Hot answers tagged mexico
13
The mordida (nibble) is unfortunately deeply ingrained in Mexico, although mostly a feature of local police and not the federal police or the military, and there are various anti-corruption initiatives at work in the larger cities.
Generally, the interaction involves being pulled over for a traffic offense like speeding or not wearing a seat belt. The ...
10
While the kidney thing is almost certainly nonsense, there have been quite a few (by Canadian standards) Canadians murdered in Mexico, and the police investigations verge on nonsensical. Like the young man found in a ditch covered in injuries and the police said "he must have fallen off his motorcycle, and then perhaps someone stole it since there's no sign ...
10
Backdoor Jobs is probably my favourite resource for out of the ordinary job adventures. It includes a variety of different jobs for different people with different backgrounds and experiences. A lot of the jobs listed are leading groups or hiking / trekking, BUT there are a lot of other ones available too.
The owner / writer of the site Michael Landers ...
10
An e-mail to Kahlúa asking about tours was answered with:
Thanks for your email and your interest in Kahlúa.
Unfortunately we don't currently offer a tour of the Kahlúa facilities.
If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.
Best regards
Martin
8
Mexico is a great place, and for the most part safe. Obviously you should use common sense, but you will be fine. The resorts and tours are also safe, so enjoy yourself.
I lived in southern Mexico for a couple of years and never had a problem (I'm a tall, blonde, white American), Mexicans are very friendly. I do speak Spanish though, and have always felt ...
7
A nephew of mine witnessed a shooting at a gas station in Northern Mexico when driving from Mexico City to Texas, but then again that can happen anywhere. I saw a shooting last time I was in L.A.
When I was in Mexico in 2008/2009 the northern states felt just as safe as the rest of the country. I did not drive but used public transport and walked a lot.
I ...
7
I haven't been to Mexico myself yet, but I've given this some thought recently, from the perspective of visiting Yucatán peninsula (incl Cancún) and maybe other places like Puebla and Veracruz. (Specifically, I've read news and blog posts, and talked with Mexicans and others who've been there.)
Here's a summary of my understanding (Nov 2012):
How ...
6
After some more research, and help from a friend here in Mexico, I have found that the following bus lines (listed in alphabetical order) offer free WiFi on some of their routes:
Autobuses Americanos provided me with Internet access between Austin, TX and Laredo, TX, but once we crossed into Mexico, the Nuevo Laredo to Monterrey stretch had no Internet ...
6
According to Mexperience.com, some buses do indeed have wifi onboard, but generally only in Executive Class buses:
ETN's buses now offer WiFi on some routes. The service
is free and enables you to send/receive email, surf the net and make
internet-based phone calls from the bus using a service like Skype.
Service quality varies and, depending on ...
6
Contacting Aaron Vanek who wrote an article with examiner.com about a tour of the factory may give you a good start.
On location with Kahlua coffee liqueur in Mexico (part VI - finale)
6
This varies from Car Rental company to Car Rental company.
I've found someone who compiled the list of most major car rental companies and their policy w.r.t. to driving the car to Mexico.
Most don't allow it. Some do allow it with additional coverage for just such an occasion like Budget.
So if you know which car rental company you will be renting from ...
5
First, in general, if you take a shore excursion from the ship then you are protected against getting back late. The ship will wait for you. If you take an independent excursion, the ship will leave without you, you are subject to fines, and it is your problem as to how to get to the next port to rejoin the ship. I have experienced first hand an excursion ...
5
The official Mexican Customs website has this document, which states aliens can temporarily import a car into Mexico for as long as their immigration status lasts. In your case, this would be until your FM3 visa expires. Quote:
"Cuánto tiempo puede permanecer en México el vehículo importado ... el plazo que dure tu calidad migratoria"
Also, the ...
5
The category on Driving in Mexico on Wikitravel has a couple of things to say:
Never drive above the speed limit or run stop signs/red lights as
Mexican police will use any excuse to pull over tourists and give you
a ticket. If pulled over by a police officer soliciting a bribe, do
not pay the amount requested, but pull out USD$50 or 500 pesos, and
...
5
Ok, maybe not an actual answer, but this might be another option:
An ex-coworker who used to have a boat and told me that is quite easy to get a lift on a boat or yacht from Mexico towards (south-) west; so if you're on a budget and not in a hurry you could try to buy a one-way plane ticket to Mexico and then sail back towards NZ or AUS from Mexico. Right ...
5
The Pan American Highway is probably the most popular route.
Mexico and possibly other countries require insurance from an underwriter in that country. It will probably be a lot cheaper to arrange that before the trip.
It would be worth checking to see if it is unsafe to travel in certain areas, and at night. In Nicaragua, for example, there have been ...
5
Before I visited Mexico for the first time, I also heard many stories about how dangerous it is, especially from Mexicans living in L.A.
Then I spent three wonderful months all over Mexico without anything bad happening to me.
I consider the part of Cancún where all the hotels are an even safer place. There are only hotels, shopping malls/restaurants and ...
4
Nafta has long allowed Mexican trucks to go 50 miles into Texas, and recently they have successfully sued to be able to operate in the US. That said, only one shipping company currently operates as such, and I don't remember it's name.
Still, even with that 50 miles, you might be able to cross into TX , drop the trailer, and return to Mexico for your drop ...
4
According to the visa rules for Mexico that I got off IATA, the rules say (for Philippines passport holders):
Visa required, except for a stay of max. 180 days:
for alien residents of United Kingdom holding a permanent residence permit.
for holders of a valid visa for the USA.
CIBT elaborates that no passport is required for people who:
...
4
I did a few searches. This UK travel company has a 15-day itinerary. This regional summary has 7 stops each for a day or two with some possible side trips. So it certainly seems reasonable that you could create your own route and spend a very enjoyable 21 days.
4
Playa del Carmen has a great location - about mid-way between Cancun and Tulum - both big tourist destination. Though, it can hold it's own...
We were there for a wedding recently, and can't wait to go back. Here's a list of things we enjoyed and highly recommend -
The Beach at Playa Del Carmen - one of the best, and not as crowded or commercial as those ...
4
Here are some links to travel jobs to get your started:
http://www.transitionsabroad.com/listings/work/shortterm/tourism_hospitality_gap_year_jobs_abroad.shtml - all sorts of jobs, however not particular South America related
http://www.tefl.com/jobs/search.html - currently only 4 language jobs in Mexico; but a lot more in other countries. This job here ...
4
The British FCO seems to indicate that Dengue Fever is still a risk in Mexico:
http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/north-central-america/mexico1
(Scroll down or CTRL-F to find the passage about Dengue Fever)
4
From the US Consulate:
Tourists to Mexico wishing to travel beyond the border zone with their
car must obtain a temporary import permit or risk having their car
confiscated by Mexican customs officials.
To acquire a permit, one must submit evidence of citizenship, title
for the car, a car registration certificate and a driver's license to
a ...
4
This is something I'm wondering too. I've never been there but I read alot about it during the past months and I still don't know what to think about.
One of the best resources I've found so far is the Wikitravel article on Ciudad Juárez.
It has an interesting section about Security that you may want to check.
4
I found a website comparing different biodegradable sunblockers. The quality/price range is quite significant, so it might be worth not grabbing the first thing on the shelf but rather going for a specific product.
The one that the above website gave the best rating is available on Amazon for example.
3
There might be. Ask at your local yacht club, jetty or harbor master. Often they have have a notice board or maybe even a website where you can post or enquirer about a lift.
Depending on your negotiation skills, you might have to pay for the trip or help out on the boat in exchange.
The Go-Panamerican Web site seems not very active (last updated 2006), ...
3
These are some tips based on my own experience driving extensively in Mexico (although not so much specifically along the Baja peninsula)
Don't travel between major cities at night. Especially within 2 hours of the U.S. border. This is where the drug cartels are generally most active, and kidnappings are most common.
Drive an unimpressive vehicle if ...
3
I do like to push them - once again, if you're really stuck and don't know where to look, consider Flightfox. I'm not affiliated, although I do compete on there as one of their 'experts'. Basically they have a bunch of 'experts' that compete to find you the best price. With what may work best as an open-jawed flight or a double-return (Japan->Mexico ...
3
Bear in mind that it is winter season in Central America (until late October). And while staying in the Pan American highway is probably your best bet, there's still chance for roadblocks caused by mudslides, collapsed bridges, etc.
Road infrastructure on those countries isn't exactly at the same levels you are used to.
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