Visitor Q & A
If you have a question about Chichen Itza, the Maya, or Yucatan travel, e-mail it to questions@americanegypt.com.
Mosquitos
May 13, 2007
How bad are the mosquitoes in Yucatan? Will we need to douse ourselves in repellent every day?
I live in Dallas (for too long now). We have mosquitos here nearly 10 months of the year. Dallas mosquitos are real pests. They pursue you, take big bites, and some how can slip into the house with ease.
The mosquitos in northern Yucatan - especially in Merida - are smaller and less aggressive than the ones in Dallas. They just do not seem to chase you down as much. In the countryside of Yucatan, however, you can encounter swarms of hungry ones - as found in Minnesota and parts of Canada for example.
Yucatan mosquitos do not carry malaria. They can carry dengue fever, west nile virus, etc. No different than mosquitos most places -- there is disease in all parts of the world.
On the coast/beaches, there are things called "no-see-ums" which are tiny biting flies. From all reports, they really hurt and itch!
As for using repellent, mostly it depends on your tolerance. I use some mosquito repellent around my ankles, because that is where they annoy me most. The city mosquitos seem to be little. The country mosquitos are bigger and more persistent. When in country such as when you visit Chichen Itza, other ruins or the countryside, repellent is more necessary.
I just use normal OFF repellent. I do notlike the idea of DEET on me all day and night, so I only put a little pump spray on my ankles (over my pants, socks and shoes). Then when I go to bed, most of the DEET comes off when I undress. (my! How personal these things get!) heehe .
| Answer byYucatanChris | Categories: General | Posted by SiteAdmin |
Customs
May 11, 2007
How strict are customs officials at airports when it comes to bringing in merchandise? I have some friends in Yucatan and would like to bring them some stuff.
A few years ago, when entering Merida or Cancun by air, you only had to pass a Customs Traffic Signal. You pushed the button, and if you got a green light, your bags were not searched by customs. Today every single bag coming in is X-rayed before the Traffic Signal. They will know if there is something unusual in your bags.
The sign says the X-ray is an "agricultural inspection" (or it did), but I think they are probably watching for guns, ammunition or dangerous items being brought into the country. Mexico is under a lot of pressure not to allow terrorists to enter, then sneak across the border along with the undocumented workers. So, and this is my theory only - no one has said so, I think they are watching who comes IN much more closely.
And, of course, there is the usual metal detector and carry-on X-ray before you get on the plane. But for Mexico to X-ray all incoming bags, when they have already been searched by the TSA in the US before being loaded into the luggage compartment... well, they are watching out for something more than sunflower seed imports.
Just a mention: Assuming your friends are Yucatecans or Mexicans, they are citizens. While they may get into trouble (or maybe not), they will always be permitted into the country. They may be fined, or whatever, for violating the law, but they can always go to their house at the end of the day.
Foreigners, not being citizens, are guests in Mexico and do not have to be allowed into the country - ever - at any time. That is what the word "Guests" means. Guests can be uninvited. Just a word to the wise.
Declare your goods and pay your honest due.
| Answer byYucatanChris | Categories: General | Posted by SiteAdmin |
