BeyondBorderstheYucatan

Helpful Links:

• How to apply for a Passport [appoximately $110 in fees for Passport Book,
  students must present UMA a copy of valid Passport by: Monday, February 1st]: 
  http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/passports/apply.html

• CDC advice for travelers to Mexico: 
  https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/mexico

• FODOR's Travel Guide: 
  https://www.fodors.com/world/mexico-and-central-america/mexico/yucatan-and-campeche-states

• WIKI travel to Yucatan: 
  https://wikitravel.org/en/Yucat%C3%A1n

• Lonely Planet Guide to Yucatan Peninsula: 
  https://www.lonelyplanet.com/mexico/yucatan-peninsula

• Mark Wiens fun street food video: 
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUCy6V1YE0w&feature=youtu.be

• Exploring Valladolid video: 
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvprZH0rkkA

Mexico: Travel Code of Ethics

This is a cultural excursion associated with the University of Maine at Augusta, not a vacation.  Our permission to enter the country is contracted with a regulated travel agency, with a full schedule of educational and cultural activities. Free time is limited, and during that time, consider yourself a cultural ambassador of UMA, contributing to responsible global citizenship.  This includes the following:
 

1. Respect the local culture. Inform yourself about recent and current events on the island
   Learn a few basic Spanish phrases, and know something of the country’s ethos.  Mexico's lack of infrastructure may come as a surprise to some first-time travelers. Although Yucatan’s climate is tropical, dress with respect to the locals.  Shorts and tank tops are not generally worn in churches, museums, and other settings.
    

2.  Respect your hosts – the people of Mexico 
   This includes respecting their diversity of experience, customs, views, and background, their expertise, and the time they have taken from their lives and schedules to share with you (punctuality being one sign of respect).  Respect those of all walks of life, skin color, gender, and sexual orientation. Avoid any semblance of exploitation (e.g. ask permission before snapping pictures of individual people).   
    

3.  Respect the country’s natural resources, including reducing use fossil fuels and water. 
   Turn off the lights, air conditioner, and fans; be cognizant water use; and take a small bag along for trash in case a bin isn’t readily available.
    

4. Plan to be out of touch
   When available, Internet is slow and expensive. Instead of spending time to connect back in the states, appreciate where you are.  Write in your journal, write a letter.  Phone calls to the USA should be placed only in the case of an emergency. 
    

5. Understand evening etiquette
   You will be on your own for dinners, and we ask that you always use a buddy system when away from the group.  Valladolid and Merida are safe cities, with thousands of tourists passing through each year, but pick pockets may target unsuspecting visitors.  At night we will have a sign-in at the hotel front desk so we can be sure everyone is home safely after dinner (by 11:00 p.m.).
    

6. Do Not Engage in Risky Behavior
   The drinking age in Maine is 21, and we honor that legality while traveling.  Illegal substances in Maine are also illegal in Mexico, and the consequences for using such substances are dire.  Excessive drinking, or participating in any risky behavior is significantly more dangerous where there is a linguistic and cultural barrier. 
    

7. Participate Fully
   Our days are packed with events, and you are expected to participate.  Be rested, so you can be fresh from breakfast until later in the day.  Staying healthy and well-rested is key to a successful trip of this intensity.  If you have any problems, we will post a designated faculty to whom you can report any issues. 

 
Other Issues:

1.  Pack with care.  Pharmacies and convenience stores are few and far between, so make sure to bring in necessary toiletries, sunscreen, and medicines. Snacks like granola bars can also come in handy.

2.  Plan your currency.  Credit and debit/ATM cards work there.  You can change your U.S. dollars into Mexican Pesos at banks and ATMs.

3.  Drink bottled water, even in higher-end hotels. Public restrooms may not be as clean as you are accustomed to;  carry toilet paper, (don't flush it; that's what the small trash cans in stalls are for), and hand sanitizer.

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