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Motorcycle In Mexico?

March 4, 2010 | 2 Comments

Hi I want to make a trip on the toll roads down to Mexico City from Phoenix at the end of March in a motorcycle by myself. I grew up In Mexico City and know the central area and peninsula of Mexico quite well. Even though I am Mexican, you have more experience than I do traveling to Mexico; therefore I am asking you for adviceand also have not traveled from North to South by land never.

I am meeting friends and family in both Cuernavaca and Mexico City, ….. I speak the language so that is not the problem… I have always traveled by plane when going down there, but did a lot of road trips as a family when younger but never alone and in a motorcycle.

I understand I would drive during the day only, and staying on toll roads always.

Do you think it might be not safe doing it by myself… back and forth?

Do you have any tips for me?

Thank you,  Ricardo B.

Carl replies: Since you have the good fortune to already speak Spanish and presumably understand how to handle yourself in Mexico, I have very little advice to offer beyond what I’ve written in our book, which is quite extensive.  (Look for the People’s Guide to Mexico in your local library or better yet, buy a copy!)

One caution:  if you’re riding a bike that attracts attention I’d carry some kind of cover for it, to conceal it better at night from the curious.  You might even use an old tarp with bungee cords — something simple and not at all flashy.  Also, motorcyclists often park their bikes overnight in the patio of a hotel.  Do you have a serious lock?  If you haven’t seen them before, consider something like a Kryptonite New York Fuggedaboutit lock. I actually have this same lock for my bicycle (my bike is worth more than our car).

Again, I can’t think of anything else that isn’t covered in detail in the chapter on driving in our book.

FAQ: Working In Mexico

March 3, 2010 | Leave a Comment

Frequently Asked Questions about Working In Mexico

Please feel free to add your own comments, suggestions and personal experiences via the Comments link.  As new questions come in I’ll add them to this post, so if the topic interests you I suggest that you subscribe.

3 March 2010

I was reading your website and you definitely offer some great information. I have been considering relocating to Mazatlan for the past 16 months and I am getting closer and closer to doing it! I visited twice last year and already have one trip planned for March and one for April. I can’t wait to be back!

I was hoping you could help me since you probably have some more knowledge than I do . . .

I do hold my certificate to teach English as a second language, but am having trouble findings schools and opportunities in Mazatlan. I have been successful in finding opportunities in many other places in Mexico, but would truly like to be in Mazatlan. Do you happen to know of any specific schools or programs that hire ESL teachers?

Thank you so much in advance for your time and any assistance you can provide.

Kind Regards, Elizabeth

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27 Feb 2010

I am looking for some information.  I am an American living in Texas.  I am looking to purchase a business in Playa.  Is that possible since I am an American?  Also, how is the safety in and around Playa?  Any information would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks

Jeremiah

Carl replies: I assume you mean Playa del Carmen in the Yucatan?   Yes, it is possible but that doesn’t mean it will be easy.  As for safety, that depends a great deal on what you consider to be “safe”.  Your questions are so broad, in fact, that I suggest you do further research online  and at our main People’s Guide To Mexico website (as well as visiting Playa) before you go much farther.

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25 Feb 2010

I was reading your website and you definitely offer some great information. I have been considering relocating to Mazatlan for the past 16 months and I am getting closer and closer to doing it! I visited twice last year and already have one trip planned for March and one for April. I can’t wait to be back!

I was hoping you could help me since you probably have some more knowledge than I do . . .

I do hold my certificate to teach English as a second language, but am having trouble findings schools and opportunities in Mazatlan. I have been successful in finding opportunities in many other places in Mexico, but would truly like to be in Mazatlan. Do you happen to know of any specific schools or programs that hire ESL teachers?

Thank you so much in advance for your time and any assistance you can provide.

Kind Regards, Elizabeth

Carl replies:  Lorena and I don’t have the time or resources to track individual businesses and schools but I’m sure that if you participate in some of the popular online discussion forums about Mazatlan that you’ll find something helpful.  Or, with any luck, one of our readers will chime in here and answer your question.  If you haven’t yet searched our main People’s Guide website for information, please try that — the link is in the upper left hand corner of this page.

FAQ: Retire, Live In Mexico?

March 3, 2010 | 1 Comment

We get so many questions about retiring and living in Mexico that I’ve decided to combine both the questions and replies in a single post.  As new questions come in I’ll add them here, so if this topic interests you I suggest subscribing to the post.  As always I hope you’ll feel free to add your own comments, advice, and personal experience via the comment box.

3 March 2010

I want to THANK YOU for your wealth of information !!!!!!!!! I completely stumbled across your website and various links of information and am now addicted :o )

My husband and I were married in Puerto Vallarta in March 2005. Having never been there, it was a huge step for me in more than one way !!! However, I completely fell in love with the area and the people. We go to PV (actually south of there) every year for our anniversary and this will be our 5th. Each time we try to stay longer and venture further. My husband probably would have moved to Mexico a long time ago – but, I have been the one holding him back. We are both so frustrated with the government and the state of our economy; and the continual decline. We continually evaluate our environment. In just the last two weeks we have fallen in love with Lake Chapala – and, for some reason, Ajijic. We wonder how we would be able to support ourselves with no retirement funds or savings set aside. Not sure how the job market is – if there even is one. I realize that I am rambling on and on here and you obviously can’t solve my issues. I have ordered your book and hope to have it in a couple days. I know it will be a great resource and I am looking forward to that. Any other words of wisdom you would be willing to share on a more personal basis would be greatly appreciated. I was also wondering if you have a blog that I have not found yet ??

Thank you !!!!!!!!!!!!!      Marlene

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26 Feb 2010

My husband and I are looking to retire in a place we can afford. We are a bit concerned about Mexico because we have heard that it is not a particularly safe place to live. Also, if you buy property can the Mexican government take it away at any time? We are looking for horse property. Is it feasible to purchase a few acres of nice property with a small home on it, in a safe area, for 60,000? » keep reading, there is still more »

Poets To Gather In Mexico

March 3, 2010 | Leave a Comment

U.S. Poets in Mexico 3rd Annual Poetry Festival visits Playa del Carmen next January 2011 — Featuring Poetry Workshops and Readings by Contemporary American and Mexican Poets

In January 2011, U.S. Poets in Mexico will be visiting Playa del Carmen.  U.S. Poets in Mexico will bring contemporary American and regional Mexican poets to different cities in Mexico every year for one week of poetry workshops, readings and discussions. » keep reading, there is still more »

Michoacan Beach Camping

March 2, 2010 | Leave a Comment

I’ve been doing some housekeeping on this blog and discovered the post below from David Eidell buried in a remote corner of the site.  It was originally posted in 2009 but will probably still appeal to those of you lucky enough to be beachcombing this winter.

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FREE BEACH CAMPING ON THE COAST OF MICHOACAN

IF you can beat this I’ll eat my sombrero!

Free tent camping beneath swaying palms on Las Peñas beach, next to a palm frond restaurant that has 24/7 flush toilet and hot shower for guests.

The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Lobster is featured as are fresh oysters. You can get STEAMED lobster which is hard to find. Fresh ground CHIAPAS french roast coffee. » keep reading, there is still more »

The Eye of the Dragon | Cuernavaca an Excerpt

March 1, 2010 | Leave a Comment

by Rio Guzman

The afternoon sun was beginning to cast the giant shadow of evening upon the dusty downtown streets of Cuernavaca. I walked downhill toward the center of town, leaving behind the crowded bus station filled with bawling infants and angry blaring horns. I walked in earnest with the anticipation of the newcomer, welcoming the new sights and smells, the mouth-watering smells emanating from the “carne asada” and onions frying on ambulatory food stands by the street corners.

Without delay I set up residence in an inexpensive downtown hotel. I remember it was about four o’clock. I remember because the moment I entered my room, I dropped my backpack, grabbed my recently made jewelry and rushed out to find a place to sell my wares before the sun set. In a period of about two hours, standing on a street corner, close to the main plaza, I sold every single piece I had. As a result, I had a good dinner that night, the first of many to come. » keep reading, there is still more »

FAQ: Medications & Health Care In Mexico

March 1, 2010 | 4 Comments

The pros-and-cons of purchasing medications and health care in Mexico has turned into a major topic on this blog and also on our main People’s Guide To Mexico website.  For that reason I’ll now publish medication and health related questions and answers here, so if the topic interests you, please subscribe to the Comments in order to be notified of new posts.

March 1, 2010

Carl & Lorena,

Thanks for publishing your excellent website “The People’s Guide to Mexico”. I have read through some of the pages including the ones on prescription medication and your advice for visiting a local doctor.

I live in DC and I am traveling to Cancun next week for a little R & R for 6 days with my wife. I am interested in having an evaluation of possible sciatica symptoms including an MRI and an Orthopaedic Physician Interview. I also have insomnia and am interested in a Physician appointment for a possible prescription for insomnia medication. I wondered how to go about seeking these doctor appointments with this short notice or after my arrival in Cancun and if you can recommend particular physician groups, clinics, hospitals, &/or pharmacies.

I understand Cancun is not a large metropolitan area & is mainly geared towards recreation, but I have seen on the Internet that there are certainly local clinics and probably the facilities for diagnostic radiology evaluation. One of these is called Amerimed (http://www.amerimed-hospitals.com/index.html) if you have heard of them.

My intention is to have an evaluation of my symptoms so I can learn about them before I subject myself to the whims of my local Profit-motive oriented US health insurance company. Don’t really trust them to look out for my interests vs their own as you may guess.

Sincerely, Nish Dave’

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Feb 27, 2010

I came across your very informative Mexico guide web site while researching pharmacies in Mexico.  I live in San Diego, and am looking for a reliable drug store in Tiajuana. I tried to call the “El Fenix” # you have listed but it seems outdated?

(I know Tijuana now has an area code of “646″). Do you happen to know of another current number for them??

thank you. tom

Carl replies: I’m afraid that Lorena and I don’t have the time, energy or resources to keep track of individual businesses in Mexico.  I didn’t even know, for example, that Tijuana’s area code had changed, so you’re already ahead of me there.  My usual response to questions of this sort is to hope that one this blog’s readers will chime in with updated information.  And on that note I want to remind everyone:   we can’t do this by ourselves — we not only appreciate contributions from our readers, we depend on them to keep current!

Online Spanish Dictionary

March 1, 2010 | 1 Comment

I was writing an email in Spanish this morning and couldn’t recall the proper word for “guidelines”.  As an experiment, I typed this into a Google search: translate “guidelines” spanish.

Lo-and-behold the top hit was an excellent online translator that not only gave me the correct term (pautas) but offers both Spanish and English audio of each word.  Try it yourself at Bab.La

Mexico Promotes Medical Tourism

February 28, 2010 | Leave a Comment

An article in the online English newspaper The News (Mexico City) describes how Mexico intends to promote medical tourism.  Though their present focus is on hispanic communities I’m sure anyone interested in saving money on health care can take advantage of this program.

Medical Tourism In Mexico Set To Expand – Mexico

The federal Tourism Secretariat presented on Feb. 17 its new initiative to rejuvenate medical tourism in the country, expecting 650,000 visitors, who will spend $US50 million by 2020.
Secretary of Tourism Rodolfo Elizondo declared during a press conference on Wednesday that the project sought to enlist all private hospitals of international renown and create a specific offer that will be primarily promoted within hispanic communities in Texas and California.
Eight federal Secretaries will participate in the development of this strategy, Elizondo explained, focusing on the target population of hispanics living in the United States without health insurance. Elizondo acknowledged that the current debate on health care in the United States could be an obstacle to the promotion of the program; nevertheless, several thousands of persons living north of the border could be interested in the services that Mexico has to offer.

read the full article here:

Caballo Blanco in the Copper Canyon

February 27, 2010 | Leave a Comment

Mike Huckaby sent this alert about our mutual friend and soon-to-be-legendary character “Caballo Blanco”.

The 2009 book “Born to Run” by Christopher McDougall churns circles around the running shoe industry, and now this video catapults Caballo Blanco into unanticipated prominence. Enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIyEvomUz14

The Mexican Border Fence: A Solution?

February 27, 2010 | 2 Comments

by S (Rio) Guzman

imagesWe are building an incredible new fence along the Mexican border; that means tax payer’s money down the drain.

Mexicans cross the US border illegally in search of work because they don’t earn enough money in their own country to sustain themselves.  I can vouch for that. Is a fence going to stop them?

We have to address the problem not the symptoms. They need a decent minimum wage.  They need schools and libraries. They don’t need a fence; they need a supportive government. If they would have that they wouldn’t even think about the United States; they have a beautiful country and a deep cultural background.

We applauded when the Berlin Wall fell. Are we building another one?

What do you think?

Rio Guzman is the author of A Vagabond in Mexico

Paragliding In Mexico?

February 26, 2010 | Leave a Comment

¡Hola!,

my name is Thomas and I am a german paragliding pilot. I visit Mexico from 17th till 25th of March. During this time I want to fly somewhere around Puebla. I read something about Valle de Bravo. Maybe there are some closer or better places to fly. Can you tell me where the best place to be is?

To proof my insurance and membership in the German Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (DHV), I will take my national license and my IPPI-Card (International Pilot Proficiency Identification) with me. Is there anything else I have to consider?

Kind regards

Thomas Stengler,  Bültenweg 64 38106 Braunschweig (Germany)

thomasstengler [at]web.de

Carl replies:

Thomas, we have a good friend who lives in Valle de Bravo — he is a former paragliding pilot and has told me that Valle is a very important center for this sport.  I will forward your email to him and ask that he contact you directly.  In the meantime, one of our contributors on this blog, John Olson, might well have some advice for you so I suggest that you check back to see if he or anyone else has a comment.

A Vagabond in Mexico

February 22, 2010 | Leave a Comment

A new edition of A Vagabond in Mexico is available at:
Create Space

The book was originally published in 1993, and it is as timely today as it was then.  Although it is not a travel guide anyone traveling in Mexico will find it useful. And anyone who thinks that the new border fence is anything other than a waste of taxpayer’s money will find it instructive.

The “Search Inside” feature will be available in about 8 weeks, but you can see excerpts and reviews right on this site: A Vagabond in Mexico


Tourism recovering from 2009 flu blow – Mexico – The News

February 22, 2010 | 1 Comment

excerpted from The News, Mexico City

Tourism recovering from 2009 flu blow

Jueves, 17 de Diciembre de 2009

Reuters
MEXICO CITY The nation is facing a $1.6 billion drop in tourism revenues for 2009, thanks to a deadly flu outbreak, but the fall is smaller than first feared and visitors should return in 2010, the government said on Monday.
Tourism is Mexico’s No. 4 source of foreign currency after oil exports, migrant remittances and foreign direct investment, and visitors spent $13.3 billion in 2008 visiting its sandy beaches, colonial towns and archeological vestiges.
But this year the H1N1 flu epidemic combined with soaring drug gang killings and a global economic slowdown to create a toxic cocktail that lightened Mexico-bound flights and caused big losses in the hospitality industry.
“We’ve never had what we had this year,” Tourism Minister Rodolfo Elizondo told a news conference. “The economic fall, influenza, the drug trafficking issue … factors that combined to create a difficult year.”

Kayak in Baja?

February 18, 2010 | 1 Comment

Hi!
My name is Rachel. I am a student at Alaska Pacific University. For January 2011, we are looking into organizing a Sea Kayaking Expedition class to Baja, California. The trip needs to be around 21 days to qualify for Expedition credit. I’ve been trying to do some research into a trip that might meet this requirement and be feasible with January weather conditions down there. Any suggestions would be appreciated! What are your thoughts on a Mulege to La Paz trip? How long would it take, how is the weather in January, and are there places to get water drops in between? Also, are there any kayak outfitters in or nearby Mulege?
Thanks so much for your time,
-Rachel

THE PEOPLE’S GUIDE TO MEXICO FORUMS: CLOSED!!

January 30, 2010 | 1 Comment

Well, we gave it a try but in the end our attempt to maintain discussion forums just didn’t work.  A few days ago we received the email below and as the saying goes, “the nickel dropped”.  Felipe is a long-time reader and supporter of The People’s Guide To Mexico.  We always appreciate suggestions and advice from our readers — and Felipe’s assessment of the situation we’ve faced with these forums strikes us as absolutely accurate.

So… in the next few days, I’ll pull the plug on the forums and dedicate my attention to this blog.  Thanks to all who participated in the forums!

Carl

Carl and Lorena,

I just checked your blog and it appears that you’ve returned. I was beginning to think that you two were, in actuality, a re-incarnation of B. Traven. » keep reading, there is still more »

TAKING MEXICO FLYING

January 14, 2010 | Leave a Comment

by John Quinn Olson

Poor Mexico, so far from God,

so close to the United States.

–Porfirio Díaz

Sure the gringo was going to fly. He was looking at five months in Mexico—maybe six—where he would likely get a hundred days or more of great soaring. Who knew the future—maybe he would never return. So, he was going to need some reading material. Plenty to read in fact, and he would have to bring the books himself. Heck, nobody reads anything down there, or so it seemed to the gringo.

That was an exaggeration of course, but there was no doubt books were more easily found in Gringolandia, that bookstores were rare in Mexico and that libraries, well… Walter had never visited a public library in all of Mexico. Maybe there were lending libraries in Mexico, but not like in the States. In fact, about all the flier had ever seen for reading material in Mexico were the daily newspapers and those silly comic books you saw the peasants reading.

He swung his pickup off the street and into the parking lot at Title Wave Books in Tucson, Arizona. This was his last chance to load up on books, and since they were all used books he could really go wild and spend very little. He was hoping to add to his collection of Mexico books and books on Mexico that he was forever hauling around. He loved the idea of going flying in Mexico with Mexico books. » keep reading, there is still more »

I’m back… I think?

January 13, 2010 | Leave a Comment

I apologize for the long absence but 2009 was a chaotic year for me.  As you may have noticed, the long-awaited discussion forums have been totally trashed by spam, so I’ll probably just pull the plug on those and concentrate, hopefully, on keeping this blog more up-to-date.

saludos!

Carl

Summering in Mexico

December 31, 2009 | 1 Comment

Since we live in sunny Arizona, my wife and I are looking for locations with at least relatively cool climates to get away from our very toasty temperatures from May to October during the summer.  Can anyone suggest places in Mexico’s highlands where we might get some respite?  It’s hard for us to be gone more than three weeks at a time because of medical and other commitments, so is there anyplace within three to five days moderate driving which might be a possibility?  We’re on a fairly restricted income (retirees) so we’re not really interested in “touristy” places or shopping (other than supplies), just comfortable places to hang out.  Thanks for any recommendations or suggestions. 

Jim & Cheryl Givens  (xviiiaman@earthlink.net)

ATMs

October 13, 2009 | 3 Comments

Any suggestions for a bank in the U.S. which has a sister bank in Mexico? We are hoping to save on those expensive withdrawal fees!


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