Which Button to Push?
 

I was just reading a travel book on Guadalajara and it states: "As in all Mexico's international airports, travellers going through customs are asked to press a button that activates a green light, which means that they can enter the country with no further ado, or a red light, which means that they will have to be searched first". This makes no sense to me and actually creates a great cartoon situation. Is this true? What if a traveller just can't make up his/her mind? Is there an alternative color to select?

If it's like other systems I've seen, there is only one button. If you are going through the "Nothing to Declare" lane, you push the button and it randomly selects a green (most of the time) or red light. If the light is red, you are stopped for further inspection. If it's green, you pass on through. The system puts the randomness entirely on your actions, which, of course, you have no control over. But it takes the random-selection duty out of the hands of the customs officer.

Our experience in Acapulco was the same as the previous poster described.

Is this button in the airports only? Will I have the same entering Mexico in a bus?

Yes, I understand I will have to get off the bus to cross the border :)

Yep- just one button. It is a regular traffic light sitting there that is programmed to turn red randomly. I have seen them at both airports and bus stations. On the other hand, some ports of entry do not have. For example, two summers ago they did not yet have one at the Toluca airport as they were just starting international service. In my experience we have gotten the red light about once every three time into Mexico. Also, it is not by person but by family. For example if you have a family of four the one filling out the customs declaration is the only one to push the button. Green light walk on by. Red light means the whole family gets their stuff searched.

There is only 1 button & you push it. Then see if you get a red or a green light, it's luck of the draw, you don't get to choose anything -lol
:-)

Sounds worse then getting on a plane :(