card at your point of entry or from a Mexican consulate before your departure. In this case you will need to make the payment for your tourist card at a bank after your arrival in Mexico.

Upon arrival in Mexico you will present the filled-in tourist card to the immigration official who will stamp it and write in the number of days that you are allowed to stay in the country. The maximum is 180 days, or 6 months, but the time actually given is at the discretion of the immigration official (often only 30 to 60 days are granted initially), for longer stays, the tourist card would need to be extended (find out how to get an extension for your tourist card).

You should keep your tourist card in a safe place, for example, tucked into the pages of your passport. Upon leaving the country you must surrender your tourist card to immigration officials. If you do not have your tourist card, or if your tourist card is expired, you may be fined.

If you lose your tourist card If your tourist card is lost or stolen, you will need to pay a fee to get a replacement tourist card at an immigration office, or you may be fined when you're leaving the country.

Extending your tourist card If you wish to stay in Mexico for longer than the time allotted on your tourist card you will need to extend it. Under no circumstances is a tourist allowed to stay longer than 180 days - if you want to stay longer you will have to leave and re-enter the country, or apply for a different type of visa.

Does my child need a passport to travel to Mexico?
Traveling to Mexico with your child can be a great experience. Just make sure you're aware of the entry requirements to avoid hassles at the border.

The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) establishes document requirements for travel into the United States from Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. The travel documents required for children vary according to the form of travel, the age of the child and whether or not the child is traveling as part of an organized group. Minors traveling without their parents may also be required to show proof that the parents authorized the trip.

Air Travel All US and Canadian citizens, regardless of age, traveling by air to Mexico are required to present a passport. Find out how to get a passport.

Travel by Land and Sea US and Canadian citizens aged 16 and over who are entering the United States from Mexico, Canada or the Caribbean by land or sea are required to show a passport or alternative WHTI-compliant document such as a passport card. Children up to the age of 15 may present proof of citizenship alone, such as a birth certificate, a consular report of birth abroad, a naturalization certificate, or a Canadian citizenship card.

Group Trips Special provisions have been made under the WHTI to allow US and Canadian school groups, or other organized groups of children aged 19 and under, to enter the US by land with proof of citizenship (birth certificate). The group should be prepared to present a letter on organizational letterhead with information about the group trip including the name of the group, the names of the adults responsible for the children and a list of the names of the children in the group as well as signed permission from the childrens' parents.

Parental Authorization In order to prevent international child abductions, minors traveling without their parents, or with only one parent, may be asked to present proof that they have their parents' authorization for travel.

* A minor traveling unaccompanied by his or her parents must carry a notarized letter signed by the parents authorizing the travel.

* If only one parent is traveling with the child, they may be asked to show either documents proving they have sole legal custody of the child, or a notarized letter from the other parent authorizing the child to travel outside the country of origin. See an example parental authorization letter.