Traveler Checklist
Before You Leave
Registration Fees and Documents
Get fees and documents in asap. You are not registered until all documents are completed and submitted and payment is made.
Passport
A passport is required for travel to Mexico. Please make sure your passport is valid three to six months from your return date. For passport information: www.state.gov.
Pesos
Exchange $200 into pesos at your bank prior to the trip. Check immediately with your bank... it may not carry pesos. Additional pesos are available in Mexico at bank ATMs.
Credit Cards and ATM's
US credit cards are honored in Mexico. Check with your bank about out-of-country charges. Bank ATM's are the recommended way to get additional pesos. There are services in town to exchange US dollars.
Emergency Contact Information
Leave copies of your itinerary, passport, school and home stay information with family or friends so you can be contacted in case of an emergency.
Read All Academy Materials
Carefully read the Program Materials and emails you receive from Los Alumnos and prepare accordingly. It will include a suggested packing list, information about climate, physical activity and much more.
Medical Insurance
Medical insurance coverage outside the US is required. Trip insurance is available at American Airways Flight Fund program and American Express.
Cell Phone and Tablets
Check with your carrier for service coverage in Mexico.
Download the app WhatsApp. This is critical for group communication while in Mexico and for staying in contact with the school and staff. Click here to get WhatsApp
Packing Suggestions
It will rain. It will be hot in the daytime but it will rain. Bring your umbrella, shoes for walking in the rain and a light, weather-proof jacket or pack a poncho.
Medications: Bring required medications with you. Check with your doctor for anything additional you might need. Pack supplements and vitamins in plastic bags.
Sundries: Bring sun screen, insect repellant, calamine lotion, hand sanitizer, shampoo and conditioner, toothpaste, aspirin, lip balm or all can be purchased in Querétaro.
Makeup: Brand-name makeup can be purchased in local stores in Querétaro.
Electronics: Your electronics will work on local electricity. You will need purchase a plug adaptor.
Valuable jewelry: Leave your diamonds and gold at home. Replace them with costume jewelry.
Clothing: Everyday dress is casual - jeans or shorts for men; jeans, modest shorts, skirts for women. Consider one travel-easy, nicer outfit, just in case we are hosted at a reception. Include cooler clothing and a hat for day, i.e. tank tops, modest shorts, capris or cropped pants, t-shirts and pack long sleeves for cool nights. No short shorts, please.
Laundry: Each week, a very inexpensive service picks up and delivers laundry overnight at the school. Bring a pillowslip for your laundry.
Shoes: Bring comfortable and weather-resistant walking shoes and sandals for walking to and from school and on cultural tours. Do not bring high heels or wedges that catch on uneven pavement or sidewalks. Do not bring shoes that get slippery in the rain.
Gifts: It's fun to connect with children. Bring small giveaways for children (Hot Wheels, crayons... Dollar Store specials). A "Thank you gift" for your family is appropriate (table top books, hand or kitchen towels.) Bring thank-you notes to leave with the family and/or staff members upon your departure.
Class notebook: Bring or purchase in Querétaro a divided notebook (for organizing into 3 sections language lessons, class assignments, and culture notes) and highlighters.
Spanish-English Dictionary: Bring a small paperback dictionary and download Span-Dict on your phone from the Apple Store.
Air Travel
Checking In
We strongly recommend that you check in through your airline’s website prior to travel. Many airlines offer e-boarding using a smart phone. At the airport, check in should be done two hours before for domestic flights and three hours before for international flights.
Seating
Many airlines now provide special seating with additional legroom, sometimes for a fee, either during booking or at check-in. If a medical condition makes additional legroom necessary, it is helpful to have a medical note to present at check-in, which may allow the gate agent to assign you bulkhead seating or expedited boarding.
Helpful Resource
For a helpful resource for general travel information, including tips for long-term parking, currency converters, airline contact information and more, visit www.airwise.com.
Questions: Please call 480-363-5806 or email susan@carlson-affiliates.com
Registration Fees and Documents
Get fees and documents in asap. You are not registered until all documents are completed and submitted and payment is made.
Passport
A passport is required for travel to Mexico. Please make sure your passport is valid three to six months from your return date. For passport information: www.state.gov.
Pesos
Exchange $200 into pesos at your bank prior to the trip. Check immediately with your bank... it may not carry pesos. Additional pesos are available in Mexico at bank ATMs.
Credit Cards and ATM's
US credit cards are honored in Mexico. Check with your bank about out-of-country charges. Bank ATM's are the recommended way to get additional pesos. There are services in town to exchange US dollars.
Emergency Contact Information
Leave copies of your itinerary, passport, school and home stay information with family or friends so you can be contacted in case of an emergency.
Read All Academy Materials
Carefully read the Program Materials and emails you receive from Los Alumnos and prepare accordingly. It will include a suggested packing list, information about climate, physical activity and much more.
Medical Insurance
Medical insurance coverage outside the US is required. Trip insurance is available at American Airways Flight Fund program and American Express.
Cell Phone and Tablets
Check with your carrier for service coverage in Mexico.
Download the app WhatsApp. This is critical for group communication while in Mexico and for staying in contact with the school and staff. Click here to get WhatsApp
Packing Suggestions
It will rain. It will be hot in the daytime but it will rain. Bring your umbrella, shoes for walking in the rain and a light, weather-proof jacket or pack a poncho.
Medications: Bring required medications with you. Check with your doctor for anything additional you might need. Pack supplements and vitamins in plastic bags.
Sundries: Bring sun screen, insect repellant, calamine lotion, hand sanitizer, shampoo and conditioner, toothpaste, aspirin, lip balm or all can be purchased in Querétaro.
Makeup: Brand-name makeup can be purchased in local stores in Querétaro.
Electronics: Your electronics will work on local electricity. You will need purchase a plug adaptor.
Valuable jewelry: Leave your diamonds and gold at home. Replace them with costume jewelry.
Clothing: Everyday dress is casual - jeans or shorts for men; jeans, modest shorts, skirts for women. Consider one travel-easy, nicer outfit, just in case we are hosted at a reception. Include cooler clothing and a hat for day, i.e. tank tops, modest shorts, capris or cropped pants, t-shirts and pack long sleeves for cool nights. No short shorts, please.
Laundry: Each week, a very inexpensive service picks up and delivers laundry overnight at the school. Bring a pillowslip for your laundry.
Shoes: Bring comfortable and weather-resistant walking shoes and sandals for walking to and from school and on cultural tours. Do not bring high heels or wedges that catch on uneven pavement or sidewalks. Do not bring shoes that get slippery in the rain.
Gifts: It's fun to connect with children. Bring small giveaways for children (Hot Wheels, crayons... Dollar Store specials). A "Thank you gift" for your family is appropriate (table top books, hand or kitchen towels.) Bring thank-you notes to leave with the family and/or staff members upon your departure.
Class notebook: Bring or purchase in Querétaro a divided notebook (for organizing into 3 sections language lessons, class assignments, and culture notes) and highlighters.
Spanish-English Dictionary: Bring a small paperback dictionary and download Span-Dict on your phone from the Apple Store.
Air Travel
Checking In
We strongly recommend that you check in through your airline’s website prior to travel. Many airlines offer e-boarding using a smart phone. At the airport, check in should be done two hours before for domestic flights and three hours before for international flights.
Seating
Many airlines now provide special seating with additional legroom, sometimes for a fee, either during booking or at check-in. If a medical condition makes additional legroom necessary, it is helpful to have a medical note to present at check-in, which may allow the gate agent to assign you bulkhead seating or expedited boarding.
Helpful Resource
For a helpful resource for general travel information, including tips for long-term parking, currency converters, airline contact information and more, visit www.airwise.com.
Questions: Please call 480-363-5806 or email susan@carlson-affiliates.com