Cancun’s airport has been recognized by the Airport Service Quality program as the best airport in Latin America.

During the first three months of 2009, the evaluation process determined that Mexico’s Southeast Airport Terminal qualified as one of the four finest in the world. The Airport Service Quality program results incorporated 126 airports worldwide, including major hubs such as London, Paris, Madrid, Rome, Sydney, Munich, Frankfurt and Mexico City. With its high marks, Cancun rose above airports in North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Oceania.

With Thanks to the Cancun Convention and Visitor’s Bureau

Cancun Airport Transfers

7PM Cancun time (same as Chicago)

A tropical storm turns into a hurricane faster than any other hurricane in the history of the Atlantic basin, catching vacationers in the Yucatan completely off guard. Honeymooners as well as a group of friends are among thousands of vacationers forced to spend five days in overflowing shelters. Conditions deteriorate and tensions rise as the fierce hurricane lingers overhead, seemingly unwilling to leave.

http://stormstories.weather.com/shows/hurricane-wilma.php

http://www.cancunmx.com/Vacation-Tips/

Many expatriates think that moving to Mexico with their U.S. health policies provides sufficient coverage. After all, any major medical situation could be treated back home, while the local medical insurance would be exclusively for “minor” issues. This logic works fine as long as a “major medical issue” actually permits travel back to your home country for treatment. In most cases, this is simply not recommended, if not impossible.

Let’s say that your health insurance policy covers international “emergency” claims and you are aware that Mexico is finally being brought up to world hospital service standards. But, what does “international coverage” really mean? Sometimes it is a reimbursement coverage (e.g., you pay first and then the insurance company pays you) capped up to a relatively small amount. Sometimes, it is coverage for “network” hospitals. In these cases, out-of-network facilities usually indicate major limitations in coverage.

Are the local hospitals members of your policy’s network? What are your policy’s requirements regarding health crises in a foreign land? Are air ambulance services included in your plan?

If answering these questions does not leave you with a good impression of your current health policy, it need not mean it is a poor plan. It simply indicates
that it has been designed for your country’s local market. And yes, many costs in Mexico are lower than at home. But when it comes to receiving emergency medical attention at one of Mexico’s top hospitals, the experience will not be easy on the pocketbook.

The ideal solution does not require that you purchase a brand new policy better adapted for Mexico. Neither good health care nor health policies come cheap in Mexico. Thus, by buying a new policy, you will be paying twice as much for health coverage.

Ideally, your current health plan should be complemented with a supplemental international health policy that functions as “top-up” coverage after a certain amount, usually $10,000 to $20,000 USD have been spent on your “basic” plan. International health policies are those that offer similar services, regardless of where the claim is taking place, including at home! They also include air ambulance services should evacuation become necessary.

For those without any coverage, complete policies can be purchased with lower deductibles (e.g. $250 to $5000 USD). If you visit Mexico for relatively short periods (e.g. up to 3 months), you may want to consider getting a TRAVEL INSURANCE POLICY. The best plans must make direct payments to hospitals worldwide and rely very little on networks. Plans that only work with pre-established networks of doctors and hospitals often result in delayed care and added bureaucratic red tape.

Health Insurance Plans with International Coverage

There are a number of health insurance plans with international coverage. The two best known companies in Mexico are International Health Insurance (IHI) from Denmark and Amedex Insurance Company from the U.S. Basically, their plans differ in the fact that Amedex requires a 2-day prenotification of programmed hospitalizations and has a network of hospitals in the U.S. (free choice of facilities in the rest of the World). IHI is free-choice worldwide and does not require prenotifications, which makes it more flexible (and a bit more expensive). Both are ready to make direct payments to hospitals worldwide.

As for national companies, ING – Comercial America, Grupo Nacional Provincial, and Royal and Sunalliance, among others, offer plans with international coverage at costs similar to those of the international corporations. Generally speaking, they are bound by hospital networks both in Mexico and abroad.

Your best choice is to contact a local insurance agent for guidance as to the most appropriate alternatives, according to your budget and lifestyle.

International Health Insurance (IHI)

Denmark Phone: +45-33-15-30-99
Fax: +45-33-32-25-60
www.ihi.com

Amedex Insurance Company

U.S. Phone: +1-305-275-1400
Toll-Free from the U.S: 1-800-726-1203
Toll-Free from Mexico: 01-800-226-3339
U.S. Fax: +1-305-275-8555
www.amedex.com

ING – Comercial America

Mexico Phone: +52-55-5169-2700
Toll-Free from Mexico: 01-800-SOLUCIONES

http://seguros.ing-comercialamerica.com

Grupo Nacional Provincial
Mexico Phone: +52-55-5227-3503
Toll-Free from Mexico: 01-800-908-4400
www.gnp.com.mx/gnp/clientes.nsf

Royal and Sun Alliance

Mexico Phone: +52-55-5723-7999
Toll-Free from Mexico: 01-800-723-7900
U.S. Phone: +1-704-522-2000
Canada Phone: +1-416-366-7600
www.rsagroup.com

Authors: Robert H. Page, MD and Curtis P. Page, MD are authors of the MEXICO: Health and Safety Travel Guide and the Healthy Traveler Regional Series.

Copyright© 2008 MedToGo , LLC.

For more Health & Safety Tips please visit www.CancunMX.com/Health-and-Safety/

If you run into legal trouble in Mexico, the U.S. and Canadian consulates may be able to provide limited assistance. Remember that the consulates have no legal jurisdiction in Mexico. Their main purpose is to provide you with information. As a visitor, you are subject to local Mexican law, which will interpret your actions and behavior. Mexican law is very different from U.S. or Canadian law.

If you are arrested in Mexico, ask the local authorities to contact the closest consulate. Consuls cannot act as your attorneys or have you released from custody; however, the consuls can work to protect your legitimate interests and ensure that you are treated in the same manner as Mexican prisoners. They can provide a list of attorneys and information on Mexico’s legal system, offer to contact the arrested person’s family or friends, visit on a regular basis, protest mistreatment, monitor jail conditions, offer dietary supplements, and keep the U.S. State Department or the Canadian government office informed of your situation.

There are basic differences between North American, Canadian and Mexican law and their judicial systems. For instance, in Mexico you are considered guilty until proven innocent, and you may be considered guilty of a crime by association. For example, if you are involved in a motor vehicle accident, you will be detained in a jail until the circumstances of the accident are resolved. This may mean a lengthy incarceration, even if you are not at fault. Also, if you pick up a hitchhiker who is later found with contraband or weapons in your presence, you may well be charged with a crime.

Jail conditions in Mexico are very poor. Food and medical care is substandard. If you want good food you will have to have someone from the outside bring it to you. You may be extorted by other prisoners and required to pay fees for protection. So, do your best to avoid any actions that could land you in a Mexican jail.

If you become hospitalized in Mexico and cannot pay your hospital bill you cannot be lawfully detained against your will. If this happens or is threatened, call the ministerio publico (district attorney) for help. For your city or town’s district attorney’s phone number and address, you may refer to the emergency information section of each city listing.

Typically, you will have to sign a waiver of legal recourse on entrance to a hospital or emergency room. In many instances you will be required to pay in advance or leave a deposit. All too many Mexican hospitals have complained that they have treated foreigners who later skipped on paying their bills. This strict policy is a result of this unfortunate practice. It is your duty to pay your bill and seek reimbursement from your domestic insurer when you return home. Make sure that you request thorough documentation of your treatment from your Mexican doctor(s) or hospital.

Robert H. Page, MD and Curtis P. Page, MD are authors of the MEXICO: Health and Safety Travel Guide and the Healthy Traveler Regional Series. For more information visit medtogo.com

Here is the address and phone number for the U.S. Consular Agency in Cancun:

United States Consular Agency – Plaza Caracol II, 3er. Piso KM 8.5 – Zona Hotelera – Cancún, México 77500 – 011-52-998-883-0272

For more Vacation Tips, please visit CancunMX.com