It's worth asking if a discount is available on room rates, especially if it's low season or you're staying more than two nights. In markets some haggling is expected. Unmetered taxis will often shave some pesos off the initial asking price. Top safety precautions throughout Mexico include the following:. Pickpocketing and bag snatching are risks on crowded buses and subway trains, at bus stops, bus terminals, airports, markets and in packed streets and plazas, especially in large cities.
Pickpockets often work in teams, crowding their victims and trying to distract them. Mugging is less common but more serious. These robbers may force you to remove your money belt, watch, rings etc. Do not resist, as resistance may be met with violence, and assailants may be armed. There are occasional victims of 'express kidnappings', with people forced to go to an ATM and withdraw money, but this rarely happens to foreign visitors. These government websites have information on potentially dangerous areas and general safety tips:.
US citizens traveling by land or sea can enter Mexico and return to the US with a passport card, but if traveling by air will need a passport. Citizens of other countries need their passport to enter Mexico.
Some nationalities also need a visa. All tourists must have a tourist permit, available on arrival. Some nationalities also need visas. Every tourist must have a Mexican-government tourist permit, easily obtained on arrival. Chinese, Indians, Russians and South Africans are among those who do need a visa.
But Mexican visas are not required for people of any nationality who hold a valid US, Canadian or Schengen visa. If the purpose of your visit is to work even as a volunteer , report, study or participate in humanitarian aid or human-rights observation, you may well need a visa whatever your nationality. Visa procedures might take a few weeks and you may be required to apply in your country of residence or citizenship.
