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TRAVEL GUIDE FOR MEXICAN ECOLOGY & CULTURE
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TRAVEL GUIDE FOR MEXICAN ECOLOGY & CULTURE
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| GENERAL ORIENTATION | TRAVEL GUIDE BOOKS | MONEY EXCHANGE |
| NECESSARY DOCUMENTS | ITINERARY AND TRAVEL DETAILS | |
| INSURANCE | TELEPHONES | PERSONAL PACKING |
INTRODUCTION
Read this information very carefully. Included are some details that must be understood for you to legally enter Mexico as a tourist. I will be checking your identification papers during the week prior to our departure. If you do not have proper papers as described herein, you will not be allowed to participate because the Mexican government will not allow you to enter the country. YOU are responsible for the personal preparation required to participate. I have also included other helpful information that should be of interest to you. Some of it (e.g. the itinerary and telephone information) may be of interest to your family or friends.
Distances. The small sun on the map shows the general location of our tropical destination on the southwest coast of México. Bustamante Canyon is the first place we will camp in route to the San Blas area. Bustamante is located about 70 miles north of Monterrey, México. Monterrey is only 142 miles S-SW of Laredo, TX, and a modern 4-lane turnpike (continuation of the "NAFTA" I-35 corridor) connects the two cities. (We will be taking a different route to pass by Bustamante Canyon.) Other distances that might help with the distance perspective are: San Antonio to Laredo = 152mi; Oklahoma City to San Antonio = 474mi, and (for our Kansas participants) Emporia, KS to San Antonio = 658mi.
From Bustamante, we will experience a marathon drive all the way to our final destination. This route is somewhere in the neighborhood of 900 miles long. That is the bad news! The good news is that the scenery during daylight hours will be spectacular. If you have a Mexico map, look for these major cities: Saltillo, Zacatecas, Guadalajara, and Tepic. We will pass through these in route to San Blas.
Border Crossings. There are two international border crossings in the Laredo area: Nuevo Laredo and Columbia. We will cross at the former. Nuevo Laredo is open 24hrs/day and is located at the end of I-35. Before crossing, we can easily buy Mexican insurance and exchange money at businesses in Laredo. There are two international bridges between Laredo and Nuevo Laredo. We will use the new International Bridge #2. From there it is much easier to find the "aduana" where we get our permits.
Good travel books for Mexico are well worth the $15 to $25 cost. They are useful whether you are flying, driving, or going by bus. Here are the names and links to a couple of popular guides.
Let’s Go Mexico (Updated Link for 2010)
Lonely Planet Mexico (Updated Link for 2010)
Also, here is the name and a link to a site with many travel and eco-tourism related resources for México.
Personal Papers. New federal regulations have been implemented to increase security at points of entry into the United States. You must have a passport or passport card to obtain your "tourist card" and to return from Mexico through US Customs. If you do not have a valid passport, do the application work THE FIRST WEEK of class! It is also wise to bring your official college ID card and your drivers license. Here is the US State Department link concerning passport requirements:Passport Home Page of the US Department of State. Students from countries outside of North America must have a passport and may need to deal with other requirements. Call the Mexican Embassy near you to check. The one that is closest to Murray State College is in Dallas. Here is a link to their webpage: Consulado General de México en Dallas.
You will be travelling as a tourist. Information to be provided on your tourist card (actually it is a thin piece of paper!) is basic. You must give your intended destination (i.e. San Blas). Since this is a short visit, the minimum number of days for tourist cards will easily cover our trip dates.
Over the past 30 years, I have observed Mexico, including the border procedures, change dramatically. There was a time when a little "mordida" (a little bribe) could solve about any problem at the border. In my experience, those days are gone. The aduana has become increasingly professional over the years. Requirements are specific these days so it is best to be prepared.
We will have our first "papers check" at Murray State College during our second week of class. Those who do not have the correct papers will be identified with ample time to obtain them. I will collect all student travel papers/passports in class by week three of the semester and place them in a file to hold until we depart from Oklahoma and reach the border where we by our Mexican auto insurance. Students who do not have their passports to me will not be able to join the trip and will forfeit their course fee.
I have been bringing classes to Mexico annually for many years and have learned the hard way that simply checking papers in advance can save hours at the border. For example, I had one student bring his adoption court papers instead of his birth certificate (back in the days when you did not need a passport). Another student accidentally picked up her daughter’ birth certificate instead of her own. Sometimes it has been, "Whoops! I forgot my driver’s license." You can be assured of great hassles and lost time at the border under these circumstances!
Again, to reiterate, if you do not possess a current passport, I you must begin the process of obtaining one now!. Here is the link to the Passport Home Page of the US Department of State where you can find links to information on applying for a passport. As a globally-educated student, you may well wish to travel more in the future and now you will have that critical passport!
Vehicle Papers.
Driving into Mexico with a private, state, or federal vehicle is easy, if and only if certain documentation is presented to Mexican customs officials at the point of entry. These are the required documents:
Murray State College provides these papers so that we will be permitted to temporarily "import" the college vehicle.
Insurance. Because of illegal car importation, original insurance papers showing that the vehicle had been insured (in the U.S.) for a minimum of six months were once required to temporarily import a vehicle. This is no longer the case. However, I always bring a notarized copy of the State of Oklahoma statement of "self insurance" just in case.
Vehicle Importation Fee. With a Visa or Master Card, there is a fee of about $25 U.S. for the vehicle importation permit. The card should be in the name of the person obtaining the permit. Without a major credit card, the importation fee is truly outrageous (several hundred dollars!). We will have credit cards!
Personal Entry Fee. Entry into Mexico requires that you pay a fee at Mexican customs of about $22. Be sure to plan this in your personal trip budget.
MEXICAN VEHICLE AND LEGAL INSURANCE
We
will not drive in Mexico without Mexican insurance coverage our vehicles. All
private non-Mexican car insurance is invalid in Mexico! Mexican coverage is
easy to obtain before we cross the border, and it is economical for a short
trip (around $25/day depending on the value of our vehicles). We will also purchase
the separate Legal Aid Policy. In a legal system that presumes "guilt until
proven innocent," this will prevent making our stay longer than expected
in the event we are involved in an accident!
I have used either of two insurance companies that have offices located conveniently in Laredo just off I-35: Johnson’s and Sanborn’s. Sanborn’s was an old standard, but in 2004 when we crossed their storefront was no longer occupied. They use to provide a nice "Travelogue" which included maps, points of interest, etc. for a route and destination. Johnson’s provides the coverage we need, and is open 24-hours/day (including Sundays and holidays!) That is where we will do our business and also meet the group from Mississippi State University who will have driven to there from Starksville, MS..
Sanborn's (Closed as of last Check)
Johnson’s Mexico Insurance at
I35 and Hwy 59 in Laredo: (210 722-1573)
Exchanging money will be easy before we cross the border. There are "casas de cambio" just off I-35 on the right at the last exit before International Bridge #2 (not the bridge you we cross). These businesses are fast and offer the going exchange rate that you would get at any of the banks. The exchange rate I found listed as I revised this document (14 January 2008) was N$10.96 ("new pesos")/U.S.$. This value fluctuates, but it has been in this neighborhood for sometime. Don’t be afraid of exchanging too much since you can trade back for U.S. dollars when you return, albeit at a slightly less favorable rate. Here is a link to a site where you can find a current rate; they also have a dollar/peso converter you can use.
http://www.oanda.com/convert/classic?expr=MXP&exch=USD&value=1
You can also exchange dollars in San Blas, but it is MUCH easier to do before you cross the border. Another convenient alternative is to use a major credit card. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in Mexico at larger businesses and many ATM’s.
ITINERARY AND SELECTED TRAVEL DETAILS
DEPARTURE, CROSSING THE BORDER, OBTAINING TOURIST CARDS AND VEHICLE PERMITS
Packing and Departure Place and Times - We will meet at the MSC garage area at 7:30pm on Day 1. I suggest you get a good night’s sleep on the night before! We will pack our vehicles and wait on the arrival of Dr. Moore and his students from Kansas. They will have already been on the road from Emporia for several hours. We will help them load their baggage, and then head south. The first scheduled stop for a break will be in the little Czech community of West Texas. Find out what great pastries they make! We will travel south on I-35 into Laredo (probably about a total of 10-11 hours from Murray State College).
General Directions for Driving Across the Border, Obtaining Tourist Cards, Vehicle Permits, and Heading on to Bustamante - Laredo Side. We enter Laredo from the North on I-35. Watch for the insurance businesses which we will find easily. After taking care of business, we will get on I-35 and take the last exit before the end of I-35 at International Bridge #2. After exiting, we will park and walk to money exchange businesses on the west-side service road right where you may also see a sign pointing to International bridge #1. (That leads to the older bridge that we use to cross.) Parking here is tricky. Get your money exchanged (visions of peso conversions will be spinning in your head!). Don't be surprised if they are out and we have to search elsewhere.
The car permit and tourist visas are now obtained in a new location in Nuevo Laredo. Instead of taking the "old" bridge (International Bridge #1), we now take the "new" bridge (International Bridge #2). This is the bridge directly at the end of I35. After getting your money exchanged, we will simply get back on I35 and cross the bridge. We will need to pay a toll of about $2.10 US.
Nuevo Laredo Side. Immediately on the other side of the bridge will be the "Aduana". Here they may inspect the contents of our vehicle. After a brief check, we will be allowed to reenter the traffic. Turn left immediately and follow a series of blue signs that indicate the directions to the building where we will obtain car permits. We will travel east for several blocks. After a drive that may leave you wondering if you have gone too far, the street converges with a highway coming from the other direction. We need to look for one of the blue "car permit" signs that points left. We will turn across the oncoming traffic lane to get into a lane going back to the west. This street will take us all the way back to a building complex near the new International Bridge #2. There we turn left into the parking area for the complex. Signs will guide you from this point on to get your papers.
Tourist
Cards. Take an ink pen
and head inside the building where you will find something like bank
windows where the various officials serve their clientele. This
new building has much better signs to guide you. There is a window to
get the forms. We will stick together since sometimes the officials
give us one batch of tourist card applications to be filled out and returned
as a single batch. You will need to have your passports/papers present..Obtain
a blank tourist card from an official, or, alternatively, there may be someone
handing them out to people in line, or althernatively we (your instructors)
will hand them out for the Mexican officials. There
is now a fee to pay (about $22 US) for entering the country. Pay in the
pay line. Complete the card and return to the tourist card line.
When you are waved to a window, give your proof of citizenship, photo
ID, and completed tourist card to the official.
If everything is in order, the official will ask you to sign on lines
on the back of the card, stamp it, and send you on your way! All of this is
subject to modification in detail!
Vehicle Permits. Vehicle permits are obtained at windows that are well marked by signs that are numbered in the order you need to visit them. Your instructors will have the original title (absolutely not a copy), driver’s license, notarized letter of permission from our respective institutions, major credit card, and tourist card ready. Before getting in the line for vehicle permits, we will first go to the “copy center” (also with its numbered sign). Hand them your things and they will make copies, which you must have, for the officials at the vehicle importation windows. This costs some 20 pesos, so we will have some small change ready (large bills may be hard to break). Now with copies added to our growing arsenal of paperwork, we will head to the vehicle permit windows, ang give everything to the official. He or she will process the paperwork, including running the approximately $25 charge on our personal credit cards. When this is completed we will be allowed to take the silvery permit to place on the inside of the windshield. We are ready to drive away!
BUSTAMANTE CANYON
We will need a place to rest for a night at this point in our journey, and Bustamante Canyon is an excellent choice. Ancient volcanic heat warms the spring waters at the western end of the canyon. Camping places with cement picnic tables trashcans and grills make camping easy. Trails of leaf-cutter ants can often be seen carrying their cargo down the tree limbs. You might find a marine toad lurking under a table or along the edge of the springs. Day or night snorkeling in the largest pool will reveal cichlids that might be exhibiting parental care of their fry. Once we watched a diamond-back water snake hunting the in the spring at night. Birding is interesting. A herd of goats may wander through our camp. The landscape and vegetation is gorgeous, and there are hikes for even the most adventurous.
In
reality, it is not much farther to Monterrey via the “Bustamante Route” than the
toll-road route. If you are crossing at Nuevo Laredo, there is a loop that goes
to the airport then northward to Hwy 2 to Piedras Negras. Along the loop there
is an intersection with Hwy 1. Go
west on Hwy 1. This is a (typically)
peaceful two-lane highway (with some potholes) that goes ultimately all the way
to Monterrey. On my trips south,
in fact, I always take this route, although I cut through Nuevo Laredo directly
to Hwy 1. (I don’t recommend my ‘shortcut’
for the lighthearted!) I like the
Hwy 1 route for three primary reasons.
It is a field biologist sort of route.
Visiting the small town of Bustamante and Bustamante Canyon breaks up the
long drive. The “cabrito” (goat)
dishes at the Restaurante Los Abuelitos in Anahuac have never been missed by our
students!
Traveling from Nuevo Laredo on Hwy 1 we will go through the aduana checkpoint. Here we will pull to the right and may be asked some questions such as “?Donde viene?” or “?Donde va?” (“Where are you coming from?” or “Where are you going?”). We may be asked to show your papers. We may be asked to push a button that operates the random “red-green” light. If it turns red, the official may want to take a closer look at our baggage, etc. Or… none of these things may happen, and we will simply be waved through!
Now we are REALLY on our way! Drive on to Anahuac (which is 70km from Nuevo Laredo). The road goes through town and is generally easy to follow. Stay on the main traffic route through town. We will stop for some authentic local food, stop at Los Abuelitos, a locally well-known family restaurant. It is on the left some distance into town. Great “helado” (ice cream) is just down the street from the restaurant.
From Anahuac, we will continue on Hwy 1 another 46km to Lampazos de Naranjo thence south 21km to Estacion Candela and then another 35km or so to the turnoff on the right to Bustamante. We are almost there. We will slowly cruise over the railroad tracks and then the short 5km to town. You might notice the “Fabrica de Mezcal” on the left shortly after you cross the tracks. The owners are friendly and will give tours and free samples! (Since I quit drinking almost seven years ago, I pass this one up!) Bustamante is a quiet and very pleasant, friendly town of maybe 4000 inhabitants. There are little shops for basics on the street directly through town. The town is known for its pecan orchards. You might like to try an “empanada de nuez” which is a tasty pecan fried pie.
Drive
west all the way through town and continue on a paved road that snakes through
the canyon after passing through an admission gate (only used during busy times).
Immediately before the pavement ends (a few kilometers), there are some
nice camping spots on the right and left (right side is better for tents).
You will also see the “developed” pool and walkways, tables, etc.
The good snorkeling pool is also on the right side.
Camp and enjoy!
If
you return one day for a longer stay, you might like to visit the “grutas” (caverns)
near Bustamante. To find them,
drive back into Bustamante and look for the signs pointing the way to the right
(south). The caves have marked
tourist trails and someone will guide you if you wish.
The sure-of-foot (and prepared!) can also explore deeper in the caverns
where there has been less damage to the cave environment.
Only
100km separate Bustamante from Monterrey via Hwy 1.
By the way, if you are crossing the border at the Columbia bridge, just
follow the highway southwest until it intersects Hwy 1 near Anahuac. You won’t even miss out on the “cabrito” culinary opportunity!
THE MARATHON DRIVE
Bustamante to San Blas. We will leave Bustamante Canyon at about 10:00am to head on the marathon drive past Monterrey, across the central plateau, over mountains, past Guadalajara, and finally we will descend to San Blas. This drive will take us south of the Tropic of Cancer (which we should cross about twilight) and finally to our camping area on the beaches of the Bahía de Matanchen (just after daylight!). There we will meet our Mexican friends and colleagues.
BAHÍA DE MATANCHEN
Although you will be very busy
during the first four days, there will be some time for relaxation. However,
please remember that the coursework comes first. You are representing Murray
State College, Emporia State University, Mississippi State University, and the
United State of America! You must make being a part of the entire group your
first priorty. RÍO TOVARA,
RIVER CROCODILES, BOAT-BILLED HERONS AND CRYSTAL CLEAR SPRINGS
Bahía
de Matanchen. Students
and faculty will set up tents under the palm trees. Faculty will meet to get
organized for the beginning of the course. Each of you will be placed in one
of four initial student groups along with the Mexican university students. Each
of these groups will begin study of one of the following four subject areas:
a) birds, b) reptiles and amphibians, c) mammals, and d) fishes and aquatic
habitats. Your group will rotate daily among these study areas. Some groups
will require nighttime and/or early morning activities. Bats may be netted at
night. Nocturnal marine organisms will be seined at night. Many species of birds
are best seen at dawn. You must be up and ready at the times your group's professors
announce!
River
Boat Ride. All faculty and students will go on a guided
tour of the crocodile inhabited river and mangrove swamp habitats of the Río
Tovara. This is a widely-known wildlife viewing attraction in Mexico. We will
also get to swim and snorkel in the springs at the source of the river.
A final gathering at camp will occur in the evening, and certificates of completion of the Mexico field course will be presented to the students. This is often an emotional time when you know that you will be parting soon from new made friends in Mexico.
SAN BLAS TO REAL DE CATORCE, THE SPANISH COLONIAL SILVER MINING CITY
We will either leave on the afternoon before, or get up very early (like maybe 4:00am!), pack, and depart. Once again, we will have a marathon drive, only this time we will travel north. Our destination will be Real de Catorce located west of the desert ranching city of Matehuala. The last 25km of our marathon drive will take us up to 9000' in elevation on a cobblestone road. I will tell you more about this area later, but suffice to say that it is truly a magical city with a colorful history and tremendous appeal.
Our time in Real de Catorce will include hikes to surrounding points of interest,
shopping, visits to historic buildings, and a host of other entertaining and
educational activities. We will depart from Real de Catorce on the morning of
the 26th.
Gasoline. There
is only one nationalized gasoline company in Mexico, PEMEX. Unleaded gasoline is now the standard. Ask for “Magna” from the green pump and say “llenalo, por favor”
(fill it please). There are all
sorts of octane boosters and fuel injection additives available.
Check the pump to make sure it was zeroed before the attendant begins
pumping and stay close. We must get receipts, so say “una nota, por favor.”
Surprisingly, gasoline prices are have generally been somewhat higher
in Mexico than in Oklahoma. However, with gas prices being so high and unstable
after Hurricane Katrina, I am not certain of what to expect in Mexico. A recent
(on 13 October 2005) price of seven pesos per liter would be about $2.50 per
gallon. 
We
will arrive at Murray State College sometime on Wednesday (probably morning). Our time of arrival
cannot be given with certainty until we get closer to Oklahoma on our return
trip. At this time you may want to be thinking of how you can brag to your friends
and family about how sorry you are that they weren't with you!
Telephones.Telephone
communication from Mexico has improved dramatically from the old days.
LADATEL has touch-tone payphones that accept “tarjetas LADATEL” (easy to
purchase phone cards). The cards are priced at N$30, N$50, and N$100.
To use them just insert the card and follow the instructions (some even
have a button to change the language of the instructions!).
Dial 001 (the U.S. country code), then the Area Code and number.
It is a direct call that involves no operator. Using LADATEL cards is by far the cheapest way to call.
The ones I have purchased this trip (Nov 2001) cost about a $1.00 US per
minute. Cards may be purchased at
many little grocery stores (abarrotes). LADATEL also allows easy connection
to U.S. company operators: for AT&T
dial 001-800-462-4240; Sprint 001-800-877-8000; MCI 001-800-674-7000.
Beware! You may be unpleasantly
surprised when you receive your bill on these calls.
Here
is a basic list of items you need to pack for the trip. It is a combination
and modification of my old list and the list made by Dwight Moore for Emporia
State University students. Some of these are essential and some are suggested
for your comfort. Remember that space will be very limited in our
vehicles. Do not bring hard suitcases. They will not squeeze
into the limited space available. Instead, I suggest you pack in soft
suitcases or duffle bag-type luggage.
