Mexico

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Mexico Cruising Guide

An online cruising guide for yachts sailing around Mexico

Mexico
Mexicomap.png
Country
Click for larger view
Mexicoflag.png
Flag
Capital: Mexico City
World icon.png 19°03′N, 99°22′W
Language: Spanish, English
Currency: Peso (MXN)
Timezone: UTC-8 to UTC -6 (DST observed)
More notes about the country
Small info.png Latest News
Content - news items, etc.

Overview

Mexico is located at about 23° N and 102° W in the southern portion of North America. It is also located in a region known as Central America. Almost all of Mexico lies in the North American Plate, with small parts of the Baja California peninsula on the Pacific and Cocos Plates. Geophysically, some geographers include the territory east of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec (around 12% of the total) within Central America. Geopolitically, however, Mexico is considered part of North America along with Canada and the United States.

Mexico's total area is 1,972,550 km², making it the world's 14th largest country by total area, and includes approximately 6,000 km² of islands in the Pacific Ocean (including the remote Guadalupe Island and the Revillagigedo Islands), Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of California.

Cruising the region

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Climate & Weather

Submit the climate and general weather details.

Sources of weather forecasting info:

Sea of Cortez

Navigation Charts

Submit details of the charts required for safe navigation of the area.

Special Navigation Notes

Any navigation notes here.

Local Radio Nets

Also see World Cruiser's Nets

  • Baja California Maritime Service Net
    7259 LSB @ 1615 zulu (only weekdays)
    Covers from San Diego to Puerto Vallarta (Incl. Sea of Cortez) - Wx & traffic.
  • Amigo Net
    8122 @ 1415 zulu
    Wx & traffic
  • Chubasco Net
    7294 LSB @ 1530 zulu

Arrival/Departure Procedures

Arrival

On arrival in Mexico, yachts must go to the nearest port of entry, with the Q flag and courtesy flag hoisted. Immigration should be cleared first, then customs, quarantine and finally the port authority (API). For a fee, these formalities can be handled by agents at the major ports and at some of the marinas.

Yachts should arrive with a Tourist Entry Form (FMT) for each crew member (or visa, if applicable). Both can be obtained in advance from a Mexican consulate or from the Immigration Office on arrival. The skipper should then proceed to customs with the ship's papers, the Tourist Entry Forms and clearance papers. For a payment of $US10 a temporary import permit will then be issued.

A health permit will also be required. Health officials may inspect the yacht, or the crew may be required to visit the hospital for a health clearance.

The ship's papers and six (6) crew lists (in Spanish) are required. Forms for crew lists (in Spanish) are availabe either before or after arrival, for a fee. All the officials will stamp and sign all the crew lists and each official will retain a copy. At the Mexican Port of arrival, it is advisable to list all places the yacht might visit on the Import Permit and remember to include the last port of call before exiting from the country.

Once you have officially cleared into the country, it is not necessary to clear in and out with the port captain at each port of call, provided that you check in with a local marina and that the marina keeps a register of arrivals and departures.

Departure

The port captain, customs and immigration must be visited with six more copies of the crew list, and a departure clearance form obtained from the port captain. Although this document may not be requested when clearing into the next country, it is necessary to have it in the event of being stopped by a Mexican Navy vessel while still in Mexican waters. If wishing to stop anywhere in Mexico after clearing out, this should be put on the outward clearance by the relevant official. The cruising permit and tourist cards must be returned. Any registered marina can clear boats in and out of port for their clients.

Special Note: Fishing Licences
Make sure that if you even have one fishing hook on board (whether you intend to use it or not) that you have fishing licences for the vessel AND each crewmember. Fishing Licence Request Form

Also see sv Sea Trek's Blog - Clearing in to Mexico

Mexico Immigration & Customs=

Immigration & Visas

Citizens of Australia, Canada, Japan, U.S.A., European Union (except France), Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Iceland, Israel, South Korea, Liechtenstein, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, San Marino, Singapore, Switzerland and Uruguay require a Tourist Card. This can be obtained from Mexican consulates, tourist offices, etc., or on arrival. Most other countries require a visa, that must be obtained in advance.

The Mexican Tourist Card is valid for up to six months although sometimes only a 90 days stay is stamped on arrival by immigration. Those who wish to stay longer must ask immigration at the first port of entry to stamp the passport to be valid for the entire six-month period allowed under Mexican law.

Application to extend the tourist card beyond six months can be done in Mexico City at: Secretaria de Gobernacion, Direccion General de Asuntos Jurídicos, Avenida Juarez 92, 2nd floor (post address: CP06500), Tel. 535-2718. Should you have proof of possessing US$500 per month of intended stay, renewal of Tourist Cards and visas (which take several weeks), can be done at a local immigration office.

A Tourist Card is needed to leave the country, and if lost, can take about a week to replace. Passports and tourist cards must be carried at all times in Mexico.

Customs

  • All firearms and ammunition MUST have a permit, and be declared on arrival. These will be kept in custody until your departure. The penalties for having unauthorised firearms and ammunition on board are severe and can lead to the seizure of the vessel and imprisonment of the captain.
  • PETS - Animals require a veterinary health certificate and dogs and cats also require an

anti-rabies vaccination certificate. Both certificates must be shown to a Mexican consul to obtain an import permit for the animals in advance. U.S. visitors to Mexico may bring a dog or cat by presenting the following documents:

    • A Pet Health certificate signed by a registered Veterinary registered in the U.S. and issued not less than 72 hours before the animal enters Mexico.
    • Pet Vaccination Certificate showing that the animal has been innoculated against rabies, hepatitis, pip and leptospirosis.

From Yacht "Custody":
Leaving a yacht in Mexico for over six months is possible if it is left in an authorised marina (if the owner is a foreign national and not resident in Mexico). The owner (or his legal representative) must however visit the vessel at least once a year to renew the custody documentation.

Health & Security

Submit any health warnings/information and any security details here.

Mexico Ports & Popular Stops

Gulf of Mexico
(East Coast)
Pacific Coast
(West Coast)
Sea of Cortez Offshore Islands
Cancun
Cozumel (Port of entry)
Progreso
Puerto Aventuras
Puerto Morelos (Port of entry)
Xcalak (Port of entry)

Acapulco (Port of entry)
Cabo San Lucas (Port of entry)
Cedros Island (Port of entry)
Chacala
Ensenada (Port of entry)
Huatulco (Port of entry)
La Paz (Port of entry)
Lazaro Cardenas (Port of entry)
Loreto
Manzanillo (Port of entry)
Mazatlan (Port of entry)
Puerto Angel (Port of entry)
Puerto Escondido (Port of entry)
Puerto Madero (Port of entry)
Puerto Vallarta (Port of entry)
Salina Cruz (Port of entry)
San Blas (Port of entry)
San Carlos
Santa Rosalia (Port of entry)
Zihuatenejo (Port of entry)

Sea of Cortez
Section
All Mexico's (Pacific) Offshore Islands
Islas de Revillagigedo (Port of entry)
Isla Mujeres (Port of entry)
Coronado Islands

Mexico Marinas and Yacht Clubs

See each Port/Stop (above) for local Marinas/Yacht Clubs.

Dry Storage in Mexico

  • Marina Real San Carlos. Ph:- 011-52(622)2270011, Fax:- 011-52 (622) 2270111.
  • Marina Seca, San Carlos Ph:- 011-52 (622) 2261061/2, Fax:- 011-52 (622) 2261046.
  • Opequimar Marine Center, Puerto Vallarta Ph:- 011-52 (322) 2211800, Fax:- 011-52 (322) 2211978.
  • Astilleros de La Paz. Ph:- 011-52 (112) 1216383, Fax:- 011-52 (112) 1216383.

Coastal Passages

Cruiser's Friends

Submit details/contacts of cruiser's "friends" that can be contacted in advance or on arrival - who can offer information and assistance to our cruising "family".

Links to Forum Discussions

List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)

External Links

Personal Notes

Personal experiences?

References & Publications

Books, Guides, etc.


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