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Should I leave my passport in the hotel in Mexico?

Valuable documents: Keep your valuable travel documents (especially your passport) safe; passport theft is one the rise world-wide, including in Mexico. Store cash and other valuables in your hotel room's safe or at the hotel's safety deposit box.



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Mexican immigration authorities could ask you to present both your passport and entry permit if applicable at any point and may detain you while they review your immigration status if you are not carrying your passport and proof of legal status in Mexico, or if you have overstayed your authorized stay.

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Leave Your Passport at the Hotel Although your passport is required as an ID when travelling abroad, you don't really need to carry it around with you everywhere. Consider moving around the city with your driver's license instead, and leave your passport behind in the hotel safe.

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We always leave it in the room safe. Leave your passport in your in room safe. Photocopy the picture ID part of it, and keep it with you when out and about.

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Temporary and Permanent Visa holders leaving Mexico
They will require your passport and your resident card. Once you have received your form, you may proceed to the airline desk. Upon reentry to Mexico watch the officer to be sure they do not mark you as a tourist and only give you 180 days.

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In most countries, I carry a photocopy and leave the actual passport in the hotel safe. However legally, you have to carry your actual passport on you in Mexico - if you're checked and don't have it, they can detain you for 60 days. Scary. I heard last year that checks were now more common?

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Therefore, it is essential to make sure you have your passport or another form of ID with you when entering Mexico. You will need it to enter back in the United States. Cabo is more than 20 miles from the US/Mexico border.

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These hotels keep a record of passports to cross check for wanted criminals, look for missing persons, or protect against identity thieves. Of course, handing over your personal identification can be risky, even if you're giving it to a reputable hotel with (most likely) trustworthy employees.

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Sometimes they'll just inspect it - other times they'll photocopy it… Why do some countries require a passport to stay in a hotel? It's for identity so that the hotel knows it's really you and not someone trying to scam your reservation.

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Never keep your passport in your back pocket. That pocket is called the “sucker pocket” for a reason. The very best way to keep your passport safe is to carry it on your person in an anti-theft pouch or money belt that is hidden under your clothes. Here is a selection of anti-theft money belts and wallets.

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You should only carry your passport with you when you need it – otherwise, it should stay locked up. If you're going to take your passport with you, always keep it in a location that is hard to get to. If you carry it in your purse or travel bag, keep it zipped up in an internal pocket within your bag.

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Mobile Passport Control (MPC) allows eligible travelers to submit their travel document, photo, and customs declaration information through a free, secure app on their smartphone or other mobile device.

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To avoid losing your passport at the airport, never leave the document in the pocket of your pants or coat. You'll want to designate a single compartment either in your personal bag or carry-on where your passport goes every single time you take it out and put it back.

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How to Keep your passport safe at your hotel or Airbnb. To keep your passport safe, lock it up at your hotel. Use your best judgement based on the activities you'll be doing each day. If you leave your passport behind, lock it in a room safe or in the lockable compartment of your bag.

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Yes. A US passport book is mandatory when traveling to Mexico by air. Also, minors (babies and children) will need a passport to enter Mexico. Once you arrive in the country, border control authorities will check and stamp your passport for entry.

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Documents You Will Need All U.S. citizens need U.S. passport books if re-entering by air. Land and sea border crossings accept additional travel documents, such as U.S. Passport cards and Trusted Traveler cards. Child travelers have additional options - see the Traveling with Children section.

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If your passport's time is almost up, don't wait — start the renewal process now. You can't travel while your renewal application is being processed, and you need to make sure your travel documents are valid for at least six months past the dates of any planned international trips.

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As of April 2023, the Cancun Departure Tax is 1,136 Mexican pesos (MXN), which is approximately 56 USD. Please note that the fee is subject to change, so it's always a good idea to check the current fee before your trip.

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While the Mexican authorities will almost certainly not ask for any proof of onward travel, the airline might, and to make matters worse enforcement is not always consistent. You should be prepared to show something. Not necessarily proof that you will leave Mexico but that you are going home eventually is enough.

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During the inbound flight, you will receive and need to fill out a customs form (Hacienda). After passing through immigration, you collect your bags and proceed to the exit. You will hand the form to the customs agent and press the button on what looks like a traffic light.

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