Austria Travel Guide Austria

Austria Comment by nico23 | Travellerspoint Travel Guide U sername: P assword: R emember Me Car Hire Travel Insurance Airport Parking UK Cheap Accommodation Hotel Bookings Travellerspoint Travel Community Forums Blogs Destinations Accommodation Travel Help Reunions Tools Links Austria Comment by nico23 Travel Destinations Guide Austria Travel Guide Austria Comment by nico23 Vienna Square Mexikoplatz, Austria - Cecilia Fuentes Austria Photo Gallery The only one land where i'd like to live all my entire life... nico23 | 20th Jun 05 Member Comments More Members talk Login or become a member and add a comment about Austria. Want some personal advice on Austria? The Travel Helpers are Travellerspoint volunteers willing to answer your travel questions about a country they feel they know a lot about. There are currently 9 Travel Helpers available to answer your questions about Austria. Austria Travel Helpers Travel Products Below is a collection of Travellerspoint products and services that might be of use to you while you are researching your trip to Austria. Austria Accommodation Austria hotels (129) Austria last minute hotels (80) Austria apartments (2) Austria campsites (3) Austria bed & breakfasts (20) Austria hostels (27) Austria budget hotels (44) Other Products Cheap travel insurance Eurail passes & Train tickets Austria tours (45) Around the world tickets Austria Travel Sites Sponsor Austria SIM Cards & Cell Phones - Get free incoming calls with your own Austria prepaid SIM card and GSM cell phone. Roam Austria without the roaming surcharges. Austria - Official Guide - The tourism board's official guide to Austria is a comprehensive resource for travellers to the country. Austrian Guide - A growing guide to Austrian travel. Austria links can be found in our Travel Sites Directory. The links contained in this directory are external sites and will pop up in a new window. © 2002 - 2005 Travellerspoint Travel Community | Contact | FAQ | About | Terms | Site Map

Central America Travel

Central America Vacations & Tourism, Central America Hotels, Central America Attractions - Yahoo! Travel Primary Navigation Overview | Hotels | Things to do | Restaurants | Map | Flights | Cars | Deals | FareChase Central America: Search Travel Travel > Guides > Central America Email this page Print Central America Vacations, Tourism, Hotels View larger map of Central America Top Cities in Central America San Jose Panama City San Salvador Belize City San Pedro Antigua Guatemala Tegucigalpa Tamarindo Caye Caulker Puerto Quepos Managua Guatemala City Roatan San Ignacio Placencia Granada Countries in Central America Belize Costa Rica El Salvador Guatemala Honduras Nicaragua Panama Popular Central America Cities Belize Belize City San Pedro Caye Caulker San Ignacio Placencia Costa Rica San Jose Tamarindo Puerto Quepos Puntarenas Limon El Salvador San Salvador San Luis Talpa San Miguel San Vicente Santa Ana Nicaragua Managua Granada Leon Montelimar Rivas Guatemala Antigua Guatemala Guatemala City Panajachel Chichicastenango Tikal Natl Park Panama Panama City David Boquete Taboga Island Colon Honduras Tegucigalpa Roatan Tela San Pedro Sula La Ceiba Related Information Popular Attractions in Central America Antigua Guatemala Volcn Arenal Spirogyra Butterfly Garden Mercado Central Ruinas de Ujarrs Parque Nacional Volcn Pos Zoolgico La Aurora Rain Forest Aerial Tram Day Trip Mapa en Relieve Parque Nacional Popular Hotels in Central America Quinta Real Guatemala Casa Santo Domingo Hilton Princess San Salvador Hotel Colonial Grand Tikal Futura Hotel Marriott Guatemala City Bougainvillea Hotel Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica Belize Yacht Club Barcelo Montelimar Beach Popular Cities in Central America San Jose Panama City San Salvador Belize City San Pedro Antigua Guatemala Tegucigalpa Tamarindo Caye Caulker Puerto Quepos Yahoo! FareChase: Search dozens of websites, find a cheap airfare Help get your favorite places listed on Yahoo! Travel: suggest a hotel or suggest an attraction .

Argentina Travel

Travel: Argentina Travel Notes -- Argentina Cities Round The World Flights - Free TravelNotes e-mail Travel Notes : Latin America : Argentina @ Travel Notes : Argentina Cities -- Booking Engine Vacation Finder Latin America @ Travel Notes Argentina Belize Bolivia Brazil Caribbean Chile Colombia Costa Rica Ecuador El Salvador Falklands Fr. Guiana Guatemala Guyana Honduras Mexico Nicaragua Panama Paraguay Peru Sth. Georgia Suriname Uruguay Venezuela Major Cities in Argentina Buenos Aires is the capital of Argentina and in the summer it seems that every one leaves the city for the cool hill country of Crdoba or the beaches of Mar del Plata. In the winter, Bariloche becomes the popular destination for skiers . Bahia Blanca Bahia Blanca : The english section was still under construction when we looked at it, but there's plenty of information in Spanish. Bariloche San Carlos de Bariloche is on the southern shore of Lake Nahuel Huap, in western Argentina. If you feel like you're in an Alpine town, it's probably because Austrians and Germans settled here around 1895. Bariloche attracts skiers in the winter and hikers in the summer. Boating and fishing are also popular on the lake. You'll also arrive here if you're travelling to or from Puerto Mont in Chile . Ansa International Rent a Car : AI Rent a Car in Bariloche, with over twenty five years experience of renting cars locally and regionally. There are also branch offices around Argentina, Chile and Uruguay. Bariloche Accommodation : Where to stay in Bariloche. Bariloche Guide : Directory of information relating to Bariloche, with links to local websites. Nahuel Huapi : Directory devoted to Bariloche and the visitor who can read Spanish. Buenos Aires The capital of Argentina , founded in 1580, is situated inland from the Atlantic Ocean; on the western bank of the Ro de la Plata. The Plaza de Mayo , close to the waterfront, is where the city began, and it has expanded in ever-widening semi-circles. The Avenida de Mayo runs west from the Plaza de Mayo to the National Congress. To the north of Avenida de Mayo are the more wealthier suburbs, while the colourful La Boca neighbourhood of working class families and descendants of Italian emigrants lies to its south. Argentines like their meat and tend to dine out late. It's not uncommon to be the only guest in a restaurant before nine in the evening. Buenos Aires Accommodation : Where to stay in Buenos Aires. Buenos Aires Directory : Buenos Aires listings for restaurants, bars and pubs, bingos and casinos, discotheques, markets, art galleries, places to visit and Tango houses. Metropolitano : Schedules and fares for the Metropolitano network. Official Buenos Aires : Only in Spanish. Tandilnet : Tandil is located in the southeast of Buenos Aires province, about 360 km away from the city of Buenos Aires. This local directory of information and links is available in English and Spanish. Cordoba Founded on the Ro Primero, in central Argentina, by the Spaniard Jernimo Luis de Cabrera in 1573, Crdoba became one of the major centres of learning in South America. The Jesuits founded the National University of Crdoba in 1613. The city is also home to an astronomical observatory and the National Meteorological Institute. The beautiful hill country surrounding Crdoba makes it a popular summer escape from the heat of Buenos Aires. Crdoba : Crdoba portal, in Spanish. Mar del Plata The most popular seaside resort in Argentina is at Cape Corrientes on the Atlantic Ocean. Midsummer is January and February, and the beaches are packed with people from Buenos Aires -- standing room only. Mar del Plata : Mar del Plata has excellent road and rail links with most of Argentina. The majority of people come to Mar del Plata for the beaches; General Pueyrredon district's 47 km coastline contains a huge variety to choose from. Mendoza Mendoza Tour : Things to do and places to stay around Mendoza -- for readers of Spanish. Rosario Rosario is the second most important city in the Republic of Argentina. It is located in the south of the province of Santa Fe along the shores of the Paran river and is approximately 300kms northwest of the capital, Buenos Aires. Rosario : Basic information for visitors to Rosario. Salta Colonial architecture draws the tourists to Argentina's northwest . The cathedral and numerous churches, government buildings, and private mansions throughout the area reflect its Spanish colonial past. Salta's fiesta time is in September. SightseeingTours, Events and Attractions . Miscellaneous -- Online Reservations Maps & Travel Books : Stanfords is the UK's leading specialist retailer of maps and travel books. 1800-Hostels.com : Budget Accommodation in Latin America. Latin American Directory : Latin America links sorted by country and category. Send @ Postcard Unique images of travel destinations by Travel Notes. Travel Industry : Add Your Tours Add Your Property Latin American Spanish Phrasebook : Most guidebooks have a few words to help you get by but real travellers will need this companion. Learn Spanish . Mailing List Keep up with the latest news @ Travel Notes. Meta-Travel Forums : If you have a question, want to hang out with other travellers, tourists or the natives.... then join Travelnotes in the Meta-Travel forums and share in the global experience. Countries Weather Flights Cars Lodging Specials Contact Meta Flight Tickets : Save money on Round The World flight tickets. Travel News : Get the inside scoop with the latest travel features and tips. Past Articles . Argentina Cities Argentina Culture Argentina Hotels Argentina News Argentina Regions Argentina Skiing Argentina Tourism Argentina Tours Bariloche Buenos Aires Business Corner LearningSpanish Patagonia Local Currency Convert your currency into Argentine pesos. Travel Directory : Latin America : Argentina @ Travel Notes : Argentina Cities -- Add URL Search Travel Notes | Travel Notes | Search Resources | Submit Your Travel Site | Meta-Travel Search | | 1800-Countries | 1800-Casinos | 1800-Cruises | 1800-Olympics | 1800-Worldcup | | Airlines | Airports | 1800-Fly | 1800-Lodging | 1800-RentalCars | Vacation Rentals | | Legal Notice | Travel Articles | Magun's Compass | Advertisers | Online Reservations | The URL for this page is: http://www.travelnotes.org/LatinAmerica/Argentina/argentina_cities.htm

Air Travel

Northwest Airlines NWA.com -- Airline Tickets, Airfare & Travel Planning Travel More, Spend Less this Winter Low fares for domestic and international travel, plus 2,006 Bonus Miles when you book your flight on nwa.com*. *Get the details and book your flight today. Deals and News Winter Sale Fares to Asia Best Fare Guarantee on nwa.com Xtreme Miles - There's still time to register SuperSize your Flight Miles Race to the Finish for 100,000 Bonus Miles > View All Promotions WorldPerks Partners Earn up to 15,000 Bonus Miles with WorldPerks Visa ® > Click here for details Flight Search Search for Roundtrip One-way > Multi-city Search by Price Lowest Price & Schedule WorldPerks Mileage Upgrade From To Depart Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov 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 Anytime Morning Afternoon Evening Return Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov 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 Anytime Morning Afternoon Evening Search one day before and after # of Adults: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 > NWA Discount Travel E-Cert Redemption > Search for Weekend Trips > More Search Options Check In for Your Flight Within 24 hours of departure > Flash Demo First Name Last Name Departure City Code > Find City Code Confirmation # -or- WorldPerks # > Luggage & Other Details My NWA Info WorldPerks Number Last Name PIN Remember PIN > Help Flight & Gate Status Flight Number Flight Date 12/27/05 12/28/05 12/29/05 Or find flight by selecting From To View/Change Reservations View, change or reconfirm reservations, add or change seats, request refunds, exchanges and more. Confirmation # Last Name > Sign up for Travel Alerts . -- Text Only Version / Versin en Espaol / Version franaise Add RSS Feeds © Northwest Airlines 2005

Mexico Travel Site: Everything

Mexico Travel Tools T RAVEL T OOLS T RAVEL T OOLS Alvarado Antigua Castillo De Teayo Catemaco Cazones Cempoala Cerro Azul Chachalacas Chiapas Coatepec Coatzacoalcos Coatzintla Cordoba Cosamaloapan Costa Esmerelda El Tajin Fortin De Las Flores Gutirrez Zamora Huatusco Jalcomulco Martinez Minatitln Naolinco Nautla Oaxaca Orizaba Otatiln Pnuco Papantla Poza Rica Puebla Quiahuiztln San Andres Tuxtlas San Juan Evengelista San Lorenzo-Tenochtitlan Santiago Tuxtlas Sontecomapan State of Veracruz Tampico Tecolutla Tlacotalpan Tlapacoyan Tlaxcala Villahermosa Xico Navigate Veracruz Mexico City , 20 million strong and growing, is the largest City in the Americas. It is built upon the ruins of the most glorious City of the pre-Columbian Americas by the Aztecs who were the last of many ambitious civilizations who rose to power and glory beginning around 1200 BC with the Olmecs of Veracruz. At the beginning of another age, about 500 years ago, our featured Carnaval City Veracruz was again the cradle of the Mexico today when Hernn Corts landed on the coast near modern-day Veracruz on Good Friday 21 April 1519 with 11 ships, 550 men and 16 horses. The determined man of destiny ordered his ships burned. (history continued ) Daily News Update from Mexico & Latin America ANNUAL EVENTS || PASSPORT/VISA CUSTOMS || GUIDES TO MEXICO || State Tourismo || LINKS || GETTING THERE || - Bus Companies || PLACES TO STAY -- Veracruz State || -120 Cities || HEALTH & SAFETY || TOURS || MAPS || MONEY || FAST FACTS || LANGUAGE || WEATHER || MEDIA || - Top Headlines || TRADE || HISTORY Planning at Trip Mexico by frommers.com > Planning a Trip > Tips for Travelers with Special Needs For Families Highly recommended For Students no formal network of student discounts For Gay & Lesbian Public same-sex affection is rare Disabilities one giant obstacle For Seniors popular country for retirees, paperwork important For Women Alone safer traveling in Mexico than USA Mexico Travel Site: Everything you need to know for an enjoyable vacation in Mexico. Annual Events Calendar of Events by www.visitmexicopress.com Calendar of Mexican Fiestas and Holidays by vivasancarlos.com Holiday Planner by www.infopv.com Similar pages Passport/Visa Customs /Documents Traveling in Mexico requires proof of citizenship, which is easiest to provide by carrying a valid passport. If you do not have a passport, never fear. It is also possible to get a tourist visa (tarjeta de turista) with certified copy of your birth certificate (embossed seal do impress) and a photo ID at border crossings. The cost of a tourist visa is about $20 USD, and is included in the cost of your international plane or cruise ship ticket . Visas are typically valid for 180 days M ost people officially need a passport to pick up their tourist card, but for US and Canadian citizens all that's required is proof of citizenship (an original birth certificate or notarized copy, for instance, or naturalization papers), along with some form of photo ID (such as a driver's license). D on't lose the blue copy of your tourist card, which is given back to you after immigration inspection. You are legally required to carry it at all times, and if you have to show your papers, it's more important than your passport. Get extra visas if you'll be leaving and returning to Mexico during your trip. Planning your Flight & air travel rules by carnaval.com When taking chances on an expired ID your biggest concern is the airlines will not accept it. The Mexican rules do not say the ID must be current but that may not matter to your air carrier. Visas And Red Tape by roughguides for travelnow USA Restrictions of entering USA from Mexico by mexicoweb.com State Department Travel Information Sheet on Mexico US Consulates: Embassies and consular agents should be contacted for such emergencies as police arrest, lost passports or tourist cards, medical difficulties or accidents, or if you find that your car is unable to make the requisite return trip out of Mexico. http://travel.state.gov/travel_warnings.html for Consular Information sheets and warnings http://travel.state.gov/tips_mexico.html Tips for Travelers to Mexico. Visa and Travel Advisories for Mexico by nationalgeographic.com Guides to Mexico OFFICIAL www.visitmexico.com Mexico's Tourism Promotion Board Mexico-travel.com / Ministry of Tourism of Mexico Select City: Acapulco Aguascalientes Ajijic Akumal Alamos Baha de Kino Bajamar Barra de Navidad Batopilas Boca del Rio Buceras Buenavista Cabo Pulmo Cabo San Lucas Campeche Cancun Catavia Cerocahui Chapala Chetumal Chichen Itza Chihuahua Chilpancingo Cholula Cihuatln Ciudad del Carmen Ciudad Delicias Ciudad Juarez Ciudad Madero Ciudad Mante Ciudad Obregon Ciudad Valles Ciudad Victoria Coatzacoalcos Cob Cocoyoc Colima Cozumel Creel Cuernavaca Culiacan Divisadero Dolores Hidalgo Durango El Fuerte Ensenada Garza Garcia Gomez Palacio Guadalajara Guanajuato Guaymas Guerrero Negro Hermosillo Huatulco Huatusco Isla de Navidad Isla Mujeres Ixtapa Ixtapan de la Sal Jalapa Jiutepec Juriquilla Kantenah La Huerta La Paz La Piedad Lagos de Moreno Lazaro Cardenas Len Loreto Los Barriles Los Mochis Manzanillo Maroma Matamoros Matehuala Mazatlan Merida Mexicali Mexico City Minatitlan Monclova Monterrey Morelia Mulege Municipio de Solidaridad Naucalpan Navojoa Nogales Nuevo Laredo Nuevo Vallarta Oaxaca Pachuca Palenque Paracho Patzcuaro Pie de la Cuesta Piedras Negras Playa del Carmen Poza Rica Progreso Puebla Puerto Angel Puerto Aventuras Puerto Escondido Puerto Morelos Puerto Nuevo Puerto Peasco Puerto Vallarta Queretaro Real del Catorce Real del Mar Reynosa Rincn de Guayabitos Rosarito Salina Cruz Saltillo San Blas San Carlos San Cristobal de las Casas San Felipe San Felipe del Agua San Ignacio San Jos del Cabo San Juan del Rio San Luis Potosi San Miguel de Allende San Quintin Santa Rosala Sn Pedro Garza Garca Tamazunchale Tampico Tapachula Taxco Tecate Tehuacan Tenacatita Tepic Tequisquiapan Tijuana Tlalnepantla Tlaquepaque Tlaxcala Todos Santos Toluca Torren Tultitln Tulum Tuxtla Gutierrez Uruapan Uxmal Valladolid Valle de Bravo Veracruz Villahermosa Xilitla Zacatecas Zapopan Zihuatanejo Zimapan OFFICIAL State Tourism Offices in Mexico Mexican Government Tourist Board -- main office in Mexico City (tel. 555/203-1103 ). USA: Mexico Hot Line (tel. 800/44-MEXICO Chicago (tel. 312/606-9252 ); Houston (tel. 713/772-2581, ext. 105, or 713/772-3819); Los Angeles (tel. 213/351-2069; fax 213/351-2074); Miami (tel. 305/718-4095 ); and New York (tel. 212/308-2110 ). The Mexican Embassy is at 1911 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W., Washington, DC 20005 (tel. 202/728-1750 ). Canada: 1 Place Ville-Marie, Suite 1931, Montreal, QUE, H3B 2C3 (tel. 514/871-1052 ); 2 Bloor St. W., Suite 1502, Toronto, ON, M4W 3E2 (tel. 416/925-0704 ); 999 W. Hastings, Suite 1110, Vancouver, BC, V6C 2W2 (tel. 604/669-2845 ). Embassy office: 1500-45 O'Connor St., Ottawa, ON, K1P 1A4 (tel. 613/233-8988; fax 613/235-9123). Guide to Mexico by Lonely Planet || Map || Home Excellent short history and good overview of the highspots. Lonely Planet sells 4 guidebooks to Mexico. www.mexconnect.com mailto:davidmcl@mexconnect.com Mexico travel tips by mpsnet.mx || Interest Index || Mexico City || Espanol Immigration, Customs, Taxes, Tips, Banking Services, Driving, Safety and Health. Huge very capable and worthwhile site. by mexico.netgate.net Organized by State HISTORY MAPS RECREATIONAL SITES ECOTOURISM MUSEUMS LOCAL FESTIVITIES BEACHES COLONIAL SITES ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES . Getting There By Air - Aeromxico and Mexicana are the largest Mexican airlines but there are many airlines offering special pricing. The web is empowering air travelers like never before to enable them to get the best deal with the least hassle. Visit our frequently updated web- guide to this fast growing area. Airports in Mexico BUS Companies in Mexico Mexico has one of the best bus transit systems in the world. nearly every location is served by a bus. Some Spanish will be required By Car - Temporary Import Permit Required As a NAFTA border country, one hopes the long standing hassle of this process would ease. All foreign registered car requires a Temporary Import permit. You can do this at the border but you need to have prepared in advance if your car has a lien on it.. Process takes a couple of hours and requires proof of ownership (notarized permit to take car to Mexico from lien-holder, if any), a bond issued to the Mexican Government for the market value of the car or a valid credit card imprint charged with a processing fee approximately valued at US $12. It is good are good for six months. ... Driving at night is not recommended (potholes, livestock, and the lack of lighting are the chief hazards)... Also be cautious of roadside bandits who may attempt to get you to stop only to rob you... English speaking Angeles Verdes (Green Angels 91-800-90392), assist tourists on the highways for free except for gas and spare parts... Unleaded gas is found throughout Mexico at all gas stations... Gas up when reaching one-quarter level in remote locations. Last Minute Deals From City: To: State or Region... City... This page requires Javascript. Getting Around There Rough Guides Getting Around in association with TravelNow Buses camiones rule! (Mexican word for the long distance buses to serve virutally every town in the nation) First-class vehicles have numbered, reserved seats, videos and air conditioning Trains Only recommended for from the border to Mexico City (where sleeper services represent great value), Mexico City to Oaxaca, and the amazing Copper Canyon Railway. Flights Aeromxico and Mexicana, which between them connect most places to Mexico City, usually several times a day. Aviacsa serves the Yucatn, Chiapas, Oaxaca, Guadalajara, Acapulco, Cancn, Tijuana and Monterrey. Aerolineas Internacionales and Aero California also cover most major destinations while Aeromar operates mainly in the north Ferries Baja California with a trio of ports on the Pacific mainland: Santa Rosala to Guaymas, and La Paz to Mazatln and Topolobampo (for Los Mochis). For detailed information on fares and schedules see http://www.mexconnect.com/mex_/mexicoferryw.html Driving Recommends not taking your own car but renting for short periods. Mostly due to the targeting of tourists for shakedowns by underpaid traffic police. Drivers from the US, Canada, Britain, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand will find that their licences are valid. Other reasons to avoid the hassle: Speed bumps can be huge, gas by government monopoly Pemex expensive & Theft of your vehicle is a significant concern. Hitching Not recommended particularly solo. If you do keep your baggage to hand in case you need to leave in a hurry (feigned carsickness is one way to get a driver to stop). Particularly avoid areas frequented by bandidos Local Transportation always plentiful and inexpensive, Banditry: A Warning Roads where there have been regular reports of problems, and where you should certainly try to avoid driving at night, include Hwy-15 (Los Mochis-Mazatln) and express Hwy-1 in Sinaloa, Hwy-5 (Mexico City-Acapulco) in Guerrero, Hwy-75 (Oaxaca-Tuxtepec), Hwy-57 (San Luis Potos-Matahuela), and near the border, in particular on Hwy-2 (Mexicali-Agua Prieta) and Hwy-40 (Matamoros-Monterrey). Places to Stay tripadvisor has links to a growing number of places to stay in hundreds of Mexican Cities and over a third have ratings by real people 120 Mexican Cities with on-line booking starsanddiamonds.com.mx has certification program with 5 stars as the highest rating Health & Safety Although Mexico is considered a third world country, its general concern about sanitation and cleanliness have improved enormously in the past decade. As is the case in most tropical countries, consider what your system is used to before you eat it. Purified water is always available during trip. Montezuma's revenge or turista is best avoided by not drinking the water including ice cubes (which are not always made with " agua purificada ") but there is no sure way to avoid the unfamiliar bacteria. Mexico has a relatively low crime rate but take precautions against theft. Nationally: Red Cross Medical emergency 15-20-55 Police emergency is 18-39-54; Fire department 14-2 0 -50; Travelers’ Health Information for Mexico & Central America by www.cdc.gov/travel . Cholera, dengue fever, hepatitis, malaria, polio, rabies, tetanus, typhoid. Air pollution in Mexico City between December and May. USA http://travel.state.gov/medical.html State Department offers medical information for Americans traveling abroad and a list of air ambulance services Health and Vaccinations for Mexico by nationalgeographic.com Talk About It Mexico State Tourism Offices by mexonline.com Travelers Message Service "Before you leave home, give your family and friends the URL of this board.... http://www.weblane.com/experiencia/bb/ ...then if you need to get in touch with each other, just post messages on this board." Tours Frequently updated inclusive list from Publisher Ron Mader, Mexican Association of Adventure Travel and Ecotourism (AMTAVE) Phone: (25) 661-9121 Fax: (25) 662-7354 Email: 74174.2424@compuserve.com Cancun Tours Operators by mexicoweb.com Maps www.maps-of-mexico.com 4000 pages of Mexico maps Maps google.com/search=mexico+maps Mexico Map by lib.utexas.edu Won't fit on your screen or print. Mexico Map by Expedia Money S ince 1998 when we began check the exchange rate for the U.S. dollar, and the one used in this book, is around 10 pesos; at that rate, an item that costs 10 pesos would be equivalent to US$1. However the peso is very unstable so you cannot count on this being the rate. Check before you go Best Exchange Rates: Automated teller machines (ATMs) and credit cards continue to offers the best exchange rates. Traveler's checks experiencing declining relative exchange rate and reduced acceptance. U.S. cash is accepted by many merchants at exchange rates that vary widely. Banks usually give the best exchange rate. Credit cards are widely accepted in most cities and resort areas at exchange rate determined by your bank. ATMS ( Cirrus and PLUS systems) are widely available and allow you to not carry too much cash. Tipping: Luxury resort areas are equivalent to US levels- 15% and 20%. Elsewhere 10% is acceptable. $1 per day for your hotel maid or $1 per bag for the porter. Taxi drivers don't expect tips but be sure to negotiate the price in advance. A tip of U.S. coins, which cannot be exchanged into Mexican currency, is of no value to the service provider. Support your Tour guides (including this one) VAT: Mexico has a value-added tax of 15% (Impuesto de Valor Agregado, or IVA; pronounced "ee-bah") on most everything, including restaurant meals, bus tickets, and souvenirs. (Exceptions are Cancn, Cozumel, and Los Cabos, where the IVA is 10%; as ports of entry, they receive a break on taxes.) Hotels charge the usual 15% IVA, plus a locally administered bed tax of 2% (in most areas), for a total of 17%. You quoted hotel rate may not have included this fee Y OUR CREDIT CARD BANK: There is significant credit card fraud and your bank may not honor your charge unless you have told them in advance of your plans. Also they are more likely to cut you off following significant activity so take a back-up card. Many cards add a surcharge onto foreign transactions particularly Airline cards and American Express. It is ieasy to avoid this chage of 1 to 4% by checking in advance since it is simply a gouge as there is actually no extra cost to the bank card provider more on c urrency Conversion at tradeday.com Costs And Money in Mexico by travelnow.com Mexico is not as cheap as it once was Shopping in Mexico by nationalgeographic.com 800/424-7787 or www.mastercard.com . 800/843-7587 or www.visa.com Fast Facts Electricity: 110V, 60 Hz same as USA Weights & measures: metric (see the conversion table .) Telephone Mexico international access code is 52 . Select city codes: Mexico City is 05, Vera Cruz Area Code 28 , Cabo San Lucas 0684, Cancn 0988, Cozumel 0987, Puerto Vallarta 0322. Omit the 0 when calling from abroad. Long-distance calls are expensive, it is best to arrange to have a calling card access number in advance. You can also place reversed-charge calls by reaching an international operator, dial 09. Business Hours : Banks are open 9 AM–1:30 PM Monday–Friday, although some banks are now expanding hours. Stores often open between 9 AM–8 PM, but can close for siesta in midday. Holidays Banks and most businesses close on New Year's Day (1 January), Constitution Day (5 February), Birthday of Benito Juarz (21 March), Good Friday through Easter Monday (four days in March or April; date varies), Labor Day (1 May), Anniversary of Battle of Puebla (5 May), Independence Day (16 September), Columbus Day (12 October), All Saints' Day (1 November), All Souls' Day (2 November), Anniversary of the Mexican Revolution of 1910 (20 November), and Christmas Day (25 December). Area: 1,972,000 sq. km (769,080 sq. mi) Capital city: Mexico City (pop 20 million) Population: 97,967,000 in 1995 (growth rate 2%) ;Literacy rate 88%. People: Approximately 70% mestizo (mixed European and Indian descent) 9% European and 20% indgena (Native Americans or Indians - including Nahua, Maya, Zapotecs, Mixtecs, Totonacs, and Tarascos or Purpecha) 8% of the population speak Indian languages. Also includes Arabic 400,000, Chinese 31,000 Language: Language: Language: Spanish Religion: 90% Roman Catholic, 6% Protestant GDP: US$370 billion GDP per head: US$4000. Travel Seasons -- Mexico has two principal travel seasons. High season begins around December 20 and continues to Easter; in some places it begins as early as mid-November. Low season is from the day after Easter to mid-December; during low season, prices may drop 20% to 50%. In beach destinations popular with Mexican travelers, such as Veracruz and Acapulco , prices will revert to high season during July and August, the traditional national summer vacation period. Prices inland fluctuate little from high to low season, but may rise dramatically during the weeks of Easter and Christmas and at Carnaval time at the port Cities of Veracruz and Mazatlan. Language English <-> Espanol <-> Portuguese travlang.com/languages One of the web's great travel resources with spoken words for 65 languages. Time to brush up on your travel Espanol? Weather Mexico is often considered tropical but is rather temperate or spring like year-round. Dry winter (November through April) and rainy (May through October) season, although the rain is usual tolerable for travelers. In short, anytime of year is going to be relatively nice for travel. Find the Weather for any City, State or ZIP Code, or Airport Code or Country by Wunderground Satelite Photo of the Hemisphere Be your own weather predictor. Weather and Climate of Mexico by nationalgeographic.com Jan Mar May July Sept Nov Acapulco F) 88 72 88 72 90 77 91 77 90 77 90 75 Rainfall (inch) .5 .2 0 8 11 .6 Guadalajara (F) 73 45 82 48 88 57 79 59 79 59 77 50 Rainfall (inch) .5 .3 1 7 7 .5 La Paz (F) 73 55 79 55 91 63 97 73 95 73 84 63 Rainfall (inch) .3 0 0 1 1 .5 Mrida (F) 82 64 90 68 93 70 91 73 90 73 84 66 Rainfall (inch) 1 .5 3 5 7 1 Mexico City (F) 72 43 81 50 81 55 75 55 73 55 73 48 Rainfall (inch) .5 .5 3 6 5 .5 Monterrey (F) 68 48 79 55 88 68 93 72 93 72 73 54 Rainfall (inch) 1 1 2 3 4 1 Oaxaca (F) 82 46 90 54 90 59 82 59 81 59 82 50 Rainfall (inch) 2 1 5 8 11 2 San Cristbal (F) 68 41 72 45 72 48 72 50 70 50 68 45 Rainfall (inch) 2 2 7 7 14 3 Tijuana (F) 68 43 70 46 73 54 81 61 81 61 73 50 Rainfall (inch) 2 1 .2 0 .5 1 Veracruz (F) 77 64 79 70 86 77 88 75 88 77 82 70 Rainfall (inch) 1 1 4 9 12 2 Media & News Mexico City News || Novedades.com.mx/Frontpage thenews@ri.redint.com Daily newspaper; oldest English-language paper in Mexico El-universal.com.mx Mexico's oldest daily has an English section MediaINFO Link - Latin America Another wonderfully comprehensive directory by Ron Mader eco-journalist. Internet del Diario de Yucatn based in Merida La Jornada en Internet : Espanol Only Diario.com.mx : Espanol Only Today's Top Mexico & Latin American Headlines Trade Business wear is formal. Mexicans attach much importance to courtesy and the use of titles. Prior appointments are necessary and if in doubt about a correct title it is advisable to use licenciado in place of seor. English is widelyspoken in business circles although it is a big plus to be able to speakSpanish. AmCham.com.mx || amchammx@amcham.com.mx American Chamber of Commerce - Mexico Phone: (011-52)(5) 724-3830 MexicoBusiness.com/ || MAILBOX@MEXICOBUSINESS.COM Subscriptions are $45 in the United States and Mexico LATCO.org || info@latco.org Latin American Trade Organization of Oregon. "The Mexican Government continues to enact reforms, including the privatization of many economic areas, making the Mexican economy one of the most open economies world-wide." History T he Spaniards were well received in the Veracruz coastal towns by the Toltecs who resented oppressive Aztec domination and were willing to march with Cortes against the great Aztec capital built on a lake. Moctezuma II, the Aztec god king had been expecting a momentous occasion for his priests had long predicted the phoenix like god Quetzalcatl's to return from the east in the year of 1519. Corts wasted little time reducing the City to ashes taking his eager host Moctezuma hostage immediately after being invited to the palace. The war of conquest would last another 28 months but the destuction and supression of the Aztec and Mayan cililizations would continue for centuries. However, the greatest decimation would soon come to pass with epidemics which reduced the population from 25 miullion to one million by 1605. T he Spanish were conquistadores who left their women at home and went off on a quest for glory, gold and God. Consequently they often took native wives. Spanish-born who expected to be treated like nobility and the natives of New Spain who built the country contolled the country amidst growing resentment between themselves. The natives also separated themselves as criollos (born of Spanish parents in New Spain), metzitos (mixed Eoropean, African and Indian blood) and Indians or Africans. In 1808 the Frenchman Napoleon Bonaparte occupied most of Spain weakening Spanish control and allowing the rivalry between New Spain groups to intensify. On 16 September 1810 Miguel Hidalgo a Criollo parish priest issued his now-famous call to rebellion, the Grito de Dolores. In 1821 Spain agreed to Mexican independence however the new governments were ineffective and unstable. I n 1845, the US congress voted to annex Texas and the Mexican-American War followed. Under the resulting Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848), Mexico ceded modern Texas, California, Utah, Colorado and most of New Mexico and Arizona to the USA. In 1864 Napoleon's nephew, the foolishly arrogarnt Napoleon III attempted to colonize Mexico, but the reign of his ruler, the Austrian archduke Maximilian of Hapsburg was shortlived ending with his hanging. T he Party of the Institutionalized Revolution (the PRI) took power in 1934 following the 10 year Mexican Revolution which claimed the lives of nearly 1 out 8 citizens. The PRI has dominated the history of Mexico for most of the 20th century but their control is eroding fast. In 1988, Carlos Salinas de Gortari was elected to the single 6 year term as president despite the widely accepted belief that the current Mayor Cardenas of Mexico City won the election. Salinas was very successful in bringing about economic reform and is the person most responsible for the signing of NAFTA, the North American Free Trade Agreement on 1 January 1994. T he prior President, Ernesto Zedillo was 43 when he was elected following the assassination of Salinas' chosen successor. Zedillo has been a genuine reformer allowing opposition parties to win many key elections. His term has been beset be economic crisis as well as a revolution in the southern state of Chiapas by the Zapatistas who demand social justice for Mexico's oppressed Indians. The current President Vicente Fox seeks to completely redefine the relationship of Mexico and its powerful Northern neighbors by opening the borders as wide as possible and convincing his country men to think bigger. A talented and determined historic figure, Fox will have till 2006 to remake a difficult and corrupt bureaucracy staffed by enemies of reform. olmecs are mainly known for f the striking stone figures left behind by the mother culture of Meso America which preceded the Mayans and Aztecs . Olmec civilization was in ascendance between 1300 and 600 B.C. Their greatest architectural treasure has be found at La Venta in the state of Tabasco History of Mexico by nationalgeographic.com Lots of Links: Mexico dmoz Mexico : Travel and Tourism : Arts and Entertainment Business and Economy Education Maps and Views News and Media Society and Culture Transportation Weather Volunteer run DMOZ can be your best way to get a site indexed by google and other search engines Travel and Tourism Lodging Message Boards National Parks Travel Guides Travel Services Birdwatching Camping and RVs Roads and Highways Show Caves Travelogues Wineries Mexican States : Links indicated as of Jan-2004 Note only Baja, Quintana Roo and Jalisco have more than 400. Aguascalientes (7) Baja California (370) Baja California Sur (698) Campeche (10) Chiapas (49) Chihuahua (36) Coahuila (22) Colima (59) Durango (4) Federal District (64) Guanajuato (154) Guerrero (329) Hidalgo (2) Jalisco (405) Mexico State (13) Michoacan (21) Morelos (20) Nayarit (110) Nuevo Leon (79) Oaxaca (166) Puebla (7) Queretaro (13) Quintana Roo (709) San Luis Potosi (19) Sinaloa (76) Sonora (83) Tabasco (1) Tamaulipas (64) Tlaxcala (2) Veracruz see out special section Yucatan (69) Zacatecas (7) Northern Veracruz Costa Esmeralda || CASTILLO DE TEAYO || CAZONES || Cerro Azul || COATZINTLA || Gutirrez Zamora || Martnez || Nautla || Pnuco || P apantla || El TAJN || Poza Rica || Tampico || Tecolutla || Tlapacoyan || Tuxpan Xalapa >> Mexico City Central Antigua || Cempoala || Chachalacas || Coatepec || Jalcomulco || Naolinco || Quiahuiztln || Xico Orizaba- Great Mountains Cordoba || Fortin de las Flores || Huatusco || Orizaba >> Puebla || Tlaxcala Los Tuxtlas Catemaco || Santiago Tuxtlas || San Andres Tuxtlas || Sontecomapan >> Chiapas Papaloapan Plain Alvarado || Cosamaloapan || Otatiln || Tlacotalpan >> Oaxaca Southern Veracruz Coatzacoalcos || Minatitln || San Juan Evengelista || San Lorenzo-Tenochtitlan || Villahermosa Y ucatan Peninsula Cancn || MERIDA || Cozumel || Isla Mujeres || Playa del Carmen Where to Go in Mexico by nationalgeographic.com To Top of Page To Carnaval Home Page (restores frame menu) Questions or comments? email the webmaster@ carnaval.com Last updated Oct-04 Web www.carnaval.com To: From: Depart: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 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 12:00am 1:00am 2:00am 3:00am 4:00am 5:00am 6:00am 7:00am 8:00am 9:00am 10:00am 11:00am 12:00pm 1:00pm 2:00pm 3:00pm 4:00pm 5:00pm 6:00pm 7:00pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm Morning Noon Evening Anytime Stops: 0 1 2 3 Return: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 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 12:00am 1:00am 2:00am 3:00am 4:00am 5:00am 6:00am 7:00am 8:00am 9:00am 10:00am 11:00am 12:00pm 1:00pm 2:00pm 3:00pm 4:00pm 5:00pm 6:00pm 7:00pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm Morning Noon Evening Anytime 0 1 2 3 4 5 Adults (15-64) 0 1 2 3 4 Children (2-14) 0 1 2 3 4 5 Seniors (65+)