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

images We 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