What's the rule for US citizens re-entering Mexico on a tourist visa?

Question

If a US citizen is in central Mexico (not in a border town where it doesn't matter as long as you have a passport) on a tourist visa and stays 180 days (the max amount of time one can stay in Mexico on a tourist visa), can they leave the country and re-enter on another 180 tourist visa?

I've heard "yes", "no", "it depends on how you enter", "US citizens can travel in Mexico without any visa", and a bunch of other answers.

Answer 1

Absolutely! When you leave the airport in Mexico, the airline will collect your tourist card (by the way, they rarely look at the date to see if you're still within your allowed time to be in the country). If you've lost the tourist card, conveniently or by mistake, then you can purchase a new one at the Immigration Office in the airport for about $40US.

When you fly back to Mexico, it'll be the same process for the tourist card as the first time you arrived.

I have an FM3 and frankly it's a huge hassle to have it renewed, etc. I recommend sticking with tourist card, as long as you can afford to go in and out of the country a few times a year.

EDIT:  

If you departing and returning by bus, then they will not even look at your tourist card (most likely).  However, there is a Mexican immigration office at each border crossing if, so you could request the tourist card upon reentry.  You would only need to visit the office upon returning to Mexico, regardless of whether they take your tourist card upon departure, to request a new card. The office hours are really limited though and I'm sure that you'd run into some complications working with them, but it's worth a try.

Answer 2

You can reenter and get another tourist card with no problem.  I am an American living in Mexico on an FM3 visa, but I have many friends who just have 180 day tourist cards and get new ones every 6 months with no problem at all.  Occasionally a border guard wll want to give you less than 180 days ( for some unknown reason)   Just insist, tell him you need the 180 days  because you have plans with friends.  I know pwoplw who havwe lived here 25 years and just keep getting anothet tourist card!