| Making plans to travel to Mexico this year? | | | | application. Where can you apply for a |
| Is a Mexico family vacation in your future, | | | | passport? The State Department provides a |
| or are you looking to take a little time for | | | | handy search tool to help you find the |
| rest and relaxation on the sandy white | | | | Passport Acceptance Facility nearest you. |
| beaches of Cancun or Puerto Vallarta? Well, | | | | What�s the busiest time for passport |
| your timing is right. It promises to be | | | | processing? Usually between January and July. |
| another fantastic year south of the border | | | | Of course, if you have an emergency and need |
| for all of the major Mexico resort hot spots! | | | | to travel to Mexico right away, the State |
| In fact, 16 million Americans will probably | | | | Dept does offer some options. Go to their |
| visit Mexico this year. | | | | website at or call the U.S. National |
| | | | Passport Information Center: 1-877-4USA-PPT |
| Be sure you are prepared before you travel, | | | | |
| as there have been some new requirements | | | | Additional Tips for Travel to Mexico |
| issued by the U.S. State Department. Although | | | | |
| it�s a minor change from prior travel | | | | � Be sure to leave your travel itinerary |
| requirements, it affects all U.S. citizens | | | | and passport information with a friend or |
| entering the United States from countries | | | | relative in case the originals are lost. It |
| within the Western Hemisphere who do not | | | | can also be helpful to carry a copy of your |
| currently possess valid passports. | | | | travel documents with you in a separate |
| Essentially, all that is required is a | | | | location from the originals. |
| passport, which most frequent travelers have | | | | |
| anyway. The goal? To make it safer for you | | | | � Avoid traveling with large amounts of |
| and to strengthen United States border | | | | cash. Credit cards are widely accepted and |
| security. | | | | most areas visited by tourist will have an |
| | | | ATM machine. These are great options because |
| Here are some important facts you should | | | | they are safe, convenient and you get a |
| know: | | | | favorable exchange rate. Another option is to |
| | | | use traveler�s checks. |
| � The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism | | | | |
| Prevention Act of 2004 requires that by | | | | � Using a fanny pack or travelers wallet |
| January 1, 2008, travelers to and from the | | | | for your cash and passport is a great idea. |
| Caribbean, Bermuda, Panama, Mexico and Canada | | | | |
| have a passport or other secure, accepted | | | | � While they are making great strides in |
| document to enter or re-enter the United | | | | improving the water quality throughout |
| States. | | | | Mexico, it is advisable to drink bottled |
| | | | water. In addition, avoid drinking beverages |
| � In the proposed implementation plan, | | | | over ice as the ice may have been made from |
| which is subject to a period of initial | | | | tap water. |
| public comment, the Initiative will be rolled | | | | |
| out in phases, providing as much advance | | | | � Wash vegetables and fruits in a |
| notice as possible to the affected public to | | | | purifying solution of some type. |
| enable them to meet the terms of the new | | | | |
| guidelines. | | | | � Before leaving, check with your health |
| | | | insurance provider so that you are aware of |
| � The proposed timeline will be as | | | | your coverage. |
| follows:o December 31, 2006 - Requirement | | | | |
| applied to all air and sea travel to or from | | | | � If you are planning to drive over the |
| Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, | | | | border be sure to obtain a temporary import |
| the Caribbean, and Bermuda.o December 31, | | | | permit and all the necessary insurance. |
| 2007 - Requirement extended to all land | | | | |
| border crossings as well as air and sea | | | | So now that you�ve been informed, what |
| travel. | | | | are you waiting for? Mexico is a land of |
| | | | incredible beauty and natural wonder! Whether |
| The Easy Way to get a Passport | | | | you�re going to sunny Cancun, festive |
| | | | Acapulco, or even Puerto Vallarta, your |
| First, when applying for a passport, make | | | | perfect Mexican vacation getaway is just a |
| sure you allow enough time! It typically | | | | flight away! |
| takes 6 weeks to process a passport | | | | |