Wanna visit Mexico? - General

So you're an American who wants to travel but too cheap for the plane fare to Europe? Want to go somewhere with great beaches but can't afford the Bahamas? Or you want to explore new cultures but stay close to home? Then Mexico is for you. I've been backpacking in Mexico since June 1 of 2017. I have visited Texas Mexico border towns, states of Oaxaca, Chipas, Guatemala, Tabasco and Quintana Roo. I will write about what is needed to visit legally and be safe and will write about my experiences in Mexico itself. [B]Administration[/B] Administration will cover topics such as visas, passports and the like. As a US citizen one needs to get a passport from the USA state department. [url]https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/passports/apply.html[/url] Now if you apply you can have multiple options. You can get a passport book, a passport card and a notarized copy of your passport. The passport card is thirty extra dollars and is valid only when traveling through Mexico, Canada, and the Caribbean. The notarized copy is good as the original. I would suggest get all three. Why? I have had experiences where one passport was damaged, stolen or confiscated. If I didn't have multiples I would been in a bad situation. Having backup is a good idea all around. As for tourist visa? It can be obtained upon entry at the border for a small fee. The visa can be good up to six months. [B] Banking[/B] It's advised to contact you bank and inform them of your travel plans. Find out what banks in Mexico have a partnership with your US bank. Having multiple credit cards and debit cards is a good idea case something gets lost, broken or stolen. Do realize Mexico is mostly a cash economy. If you can't pull money from the ATM and can't pay upfront, things will get difficult. To be continued.... [editline]11th September 2017[/editline] [B]Health [/B] Before coming here it is recommended to get vaccinated for Tetanus, Typhoid, yellow fever, malaria, Hepatitis (A and B) and Meningitis. Ask your doctor or local pharmacy for appointment and if supplies are available. Sometimes they are short and sometimes it's not. If not it can be months before supplies are restocked. Do this in advance before you leave. It's not required to enter but it's a good idea.

Interesting.. I've always pictured Mexico as scary and you're in constant danger of being kidnapped, so I'd like to hear more on this topic!

Used to go to Reynosa and Nuevo Progreso a lot when my grandparents lived in McAllen. Was fun back then when you were a kid and could look at all the different stuff the stores had, and the culture shock of the relatively poor border cities. We used to frequent a place called the Canada Store and this one restaurant named [url=https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g814413-d523685-Reviews-Arturo_s_Restaurant-Nuevo_Progreso_Northern_Mexico.html]Arturo's[/url] (4 stars on Trip Advisor!) in Nuevo Progreso that had impeccable service. [editline]13th September 2017[/editline] Of course, now Reynosa is a hot spot of cartel violence. Which is a shame. [editline]13th September 2017[/editline] Also a very joyous man that sold us mirrors we never used, who gave me a free bronze duck and a tiny sombrero that read: "Bob's your friend!" I still haven't met a better salesman than Bob.

How much is the cartel paying you to post this? Are you being held against your will? Post that cat if you need rescue. Nah but really, Mexico looks like a lovely place with so much interesting history to explore. Only wish it wasn't as dangerous as an active warzone.