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TRAVEL GUIDE FOR MEXICO
The
information contained in this travel guide is designed to help you prepare for your
trip to Mexico. You are about to embark on the adventure of a lifetime
in this unique region of the world. Concepts
of life, business and time are different in Mexico. The warmth, relaxed pace
and good nature of the people of Mexico sets the tone of our trips.
The best things to bring with you are a sense of adventure, curiosity
and flexibility. FLIGHTS
TO/FROM MEXICO: It is best to consult with your travel agent to arrange flights.
Demand is high during the kayak season and it is essential to make reservations
early! TO OAXACA:
TO THE SANTA MARIA:
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
You
must have a valid passport or Birth Certificate to enter Mexico, If you do not have a copy
of your Birth Certificate you may call the Hall of Records in the city
where you were born and request a certificate. You can obtain a passport
application at your local post office. You need to allow at least 6
weeks to process the application. If you already have a passport, please
check the expiration date. No
visa is necessary,
but a tourist card will be issued during your flight. Do not lose your
tourist card as it must be turned in when you leave Mexico. Minors: Minors traveling with
only one parent or guardian MUST have a notarized letter of consent from the other/both
parents to take the minor out of the country TRAVEL INSURANCE:
For international trips, we strongly recommend that you purchase insurance
to cover baggage loss, accident and trip cancellation. Trip
cancellation insurance is very inexpensive and will reimburse you for any non-recoverable
air or land expenses should you have to cancel your trip due to personal
or family illness. It also covers emergency evacuation expenses should
you become ill during the trip. You can purchase coverage from your
travel agent. CURRENCY AND SPENDING MONEY:
The
Mexican monetary unit is the peso. At this time, (Oct. "02) the Peso is worth approximately
10 to the dollar. Shops and individuals never have change, so large
denomination bills are seldom accepted. We
advise $150-300 extra for emergency and personal expenses (more if you plan to do
much shopping). We recommend carrying as much of your spending money
as you feel comfortable in cash and in small bills. Hotels do little money changing. Traveler’s
checks are difficult to exchange. Credit
cards are accepted in major hotels, some restaurants and shops. ATMs with your PIN
work great. U.S. CUSTOMS:
The limit
on duty free purchases is $400. Arts and crafts, which include clothes
and jewelry, are duty free (as long as you don't look as you are trying
to stock an import store with your purchases!). 1 Liter of alcohol is
allowed to take home. TIPS:
Tips
are at your discretion.
Your trip leader will handle tipping for group meals and for local guides
or drivers who are with us for one day or less. Any gratuity paid to
camp staff should be paid through the trip leader. For camp staff the
amount you tip will depend on your own satisfaction but a suggested
range of $50- $75 donated to a base pool is a basic guideline. ELECTRIC CURRENT:
In Mexico the electric current is 60 cycle, 120 volts, similar to the
U.S. DRUGS AND ALCOHOL:
In foreign
countries you are subject to their laws. In Mexico the legal system
is called the Napoleonic Code of Law. What this means is "guilty
until proven innocent." You do not want to go to jail in
a foreign country. Any trip participant caught with drugs will be expelled
from the trip with no refund. No exceptions. Alcohol should be taken
in moderation. MEALS AND WATER:
Many
people are hesitant to enter Mexico because of fear of "Montezuma’s
Revenge." You will seldom hear of stomach problems from tourists on our trips.
Diarrhea is a condition that is the scourge of every traveler and no
doubt some of you will experience it merely because of the change from
your daily life in the USA. There are a variety of medicines and preventatives
available. Because
of the change from your home we strongly advise that you do not use
tap water for drinking or brushing teeth. Bottled water is easily available
for purchase. We will have a plentiful supply of purified water for the entire trip. Food
bought in restaurants or from street vendors is quite safe.... No one can go to Mexico
without sampling the great tacos from street vendors! Fresh fruits and
vegetables are also quite safe. On our trips our cooks are well trained
in proper preparation of our meals. HEALTH AND MEDICAL
No
immunizations or vaccinations are presently required for Mexico. For the most up-to-date
health and medical information call the Center for Disease Control:
International Travelers Hotline at 404-332-4559. While
we bring a well stocked first aid kit on every trip you may bring your
own small first aid kit with any items you feel you need. The following list is only
a guideline to be used for discussion with your physician. Since Agua
Azul is not a medical facility, we cannot give medical advice. Your
own experiences and preferences will influence your choices. Optional Personal 1st Aid Kit:
Tweezers
and needles: to
remove cactus splinters Mild
pain, headache fever, sore muscles: Aspirin, Ibuprofen or Tylenol. Upset
stomach: Pepto
Bismol tablets; Donnatal, a mild sedative for stomach cramps; Maalox,
Gelusil or Mylanta antacid tabs; Lactobacillus capsules can be taken
daily to help keep your gastrointestinal system working smoothly. Diarrhea: bacteria cause 90% of
cases of traveler’s diarrhea. For treatment of bacterial diarrhea
doctors recommend a small course (a few days use) of antibiotics. The
drugs of choice for this purpose are Norfloxacin (400mg. One tablet
every 12 hours for 3 days) or Ciproflaxin (500mg., one tablet every
12 hours for 3 days). Neither of these drugs should be taken by anyone
under the age of 18. Imodium
or Lomotil: while not a cure are very effective relief. Carry some imodium
with you when traveling. Prophylactic
use of antibiotics (such as tetracycline) is considered controversial because such
medications may cause diarrhea, vaginal infections, or make one more
susceptible to debilitating sunburn or more virulent organisms. Please
consult with your physician. Note: Discuss the above suggestions
with your physician. Some of the medicines may be contraindicated for
you because of allergies or your personal health history. FITNESS FOR KAYAK TRIPS:
If you are normally an active and healthy person our trips are considered
moderate but you are responsible for 4-6 hours per day of activity.
If you have questions about your suitability or the difficulty of this
trip please call our office to discuss it. CAMPING/ACCOMMODATIONS:
INSECTS:
In general, biting bugs are scarce. An insect repellent should be brought
for protection against biting gnats that are common along the beaches
and river banks. If you have a strong allergy to insect stings bring
your own personal antivenin kit. Your trip leader will familiarize you
with local plants and animals when you arrive. CLIMATE:
Mexico has a wonderful winter climate! There is really only two seasons:
the hot summer season from Mid- May to October and the mild winter season
from November to Mid-May. CLOTHING AND GEAR
The
following list has evolved from many years’ experiences of trip members and staff. It
covers the reasonable spectrum of clothing and equipment you will need.
Our goal is to make sure you have the essentials to be comfortable and
prepared...and not much else! Excessive baggage is a burden to you and
support personnel. In towns clothing styles are very casual and not much different from
in the U.S. Shorts and sandals are acceptable wear for both men and
women. PACKING FOR THE TRIP
Airline
luggage service in Mexico is generally reliable. As extra insurance
in case your luggage is lost or does not arrive on time, we strongly
advise that you bring certain items as carry-on that would be irreplaceable
in Mexico.
These items are: personal
medicines, camera gear, sunglasses, specialty paddling gear. LUGGAGE
There is only so much room in our support van/skiff and custom trailer
so we ask that you pack reasonably and not excessively. Soft-sided luggage
such as a duffel works well. REQUIRED EQUIPMENT
We will supply all group
equipment, food, support vehicle, emergency medical supplies. Check
the travel instructions for a packing list for your specific trip in
the downloads
section. CAUSAL CITY CLOTHES
for before and after the trip and during your flights (Casual dress and jeans are the norm.).
Optional Items
READING LIST
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