H1N1 Influenza Updates

In response to the World Health Organization recently raising the H1N1 influenza virus or "swine flu" alert from level 5 to level 6 (pandemic status), the Mexico Tourism Board has posted comprehensive updates on its website. In addition to information about what the Mexican government is doing to curb the spread of the disease, there are links to frequently asked questions about H1N1 and to travel tips. Currently there are no travel restrictions in effect on Mexico, and the flu situation is under control according to Mexico's Minister of Health.

Busing it from the Beach

It's a lamentable fact that out of the thousands of Canadians who vacation in Mexico every year only a tiny percentage venture beyond the tropical resort areas. This is understandable given that most Canadians visit Mexico to escape our cold winters, but it doesn't do the country justice. Mexico has so much more to offer travelers than beautiful beaches -- handsome Spanish colonial towns, magical archaeological sites, awe-inspiring landscapes, and some of the world's most hospitable people.

One way to explore the treasures that lie beyond the beach is to take advantage of Mexico's modern bus system. Travelling by bus is comfortable and inexpensive, plus you can go just about anywhere in the country. On my first trip to Mexico over 25 years ago, I took a side trip by bus from Puerto Vallarta to the city of Guadalajara, a journey that paved the way to more return visits to Mexico than I can remember. If you're interested in beginning your own Mexico bus adventures, click here to check out a very useful website with all the information that you'll need to get started.

Mexico City Hotel Deals

This information obviously isn't aimed only at Canadians, but it sounds like such a good deal that I can't keep it to myself. As a result of the recent swine flu scare and resulting drop in tourism, hotels in Mexico City are suffering. To help remedy this situation many hotels in the capital will be offering the third night free to their guests up until August 31, 2009.

A list of participating hotels located in different parts of the city is given on the official website of the Tourism Secretary of Mexico City. Other package deals are advertised (in Spanish only) on the site as well.

New Entry Requirements

As of June 1, 2009, Canadians visiting Mexico through the United States will have to carry a valid Canadian passport or a NEXUS card. A passport is still not necessary for Canadians entering Mexico directly from Canada (e.g. on a nonstop flight), but personally I wouldn't dream of leaving home without one. For more information, visit the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs' website.

Mexico H1N1 Flu Alert Lifted

The following information is from a press release issued my the Mexico Tourism Board office in Montreal on May 19, 2009:

The Mexico Tourism Board is pleased to announce that the travel warning of the Foreign Affairs and International Trade Ministry of Canada has been removed from the Mexican travel report. This announcement was made after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lifted its travel warning against all nonessential travel to Mexico.

The International Health organizations congratulate and encourage the initiatives of the Mexican Federal Government. Just recently, the World Tourism Organization recognized the efforts of the Mexico Government for having confronted “the appearance of the Influenza A (H1N1) virus in a serious and responsible manner” and declared that Mexico’s response could be considered as a benchmark. As the well, the Public Health Agency of Canada will cease some measures such as distributing health alert notices to passengers on direct flights to Mexico and having quarantine officers meet every direct flight entering Canada from Mexico.

"Mexico’s government and tourism authorities are very satisfied with the decision taken by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ... to lift the H1N1 influenza alert against nonessential travel to Mexico. Our main priority continues to be the safety of our citizens and visitors, and with evidence that the flu appears to be less threatening than originally thought, Mexico is ready to welcome back all of its visitors and offer them the hospitality and services that have always distinguished us," said Rodolfo Elizondo, Mexico’s Minister of Tourism.

For more information on the precautions advised by the CDC and Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Canada, visit their website at http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/ and http://www.voyage.gc.ca/countries_pays/report_rapport-eng.asp?id=184000

Is Mexico still safe for Canadians?

A flaring up of the ongoing war between drug cartels and the Mexican military has once again raised the question of whether or not Mexico is a safe destination for Canadians. The Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs warns travellers to be extremely vigilant in Mexican cities such as Tijuana and Ciudad Juarez that border the United States. So far, no tourists have been injured or killed in these conflicts. My take on this situation, after years of safe travel throughout Mexico, is that the country as a whole is no more dangerous for visitors than it ever has been. As in any so-called "developing country," it pays to be careful at all times and to keep up-to-date on possible trouble spots. But, personally, I plan to continue visiting Mexico, a country that I usually feel as at home in and as secure in as I do in Canada.

Mexican Tax Refunds

If you think our Canadian GST is bad, then think again. Mexico slaps a whopping 15% value added tax called IVA onto most goods and services. At some major Mexican airports, tourists can reportedly now get this tax refunded (on goods only) upon leaving the country as long as they have receipts and can show officials their purchases. However, the application procedure is rumoured to be so tedious that most visitors aren't bothering to apply for reimbursement. The Mexican government has apparently vowed to make the process easier in the future.

New Calgary - Mexico City Mexicana Flight

Mexicana has begun nonstop service to Mexico City from Calgary, Alberta. Click here to read an article in the Calgary Herald about the inaugural flight. This new service should bring more Albertans to central Mexico, a culturally rich and highly rewarding area overlooked by most vacationers. Mexicana remains one of my favourite airlines, and one of the few that still offers complimentary on board meals and beverages.

Mexico's Legal System

The imprisonment in Mexico of Canadian citizen Brenda Martin for her supposed involvement in a money-laundering scheme highlights an important difference between Canada's and Mexico's legal systems: in Mexico you are "guilty until proven innocent," while in Canada you are "innocent until proven guilty." Hence Ms. Martin is considered a criminal in Mexico, and she has been sitting in jail for two years without a trial. The Mexican judge in the case claims that she signed a confession. However, Martin, who understands little Spanish, says that she was never provided with a proper translator and didn't know what she might have unwittingly signed. The lesson to be learned from her experience with the Mexican justice system is that if you are arrested in Mexico, never sign anything unless it has been looked over by a trustworthy Spanish-speaking lawyer. The best thing, of course, is to not get into trouble in the first place. The Canadian Foreign Affairs website has a good summary of Mexican laws and activities which are considered illegal.