As when you travel to any country outside your own you will have to learn what their entry requirements are and the customs procedures. Before you take off on your wonderful adventure in Cancun you will need to know what to take to enter Mexico and understand what items are allowed for you to take with you and what ones you can bring back home.
When you enter Cancun, you will need proof of citizenship. These can be documents such as original birth certificate (must have a raised seal), a valid passport, or even naturalization papers. If you are using your birth certificate you must also have a current photo identification like a driver's license or an official ID.
It is required that you carry your Mexican Tourist Permit with you at all times. You will receive this after the Mexican border officials approve your proof of citizenship. The permit can be issued for up to 180 days. If you decide to stay longer you can have the requested time added to your tourist permit by visiting an official immigration office. You can not leave Mexico without this permit. Take care to keep your passport and tourist permit in a safe place while you are traveling. Do not have it where it can easily be taken by a would be pickpocket.
In the case that you are traveling with your children under the age of 18 where only one parent is going on the trip, then you will need to have a notarized letter from your spouse stating that they give you permission to take your children with you to Cancun.
When entering Cancun, custom officials will check your luggage for items that you are not allowed to bring into Mexico. You are of course, not allowed to bring in any type of illegal drugs or firearms. If you do have prescription drugs that you have to take with you, it would be best that you also have a copy of the prescription or a written letter from your physician. Also, do not carry more than you will need for you trip.
You are allowed to carry with you two cartons of cigarettes or 50 cigars, 2 1 liter bottles of wine or liquor, 12 rolls of film, a laptop computer, camera and equipment, and even sports equipment. Do not try to bring anything into Cancun that looks like it could be resold such as 3 or 4 laptop computers. They will think that you are up to no good.
When you return home you will have to go through customs again. If you have been visiting Cancun for 48 hours you are allowed to bring home with you $800 worth of merchandise without any fees. There are some items you are not allowed to take out of Cancun and into the United States; these include fresh fruits and vegetables. For more information contact the U.S. Customs Service, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20229. Their telephone number is 877/287-8867.
