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Copper Canyon Via Paved roads

February 27, 2009 | Leave a Comment

Hi all,
Myself and 2 friends are planning a tri from Alberta Canada down to the state of Oaxaca in early Spring. We would like to swing east and ride the Copper Canyon.
We are on road bikes this trip so off road is something we want to avoid but at the same time be able to see the best of the Canyon via the paved and established routes.
Any Suggestions as far as best scenic routing  would be most appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Gary Campbell

Carl adds:  please go to the forum “Northern Mexico & The Copper Canyon” for my detailed reply.

Mexican Peso Even Cheaper

February 26, 2009 | 1 Comment

The peso fell to near a record low as a report showing a tumble in U.S. home sales added to evidence the recession in the world’s largest economy is deepening.

The peso dropped 0.8 percent to 14.9498 per U.S. dollar at 5 p.m. New York time, from 14.8275 Tuesday.

[From The News]

Mexico News Update

February 25, 2009 | Leave a Comment

 As part of my typical morning routine I always visit a couple of online Mexican newspapers, El Universal  (associated with the Miami Herald) and The News from Mexico City. El Universal  offers a much broader coverage of current events, politics, business, entertainment and lifestyle, etc. but the site is in Spanish so if your interest in Mexico isn’t really deep The News (in English) is your best bet.

 

El Universal

The News

Mexico Border Alert

February 21, 2009 | 3 Comments

This just in from the Associated Press.  When I read the warning to “stay away from prostitution and drug-dealing areas” I had to ask myself, “do we need the State Department” to figure that one out? 

Mexico travel alert

 

The U.S. State Department has renewed a travel advisory warning its citizens about an increase in violence along the U.S.-Mexico border.

The alert does not recommend staying away from the country or any particular part of it, but advises American to stay away from prostitution and drug-dealing areas.

It recommends visiting only legitimate business and tourist areas.

The alert issued Friday says violent crime is particularly worrisome along the U.S.-Mexico border. Read the full text of the advisory.

Mexican Soups

February 20, 2009 | Leave a Comment

If you spend much time in Mexico, like us you’ll probably become a fan of traditional caldos and sopas.  Click the title below to read the full article.

Mexican Soups Are A Favorite Year Round

BY JOHN GRIFFIN

from The News (Mexico City), originally published by the San Antonio Express-News

Mexicans love their soups, regardless of the season.
Soups vary by region, but the message of contentment is the same.

“Soup is still a separate course at lunch,” says Zarela Martinez, cookbook author and New York restaurateur. “(Mexicans) always like a soup of some kind to serve at the start of their big meal, which is usually at lunch.”

Bowls of steaming sopa, or soup, made with chicken, beef or seafood, offer culinary comfort in all regions of the country, although “a particular name will sometimes have an association with a particular region,” Martinez says.

Guaymas & San Carlos, Sonora

February 16, 2009 | 1 Comment

I know that this question must get tiresome, but we are two missionary couples that have been asked to move from Maryland to Guaymas, Sonora, Mexico to operate and move forward with an orphanage/foster home. One couple has 5 kids, the other 3.  We are not looking to have extravagant lifestyles, but will (being Gringos) still be considered to have medium lifestyles even when we have the bare essentials.

What do you think, conservatively, each family would need in annual income to support itself, not including the operating budget of the orphanage. This will help us budget in these costs for fundraising.

I know that you cannot provide and exact answer, but any range would be very helpful

Thanks, Steve T

Carl replies:  I’ve been mulling over your question but haven’t yet had time to look into this in any detail.  In fact, we are about to offer a Talk About Mexico discussion forum in conjunction with my blog so I’m going to suggest that you post your questions there once the forum is in use.

It would be very helpful to know more about your needs and expectations — and especially if you have previous experience living in Mexico or “Second” or Third World countries. Experience has shown us that what some gringos consider to be “modest” or even “very basic” lifestyles are actually quite luxurious by the standards of Mexico. Read more

Mexico: Passport Alert!

February 15, 2009 | Leave a Comment

In June of this year the United States will activate serious new passport and identification requirements for travelers returning from Mexico and other countries. (The article cited below was originally published by the Los Angeles Times but I found it at The News, an excellent source of information on Mexico.)

U.S. citizens: Plan for new passport rules
BY JANE ENGLE

Los Angeles Times

For U.S. citizens living or traveling outside the country in 2009, here are two pieces of advice: Get or renew your passport now, and think twice before planning a car trip to Mexico or Canada in June. (continued)

[From The News]

Mexico Podcasts

February 14, 2009 | Leave a Comment

I often download podcasts to my iPod before leaving home. My favorites tend to be about food, politics or Macintosh software but I’m always on the lookout for good stuff on Mexico. Unfortunately, none of the podcasts I’ve sampled so far have been very good. Do you have a favorite podcast about Mexico? Perhaps something on travel or living there? If so, please add a comment here and share it with us.

driving to basaseachic

February 12, 2009 | 2 Comments

Can you tell me the approx, driveing time from Hermosillo to Basaseachic?

Mexico For Non-FDA Drugs?

February 9, 2009 | Leave a Comment

Here’s a headscratcher question about medications in Mexico that just came in via email:

I just read your online advice on buying prescription medication in Mexico. There is, however, one big question that I hope you can answer.

Is it possible to obtain medicines in Mexico that are not yet FDA approved in the U.S.? Do you know of any resources that where I could look up the drug I’m interested in…for Mexico or other foreign countries?

Many thanks, Please Do Answer because it’s a matter of life and death for a close family member.

Jess

Carl replies: Jess, the answer to your question goes well beyond my current knowledge about medications in Mexico. I’m posting your question here in the hope that someone else might be able to give you a good answer. In the meantime, if you haven’t already tried this I suggest using Goggle to search for clues. And… should you get an answer elsewhere, positive or negative, I’d appreciate it if you’d let us know as this could be quite helpful for others in a similar situation.

saludos,
Carl

Mexico Border Towns For Medications?

February 8, 2009 | Leave a Comment

Carl and Lorena,

My husband and I are now currently pharmaceutically challenged. We are interested in your information about purchasing medicines from Mexico but have very little experience “across the border”. We are currently living in Texas and can get to Mexico at different border cities. After we get there is a different story, are there other people we can meet up with to give us advice about the process other than the information you shared on your website? How would we go about meeting with people who come to these towns for this purpose?
I thank you in advance for your words of wisdom.


Miki
Carl replies: I’m afraid that my “wisdom” isn’t going to be much help here as I’m not sure that I understand your question, Miki, especially the part about meeting other people who go into Mexico’s border towns to buy medications. Actually, the process is quite simple, since it basically means crossing the border into Mexico, visiting a doctor (if you need a prescription), and then going to a farmacia to purchase whatever medications the doctor has prescribed. (The ins-and-outs and legal details are well covered, I assume you know, in the articles on our main website, here: Buying Prescription Medicines In Mexico.)

Other than that, I’m not aware of any group or organization that might go into Mexico for the purpose you describe. Other readers might like to comment, however, so check back occasionally or subscribe to the comments on this post.

saludos, Carl Franz

Copper Canyon Topo Maps

February 7, 2009 | 1 Comment

I see you have a topo map of the Canyons in the Copper Canyon area but do they show trails? Is there such a map?

Thanks much, Isabella

Carl replies:

Isabella, I think you’ve mistaken our website for an online map store. We don’t sell maps ourselves but I’ll be glad to point you to someone who does: Mexico Maps is one of this site’s original sponsors and my personal “go to” place to answer questions such as yours.

As for topo maps that show trails, I’d be very sceptical — I’ve hiked many trails in the Copper Canyon region and don’t recall any that appeared (accurately) on a map. That is one of the big challenges of hiking there. If you don’t have a great deal of experience or if you don’t go with a local guide, it is very easy to get seriously lost.

saludos,
Carl

Baja Quick & Cheap?

February 6, 2009 | 1 Comment

Here’s a question from Whitney that you might like to comment on:

Just recently discovered that I can get to San Diego rather cheaply. I’m looking at meeting my 67-year-old mom there, then heading to Baja for a few days of R&R. I’ve traveled Mexico before (with People’s Guide in hand!), but not Baja. What affordable, easy-to-get-to locations do you suggest I look into? She has arthritis and can’t tolerate really long bus rides, but is otherwise very active and would be game for swimming, snorkeling, etc. Of course we’re on a budget, but aren’t really interested in camping.

Thanks! Whitney

And here’s my own reply:

You don’t mention when you intend to travel but assuming it is this winter or even in the Spring, I’m afraid you’re not going to find warm water for snorkeling and swimming. Also, with just a few days of R&R I’d say that you’ll be limited to the northernmost portion of Baja, which means Ensenada or on the Gulf side, San Felipe.

If what you’re looking for is a more Mexican experience, I suggest that you consider going farther down the mainland to San Carlos or Guaymas.

For details on actual accomodations you’re going to have to participate in online message forums (see the For More Info chapter of our book, The People’s Guide To Mexico ) or do some Googling. I don’t track that kind of information myself, as it takes a huge amount of time and is constantly changing.

saludos!
Carl Franz

Mexico’s Discount Airlines

February 5, 2009 | Leave a Comment

The Mexico News reports that Mexicana Airlines is opening up new service and a new airline between Guadalajara and several other Mexican cities. It isn’t good news, however, to also read, “five Mexican discount airlines closed their doors to the public in 2008″.

Crossing the Mexican Border (Red Tape)

February 3, 2009 | Leave a Comment

The New Mexico Border Authority publishes a very useful website with all kinds of information on the red tape required to travel into Mexico, for both tourists and Mexican citizens. There is detailed information on the three border crossing stations in the state of New Mexico but virtually all of the information about red tape is applicable to any U.S.-Mexico border crossing.

New Mexico Border Authority

thanks to Rob for this tip!

Alamos Amigos

February 2, 2009 | 1 Comment

Alamos has about 8,000 residents and maybe 400 gringos who own homes and hotels. The gringos have been fund raising for education through the Amigos organization for over a decade. You may already know that Mexico ingeniously stops paying for education after the 7th grade, so the gringos make sure that any local kids who want to get to go as far in school and s/he wants, all the way through college.
The problem, which you may also be aware of. is that the Mexican teachers’ union grabs every last cent of gov’t funds for salary and is so strong that they have the entire school system in lock down. The kids learn next to nothing at “Our Sister of the Perpetual Recess” so we’re thinking of adding an ESL school in the hopes of making Alamos the first entirely bilingual town in Mexico.

Those of you familar with Puerto Vallarta may know of the Colegio Mexico-Americano [ http://colegiomexicoamericano.org/ ]
which has been a huge success and an equally huge commitment to get it funded, built, and managed. They even have an Olympic size swimming pool now! It all happened because the Mexican school system was so bad and Mr Bender decided to spend his retirement making it happen. The guy is a saint.

As to a link to the Amigos site, I’ll include one but be fore warned. The site is old, unmanaged, and even the email link is defective. It’s one of the many things on the list to get done. We’ve never gone outside Alamos for fund raising, and it’s obvious that we might be able to do well with a good website. In the meantime, anyone who has any interest in learning more about the Amigos or Alamos can feel free to email me. Hopefully there is an email link to me supplied on this forum.
Meanwhile, here’s the link for Alamos Amigos, for what it’s worth.

http://www.amigos-de-educacion.org/

Please contact me though if you’re interested, and come to the big barbecue out by the airport in Alamos on Feb 21st!
Hasta,
Rob

Importing vehicles to Mexico

February 2, 2009 | 5 Comments

Hi Folks,  I’m heading down to Alamos soon and I’m thinking of buying a truck up here in Port Townsend and selling it in Alamos so I can drive back north with Lulu when we leave in late spring.

I need to bring tools for repairs on our home and a bunch of cooking stuff, bocce ball sets, etc for the big fund raising barbecue on 2/21.

From what I gather only 10 year old vehicles can be imported.  Not 9 or 11 year old.  Just 10.

The guys I worked with last year were drooling over my truck, but it’s a 2001.

Anyhow,I’d love to hear about any experience or info about importing and selling a vehicle in Mexico, from the paperwork to actually getting the truck sold, if it’s even possible.

Thanks, and come on down to Alamos for the barbecue and our Mardi Gras celebration!  Janet at the Hotel Colonial http://www.alamoshotelcolonial.com/ is from New Orleans and hosts a big Mardi Gras party and parade every year.  It’s great fun.  Gringos and Mexicans get all decked out in outrageous costumes, cruise around the town on flatbeds, jeeps, and carriages throwing bead necklaces that Janet imports; and then we all head back to the Colonial for a big party.

Under the non-profit Amigos organization, the gringo community has used events like this for over a decade to raise enough funds to keep over 300 local kids in school all the way through college.  This year we’re also raising money for the flood victims from the flash flood this fall.  Norbert brought 9″ of rain in 9 hours and a wall of water, boulders, and dead cars blasted through town in the middle of the night, washing away whole families and leaving 6′ of mud behind.  The community really rose to it though as the gringos opened their homes and hotels to families, flew dozens of rescue flights into the local airport, and re-clothed entire neighborhoods.

The town is almost totally back on its feet now, so this year is a special celebration.

Come on down!

Rob

Exchanging Dollars Into Mexican Pesos?

February 1, 2009 | 3 Comments

MX banks won’t exchange dollars!?!

Hi Carl,

We have had a home in Alamos, Sonora for 18 years. Recently the local banks and those in Navajoa stopped exchanging dollars for pesos unless you have an account and then they’ll only do less than $200.

Is this just a local thing, or have you heard about this in other places? I’m guessing it’s got to do with the slide in the peso, but it’s hell on tourism and a big pain for those of us without an account. We closed our account years ago over an idiotic dispute and in order to open an account now one needs an FM3.

I’m just wondering if this is a local thing or nationwide?

Thanks,

Rob




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