Important information for U.S travellers:

The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 requires that by January 1, 2008, travelers to and from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Panama, Mexico and Canada have a passport or other secure, accepted document to enter or re-enter the United States. In order to facilitate the implementation of this requirement, the Administration is proposing to complete it in phases following a proposed timeline, which will be published in the Federal Register in the near future.

In the proposed implementation plan, which is subject to a period of initial public comment, the Initiative will be rolled out in phases, providing as much advance notice as possible to the affected public to enable them to meet the terms of the new guidelines. The proposed timeline will be as follows:

• January 8, 2007 - Requirement applied to all air and sea travel to or from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.
• January 1, 2008 - Requirement extended to all land border crossings as well as air and sea travel.

This is a change from prior travel requirements and will affect all United States citizens entering the United States from countries within the Western Hemisphere who do not currently possess valid passports. This new requirement will also affect certain foreign nationals who currently are not required to present a passport to travel to the United States. Most Canadian citizens, citizens of the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda, and to a lesser degree, Mexican citizens will be affected by the implementation of this requirement.

Fore more information: Travel State

Are you already for your vacation in the Yucatan Peninsula ?Are you sure you have not forgotten something?

To travel prepared to a destination in Mexico, think:

Toiletries and other related things: Make sure that you have good sunglasses as the sun in Mexico shines very bright, making it a 25°C on average in the Yucatan Peninsula . When trying to get some color, catch the sun in the morning or in the afternoon, as it is dangerous for your skin and your health to lie in the sun during 12.00-15.00 . When wearing a sun block please remember that you are damaging the water and the fishes, therefore try to buy an ecologic justified product or wear a t-shirt

Please make sure that when you plan to visit some archeological sites , go biking , hiking , or bird watching that insect repellent is a must (preferably nature friendly). Bring some comfortable walking shoes and cotton clothes to make sure that you will experience the tour at its best.

Medicine:
When you are on medication make sure that you have your medication with you in its original, labeled containers. Bring copies of your prescriptions and the generic names for the drugs. If a medication is unusual or contains narcotics, carry a letter from your doctor attesting to your need to take the drug. If you have any doubt about the legality of carrying a certain drug into a country, consult the embassy or consulate of that country first.
Before departing to the Yucatan Peninsula , check what vaccinations you need before entering the country. Do this in time, especially when you plan to stay for a long time.

Clothes and accessories:
Try to remember when traveling to Yucatan that the dress code is different than what you might think is appropriate. Especially for women traveling to Mexico try to avoid being a target and do not wear clothes that could be seen as provocative . Instead try to adapt to the different culture and learn the values of specialties of another culture by integrating in it.
Do not carry valuable jewelry with you. When you will loose it, apart from your financial loss it will also be an emotional loss. When carrying expensive jewelry you will also be a more likely target for thieves.
During the warm months, which is also the rainy season, wear some cotton clothes as those are comfortable and not so hot.
When traveling to a jungle , bring some long cotton pants and long sleeve cotton shirts, as this will prevent you from being a target for mosquitoes. Although sandals are nice to walk in, also have some good boots with you.

Luggage: By packing light you will be able to move quickly without too much effort. This will also ensure that you are less likely to put your suitcases or bags down and leave them unattended, making it an easy target for thieves. Have your luggage locked as much as possible and secure your bag at the airport as you do not want to people to use you as a drug transporter. Before locking your luggage have tags inside and outside containing the name, address, and telephone number of the desired destination.

Papers and money:
Have all your valuable papers in a secure bag (not a fancy purse or outside pockets), a small inside pocket, or in a pouch or money belt under your clothes. You may wish to distribute your valuables in one or more places when carrying them with you instead of keeping them in one pocket or bag.
Before you leave, check if your passport is valid when returning home. Most countries require a six month valid term when returning.
Make copies of your passport, credit cards and tickets and carry extra photographs with you in case you lose your passport. Make sure that you have an extra copy and leave the other copy with family or friends.
When carrying credit cards, leave unnecessary credit cards at home together with all your other cards that you will not need.
Tell your family and friends what you will be doing. When something happens, multiple people will know where you are and may have a better chance of getting a hold of you. On the same note, be sure to bring a contact list of close friends and relatives.

Traveling: Mexico and the Yucatan Peninsula offer several modes of travel . It is possible to travel by air in Mexico taking you to a lot of places. Although by air is faster, the bus usually takes you there too, being cheaper but consuming more time. The differences between the first and second-class busses are that the second-class is more crowded, stopping at different places and are less luxurious. For long distance traveling is it safer to take a first-class bus. In the Yucatan Peninsula there are not many trains, but when traveling on the 4 routes (Mexico City to Veracruz, Mexico City to Nuevo Laredo, Mexico City to Oaxaca and Chihuahua to Los Mochis) it is not recommended to take the night trains connecting criminality.

Renting a car is no problem; however pay attention to your car. It should not be a fancy car, but blend in with the locals. Leave no valuables in your car unattended, park you car safe and in areas well lit, and when your car breaks down do not leave it unattended. Try to avoid driving at night, the roads have bumps and wholes and people and animals will cross the road at night. Follow up on the speed limits and look out for speed bumps that are located in the city streets and at the entrance and exit of villages (topes).
Many taxis can be found in Cancun. Most of the prices are set, and negotiation is hardly ever possible. However, when traveling from the hotel zone of Cancun to the center, negotiation is possible.
When walking watch your bag and keep a firm grip on it. Wear the shoulder strap of your bag across your chest and walk with the bag away from the curb to avoid drive-by purse-snatchers. Mexican sales people will speak to you in order to get costumers. If you are not interested keep walking or just say "No gracias." Remember that this is part of the tourism industry and do not waste your energy on getting mad or annoyed by the people. They are just trying to make a living.

Water safety:
From Punta Cancun (the tip of the hotel zone) to the island of Cozumel the sea has a strong current . Try to swim with someone else and do not go in the sea if you feel very tired, overheated, just eaten or if you have been drinking. Watch the flags on the beaches that indicate the ocean conditions. However, if you have gone in to far the life guards will warn you.

Food:
The Yucatan Peninsula is home of Mexico's spiciest cuisine . If your mouth is on fire do not drink water, but instead take a piece of bread. Beer might also help. When you do not want your dish to be spicy, say to the waiter "No picante, por favor." Send back meat, poultry and seafood that are partially cooked and make sure that fruit and vegetables have been sterilized.
The water treatment system is not as well developed as in most Western cultures. Therefore only drink bottled water (or purify it yourself) and try to be careful with ice. If you are sick drink a lot of water and té de manzanilla (chamomile tea).
Usually a 10-15% tip is common to give to the waiter.
Remember that although quality food is offered in the hotel zone of Cancun, downtown also holds many good restaurants for a lesser price.

Sewages system:
Just like the water treatment system , the sewage system is not to be compared to Western cultures. Please remember not to throw toilet paper into the toilet, but instead use the bin.

The police and its laws:
Remember that you are a guest in somebody else's country. We recommend to behave like the way you expect guests to behave in your country .
The police in Mexico are very strict regarding drugs and alcohol. Try to avoid drinking on the streets and do not get in touch with drugs.
When taking pictures , make sure that you are allowed to do so. In many archeological sites filming is prohibited unless you pay a filming rightsl fee . When taking pictures of police and military installations, government buildings, border areas, transportation facilities and people ask permission.

Artifacts and souvenirs:
The history of Mexico contains diverse artifacts that are related to the Mayan culture or Pre-Colombian culture. Remember that you cannot bring this home with you. When buying a souvenir keep the receipt so that customs can see that it is not real. When buying an artifact secure the necessary export permit.
When snorkeling, do not take coral with you . First of all you'll damage the reef incredibly and secondly you will not be allowed to bring it to your own country. This does not only account for coral, but also for wildlife.

Relaxing:
On the west coast of the Yucatan, the Caribbean Sea offers a good day of relaxation . When you are in Cancun and you do fancy shallow water and a not so strong current go to the beaches in the hotel zone that lie before Punta Cancun. When you fancy a strong current and more waves go to the beaches from Punta Cancun to Punta Nizuc. Playa Delpfines (Dolphin beach) is the nicest of them all, but also the last beach to come across.
Enjoy the small island of Isla Mujeres . A small ferry from Punta Juarez can take you to Isla Mujeres for a small amount, were you can escape the buziness of tourism.

But the most important tip is Enjoy your vacation and experience something different each time you travel!

For more trips look on trip-tips