Traveling with a Machete

shogun1011 · 12-30-2008

Hey all! I'm heading down to Playa in a couple days...then spending most of the week on the beaches in Tulum...who knows where else. anyway, I'm wondering what the law/rules/suggestions are regarding traveling with a machete?

I did this trip a couple years back, and wished I had brought a machete with me for a couple reasons. Primarily, when i'm hung over and exiting my cabana in the morning...it'd sure be nice to be able to cut open one of those coconuts to help cure my hangover!! lol.

Am I going to be breaking any laws by strapping a sheithed machete to my pack as i'm hiking around??

Thanks for your help!

_Josephina_ · 12-30-2008

This just screams "bad idea"!!!

I'm not sure on the legality of it - just might not be the best idea.

Dan in Ct · 12-30-2008

All the jardineros(gardeners) carry them soI don't think there is a legal reason against you carrying one.

cyberbovine · 12-30-2008

"I'm wondering what the law/rules/suggestions are regarding traveling with a machete?

I did this trip a couple years back, and wished I had brought a machete with me for a couple reasons. Primarily, when i'm hung over and exiting my cabana in the morning...it'd sure be nice to be able to cut open one of those coconuts to help cure my hangover!!..."

For once, I am speechless.
My husband would like to congratulate you on this accomplishment.

shogun1011 · 12-30-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by _Josephina_

This just screams "bad idea"!!!

I'm not sure on the legality of it - just might not be the best idea.

why does it seem like a bad idea? I'd personally think it'd be a bad idea to "not" take a cutting tool of some sort while you're camping.

Doggiemom · 12-30-2008

Just don't take in your carry-on

Mogley · 12-30-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by shogun1011

Hey all! I'm heading down to Playa in a couple days...then spending most of the week on the beaches in Tulum...who knows where else. anyway, I'm wondering what the law/rules/suggestions are regarding traveling with a machete?

I did this trip a couple years back, and wished I had brought a machete with me for a couple reasons. Primarily, when i'm hung over and exiting my cabana in the morning...it'd sure be nice to be able to cut open one of those coconuts to help cure my hangover!! lol.

Am I going to be breaking any laws by strapping a sheithed machete to my pack as i'm hiking around??

Thanks for your help!

Don,t know about the legality of any of this, but the hungover coconut chopping sounds like a good way to screw up a vacation

Jo · 12-30-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by shogun1011

why does it seem like a bad idea? I'd personally think it'd be a bad idea to "not" take a cutting tool of some sort while you're camping.

While I am not sure about the law situation regarding this (laws in Mexico being a subject of their own anyhow....)- let's put it this way: what you are intending to carry is not exactly a swiss army knife. Also you are not a gardener, but a tourist. So to explain to the policia on the way to Tulum (if such a situation arises) why you as a foreigner who does not own ground in Tulum that he needs to clear carries a machete might be a bit of trouble. I don't think they would arrest you- but I think they might take it away.

Second I'd think you might have trouble getting it trough customs.

Third I am thinking that no matter where you stay in Tulum nowadays you are not that far off from civilization and for sure other hangover cures are available.

I personally would vote for it not being such a clever idea to take one.

OR- if you feel the deep desire to have the machete as a Robinson-esque touch without which your holiday won't be complete- then I'd buy one in a shop in the area once you are down there and not carry it around too much.

shogun1011 · 12-30-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joana

what you are intending to carry is not exactly a swiss army knife.
I personally would vote for it not being such a clever idea to take one.

See, i got the impression that "knives" were big no no...concealed or not. But thought machetes were more of a "tool" than a "weapon".

I do appreciate the advice though. Seems kinda strange that a local can walk down a beach, machete in hand, chopping coconuts and selling them to tourists...but a tourist isn't able to chop his own??

Bumper · 12-30-2008

Just how much bushwhacking do you anticipate doing? I suspect you'll find most of the places you're likely to explore aren't really going to require a machete. As far as the coconut opening is concerned, I trust you're counting your fingers both before and after the exercise? Seems to me a machete in the hands of a severely hung over individual might not be the best decision.

**Shammy** · 12-30-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by cyberbovine

For once, I am speechless.
My husband would like to congratulate you on this accomplishment.

gingele · 12-30-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by shogun1011

See, i got the impression that "knives" were big no no...concealed or not. But thought machetes were more of a "tool" than a "weapon".

I do appreciate the advice though. Seems kinda strange that a local can walk down a beach, machete in hand, chopping coconuts and selling them to tourists...but a tourist isn't able to chop his own??

Can you clarify, please? Are you asking:

(a) can you carry a machete in your luggage (carry on or checked?) from the US to Mexico?

or

(b) you are planning on purchasing said tool once in Mexico, and you are just asking if you can hang out with it and chop open coconuts on the beach without fear of being harassed by the authorities?

**Shammy** · 12-30-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by shogun1011

See, i got the impression that "knives" were big no no...concealed or not. But thought machetes were more of a "tool" than a "weapon".

Nooo, a machete is a weapon as well...just a bigger one! Try explaining to the federales the difference between a tool and a weapon - not sure they'll be interested in the answer though!

user 6507 · 12-30-2008

I don't think it's a big deal if you're out in the boonies. A machete definitely is a good camping tool. I don't think it would be kool to have one outside of the camping scenario. Anyways, you could always wait and get some input when you get there and then go buy one. Your screen name leads me to believe you might have an affection your items like this.

YWGDon&Deb · 12-30-2008

If you're bringing it from the US I can't see how it will make it out of the terminal building and onto the plane, either carry-on (no way) or checked (almost certain to be x-rayed in the baggage area where a huge slab of sharp steel is almost certainly going to raise some eyebrows).

If it does get that far, I hope your Spanish is excellent because I would expect a long and detailed discussion with the nice customs and immigration folks when you arrive.

I think Joana has the best plan. Buy one there, be very discreet and leave it there.

My $0.02.

12-30-2008	#1 (permalink)
shogun1011 el machetero Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Greenfield MA Posts: 52	Traveling with a Machete Hey all! I'm heading down to Playa in a couple days...then spending most of the week on the beaches in Tulum...who knows where else. anyway, I'm wondering what the law/rules/suggestions are regarding traveling with a machete? I did this trip a couple years back, and wished I had brought a machete with me for a couple reasons. Primarily, when i'm hung over and exiting my cabana in the morning...it'd sure be nice to be able to cut open one of those coconuts to help cure my hangover!! lol. Am I going to be breaking any laws by strapping a sheithed machete to my pack as i'm hiking around?? Thanks for your help!

12-30-2008	#4 (permalink)
cyberbovine toe in water Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Washington State Posts: 49	"I'm wondering what the law/rules/suggestions are regarding traveling with a machete? I did this trip a couple years back, and wished I had brought a machete with me for a couple reasons. Primarily, when i'm hung over and exiting my cabana in the morning...it'd sure be nice to be able to cut open one of those coconuts to help cure my hangover!!..." For once, I am speechless. My husband would like to congratulate you on this accomplishment. Last edited by cyberbovine; 12-30-2008 at 11:45 AM.. Reason: correct quoting

12-30-2008	#2 (permalink)
_Josephina_ añejo Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Edmonton, AB Posts: 2,488	This just screams "bad idea"!!! I'm not sure on the legality of it - just might not be the best idea.

12-30-2008	#3 (permalink)
Dan in Ct life=playa Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Greenwich, Ct Posts: 515	All the jardineros(gardeners) carry them soI don't think there is a legal reason against you carrying one.

12-30-2008	#6 (permalink)
Doggiemom añejo Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Humble, Texas Posts: 9,363	Just don't take in your carry-on

12-30-2008	#10 (permalink)
Bumper Class Clown Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Winnipeg, Canada Posts: 14,212	Just how much bushwhacking do you anticipate doing? I suspect you'll find most of the places you're likely to explore aren't really going to require a machete. As far as the coconut opening is concerned, I trust you're counting your fingers both before and after the exercise? Seems to me a machete in the hands of a severely hung over individual might not be the best decision.

12-30-2008	#14 (permalink)
user 6507 banned Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: gone Posts: 10,448	I don't think it's a big deal if you're out in the boonies. A machete definitely is a good camping tool. I don't think it would be kool to have one outside of the camping scenario. Anyways, you could always wait and get some input when you get there and then go buy one. Your screen name leads me to believe you might have an affection your items like this.

12-30-2008	#15 (permalink)
YWGDon&Deb reposado Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba Posts: 1,257	If you're bringing it from the US I can't see how it will make it out of the terminal building and onto the plane, either carry-on (no way) or checked (almost certain to be x-rayed in the baggage area where a huge slab of sharp steel is almost certainly going to raise some eyebrows). If it does get that far, I hope your Spanish is excellent because I would expect a long and detailed discussion with the nice customs and immigration folks when you arrive. I think Joana has the best plan. Buy one there, be very discreet and leave it there. My $0.02.

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