Cerralvo Island Visitors Office (CIVO) 'Embassy'

[Cerralvo Island]

The Cerralvo Island Visitors Office is similar to an embassy or consulate in most countries. It certifies that visitors or immigrants do not have malintents when visiting or immigrating. CIVO operates differently from most embassies since it is a private business. Revenues are derived from fees for certification of entry and for Certified Identification Booklets ('passports') for residents. Certification of entry is not needed to enter, but may ensure better service while staying in Cerralvo and when returning to your home country. In addition, it would be useful to have if a dispute arises or you are accused of a tort ('crime'). The alternative certification organization is the Cerralvo Island Tourism Board (CITB). Despite the names, both also serve immigrant needs as well. There is no limit on your stay in Cerralvo, so no distinctions are needed in nomenclature.

Arrival
No documentation is needed to arrive in Cerralvo, however your country of origin may require documentation when you return. In addition, certification of entry can facilitate business here. Certain businesses, especially lodging places, prefer certified identification provided by CIVO or CITB.

If you elect to purchase a certification of entry, you will be required to provide any of the following options:
-a passport
-a drivers license with a photo and a credit card (the names must be identical)
-high school or college diploma, school identification card, one piece of mail from a competent institution (bank, school, religious organization, municipal/utility bill, etc...)
-at least 4-5 pieces of mail from competent institutions (each must be exactly the same and the more you have, the better)
-other forms of identification are frequently accepted. please contact us with any questions about what may be accepted.
-oral declarations and oaths are accepted, however your certification will note this. Further, you may be questioned for an extended period of time
Again, there is no need to be certified. Most businesses do not require it, but it may facilitate service.

Processing takes an hour at most and is done on-site. A photograph will be taken and stored in an encrypted database with your information, with your consent. It will be deleted upon request. However, it will again facilitate business conduct if we are allowed to maintain the records. Upon departure, you can also request deletion, but the records can be maintained for speedier issuance of certification should you return.

Certification of Entry
The certification of entry is a small document that identifies who you are by your name, country of origin and/or birth, date of birth, and a photograph. It will also contain notes regarding how you were processed. The certification will expire, but can be renewed for a fee. The first certification fee is fifty (50) credits. The renewal fee is twenty (20) credits.

Cerralvo
While in Cerralvo, it is up to you whether to keep your certification on your person. Most businesses do not require it for service, so it is recommended you keep it in a secure place. Hotels, banks, and large establishments provide lock boxes for a small fee. Hotel guests usually will secure your certification free of charge and it can be requested for any needs elsewhere.

Departure
Upon departure, you need not do anything. You can request deletion of your records if you do not plan to return or if you do not want them to remain on our servers. However, if you decide to return one day, it will be useful to have your records on our servers.

[Cerralvo Island]

Travelling to Cerralvo

Understand
Cerralvo is an absolute free market paradise. It has no government, but there certainly is a strong community. The point is that people should be able to freely associate how they wish and not be coerced into anything. Cerralvo is not filled with violent savages or unceasing clouds of cannabis smoke. In fact, the case is quite the opposite. Most people do not want drug users or criminals on their property.

Cerralvans have diverse views, ranging from communistic to capitalistic, but all believe in freedom and living without a government. Many will happily engage in debate, but things should always be kept respectful and agree to disagree if no progress is ever made. Others, however, have no interest in debate and just want to live a free life. So, do not come with the mind that everyone is an ultra-political debater.

Get in
Currently, the island can only be accessed by helicopter or boat. However, there are plans to build an airport in the next year or so.

By helicopter
Cerralvo Air provides service from the airport in La Paz, Mexico and other regional airports in Chinook helicopters. It can also stop in locations on demand, within the range of about 575km. However, there is an extra cost for unscheduled service.

By boat

Get around
So far, there are no paved roads on Cerralvo, but this is expected to change soon. There are plans by several firms to build a toll road connecting the length of the island. Other firms are considering a rail line. Studies of the feasibility of both are being done. For now, your options are somewhat limited (or at least unconventional).

By boat
The main way to travel between the north and south of the island is by boat. Small hydrofoil boats and hovercrafts carry two to three dozen passengers at a time and usually depart every 30-45 minutes, and according to demand. They are all independently-owned and work like set fare taxis.

By off-road
To reach inland settlements or those not reachable by boat, you can hire an off-road vehicle. Usually some kind of jeep, but there are others. The type of service is up to you. There are plenty of liveries (taxis) for hire; they are labelled LIVERY. However, if you want to maintain a budget, look for a vehicle that has AUTOBUS written on it.

By helicopter
Cerralvo Air provides service between Cerralvo City and North Cerralvo. In addition, most pilots are willing to land anywhere with sufficient flat land. Be aware that helicopter travel is fast, but can get very expensive. Find additional passengers if you want to save money. This shouldnt be too hard during the day in Cerralvo City.

Talk
English is the most dominant language, by far. However, Spanish is also common, due to the proximity of Mexico. Other languages are spoken across the island, but all you will need to know is English. Spelling varies, but is primarily of the American convention.

See

Do

Buy

Eat

Drink

Sleep

Learn

Work
If there really is a land of opportunity, this is it. You can literally set up a booth at any market and sell anything (allowed by the market operator, if there is any). Entrepreneurship is seen as an honorable trade by everyone. If you have a skill or can provide a good, Cerralvo may be the place for you to make a living. There are no work restrictions whatsoever, unless you are on someone elses property. But even then, there are usually few restrictions.

Stay safe
Counter to what most people would expect in a land without a government, Cerralvo has very little to no crime. People come here with a strong sense of respect for each other. People are armed to protect themselves as needed and security agents patrol the streets they are hired to watch. There is absolutely nothing to worry about for your safety. Even minor crimes, such as pickpocketing, that are difficult to stamp out in Western countries are virtually unknown in Cerralvo. However, be vigilant with your belongings and where you travel.

Should a problem arise, almost anyone is willing to help at least point you to a security agency, where you can receive help to investigate any crime and get due compensation and restitution for any aggression committed against you.

Stay healthy
There are a multitude of clinics on Cerralvo that use various schools of medicine, from Western to Eastern to herbal to homeopathy to some truly bizarre concepts. Use your discretion. There are two hospitals, one in Cerralvo City and one in its own settlement near the northern part of the island. Both have heliports for Medevac needs to them and to the mainland. North Cerralvo Hospital has a homeopathic centre, if you prefer that, but does focus on Western medicine.

The island is as healthy as most developed Western countries and the water is clean. There is nothing special to be concerned about.

Respect
Respect Cerralvans and they will respect you. The Golden Rule is really the only rule here. Cerralvans do not care about your personal life (education, religion, sexuality, income, etc) and will not disrespect you for that. Everyone without malintent is welcomed in Cerralvo. However, some property owners may not want you to patronize them. Remember it is their choice to lose business and not discriminatory against you. This is almost unheardof however.

Restrictions
There are absolutely no restrictions on what you can bring to Cerralvo, but you should respect the existing residents and other visitors. Further, individual property owners may have their own restrictions of widely varying breadths. Banks, schools, and other sensitive establishments usually prohibit firearms or other weapons from being brought on the property, but it is possible to check these at the door or a nearby location.

Contact

Get out