Max-fossils Posted December 7, 2016 Share Posted December 7, 2016 Hello fossil-hunters, My family and I might soon go to Mexico on a trip. We are probably going to stay in Puerto Aventuras, Quintana Roo (Yucatan peninsula). Do any of you know some good nearby fossil sites where we could hunt? Thanks in advance, Max Max Derème "I feel an echo of the lightning each time I find a fossil. [...] That is why I am a hunter: to feel that bolt of lightning every day." - Mary Anning >< Remarkable Creatures, Tracy Chevalier Instagram: @world_of_fossils Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FossilDAWG Posted December 7, 2016 Share Posted December 7, 2016 Super bad idea! Maybe look and take photos. Actually trying to take anything out of the country without a permit you'll never be able to get will earn you a nice stay in a Mexican prison. Even University researchers have to work with Mexican scientists, and the fossils stay in Mexico. Getting out of prison will cost you big time. Do not even think about taking fossils out of Mexico. Don 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max-fossils Posted December 7, 2016 Author Share Posted December 7, 2016 10 minutes ago, FossilDAWG said: Super bad idea! Maybe look and take photos. Actually trying to take anything out of the country without a permit you'll never be able to get will earn you a nice stay in a Mexican prison. Even University researchers have to work with Mexican scientists, and the fossils stay in Mexico. Getting out of prison will cost you big time. Do not even think about taking fossils out of Mexico. Don Wow, okay, thanks a lot for the warning! Guess there won't be any fossil hunting for me then... Are there then perhaps fossil museums in Puerto Aventuras, or a nearby city? Also, do the same measurements apply for seashells? Because I also collect those, and I'm quite sure there will be some to collect on the beaches there. Best regards, Max Max Derème "I feel an echo of the lightning each time I find a fossil. [...] That is why I am a hunter: to feel that bolt of lightning every day." - Mary Anning >< Remarkable Creatures, Tracy Chevalier Instagram: @world_of_fossils Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
belemniten Posted December 7, 2016 Share Posted December 7, 2016 Wow great idea ! I would like to go with you I am sry that i dont know any good locations there, but i wish you the best of luck and great fossils (and maybe a nice report) Many greetings from Germany ! Have a great time with many fossils Regards Sebastian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max-fossils Posted December 7, 2016 Author Share Posted December 7, 2016 3 minutes ago, belemniten said: Wow great idea ! I would like to go with you I am sry that i dont know any good locations there, but i wish you the best of luck and great fossils (and maybe a nice report) I'd also be glad! And don't worry if you don't know any locations there, because according to Don you can't take them home anyways Thanks, Max Max Derème "I feel an echo of the lightning each time I find a fossil. [...] That is why I am a hunter: to feel that bolt of lightning every day." - Mary Anning >< Remarkable Creatures, Tracy Chevalier Instagram: @world_of_fossils Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FossilDAWG Posted December 7, 2016 Share Posted December 7, 2016 I don't know how strict they are about sea shells; you could PM forum member mikeR as I recall him saying something about that in a conversation quite a while ago. I know someone who was jailed and had his car confiscated because he collected some insects in Mexico and tried to take them out of the country. I think it's likely that the relevant law would be posted online. If you are traveling it's always best to find out about the law beforehand. When I was in Ecuador I had a chance to but some nice Cretaceous ammonites but I chose not to because I couldn't find out the law and I didn't want to risk smuggling them out. Even if you can't take fossils out of the country you could still do a nice trip report with photos. Don 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caldigger Posted December 7, 2016 Share Posted December 7, 2016 Max, you can always ask the customs office at the airport when you get there. I believe you can buy shells in tourist shops but you may need to show a receipt to get them on the plane. I know It wasn't a problem when I was in the Yucatán back in '75, but laws may have changed since then. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ridgehiker Posted December 7, 2016 Share Posted December 7, 2016 There's lots of visible fossil outcrops South of Cancun. I dont know about the rest of the Yucatan. You will find these in limestone shelves both along the coast and inland. I remember once looking at fossils and eating tomatoes...tomatoes were growing wild. Thousands of Canadians bring home a few seashells in their luggage. Its not permitted but Ive never known any enforcement. I would never bring back a fossil or any artifact. Are you staying at an all inclusive resort? If so, no issues with authorities or the police. These resorts are akin to mafia run casinos in Las Vegas in the 1960's. The average tourist is their bread and butter and protected. I personally would not stay outside of an all inclusive or an ex pat enclave. Also, take any tours to ruins through a resort and not on your own. Everyone gets a bit of pay off but this guarantees your safety. I always take a stack of $1 U.S. Bills for tipping. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piranha Posted December 7, 2016 Share Posted December 7, 2016 28 minutes ago, Max-fossils said: ...Are there then perhaps fossil museums in Puerto Aventuras, or a nearby city?... You hit the jackpot. Enrico Bonino and Carlo Kier have a world class collection of trilobites at the "Back to the Past Museum". The museum is located at the Azul Sensatori Hotel in Quintana Roo: LINK 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FossilDAWG Posted December 7, 2016 Share Posted December 7, 2016 Looked around a bit online and here in old posts in the Forum (I really recommend people learn how to use the search function, it's easy), and I discovered that even seashells are (under Mexican law) considered "national treasures" and they cannot be exported. I also found references to people not having a big problem taking a "couple of souvenir shells" home, but you are taking a potential risk by doing so. I gather the law changed sometime in the 1970s, as before that people were able to collect and export whatever they wanted. Don 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max-fossils Posted December 8, 2016 Author Share Posted December 8, 2016 Thanks all: @FossilDAWG, @belemniten, @caldigger, @Canadawest and @piranha!!! So conclusion: no fossils. 3 years ago, my aunt went to Mexico and brought me quite a few seashells back, namely a beautiful Busycon contrarium of 35cm. I'm gonna ask her how she got them, and then turn back to you all, to see what you think. Best regards to all of you, Max Max Derème "I feel an echo of the lightning each time I find a fossil. [...] That is why I am a hunter: to feel that bolt of lightning every day." - Mary Anning >< Remarkable Creatures, Tracy Chevalier Instagram: @world_of_fossils Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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