Important things you must know:

	Visitors from the U.S. need a valid passport or must present an original birth certificate and photo ID. Travelers from other countries may need a visa. After proof of citizenship has been verified, you will receive a free Mexican Tourist Card, which you must keep with you at all times when in Mexico. This permit must be given to officials upon departure. If you lose your Mexican Tourist Card you can obtain a copy or permission to leave the country from the local Immigration Office.
	Make your reservations as soon as possible.  This enables you to acquire the best prices for advanced booking for your airline, airport transportation, car rental and hotel reservations.
	Do not bring to Mexico any kind of fruits, meat, ham or prepared dishes, guns and drugs. After you pass the custom you'll be stopped at a last checkpoint to verify your declaration and baggage checkout. If you are transporting illegal items they will be confiscated by the government, eventually you can be taken to jail if you are transporting guns or drugs.
	Things to Do in advance:
	Arrange for pet care or boarding.
	If boarding, be sure your pets have any necessary shots / vaccinations.
	Arrange to have the lawn cut.
	Ask a neighbor or friend to keep an eye on things and to pick up any dropped off, advertisements or leaflets, etc. left at your door or on your driveway.
	Be sure that you will have enough prescription medicine. Order if required.
	Planning to rent a car? Check your auto insurance to see if you're fully covered where you're going. You may not need that supplemental insurance offered by the rental company.
	Buy extras you might need.
	Sun Screen blocker
	Entertainment for the kids or yourself during travel time.
	Camera.
	Camera batteries.
	Camera film.

Things to Do When You Are Almost Ready to Leave:

	Stop the mail.
	Stop the newspaper.
	Update voicemail at work with absence notification.
	Update e-mail at work with auto reply absence notification.
	Get money and/or traveler's checks.
	Pay upcoming bills that can't wait.
	Put name and destination phone number or destination address in luggage. Don't put the address of your vacant home.
	Remove non-essentials from wallet or purse. (Sadly while you take a holiday, crime does not.)
	Record phone numbers for reporting lost or stolen credit cards or debit cards and put them in a location other than your purse or wallet.
	Record emergency phone numbers to leave with neighbors, relatives, or pet boarding facilities.

Don't Forget to Bring:

	Confirmation printout of any online reservation for airline, car or hotel.
	Passport, driver's license or bith certificate.
	Prescription medicine.
	Contact lenses, lens case, and extra solutions.
	Extra eyeglasses or lens prescription.
	Umbrella or raingear.
	Camera.
	Proof of purchase of  expensive camera equipment can avoid customs problems.
	Hint: Bring a bag for dirty clothes
	Hint: If you plan to bring back souvenirs, leave some room for them in your luggage.

As You're Leaving:

	Close and lock all windows
	Unplug small appliances (toaster, can opener, coffee maker, and TV's.)
	Turn off water to external faucets.
	Turn off water to washing machine.
	Did you want your A/C or heat On or Off?
	Turn on your house alarm system.