Quick links:
Passport & Visas
Health Requirements
Luggage
Suggested Clothing
Climate & Clothing in Mexico
Sleeping Bags
Spending Money
Cassette Tapes & CD's
Medical
Culture Shock

Passport & Visas

All passengers must be in possession of a valid passport and the necessary visas. It is strongly recommended that you make several copies of your passport and visas to be carried separate from your original in case of loss or theft.

* IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE THAT YOU HAVE THE CORRECT VISAS FOR THE COUNTIRES VISITED ON YOUR TREK. *

All visitors to Mexico will be issued a Tourist Card upon arrival which must be carried with you at all times. Failure to present this document to the proper authorities while on your trek or upon your departure from Mexico will result in extended time delays and a possible fine. IIf arriving by air, the US $15.00 fee will be added to your plane ticket; if arriving by land, you will be charged the US $15.00 fee at the time of crossing the border.

It is your responsibility to check whether you will need a visa to enter each country visited. if your tour leaves and re-enters the same country you must get a multiple entry visa as you will cross the border twice.

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Health Requirements

At the time of printing there is no necessity to obtain any special innoculations or vaccinations for North America. For Central & South America innoculations and vaccinations vary. Regulations may change at short notice - so it is wise to consult your doctor or nearest travel clinic before travelling.

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Luggage

One bag, backpack, or suitcase (20kg maximum) per person plus a sleeping bag. A small day pack and camera may be carried in the vehicle. Storage facilities are available at some of our departure points through our Operations Office. Cost approx US$10 per item per week.
* All luggage to be stored must be marked with the passenger’s name, name of tour and date tour will end.

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Suggested clothing

Keep to a simple and practical selection of clothes for both hot and cool climates to suit the season, and because of the wide variety of temperatures, altitude and weather that can be encountered en route. Travel light as there are opportunities to wash clothes. We suggest you bring the following:

Thermal underwear, gloves, and hat can also come in handy. Better to
be too warm than too cold!

On our South America trips please consult the trip dossier for a recommended packing list.

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Climate & Clothing in Mexico

The climate of Mexico is extremely varied, ranging from hot dry deserts in the North to wet, humid jungles in the South. Higher elevations tend to be more temperate with mountain peaks that are often covered in snow. The hot, wet season along most of the coasts lasts from May to November, with July to September being the wettest months of all. All of Trek America's tours in Mexico travel through diverse climate zones, therefore, it's best to be prepared for all types of weather.

For clothing, it is recommended to bring waterproof rain gear for the jungles and warmer insulated clothing for the higher elevations around Mexico City and Chiapas. Of course shorts and a swimsuit are necessary for the hotter coastal zones like the Yucatan. For shoes, it is recommended to bring one pair of comfortable walking shoes for climbing pyramids or touring cities and one pair of waterproof sandals (flip-flops, zorries, tevas, etc) for the beach.

There is no shortage of sunshine in Mexico so it is advisable to bring a strong sunscreen or suntan lotion to avoid severe sunburn. Remember to bring a strong insect repellent (23 to 28% DET) from your home country as it is not available in Mexico.

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Sleeping Bags

If you don't want to bring this item with you, a good quality bag can be ordered prior to arrival and will be available to purchase on the morning of departure. Regular sleeping bags cost US$40, winter quality bags US$80. This service is only available at our Los Angeles, New York and Seattle departures. If you bring your own, make sure it is warm enough! Please note: you do not need to bring a sleeping bag for any of the footloose lodging tours.

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Spending money

Most of your money should be carried in travellers cheques, as this is the safest way to guard against loss. Some of these cheques should be in small denominations for added convenience. You will need a minimum of US$25 (or equivalent) per day for expenses (excluding food kitty and hotels en route), but it's better to bring more than you need than to run short on tour.

In America & Canada bring about US$100 in cash and the remainder in US$ traveller's cheques (Can$ for Canadian treks), preferably issued by a major International Bank, eg. Barclays, Visa or American Express. Your bank may tell you that other currency traveller's cheques are acceptable anywhere, but insist on US$ cheques - they are easier to cash, and are not usually charged any fee.

Small denominations are recommended, as they can be exchanged in stores and restaurants excatly the same as dollar notes. American banks outside the cities/airports are not equipped to change foreign currency. To bring your spending money in any other form than US or Canadian dollar traveller's cheques will cause you great expense and inconvenience! Please note that costs are up to 20 percent higher in the Yukon and Alaska and on board ferries.

In Mexico it is best to carry US$ travellers cheques and a small amount of US currency since most European currencies are sometimes difficult to exchange (especially outside Mexico City and Cancun). Money can be changed at larger banks between 9am and 1pm most days or at Casa de Cambios (exchange houses) and large hotels during normal business hours. Banks and Casa de Cambios usually give the best rates of exchange. It is best to change at least US$50.00 at the airport to cover arrival costs in Mexico City or Cancun for a taxi, meals and hotel costs.

Credit cards can be used in most major cities to pay for hotels, gifts or some optional activities. ATM machines are becoming more popular in Mexico, however, we strongly recommend that receiving money in this manner only be used as emergency back-up to your US$ travellers cheques or cash.
Remember to bring US$49 per week for food kitty, US$20 per night for any en-route hotel stops and US$25 per day for spending money and optional activities.

On our South America trips please consult the trip dossier for recommended spending money.

Remember, there are many things to see and do and you may wish to buy souvenirs. If you intend to buy large items - clothes, leather goods, jewellery etc - you should increase the suggested daily allowance accordingly, or take an internationally accepted credit card.

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CD's

Each maxi-wagon is equipped with a CD player - so bring a favourite CD or two with you!

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Medical

All maxi-wagons carry a basic first-aid kit, but you should bring your own sunscreen, insect/mosquito repellent and any special medication you may require for upset stomach and so on.

Throughout North America most prescription medicine is readily available and easily obtainable. However, we suggest that if you use some form of medication regularly, bring a sufficient supply with you to last your entire trek (carry it on you all times).

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Culture Shock

Knowledgeable ex-trekkers advise handling 'culture shock' with adaptability, humour and a lot of common sense. Give yourself time to get used to culture differences, you may even find that they make a pleasant change from home. The more you accept things as being merely different, neither better nor worse than at home, the more you'll be able to enjoy YOUR Trek. In other words, the less you make comparisons, the more you'll enjoy your new experiences.

They say 'forewarned is forearmed'- so do your homework! Read up on the areas you'll be travelling in, or talk with others who have already been there. Think about what you want to see and do on your holiday. The more you put into it the more you'll get out of it, and the less strange and different things will seem.

Remember, too, that you will not only be discovering a different continent on your holiday - you may also have the chance to learn from your fellow-trekkers about other countries and customs. You may discover an exotic dish to cook, or some new card games, or you may find you have more in common with other nationalities than you thought.

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