Accent

Venturing south to Sonora: Your guide to worry-free travel in Mexico

Editor's Note: This story originally ran March 6, 2005 UA junior Jacob Hill is doing the kind of prep work for a south-of-the-border vacation that a lot of Tucson families will be doing in the coming months. The 21-year-old nutritional sciences major already has a passport, and he booked a hotel room in Puerto Peñasco a month ago. Last week, he was shopping for a good deal on Mexican car insurance. Next Sunday, he and a couple of friends from Rhode Island are driving to Puerto Peñasco, also called Rocky Point. "We want some beach. We don't want to spend a whole lot of money. And we figure it will be a good place to be," he said, joking that he wants the kind of spring break every student should experience at least once in their "four, five or six years" at the University of Arizona. Hill and his friends will be among the more than 35,000 college students Mexican officials expect will converge on Puerto Peñasco over the next couple of weeks. Thousands of younger students and their families may also be looking south as local school districts observe spring recess through the end of March. Sonora is an increasingly popular destination. Tourism officials expect Arizonans will make an estimated 1.75 million visits to Sonora, with its miles of beaches, this year. More than 15 million U.S. citizens visit the country of Mexico each year, and more than 385,000 Americans live there year-round - a number officials believe is underreported. "We're seeing an increase in Americans coming to Mexico to live," said Liza Davis, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Consulate in Tijuana. "There's everything from people living in RVs to people who have big, beautiful beach houses. There's really every kind of situation." Davis visited the UA last week and urged students to use common sense when they venture into Mexico and to respect that they are in a foreign country. On average, 35 to 50 Americans are arrested daily in Puerto Peñasco during spring break, she said. Most may spend only a few hours in jail, she said, but a few are held longer for serious offenses that include accidents that cause injury, fights that cause property damage, or drug possession. "The 'I'm an American. Let me out of jail' doesn't really work," she said. Knowing what to expect is an invaluable part of any trip into Mexico, she said. "Don't behave in a way you wouldn't behave at home." U.S. State Department advisory

The U.S. government issued an alert in January in the wake of increased violence among drug traffickers: "Although the majority of travelers in the region visit without mishap, violent criminal activity, including murder and kidnapping, in Mexico's northern border region has increased. The overwhelming majority of the victims of violent crime have been Mexican citizens. Nonetheless, U.S. citizens should be aware of the risk posed by the deteriorating security situation. "U.S. citizens are urged to be especially aware of safety and security concerns when visiting the border region. The majority of the thousands of U.S. citizens who cross the border each day do so safely, exercising common-sense precautions such as visiting only the legitimate business and tourism areas of border towns during daylight hours. " For the full text, go to travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_ tw/pa/pa_2100.html online. Passport, por favor

U.S. officials and frequent travelers recommend having a valid U.S. passport to avoid delays or misunderstandings. You can apply for a passport at the Pima County Superior Court building at 110 W. Congress St. It's open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays. Starting Tuesday, all passports will cost $12 more. The U.S. State Department requires a check or money order: $55 for adults, increasing to $67 on Tuesday; $40 for children age 15 and younger, increasing to $52. The clerk's office accepts all forms of payment for the $30 per-person processing fee. You must also bring: an original or certified birth certificate (hospital birth records are not acceptable); two recent passport photos (check the Yellow Pages under "passport"); and current identification, such as a driver's license, state identification card or military identification card. Permission of both parents or a legal guardian is required for children age 13 and younger to get a passport. If one parent can't come in person, the deputy clerk must see a certified birth certificate that shows both parents' names. The applying parent also must bring either a notarized written consent of the absent parent, proof they have sole legal custody, or a written notarized statement explaining why the non-applying parent's consent cannot be obtained. Children must accompany the parents to the courthouse so clerks can verify they match their identification photo. Children 17 and younger must be accompanied by a parent. Passports are valid for 10 years for adults and five years for children 15 and younger. It takes the U.S. Passport Service about four to six weeks to process applications. Call 740-3210 for the specific requirements and fees to expedite the process. Kids in your party

Children under 15 must travel with a birth certificate. U.S. Customs and Border Protection strongly recommends that, unless the child is accompanied by both parents, the traveling parent should have a notarized note from the other parent (or, in the case of a child traveling with grandparents, uncles or aunts, sisters or brothers, or friends, a note signed by both parents) stating: "I acknowledge that my wife/husband/etc. is traveling out of the country with my son/daughter. He/She/They has/have my permission to do so." Revenge is not sweet

Drink bottled water. The State Department recommends immunizations against typhoid, hepatitis A and hepatitis B, and booster shots for tetanus-diphtheria and measles. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention maintains a travelers hotline at 1-888-232-3228 and a travel health home page at www.cdc.gov/travel online. Be aware that medical costs can be as high or higher in Mexico, and that American medical insurance plans seldom cover health costs outside the United States unless supplemental coverage is purchased. In addition, Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide payment for medical services outside the United States. Many travel agents and private companies offer insurance plans that will cover health-care expenses incurred in foreign countries, including emergency services such as medical evacuations. Short-term health insurance policies designed specifically to cover travel are available. Also, consider getting insurance or joining a medical assistance program to cover the very high cost of medical evacuation in case of an accident or serious illness. Many foreign doctors and hospitals require payment in cash prior to providing service, and medical air evacuation to the United States may cost more than $50,000. Prescriptions

Even though a pharmacy in Mexico may sell something, the item may not be legal to buy without a prescription obtained in Mexico. There are some items, such as Lipitor, Levitra and Cialis, you can buy legally in Mexico without a prescription, but you will need a U.S. prescription to take home. You can return with 50 doses of medicine every 30 days.

For more information on what items are permissible, you can check out: www.safenogalesrx.com online. Your car

U.S. automobile liability insurance is not valid in Mexico, nor is most collision and comprehensive coverage issued by U.S. companies. Mexican auto insurance is sold in most cities and towns on both sides of the border. A good rule of thumb is to buy coverage equivalent to that which you carry at home. Motor vehicle insurance is invalid in Mexico if the driver is found to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Regardless of whether you have insurance, if you get in an accident you could be taken into police custody until it is determined who is liable and whether you can pay any judgment. If you do not have Mexican liability insurance, you are almost certain to spend some time in jail until all parties are satisfied. Matters of law

Tourists who commit illegal acts have no special privileges and are subject to full prosecution under the Mexican judicial system. It is against the law to be drunk in public in Mexico and to carry an open container of alcohol. If you get arrested, contact a consular officer at the U.S. Embassy or the nearest U.S. Consulate. An official will be in Puerto Peñasco for about 10 days to coincide with the UA spring break, March 12-20. The consulate cannot give legal assistance, demand your immediate release or pay your legal fees but can provide lists of local attorneys, advise you of your rights under Mexican laws and notify your family or friends. About the pets

U.S. visitors to Mexico may bring a dog, cat or up to four canaries by presenting the following certificates at the border: ● A pet health certificate signed by a registered veterinarian in the United States and issued not more than 72 hours before the animal enters Mexico. ● A certificate showing that the animal has been vaccinated for rabies, hepatitis, pip and leptospirosis. You will need to show this documentation to get your pet back into the United States. The return trip

The U.S. Customs Service currently permits citizens returning from international travel to bring back $400 worth of merchandise, including 1 liter of alcohol (if you are 21 or older), duty-free. The next $1,000 worth of items brought back is subject to a duty of 10 percent. Items you cannot bring back include fruits and vegetables; plants, seeds and soil; beef, pork and chicken; parrots and turtles; fur or animal body parts; cultural artifacts. You may return to the States with up to 50 pounds of seafood. Safety tips

● Leave a detailed itinerary and the numbers of your passport or other citizenship documents with a friend or relative in the United States. Make sure they know the year, make and model and license-plate number of your vehicle. ● Bring either a U.S. passport or a certified copy of your birth certificate and current, valid photo identification. ● Carry your photo identification and the name of a person to contact with you. ● Keep copies of airline tickets and a list of traveler's checks. Leave copies with someone at home. ● Take only the credit cards you plan to use and valuables you don't value all that much. ● Carry cash and important papers in a money pouch. ● Hours of operation vary at different border crossings. Check before you go, and cross in daylight if you can. ● It is illegal to take firearms or ammunition into Mexico without written permission from the Mexican government. On this matter, there's no negotiating.