Travel Information
ATTENTION! YOU WILL NEED A VALID PASSPORT TO TRAVEL TO MEXICO.
As of June 2009, to enter Mexico you will need a valid passport. U.S. and Canadian Citizens do not require a visa to enter Mexico.
Citizens of other countries may require a visa to enter Mexico. Click here to learn which countries do and do not require a visa to travel to Mexico.
For U.S. citizens, we have provided some quick links to assist you in attaining or renewing a U.S. passport.
Passport Links
Apply for a U.S. Passport for the First Time
Passport Fees
Renew Your Passport
Application Processing Times
How to Get Your Passport in a Hurry
Important Note: If you already have a valid U.S. passport, check the expiration date. Mexico requires that a passport be valid for six-months following your departure.
For additional information related to U.S. passports please visit http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html
For Canadian citizens, please visit http://www.ppt.gc.ca/ to attain or renew a Canadian passport.
If you need an invitation letter to gain a Visa to attend MeetDifferent – Cancun, please contact bshaddox@mpiweb.org
Immigration
Either at the airport or on your flight to Mexico you will be given a Tourist Card. You will need to complete the card before disembarking the plane. When you arrive in Mexico, the Immigration counter is your first stop after you disembark the plane. Here you will have to present your passport along with the Tourist Card you filled out to the immigration inspector. Your tourist card and passport will be stamped to make your arrival official. Please note that the Immigration Inspector will give you back the bottom half of your Tourist Card. You must keep this card for your entire stay in Mexico as you will need to present it when checking in for your flight when you leave Mexico.
Either at the airport or on your flight to Mexico you will be given a Tourist Card. You will need to complete the card before disembarking the plane. When you arrive in Mexico, the Immigration counter is your first stop after you disembark the plane. Here you will have to present your passport along with the Tourist Card you filled out to the immigration inspector. Your tourist card and passport will be stamped to make your arrival official. Please note that the Immigration Inspector will give you back the bottom half of your Tourist Card. You must keep this card for your entire stay in Mexico as you will need to present it when checking in for your flight when you leave Mexico.
Customs
After being cleared by an immigration inspector, you may collect your luggage and proceed to Customs. Please have the completed Customs Declaration form available for the customs agents. The form will be provided to you by the airline during flight. If you were not provided the form, you may request one at the Customs information counter. Read it carefully before filling it out. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask the customs personnel for assistance before you provide your form to the customs officer and pass through the Automated Selection System (stop light).
The Automated Selection System in Cancun looks like a street stop light. This light will determine whether your luggage will be submitted to inspection or released.
The red light indicates that your luggage will be inspected.
The green light indicates that your luggage will not be inspected; therefore you will be allowed to leave.
After passing through customs at walk to your right until you get outside the airport. There you will be greeted by transportation staff holding MeetDifferent welcome signs. The transportation staff will assist and you walk you to your transportation that will take you to your hotel.
Customs Inspection
What can I bring in duty free?
Which items may be included in my personal luggage exempt from duty?
In which cases should I pay taxes?
Which other items must be declared?
Which goods are restricted?
Which goods are prohibited?
How much should I pay for those additional goods that are not part of my luggage or the $50 exemption?
Weather
February in Cancun is mild with the average high 82°F and the average low 68°F. Cancun weather tends to be sunny and we recommend that you wear sunscreen and sunglasses and drink lots of water. It may be cool in meeting rooms and in the evenings so we recommend you bring a light sweater or jacket.
Cell Phone Coverage while visiting Cancun
Make sure your cell phone will work in Cancun! Here are a few tips to help you ensure you can connect to the office and home via your cell phone while onsite at MeetDifferent 2010.
Contact your service provider. Call the customer service department or visit the provider’s website. You may also visit a local store to talk to a representative who can walk you through the steps necessary to activate your cell phone and plan while in Cancun.
Ask them about:
- Coverage maps for North America (US, Mexico and Canada) & International voice and data plans.
- Your current plan, rates, and costs. Understand the rates and charges to upgrade or change your plan to provide voice/data coverage in Cancun.
- If changes to your plan will incur immediately or if charges are prorated.
- How roaming coverage works. Make sure you know and are comfortable with the call and data charges.
- Messaging (Text/Picture) costs and charges while in Cancun.
- How to update your device to register changes made to your plan.
Phone Calls to Cancun
If you need to place a phone call to Cancun or elsewhere in Mexico, please follow these steps:
- Dial 011 the international access code.
- Dial 52, the country code for Mexico.
- Dial the area code for the city you want to call; it is a 3 number code (for Cancun, it is 998)
- Dial the rest of the 7 digit telephone number.
- Add 1 after the country code (e.g. 52-1) if you are calling a mobile phone.