Traveling
- To Mexico - roundtrip from LAX to Mexico City and ground transportation to Querétaro is approximately $550.00. On international flights the airlines like you to be there two hours in advance of your departure. Please leave with us your itinerary showing the departure date and time and when you will be expected to arrive in Querétaro.
- From Mexico City to Querétaro - take the bus, "Primera Plus" which begins leaving the Airport in Mexico City in front of Mexicana Airlines at 8:30 a.m. every hour until 9:00 p.m. The website for "Primera Plus" is http://www.flecha-amarilla.com. You can catch the bus to the left of exiting Mexican Customs. Ask one of the porters to take your luggage to the "Caminones a Querétaro. The bus fare is about $20.00.
- Taxi in Querétaro- Upon your arrival to the "Central" in Querétaro (Bus Station), you get in line to purchase a taxi ticket. Please tell the ticket salesperson the address and stress "colonia". As you exit the taxi booth go to your left and exit the door where you will take your taxi. Usually they are lined up. When you board your taxi, please give the exact address to the driver. Once you arrive at the home, please call the Director, Ray Huerta, or Assistant to the Director, Lic Josefina Bravo Rubio.
- Travel Insurance - check with STA Travel located in the Ucen.
- Weather - the rainy season usually runs from May - September; so be prepared to see rain. The weather is warm reaching to 90 degrees but cooler in the evenings.
- Leave a detailed itinerary and the numbers of your passport or other citizenship documents with a friend or relative in the United States
- Carry your photo I.D. and the name of the Director with you in the event of a serious illness or other emergency.
- Keep photocopies of your airline or other tickets and your list of travelers checks with you in a separate location from the originals and leave copies with someone at home.
- Leave things like unnecessary credit cards and expensive jewelry at home.
- Bring travelers checks, not cash.
- Put your name, address and telephone numbers inside and outside of each piece of luggage. Use covered luggage tags to avoid casual observation of your identity or nationality. If possible, lock your luggage.
- Consider getting a telephone calling card.
- Use a money belt or concealed pouch for passport, cash and other valuables.
- You can contact the Consular Affairs home page at http://travel.state.gov to find out information about travel and consular services available.
- Entry to Mexico Requirements: The Government of Mexico requires that all U.S. citizens present proof of citizenship and photo identification for entry into Mexico A U.S. passport is recommended, but other U.S. citizenship documents such as a certified copy of a U.S. birth certificate, a Naturalization Certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or a Certificate of Citizenship are acceptable. U.S. citizens boarding flights to Mexico should be prepared to present one of these documents as proof of U.S. citizenship, along with photo identification. Driver's permits, voter registration cards, affidavits and similar documents are not sufficient to prove citizenship. Make two copies of your passport photo along with a photocopy of your passport information page, airline tickets, driver's license and the credit cards that you plan to bring with you. Leave one photocopy of this data with family or friends at home; pack the other in a place separate from where you carry your valuables. These will be useful to make replacements in the event they are lost of stolen.
- Dual Nationality: Mexican law recognizes dual nationality for Mexicans by birth, meaning those born in Mexico or born abroad to Mexican parents. U.S. citizens who are also Mexican nationals are considered to be Mexican by local authorities. Dual-nationality status could hamper U.S. Government efforts to provide consular protection. Dual nationals are not subject to compulsory military service in Mexico. Travelers possessing both U.S. and Mexican nationalities must carry with them proof of their citizenship of both countries. Under Mexican law, dual nationals entering or departing Mexico must identify themselves as Mexican. For additional information, please see the Consular Affairs home page on the Internet at http://travel.state.gov for the State Department's flyer on Dual Nationality.
- Customs regulations - tourists should enter Mexico with only the items needed for their trip. Unless you prepare ahead, you may have difficulty bringing computers or other expensive electronic equipment into Mexico for your personal use. To prevent being charged an import tax, write a statement about your intention to use the equipment for personal use and to remove it from Mexico when you leave. Have this statement signed and certified at a Mexican consulate in the U.S. and present it to Mexican customs as you enter Mexico. You may go to the U.S. Customs website at www.customs.gov. to find out more information. To avoid problems when passing through customs, keep medicines in their original, labeled containers. Bring copies of your prescriptions and the generic names for the drugs. If a medication is unusual or contains narcotics, carry a letter from your doctor attesting to your need to take the drug. If you have any doubt about the legality of carrying a certain drug into a country, consult the embassy or consulate of that country first.
- Returning to the United States - You must present the pink copy of your tourist card at your point of departure from Mexico. Make certain that you can return to the U.S. with the proof of citizenship that you take with you. The best document to prove your U.S. citizenship is a valid U.S. passport. To find out what The U.S. Customs Service currently permits U.S. citizens returning from international travel to bring back duty free go to their web site at http://www.customs.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/kbyg/ . When you come back, you'll need to declare everything you brought back that you did not take with you when you left the United States. If you are traveling by air or sea, you may be asked to fill out a Customs declaration form. This form is almost always provided by the airline or cruise ship. You will probably find it easier and faster to fill out your declaration form and clear Customs if you do the following: Keep your sales slips! Try to pack the things you'll need to declare separately. Read the signs in the Customs area. They contain helpful information about how to clear Customs. Be aware that under U.S. law, Customs inspectors are authorized to examine luggage, cargo, and travelers. Under the search authority granted to Customs by the U.S. Congress, every passenger who crosses a U.S. border may be searched. To stop the flow of illegal drugs and other contraband into our country, we need your cooperation. If you are one of the very few travelers selected for a search, you will be treated in a courteous, professional, and dignified manner.
- Safety Tips - In an emergency contact the Director of the Program or you can call the Mexican Ministry of Tourism at 91 800-90-392 and from the U.S. 1-800-482-9832. In large cities, take the same precautions against assault, robbery, or pickpockets that you would take in any large U.S. city. To avoid being a target, dress conservatively. Don't wear expensive looking jewelry. A flashy wardrobe or one that is too casual can mark you as a tourist. As much as possible, avoid the appearance of affluence. Avoid handbags, fanny packs and outside pockets that are easy targets for thieves. Inside pockets and a sturdy shoulder bag with the strap worn across your chest are somewhat safer. Keep valuables with you or place in hotel safes when available. Be vigilant in the bus and train stations and on public transport for pickpockets. If your possessions are lost or stolen, report the loss immediately to the local police. Keep a copy of the police report for insurance claims and as an explanation of your plight. After reporting missing items to the police, notify your bank, credit card agency, etc. of the loss.
- Be wary of persons representing themselves as Mexican police or other local officials. There are several types of police in Mexico; so do not be surprised.
- Avoid legal problems - while traveling in Mexico, you are subject to Mexican laws and not U.S. laws. Tourists who commit illegal acts have no special privileges and are subject to full prosecution under the Mexican judicial system.
- Avoid drug offenses - Mexico rigorously prosecutes drug cases. Under Mexican law, possession of and trafficking in illegal drugs are federal offenses. Offenders found guilty of possessing more than a token amount of any narcotic substance are subject to a minimum sentence of 10 years, and it is not uncommon for persons charged with drug offenses to be detained for up to one year before a trial.
What to Bring with you - Bring either a U.S. passport or a certified copy of a birth certificate and photo identification. Travel light and bring comfortable shoes. Querétaro is a walking city. Here is a list of some items you may wish to take with you.
- Your textbooks
- Your student ID
- Your passport/ID
- Sun protection (hat, sunblock, sunburn medicine)
- Sunglasses
- Toiletries
- Basic medicine kit (aspirin, Band-Aids, Imodium, wound disinfectant)
- Earplugs
- Motion sickness pills
- Towel, Bathrobe
- Contraceptives
- Insect repellant
- Umbrella
- Prescription medication (clearly labeled and in original containers)
- Contact lens solution
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Rain gear (raincoat, umbrella etc)
- Rolls of film
- Travel alarm clock
- Backpack for fieldtrips
- Casual, comfortable washable clothes
- Laundry detergent and some twine to use as a drying line
- A mid-weight jacket
- 1 nice outfit (may be needed if you go to a fancy nightclub, disco, or restaurant)
- Women should bring a dress with short sleeves or top with short sleeves and skirt (nothing too short) for visiting churches.
- Men should have a shirt with sleeves and collar and long pants for visiting churches.
- your necessary medications and insect repellent. After the rains there can be mosquitoes; so we stress your having the repellent on hand.
- If you wear glasses, pack an extra pair. Bring them and any medications you need in your carry-on luggage.
