Palm Vacations, Traveling to Mexico
Going by air
Flying to Mexico is the most common way to go to the main resort and
tourist destinations. Major U.S. airlines offer non-stop or direct
flights to a wide variety of Mexican cities. You can work with a travel
agent or you can book your flight over the internet. There is a
tremendous variety in price, so it's worth doing some homework. Booking
way ahead sometimes gives you a bargain price -- but you can also
sometimes get very good prices if you have an impulse to go right away,
or within a week or two. Look for U.S. or Mexican airlines.
Charter flights can offer rock bottom prices at times, but do be
aware that the charter operator may have the right to cancel the flight
if it doesn't fill, and they can do this up to about 10 days before the
flight. However, if you want to cancel your reservation with them it
may not be possible.
Vacation packages to Mexico
Combined airfare and hotel packages can offer you very good value.
The hotels may not be the best known, but sometimes they are. And in
this internet era, it's easy enough to do a search on the name of the
hotel and town. Especially if you are traveling to Cancun, Acapulco,
Ixtapa, or any of the many other vacation type destinations in Mexico,
vacation package deals are well worth exploring.
Another kind of package is the guided tour, often of several cities
and typically with hotels and transportation included. This can be very
good for people who haven't explored Mexico much or who speak little or
no Spanish.
Cruises to Mexico
Cruises leave from both coasts of the U.S., and vary in how long
they last. The shorter cruises can be very economical. Cruises will
only give you a taste of Mexico compared to other vacation choices, but
that might be just the thing to whet your appetite!
Mexican buses
Mexico has an incredibly good network of buses going between cities.
Most foreign travelers prefer the deluxe buses or the first-class ones,
which typically offer movies, comfortable seating, rest rooms, and an
easy schedule of many departures a day. Between the smaller towns you
may get retired school buses from the U.S. and more rigorous conditions.
Driving
Driving conditions vary considerably from one Mexican highway to
another. Some are slow, while the relatively expensive toll roads
usually have light traffic due to their prices. Don't drive between
Mexican cities at night. There are tales of robberies, but more common
hazards include livestock lying on the road (enjoying the warmth of the
pavement) and vehicles driving without good headlights.
A Few Thoughts on Safety
If you travel in Mexico, do be aware of safety and theft issues. If
you carry a purse, think about how easily it could be snatched and
perhaps carry your passport and credit cards in your clothing close to
your body, even in a pouch under your clothes.
There is much publicity in the U.S. about the occasional dramatic
crimes that happen to tourists abroad. If you keep in mind that people
are poorer and that you appear wealthy to them (even if that idea is
laughable to you), you will make the best choices.
As for health concerns, Mexico is much improved from the past, but
do be prudent about what you eat. Most drinking water you will be
served is purified now, but it does no harm to ask. Other factors under
your control are how much alcohol you drink and how long you stay out
in the tropical sun.
Use common sense, and be aware that common sense is different from
one country to another. Don't worry too much. The vast majority of
travelers to Mexico have a safe and delightful trip.
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