Acquire a passport or make sure your existing passport is up to date. As of March 1, 2010 all U.S. and Canadian citizens - adults and children - must have a valid passport to travel across the Mexican border.
Choose a reputable tour company. If you are unfamiliar with Mexico, choose a tour company that offers all inclusive packages which include the arrangement of meals, pick up and drop off at all points and accomodations for every night of your stay. Look on the company's website for favorable customer comments. Organizations registered with the Better Business Bureau are held accountable for their actions by that organization. It is inadvisable to take local Mexican buses to reach your destination. There is a high rate of bus hijacking in certain areas of the country.
Search your country's travel advisory warning page (the United States page is listed in the resources section) for travel advisories for citizens traveling to Mexico. Mexico is a relatively safe place to travel, but certain areas may be unsafe for vacationers. As your travel date approaches, check more frequently.
Register your travel plans with your country's consulate. Once you register, you will be given up to the minute updates on travel advisories that may affect your plans. And, should anything happen while you're on your trip (lost passport, legal trouble, etc.) it will be much easier to rectify the situation.
