Hi -

Can any one help the inexperienced international travel?

We are flying to Mexico in a couple of days. We fly from chicago to mexico city (through houston) on continental and then change to Aeromexico to fly to Ixtapa. Can we check our luggage all the way through or will we have to pick up our luggage in Mexico City, go through customs and then check in? We only have an hour and a half layover. Also, since they are now predicting a winter storm for the day we are leaving, what do we need to know if we get delayed out of Chicago and miss our flight in Mexico City?

Coming back, we fly Mexicana to Mexico City and then Continental from there on out.

Do we need to take any identity documentation other than Drivers licenses and birth certificates? Since my last name is different from my name on my birth certificate, should I take a copy of the marriage certificate indicating that change?

Does anyone know if we can change money at the Ixtapa airport or can we change some at O'Hare before leaving?

Thanks for your help!!!

You can change money at Xtapa.

As far as flight delays, bring a pillow and blanket.

Don't know about the checked baggage, depends on how the flight is ticketed I would imagine.


Have fun on your vacation!!!

I think you might need a US passport to get into Mexico, I am not sure, I have a Mexican passport so I don't have to worry about that

But I am pretty sure that you have to claim your luggage and go through customs

You don't need a passport persay.... just 'proof of citizenship' which means a birth certificate and drivers license, you should be fine with that.

I'd just get the passport.

I've gone to Mexico w/o a passport with no problems... went a few times in fact.

AmyBEMT,

Unless this was a last minute trip, you should have purchased a passport.

I would say yes. You should always be accurately documented.

You don't need a passport to get into Mexico, as I've seen plenty of people using their drivers license and birth certificate while going to Cancun. I cringe at the thought of using my drivers license as documentation.

I personally would never travel internationally without a passport, even to Mexico.

Since you are flying from ORD on a domestic flight, I would think that there would be no money exchange counters. However, I never fly CO so I can't say for sure.

There may be one in IAH depending on your gate.

Since Mexico City is your first stop in Mexico, you'll clear Mexican immigration at the International terminal from your Continental flight.

I suspect that since your connecting Aeromexico flight is a domestic flight, you'll probably have to collect your bags in Mexico City, go through customs, then hike to the domestic terminal to recheck them. There are licensed porters waiting for passengers as they come out of the international arrivals customs area; pick one, let him load up your bags on his handtruck, and tell him you want to go to Aeromexico. Tip the porter a dollar or two a bag (US currency is fine for this purpose but not coins since they can't be easily exchanged).