ZOCO SURFING ADVENTURES

SURFING HOLIDAYS IN MEXICO

HEALTH & SAFETY

For the most current information on immunizations and heath risks, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) maintains an international travelers hotline at 1-888-232-3228 and a travel health home page at www.cdc.gov/travel.

For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad, consult the World Health Organization’s web site. Further health information for travelers is available on the World Health Organization’s International Travel and Health page at www.who.int/ith.

For visitors coming directly from the United States, no immunization certification is required to enter Mexico. If you are traveling from a part of the world infected with yellow fever, a vaccination certificate is required.

Malaria
Malaria is found in some rural areas of Mexico, particularly those near the southwest coast. Travelers to malarial areas should consult their physician. These preventative drugs are not considered necessary for travelers to the major resort areas on the Pacific and Gulf coasts, travelers to those areas should use insect repellent and take other personal protection measures to reduce contact with mosquitoes, particularly from dusk to dawn when malaria transmission is most likely.  Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats, and, use insect repellents that contain DEET.

Altitude sickness
In high altitude areas, such as Mexico City, most people need a short adjustment period. Spend the first few days in a leisurely manner, with a light diet and reduced intake of alcohol. Avoid strenuous activity, including everything from sports to rushing up the stairs. Reaction signs to high altitude are lack of energy, a tendency to tire easily, shortness of breath, occasional dizziness, and insomnia.

Heat Exhaustion
Mexico is very, very hot in places. If you're walking around in the sunshine, take bottled water with you and keep hydrated at all times. Wear a hat!    Salt deficiency is another problem - as you sweat, your body excretes the salt is needs. Tiredness, headaches and muscle cramps can happen through salt deficiency. Add some salt to your food if you don't normally do this at home; consider taking some salt tablets (you can buy these at any local pharmacy). 

Water
Drink only bottled water or water that has been boiled for 20 minutes. Beware of ice cubes that may not have been made with purified water.

Fruit and Veg
Vegetables and fruits should be peeled or washed in a purifying solution. If you can’t peel it or cook it, do NOT eat it. 

Medical Facilities

Medical facilities in Mexico differ from those in the United States. Adequate medical care can be found in all major cities. There are some excellent health facilities in Mexico City. Some remote areas or coastal islands may have few or no medical facilities. For these reasons, in addition to medical insurance that you can use in Mexico, consider obtaining insurance or joining a medical assistance program to cover the very high cost of medical evacuation in the event of an accident or serious illness.

Useful information on medical emergencies abroad, including overseas insurance programs are listed in our publication, Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad, accessible at travel.state.gov/.

Safety

Violent crime against travellers is very rare in Mexico. Petty crime (e.g. pick pocketing, bag grabbing) can be an issue in some areas. Common sense and being alert to your surroundings will minimise any risks.

Mexico's main colonial cities, beach towns and resorts are very safe places to visit. Crime is low, there is a real community spirit in them, and very violent crimes are rare even among locals.

Some popular coastal locations have been susceptible to odd incidents involving foreign visitors; authorities in Mexico's tourist areas especially are extremely keen to stamp out trouble, and cases of crime are taken seriously, often with measures implemented to avoid future re-occurrences (e.g. extra security, more lighting, etc.). Dress modestly, act naturally, be yourself. Most journeys through Mexico are trouble-free.

In an Emergency call (55) 5250-0123, the 24-hour hotline of the Mexican Ministry of Tourism. They also have two toll free numbers: if calling within Mexico (01) 800-903-9200 and from the U.S. 1-800-482-9832. The hotline is for immediate assistance but it provides general, non-emergency guidance as well. It is an important number to keep with you.

In large cities, take the same precautions against assault, robbery, or pickpockets that you would take in any large U.S. or European city. Be aware that women and small children, as well as men, can be pickpockets or purse snatchers. Keep your money in an inner front pocket; carry your purse tucked securely under your arm; and wear the shoulder strap of your camera or bag across your chest. To guard against thieves on motorcycles, walk away from the curb and carry your purse away from the street.

Some general common sense tips:
• Leave valuables and irreplaceable items in a safe place.
• Make use of hotel safes when available.
• Watch for pickpockets in bus and train stations and on public transport.On • Do not leave your belongings on the beach while you are swimming.
• Keep your passport and other valuables in the hotel safe.
• Do not use pools or beaches without lifeguards (if you do use caution).
• Take warning flags on the beach seriously. If black flags are up, don't enter.
• Avoid excessive speed and, if at all possible, do not drive at night.
• Never sleep in vehicles along the road.
• Do not, under any circumstances, pick up hitchhikers
• Avoid wearing obviously expensive jewelry or designer clothing
• Carry only the cash or credit cards that will be needed on each outing.

Water Sports Equipment
Take care when hiring services involving aquatic sports equipment in Mexico, especially SCUBA diving, parasailing and jet skis. With SCUBA Diving, ensure that the firm your are dealing with is fully qualified, established and has a good reputation locally. Some parasailing units move from beach to beach, selling services to people sunbathing and relaxing on the sands - beware - they may not be safe. Some hotels are beginning to warn their guests off these services due to previous accidents; ask locally for advice - also ask locally if you are unsure about any jet ski rental outfits.

GREEN ANGELS

It is wise to bring an extra fan belt, fuses and other spare parts.  Pack a basic first-aid kit and carry an emergency water supply in your vehicle. Unleaded gasoline (magna sin) is generally available throughout Mexico.
If you have an emergency while driving, call the Ministry of Tourism’s hotline or (55) 5250-8221, extension 130/297, to obtain help from the 'Green Angels' a fleet of radio dispatched trucks with bilingual crews. Services include protection, medical first aid, mechanical aid for your car, and basic supplies. You will not be charged for services, only for parts, gas, and oil. The Green Angels patrol daily, from dawn until sunset. If you are unable to call them, pull off the road and lift the hood of your car; chances are good they will find you.

Case of Emergency

Call (55) 5250-0123, the 24-hour hotline of the Mexican Ministry of Tourism. They also have a national toll free number: (01) 800-903-9200.  You can also call the Mexican “911”: in Mexico City, dial 060; in the rest of Mexico, dial 066.  In Mexico City, dial 5346-8733, 8730, 8154, 8734 for police with English translators.

Mexican Red Cross: 5395-1111, 5557-5758, 5557-5759, or 5557-5760.  While the service is free, the Red Cross does request that patients give a donation. The Red Cross ambulance will deliver the patient to the nearest Red Cross hospital, which provides basic care. The patient may then choose to be taken to one of the private hospital.

HOW TO MAKE SURE YOU STAY OUT OF A MEXICAN JAIL

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. For drug trafficking, bail does not exist. Convicted offenders can expect lengthy jail sentences and fines. Sentences for possession of drugs in Mexico can be as long as 25 years plus fines. Possession of excessive amounts of a psychotropic drug such as Valium can result in your arrest if the authorities suspect abuse. Mexican law does not differentiate between types of narcotics. Heroin, marijuana, and amphetamines, for example, are treated the same. Offenders found guilty of possessing more than a token amount of any narcotic substance are subject to a minimum sentence of 10 months in prison, and it is not uncommon for persons charged with drug offenses to be detained for up to 1 year before a verdict is reached.

Remember, if narcotics are found in your vehicle, you are subject to arrest and your vehicle can be confiscated.

Avoid public drunkenness
It is against the law to be drunk in public in Mexico. Certain border towns have become impatient with teenage (and older) Americans who cross the border to drink. This behavior can lead to fights, arrests, traffic accidents and even fatalities.

WARNING ON FIREARMS
In Mexico, the possession of firearms, exposed or concealed, is against the law and carries a mandatory jail sentence. It’s a federal crime for anyone to bring into México:
• Firearms, cartridges, bullet clips, explosives, chemical substances associated with weapons, ammunition, munitions, and other weapons.

Beware of Shopping for Wildlife and Wildlife Products

Beware of purchasing souvenirs made from endangered wildlife. Mexican markets and stores abound with wildlife, most of it prohibited from international traffic. You risk confiscation and a possible fine by U.S. Customs and Border Protection if you attempt to import virtually any wildlife from Mexico. In particular, watch out for and avoid:
• All products made from sea turtles, incl. turtle leather boots, tortoise-shell jewelry, & sea turtle oil cosmetics
• Fur from spotted cats
• Mexican birds, stuffed or alive, i.e/ parrots, parakeets, or birds of prey
• Crocodile and caiman leather
• Black coral jewelry
• Wildlife curios, such as stuffed iguanas
• Antiquities: Mexico considers all pre-Colombian objects to be the 'inalienable property of the Nation' and that the unauthorized export of such objects is theft and is punishable by arrest, detention and judicial prosecution. Under U.S. law, to import pre-Colombian monumental and architectural sculpture and murals, you must present proof that they were legally exported from the country of origin. U.S. law does not prohibit the import of nonmonumental or nonarchitectural artifacts from Mexico.