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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+)

Golf Vacation

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Air Travel Consumer Report

Aviation Consumer Protection Home Page Español/Spanish Organization & Functions | Air Travel Problems/Complaints | Air Travel Consumer Report | Rules & Guidelines Travel Tips & Publications | Airline Customer Service Plans | Service Cessations | Safety/Security Information New Horizons Information for the Air Traveler with a Disability Printer-friendly version (in Microsoft Word format) CONTENTS Introduction Planning Your Trip The New Traveling Environment Getting Advance Information About the Aircraft When Advance Notice Can Be Required When Attendants Can Be Required At The Airport Airport Accessibility Moving Through the Airport Passenger Information Security Screening Medical Certificates Communicable Diseases Getting On And Off The Plane The Safety Briefing Handling of Mobility Aids and Assistive Devices Boarding and Deplaning On The Plane Aircraft Accessibility Seat Assignments Service Animals In-Cabin Service Charges for Accommodations Prohibited Personnel Training Compliance Procedures Introduction For years, access to the nation’s air travel system for persons with disabilitieswas an area of substantial dissatisfaction, with both passengers and theairline industry recognizing the need for major improvement.In 1986 Congress passed the Air CarrierAccess Act, requiring the Department of Transportation (DOT) to develop newregulations which ensure that persons with disabilities will be treated withoutdiscrimination in a way consistent with the safe carriage of allpassengers. These regulations werepublished in March 1990 and have been amended several times since then. The DOT regulations, referred to here as the Air Carrier Access rules, represent amajor stride forward in improving air travel for persons withdisabilities.The rules clearly explainthe responsibilities of the traveler, the carriers, the airport operators, andcontractors, who collectively make up the system which moves over one millionpassengers per day. The Air Carrier Access Act was amended effectiveApril 5, 2000, to cover foreign air carriers.The rules that implement the ACAA will be amended to reflect thatchange. TheAir Carrier Access rules are designed to minimize the special problems thattravelers with disabilities face as they negotiate their way through thenation’s complex air travel system from origin to destination. This is achieved: By recognizing that the physical barriersencountered by passengers with disabilities can frequently be overcome byemploying simple changes in layout and technology. By adopting the principle that manydifficulties confronting passengers with hearing or vision impairments will berelieved if they are provided access to the same information that is availableto all other passengers. Through training of all air travel personnelwho come in day-to-day contact with persons with disabilities, to understandtheir needs and how they can be accommodated quickly, safely, and with dignity. Thisguide is designed to offer travelers with disabilities a brief butauthoritative source of information about the Air Carrier Access rules: theaccommodations, facilities, and services that are now required to beavailable. It also describes featuresrequired by other regulations designed to make air travel more accessible. Theguide is structured in much the same sequence as a passenger would plan for atrip: the circumstances he or she must consider prior to traveling, what willbe encountered at the airport, and what to expect in the transitions fromairport to airplane, on the plane, and then airplane to airport. Top of document Planning Your Trip The New Traveling Environment THE AIR CARRIER ACCESS RULES SWEEP aside many restrictionsthat formerly discriminated against passengers with disabilities: A carrier may not refuse transportation to apassenger solely on the basis of a disability. Air carriers may not limit the number ofindividuals with disabilities on a particular flight. All trip information that is made availableto other passengers also must be made available to passengers withdisabilities. Carriers must provide passage to anindividual who has a disability that may affect his or her appearance orinvoluntary behavior, even if this disability may offend, annoy, or be aninconvenience to crew-members or other passengers. There are a few exceptions: The carrier may refuse transportation if theindividual with a disability would endanger the health or safety of otherpassengers, or transporting the person would be a violation of FAA safetyrules. The carrier may refuse transportation ifthere are no lifts, boarding chairs or other devices available which can beadapted to enplane the passenger.Airline personnel are not required to carry a mobility-impaired personon or off the aircraft by hand, i.e. to directly pick up the passenger's bodyin the arms of one or more airline staffers and carry the individual up or downstairs. Lifts or similar devices arecurrently required for nearly all flights on aircraft with 19 or more seats atairports with 10,000 or more annual enplanements. There are special rules about persons withcertain disabilities or communicable diseases.These rules are covered in the chapter entitled “ At the Airport .” The carrier may refuse transportation if itis unable to seat the passenger without violating the FAA Exit Row Seatingrules. See the chapter “ On the Plane .” There are new procedures for resolving disputes: All carriers are now required to have aComplaints Resolution Official (CRO) immediately available (even if by phone)to resolve disagreements which may arise between the carrier and passengerswith disabilities. Travelers who disagree with a carrier’s actionstoward them can pursue the issue with the carrier’s CRO on the spot. A carrier that refuses transportation to anyperson based on a disability must provide a written statement to that personwithin 10 calendar days, stating the basis for the refusal.The statement must include, whereapplicable, the basis for the carrier’s opinion that transporting the personcould be harmful to the safety of the flight. If the passenger is still not satisfied, he or she may pursue DOT enforcement action. Getting Advance Information About the Aircraft Travelerswith disabilities must be provided information upon request concerningfacilities and services available to them.When feasible this information will pertain to the specific aircraftscheduled for a specific flight. Suchinformation includes: Any limitations concerning the ability of theaircraft to accommodate an individual with a disability (the carrier shallprovide this information to any passenger who states that he or she uses awheelchair for boarding, even if the passenger does not explicitly request theinformation); The location of seats (if any) with movableaisle armrests and any seats which the carrier does not make available to anindividual with a disability (e.g., exit rows); Any limitations on the availability ofstorage facilities in the cabin or in the cargo bay for mobility aids or otherequipment commonly used by an individual with a disability; Whether the aircraft has an accessible lavatory. Normally,advance information about the aircraft will be requested by phone.Any carrier that provides telephone servicefor the purpose of making reservations or offering general information mustprovide comparable services for hearing-impaired individuals, utilizingtelecommunications devices for the deaf (TDDs), or text telephones (TTs).The TTs shall be available during the samehours that the general public has access to regular phone service.The response time to answer calls on the TTline shall also be equivalent to the response time available to the generalpublic. Charges for the call, if any, shall be the same as charges made to thegeneral public. When Advance Notice Can Be Required Airlinesmay not require passengers with disabilities to provide advance notice of theirintent to travel or of their disability except as provided below.Nonetheless, letting the airline know inadvance how they can help you will generally result in a smoother trip. Carriersmay require up to 48 hours advance notice and one hour advance check-in from aperson with a disability who wishes to receive any of the following services: Transportation for an electric wheelchair onan aircraft with fewer than 60 seats; Provision by the carrier of hazardousmaterials packaging for the battery of a wheelchair or other assistive device; Accommodations for 10 or more passengers withdisabilities who travel as a group; Provision of an on-board wheelchair on anaircraft that does not have an accessible lavatory for persons who can use aninaccessible lavatory but need an on-board chair to do so. Anairline that uses a “block seating” approach to provide special seating forpassengers with disabilities is free to require 24 hours advance notice forsuch accommodations. See the “Seating”section later in this booklet. Carriersare not required to provide the following services or equipment, but shouldthey choose to provide them, they may require 48 hours advance notice and a onehour advance check-in: Medical oxygen for use on board the aircraft; Carriage of an incubator; Hook-up for a respirator to the aircraft'selectrical supply; Accommodations for a passenger who musttravel on a stretcher. Carriersmay impose reasonable, non­discriminatory charges for these optionalservices. Wherea service is required by the rule, the airline must ensure that it is providedif appropriate notice has been given and the service requested is available onthat particular flight. If a passengerdoes not meet advance notice or check-in requirements, carriers must make areasonable effort to accommodate the requested service, providing this does notdelay the flight. Ifa passenger with a disability provides the required notice but is required tofly on another carrier (for example, if the flight is cancelled), the originalcarrier must, to the maximum extent feasible, provide assistance to the secondcarrier in furnishing the accommodation requested by the individual. Itmust be recognized that even when a passenger has requested information inadvance on the accessibility features of the scheduled aircraft, carriers sometimeshave to substitute a different aircraft at the last minute for safety,mechanical or other reasons. Thesubstitute aircraft may not be as fully accessible—a condition that may prevailuntil the retirement of the last of the aircraft that were in service beforethe implementation of the Air Carrier Access rules. When Attendants Can Be Required Carriersmay require the following individuals to be accompaniedby an attendant: A person traveling on a stretcher or in anincubator (for flights where such service is offered); A person who, because of a mental disability,is unable to comprehend or respond appropriately to safety instructions fromcarrier personnel; A person with a mobility impairment so severethat the individual is unable to assist in his or her own evacuation from theaircraft; A person who has both severe hearing andsevere vision impairments which prevent him or her from receiving and acting onnecessary instructions from carrier personnel when evacuating the aircraftduring an emergency. Thecarrier and the passenger may disagree about the applicability of one of thesecriteria. In such cases, the airlinecan require the passenger to travel with an attendant, contrary to thepassenger’s assurances that he or she can travel alone. However, the carriercannot charge for the transportation of the attendant. Theairline can choose an attendant in a number of ways.It could designate an-off duty employee who happened to betraveling on the same flight to act as the attendant.The carrier or the passenger with a disability could seek avolunteer from among other passengers on the flight to act as the attendant.The carrier could provide a free ticket toan attendant of the passenger's choice for that flight segment.In the end, however, a carrier is notrequired to find or furnish an attendant. Theattendant would not be required to provide personal service to the passengerwith a disability other than to provide assistance in the event of an emergencyevacuation. This is in contrast to thecase of the passenger that usually travels accompanied by a personal attendant,who would provide the passenger whatever service he or she requests. Ifthere is not a seat available on the flight for an attendant, and as a result aperson with a disability holding a confirmed reservation is denied travel onthe flight, the passenger with a disability is eligible for denied boardingcompensation. Forpurposes of determining whether a seat is available for an attendant, theattendant shall be deemed to have checked in at the same time as the personwith the disability. Top of document At The Airport Airport Accessibility UNTIL A FEW YEARS AGO, ONLY THOSE AIRPORT facilitiesdesigned, constructed, or renovated by or for a recipient of federal funds hadto comply with federal accessibility standards.Even at federally-assisted airports, not all facilities andactivities were required to be accessible.Examples are privately-owned ground transportation and concessionsselling goods or services to the public.As a result of the Air Carrier Access rules, and the Americans withDisabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and implementing regulations, theseprivately-owned facilities must also be made accessible. Ingeneral, airports under construction or being refurbished must comply with theADA Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) and other regulations governingaccessibility in accordance with a timetable established in the ADA.The ADAAGs can be found at http://www.access-board.gov/adaag/html/adaag.htm .Note in particular section 10.4,“Airports.” Thus, while there are stillmany changes to be made, the accessibility of most airports is improving.With few exceptions, the following servicesshould be available in all air carrier terminals within the next few years: Accessible parking near the terminal; Signs indicating accessible parking and theeasiest access from those spaces to the terminal; Accessible medical aid facilities andtravelers aid stations; Accessible restrooms; Accessible drinking fountains; Accessible ticketing systems at primary farecollection areas; Amplified telephones and text telephones(TTs) for use by persons with hearing and speech impairments (there must be atleast one TT in each terminal in a clearly marked accessible location); Accessible baggage check-in and retrieval areas; Jet bridges and mobile lounges that areaccessible (at airports that have such facilities); Level entry boarding ramps, lifts or othermeans of assisting an individual with a disability on and off an aircraft; Information systems using visual words,letters or symbols with lighting and color coding, and systems for providinginformation orally; Signs indicating the location of specific facilitiesand services. Moving Through the Airport Tomake travel easier for an individual with a disability, major airports will berequired to make the following services accessible under new rules being putinto effect in the next several years: Shuttle vehicles, owned or operated byairports, transporting people between parking lots and terminal buildings; People movers and moving walkways within andbetween terminals and gates. Allcarrier facilities must currently include one accessible route from an airportentrance to ticket counters, boarding locations and baggage handlingareas. These routes must minimize anyextra distance that wheelchair users must travel compared to other passengersto reach these facilities. Outbound andinbound baggage facilities must provide efficient baggage handling forindividuals with a disability, and these facilities must be designed andoperated so as to be accessible. Theremust be appropriate signs to indicate the location of accessible services. Carrierscannot restrict the movements of persons with disabilities in terminals orrequire them to remain in a holding area or other location while awaitingtransportation and other assistance. Curbside baggage check-in (available only fordomestic flights) may be helpful to passengers with a disability. Passenger Information Carriers must ensure that individuals withdisabilities, including those with vision and hearing impairments, have timelyaccess to the same information provided to other passengers,including (but notlimited to) information on: ticketing; scheduled departure times and gates; change of gate assignments; status of flight delays; schedule changes; flight check-in; checking and claiming of luggage. This information must bemade available upon request. A crewmember is not required to interrupt his or her immediate safety duties tosupply such information. A copy of the Air Carrier Access rules must be madeavailable by carriers for inspection upon request at each airport. As previously noted, any carrier that providestelephone service for the purpose of making reservations or offering generalinformation shall also provide TT service.This service for people with speech and hearing impairments must beavailable during the same hours that the general public has access to regularphone service, with equivalent response times and charges. Security Screening An individual with a disability must undergo thesame security screening as any other member of the traveling public. If an individual with a disability is able to passthrough the security system without activating it, the person shall not besubject to special screening procedures.Security personnel are free to examine an assistive device that theybelieve is capable of concealing a weapon or other prohibited item.If an individual with a disability is notable to pass through the system without activating it, the person will besubject to further screening in the same manner as any other passengeractivating the system. Security screening personnel at some airports mayemploy a hand-held device that will allow them to complete the screeningwithout having to physically search the individual.If this method is still unable to clear the individual and aphysical search becomes necessary, then at the passenger’s request, the searchmust be done in private. If the passenger requests a private screening in atimely manner, the carrier must provide it in time for the passenger to boardthe aircraft. Such private screeningswill not be required, however, to a greater extent or for any different reasonthan for other passengers. However,they may take more time. Medical Certificates A medical certificate is a written statement fromthe passenger’s physician saying that the passenger is capable of completingthe flight safely without requiring extraordinary medical care. A disability is not sufficient grounds for a carrierto request a medical certificate.Carriers shall not require passengers to present a medical certificateunless the person: Is on a stretcher or in an incubator (where such service is offered); Needs medical oxygen during flight (where such service is offered); Has a medical condition which causes thecarrier to have reasonable doubt that the individual can complete the flightsafely, without requiring extraordinary medical assistance during the flight;or Has a communicable disease or infection thathas been determined by federal public health authorities to be generallytransmittable during flight. If the medical certificateis necessitated by a communicable disease (see next section), it must say thatthe disease or infection will not be communicable to other persons during thenormal course of flight, or it shall state any conditions or precautions thatwould have to be observed to prevent transmission of the disease or infectionto others. Carriers cannot mandate separate treatment for anindividual with a disability except for reasons of safety or to prevent thespread of a communicable disease or infection. Communicable Diseases As part of their responsibility to their passengers,air carriers try to prevent the spread of infection or a communicable diseaseon board an aircraft. If a person whoseeks passage has an infection or disease that would be transmittable duringthe normal course of a flight, and that has been deemed so by a federal publichealth authority knowledgeable about the disease or infection, then the carriermay: Refuse to provide transportation to the person; Require the person to provide a medical certificatestating that the disease at its current stage would not be transmittable duringthe normal course of flight, or describing measures which would preventtransmission during flight; Impose on the person a condition orrequirement not imposed on other passengers (e.g., wearing a mask). If the individual has acontagious disease but presents a medical certificate describing conditions orprecautions that would prevent the transmission of the disease during theflight, the carrier shall provide transportation unless it is not feasible toact upon the conditions set forth in the certificate to prevent transmission ofthe disease. Top of document Getting On And Off The Plane The Safety Briefing FAA REGULATIONS REQUIRE THAT carrierpersonnel provide a safety briefing toall passengers before takeoff. Thisbriefing is for the passengers’ own safety and is intended for that purposeonly. Carrier personnel may offer an individual briefingto a person whose disability precludeshim or her from receiving the information presented in the generalbriefing. The individual briefing mustbe provided as inconspicuously and discretely as possible.Most carriers choose to offer this briefingbefore other passengers board the flight if the passenger with a disabilitychooses to pre-board the flight. Acarrier can present the special briefing at any time before takeoff that doesnot interfere with other safety duties. Carriers may not ‘quiz’ the individual about thematerial presented in the briefing, except to the same degree they quiz allpassengers about the general briefing.A carrier cannot take any adverse action against the passenger on thebasis that, in the carrier’s opinion, the passenger did not understand thesafety briefing. Safety briefings presented to passengers on videoscreens must have an open caption or an insert for a sign language interpreter,unless this would interfere with the video or would not be large enough to beseen. This requirement takes effect asold videos are replaced in the normal course of business. Handling of Mobility Aids and Assistive Devices To the extent consistent with various FAA safetyregulations, passengers may bring on board and use ventilators and respirators,powered by non-spillable batteries.Assistive devices brought into the cabin by an individual with adisability shall not count toward a limit on carry-on items. Persons using canes and other assistive devices maystow these items on board the aircraft, consistent with safety regulations.Carriers shall permit passengers to stow wheelchairs or component parts of amobility device under seats, or in overhead compartments. Carriers must permit one folding wheelchair to bestowed in a cabin closet, or other approved priority storage area, if theaircraft has such areas and stowage can be accomplished in accordance with FAAsafety regulations. If the passengerusing it pre-boards, stowage of the wheelchair takes priority over the carry-onitems brought on by other passengers enplaning at the same airport (includingpassengers in another cabin, such as First Class), but not over items ofpassengers who boarded at previous stops. When stowed in the cargo compartment, wheelchairsand other assistive devices must be given priority over cargo and baggage, andmust be among the first items unloaded.Mobility aids shall be returned to the owner as close as possible to thedoor of the aircraft (consistent with DOT hazardous materials regulations) orat the baggage claim area, in accordance with whatever request was made by thepassenger before boarding. If the priority storage accorded to mobility aidsprevents another passenger’s baggage from being carried, the carrier shall makeits best efforts to ensure the other baggage arrives within four hours. On certain aircraft, some assistive devices willhave to be disassembled in order to be transported (e.g., electric wheelchairs,other devices too large to fit in the cabin or in the cargo hold in onepiece). When assistive devices aredisassembled, carriers are obligated to return them to passengers in thecondition that the carrier received them (e.g., assembled). Carriersmust transport battery-powered wheelchairs, except where cargo compartment sizeor aircraft airworthiness considerations do not permit doing so.Electric wheelchairs must be treated inaccordance with both DOT regulations for handling hazardous materials, and DOTAir Carrier Access regulations, which differentiate between spillable andnon-spillable batteries: Spillable Batteries. If the chair is poweredby a spillable battery, the battery must be removed unless the wheelchair canbe loaded, stored, secured, and unloaded always in an upright position.When it is possible to load, store, secure,and unload with the wheelchair always in an upright position and the battery issecurely attached to the wheelchair, the carrier may not remove the batteryfrom the chair. Nonspillable Batteries . It is never necessaryunder the DOT hazardous materials regulations to remove a battery that ismarked as nonspillable from a wheelchair before stowing it.DOT issued rules that require newnon-spillable batteries to be marked as such effective September 1995. The carrier may remove a battery that is not marked as nonspillable from themobility aid if it cannot be loaded, stored, secured and unloaded always in anupright position. An across-the-boardassumption that all batteries are spillable is not consistent with the AirCarrier Access rules. A nonspillable battery may be removed where it appears to be damaged and leakageof battery fluid is possible. Other provisions concerning electric wheelchairs: The battery of a wheelchair may not be drained. When DOT hazardous materials regulationsrequire detaching the battery from the wheelchair, the carrier shall uponrequest provide packaging for the battery that will meet safety requirements. Carriers may not charge for packagingwheelchair batteries. Carriers may require passengers with electricwheelchairs to check in one hour before flight time. If a passenger checks in less than one hourbefore flight time, the carrier shall make a reasonable effort to carry his orher wheelchair unless this would delay the flight. Carriers must allow passengers to providewritten instructions concerning the disassembly and assembly of theirwheelchairs. Carriers may not require apassenger with a disability to sign a waiver of liability for damage or loss ofwheelchairs or other assistive devices.The carrier may make note of any pre-existing defect to the device. On domestic trips, airlines are permitted to limittheir liability for loss, damage or delay to checked baggage to $2,500 perpassenger. This limit does not apply towheelchairs or other assistive devices, however. When an assistive device is lost or destroyed on a domestic trip,the criterion for calculating the compensation is the original purchase priceof the device. This expanded liability for assistive devices doesnot extend to international trips, where the Warsaw Convention applies.For most international trips (including thedomestic portions of an international trip) the current liability isapproximately $9.07 per pound for checked baggage and $400 per passenger forunchecked baggage, including assistive devices. [1] Boarding and Deplaning Properly trained service personnel who areknowledgeable on how to assist individuals with a disability in boarding andexiting must be available if needed.Equipment used for assisting passengers must be kept in good workingcondition. Boarding and exiting most medium and large-size jet aircraft is almost always by way of level boarding ramps or mobile lounges, which must be accessible. If ramps or mobile lounges are not used, then on most flights using aircraft with 19 or more seats a lifting device (other than a device used for freight) must be provided to assist persons with limited mobility safely on and off the aircraft. On flights on smaller aircraft, passengers with mobility impairments are generally carried up and down the aircraft’s boarding stairs using a "boarding chair." Airlines are not permitted to hand-carry passengers on and off aircraft, i.e., to directly pick a passenger’s body in the arms of airline personnel. In order to provide some personal assistance andextra time, the air carrier may offer a passenger with a disability, or anypassenger that may be in need of assistance, the opportunity to pre-board theaircraft. The passenger has the optionto accept or decline the offer. On connecting flights, the delivering carrier isresponsible for providing assistance to the individual with a disability inreaching his or her connecting flight. Carriers cannot leave a pas­senger unattended formore than 30 minutes in a ground wheelchair, boarding chair, or other device inwhich the passenger is not independently mobile. Top of document On The Plane Aircraft Accessibility PRIOR TO THE ENACTMENT OF THE AIR CarrierAccess Act of 1986, accessibility requirements for aircraft were verylimited. The rules implementing thatlaw require that new aircraft delivered after April 1992 have the followingaccessibility features: For aircraft with 30 or more passenger seats: At least one half of the armrests on aisle seats shall be movable to facilitate transferring passengers from on‑board wheelchairs to the aisle seat; Carriers shall establish procedures to ensure that individuals with disabilities can readily obtain seating in rows with movable aisle armrests; An aisle seat is not required to have a movable armrest if not feasible or if a person with a disability would be precluded from sitting there by FAA safety rules (e.g., an exit row). For aircraft with 100 or more seats: Priority space in the cabin shall be provided for stowage of at least one passenger’s folding wheelchair. (This rule also applies to aircraft of smaller size, if there is a closet large enough to accommodate a folding wheelchair.) For aircraft with more than one aisle: At least one accessible lavatory (with door locks, call buttons, grab bars, and lever faucets) shall be available which will have sufficient room to allow a passenger using an on-board wheelchair to enter, maneuver, and use the facilities with the same degree of privacy as other passengers. Aircraft with more than 60 seats must have anoperable on-board wheelchair if There is an accessible lavatory, or A passenger provides advance notice that he or she can use an inaccessible lavatory but needs an on-board chair to reach it, even if the aircraft predated the rule and has not been refurbished (see below). An aircraft delivered beforeApril 1992 does not have to be made accessible until its interior isrefurbished. At that time the relevantaccessibility features shall be added. Airplanes in the commercial fleet have their seatsreplaced under different schedules depending on the carrier.At the time when all seats are beingreplaced on an aircraft with 30 or more passenger seats,half of the aisle seatsmust be equipped with movable aisle armrests.This shall be done on smaller aircraft to the extent it is not inconsistentwith structural, weight, balance, operational or interior configurationlimitations. Similarly, all aircraft undergoing replacement ofcabin interior elements or lavatories must meet the accessibility requirementsfor the affected features, including cabin storage space for a folding wheelchair,and an on-board wheelchair if there is an accessible lavatory (unlessprohibited by structural, weight, balance, or configuration limitations). Seat Assignments An individual with a disability cannot be requiredto sit in a particular seat or be excluded from any seat, exceptas provided by FAA safety rules, such as theFAA Exit Row Seating rule. For safetyreasons, that rule limits seating in exit rows to those persons with the mostpotential to be able to operate the emergency exit and help in an aircraftevacuation. The carrier cannot denytransport, but may deny specific seats to travelers who are less than age 15 orlack the capacity to act without an adult, or who lack suf­­ficient mobility,strength, dexterity, vision, hearing, speech, reading or comprehensionabilities to perform emergency evacuation functions.The carrier may also deny specific seats to persons with acondition or responsibilities, such as caring for small children, that mightprevent the person from performing emergency evacuation functions, or causeharm to themselves in doing so. A traveler with a disability may also be denied certain seats if: The passenger’s involuntary behavior is suchthat it could compromise safety of the flight and the safety problem can bemitigated to an acceptable degree by assigning the passenger a specific seatrather than refusing service; The seat desired cannot accommodate guide dogs or service animals. In each instance, carriers are obligated to offer alternative seat locations. Service Animals Carriers must permit dog guides or other serviceanimals with appropriate identification to accompany an individual with adisability on a flight. Identificationmay include cards or other documentation, presence of a harness or markings ona harness, tags, or the credible verbal assurance of the passenger using theanimal. If carriers provide special information topassengers concerning the transportation of animals outside the continentalUnited States, they must provide such information to all passengers withanimals on such flights, not simply to passengers with disabilities who aretraveling with service animals. Carriers must permit a service animal to accompany atraveler with a disability to any seat in which the person sits, unless theanimal obstructs an aisle or other area that must remain clear in order tofacilitate an emergency evacuation, in which case the passenger will beassigned another seat. In-Cabin Service Air carrier personnel shall assist a passenger with a disability to: Move to and from seats as a part of theboarding and exiting process; Open packages and identify food (assistancewith actual eating is not required); Use an on-board wheelchair when available toenable the passenger to move to and from the lavatory; Move to and from the lavatory, in the case ofa semi-ambulatory person (as long as this does not require lifting or carryingby the airline employee); Load and retrieve carry-on items, includingmobility aids and other assistive devices stowed on board the aircraft. Carrier personnel are notrequired to provide assistance inside the lavatory or at the passenger’s seatwith elimination functions. The carrierpersonnel are also not required to perform medical services for an individualwith a disability. Charges for Accommodations Prohibited Carriers cannot impose charges for providingfacilities, equipment, or services to an individual with a disability that arerequired by DOT's Air Carrier Access regulations.They may charge for optional services, however, such as oxygenand accommodation of stretchers. Personnel Training Carriers must provide training on passengers withdisabilities for all personnel who deal with the traveling public.This training shall be appropriate to theduties of each employee and will be designed to help the employee understandthe special needs of these travelers, and how they can be accommodated quickly,safely, and with dignity. The trainingmust familiarize employees with: The Department of Transportation’s rules onthe provision of air service to an individual with a disability; The carrier’s procedures for providingtransportation to persons with disabilities, including the proper and safeoperation of any equipment used to accommodate such persons; How to respond appropriately to persons withdifferent dis­abilities, including persons with mobility, sensory, mental, andemotional disabilities. Top of document Compliance Procedures EACH CARRIER MUST HAVE AT LEAST oneComplaints Resolution Official (CRO) available at each airport during times ofscheduled carrier operations. The CROcan be made available by telephone. Any passenger having a complaint of allegedviolations of the Air Carrier Access rules is entitled to communicate with aCRO, who has authority to resolve complaints on behalf of the carrier. If a CRO receives a complaint before the action ofcarrier personnel has resulted in violation of the Air Carrier Access rules,the CRO must take or direct other carrier personnel to take action to ensurecompliance with the rule. The CRO,however, does not have authority to countermand a safety-based decision made bythe pilot-in-command of an aircraft. If the CRO agrees with the passenger that aviolation of the rule occurred, he must provide the passenger a writtenstatement summarizing the facts and what steps if any, the carrier proposes totake in response to the violation. If the CRO determines that no violation hasoccurred, he must provide the passenger a written statement summarizing thefacts and reasons for the decision or conclusion. The written statement must inform the interestedparty of his or her right to pursue DOT enforcement action if the passenger isstill not satisfied with the response.If possible, the written statement by the CRO must be given to thepassenger at the airport; otherwise, it shall be sent to the passenger within10 days of the incident. Carriers shall establish a procedure for resolvingwritten complaints alleging violations of any Air Carrier Access ruleprovision. If a passenger chooses tofile a written complaint, the complaint should note whether the passengercontacted the CRO at the time of the alleged violation, including the CRO’sname and the date of contact, if available.It should include any written response received from the CRO.A carrier shall not be required to respondto a complaint postmarked more than 45 days after the date of an allegedviolation. A carrier must respond to a written complaint within30 days after receiving it. Theresponse must state the airline’s position on the alleged violation, and mayalso state whether and why no violation occurred, or what the airline plans todo about the problem. The carrier mustalso inform the passenger of his or her right to pursue DOT enforcement action. Any person believing that a carrier has violated anyprovision of the rule may contact the following office for assistance: Department of Transportation Aviation Consumer Protection Division, C-75 400 Seventh Street, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20590 E-mail: airconsumer@ost.dot.gov [1] As with any passengerbaggage, this limit may be increased through Excess Valuation coveragepurchased through the individual airline.The passenger should also check his or her homeowners or rentersinsurance to determine whether it provides additional coverage. Organization & Functions | Air Travel Problems/Complaints | Air Travel Consumer Report | Rules & Guidelines Travel Tips & Publications | Airline Customer Service Plans | Service Cessations | Safety/Security Information Additional information may be obtained by contacting airconsumer@ost.dot.gov . Office of Aviation Enforcement and Proceedings 400 Seventh Street, SW, Room 4107 Washington, DC 20590 http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov

Switzerland Travel

Switzerland Travel Information | Lonely Planet Destination Guide worldguide | shop | thorn tree forum | travel services | travel ticker | theme guides | on the road | postcards | travel links : Explore Switzerland Switzerland Leave the lederhosen at home and get in line with the stylish Swiss. At a Glance Fast Facts WORLDGUIDE Introduction Background Info See Image Gallery Events Transport Money RELATED Thorn Tree Forum Postcards Travel Links More Places Check out our other destinations: Within Switzerland Geneva Interlaken Zurich View Map Click here Feature Attraction Franches Montagnes Overlooked by most visitors, this pretty woodlands area in the Jura mountain chain has hiking trails and cross-country ski trails. Horse-riding is also ... more Switzerland may be neutral but it is certainly not flavourless. The fusion of German, French and Italian ingredients has formed a robust national culture, and the country's alpine landscapes have enough zing to reinvigorate the most jaded traveller. Goethe summed up Switzerland succinctly as a combination of 'the colossal and the well-ordered'. You can be sure that your trains and letters will be on time. The tidy, just-so precision of Swiss towns is tempered by the lofty splendour of the landscapes that surround them. Factoid You Fondue? Most of the world left fondue back in the 70s, but in Switzerland it's always in style. The classic fondue is bread dunked in Emmental and Gruyere cheeses mixed with white wine and flour - consumed, of course, on shag-pile carpet. SPONSORED LINKS Enquire Accomodation Reviews Find Lonely Planet author reviewed places to stay * Required Fields Country * Please select Argentina Australia Austria Belgium Brazil Canada China Cuba Czech Republic Denmark Egypt England Estonia Finland France Germany Hungary Iceland India Ireland Israel & the Palestinian Territories Italy Japan Malaysia Mexico Morocco Netherlands New Zealand Poland Portugal Russia Scotland South Africa South Korea Spain Sweden Taiwan Thailand Turkey USA United Arab Emirates Vietnam City * Please select Travel Services · Flights · Hostels · Hotels · Travel Insurance More Services › Disclaimer: We've tried to make theinformation on this web site as accurate as possible, but it isprovided 'as is' and we accept no responsibility for any loss, injuryor inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from this information.You should verify critical information (like visas, health and safety,customs and transportation) with the relevant authorities before youtravel. text & images © lonely planet 2005 about us | privacy | feedback | advertising FAQs worldguide | shop | thorn tree forum | travel services | travel ticker | theme guides | on the road | postcards | travel links