Passport

To enter in Mexico, the passport must still be valid at least for 1 year. Despite it is not obligatory for US tourists, it is recommended to present the passport when entering Mexico, because customs officers are accustomed to them, and waiting for an authorization to enter the country may mean a long time.

Visa

Citizens from The United States and Canada don't need  a passport to enter Mexico; an official identification with a photograph and  something indicating the nationality, such as a birth certificate, is enough.  This is not valid for citizens of another nationality resident in The United  States, who must show their residence card, so as Canadian immigrants, who need a valid passport and the original document of immigration.

Visa Extension

The tourist card, which will allow you to enter  Mexico, as your entrance and exit permit, normally allows you a stay of up to  180 days. In some cases, such as Argentinean, French and Greek citizens, this  permit only lasts 90 days. When the total of days appearing in your card is  inferior to the maximum of days you can stay in the country, then you may ask for a free extension of the permit to reach the limit of days belonging to you according to your nationality.

Travel permits

The Mexican tourist card, officially the Forma Migratoria para Turista (FMT) is a brief card document that must be filled out and get stamped by Mexican immigration when entering in Mexico and must be kept till the way back home.

Driver's license

For driving, a driver's license together with a major credit card is required.

Documents  for Under 18 Travelers

To prevent international child abduction, minors (people under 18) entering in Mexico without one or both of their parents may be and often are, required to show a notarised consent form, signed by the absent parent or parents, giving permission for the young traveler to enter Mexico. A form for this purpose is available from Mexican consulates.

Document copies

Better safe than sorry, all important documents (passport, visa pages, credit card etc.) should be copied before leaving home. Keep one at home and another with itself.

Student & Teacher cards

The ISIC student card, the GO25, and the ITIC for teachers can help to obtain reduced-price air tickets to or from Mexico at student- and youth-oriented travel agencies. In Mexico, reduced prices for students at museums, archaeological sites and so on, are usually only for those with Mexican education credentials, but in practice the ISIC card will sometimes get students a reduction. Take this card along if you have one, but it's not worth getting one on purpose.