More travel news for those off to Mexico for vacations, work, weddings, etc.  

Do NOT listen to the travel crap on Tik Tok
 Better yet, get completely off it.  This is the final post about the "visa" situation for Mexico...because there is no situation. If anything changes, I will, of course, share that in here right away.

NOTHING has changed for flying into Quintana Roo (Cancun, Cozumel, Tulum). No immigration form needed, no tourist card needed, no visa required-the only thing required for leaving is Visitax.  And, you can apply for that online thrugh the Mexican Government website ad YES it is required.  If you have questions or want more info - CONTACT ME via email.  Better yet, READ THIS.

BTW:  The Mexico tourist card website is a scam/phishing site. Be careful.
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This applies for Americans AND Canadians.

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Not keeping up with travel information and do's and dont's? Go to:
   Once a week or every other week. You never know.





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Because, just because.  Air, airports and foreign AND domestic gateways.

My Airfare Service Tip of the Day 1 is below 

Tip: 
For international roundtrip flights, connection times are very important, even on domestic layovers, because the majority of airports do not drop a passenger off in the same terminal your international flight is departing from. This means they will have to hoof it to their gate. (i.e., Amsterdam, Heathrow, DeGaulle, etc)  (Seattle, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, etc)

If you have an international connection, leaving more time is even more cruicial. 

Appropriate Outbound connection times: 
US Connection: no less than 80 minutes
Europe Connection : no less than 2 hours but ideally 2.5-3 hours if available 

Inbound to the USA or a CBP airport like Dublin (assuming no Global Entry): 3-5 hours especially if the airport is difficult or the domestic terminal is far away from the international terminal.

Please be aware that when you are out and about -- no us currency accepted you must pay in pesos.  This is true and not something new.  You cannot pay for goods and services with USD $$.

However, you can pay by credit card, but not USD cash.  So, before you go, be sure and get some pesos to have on hand if you don't want to pay for every little thing by credit card, i.e., a beer and chips or tacos.

Check with your bank for foreign money or there are places where you can get pesos - AAA or a bank but it does take awhile, so plan ahead.  You MAY be able to exchange money at the  hotel or resort where you are staying.

​New measures were announced yesterday, January 16, 2025, concerning the UK's new Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)
 
Two Important Updates:

• Effective immediately, following feedback from the aviation industry, the UK government has agreed to a temporary exemption for passengers who transit airside, and therefore do not pass through UK border control.  Those that transfer 'landside' using UK border control, will need an ETA.
  There is no end-date for the 'temporary exception', only mention of a periodic review by the UK government.
  This move will primarily affect Heathrow and Manchester airports, as the only UK airports which currently offer transit facilities. The exemption will be kept under review.
• Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) fee will increase to £16 (formerly £10).  This is subject to UK government approval and as of today remains £10 according to the ETA website.  We encourage travelers to apply now to avoid the increase.

The introduction of ETAs is in line with the approach to border security taken by many other countries, including the USA and Australia.

More about "Why get Travel Insurance"

No one in the states ever seems to know that our health insurance, including Medicare and Medicaid, are not valid when you are outside of the country.  There are some policies through Blue Cross/Blue Shield and Aetna that MAY provide medical protection overseas.
Also, it's not about trip cost protection, it's protecting your assets if anything happens. If you own a house, a car, a retirement fund, is it worth risking it to save a couple hundred upfront?
Medical insurance when travelling to the Mexican Caribbean needs to be NON NEGOTIABLE. I know I cannot force insurance, but emergency medical alone is very inexpensive and can literally save lives. 

Travel Insurance is something I always STRONGLY advise about purchasing. As a Travel Advisor I cannot make you buy it.   However, you might change your mind after reading this article a handful of Travel Advisors put together after having medical issues themselves and knowing what has happened to clients in the past.  The rest is really up to know. But when you know, you know.
                                                     Why get Travel Insurance?

Explaining travel insurance is really not about trip cancelation or interruption, it's about medical coverage that can potentially bankrupt you or even worse. If refused, my clients must sign a document saying they understand their risk and are willing to take full responsibility.​ (Waiver)
One other important thing (after much studying on insurance) is to have a policy that pays direct. Most people do not have large amounts available on their credit cards if they have to pay and then be re-imbursed.
The other big thing that most people don't know is to make sure of the alcohol tolerance allowance. Most work place and credit card insurances are null and void if the patient has had over 0.07% alcohol (aka 1 drink). When a client says they have it through one of these places I tell them to call and find out about these two things. If they have to be reimbursed then they need to look for a better policy. If the company cannot say about the alcohol tolerance allowance then they need to go and look for a better policy.
I take insurance very seriously with my clients and can tell them lots of stories from people who have had insurance and those who have declined. In the end if they refuse a Waiver is Required.
If the client  chooses to decline it if they want. When they decline, it reminds them nicely that their personal health insurance is not valid while traveling and that emergency care in other countries may require full prepayment before any services are rendered. Almost everyone buys the insurance after that.
No one in the states ever seems to know that our health insurance, including Medicare and Medicaid, are not valid when you are outside of the country.  There are some policies through Blue Cross/Blue Shield and Aetna that MAY provide medical protection overseas.
Also, it's not about trip cost protection, it's protecting your assets if anything happens. If you own a house, a car, a retirement fund, is it worth risking it to save a couple hundred upfront?
Medical insurance when travelling to the Mexican Caribbean needs to be NON NEGOTIABLE. I know I cannot force insurance, but emergency medical alone is very inexpensive and can literally save lives.
From an Agent who lives in Mexico:  Just heard a horrible story about a tourist who does not have insurance...I hope it has a happy ending health wise, but certainly will not for their life savings.
The tourist hospitals here are ruthless. Don’t take the chance – it is NOT worth it. You will be REQUIRED to sign a Declining Insurance Waiver if you don’t. 
Note: ​Fellow agent tripped off a curb, in Mexico. 35K USD, pins and plate in arm. She had good insurance. She said there were gurneys lining hall with patients waiting for their insurance and/or funds from home before they would be treated. Some had been waiting in a hall for over 24 hrs. I use this example all the time.
​A waiver acknowledging that they have been made aware of insurance and are refusing our advice and are knowingly traveling without it and the associated potential financial risks is absolutely required from all Clients.

​Also-it's so unfair to put pressure on friends and family via something like a Go Fund Me because you didn't want to fork out $50 to cover your HEALTH.

​An Advisor’s personal experience- 100% a necessity.  Dec 2023 I got hurt at XelHa and had to go to the hospital. Before treatment, they immediately took payment from my credit card $2000 usd. Granted that covered ALOT but all of that came back to me.

​Those clients who have made claims to help remind people why it’s important.  Please understand and be aware that without it, nothing I can do to help.  If you can’t afford the insurance you definitely can’t afford the emergency or financial loss.

Mexico and Cancun airports are always in the news and is a close fast getaway for people in the States.
Waiting times for your luggage can sometimes be stressful, patience is needed.  Especially when you may be traveling with children.  Just be aware. 

RESTAURANTS IN LONDON AND PARIS
(or you can use:  The Fork app)
This answer really depends on where they're going to be at the time they want to eat.

Paris : Bouillon Racine , Le Train Bleu , Le Procope , Steam Bar for amazing dumplings , La Rotonde de la Muette , Cafe Lipp, Kong for rooftop Frenchie Pigalle , Le Chardenoux, L’Alcazar Cabaret , Qasi Lebanese , Aux Crus de Bourgogne , Atelier Robuchon, The Eiffel Tower (views at night are really memorable and very romantic)

London : Trinity in Clapham, Fallow , Bob Bob Ricard , the Devonshire Arms , Nopi, Flour and Grape , Holborn dining room , Jamaica Wine House (originally the first coffee house turned into a pub).
Balthazar. Daphne Chinatown! Donutelier for sweets.

Dishoom, Flat Iron, Fionas, Mother Mash, Seven Dials Market, Pizza Express.
Want a great Indian meal? Go to Colonel Saab near Trafalgar Square., Gaucho is good Argentinian in Covent Garden.

In London, I always suggest some street food if they’re that type of person. You can find some in Camden Street Market, Borough Street Market, and Kingly Court in SoHo. There’s also Greenwich Market but it’s a bit far out from the city center.

Wherever you go, take time to be patient and enjoy!  Greet your Waiter and Head Waiter and you will get much better service.