A Guide to Cancun Passport & Travel Requirements
Cancun is one of the best beach destinations on the planet. It’s easy to navigate on your own, has beautiful weather, and a vibrant nightlife. Plus, there are all inclusive resorts for all types of guests: solo travelers, couples, families, groups, and adults only; anyone who wants lots of activities and those who just want to chill. First-time visitors may wonder, exactly what do I need to travel to Cancun, Mexico?
This guide answers all your questions about what is necessary for a wonderful trip, including travel documents, tips for traveling with children, and more, including the all-important question of do you need a passport for Cancun.
What Do I Need to Travel to Cancun, Mexico?
All visitors to Mexico should bring a valid passport. There are certain circumstances under which travelers from the United States may enter Mexico and re-enter the U.S. with only passport cards, such as crossing the land borders or arriving on certain types of cruises. Still, passport books are accepted no matter how you enter Mexico or how you return to the United States. Mexico usually requires your passport to be valid for at least six months from the day you arrive.
Mexico also requires visitors to have a tourist card. While some parts of Mexico now use a digital stamp, the Cancun airport requires a paper form. It has two parts, one for entry and one for exit. You can fill it out in advance by going to the CancunAirport.com website and clicking on the Tourist Card link. The completed form will be emailed to you and you present it with your passport upon arrival.
The immigration officer will keep the Entry part and stamp the Exit part, which you must present when checking in for your return flight. If you do not have one, you will need to visit an office in the airport to fill out a new one, which can take some time. You will also be required to pay a fine, which is currently around $35 USD.
Visitors with U.S. passports are not required to have visas unless they plan to stay in Mexico for more than 180 days. It’s not mandatory, but it can be helpful to have a return or onward ticket that shows that you intend to leave Mexico within the time you are allowed to visit. It’s also smart to have travel insurance wherever you plan to go, in case of emergencies or unexpected events.
What Is Not Included at All Inclusive Resorts?
It’s important to know what is included in all inclusive resorts in Cancun. But it’s also important to understand what’s not. While many of the amenities that you’ll enjoy during your stay are included in your nightly fee, there are a few extras that you may need to pay for. Some of these are optional or only apply to certain resorts, while others are costs that most guests will need to pay during their stay. Understanding these additional costs that you may face will help you to better budget for your Cancun vacation.
Some additional charges that you may face include:
- Premium wines & top-shelf liquors — Some resorts, like Dreams, Secrets, and Azul, do offer these as standard. However, some resorts do charge for top-shelf liquors and premium wines.
- Motorized water sports — If you want to participate in motorized water sports, like jet skis, or go scuba diving, you may need to pay extra. Some resorts may offer scuba diving for free but charge for scuba diving training, tank refills, and other associated costs.
- Excursions and off-resort tours — Cultural tours, eco adventures, zip lining, and other excursions may be available to book through your resort but are usually an additional charge.
- Spa services and massages — Most all inclusive resorts have a spa where you can enjoy massages and other services for an additional fee.
- Room upgrades or late checkouts — If you want room upgrades like a larger room, a better view, or even a private plunge pool, you’ll pay a higher nightly rate. You may be able to upgrade your room on arrival for a fee or pay for a late checkout if your flight home is later in the day.
- Private dinners or events — Private beach dinners, weddings, parties, and other events may be available to book for an additional cost.
Do You Need a Passport for Cancun?
Some travelers may find passport requirements for Cancun confusing because regulations can sometimes vary depending on how you enter Mexico from the United States. It may be easiest to just remember that both countries will always accept a passport book.
Arriving by Air
Do you need a passport if you are flying into Cancun? Yes, all adults and children who fly into Cancun and all other airports in Mexico must have a passport book with at least one blank page for stamps. No other form of government identification is accepted for entry at Mexican airports, including a passport card.
For instance, Cancun has many wonderful all inclusive resorts that often have remarkable deals that include airfare. You will definitely want to make sure you have a passport before booking one of those.
Arriving by Car
Crossing the land border between the U.S. and Mexico can be accomplished with a passport card. However, passport cards are much more limited than passport books because you can’t use passport cards to travel internationally by air.
Passport books are accepted all over the world, no matter how you are traveling. So carrying a passport is highly recommended in case you may need to fly back to the U.S. for any reason. Also, although the passport card is smaller and easier to carry, it can’t be used for visas the way passport pages can.
Arriving by Sea
A passport card may be acceptable documentation on closed-loop cruises that depart from and return to the same U.S. port. So if you begin a cruise in Miami and it also ends in Miami, the U.S. government only requires a passport card for re-entry. Open-loop cruises, which depart from one U.S. city and return to a different U.S. city, will require passport books.
However, some cruise lines may require passports for their cruises even though the United States allows passport cards. So this is definitely something you will want to check carefully in your cruise line’s information. Also, if it is necessary to fly back to the U.S. in case of an emergency, you will be expected to have a passport book upon arrival at the airport. It could be quite difficult to try re-entering the U.S. with only a passport card.
Can You Return to the US from Cancun Without a Passport?
You can usually cross the land border between the U.S. and Mexico with just a passport card. You can also sometimes use a passport card to enter the U.S. after being on a closed-loop cruise. The U.S. will sometimes make an exception for citizens returning from Mexico without a passport in case of emergencies, but that is probably not something travelers should count on. It is strongly recommended that travelers carry a passport book so they are assured of being able to return to the U.S. without difficulty.
Traveling with Children to Mexico
Children, even babies, need their own passports to enter foreign countries. When a child is traveling with just one of their parents or with someone other than a parent, the adult should always have a letter from the absent parent or a legal guardian specifying that the child is traveling with their consent. If the child’s last name is not the same as the adult they are traveling with, the adult should also have some type of proof of relationship, such as a birth certificate.
You should always arrive at the airport early and have all documents ready to get through security as quickly as possible. Bring snacks and various forms of entertainment to keep children happy during their journey.
Book Your All Inclusive Cancun Vacation with Confidence
Hopefully, this guide has thoroughly answered your question, “Exactly what do I need to travel to Cancun, Mexico?” Now that you no longer have to worry about documentation and even have useful information about how to travel comfortably with children, you can concentrate on booking the vacation in Cancun that will suit you best.
Consider all inclusive resorts to experience convenience, luxury, and variety in one package. When all meals, drinks, amenities, and activities are included, you can completely relax and thoroughly enjoy your vacation without worrying about extra costs. Activities are available for all interests, ranging from water sports to entertainment and more.
All inclusive resorts offer personalized service and seamless experiences to suit every budget and every type of traveler. Whether your party wants to explore a wide variety of activities or just chill out on the beach and by the pool, All Inclusive Outlet has exactly what you will enjoy most, so choose your favorite all inclusive vacation package and book online today!
