Visas and immigration

Passports are not required by citizens of neighbouring countries who hold identity cards issued by their own governments. Visas are not necessary for US citizens, British citizens and nationals of other Western European countries, plus Canada, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Panama, Paraguay, Uruguay, Venezuela, Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras, Costa Rica, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Barbados, Jamaica, Malaysia, Israel, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Turkey, Croatia, Slovenia, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Japan. Visitors from these countries are given a tourist card on entry and may stay for 3 months.

For visitors from all other countries, there are 3 types of visa: a business 'temporary' visa (US$35, valid 1 year), a tourist visa (US$35 approximately, fees may change), and a transit visa. Tourist visas are usually valid for 3 months and are multiple entry.

All visitors are advised to carry their passports at all times, and it is illegal not to have identification handy. In practice, though, this is not advisable. Photocopy your passport twice, carry 1 copy, and scan your passport often be asked for your passport number, when checking into hotels and if paying by credit card, so learn it off by heart. The police like searching backpackers at border points: remain calm - this is a normal procedure. If you are staying in the country for several weeks, it may be worthwhile registering at your embassy or consulate. This will help if your passport is stolen as the process of replacing it is simplified and speeded up.