going on vacation in mexico

[kmh6k]

hi all, i really have tried to search this sight, but i cannot seem to find the legalities of having/possessing lock picks in mexico.. i'm going on vacation there for three weeks, and there is no way i want to go without picking for that long, and i'm also very interested in buying some locks to pick while i'm there.... to be clear.. i have NO intention of trying to put them in my carry on, or pick on the plane.. i just want to goto the condo i rented, buy some locks and have fun......., but i also would like to NOT end up in a mexican prison...if i have missed this in a search, let me say in advance that i am sorry, but i really did try.... should i try to mail them to myself in mexico?

[KPick]

You can have them, but there needs to be some kind of intent to steal in order for the police to get you into some trouble over having them.
(I'm Mexican and I just googled the laws, so take my word for it.)

One thing you should know about the police in Mexico though is that they are somewhat corrupt, so just be careful.
Mailing them to yourself does seem like a good idea though, but you can also keep them on your carry on; just put them in some kind of case. Don't be surprised if you get questioned though because airport security nowadays is a bit paranoid after all of the foiled plans of bombings and other scary things that have been going on. Basically, just be honest.

[somenewguy]

Personally, I would give it up for the 3 weeks and enjoy the scenery but if you are dead set on it, have you considered going a different way with it and creating a set of picks and tension wrenches from scratch after arrival in Mexico?

[GWiens2001]

At the very least, have a lock or two to practice on kept with the picks. Then you have a lock to pick with you, rather than the police assuming that you are intending to find a lock to pick that should not be picked. "Yes, officer, I have the picks so I can pick this lock."

Gordon

[kmh6k]

lol..i will def. bring some locks also.. thank you all for the advice..it is very helpful. it makes me feel a whole lot better to know i'm not gonna get in trouble.. i pick when i have down time, so sunning on the beach or lounging by the pool will become awesome!!! thanks so much for all your help... if i come home with a tan line in the shape of a lock i'll post pics lol..

[KPick]

Take plenty of money over to mexico man. You're going to love the food over there. It's some of the best cheap food I've ever tried.

[kmh6k]

thanks kpick.. i will definitely take your advice on the food and the law....

[billdeserthills]

Take plenty of money over to mexico man. You're going to love the food over there. It's some of the best cheap food I've ever tried.

Do Yourself a favor and turn some of the cash you are gonna carry into travelers checks. You can always use them when you get back on stuff, it pays
to be careful, especially when outside of your native land

[fun2drv]

Going to Mexico in a couple weeks. Has anything changed with the legality that anyone knows of? What about TSA, planning on having them in my luggage, not wallet or carry on bag.

[cledry]

Does anyone even use travelers cheques now? I thought that went away a long time ago. I don't even take cash when I travel. I just use a credit card or bank card and withdraw as I need. I think the last time I exchanged money or used travelers cheques was in the 1980s.

Just notify the banks of your intent to travel, where to, and date of return. Also check to see which ones charge a fee.

[Squelchtone]

Does anyone even use travelers cheques now? I thought that went away a long time ago. I don't even take cash when I travel. I just use a credit card or bank card and withdraw as I need. I think the last time I exchanged money or used travelers cheques was in the 1980s.

Just notify the banks of your intent to travel, where to, and date of return. Also check to see which ones charge a fee.

It's funny that 4 years has gone by already since bill's reply about using the travelers cheques, you're probably right, do they even exist any more?

[billdeserthills]

Travelers checks are still available from your bank

[Jacob Morgan]

They are still out there:

https://www.americanexpress.com/us/content/prepaid/travelers-cheques.html?vgnextchannel=95ddb81e8482a110VgnVCM100000defaad94RCRD

Might have an issue convincing merchants to accept them though. AAA stopped selling them and went with pre-paid credit cards.

Regarding Mexico, it was extremely corrupt years ago when I used to go there. Can't be any better now. I would not give the policia any excuse to make trouble. What if your luggage is stolen, the police recover it and find picks in it? Get arrested down there and you'll be bribing everyone to get out. To practice picking, could be an opportunity to try one's hand at improvising picks with safety pins and paper clips?

[billdeserthills]

They are still out there:

https://www.americanexpress.com/us/content/prepaid/travelers-cheques.html?vgnextchannel=95ddb81e8482a110VgnVCM100000defaad94RCRD

Might have an issue convincing merchants to accept them though. AAA stopped selling them and went with pre-paid credit cards.

Regarding Mexico, it was extremely corrupt years ago when I used to go there. Can't be any better now. I would not give the policia any excuse to make trouble. What if your luggage is stolen, the police recover it and find picks in it? Get arrested down there and you'll be bribing everyone to get out. To practice picking, could be an opportunity to try one's hand at improvising picks with safety pins and paper clips?

If the policia even find a bullet in your car you are going to jail--Nobody could convince me to drive in Mexico again

[cledry]

Go to Colombia, great place, great people.