Archive for » September, 2010 «

Bringing Your Vehicle into Mexico from the USA

Any valid drivers license from any state is valid anywhere in Mexico.
However both a temporary vehicle importation permit and a promise to return the vehicle form are required for travel deeper than 15 miles into the country.
Permits are not required in the Baja California Peninsula as long as the vehicle is not taken into the mainland.
And if you exceed the return date indicated on the form the vehicle is subject to confiscation.
US automobile insurance is not valid within Mexico. Alhough having Mexican auto insurance is not a pre-requisite to getting the import forms we recommend it.

In lieu of Mexican insurance you will need to demonstrate solvency in the event of an accident.
A Mexican insurance company guarantees payment in the event of an accident. Without this chances of you being detained are increased.
Roads in Mexico are different than in the USA in that there are frequent pot-holes to mess up your front end and speed bumps when going through towns. This besides chickens or other four legged things running onto the road suddenly encourages the recommendation that most of your driving to be in daylight hours.
Your passport or birth certificat or affidavit of citizenship as well as vehicle title and registration are required.
In the event your vehicle is leased a letter on the leasing firm’s letterhead giving you permission to take the vehicle out of the USA is a must.

A small fee must be paid by credit card; in lieu of this a lengthy bonding process is required.
IF you prefer to rent a car while while within Mexico use link below.
Tempory import permits are valid up to 180 days. You are best advised to get that vehicle out of the country before the time expires to avoid losing the vehicle via impounding of same.
In the event a vehicle becomes irreparably incapacitated, arrangements to leave it may be made via the US embasy.
The Mexican Treasury does have the authority to confiscate any vehicle illegaly imported into Mexico.
Enjoy the driving and be careful.

How to Save on Hotel Accommodation & Enjoy the Free Things to Do in Wellington By Patrick Dyzell

Wellington is New Zealand’s capital city and has so much to offer. Surrounded by rolling hills and a stunning harbour from where you can catch a ferry to Nelson in the South Island.

From central Wellington, Lower Hutt is 15 minute drive North East of Wellington with fantastic recreational opportunities like running, mountain biking and horse trekking. Upper Hutt is a further 15 minutes from Wellington and where you will find the pristine Hutt River with stunning native forests a favourite with walkers, joggers and cyclists.

North of Wellington, Porirua a 15 minutes drive has breathtaking rural scenery. A rugged coastline where water sport enthusiasts can enjoy windsurfing, sailing and diving. Alternatively if you love the sea, Kapiti coast (a 20 minutes drive North) is renowned for its local cheeses. If you’re there for a while, take a day trip from there to Kapiti Island where you would find rare and endangered birds. A real favourite for a lot of New Zealanders is a weekend discovering the boutique wine-village of Martinborough, or the charming antique and crafts stores of Greytown.

In Wellington city there is:

- The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa (Tongarewa) – With Maori treasures and historical artefacts.

- On Queens Wharf is the Museum of Wellington City and Sea – With stunning special effects and interactive exhibits to take you on a journey through Wellington’s history.

- In Civic Square is the free City Art Gallery – Which has a changing programme of exhibitions.

- You can also take a guided tour of Parliament Buildings where New Zealand’s government meets to makes all sorts of decisions.

- Take a walk though the Wellington Botanic Gardens to see some of the oldest exotic trees ever planted in New Zealand. – The Wellington Cable Car Museum is free however the cable car rides to the top will cost you.

When Booking your accommodation in Wellington why not consider booking your hotel room online and taking advantage of last minute accommodation specials. Booking hotel rooms online has become popular because of the instant confirmations and live updates.

Make sure that the payment pages are secured with HTTPS, as opposed to the regular HTTP address. Make sure the website has acceptable terms and conditions, you don’t want to be left empty handed because of the small print.

Many hotels in Wellington like in other cities would not sell all their hotel rooms in the normal course of business so would offer the room on a last minute accommodation website at a discount of up to 60%. This is a win- win situation as the hotel in Wellington gets to sell another room and you the client, gets a discount. If the whole family is going you may want to consider the offerings from serviced apartments for a comparison. These also have kitchens with cooking facilities which can provide further cost saving.

Traveling in Mexico: Where to Stay in Cancun Without Spending Your Inheritance

If you’re dreaming of a bungalow on the beach and living with the sounds of waves lapping crystal sands as music to your ears lulling you like a lullaby – return to earth – those places cost far more than you’ll probably ever be able to afford as a working English language teacher here. If you’ll consider living as the locals do, then you’ll be off the beach, but only a few minutes bus ride away from the powdery, sugar-like sands of one of the world’s most pristine stretches of diatomaceous beach. Still interested?

Most of Cancun’s more affordable hotels are near the main bus terminal on the Avenida Uxmal or the Avenida Tulum. It’s an easy area to get to or away from starting from any point in the Cancun area. Buses to the beach and resorts run along the Avenida Tulum. It’s also a relatively safe area at night with plenty of places to eat, shop, and work located nearby. Note: Prices in Cancun are higher than in most other Mexican cities for the same or similar services and from there rise dramatically during the Winter months.

Hotel El Alux

Avenida Uxmal No. 21

884 – 0662, 884 – 0556

This small hotel has reasonably-priced air-conditioned (you’ll need it) rooms with TV, phone and hot water for 220 pesos, single or 240 pesos for a double. Staff is friendly and helpful. A travel agent and car rental agency are on the ground floor with tour information and budget-priced vehicles available. You can walk here from the bus station, just go to the corner of Avenida Uxmal, cross the street and go left for one block. It’s the multi-story pink building.

Hotel Cotty

Avenida Uxmal No. 44

884 – 1319, 884 – 0550

For about the same prices as the Hotel Alux, you can get lodging in this motel-style inn across and down the street a bit. It’s not as nice, but the services are adequate and rooms are clean. There are only two floors, so an elevator isn’t necessary and rooms open onto a central courtyard that doubles as a parking area. Make sure to get an air-conditioned room, the Yucatan sizzles in Summer. A restaurant is on the premises with inexpensive fare on the menu. It’s also open late.

Hotel Uxmal

Avenida Uxmal No. 111

884 – 2266, 884 – 2355

Two blocks further along the Avenida Uxmal, near Berlitz, this inexpensive, family-run hotel is popular with the locals as a “love motel”, since the Avenida Yaxchilan is closeby. No “working girls” or “ladies of the evening” though. So, it’s OK as an alternate if you’re having trouble finding a place soon after arrival. Check the room first before paying as quality can vary widely. Rooms with A/C are more, but worth it if available. Prices are around 160 pesos to 180 pesos. Some rooms are even less, but without A/C, though they do have a fan.

Buying International Travel Medical Insurance – What You Need To Know

Today international travel for business or pleasure keeps growing at a fast pace and is unlikely to change in the near future. The most serious problem any international traveler faces when on the move is the possibility of having a medical problem in a foreign country. International travel medical insurance goes a long way in taking care of surprise medical problems. It offers temporary medical or health insurance for US citizens and foreign nationals when traveling anywhere outside of their home country.

Some domestic health insurance plans will cover you for some procedures and expenses away from home but many don’t, especially for major medical expenses. There are many types of international travel medical insurance on the market today including student travel medical insurance, travel accident insurance and even backpackers travel insurance.

It’s important to know that evaluating someone who has met with an accident or become ill in an isolated place can be terribly expensive. Many international insurance companies have a bi-lingual or multi-lingual staff and on-site medical staff available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for their policyholders for consultation and medical emergencies.

One way to lower your insurance costs is to agree to pay a small upfront medical cost for any future treatment needed and make a claim from the insurance company only when the amount exceeds that amount. For example, you could agree to pay the first $200 of any medical expenses and make a claim only when the cost of the treatment goes above it.

If you find a quality insurance company, it’ll take the financial worry of terrific medical expenses out of your travel experience. You can exclude a medical condition that is pre-existing which can lower your insurance costs, but you must be sure that the condition will not worsen on your trip and it could cost you a lot more. Any international traveler, expatriate or business traveler needs to be careful about the medical costs they could incur while traveling out of their home country.

Whatever compromise you choose to make in your plan between risks and costs, shop around not only for cheap international travel medical insurance plans, but also for the insurance company that gives you complete information, has open not hidden view functioning and doesn’t evade any of your questions.

The time frame on your insurance policy needs to be restricted to the actual time you’re out of the country; the shorter the duration will obviously reduce the cost. Some travel insurance plans don’t accept hazardous vocations such as mountain climbing. After you get your insurance, in case any minor emergency medical treatment is needed, have all the expenses listed in itemized bills to make a claim when you get back home.

Getting low cost or cheap international travel medical insurance quotes online from several insurance companies is easy enough to do. The watchword in your travel insurance should be attention to the smallest of details.

Some of the insurance policies don’t cover any pre-existing illnesses, and will ask for a history of any medical problems. All around the world medical costs are skyrocketing, due mostly to the advances in specialized equipment and the cost of advanced medicines and training specialists in a number of medical fields.

Finally international travel medical insurance is a must for all travelers going out of their home country. You want to make sure that evacuation coverage is included in your plan, because that can be a major expense; getting you out of a isolated or difficult location such as a cruise ship, mountain top or safari can be very costly.

Getting low cost or cheap health insurance is certainly a good possibility without giving up any quality care you might need away from home. International travel medical insurance quotes are easy to get online and an important travel necessity for individuals and families when they live or travel outside their home country. Just make sure you know exactly what is covered in your travel insurance policy.

India Tours – Best of Adventure Sports

Crowned with lofty Himalayan peaks in the north, covered with sand dunes of Thar Desert in the west, draped in eerie jungles throughout the nation and its southern edge merging with the sea at the zenith, India is the magical land blessed with diverse topography. The diversity is very finely engrained in the landscape and provides a very captivating mix of the contraries. Such diversity offers unlimited routes to revel in adventure sports. Adventure sports on India tours are thus a highly preferred activity attracting thousands of adventure seekers to the country’s periphery. It can be your zeal for triumphing snow clad peaks or the thrill of wilderness that intrigues the travel-bug in you or the solace of desert safari that appeals you or the beauteous colours of undersea panorama pick any of these adventure sports on your tours to India and the country will enchant you with surfeit of it.

Wildlife Safaris
The wildlife in India is a mix of species of diverse origins. The fascinating terrain of the country is ideal for the breeding of numerous wildlife species which are well preserved in numerous national parks and wildlife sanctuaries across the country. The country laced with 551 wildlife sanctuaries is frequented by numerous wildlife enthusiasts. Set on a wildlife jeep safari or else opt for more real feel of the jungle and try exploring it on the back of trained elephants. Naturalists from the authorities will escort you in the jungle as you witness the fascinating thrill unfolding in front of you from a safe distance.

Desert Safari
The seclusion and the peace in Thar Desert is most fascinating feature of one’s adventure tour to India. An ideal touring experience of the erstwhile princely state of Rajasthan remains incomplete without a camel safari in the celestial sands of Thar Desert. The barren land has so much to offer in terms of culture, serenity and serendipity. The safari reaches its zenith in the evening when tented accommodation, royal cuisines and folk music and dance shows are given a glorious backdrop by the setting sun.

Trekking: Mighty ranges of Himalayas in the north and various other mountain ranges lacing the country down south provide enormous opportunity for taxing and enthralling treks. Trekking in hill stations of Northern India is one of the most favourite activities amongst adventure sports lovers.

Scuba Diving & Other Water Sports
Though lesser known scuba diving and snorkelling is soon catching pace with the traditional famous sports in the country. The islands of Lakshdweep, Andaman and Nicobar and more one can enjoy this sport. Other water sports those are way more famous than scuba diving includes the enthralling jet skis, speed boats and scooters. Mainly available on Goan beaches these are great fun activities enjoyed by both children and adults alike.

International Shipping & Necessary Shipping Documents

International shipping is a complicated affair that comes with a large amount of red tape that must be properly filed with the correct authorities before you can expect your shipment to reach its ultimate destination. Your shipping service can definitely help you with the necessary paperwork, but it is best not to leave everything up to your transportation provider. Knowing what documents needs to be filed, when and where can help you stay on top of your shipment and to make sure that things are rolling smoothly. By keeping track of your paperwork, you will be less likely to encounter hiccups along the way. Let us take a look at the different forms involved in transportation.

Airway Bills
Airway bills are uniquely made for shipments being sent by air carrier. They are never made in negotiable form.

Bill of Lading
The bill of lading refers to the contract signed between the person to whom the goods belong and the shipping service. There are two kinds of bill of lading – negotiable and straight. The negotiable kind can be bought, sold or traded while the goods are in transit.

Commercial Invoice
A commercial invoice is what the seller gives to the buyer as proof of their purchase. These invoices are crucial when shipping products as governments use them to determine the true worth of the shipment.

Consular Invoice
Some countries require you to provide them with a consular invoice. It is very similar to a commercial invoice in that it will contain the value of the shipment, the names and addresses of the seller and buyer and other pertinent information – except that these documents must be certified by the consular official stationed in the export country.

NAFTA certificate of origin
A document required for trade between Canada, the United States and Mexico – partners in the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Inspection Certification
Such a document is required by some countries to verify that the shipment contains what it is meant to contain.

Dock Receipt and Warehouse Receipt
The necessary documents issued attesting to the transfer of liability from the international shipping company to the shipping carrier once the shipment has been delivered to the port of embarkation.

Destination Control Statement
An item that is usually incorporated onto the bill of lading, which states that the shipment can only be exposed to certain destinations.

Export licence
A government issued document granting you permission to ship certain goods to a specific place.

Export Packing List
An extremely detailed and itemized list of what is contained in the shipment.

Insurance Certificate
A document certifying that the shipment is insured for its entire value should it get lost, stolen or damaged along the way.

Knowing the proper way to fill out the documents is quite specific and it must be done well, otherwise, even a slight discrepancy between documents is enough to freeze your shipment in limbo for a long time. In order to avoid such scenarios, it is best to let your international shipping provider take care of all your documentation needs, but is it also crucial to understand what those documents are and to make sure that they have been obtained before your shipment leaves your home port.

City Break Holidays – Cheap and Relaxing Way to Refresh Yourself

In recent years, the concept like city break holidays has gained enough popularity. If we carefully look at the present circumstances then a good deal of short break holiday packages can be found quite easily. Perhaps the idea of city break holidays is the most preferred holiday deals that many people from all across the world are opting to take an easy break from a day-to-day hectic life.

Today city break holidays are emerging as the most affordable and relaxing alternative to refresh mind from mental stress and hassle. Acting as the weekend getaways, going for city break holidays is ideal for several reasons. One being that it is a cheap option and can be enjoyed more easily throughout the year. In fact, these days, many travel and holiday specialists from all across the world are offering short break and cheap holiday deals. Many people often think of expenditure and extra expenses when it comes to spend holidays with family, but city break holidays won’t cost as much as an extended getaway.

Taking long holidays may not always be feasible for you, as at times the money and time involved in it may not just meet your criteria. Moreover, the chances are very high that you may also not be able to visit different destinations in quick time. Whereas, when you take short breaks you can choose between country weekends and city breaks and therefore you get more variety. In fact, going for cheap city and short break holidays can help you see more destinations and do more things, and this in turn can help you feel more energetic. If we look at some of the recent statistics then many people who opted short holiday breaks last year are once again ready to take do the same this year as well.

Spending few weeks in some of world’s great and cheap destinations might give you a fairly good feel for that specific destination. The best advantage is the exposure to an all together different climate and surrounding that may easily revitalise your energy and mental peace. Perhaps these holidays can turn out to be among the best of their travel experiences.

At present where we all are looking for different ways to take a break from time to time, the options for an extended and ideal getaway might not always come around as often as we would often like. And, this is where a concept like short break holidays fit perfectly very well. The best benefit is city break holidays enables you to go away and spend few days and come back with refreshed mind and ready to take on everyday life on a new mode. This season whether you want the chance to see more of the different destinations or need to cut back on your expenditure, short and city break holidays can be the most ideal alternative that can fit the bill quite easily.

Cheap Auto Rentals – Where to Look

At least once in a while, you are likely to find yourself in need of a vehicle even though you already own one. Many people who own their own cars sometimes find themselves in need of a replacement car when their regular car is in the repair shop, or they are unwilling to put the miles on their own car when they are required to make a long journey for business or for leisure.

Either way, it is good to know that there are options for cheap auto rentals when you are in need of a car, short on time and interested in saving money.

If you think that you would be interested in locating a discount auto rental for your trip or even an emergency situation, then it helps to be aware of the different outlets that are available for locating a good deal on a temporary automobile.

Before you begin your search, you should know that there are legal requirements for being allowed to rent a car in the United States, and some of the same legal rules are applicable even when renting a car overseas. Mostly, you are required to be of a certain age, usually 21 or 25 years of age, and you are also required to present a valid drivers’ license.

Once you are sure that you meet all the legal requirements for obtaining your auto rental, it is time to start looking for the right service for your needs and travel plans. It is always good to obtain quotes for the dates and needs that you will have on your trip from several different car rental companies before making your decision.

Examine all the offered promotions carefully to determine which might work with your travel itinerary to get you the best deal. For instance, many rental companies will offer deals for travel during the week, or on the weekends. Others may offer discounts for renting a certain type or size of car.

Another thing you should always keep in mind about cheap auto rentals is that many times there will be unadvertised discounts for drivers that are also members of an auto club or those who subscribe to certain rewards cards on their credit card.

Manzanillo Mexico Beach Condos – Buy Or Rent Beautiful Vacation Property

We all want to a place to go where we know that we can be away from the daily grind. Even our homes, no matter how much we love them and feel comfortable there, don’t always allow us the freedom and relaxation we deserve. There are always bills to pay, work to be done, and chores to complete. If this sounds like a situation you have found yourself in, you need to go on a vacation. We are not talking about the kind of vacation that gets you away for a weekend, or even a week. You should consider a long, affordable vacation to place where you can relax in the sun, swim in the ocean, sail boats, and even enjoy fun nights of dining and dancing. If this sounds appealing to you, you need to look into Manzanillo Mexico beach condos.

Manzanillo Mexico beach condos can be either bought of rented. Which one you choose depends on what you are looking for in a condo. A condo is great to rent if you don’t know if you want to go back to the place again and again. This is highly unlikely when it comes to Manzanillo and Las Hadas Beach, but you shouldn’t take our word for it. You can rent a condo for a few nights, or even a few months. The vacation is all about what you want to do with it. Once you rent a condo for a few nights, however, your mind is going to turn toward a potential purchase. This is the magic of Las Hadas.

If you are looking at Manzanillo Mexico beach condos to purchase, then you will love having a place to go whenever you need a getaway. You see, Manzanillo offers the best of both relaxation and adventure. There are plenty of exotic places to explore in this area of Mexico, but there is also plenty of space and time for relaxing. You can sunbathe or go yachting. Feel free to spend your evenings at La Casa Club or enjoy some of the local dining.

Manzanillo Mexico beach condos are right for all kinds of vacationers. One of the great features of this Mexican region is that it is one of the most beautiful areas of the world that has not yet been overrun by loud tourists. It is still peaceful. It still feels like a magical place. Las Hadas means The Fairies, and once you experience a week on this beach you will understand why.

Mexico – An Ideal Holiday Destination

Mexico is located in the northern region of the American continent between the Gulf of Mexico on the east and the Pacific Ocean on the west. It is bordered by the United States on the north and by Guatemala and Belize on the south.

Mexico’s land area extends 1,964,375 sq km, which is divided into 32 states, which are truly diverse, as each one has countless tourist destinations offering a wide array of activities.

Mexico can be divided into six tourist regions.

Northern Mexico is known for its extreme weather conditions and characterized by its deserts, nature reserves and rugged mountain ranges.

In Central Mexico, you’ll find plenty of natural surroundings, picturesque towns full of life and color, and beautiful colonial cities, some of which have been declared World Heritage sites.

Southern Mexico and the Gulf of Mexico is lined with the shores of the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean. The region offers an abundance of marshes, mangrove swamps and forests, all of which are ideal for ecotourism outings and exciting outdoor adventures.

The Yucatan Peninsula is the gateway to the Mayan world. Here you can enjoy the white-sand beach resorts and the blue waters of the Caribbean Sea, where you can scuba dive along the world’s second largest coral reef. You can also swim in fresh water pools in submerged caverns, known as cenotes.

In the Pacific Coast region, you’ll find cities and towns with rich cultural and culinary traditions, as well as some of the best beaches for water sports like surfing and fishing.

The Baja California Peninsula territory has been inhabited from time immemorial, in this region you can play golf on world-class courses, discover the underwater treasures of the Sea of Cortez, and witness the amazing migration of the Gray Whale.

Probably one of Mexico’s most well-known beach resorts is Acapulco, located on the Pacific coast, 395 kilometers (245 miles) from Mexico City and 133 kilometers (83 miles) from Chilpancingo, the state capital of Guerrero. It has a warm, humid climate with temperatures ranging from 22º C (72º F) to 33º C (91º F) with sunny days throughout the year.

Among the port city’s many enticing qualities are: its beautiful bay, one of the best in the world; the calm waters of its beaches; the amenities offered by its well established hotel industry, which in recent years has undergone a major revamping, especially in the Punta Diamante neighborhood; and finally, the city’s unbeatable nightlife, which offers one of the hottest playgrounds among Mexican vacation destinations.

For those who have never visited Acapulco, we recommend that you visit la Isla de la Roqueta (Roqueta Island), an ideal island setting where you can either relax or enjoy some scuba diving. You’ll also want to check out the infamous La Quebrada, where fearless cliff divers plunge into the ocean below. If you’re looking for a little excitement of your own, Acapulco offers bungee jumping and parasailing, where from high above you can admire the stunning panoramic views of the bay, the hotel zone and the surrounding mountains, in their utmost splendor.

Nearby Acapulco, you can visit the beach of Pie de la Cuesta, known for its spectacular sunsets, or Puerto Marques, with it beautiful bay and calm waters. Finally, don’t miss out on Barra Vieja, where you are sure to enjoy delicious seafood dishes prepared in traditional Mexican restaurants.

The capital of Mexico is Mexico City, the oldest metropolis on the American continent. The city is perched atop a highland valley at about 2,240 meters (7,392 feet) above sea level. Towering high above the city’s southeast side are two volcanoes: Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl. The nation’s capital has some of the best weather in the world with an average temperature of 22º C (72º F).

Once known as the City of Palaces, Mexico City has two areas that were declared World Heritage Sites by the UNESCO. The first, the Centro Historico (Historic Center), has beautiful historic and religious buildings, such as the Catedral Metropolitano (Metropolitan Cathedral), one of the most important architectural structures in the Western Hemisphere.

The Palacio Nacional (National Palace) has spectacular Diego Rivera murals that chronicle Mexico’s history. And Palacio de Bellas Artes (Palace of Fine Arts), which hosts the city’s most important cultural events, is a beautiful construction that blends art nouveau and art deco styles. The other World Heritage Site, Xochimilco Ecological Park, is often called the Venice of Mexico due to its beautiful canals. Flower-painted boats offer tours of the canals and floating gardens.

If you’re interested in cultural events, Mexico City offers a wide variety of museums, such as the Museo Nacional de Antropologia (a world-class anthropology museum), the Museo Nacional de Arte (The National Art Museum) and the Museo Nacional de Historia (a history museum in Chapultepec Castle where you can see an amazing exhibit that chronicles the nation’s history and art, from the pre-Hispanic era to present day).

In north Mexico City, you can visit the Basilica de Guadalupe, one of the most visited basilicas in the world; in fact, it is second only to Saint Peter’s Basilica, in Vatican City, in the number of visitors it receives each year. This is a must-see for those who want to learn more about the city’s customs and traditions.

What’s more, Mexico City is a cosmopolitan metropolis, where new and old traditions coexist side by side. Here you can go shopping at bazaars and crafts markets in the Coyoacan and San Angel neighborhoods. Or you can go to exclusive boutiques and shopping centers in the posh communities of Santa Fe and Polanco, where you’ll be surrounded by the comfort of top-notch hotels and restaurants.

Mexico is well recognized in the world for its rich gastronomic tradition which offers a great variety of dishes and beverages prepared with innumerable ingredients. The taste, aroma and texture of these ingredients can charm even the most demanding palate and thus turn Mexico into one of the most important destinations in the sphere of international cuisines.