South America Travel


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GORP - South America Resources United States Canada Europe Top Adventures Message Boards Wallpapers Travel Screensavers Slide Show -- Contests Search: Locations US States Around the Globe City Weekends Regional Guides Parks & Preserves Discussion Boards Winter Olympics 2006 Classic World Hikes Best Winter Parks Off-Beach Caribbean Ski Guide 2005-06 from Outside Online -- DESTINATIONS South America Essential South America World of the Ancient Indians Peru Top 20 Chile Top 20 Argentina Top 20 Brazil Top 20 Best of Patagonia Machu Picchu Features by Country Select Country Argentina Bolivia Brazil Chile Colombia Ecuador Galapagos Paraguay Peru Uruguay Venezuela _________________ Features by Activity Select Activity Paddling Hiking Biking Fishing Climbing _________________ Highlights & Resources Go Places Stone and Air Ancient cultures of the Andes. Ecuador's Outer Limits Climbing through the clouds on Mount Chimborazo. Manu Biosphere Reserve No less than 925 bird species. 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Travel Expert Tap the brain of GORP's trailblazing travel expert, Rob Sangster _default.adp -- RELATED TRIPS [South America Trips] Argentina Bolivia Brazil Chile Ecuador Paraguay Peru Venezuela Ski Guide 2005-06 Top North American Resorts // Best Family Skiing // Top Resorts for Beginners // Top Resorts for Experts // Best for Nightlife // Best Snowboarding // Lack of Crowds // Top Scenic Resorts // See All Resorts OUTDOOR GEAR REVIEWS [From Outside magazine] Tents // Sleeping Bags // Backpacks // Hiking Boots // Hydration Systems // Camp Stoves // Road Bikes // Mountain Bikes // Kayaks // Running Shoes // Jackets // Soft Shells // Luggage // Sunglasses // Cameras // Binoculars // Audio Players // GPS Devices [from GORP.com] GORP's full gear guide THE GEAR GUY Is there one boot to hike and climb the Americas? How can I take my two-year-old cross-country skiing? ( Outside ) What runners will keep me upright on muddy trails? ( Outside ) SEARCH THE GEAR GUY (Example: hiking boots, backpacks, tents, skis) [+] Advanced Search BUY GEAR FROM REI.com Hiking Gear Cycling Gear Paddling Gear Snow Sports Gear Alpine Ski Gear Cross Country Skiing Gear Snowboarding Gear Snowshoeing Gear Luggage & Travel Gear Women's Specific Gear Shop all Men's Outerwear Shop all Women's Outerwear Shop all Kid's Outerwear All Gear on Sale REI.com [+] Hot Topics Why do you care? 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Courtyard Orlando International Drive/Convention Center: Vacation packages and specials in Orlando Home International Sites Help Contact Us Site Map Find & Reserve Specials & Packages Destinations Events & Meetings Marriott Rewards Courtyard Orlando International Drive/Convention Center Home View All Photos Guest Rooms in Detail Hotel Specials & Packages About This Hotel Area Information Maps & Transportation Plan Events & Meetings Use Marriott Rewards Points Printable Hotel Fact Sheet SeaWorld ® Orlando Vacation Package with Marriott ® Hotels Take advantage of SeaWorld Orlando vacation packages offered, now through January 3, 2007. Package includes deluxe accommodations for two nights, "Length of Stay" tickets to SeaWorld offering unlimited access throughout your stay, SeaWorld Guest Value Booklet with special park offers, "Ride Again" passes on SeaWorld's most popular rides, upgrade to preferred parking at regular SeaWorld parking rate, and a Shamu plush toy for each child. SeaWorld® Guest Value Booklet includes: 1. Free upgrade to Preferred Parking 2. Ride Again Voucher for Kraken 3. Ride Again Voucher for Journey to Atlantis 4. Ride Again Voucher for Wild Arctic 5. Buy One Get One Free Sky Tower Ride 6. Save $10 on admission to Makahiki Luau 7. Free Dessert at Sharks Underwater Grill (with entrée purchase) 8. 50% off Child’s dinner at Dine with Shamu (with purchase of an adult dinner) 9. $1 off admission Animal Rescue Tour 10. $10 off Sharks Deep Dive Reservations Click on a "Check Availability" link below to make your reservation on Marriott.com, or call 1-800-834-7015 and ask for promotional code THM. Rates from$311 Terms and Conditions Valid through 1/3/07. Available seven days a week. Rates are per stay for 2 adults, 2-night minimum stay and based on availability. Free shuttle transportation to SeaWorld available at select hotels. Rates vary by property and season. Tax is additional. Offer does not apply to groups of 10 or more rooms. Cannot be combined with any other promotions. Blackout dates may apply. Add additional nights to your stay and "Length of Stay" tickets will be adjusted accordingly. Advance reservations required. Other restrictions may apply. Check Rates & Availability Check-in date Dec, 2005 Jan, 2006 Feb, 2006 Mar, 2006 Apr, 2006 May, 2006 Jun, 2006 Jul, 2006 Aug, 2006 Sep, 2006 Oct, 2006 Nov, 2006 Dec, 2006 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Check-out date Dec, 2005 Jan, 2006 Feb, 2006 Mar, 2006 Apr, 2006 May, 2006 Jun, 2006 Jul, 2006 Aug, 2006 Sep, 2006 Oct, 2006 Nov, 2006 Dec, 2006 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 No. of rooms Guests / room 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 Need more rooms? Optional Information Marriott Rewards number Corporate/promotional code THM More options Join Marriott Rewards Not a Marriott Rewards member? Become one today. Joining is fast, easy and free. Join Now Courtyard Orlando International Drive/Convention Center 8600 Austrian Court Orlando,Florida32819USA Phone: 1-407-351-2244 Fax: 1-407-351-3306 Sales: 1-407-351-2845 International Sites Travel Agents Corporate Information Careers Help Contact Us Site Map © 1996 - 2005 Marriott International, Inc. All rights reserved. Marriott proprietary information. Terms of Use Internet Privacy Statement
Mexico Travel
Mexico Travel Guide - Mexico Articles Wednesday Dec 28th, 2005 Mexico Central Time Back to Mexico Articles Ok, you want to drive to Mexico (good for you!) and now you need to know what it will take to get you and your vehicle into the country. Here is the straight scoop. A friend of mine got in with a student ID and a smile, but she was much prettier than I am. All minors (under 18) need either both parents with them, or notarized permission from the absent parent(s) or legal guardian. Vehicle Title or Registration Receipt. Owner is considered the name(s) on title only. For example: a wife cannot take the car if the title is only in the husband's name. If names of both husband and wife appear on title, either one may take the car. Birth certificate, passport or notarized proof of citizenship, or voter's registration card. Visa, MasterCard, Diner's, or American Express card with the same name as on title. Valid driver's license (with photo and same name as on title). Notarized letter of permission from the bank or lienholder is required on financed cars, rental cars, leased cars, or company cars (on company stationary). No borrowed cars or borrowed credit cards are accepted. You must sign an affidavit of promise to return vehicle back to the United States. Back to Top Failure to turn in your vehicle permit before the expiration date may result in fines. * This is subject to change without notice. In order to get your vehicle permit, you will pay an approximately $10-11 fee with a Visa, MasterCard or American Express. If you do not have a credit card, you will have to post a bond (much of which you will get back on your return). Your permit is good for multiple entries, but you MUST turn it in at border BEFORE it expires. We might as well warn you about customs before it is too late to do anything about it. Technically, both foreigners and Mexicans who are driving are only allowed to bring $50 worth of "merchandise" (mercancia, a word you will soon learn). Since nobody takes long trips to Mexico with only $50 worth of stuff, this is obviously impossible to enforce. What customs is looking for is new items that could be sold. The secret is not to have new-looking items with you. For example, if you have new clothes, take the tags off. If you have new camping gear, take it out of the shiny boxes and throw some dirt on them to make the boxes look old. Get the idea? One thing that will get you into trouble is a lot of stuff in Wal-Mart etc. sacks. If you bought a lot of items for your trip, take them out of the sacks, remove the price tags and distribute them among your baggage. I was once delayed for having too much film. I am a photographer and regularly take fifty rolls of film. Technically that is illegal, but I only had a problem once. That was when the rolls were still in a plastic bag from the store. From then on, I spread them out and haven't had a problem since. Computers Laptop computers are never (a dangerous phrase to use in Mexico, but I will go out on a limb here) a problem. Desktops can usually be brought in. A journalist friend of mine was moving to Mexico and had a lot of stuff, including a desktop computer. The customs inspector wanted to do his job, but he was a practical man. "Your computer," he asked, "it is small, no?" "Si," the scribe replied, "muy pequeño." Be honest and friendly and things will work out. Be arrogant and you will have trouble. Back to Top When to cross Allow at least 30 minutes for customs clearing. Early in the AM (6-7:30) is best. After 9:00 AM, it could take 30 minutes up to an hour. Weekends are the worst time, especially holidays. If you got a late start, please spend the night in a border town. Driving in Mexico is not as dangerous as you have been led to believe, but it is more challenging. There are plenty of four-lane toll roads that (for a price) can make you feel as comfortable as if you were back home. The two-lane roads vary in width and conditions so that some of them are usually in great shape, and others are often full of potholes. You will have to learn a few rules of the road For current gas and diesel prices, jump to gas prices. For road conditions, go to road updates. Driving in Mexico is perfectly safe and enjoyable. It is no more difficult than driving in the U.S., though defensive driving is a requirement. Despite what you have heard, Mexicans are very polite -- on the open road. In cities, a certain amount of aggression is required. Still, that's true in our country, too. How many of us can compete with NY or Boston cabbies -- or would want to? I have driven in most of the major U.S. cities and find the drivers in Mexico to be generally more polite, particularly the truck drivers and long distance bus drivers. (See the section about left turns). Accidents A remarkably small number of gringos have accidents in Mexico. Perhaps they learn the differences quickly or perhaps God watches out for fools, drunks and the U.S.A, as I was told by my father. So that you won't have to depend on divine intervention, I will give you some of the driving tips I have gleaned in my over twenty years of driving around Mexico. In that time, I have had one accident -- and that was because I passed out from carbon monoxide poisoning. Here's a tip -- if you have a back window on your 4WD, don't leave it open. Why is everyone flashing their lights at me? Flashing your headlights at a car in front of you indicates that you want to pass them. If you drive with your headlights on during the day, you will be flashed by oncoming drivers because they think you have left your lights on by accident. Back to Top Night Driving Don't drive at night on the two-lane roads. There is a lot of loose livestock and I have yet to see a cow equipped with tail lights. My tip for driving at night is - DON'T. On the toll roads (which are as good as or even better than those in the U.S. or Canada), you can drive at night, but should be aware that some roads -- particularly the Orizaba-Villahermosa road, and the Mexico City-Acapulco road, have been known to have assaults at night. Left Turn Signals On the open road, a left turn signal is an invitation to the guy behind you to pass. Trucks and busses frequently turn their left blinker on to guide you around them. I trust them, but use common sense. Sometimes they have optimistic views of your acceleration capabilities. Don't use your left turn signal on a two lane road when you are about to pass. You might get hit. A few readers have pointed out that on the toll roads, people use turn signals as they do here. My advice -- use 'em as you are used to on toll roads, but don't expect the other guy to do the same. Left Turns Left turns are different! When there is a left turn lane, there will usually be a left turn arrow. Look for 4 lights on signal. You MUST wait for arrow (whether or not you saw any Indians). Right Turns Right on red is usually not OK, unless there is a sign saying that it is. Lately, however, I have been honked at by locals when I wait for a green light. What to do? If there isn't a cop nearby, (and the coast is clear) I turn. Topes and Truckers Watch out for topes, which are speed bumps in every town of any size. They begin just as you enter a town and there are lots of them in-between. Slow down in rain -- more than you do here. The roads are slicker, due to the blowoff from the big trucks and it takes several hours of a heavy rain to wash it away. Truckers are usually friendly and will use the aforementioned left turn signal to give you the go-ahead to pass them when you cannot see around them. Back to Top Cops Traffic cops are more honest than you have been led to believe, but there are some in towns who are looking for bribes, especially in Mexico City. When this happens, stand firm and tell them you want to go to the comandancia. In Mexico City You cannot drive in Mexico City on certain days, depending on the last number of your license plate. Drive defensively at all times and you should have no problems. You will not go to jail for having a traffic accident, unless you do not have insurance, are drunk or high, or are argumentative. If the accident is serious, or if you kill someone, you could go to jail, or you and your car could simply be detained until the matter is settled. For this reason it is a good idea to have a legal assistance policy. This came from Live Better South of the Border. If you like the info you can order the book from a Secure Order Form with VI, MC, AM at http://www.mexicomike.com or by sending a check to Roads Scholar Press, 300 Zapata St., Rancho Viejo, TX 78520 or call 1-800-321-5605. The cost is $16.95 plus $4.00 S&H. Texas residents add 8.25% tax ($22.34). Back to Top Send us your comments about this article Back to Mexico Articles Acapulco | Cancun | CopperCanyon | Cozumel | Guadalajara | Huatulco | Ixtapa | Los Cabos Manzanillo | Mazatlan | Mexico City | Monterrey | Oaxaca | Puerto Vallarta © 1995 - 2005 Let's Go2Mexico ® - All Rights Reserved - Powered by ® Go2 Producciones ernesto luna sierra