The idea is to make it easier to get a replacement, not to travel with.

One option would be to travel back to the US border buy bus and cross by land. A copy would be sufficient for a US citizen as would almost any form of identification. Actually if you didn't have any identification you would be allowed in after screening and verification which wouldn't take long. All your government docs, photos,border crossings (air and land) and info is available to Customs and Border Patrol.

Would be a hassle to make the trip back to your city of origin but it would be an option.

Now which country, I ask you, makes simple things complicated?

I’m sorry to read of the complications where you live in the US for seemingly simple matters.

I think you missed an important word, “My Canadian father-in-law…”

Within walking distance of where I live part-time in Canada are four walk-in barber shops. One is a two-chair, second-generation family business; one has been operating for decades; one is a low-cost “chain”; while the “new one’ (five years) offers cappuccino while waiting.

For the more frugal, who are not in a hurry, a local hair cutting training program offers low-cost haircuts.

British Columbians can go to a pharmacist who can diagnose and prescribe for many illnesses, including conjunctivitis). The patient pays no fee for these services. The patient can pick up OTC medications and be on their way in 10 minutes or wait to pick up their prescribed medication. There are four pharmacies within walking distance of my part-time location.

Minor Ailments and Contraception Service

I was doing some woodworking recently in Troncones. The seemingly simple matter of getting the plywood and basic lumber took two weeks. Just getting wood screws of three sizes (1-1/4”, 1-1/2”, and 2”) required going to two ferreterías because neither ferretería sold all three sizes.

The project included drilling some 1/4” and 1/2” blind holes. This is done with Forstner bits. I consulted a local carpenter with 60 years experience. He had no idea what I was talking about.

Many of us decry big box stores, but they seem to be stocked with a wide range of products. I left home early in the morning and met up with the carpenter. We went from small ferretería to small ferretería looking for these drill bits. The ferreterías all seemed to be selling the same products and no one had any idea about Forster bits or how to drill a blind hole. I got home hours later and ended up ordering from Amazon, waiting another week, because it appeared this “simple” purchase was “impossible”.

I recognize that things are different in ‘the other Mexico’, places like DF, Guadalajara, Morelia…. But “my Mexico” is where I chose to live at my home is in the Zihuatanejo area.

Will wonders never cease. My friend filed a police report and got his passport back. Apparently, they rounded up some kids who had been vandalizing cars and retrieved it.

That is such awesome news......50 to 1 shot!!!

The US is great, but more challenging. Will always be a US citizens, especially if you have read why not to not stay one!

I find the opposite to be true often. Let's take barbers. When's the last time you walked down the road in the States and found an open barber shop where you could just take a seat and wait a few minutes for a cut. They all seem to be high-end salons with a decidedly female clientele. And I don't have 60 bucks for a haircut, sorry.

Or medical treatment. I got acute conjunctivitis in Oaxaca, green mucus flowing out of my eyes. In the States I can't seem to get insurance. They keep trying to wiggle out of it over at Covered California, (where I am supposed to be able to enroll in 5-10 minutes) and when I did have a good insurance from school, no clinic in the area took that specific insurance. Outrageous. In Mexico, on the other hand, I told them my symptoms at the pharmacy and I had antibiotic eyedrops in 5 minutes. 60 pesos was the charge. Now which country, I ask you, makes simple things complicated?

Will wonders never cease. My friend filed a police report and got his passport back. Apparently, they rounded up some kids who had been vandalizing cars and retrieved it.

Astounding news, Chris! Thank you for letting us know.

The idea is to make it easier to get a replacement, not to travel with.

Also, a copy of your passport and visa can show any Mexican authorities that you have the documents in your room and will be able to present the originals if they are required.

Some time ago, I did read that some tourists in the Yucatán were harassed for not having their documents on their person. There is a 0% chance of me carrying around my passport and visa!

And copies stored on line, on the cloud, or wherever we can access them world wide.

We all do that, but always with the thought in the back of my mind that it is unlikely anyone anywhere will ever accept a photocopy or computer image of a passport. If the authorities would accept them, there'd be no need to panic over a lost passport.
But I'll still keep copies anyway.

And copies stored on line, on the cloud, or wherever we can access them world wide.

This gives all the information.

I have a friend who had his car broken into in Zihua and his passport was taken. Does anybody know how he would go about getting back to the US without it?

He needs to contact the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City immediately. He may be able to receive a new one via the U.S. Consul in Acapulco.