Trip through Mexico, Tips and hints please (insurance, home)

[chilegal]

HI, a friend is leaving the US at Loraido, Tx, going to Leon, then on to Puerto Vallarta then back up at Nogalas are there any tips or hints for the trip. Its 4 guys on motorcycles.
Do they need a passport? I have been told yes and no... not sure what it is.
Do you know of good places to stop for the night along this route?
Thanks for any help

[amanduh_p]

They dont need a passport since theyre driving into Mexico (changing in 2008) only if youre flying do you need a passport

[AksarbeN]

Some of the biggest don’t and do’s or tips & hints in Mexico needs to be added as a “special topic” ~ this is all I can share at this time.

I can only tell you that you DON’T want to take guns, ammunition, or prescription drugs into or out of Mexico. This will be a problem and someone can go to jail without any questions. NO guns, ammo, and if you have prescription drugs you MUST have them in the proper labeled container with your doctors name on the prescription. Do not buy prescription drugs in Mexico without first having a prescription from your doctor and a Mexican doctor. If you don’t have the Mexican doctor prescription with your drugs YOU WILL go to jail!

http://www.city-data.com/forum/1564450-post8.html

Not knowing more then I do from your post and speaking freely without prejudices; four guys on motorcycles is like waving a red flag. You could end up with trouble in different areas of the country. Weapons and drugs are certain to get you into trouble and jail, don’t take anything. Motorcycles are attractive to others and you might end up finding out that others would like to have them more then you. If you can speak Spanish it will be much easier for you. Being very careful is the best advice and tip that I can share. I wish you well on the trip and hope everything goes ok. Take a camera and share the photos online at C-D when you get back. It would be interesting to see some great shots taken on the road trip.

Mexican insurance for driving there is another good idea! Don’t trust your US insurance only.

[PioneerWoman]

Wooop! I just fell off my chair, laughing. I've been buying prescription drugs in Mexico for at least 15 years, including the trip two weeks ago, with no prescription and no problem. When I bring them back across the border, the guards just look at what I have and tell me to go on. Many of the Texas border towns would fold if they didn't allow drugs to cross, and all those thousands of senior citizens buying them would be in jail by now, 'cause they definitely don't have a doctor's note for them.

As far as the guns and ammo, it seems like a no-brainer that you don't go in armed, just like carrying concealed weapons in the U.S. without a permit. However, if you want to take your gun, it is possible to get a permit.

[AksarbeN]

A few years ago, the uncle of a friend of mine was in Mexico at a border town and bought prescription drugs. After he made the purchase, the Mexican police on the street asked him what he had. Without any question or problem he showed them what he had purchased at the drug store just down the street from where they had stopped him.

They continued to question him and found that he had driven his car across the border and into Mexico. They searched his car and found several rounds of ammo that was left over from a hunting trip that he had forgotten about located in the trunk of the car.

They arrested him and held him in jail for over 90 days because he had prescription drugs without a Mexican doctors note, and possession of ammo in his car. The judge ordered jail time to be served and several thousand dollars in fines to be paid.

The authorities here in the state and at the federal levels could not do anything to help get him out of jail. He had admitted to position of a medical drug without a prescription from a Mexican doctor (he did have a US doctor’s prescription but that was of no value to the Mexican authorities. He also admitted that the ammo in the trunk of the car was his. Again it was against Mexican law to have it.

This was an elderly man in his 70’s at the time this took place. He was there to buy the med’s for his elderly wife who could not accompany him on the original trip into Mexico. The prescription drugs were for his wife and not for him and yet he had possession of them, the prescription was in her name this also added to the problem. His wife could not get him out of jail and he was forced to serve all of the time and pay the fine.

While in jail, there was very little to eat nothing but beans. His family had to make weekly trips to bring him food. They also had to provide additional food and money for his “protection” while in jail. This story was in our local newspaper and was covered on the television news about two and a half years ago. I knew the details of the story from both the news reports and conversations with my good friend who was the nephew of the elderly man.

I don’t want to say that this will happen to everyone, because it won’t! I wanted to share this story with others because it “can happen” to you if you don’t know what you should or shouldn’t do while in Mexico. Please check their laws for yourself ~ it may save you some trouble that you don’t need.

I understand and believe that there are many places to buy prescription drugs in Mexico and this is good for many Americans who need them. I don’t want to stop anyone from doing this. I only want to point out the possible problem. Please enjoy your trip to Mexico and make your trip worth while buying medical items that you need. It can be a true money saver for those who are on limited income and need to save.

[alnhope]

Any information on traveling to Puebla, Mexico and to Tlaxcala to visit the Shrine of St. Michael?

[AksarbeN]

Originally Posted by amanduh_p

They dont need a passport since theyre driving into Mexico (changing in 2008) only if youre flying do you need a passport

I heard on the tv news yesterday that a passport is now required for visiting Mexico and Canada. The policy has changed and it is required, the time to process the paperwork can take up to 14 weeks or more.

It did not matter if you were driving or not!

[AksarbeN]

I found several of the articles in July 2004 when Raymond Lindell 66 years old was held in Mexico for buying medicine for his wife. These articles (in part) are from the Arizona Republic Newspaper ~ online version is the Azcentral.com


VALLEY MAN LEAVES MEXICAN JAIL
07/14/2004
A Phoenix retiree imprisoned nearly eight weeks ago in Mexico for illegally buying prescription drugs was welcomed home to Arizona by family members Tuesday night after his surprise release. "Hi, s...

Arizona Search


PRESCRIPTION FOR TROUBLE
07/09/2004
Raymond Lindell gazed out a prison window, shaking his head at what happened after he joined the thousands of Americans who buy cheap prescriptions south of the border. "I didn't check the Mexican ...

BITTERSWEET HOMECOMING
07/16/2004
We're cheered that Raymond Lindell has been released after eight weeks in a Mexican prison. The 66-year-old Phoenix resident had been imprisoned after buying prescription drugs in Nogales. Left unr...

JAILED ARIZONAN IS HEALTH CARE ISSUE
07/13/2004
Perhaps one of the most disturbing aspects of Raymond Lindell's imprisonment in a Mexican jail is the fact that he and his wife resorted to going to Mexico only because their insurance company stop...

Arizona Search

[amanduh_p]

Originally Posted by AksarbeN

I heard on the tv news yesterday that a passport is now required for visiting Mexico and Canada. The policy has changed and it is required, the time to process the paperwork can take up to 14 weeks or more.

It did not matter if you were driving or not!

AIR TRAVEL

Implemented on January 23, 2007, ALL PERSONS traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean region are required to present a passport or other valid travel document to enter or re-enter the United States.

LAND AND SEA TRAVEL
The following summarizes information available on the Department of Homeland Security’s website.

JANUARY 31, 2008
U.S. and Canadian citizens will need to present either a WHTI-compliant document, or a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, plus proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate. DHS also proposes to begin alternative procedures for U.S. and Canadian children at that time.


ABOUT WHTI

The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative is a result of the Intelligence Reform and Prevention Act of 2004 (IRTPA), requiring all travelers to present a passport or other document that denotes identity and citizenship when entering the U.S.

[travelintom]

Leon? You must have some personal motive for that destination. I have made the Laredo to Nogales circle many times and there are a myriad of options and depends on time scheduled for the trip. I like the Zacatecas route as I love that town and for speed to Guadalajara but via Leon, the San Luis Potosi route is probably best. The prettiest, hardest and slowest route is through the mountains via Cd. Victoria. Everyone should probably see Guanajuato and its mummies. It you have time, get down to Patzcuaro, I'd love to do that on a bike. Guadalajara is not to be missed. I'm not a big fan of Pto Vallarta but to each his own. Rushing back, you can do Mazatlan to Hermosillo (good chinese food) in a day via toll roads with a very early start. Que les vaya bien.