rpleger - 7-8-2009 at 09:01 AM
Traveling to Mexico to become easier
By Denise Holley
Published Tuesday, July 7, 2009 10:09 AM MDT
Mexico will give travelers a break this summer and make it easier to cross the border from June 26 through Aug. 31 with its "Programa Paisano Verano
2009."
The effort aims to allow Mexican nationals and tourists to enter and travel in Mexico without delays or problems, according to the Mexican Consulate
in Phoenix.
"This program is intended for paisanos (Mexicans living in the United States), but tourists can take advantage of it, too," said Mario Figueroa,
deputy Mexican consul in Nogales.
During the program, travelers may bring up to $300 in merchandise to Mexico without paying import taxes, Figueroa said. But that exemption does not
apply to items such as alcohol or tobacco.
The government is trying to make driving in Mexico safer, Figueroa said. "There are more boots on the ground watching the roads and patrolling the
highways."
Travelers may pick up a free guidebook in Spanish titled "Guia Paisano" at any Mexican consulate to learn what items they can bring to Mexico,
documents they will need, and how to bring a vehicle into the country.
In Nogales, the consulate is at 571 N. Grand Ave.
For more information, call (877) 210- 9469 or visit www.paisano. gob.mx.