Travel Tips

Travel Documents
Be sure your travel papers are in order and carry them with you; do not check them in a suitcase. Here is a summary of what will be needed:

Tourist card: This small piece of paper really isn't a card, but it is issued to you on the airplane before landing in Mexico. It should be completed prior to check-in at the Immigration line in the airport. You will need information off the travel agenda and your passport or birth certificate to fill this out. Upon arrival in Mexico, it will be validated by an Immigration Officer, with the number of days you are authorized to stay, usually between 30 and 90 days. You will need your tourist card to leave Mexico, so take good care of it! It is a real hassle to replace it!!

Proof of citizenship: This may be a passport or you may use a certified copy of your birth certificate with a raised official seal. If you wish to get a passport, visit with the post office. Make a copy of whatever you use as your proof of citizenship and keep it in a separate place.

To get a passport: Applications available at the Post Office. The cost is around $80. You need an official birth certificate to apply for first-time passport or you can use an old passport. Unless you have need for a passport for other travels, it is much cheaper to get an official copy of your birth certificate - $10. The request order form is available on the Web, Department of Health - Vital Statistics.

Mexico City Airport
For information on the airport in Mexico City, you can check the Web site at www.cemanahuac.com

Vaccinations
For those of you that are thinking about going to Mexico in year two and or year three..... one of the recommendations from the year one group was to encourage staff to start thinking about the vaccinations you might wish/need to get NOW.

First and foremost, of course, consult with your personnel physician to make the decisions that are best for you.

The Ames travel clinic suggests that you are up to date on all of your regular boosters, specifically polio, MMR and tetanus. They also recommended Hepatitis A ( 2 shot series). My doctor strongly suggested Hepatitis B ( 3 shot series), as well. Some staff were encouraged to take malaria and typhoid medications. Although typhoid and malaria are problems in some parts of Mexico and Central America, we will not be going into areas of Mexico where typhoid or malaria are known to be problematic. Again, though.... this is a decision you will want to make based on your doctor's recommendations. You might also wish to visit with your doctor about travelers diarrhea and treatment suggestions.

So as you think about your annual physical or next trip to the doctor .... you might have a few more questions to ask!

The CDC web site that might help, as well: http://www.cdc.gov/travel/camerica.htm

Money
The monetary unit in Mexico is the peso. There are many places to change dollars/travelers checks at the Mexico City airport, and the cost for pesos is always less in Mexico than in the United States, so there is no need to get pesos before you leave home. When you do change money, change enough to hold you for several days, so you don't have to return to change money on a daily basis.

*Credit cards most commonly used are VISA, American Express and Mastercard. Credit cards can also be used in automatic teller machines in order to withdraw funds in the local currency at the current exchange rate, but this is a more expensive way to obtain funds. Credit cards can be used in many stores and restaurants, but it is not possible to use them in backyard "shops". Before you leave the United States, copy all your credit cards and drivers license. Check with the bank where you have credit cards to get the "real" telephone number should you lose the cards...it is difficult to access 800 numbers from Mexico, and it will save a tremendous amount of time and effort if you have the correct number, with correct area code, for the bank(s).

* ATM machines are everywhere, including the Mexico City airport! I find the safest way to obtain money is with my ATM card which deducts money from my checking account in the United States. The exchange rate is excellent. Not all ATM machines accept all ATM cards, but in our two cities cities there will be some banks that will accept your own card.

* Checkbooks come in very handy. More people will accept checks in Mexico than you might have thought, especially if the cost of the item is high.

Bring your checkbook or at least a few blank checks.

Clothing
Please remember that you will be carrying your own luggage some of the time, so think light! The weather this time of year is likely to be pleasant with daytime temperatures quite warm, between 75--80 degrees. Mornings and evenings will be cool enough to need a sweater or light jacket. Light-weight cotton and natural fibers for clothing will be ideal. Laundry service is available at the all hotels, for a reasonable price, so take advantage of it.

Most of the time we will be wearing very casual clothes, even for dinners.

• comfortable, casual clothes...slacks are fine; Bermuda shorts good outside of Mexico City
• one dressier outfit for evenings out...there are some places where sneakers just don't look appropriate.
• two pairs of sturdy walking shoes with rubber soles and ties (i.e.athletic or sneaker type of shoe) you will be walking on some cobblestone areas and uneven ground around the archeological sight
• fold-up rain poncho, just in case
• sun hat, sun lotion

Items you may what to pack for your own comfort

• face cloth, moist towelettes, Kleenex
• prescription drugs (It is suggested that two sets be taken, one to carry with you and one in your regular luggage. Also, a LEGIBLE copy of the prescription from your doctor for emergency refills. It is possible to buy most drugs over the counter in Mexico, at a considerably reduced price.)
• writing material, address book, reading material
• a guide book
• alarm clock (wind-up or battery type is best)
• hair dryer/curler, razor, etc. The electrical current is the same as the U.S., but many outlets do not accept the polarized electrical plug (one prong wider than the other), so you can purchase an adapter for a small amount of money
• camera and film/batteries
• first aid supplies, comfort medications (aspirin, Imodium A-D, Pepto Bismal ), vitamins
• undergarment passport/currency wallet holder
• instant decaf" coffee package/ tea / artificial sweeteners, salt substitutes and a small water heater
• small flashlight and portable reading light (most lights in hotels are 25-30 watt bulbs)
• small amount of toilet paper
• hand sanitizers
  

Water and Food
Much of the worry among travelers about Mexican food is unwarranted; a positive attitude and some care in where and what you eat should help you travel successfully through the country with the "traveler's revenge." Mexico offers the cuisine of many ethnic origins, and all of it is good.

We will have opportunities to sample some of the very best of Mexican foods, which go far beyond tacos and tortillas. Raw vegetables and fruit should be peeled before eating. All restaurants we go to as a group will have "safe" foods, such as fruit salad, water, etc. Bottled water should be used, rather than tap water, and bottled water will also be available at your hotels, as well as in many many stores. Using moist towelettes and hand sanitizer gels to wipe hands frequently is also a good idea.

It is recommended that you do NOT eat street food from vendors. And, it is a good idea to carry snack bars with you for "emergency snacks".


Telephone Calls
Prior to travel we will send a list of the hotels and the telephone numbers. To dial any of these numbers from the United States, precede the number by 011-52-XXXXXXX.

It is possible to call the United States direct by using a telephone calling card or by calling collect. Check with your long distance carrier to get the 800 number to call from Mexico to access your carrier (AT&T, Sprint, MCI).

Time
Mexico is in the same time zone as Iowa (Central Standard Time).

Tips
The fee we have paid in the land fee includes tips for hotel bellboys and maids, as well as tips for all group meals. There are circumstances where a modest tip is both appropriate and appreciated, such as maids, porters, and for personal services in a hotel. It is left up to you to decide whether or not to offer gratuities for special services rendered. Tips for baggage carriers in airports is covered in the trip fee. For meals which are not group meals or for drinks/cocktails, a 15% tip is appropriate in all cases. A final tip for the bus driver of about $1.50 US per day is suggested.

Weather
Weather at the time of year you are coming will be warm in the daytime, but cool at night. People should have sweaters and sweatshirts for evening and early morning. Men might like to have a sports coat for warmth. Shorts in Mexico City are a bit out of place, but everybody seems to equate Mexico and the beach, which is not correct...it is a pretty formal city.

Employee personal health insurance coverages outside of U.S. FAQs
Q: Do ISU employees have personal health insurance coverage while in other countries?
A: Yes, if covered under Blue Cross/Shield plans, if covered under the HMO would only be covered for emergency services as defined by Health Alliance or the State of Iowa Managed Care Plans.

Q: If so, what are the medical coverages afforded during foreign travel?
A: Blue Cross Indemnity plan covers all eligible services in approved facilities, PPO plan coverage same as Indemnity but considered out of network benefits only (i.e. no routine physical, eye or hearing exams). Health Alliance and other managed care plans would cover only emergency services as defined by the plans.

Q: What are the policy exclusions related to foreign travel?
A: None that I am aware of.

Q: Is there repatriation/medical evacuation coverage?
A: No

Q: Is there any assistance provided by the insurance company in determining the appropriate medical providers to use while in other countries?
A: Blue Cross has a World Wide Service Center where the insured can call collect 24-7. Call the BlueCard Worldwide Service Center at 1.800.810.BLUE (2583) or call collect at 1.804.673.1177 if you're admitted.