Passports and Visas

206 Tours recommends that your PASSPORT is valid up to 6 months after your return flight.

If you have not yet obtained your passport, or just noticed that it will be valid 0 months after your return, URGENTLY contact your local passport office and apply for an expedited passport or passport renewal. A visa is not required for U.S. citizens to enter Mexico.

For those who hold a passport from a foreign country, please be advised that it is the passenger’s responsibility to reconfirm if any visas are required. You can find information on the US embassy in Mexico here.

Currency

The Peso (MXN) is the currency of Mexico, though the US dollar is widely accepted.

For most current exchange rates please visit www.xe.com. This website provides “pure” exchange rates. Pure rates do not include bank fees.

FreeCurrencyRates.com

Money

Bring small bills
Bring $50 cash in $1 Bills
Bring $50 cash in $5 Bills

For bathroom stops, to buy a candle, or to leave donations at churches. If you bring high denominations its hard to get change.

Where can I exchange money?

• Your Bank – Visit your bank before traveling for the best exchange rate
• Airports – there will be a convenience fee
• Major banks at the destination – there will be a small exchange fee
• ATM Machine – while in Mexico, an ATM machine is the most practical and cost-effective option. Utilizing your ATM card or debit card, you can also get cash advances on your credit card at an ATM, but there will be high fees.

ATMs in Mexico
ATMs, known as ABMs (automatic banking machines) in Mexico can be found just about everywhere and are accessible 24 hours a day. Most offer English as a language option. Be sure to find out your daily withdrawal limit before you depart. Keep in mind: Many banks impose a fee when a card is used at a different bank’s ATM, and this fee may be higher for international transactions (up to $5 or more). For international withdrawal fees please check with your bank prior to departure. Additionally, the bank from which you withdraw cash may charge its own fee.

Can I use my credit card in Mexico?
Yes! We highly recommend using your credit card as it offers convenience, reasonable exchange rates, and security (you can cancel them if they are lost!). Visa and Mastercard are the best options, as they are accepted in most stores and restaurants.

IMPORTANT: Before you leave, inform your bank and credit card companies that you will be traveling in Mexico so that they do not flag, block, or suspend your account due to international transactions.

How much money should I bring?
This is totally subjective based on how much you’d like to spend on souvenirs and on the meals not included. Refer to the itinerary for your particular pilgrimage and budget how much money you would like to spend on these two things. Keep in mind how many meals you will be responsible for, and how much room you have in your luggage for souvenirs. Then utilize the exchange rate calculator above. We generally recommend you bring at least 100 dollars per person (keep 50 USD with you and 50 USD in your checked bag).

TIP: Get your Pesos in small bills, as it is harder to get change at churches and convenience stores if you pay in large bills.

How does tipping work?
Tips are an important part of earnings for your guides and bus drivers. While tips for provided meals, local guides, porters, etc. are included, tips to your 206 Tours guide and driver are not. Tips to your guide and driver are up to your discretion. Please use the tip envelopes provided with your travel documents.

When do I give the guide/driver their tip envelopes?
We suggest you tip the tour guide and bus driver the day prior to your return. We provide labeled tip envelopes within your final documents package.

How much should I give?
Tip according to your discretion and satisfaction level. Tipping in local currency is preferred, but they will gladly accept US dollars as well. We recommend an amount per person/per day below.

Do I tip the spiritual director?
This is not required, but some pilgrims choose to give a small gift or donation.

Tips

Although you should tip according to your satisfaction level, the following amounts are recommended. The tip envelopes are included in your final documents package.

Tipping in Mexico:
Tipping in Mexico is very similar to the US. Tipping is not mandatory but generally expected. Service providers rely on tips to add to their wages, and a tip in the 15% range is perfectly acceptable.

In hotels, tips to the porters and chambermaids are included. If you are using a taxi on your own, drivers should be given a tip of 10-20% of the metered fare.

If your group has completely free days and the guide only sees you for a couple of hours or during dinner time, it is really up to you what you want to tip them. Normally most clients calculate a total amount of tips for the guide and driver for total days serviced. Keep in mind that when the tour guide works less hours one day, it normally compensates for the days with longer hours.

U.S. Customs

U.S. citizens who have been to Mexico for more than two days may return to the United States with up to $800 worth of merchandise duty-free. For those who wish to bring more home with them, a flat rate of 3% duty is levied on the next $1,000 worth of purchases. It’s a good idea to retain the receipts from your purchases should they be requested by a customs inspector upon your return to the United States. For more details please visit the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel.

Value Added Tax (VAT) Refund

There is a 16% value added tax on most goods and services in Mexico. At retail stores, this tax is always already included in the price. Upon making a purchase of 200 dollars or more at a gift store that has an agreement with the VAT authorities, you should acquire a refund document at the store and have it stamped. You will be eligible, upon presenting the form and the item at the airport, for a 16% refund at the airport prior to departure. You must be over 18 years old and you must present a passport to receive the refund. Tourist services (such as hotel accommodations and meals taken in hotels) paid with foreign currency are exempt from VAT tax.

How to Get Your VAT Refund:

After you spend the required minimum amount of 200 dollars at a participating retailer, ask for your détaxe papers. If you’re considering a major purchase, ask the store policy before you get too involved or be willing to waive your right to the refund. Fill out the forms before you arrive at the airport for departure to the U.S. . Be sure to have the forms stamped at the airport customs desks. The customs official may ask to see your purchases, so it’s best to pack them in your carry­-on bag. You can either get paid immediately at the refund booth at the airport, or mail in the approved form.

TIP: Mark the paperwork to request that your refund be applied to your credit card, so you aren’t stuck with a check in Pesos. Even if you made the purchase in cash, you can still get the refund on a credit card. This ensures the best rate of exchange.

What to Pack

The attire during the course of your journey should be conservative and comfortable. When packing for your upcoming pilgrimage, keep in mind that your knees and shoulders should be covered upon entering holy sites. Your clothing should not be revealing. This is out of respect for the local norms and customs as well as for the other pilgrims. We recommend that female pilgrims carry a wrap or a wide skirt in their backpack so that they can put it on over their clothes when entering a church or a holy site.

Suggested Clothing:

• For Winter, early Spring, and late Fall: be sure to back a warm jacket, a hat, scarf and gloves. Just in case.
• For Summer, late Spring, and early Fall: Bring a sunhat and plenty of loose-fitting clothing.
• Bottoms: comfortable pants or skirts no shorter than knee-length
• Tops: long or short sleeve tees, blouses, button-downs, polos, or sweaters that are seasonally appropriate. Shoulders should be covered for both men and women.
• Layers: undershirts, light sweaters, or cardigans are great for layering in the cooler mornings and evenings, even in the Summer.
• Jacket: a weatherproof rain jacket or all-weather jacket is great to have.
• Socks, undergarments, pajamas, belt, hat, scarf (large light fabric scarf if needed to cover shoulders), sunglasses, etc.
• Accessories: wallet, purse, etc.
• Mid-summer advice: carry a small bottle of water in your hand luggage, and make sure to drink more water than usual, as you will be outside and walking a lot. Avoid eating too much ice-cream and reduce the amount of ice in drinks.
• A small battery-operated fan may be useful in warm weather.

TIP: Count the number of days you are traveling. You can always wear pants or shirts twice.

Don’t forget your most comfortable shoes. This is the most important clothing item to pack. Your feet will thank you!

Wheelchair Assistance (Within Airports)
During registration pilgrims are offered several options for wheelchair assistance, including gate-to-gate assistance or all the way through to the seat. If you’ve made a wheelchair request, 206 Tours will secure this service for you and it will be included in your airline documents. An airport representative will meet you at the check-in desk to assist you.

Mexico is based on a myriad of old buildings, and there are split levels and uneven surfaces everywhere; please watch your step! Due to the structure of old buildings, access to some establishments may not be convenient for wheelchair use, and facilities for the disabled in general may be limited. Many areas are pedestrian only and have cobblestones. High-heeled shoes are not suitable for cobblestone streets; rubber-soled walking shoes are recommended. Many streets in Mexico are narrow, and due to strict traffic regulations, the buses are not always permitted to drop groups off directly in front of their destination. Please be prepared to walk.

What should I wear on the plane?
Wear loose-fitting clothing on the day of your flight to ensure comfort and to make it easier to sleep on the plane. You may want to pack a pair of slippers in your carry-on or wear slip-off shoes. If not, make sure your shoes are lace-up or flexible, as foot swelling is common on long flights.

Shopping

Will there be time to shop?
Yes, limited time has been set aside during your pilgrimage for shopping! Stores are open daily Monday to Saturday. (Some souvenir shops open on Sunday but just souvenir shops). Ask your tour escort where you are able to purchase regional specialty products which the countries/cities in your itinerary are known for. Small, light items that you can easily carry home make splendid and festive gifts. Don’t forget to buy something nice for yourself too. There will be shops for you to purchase walking and hiking gear. Whenever traveling abroad, be aware of your personal belongings when shopping in crowded areas. If you purchase a video or DVD, please check very carefully that it is compatible with your home viewing system. Sales tax or VAT (value added tax) is already included on price tags.

TIP: When shopping, use your credit card. That will secure your product, and if anything goes wrong you can claim it accordingly.

Gift shops at a shrine/church/basilica: cash only
Some holy sites have small gift shops run by clergy. At these shops, all proceeds are donated to the upkeep of the site. Often credit cards are not accepted. For these reasons, be sure to have cash on hand.

What if I purchase something that is big/heavy/fragile?
Arrangements can be made at the shop or hotel to have items shipped to your home.

What should I avoid when shopping abroad?
High-traffic areas, especially known tourist attractions, can be common places for pickpockets. Always be aware of your personal belongings when shopping in crowded areas. Try not to take out your money/credit cards in public areas, except at the time of making a purchase.

Hotels Accommodations

What type of hotels are we staying in?
206 Tours uses first-class four-star hotels throughout all of our pilgrimages. These hotels have all of the amenities you have at home. All rooms are equipped with a private bathroom, mini-bar items, and access to paid TV channels at your own expense. Rooms will also provide towels. While most hotels do offer a hair dryer in the bathroom as well as basic toiletries, we strongly recommend that you bring an adequate supply with you and any items you consider necessary.

Single travelers sharing a room will have two (2) twin beds in their hotel room, while a couple will have one double bed in their room (king or queen).

TIP: Feel free to look at the websites of the hotels listed on our website and in your digital confirmation email. There you can view pictures, videos, and details about the properties.

Can we bring laptops / iPads?
Feel free to bring them with you as all of the hotels have complimentary WiFi available. However, we advise that you refrain from doing work on your pilgrimage as much as possible, as your days will be very busy and you will need your sleep at night. We hope you take advantage of the opportunity to disconnect and focus on growing in your faith.

Useful travel links:

Airline Tracker: www.flightarrivals.com
Currency Converter: www.xe.com
Department of Homeland Security: www.dhs.gov
Embassies: www.usembassy.gov
International Health Information: www.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/list
Language Translation: translate.google.com
Physical Disabilities Information: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/before-you-go/travelers-with-special-considerations/traveling-with-disabilties.html
Smart Traveler Enrollment Program: step.state.gov/step
Time Around the World: www.time.gov
Transportation Security Administration: www.tsa.gov
Trusted Traveler www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs
US Customs: cbp.gov
US State Department Travel Warnings: www.travel.state.gov