Flying a Drone in Mexico

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For some, flying a drone may be the closest thing that they will experience to piloting an aircraft. For others, they will use their drones to take amazing photos and videos and stunning landscapes. While, for some, flying a drone is simply a fun hobby or activity. Whatever your reason for flying a drone, I’m sure you’ll agree that they are great! When travelling, many people like to take their drone with them. However, if you are planning on doing this, you need to know the laws on operating a drone in your chosen destination. In this article, we will discuss the rules and guidelines for drone flying in Mexico.

Flying a drone in Mexico is perfectly legal. However, there are of course rules which must be obeyed. For example, any drome weighing more than 250 g must be registered with Mexico’s Directorate General of Civil Aeronautics. When registering your drone, you must have proof of Mexican citizenship which means no international travellers can fly a drone that is over 250 g. Also, drones must only be flown in daylight and must not exceed 400 feet from the ground. Operators must always be able to see the drone and it should be no more than 1500 feet away from them at all times. Operators should not fly over any people, animals or historical sites and should not land their drone in any urban areas. Drones should not drop any objects as this could cause harm or obstruction to other people and they should be flown less than 9.2 km from any aerodromes.

If you wish to take pictures or videos of any areas, monuments or museums that are owned by the National Institute of Anthropology and History. If you fail to do this, you risk a large fine. To get permission, you must provide them with a storyboard, script or sketch of all shots you plan to take, fill out an online application form and submit a written plan to the National Coordination of Legal Affairs.

If you are flying a drone for commercial purposes, there are some specific rules that you need to follow. You must have a license to operate a drone. To be eligible for this license, you must be over the age of 18, have graduated high school and have a diploma, be in a good health condition and you must have been born in Mexico.

Now you know the rules, where are the best places to fly your drone? Well, one of these places is Cancun. Cancun can be found in the Yucatan Peninsula and is home to some of the best beaches in the country. Cancun is divided into two areas; El Centro and Zona Hotelera. In El Centro, you will come across a more traditional downtown area with a more residential feel to it. However, Zona Hotelera is where the nightlife of Cancun is. This area is on the beachfront and filled with shops, restaurants and nightclubs. Cancun is best known for its crystal clear waters and golden beaches making it an excellent place to get some shots from the skies.

Next, we have Tulum. Tulum is also found in the Yucatan Peninsula and is seated at the Caribbean coastline. Again, much like Cancun, Tulum has stunning beaches with fresh, clean water and white sand. However, unlike Cancun, Tulum features ruins of an old Mayan port city which is still in good condition. Also, in Tulum, you can find the Parque Nacional Tulum which features natural limestone sinkholes otherwise known as cenotes. The mixture of beautiful beach and historical structure makes Tulum an excellent choice to capture using your drone.

Lastly, we have the city of San Miguel De Allende. If beaches aren’t your style and you prefer to get shots of stunning architecture and city life then this is a perfect choice! San Miguel de Allende is a colonial-era city which can be found in the highlands of the country. It is very well known for its traditional, Spanish architecture as well as various cultural festivals and a bustling arts scene. A notable feature of the city can be found in its centre. Here, you will come across the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel, an old neo-gothic church. The church has large, pink towers which can be seen towering above the main plaza, El Jardin.

Conclusion

To conclude, Mexico isn’t an ideal drone flying destination if you weren’t born there but, if you were, then it’s perfect! The country has a wide range of locations available to fit everyone’s style and preference and the rules and guidelines that have been set by the country are fair and easy to follow. Whether you prefer the warm sand of the Mexican beaches or the busy cities filled with stunning buildings, the country truly does have it all to offer!

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