Riviera Maya Travel Requirements Eased

The U.S. Departments of State and Homeland Security have announced that U.S. citizens traveling to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda who have applied for but not yet received passports can nevertheless temporarily enter and depart from the United States by air with a government issued photo identification and Department of State official proof of application for a passport through September 30, 2007. The federal government is making this accommodation for air travel due to longer than expected processing times for passport applications in the face of record-breaking demand.

Adults who have applied for but not yet received a passport should present government-issued photo identification and an official proof of application from the U.S. Department of State. Children under the age of 16 traveling with their parents or legal guardian will be permitted to travel with the child’s proof of application. Travelers who have not applied for a passport should not expect to be accommodated. U.S. citizens with pending passport applications can obtain proof of application at: http://travel.state.gov.

This accommodation does not affect entry requirements to other countries. Americans traveling to a country that requires passports must still present those documents.

Since implementation, U.S. Customs and Border Protection has and will continue to exercise its current authorities in unique circumstances to allow individuals subject to the WHTI requirements into the United States based on other evidence of identity and citizenship.

Travel document security remains a top priority for the U.S. Government. Both the 9/11 Commission and the U.S. Congress urged strengthening of travel documents to prevent entry of terrorists across our borders, reduce use of fraudulent documents, and speed up entry procedures.

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Riviera Maya Hotels
Airport Transportation
Tours & Activities
Riviera Maya Guidebook

NEWS FLASH - New Documentation Requirements

Each passenger desiring transportation across any international boundary is responsible for obtaining all necessary travel documents and for complying with the laws of each country flown from, through or into which he or she desires transportation as stated in Rule 19 of the Contract of Carriage. Passport, visa and health requirements are provided on continental.com as a courtesy and should be verified before travel.


U.S. federal legislation requires that all commercial air carriers operating international flights to the U.S. submit the citizenship status and the visiting address for all passengers who are non-U.S. citizens and non-residents to U.S. Customs and Border Protection before travel commences. You will be expected to provide this information at the airport.
Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative

Due to a change in U.S. law, effective Jan. 23, 2007, all customers, regardless of citizenship or age, must hold a valid passport to travel by air to/from the U.S.

This is a change from prior travel requirements which in many cases allowed travel with a driver's license or birth certificate. The goal is to strengthen border security and facilitate entry into the United States for U.S. citizens and legitimate foreign visitors. Review the complete details.

In addition, each passenger desiring transportation across any international boundary is responsible for obtaining all necessary travel documents and for complying with the laws of each country flown from, through or into which he or she desires transportation as stated in Rule 19 of the Contract of Carriage.

Passport, visa and health requirements are provided on continental.com as a courtesy and should be verified by the passenger before travel.

More:
Riviera Maya Hotels
Airport Transportation
Tours & Activities
Riviera Maya Guidebook

Important Reminder: Passports Required for Mexico

Starting January 8, 2007, all U.S. citizens (including children) traveling to Mexico by air will be required to have a valid passport prior to travel. The new regulation is part of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative and is part of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act.

The goal of the change is to improve border security and facilitate re-entry into the U.S. for all citizens.

In the past, Americans needed only a driver’s license and birth certificate to go back and forth between the U.S. and Mexico and most Caribbean islands. Children needed just birth certificates. As of January 8, however, passports will be required for almost everyone entering the U.S. through airports, no matter where they are coming from.

If you are traveling out of the country (to the Riviera Maya or anywhere else in Mexico) and returning to the U.S. any time after January 8, 2007, you must have a passport.

More:
Cancun Visitors Bureau statement
How to get a passport
State Department statement
Riviera Maya Hotels
Airport Transportation
Tours & Activities
Riviera Maya Guidebook