What should I do if I lose my Passport or any other ID in Cancun?

There are steps you must take if you lose your important documents. You should take necessary precautions to keep your travel documents secure at all times. Obtaining a replacement document could be easy but time-consuming and a hassle during your vacation. So, move fast and get it all done.

So, What should I do if I lose my Passport or any other ID in Cancun?

If any of your documents, such as passport, driver’s license, or credit cards get lost or stolen, it’s important to report it as soon as possible to two different sources: the local police and the

U.S. State Department Do not panic! There are ways to fix it so you can keep enjoying your vacation; however, there are a couple of steps that you have to follow:

Inform about the situation to the hotel concierge, reception, or manager of the property where you are staying.
Keep in mind that this, unfortunately, will take away part of the precious time of your vacation.
It does not matter if the passport is lost or stolen; you will need to go immediately to the police and report to MP (Ministerio Publico). You will need to make a complaint in person and fill out a form so you can get a copy of the (ACTA) which will be required to the rest of the process. (Don’t bother calling because you will need to make the complaint in person and do not send somebody else in your behalf).
Contact the Embassy or consulate of your country nearest you immediately to obtain an emergency replacement travel document.
Have on hand an Id to prove your identity.
Your Embassy will send to your hotel, your passport; they will communicate with you by phone or email with detailed information. This process usually takes from 2 to 3 days.
Once you have your passport on hand, you’ll be set to fly back to your country; however, sometimes you need to reschedule your flight. And do not book your ticket to go back until you have your passport literally on hand.

Location of the Police (Ministerio Publico) in Cancun and the Riviera Maya

Police (Ministerio Publico) in Cancun Hotel Zone: By La Isla Mall, next to the USA Consulate
Ave. Boulevard Kukulcan, Km. 12.5 Hotel Zone, Zipcode 77500 Cancun Quintana Roo.
Phone: Not available
Open every day 24 hours
Map

Police (Ministerio Publico) in Cancun downtown:
Ave. Xcaret, corner with Kabah Lot 3 13, 21 Cancun Quintana Roo, Zipcode 77500
Phone: 998 881 7150
Open: Everyday 24 hours
Map

Police (Ministerio Publico) in Playa del Carmen
Zapote S/N Villa Mar1, Zipcode 77710 Playa del Carmen
Phone: 984 877 2600
Open: Everyday, 24 hours
Map

Police (Ministerio Publico) in Tulum
Address: Carretera Tulum-Coba
Phone: 984 124 0296
Open: Monday to Friday from 9 am. To 5 pm.
Map

Police (Ministerio Publico) in Cozumel
Address: Calle 25 Sur 1249, San Miguel I, Cozumel Quintana Roo
Phone:
Open: Monday to Friday from 9 am. To 5 pm.
Map

How long does it take to replace the passport?

When you lose or have stolen passport during your vacation in Cancun, and you request it as an emergency, it will take from 2 to 5 days you will be provided with a temporary passport with a few pages, that you will need to replace when you get home.

How to Request an emergency passport in Cancun?

You can request an emergency passport in the Embassy in Merida, Yucatan. Emergency United States passports have been issued to those applicants who have immediate travel and cannot wait to receive a regular full-validity passport before traveling, and you must apply in person at the Embassy, consulate or consular agency with the following list of documents.

Fill out the applications and forms
Have a local temporarily address in Mexico (a hotel works)
Form DS-64 filled
One Passport size photo
Proof of an Identity
Proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate or previous passport
Credit card or cash to pay the fees
Make an appointment online

Embassy & consulates:

USA citizen, visit the following site. USA embassy & consulates in Mexico information
Canadian citizen, visit the following website. Government of Canada
British citizen, visit the following site: Gov.uk

How much does it cost to replace a USA Passport?

The cost for replacement of passport depends on how quickly you need it, and if you are abroad, you will need it pretty quick. Government fees are for adults is $145 and for children $110. Some agencies can help you to get your passport fast and offer a service for a fee. www.rushmypassport.com

Can I travel back to my country from Cancun without a passport if mine got lost?

You cannot travel back to your country without a passport; you will need to report to the police that your passport is lost or stolen, and you will have to request for a new one from your Embassy. Sometimes if you lose your document a day before your departure, you will need to change your flight and extend your stay, so you can have time to get your new passport. This usually takes around 2 to 5 days.

What documents do I need to travel to Cancun-Mexico?

The documents you need to travel to Cancun Mexico is a valid passport issued in your country; this is the best identification form of proof of citizenship if you are traveling by air. There are other forms of identification valid to travel to Mexico by sea or land such as passport card, Sentri card, fast card, enhanced drivers license. Some countries require visitors to have a passport which is valid for six months beyond the time of entry; for Mexico, this is not the case. Mexican authorities do not require a minimum period of validity of passports. However, your passport must be valid at the time of entry, and for the extent of time, you are planning to remain in Mexico.

What is the Tourist Card for Cancun?

The document you get when you enter the country is a Tourist Card and is valid for 180 days. The Tourist Card is a small form that you fill out when you enter the country; usually is handed to you on the plane. If you didn’t get one, do not worry; you will find the form on the entry of the immigration lines, and you need to fill it out before you get to the immigration agent kiosk.

It is very important to keep your Tourist Card with you at all times. You must show your Tourist Card when you exit the country. If you do not have this card, you will be charged a fine. Sometimes, tourists do not think this card is important; but it is.

If you lose this card, you have to pay a fine of $40 on your departure date, but if you are staying for a long time, then you will need to file a police report and present it to the INM office (Immigration Office) fill a form and make a payment to the bank to replace it. It’s a lot of hassle and time-consuming.

What Should I Do if I Lose my Driver License While Renting a Car in Cancun?

Losing your driver license can be a very inconvenience, but first thing first, here is what you need to do.

1.- Report it to the police MN (Ministerio Publico) immediately to file a complaint that is called (Lavantar un Acta de estravio o robo). This means to file a complaint about stolen or lost driver license.

2.- Take the form (ACTA) to the transit police and ask for a (Constancia de No Infraccion). The transit police would need to make sure that you haven´t had any tickets and your DL is really lost or stolen.

3.- Once you have it, add that document to your rental car agreement that is what you have to show to the transit police if they stop you.

Remember your official Id in Mexico is your passport, not your driver license. So, you`ll be ok.

What should I do if an ATM eats my card?

This happens a lot; it has happened to me in the bank. This is not fun, and it is worse when there is a language barrier.

There are some banks that if your card is swallowed by the ATM and you are a foreigner, there is no way you will get it back. They are authorized to destroy your card. So, you heard that right. Destroy it! They explain that if your card was swallowed is because you put the wrong code, and if that happened, it means that is not your card, this is for security reasons. Scotiabank policy.

In other banks like Bancomer, they will give your card back the following day, not immediately because the personnel of the bank is not authorized to open the ATM during the day time, this is for security reasons. So if an ATM swallows your card, you will need to report it to the manager of the bank, and he/she will give you instructions, and you might have to come back the following day for your card with an ID. If you can’t go back because you are in that city or town just for the day, then you have to say goodbye to your card. The bank will keep the card for a few days, and if nobody shows up to claim it, then they will destroy it. Then, you will have to call your bank and ask for a replacement card. Read your bank’s policy regarding how long it will take to get you a new card.

To be safe, try to use an ATM that is inside of a bank during the day before the bank closes, which is at 4 pm. And ask them what their policy is if something like that happens. This will save you a lot of trouble, just try not to miss one of your pin digits, or adding the wrong number by mistake, this is the cause of why those ATM keep eating the cards.

So, the best recommendation is to travel with at least two cards, when you are traveling abroad and have them in separate compartments in your wallet, or leave one in your hotel room, just in case.

What to do if my credit card is lost or stolen during my vacation?

That is very scary and more so, during your vacation. “Oh no, what do I do now?” Well, there are some things that you have to do immediately, don’t wait until somebody shows up on your hotel room delivering your missing card. Noooo. Do what you have to do, following these steps.

1.- Run to the nearest ATM and get some cash without your physical card. (You will see the little announcement on the screen of the ATM (Retiro de efectivo sin tarjeta). You will need your account information of the 12 digit withdrawal code.

3.- Report to your financial institution and cancel your card immediately to protect your account from fraud; ask the bank to send you a replacement card. Find out your bank policies about sending you a new card and how long it will take to ship it abroad. This usually takes from three to ten business days. However, if you have alternate cards, it may not be worth trying to get a replacement while traveling.

4.- Go to the police (Ministerio Publico) and make a complaint in person. Make sure to get a copy of the report. This is in case you need it for insurance porpoise.

Now, you need to know how to get money if you have no cash and in case you weren’t able to get money from the ATM.

Ask the reception for help on this, on getting information about transferring money to the hotel so they can facilitate you with some cash.
If you use the American Express card, they will send you a temporary card in 72 hours. They have excellent services.
There are also services that you can use to send money internationally online, like Transferwise or Xoom, to transfer money from your bank to the hotel bank account or to a travel companion, this is the fastest and easiest way.
Another reliable service is PayPal. A lot of businesses accept payment by PayPal.
Believe it or not, a good option is to sell your Bitcoins, this is another way to get cash in Cancun. You can even buy tacos with bitcoin.

Protect yourself when planning a future trip; scan your documents, credit cards, etc. Take a photo of your cards with your phone and store on your cloud or an app like Evernote where you will have easy access whenever you need it.

Always keep an emergency stash at your hotel.

Relax, after all, is done, you’ll feel that it’s not the sort of hassle that needs to ruin your vacation. Just go to the beach, find a sweet spot under an umbrella, and grab a cold beer.

Here are the telephone numbers in Mexico for credit card companies

American Express Platinum: 800502 0600
American Express: 800504 0400
Visa: 800-847-2911
MasterCard: 800-307-7309 (Standard and Gold)
MasterCard: 800-727-8490 (Platinum & World Elite)
Discover: 800-902-3100
Capital One: 302-658-9593 (International, there is no Mexico number)