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Started By
Message
Necessary expenses to travel to and from Mexico
Posted on 12/9/24 at 10:47 am
Posted on 12/9/24 at 10:47 am
I would like to know what are the best ways, including convenience and cost, to pay for the tax when tourists leave Mexico and using one's smart phone while in Mexico.
I visited the www.visitax.gob.mx site and I'm assuming that's the official website where one can prepay the tax instead of taking care of this at the airport. Is this how most American tourists pay this tax?
The breezesim.com is what I found to allow one to continue to use their smartphone in Mexico. It will be $8.25 for 2GB of data for up to 15 days. I have not completed the transaction yet since I have plenty of time. What are other/better options that tourists use?
I already set up our round trip shuttle ride from the airport to the hotel, so we're good there.
I would appreciate any other pertinent information that'll make our first visit to Mexico as a family. Exchange currency at a local bank? I never use airports since their rates are always higher. Is this even necessary at all?
Thanks in advance.
I visited the www.visitax.gob.mx site and I'm assuming that's the official website where one can prepay the tax instead of taking care of this at the airport. Is this how most American tourists pay this tax?
The breezesim.com is what I found to allow one to continue to use their smartphone in Mexico. It will be $8.25 for 2GB of data for up to 15 days. I have not completed the transaction yet since I have plenty of time. What are other/better options that tourists use?
I already set up our round trip shuttle ride from the airport to the hotel, so we're good there.
I would appreciate any other pertinent information that'll make our first visit to Mexico as a family. Exchange currency at a local bank? I never use airports since their rates are always higher. Is this even necessary at all?
Thanks in advance.
Posted on 12/9/24 at 11:14 am to goodgrin
I don’t really understand your question. Your phone should work in Mexico the same as it does in the US. Get out a little cash from your bank prior to going, but your credit card will work pretty much anywhere you go.
Posted on 12/9/24 at 11:18 am to goodgrin
Where in Mexico?
As Abita stated, your phone shopuld work in Mexico with no additional charges as is. Especially if you are with ATT or Verizon.
As Abita stated, your phone shopuld work in Mexico with no additional charges as is. Especially if you are with ATT or Verizon.
Posted on 12/9/24 at 11:24 am to goodgrin
Are you talking about the tax that's included as part of your airline ticket?
Posted on 12/9/24 at 11:52 am to AbitaFan08
I believe my questions are pretty clear. I haven't traveled to Mexico since 2005 and none of us had a smart phone or used one back then when I visited Merida. I didn't have time to ask anyone I knew and posted on here this board. I hear about tourists traveling to Europe requiring to purchase a SIM card to use their phones and I assumed it was the same for travel to Mexico.
I was informed that a tax has to be paid when leaving Mexico, but read online that all Americans visiting for 72 hours and over have to purchase a Tourist Card (i.e. tax) for about $38.
We're traveling to Cancun the last week of December on Delta. Thankfully, I was able to use miles and a companion voucher to keep the cost of the tickets down.
I was informed that a tax has to be paid when leaving Mexico, but read online that all Americans visiting for 72 hours and over have to purchase a Tourist Card (i.e. tax) for about $38.
We're traveling to Cancun the last week of December on Delta. Thankfully, I was able to use miles and a companion voucher to keep the cost of the tickets down.
Posted on 12/9/24 at 11:57 am to goodgrin
I’m not trying to be rude, I genuinely was trying to understand your questions.
Assuming you have a normal cell phone plan, with someone like Verizon or ATT, you can use your phone the exact same as you would in the US. No extra charges or fees. That’s true for both Canada and Mexico.
As far as having cash, it’s always a good idea to have a few hundred just in case. Go to your local bank prior to leaving. But almost anywhere will take your credit card with no fees.
Assuming you have a normal cell phone plan, with someone like Verizon or ATT, you can use your phone the exact same as you would in the US. No extra charges or fees. That’s true for both Canada and Mexico.
As far as having cash, it’s always a good idea to have a few hundred just in case. Go to your local bank prior to leaving. But almost anywhere will take your credit card with no fees.
Posted on 12/9/24 at 11:59 am to goodgrin
Just returned from 5 days in Mexico City.
No clue what you are talking about as we did not have any issues leaving Mexico nor did we pay a tax to depart.
No clue what you are talking about as we did not have any issues leaving Mexico nor did we pay a tax to depart.
Posted on 12/9/24 at 12:01 pm to goodgrin
quote:
I was informed that a tax has to be paid when leaving Mexico, but read online that all Americans visiting for 72 hours and over have to purchase a Tourist Card (i.e. tax) for about $38.
I've been a couple of times in the last 4 years, via Delta flights. There was no Tourist Card even mentioned. Things like this used to be fairly common for international travel (usually as an exit tax or fee), but now it's usually included in the cost of the airline ticket.
Posted on 12/9/24 at 12:04 pm to AbitaFan08
No problem and I appreciate yours and everyone's feedback for our upcoming trip to Cancun.
Our mobile phone company is Verizon, so it looks like we're set with the phones. I was also asking because I've had extra charges tacked on my Verizon monthly bill for phone calls I've made to Canada, which surprised me to be honest. I don't have a reason to make or receive any extensive phone calls back to the states, but I also didn't want to be blindsided by additional charges.
I plan on bringing cash, but I don't know if local venders there accept both currencies, dollars and pesos.
Our mobile phone company is Verizon, so it looks like we're set with the phones. I was also asking because I've had extra charges tacked on my Verizon monthly bill for phone calls I've made to Canada, which surprised me to be honest. I don't have a reason to make or receive any extensive phone calls back to the states, but I also didn't want to be blindsided by additional charges.
I plan on bringing cash, but I don't know if local venders there accept both currencies, dollars and pesos.
Posted on 12/9/24 at 1:01 pm to goodgrin
quote:
I hear about tourists traveling to Europe requiring to purchase a SIM card to use their phones
Again, not true with ATT or Verizon. There's a $10 a day plan but you only pay it if you use it that day. Don't use it, no fee.
You "hear" a lot of bad information.
Posted on 12/9/24 at 1:04 pm to goodgrin
quote:
I plan on bringing cash, but I don't know if local venders there accept both currencies, dollars and pesos
It depends, but they generally prefer pesos as they have to pay a conversion fee to convert dollars to pesos. Just take your ATM card with you. The ATM will pay out in pesos.
Posted on 12/9/24 at 1:11 pm to VABuckeye
Thanks to all of you for enlightening me on our upcoming trip. This has been eye opening.
I looked at my past international travel history and apparently I don't remember much about the two most recent trips. 2009 to Canada and 2010 to the Bahamas. Looks like I'm behind the times with international travel requirements.
I just didn't want to be blindsided with any surprises that I could have easily taken care of here before we left. Glad to know it's less involved compared to what it used to be.
I looked at my past international travel history and apparently I don't remember much about the two most recent trips. 2009 to Canada and 2010 to the Bahamas. Looks like I'm behind the times with international travel requirements.
I just didn't want to be blindsided with any surprises that I could have easily taken care of here before we left. Glad to know it's less involved compared to what it used to be.
Posted on 12/9/24 at 1:22 pm to goodgrin
What .. your phone should work exactly the same. If y'all u uneasy about that get a SIM card from Claro.
Posted on 12/9/24 at 1:38 pm to goodgrin
The good news is that there is no more red light, green light button to push when you enter Mexico. Got the red light once. No contraband but it was a full search of your belongings.
Posted on 12/9/24 at 2:52 pm to VABuckeye
quote:
The good news is that there is no more red light, green light button to push when you enter Mexico.
Since when? It was still in Cabo in February
Also: why does the OP communicate like an Indian ChatGPT bot?
This post was edited on 12/9/24 at 2:53 pm
Posted on 12/9/24 at 3:03 pm to Mingo Was His NameO
quote:
Also: why does the OP communicate like an Indian ChatGPT bot?
Exactly my thoughts.
I originally though the OP was trying to sell us on breezesim and www.visitax.gob.mx
Posted on 12/9/24 at 3:53 pm to Mingo Was His NameO
It’s not in Cancun anymore for sure.
Posted on 12/9/24 at 5:38 pm to goodgrin
I've been to Cancun three times in the past year. There is not tourist card or tax to pay exclusively. If you're staying at a resort, they have already included the $24/mxn (or whatever it cost) per day in your rate.
I never have altered mine or my wife's cell plan. We use our smart phones just as we do in the US.
I never have altered mine or my wife's cell plan. We use our smart phones just as we do in the US.
Posted on 12/9/24 at 10:03 pm to goodgrin
I go to Mexico multiple times a year.
I do think Cancun had some type tourist tax. It may already be included in your flight.
Most US carriers include travel to Mexico and Canada. Just confirm with your plan.
Withdraw cash from ATM. It's easier (and may be just as cheap) in my opinion, than ordering from your local bank. At the ATM, accept the fee but always decline the conversion rate.
I do think Cancun had some type tourist tax. It may already be included in your flight.
Most US carriers include travel to Mexico and Canada. Just confirm with your plan.
Withdraw cash from ATM. It's easier (and may be just as cheap) in my opinion, than ordering from your local bank. At the ATM, accept the fee but always decline the conversion rate.
This post was edited on 12/9/24 at 10:05 pm
Posted on 12/10/24 at 7:36 am to goodgrin
Been to Mexico 4 times in the last 18 months. Twice to Cancun and twice to PV. ATT works just fine. Never paid a Visitax.
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