Making plans to travel to Mexico this year? Is a Mexico family vacation in your future, or are you looking to take a little time for rest and relaxation on the sandy white beaches of Cancun or Puerto Vallarta? Well, your timing is right. It promises to be another fantastic year south of the border for all of the major Mexico resort hot spots! In fact, 16 million Americans will probably visit Mexico this year.
Be sure you are prepared before you travel, as there have been some new requirements issued by the U.S. State Department. Although it's a minor change from prior travel requirements, it affects all U.S. citizens entering the United States from countries within the Western Hemisphere who do not currently possess valid passports. Essentially, all that is required is a passport, which most frequent travelers have anyway. The goal? To make it safer for you and to strengthen United States border security.
Here are some important facts you should know:
? 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 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:
o December 31, 2006 - Requirement applied to all air and sea travel to or from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.
o December 31, 2007 - Requirement extended to all land border crossings as well as air and sea travel.
The Easy Way to get a Passport
First, when applying for a passport, make sure you allow enough time! It typically takes 6 weeks to process a passport application. Where can you apply for a passport? The State Department provides a handy search tool to help you find the Passport Acceptance Facility nearest you. What's the busiest time for passport processing? Usually between January and July. Of course, if you have an emergency and need to travel to Mexico right away, the State Dept does offer some options. Go to their website at http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html, or call the U.S. National Passport Information Center: 1-877-4USA-PPT
Additional Tips for Travel to Mexico
? Be sure to leave your travel itinerary and passport information with a friend or relative in case the originals are lost. It can also be helpful to carry a copy of your travel documents with you in a separate location from the originals.
? Avoid traveling with large amounts of cash. Credit cards are widely accepted and most areas visited by tourist will have an ATM machine. These are great options because they are safe, convenient and you get a favorable exchange rate. Another option is to use traveler's checks.
? Using a fanny pack or travelers wallet for your cash and passport is a great idea.
? While they are making great strides in improving the water quality throughout Mexico, it is advisable to drink bottled water. In addition, avoid drinking beverages over ice as the ice may have been made from tap water.
? Wash vegetables and fruits in a purifying solution of some type.
? Before leaving, check with your health insurance provider so that you are aware of your coverage.
? If you are planning to drive over the border be sure to obtain a temporary import permit and all the necessary insurance.
So now that you've been informed, what are you waiting for? Mexico is a land of incredible beauty and natural wonder! Whether you're going to sunny Cancun, festive Acapulco, or even Puerto Vallarta, your perfect Mexican vacation getaway is just a flight away!
Many countries around the world are considered top medical tourism destinations. Countries such as Thailand and Brazil are popular international destinations for cosmetic surgery. Many people travel to India for surgical procedures such as hip and knee replacements. Hungary and Costa Rica are also top dental tourism destinations. Although other destinations offer the opportunity to enjoy a unique dental tourism vacation during your visit, Mexico offers a several advantages to Americans due to its proximity to the United States. The following outlines the advantages: ?The cost of transportation is significantly cheaper. International flight to countries such as Thailand or India, which are halfway across the world, can be a big dent on the potential dental savings. ?Some dental procedures, such as standard dental implants, cannot be accomplished within one trip. Standard dental implants usually take approximately four months to heal before the dentist can start the corresponding crown work. Similarly, extensive dental work that requires periodontal treatments such as deep cleaning, crown lengthening, and multiple extractions and dentures also requires some healing time. It is impractical for someone to stay months at a time at their international location during the healing process. By going to the Mexico border destinations, dental patients have more flexibility to travel the relatively short distance multiple times as required by their dental treatment plan. ?Dental Laboratories used by Mexican dentist also provide additional value to the quality of work. Most Mexican dental laboratories guarantee their work for 3-5 years, ensuring that the client has the flexibility to travel the relatively short distance if a porcelain crown or veneer breaks after the treatment. ?Dental tourism patients traveling just right across the border in need of extensive surgical procedures, such as multiple extractions or open-flap gum surgery, have the comfort of knowing that the closest U.S. hospital is just minutes away in case emergencies take place. In case of a medical emergency, such as a heart attack during a dental procedure, the client can be picked up right away across the border and taken to a major U.S. hospital on the U.S. side. This extra emergency precaution is not as convenient when you have to travel to a foreign country without similar hospitals. ?Clients can find Mexican dentists right across the border that can speak English. If not, facilities that cater to American dental patients usually have an English-Spanish translator during the dental treatments. Effective communication is critical for any successful dental work. In conclusion, dentistry in Mexico offers a comparative advantage for Americans seeking a more affordable alternative to the expensive dental care in the U.S. Many Mexican dental facilities offer safe and high-quality dental treatments along with modern technology. As the cost of healthcare in the U.S. enters crisis mode, options such as Mexico dental care will continue to become a welcome relief to many Americans.
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Jon has sinced written about articles on various topics from The Beach Resort, Credit Counseling and Employment. This article was written by Jon Wuebben, of Custom Copywriting. Jon writes select pieces about travel in Mexico for the