Shots and pills: Check with your local health district. The
usual recommendations are for a tetinus booster and a Gamma Gobulin
shot to prevent hepitus. Bring some band-aids, cortisone creme and
any other personal medications. If you have any health complications,
please let us know. Make sure your health insurance covers you in
Mexico. Top
Center for Disease Control Travel
Information Page
International Association
for Medical Assistance to Travellers
Missed connections and other problems: Don't panic! Usually everything
works out. If you miss a flight or have any problems, call our US
and Mexican phones and inform us of your new arrival time. If you
don't get through to one of us, leave a message on the USA number
andthe Mexico voice mail. Then get on the next plane and on your
way.
Important Numbers:
Agua Azul USA: 208-863-1100
Agua Azul Mexico 1-380-7722
Newland Travel: 800-227-0464
!!! e-mail (use this first) aguaazul@aguaazul.com Top
Getting from Veracruz to Xalapa: The bus is the way to go.
It's easy, quick and puts you in charge of your own arrival. All
it take is a taxi ride to the bus station, a bus ride to Xalapa
and a phone call to us when you arrive. This insures the trip continues
to run for the rest of the group if just one person misses a connection
or arrives late.
Veracruz Airport: Buy your taxi ticket from the kiosk by
the door. Take a taxi to the "Camionera Central." There are taxis
lining the curb outside. The taxi should cost less than 40 pesos.
Avoid the suburbans. The ride from the airport to the bus station
is about 10 minutes. Tell the taxista you are going to Xalapa. Because
there are two bus stations. If you are arriving on the late flight,
you need to go directly to the bus station to catch the last bus.
11:00 pm. you can go 2nd class all hours. Top
Veracruz Bus Station: The ride to Xalapa will take about
2 hours. If you are hungry, get something to eat at one of the taco
stands in the bus station.
The simplest way to get through the bus station is to give your
bags, and when it's all done 20 pesos, to a porter and say "Xalapa."
Tickets: Buy a "premier" class ticket to Xalapa -- about 30 pesos.
Buses run every 30 minutes. These buses are deluxe, with assigned,
reclining seats, movies (usually in English with Spanish subtitles)
and bathrooms. But take a leak in the bus station just to be sure.
The ticket agent will usually ask which seats you want. I prefer
near the front. Top
Boarding: The ticket will have the bus number and the seat
number. While at the counter ask which way to the bus since there
are usually a zillion busses qued up. If you don't speak Spanish,
pointing will do. The numbers are located on the front, or on the
door, of the bus. Find the number that matches the number on your
ticket ‹ in addition the bus will have the destination "Xalapa"
written on the bus header or window. Check the number! Check your
larger bags into the cargo hold with the porter at the side of the
bus. Don't loose the receipt. Top
In Xalapa: For USD $12 you can avoid waiting for the scheduled
pick-up and take a taxi to the small town of Jalcomulco, where our
base camp is located. The have the prices and directions in the
kiosk. So you don't have to haggle or worry about getting lost.
In Jalcomulco: This is where we base our Veracruz trips.
Jalcomulco is a great little village on the banks of the Rio Antigua.
We stay at Pico Canoa.
Meeting Times: To be announced
When Traveling: Carry this sheet with you! Don't bring
too much. You're only going to be gone a week. Enjoy your travels.
Don't stress over connections. The porters, sidewalk superintendents
and taxi drivers aren't trying to rob you. They are trying to see
if you know the value of a dollar. It's more than you think. Minimum
daily wage is around USD $3. If you can find a job. Top
Recommended Reading: "Spanish - English Dictionary." University
of Chicago. This is the one. Don't be fooled by expensive imitations.
Read the description of the Spanish language. "Madrigal's Magic
Key to Spanish." Margarita Madrigal. A unique and effective approach
to learning Spanish. "Distant Neighbors." Alan Riding. A great look
at Mexican culture, corruption and our intertwined destinies. "The
Conquest of New Spain." Bernal Diaz. A soldier's fascinating account
of Cortez's conquest of the Aztecs. "Idaho the Whitewater State."
Grant Amaral. Another shameless self-promotion. Top
Travel Options: If you are a sound sleeper, the five hour
bus ride from Mexico City to Xalapa is fine. I've done it many times.
U.S. State
Department Travel Warnings and Consular Information Sheets
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