Ah the insane procedures involved in returning home...

[DandyDon]

No, TSA and Customs are two completely seperate entities. The customs screeners are not following TSA regulations when you get off the plane, they are following Mexican Customs standards.

There would be absolutley no reason for you to go through Mexican customs on your way out ; therefore, you don't see customs agents on the way out of the country...only entering.

When you check in for your departing flight, you are not going through customs screening, you are going through TSA screening. Understand the difference?

I totally understand the differences. Immigration, Customs, and Security are three different entities - altho somewhat related in oversight.

I was referencing the Frontier lady's attempt to put it off on "Mexican Customs" when I said...

Originally Posted by DandyDon
I finally met a Mexican Customs agent on this entry into Mexico, but never encountered one exiting Mexico - just the security agents who are "required to meet TSA standards" as I understand it.

 

[Christi]

I totally understand the differences. Immigration, Customs, and Security are three different entities - altho somewhat related in oversight.

I was referencing the Frontier lady's attempt to put it off on "Mexican Customs" when I said...

I agree...no comprehension whatsoever as to why Frontier rep would have thought the Mexican consulate would be the person to ask

I'm sure the pretzel thing was a Frontier policy...I got on my CO flight in Houston in December with a starbucks coffee...the lady behind me had an open bag of chips she was snacking on, out in the open...no problems.

 

[JessH]

$8 in Coz? For a liter? I used to get the 750 for $7, but all I saw this month was liters for $10. True, I wasn't shopping, just grabbing a bottle.

I saw bottles for $8 in coz, think they were the liter ones but they could have been 750s. I believe that price was at the grocery store. I wasn't really shopping for it though because I have a nice stockpile of Kahlua at home.

~Jess

 

[DandyDon]

I saw bottles for $8 in coz, think they were the liter ones but they could have been 750s. I believe that price was at the grocery store. I wasn't really shopping for it though because I have a nice stockpile of Kahlua at home.

~Jess

Yeah, I might have paid more at a corner store - like I said, just grabbing a bottle. I never have tried the market, but have heard so much about it this time. Next time I will...!

Or maybe those were 750s...?

 

[ggunn]

I never have quite understood why folks bring Kahlua back from Mexico on the plane. It's available here in the States, and saving 5 bucks on a bottle of booze when you've just splurged a couple of thousand on a vacation hardly seems worth the hassle of packing so it won't break and won't mess up too much stuff if it does, and dealing with Customs, TSA, etc,

Now, Xtabentun, on the other hand... ;^)

 

[waynel]

Gordon, my homie! Good question on the Kahlua. Here's my answer. I asked on this thread about how many bottles U.S. would allow in. Kalhua here in Lafayett is up to $19 a bottle. At $8 in Coz, you save $22 on two bottles. However, if I can bring 4, that's a $44 savings. I can buy a new compass for that. But forget price for a moment. On my last trip to Mexico, I found a $9 bottle of Kahlua shaped like a Mexican citizen wearing a sombrero. You can't get that here. I have the bottle on my home bar shelf (long since empty) simply for a conversation piece. Everyone who sits at my bar asks about it because they've never seen one.

 

[JessH]

Most glass bottles are much stronger than most people give them credit for. I have never had a problem with them breaking in my bag. I have also never had any hassle from customs. Of course now you have to check the bottles because of TSA. Yes you may have just spent thousands on your trip, but that doesn't mean it isn't worthwhile to save a couple of bucks if it is easy to do. After my last trip I am broke, wouldn't be able to justify buying that bottle of good tequila here, and that bottle of excellent rum I got there isn't available in the states.

I haven't tried Xtabentun but I am planning on doing so next time I am there.

~Jess

 

[ggunn]

Gordon, my homie! Good question on the Kahlua. Here's my answer. I asked on this thread about how many bottles U.S. would allow in. Kalhua here in Lafayett is up to $19 a bottle. At $8 in Coz, you save $22 on two bottles. However, if I can bring 4, that's a $44 savings. I can buy a new compass for that. But forget price for a moment. On my last trip to Mexico, I found a $9 bottle of Kahlua shaped like a Mexican citizen wearing a sombrero. You can't get that here. I have the bottle on my home bar shelf (long since empty) simply for a conversation piece. Everyone who sits at my bar asks about it because they've never seen one.

Fair enough. I've got about 10 bottles of D'Aristi Xtabentun in my pantry, though. Put some in the freezer where it visses up to the consistency of STP and serve in a chilled shot glass...mmmmm.

I also invented a dessert drink I call a Mexican Blackbird:

One part Carolan's Irish Cream
One part Kahlua
One part D'Aristi Xtabentun

It will layer up nicely, but if you would rather mix it, mix the Kahlua and Irish Cream first, otherwise the high sugar content of the Xtabentun will clot the cream.

 

[DandyDon]

One problem many get into is checked luggage weight. With your BC & wetsuit still damp, your luggage will weight more than it did going. If you were close to heavy going, you may be even closer returning. What does a liter of Kahlua weigh? 3# each? Adding 12# to return luggage can be a problem. Save $44 on the liqueur, pay $25 on the weight, then pay US Customs for bringing back more than one bottle thru Houston. Ooops. :11:

 

[nyprrthd]

Now, Xtabentun, on the other hand... ;^)

LOL! Adrian got us hooked on the stuff, and I did bring some back. A liquor store here in NY told me they could get it, but I would have to buy a case. I still have a lot left, so I'll wait until I go back to Cozumel to get another bottle, or two, or three.