By Jeanine Lee Kitchel

Playa del Carmen now has a U.S. Consulate on Calle 1 Sur between Avenues 15 and 20 which opened in July. It’s located in a small palapa on the north side of the street and is open three days a week, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Consular agent Samantha Mason can perform as a notary, assist in matters such as lost passports, and even help you register to vote.

There is also a U.S. Consular Agency in Cancun at the hotel zone and one on Cozumel. The main consulate for the Yucatan/Quintana Roo area is in Merida and can be contacted through their website at www.merida.usconsulate.com. The email address for the Playa del Carmen consulate is playausca@hotmail.com. Mason can be reached by phone in Mexico at (984) 873-0303. Her emergency cell number is (984) 807-8355.