May 5 2016

Getting the 180 Day Stamp-Visa Run Part 8

visa run border crossing

Part 8 of our visa run (start here if you didn’t read the earlier posts.) We spent the last of our Guatemalan currency having breakfast at the Hotel Casa Amelia and were picked up in another smallish tour van for the ride back to Mexico. Even though it was only 8:20 we were the last ones in again, so we sat where we could and settled in for a long ride. Continue reading

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April 12 2016

Tikal and 3 Kings Day Fireworks – Visa Run Part 7

Guatemala tikal

After a 6 hour bus ride we were finally in Guatemala.  The tour guide for the ruins of Tikal had said they would pick us up “At 8, maybe 825,” which I took to mean they would be late. We were sitting at the breakfast table downstairs in our hotel at 750 and had just placed our orders when the van showed up. So much for food, we had to go, couldn’t keep the group waiting. Continue reading

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February 25 2016

Getting to Guatemala – Visa Run Part 6

visa run

Part 6 in my series detailing our first Visa Run:

When we left off we were having our family’s first backpacker-esque experience at Lacun ha cabanas somewhere near the border between Mexico and Guatemala; no power, limited food options, free-range poultry for an alarm clock. It’s not unpleasant, but I wouldn’t want to do it long term. Continue reading

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January 12 2016

Visa Run Part 2: The Overnight Bus to Villahermosa

visa run

Let’s talk about overnight buses. They can be a great way to get somewhere while you sleep, but they can also be terrifying and uncomfortable insomnia inducers. For my family it seems to be a bit of both. Continue reading

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January 11 2016

Planning Our First Visa Run

bonampak, chiapas

Yesterday we returned from our first visa run/family vacation since our move to Mexico.

What’s a visa run you ask? When you enter a foreign country you are using a tourist visa, which gives you legal permission to be there.  You’re only visiting so there is a time limit on your stay and in Mexico it’s 180 days (many places it’s less.) To stay longer you need Continue reading

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