Entering Mexico

The following description is based on regulations active in September 2002. Please check with the authorities if these still apply.


To enter Mexico temporarily you need the following papers:

• Title (lease agreement in your name if the vessel is rented).
• Proof of citizenship or residency in a foreign country.
• Departure clearence from the original point of departure, or similar official document in the event that you enter by sea. OR
• Title for the trailer (or lease agreement in your name if the trailer is rented), in the event that you enter by land.

Procedures when entering Mexico:

• Obtain Tourist Visa (FMT) from the immigration office.
• Obtain from Customs a Temporary import permit for the vessel and trailer.
• Pay $10.00 (in U.S. Currency) with an international credit card, or deposit with the Armed Forces Bank, BANJERCITO, a bond for the value of the vessel (this procedure is applicable only when the vessel enters by sea, if you enter by land the permit for your vehicle will cover your vessel).

In the event you decide to return to your country of origin and leave your vessel in the care of the marina, you must return to the marina at least once a year.

The following requirements apply bringing your boat to Mexico:

If you want to bring into the country a touring motor boat or sailboat more than four and a half meters long (14'-6"), you must comply the following requirements:

If you are going to enter by sea:

• Upon your arrival at the first port of entry in Mexico, go to the immigration office and abtain a Tourist Entry Form for each passanger aboard, if you had not previously obtained this form from a Consulate Office, Mexican Government Tourism Office or Embassy.
• Proceed to customs and obtain a Temporary Import Permit, presenting the following information:
  - Vessel Ownership Title.
  - Document verifying that the vessel's owner resides in a foreign country
  (Tourist Entry Form).
  - International credit card, bond or deposit.

If you are going to enter by land:

• Proceed to the immigration office at the crossing where you enter into the country and obtain your Tourist Entry Form.
• Proceed to customs and obtain a Temporary Vehicle Import Permit, stating on the back of the permit the following information about your vessel:
  - Vessel Ownership Title.
  - Document verifying that the owner of the vessel resides in a foreign country
  (Tourist Entry Form).
  - International credit card, bond or deposit.

It is important to indicate that once you enter the country (whether you came by sea or land) you will be able to proceed to a marina and obtain a form to register your vessel. Once this has been done, remind the marine operator to inform the proper Tax Office for the area where the marina is located, or the Customs office at the port of entry, that your boat is registered at the marina.

If you want to bring into the country a touring motor boat or a sailboat less than four and a half meters long (14"-6"), you must comply with the procedure for temporary import, meeting the following requirements:

• The vessel is the property of a person residing in a foreign country.
• Present identification verifying your nationality and current Tourist Entry Form.

Your motor boat or sailboat can remain in the country for a period authorized in the Tourist Entry form.

Notes:

• In the event that rented sailboats or motor boats are involved, you must present the proper rental agreement in your name.
• The Temporary Import Permit for your car, together with the vessel information will provide legal authorization to enter your vessel into the country until you arrive to a tourist marina.

The following requirements apply bringing your trailer temporarily to Mexico:

• The trailer used to transport your vessel can be imported under two conditions:
  - Tourist Marines Regulations which allows you to leave your trailer in the care of the marina for the length of time you desire.
  - Temporary Immigration Regulations, according to which your trailer can remain in Mexico for the length of your authorized stay.
  You may choose the tourist marine regulations whenever:
• The trailer is your property.
• It is registered with an authorized marina.
• You file through the marina, a notice to the Customs Office or the local tax collection office for the area in which the marina is located, stating that said trailer shall not be taken out of the country while under the care of the marina.
• You should take into account that trailers brought into the country according to tourist marinas regulations can only travel within the national territory while transporting said vessel, therefore, if the trailer leaves the country, so must the vessel.

In the event you want to leave your vessel int the care of a marina, but want to leave with your trailer, all you need to do is leave the vessel in the care of the marina meeting all the tourist marina regulations, and bring the trailer under the temporary import regulations, which allows trailers to be in the country for one month, having to be taken out of the country after that period of time.

The following requirements apply to sail in Mexican waters:

Upon your arrival in Mexico, if you want to sail from one port to another, even if you do not leave the country, you need to have the proper arrival and departure clearances:

Arrivals:

Coastal Sailaing:

• Departure clearance from the port of origin or any other legal document verifying the vessel's point of departure.

Open Sea Sailing:

• Departure clearance from the port of origin or any other legal document verifying the vessel's point of departure.
• A Health Permit, whenever so required by the proper authority, taking into account the vessel's original point of departure.
  Check with your nearest Consulate to make sure this regulation applies to you.

Departures:

To authorize the departure of your vessel to a marina or port you need:

• Sailing within the same port:
  A verbal agreement from the Harbor Master or his representative.

Coastal Sailing:

• Special form for departure clearance.
• Inspection Certificate from the vessel's country of origin or similar document to verify it.
• Verification that there are no accounts pending at the marina.
• A Health Permit, whenever so required by the proper authority, taking into account the vessel's original point of departure.
• Check with your nearest Consulate to make sure this regulation applies to you.

The following requirements apply for renting a vessel while in the care of the Tourist Marina:

Tourist marinas can market for profit the vessel you left in their care as long as the following requirements are met:

• The recreational yachts or sailboats left in their care are 4.5 meters long (14'-6") or larger.
• The vessel is marketed through the tourist marina itself or a third party, who together with the owner of the vessel, is responsible for all fiscal obligations.
• The tourist marina or authorized third party has entered into a rental agreement with the owner of the vessel.
• These vessels may not be marketed without the required permits issued by the Ministry of Treasury and the Ministry of Communications and Transportation.

Xcalak

Xcalak is the entry point for Mexico from the south Caribbean. Xcalak can be recognized by the wind generators on the south side of town.

There are two passes in the reef. The southern pass is to be preferred to enter Xcalak because this pass is the deepest of the two. Take the north side of this pass, on the south side there large coral heads. Entering Xcalak can be done on a coarse of 238 degrees. On the approach the two lighthouses have to be in line.

On arrival visit the port Captain Jorge Ivan Avila Morales to enter Xcalak clear customs. The port captain can be found on the north side of town just past the navy base The port captain can be contacted on VHF channel 16. You need to present a copy of the crew list. The port captain will sign your cruising zarp.




To clear customs visit the immigration office on the south side of town The immigration office can be found next to the football field. See the immigration section of the community pages for the guidelines on immigration. During your visit you can be inspected by the navy.




For further information on Xcalak we refer to the visitors and community pages on this site.

The distances to the local destinations are:
65 NM to Bahia del Esperitu Santo
29 NM to Punta Pulticub
24 NM to Ubero
16 NM to Mahahual (Majahual)
24 NM to San Pedro (Belize)

Mahahual (Majahual)

Mahahual (Majahual) just completed the new pier to receive cruise ships. The new port of Mahahual (Majahual) is called Puerto Costa Maya. You can find more information on their Internet site: http://www.puertocostamaya.com

Banco Chinchorro

Banco Chinchorro is the largest atoll on the Northern hemisphere. It lies 18 NM off shore. It is about 26 miles by 6.5 to 9.5 miles. The atoll has three cays: Cayo Lobos, Cayo Centro and Cayo Norte (actually two Cays).

Anchoring at Banco Chinchorro can be done best at Cay Norte, inside the atoll. Or at Cayo Lobos on the south side of the atoll.
The entry to the anchoring location of Cayo Norte is 132 degrees. The clearance is approx. 10 feet or less. The approach from Xcalak to the anchoring location at Cayo Lobos is 76 degrees. The depth is varying a lot therefore the approach has to been with great care and only in good weather conditions.

For more details on Banco Chinchorro check the Banco Chinchorro section of the visitors pages.

Chetumal

Chetumal is the capital of the state of Quintana Roo. It is located on the banks of the river Rio Hondo.

The port captain and the immigration office are located at the base of the commercial pier. On the south side of the pier there is a depth of 6 feet, on the west side there is a depth of 3 feet.


Chetumal can be reached through the Bahia the Chetumal through Belizian waters or trough the new dug Canal the Zaragoza.

For more details on Chetumal check the Chetumal section of the visitors pages.

Miscellaneous

Entering Belize at San Pedro:
Report at the immigration office located in the Galleria Bldg. If you arrive during working hours you should check in there. Otherwise go to the police station, located on the beach in the middle of town. If you are in a larger vessel you should anchor, raise a "Q" flag and radio to the yacht club on CH16 for clearance.



You can find maps and guides at http://www.bluewaterweb.com