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New Year Celebrations Mexico Style

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Mexican Insurance Store Holiday Guide and Information

New Year Celebrations Mexico Style

Mexican insurance

Nochevieja or Año Nuevo in CDMX

Story by Jim Foreman

Mexico is rich with holidays, traditions, and celebrations throughout the year. While some are similar or parallel holidays celebrated in the US and Canada, many others take on a life uniquely their own in Mexico.

One thing any traveler to Mexico will realize quite quickly is that Mexicans don’t really need much of an excuse to throw a party. When there is a reason, though, Mexico is the place to celebrate, in earnest.

Last week, Mexican Insurance Store published a story detailing how Christmas is Celebrated in Mexico. Naturally, the follow-up is how the New Year Celebrations happen Mexico Style.

Like it’s North American neighbors, December 31st is a huge party in Mexico. Americans have their grandest celebration in New York City, Mexico’s biggest party happens at the Zocalo in CDMX (Mexico City).

Throughout Mexico, smaller celebrations and traditions unfold at the turning of the calendar year.

This year, consider adopting some of these warm and rich traditions.

Undergarments

This one is a fun one. Tradition dictates that you can determine the nature of your good fortune, for the coming year, based on what color underwear (calzoncillos) or panties (calzones or bragas) you choose.

One doesn’t have to be a model or young to enjoy this one.  Men and women of all ages, shapes, and sizes participate.

If you choose to wear red, you will be blessed with love in the new year. If money and happiness are more of your desire, be sure to wear yellow. Notice that it’s either love –or- money and happiness. Mexicans have a rich sense of humor and fatalism. Red and Yellow are the two dominant colors worn during New Year Celebrations.

If you’re wealthy and have found true love (yeah right…), then white chones (panties) are for you. White signifies peace and tranquility (paz y tranquilidad). Wear blue for health in the coming year.

This tradition is also widely celebrated in China and throughout the world. If only the USA and Canada would catch on to this, too.

Choose wisely

Mexican Insurance Store has the best Mexican insurance policy for driving in Mexico.

Lentil Beans

Lentil beans are flat like coins

A huge tradition that comes over from Europe and is widely practiced in Mexico is leaving lentil beans at your doorstep just before midnight on December 31st. This dates back to ancient Rome as the flat lentils resembled Roman coins.

Doing so will all but guarantee good luck and prosperity in the upcoming year. Alternatively or additionally, enjoy a traditional Lentil soup with chorizo. If going out, make sure to place some lentils in your pockets, bag, or purse to wield good favor all year.

Twelve Grapes in 60 Seconds

Another tradition comes across to Mexico from the Catalan region of Spain.   One must eat twelve grapes and make twelve wishes during the last 60 seconds of the exiting year.

It’s a little harder than it sounds, but successfully doing so will reward you with your wishes granted and another wonderful dose of prosperity.

Burning the Bad

Just as most people around the world make New Year resolutions or propósitos, many Mexicans are also happy to have the opportunity to rid themselves of negativity.

To do this, simply write down all the negative stuff in your life on paper. Don’t hold back. This isn’t a confessional. Just before the new year begins, light the list on fire until it is nothing but smoke and ash.

Just like that, you’re cleansed and absolved from all the rubbish in your life and are starting with a clean slate.

Given the amount of bad energy and negativity some people are capable of, make sure you’re away from any flammable structures or materials and maybe have a fire extinguisher or bucket of water on hand before you light your list up. If the bonfire gets out of control, you’ll have means to make sure the new year doesn’t start off equally bad.

Put Money In Your Shoes

Yup, just like it sounds, make sure you have some currency tucked in your shoes as you celebrate. The larger the amount of the bill(s), the better. If you’re wearing heels or open shoes, it’s OK to hold the money in your hand.

Like the result of many of the other traditions, prosperity will follow those who carry out this ritual.

 

Sweeping the House

Sweeping the house in the day leading up to the 1st is another common tradition. It doesn’t have to happen at midnight, but can be done anytime on December 31st.

Naturally, this symbolizes sweeping away the previous year’s dust, dirt, and yuck. Sprinkle a little bit more prosperity for good measure.

Celebrating with Friends

Certainly, go and celebrate with good friends, family, or both, if they all get along.   This is entirely up to you. Many people will go to their favorite bar or to the centro to ring in the New Year and enjoy the festive spirit. Count on fireworks, bells, music, and other less sensible ways of making noise and celebrating together.

Naturally, Mexico is a huge and diverse country.  There are regional traditions and variations of these acts of ushering in the holiday.

You don’t have to travel to enjoy these great traditions and ways of celebrating New Year’s Day, but it sure is more fun. Consider heading south for the holidays and making this year memorable and inspiring.   Simply grab your passports, get your Mexican Insurance Store policy and head on down.

Mexican Insurance Store Holiday Guide and Information

mexican guys cheering Viva Mexico on independence day in Mexico city
Celebrating Spring in Mexico
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Celebrating Christmas in Mexico by Mexican Insurance Store

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Tired of the overdone and overcommercialized Christmas celebration each year?  Mexico may be your best destination.

 

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Christmas Celebrations at the Zocalo in Mexico City

Story by Jim Foreman

Growing up in the USA, it was common to hear Jose Feliciano’s Christmas hit, ‘Feliz Navidad’ as part of the usual lineup of music, during the holidays.

Right now, you’re probably hearing that song’s melody in your head.

Beyond that, few Americans and Canadians truly understand the Christmas traditions in Mexico and how they are quite different from celebrations back home.

Of course, with an ever-increasing ex-pat population in certain regions, and the globalization of holidays, many Mexicans are melding and celebrating with a ‘Gringo’ edge. That’s OK. American’s have also adopted several Mexican traditions including the Spanish greeting and the Poinsettia plant as a symbol of the festive season.

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Being in Mexico during the Christmas season is magical.

Largely gone is the over-commercialization of the season. Instead, visitors will see a celebration more rooted in tradition.

Mexico’s Christmas or Navidad celebrations largely originated in Spain. Given Mexico’s diverse culture and pre-Hispanic cultures, many of those traditions have morphed or evolved in a uniquely Mexican way.

Of course, as the many regions of Mexico are unique, so are the flavors of those celebrations.

Christmas is celebrated in Mexico from December 12th to January 6th. There is a crescendo of the celebrations on Christmas Eve, December 24th. This dates back to Europe, long before Christmas was ever introduced to the ‘new world.’

Now, you math wizards are probably just now figuring out where the ’12 Days of Christmas’ originates.

Mexican Insurance Store has the best Mexican insurance policy available for driving in Mexico.

 

In Mexico, the Christmas season starts with nativity scenes placed in public and private displays. It’s nearly impossible to find a home without one in place. Nativity displays can be simple or elaborate.  Some are small, sitting on a shelf or table, while others are life sized, occupying a whole room or display outdoors.

Also beginning December 12th, children gather each night to do the Posada procession (Posada means Inn or Hotel in Spanish). They carry a candle and clay figurines of Mary and Joseph from home to home, singing songs. The songs are mostly relating to Mary and Joseph seeking a place to stay.

The children are told, ‘there is no room,’ at each place.  The final Posada welcomes the people in, and the party begins in earnest. A figure of the baby Jesus is placed in a manger.  That home is host to food, games, and often fireworks. Piñatas are one of the most common games played.

This goes on, each night until Christmas Eve (Noche Buena).

Afterwards, people go to a midnight mass and usually celebrate with more fireworks.

As a visitor, you can watch and enjoy the celebrations from any town centro as that will be where the focus of the holidays are typically happening.

Nacimiento or a Nativity scene is the dominant decoration in celebrating Christmas. Of course, Christmas Trees are becoming more and more popular throughout Mexico, too.

In some northern Mexican states, children are taught the tradition of Santa Claus. While this phenomenon is slowly growing in Mexico, it’s still not the dominant celebration.

December 28th, marks “Los Santos Inocentes” (Day of the Innocent Saints). Originating in Spain and Portugal, it’s celebrated much like Americans celebrate April Fool’s Day.   Despite the playful nature, it has a very grim undertone. This is regarded as the day King Herrod had all Male babies under a year old killed in the desire to keep his reign from what was prophesied to him about a new ‘King’ being born.

For much of Mexico, January 6th (the Epiphany) is when children receive gifts. This is a representation of when the three Wise Men arrived, bearing gifts. If there was a Gringo style ‘Santa Claus” celebration with gift-giving on Christmas Day, candies and small treats are given to the kids. Otherwise, this is the day when all of their good deeds for the year earn them their gifts.  In Mexico, Children are told that the gifts the receive came from either Santo Clós or El Niñito Dios (Baby Jesus).

Rosca de Reyes with the figure of Baby Jesus

It’s also a common tradition to eat Rosca de Reyes (Three Kings Cake) on January 6th. A small figure of baby Jesus gets baked into the cake.

Whoever gets the figure in their piece of cake becomes the honorary godparent of Jesus that year.

Fiesta de la Virgen de la Candelaria in Veracruz

February 2nd wraps up a final Christmas celebration. It’s the Virgen de la Candelaria (Virgin of the candles). Other countries call it the ‘Candlemass.’

Whether or not you celebrate Christ’s birthday or consider yourself faithful, it’s a season of good cheer, wonderful traditions, and celebrations. Join in and be a part of the Mexican culture.

Many Americans and Canadians are drawn to Mexico’s warmth during the holiday season. Getting to Mexico in your car is very easy. If it’s your first time, you can find out the details of what you need to bring and what to expect. Make sure to check Mexican insurance policy rates before leaving. It’s easy to quote, buy, and print quality coverage at Mexican Insurance Store.

Consider the best Mexican insurance policy available for driving in Mexico.

Happy family enjoying Christmas dinner with sparklers at home
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Zacatecas – Where Culture and History Intersect with Beauty and Excitement

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Mexican Insurance Review

 

 

 

Story and Photos by Jim Foreman

When you think of Mexican culture and history, what comes to mind? If you’re a local, the Guadalajara Centro or the pyramids of Teotihuacan come to mind.ZacatecasOne of the shining jewels of Mexico is the state of Zacatecas. As you will discover, Zacatecas is where culture and history intersect with beauty and modern excitement.

When you approach Zacatecas, the Cerro de la Bufa is one of the first visible landmarks. In other words, it’s a rainbow shaped wave formation that tops the tallest peak in the city. Additionally, they light it up at night. During the day it’s worth taking a bus or driving up to visit La Bufa.

La Bufa

Cerro de la Bufa

Cerro de la Bufa

At La Bufa one can overlook the panorama of the city. When doing so, a photo with a larger than life Pancho Villa is a must do, as well. Pancho Villa played an important role in liberating Zacatecas from the Spanish during the Mexican Revolution.

In addition to Mr. Villa, there is a monastery and a cable car (Teleférico). At the base of the Cerro de la Bufa is the historic centro which includes an insightful Mining tour showcasing the rich abundance of silver that made Zacatecas into the city it is. The centro is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it’s not difficult to see why.

The centro is a wonderful place to go for a walk, and the commute is safe. Therefore the environment becomes more festive with playful traditions at night.

What kind of traditions?

One of those traditions are the callejoneadas, or alleyway parties. Additionally, these can happen at any time. For example, you can hear loud traveling musicians romp through the small streets and alleys dancing and having a great time. Along the way, there will be people holding big bottles of mescal or a beer derived punch called heribertas. At many of the squares or plazas in the centro, there is be dancing and often food being served up. In one of the squares, the history of the city is projected onto the façade of a cathedral. In all, it’s truly spectacular to watch.

Quinta Real Hotel

Quinta Real Hotel surrounding Mexico’s First Bullfighting Ring and the Roman styled Aqueduct.

Did you know Mexico’s first bullfighting ring was built in Zacatecas? Additionally, the ring is now encompassed by the elegant and stately Quinta Real Hotel. The bullring itself is used for public and private events including weddings and celebrations. You can see the original Roman style arched aqueduct running alongside the Quinta Real Hotel!

World class amenities 

For instance, fine dining and exciting nightlife can be found throughout the city. Zacatecas has a significant European feel to it, and many authentic world flavors can be located for your epicurean pleasure. The city also features a world-class university which draws in a diverse cross-section of students. Zacatecas is only 75 minutes away from San Miguel de Allende and 3 hours from Guadalajara.

Wonderful evening in the Centro Historico

In conclusion, the city deserves at least an overnight visit. After that, you need a weekend to enjoy the many wonders of this vibrant and critically important city.

Zacatecas is in the northern central region of Mexico situated below Durango. One of the first things you will notice is the high elevation. After all, the city sits at just over 8,000 feet (2440m). This means even the hottest Mexico days will be comfortable and enjoyable for you. High elevation also means that it occasionally snows during the wintertime.

Pro Tip: Mexican auto insurance gives you toll road access!

If you’ve never driven across the border, heading to Zacatecas is quite easy. It’s located about two days south and passes through some spectacular regions of Mexico depending on your route. However, you will need a Passport, Visa, and Temporary Vehicle Import Permit (TVIP). Additionally, buy the appropriate amount of Mexican insurance coverage and you’re ready to go.

History of Zacatecas projected onto a facade.

 

A band in one of the town’s centro plazas.

 

Statue of Pancho Villa at the top of La Cerra de la Bufa

 

Roman styled Aqueduct running through Zacatecas

 

Group of cub scouts walking through the centro historico.

 

A photographer uses the centro as a backdrop for his model

 

Mexico’s first Bullring

 

The Teleferico running over the historic centro.

The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption, displaying the Baroque style.
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What Documents Are Necessary To Travel In Mexico?

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Story by Jim Foreman

One of the most common questions people ask about traveling in their personal vehicle in Mexico is, “What Documents Do I Need To Get To Travel In Mexico?”

This question doesn’t have one answer but rather a set of answers that is determined by your destination and duration in Mexico.

Let’s start, first and foremost, with what you always need to have, no matter what. For any traveling in Mexico, you must bring a Passport (or Passcard) for every person traveling in your group. Second, you should have the best Mexican insurance policy for your vehicle be it car, RV, or motorcycle. If you are towing a car with your RV, both vehicles need to have insurance.

Lastly, each vehicle must have a home state-issued vehicle registration form. It must be the original and not a copy.

With that out of the way, let’s go further.  There are two documents a visitor may need to get depending on the duration of the stay and the location of the intended destination.

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Tourist Visa

The first document you probably need is a Tourist Visa. A Visa is an official permission to be in Mexico. Like every other country on earth, Mexico requires a Visa of some sort to legally be in the country. There is a little loophole for those staying 72 hours or less and not going too deep into Mexico. If your travels do not go further than 15 miles across the border or in the case of Sonora south of Guaymas or beyond Baja California, you do not need one. If you are staying longer than 72 hours, you have two options.

You can obtain a free 7-day Tourist Visa with a crucial caveat, or pay for a full visa good for up to 180 days for the asking.

One must return the free 7-Day Tourist Visa to an INM Immigration office, and your passport must be stamped that you are leaving, before crossing back into the USA and before the seven days are up. If you neglect this task, you will be obligated to pay the full 180-day visa price plus a penalty before you can get a new visa.

Furthermore, returning the Visa in Baja California can be quite tricky as the INM Immigration office is not conveniently located by the egress point, where you cross the border in many cases.
You are supposed to return and officially check out of Mexico, when leaving with the full 180 Day Visa, as well. There is no penalty if you don’t.

Temporary Vehicle Import Permit (TIP or TVIP)

If you thought the visa was tricky, the TVIP is a little more complicated.

Documents To Get To Travel In Mexico
Sonora’s Hassle Free Zone

If you are traveling exclusively in Baja California, Baja California Sur, or the Hassle Free Zone in Sonora, you do not need a TVIP.

If you plan to take the Ferry at La Paz over to the mainland, you must have a TVIP before boarding the ship.

Fortunately, you can get a TVIP at several places south of the border, as long as you already have your tourist visa. If you do not have a visa, forget it. They will tell you to go back to Ensenada or Nogales to get your visa.  Since you’re smart and you have your visa, you can easily get a TVIP in Pichilingue (The port at La Paz) or Empalme (Guaymas).
It’s good for as long as your Visa is good.

If you get a TVIP, you MUST turn it in, before the expiration date to get your deposit back. If you fail to return your TVIP, you will forfeit your deposit and be left explaining to Aduana how you didn’t sell your vehicle in Mexico and don’t owe duties totaling half the value of the vehicle.

It may be an inconvenience, but you must seek out any Banjercito along the border to return your TVIP and receive your deposit back. Except for Baja California, most Banjercito locations are located at the same or similar Immigration checkpoints you used when crossing into Mexico. In Mexicali, the Banjercito is located at the east gate (Garita II). In Tijuana, the Banjercito is near the airport at the Otay Mesa crossing. Tecate’s Banjercito is right at the border crossing.  Drive to it and they will direct you to park west of the entrance gate and walk to cancel out your visa and TVIP.

Do not be tempted to travel with your US or Canadian plated vehicle outside of Baja California, Baja California Sur, or Sonora’s Hassle Free Zone without the proper permit. There are checkpoints throughout the country, at random locations, to verify current and proper registration. Failure to have this in order could mean a lot of grief, vehicle impoundment and fines.

How and where to get these documents

When crossing the border, most border crossings will have an INM Migration office and Banjercito either right adjacent to the crossing or just out of town when on the mainland on the main roads headed south. Unless it’s a major holiday or a Saturday morning, the lines are usually only a couple minutes long.

Alternatively, one can order these online, but there is some risk involved in doing so. Here are some reasons why you may not want to pre-order the visa and TVIP.

1. If you order them online but decide not to go, you must still cross the border and return them, in Mexico, before the expiration date.
2. You can’t decide to take another vehicle. It has to be the one listed on the permit.
3. If you get into any collision or your vehicle gets stolen before making it into Mexico, you will have a legal nightmare convincing the Mexican Aduana you did not simply sell your car in Mexico and owe them significant duties and penalties.
4. The documents are sent via regular Mexican Mail (Correo). It may be several weeks before you receive them.

Those reasons alone make it worth simply stopping at the border Immigration center and taking care of it there.

One thing is super easy though, and that’s making sure you have the best Mexican insurance policy before you leave for your trip. It’s fast, easy, and required before entering Mexico. Simply Shop, Buy and Print your policy in minutes. Please leave a comment or a question below.

 

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6 Reasons to Make Your Next Mexico Vacation a Road Trip

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Important News and Information by Mexican Insurance Store

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Story by Jim Foreman

Each year over thirty-five million people visit Mexico. It’s not difficult to understand why. The beaches are some of the best in the world accompanied by spectacular warm weather during the traditional months.
A vast majority of visitors choose to either fly or take a cruise ship to Mexico. Despite that, there is a growing number of people who are choosing to drive down from the US or Canada to visit Mexico.
The reasons are obvious, including cost savings. Taking out the financial factor, there remains a compelling argument to make your next visit an overland visit to Mexico.

This option is not nearly as far-fetched as it may seem.  Take a look at this Happiest Countries In The World’. There’s a good reason for that, but you’ll probably never discover it if you stay at a mega-resort and choose not to spend time with locals.
Spanish is one of the most important languages one can learn. Being even somewhat capable in Spanish can open a tremendous world of wonderful experiences and opportunities.

4. Discover Pueblos Magicos Along The Way

This is a huge aspect that is lost when one limits themselves to a mega-resort. Pueblos Magicos are towns, cities, or villages that have unique and charming characteristics that truly deserve discovery.
Many are wonderfully preserved colonial towns while others offer warmth and culture that one won’t find elsewhere.
Go to Visit Pueblos Magicos to discover some Pueblos Magicos along your journey. In nearly all cases, they are worth it.

5. You Have Transportation The Entire Time

When you fly or take a cruise ship, one thing becomes immediately obvious. You are entirely dependent on expensive shuttles, taxis, or organized tours. When you drive your own vehicle, you can go anywhere, any time you wish without having to worry about departure times, bus numbers, or leaving a destination sooner than you wanted. You can also move on if you decide the place you’re staying isn’t ideal for you. Renting a car may seem like a good idea at first, especially for $10 – $15 per day, but you are forced at the counter to purchase insurance at $35 – $40 per day too and this adds up fast.

6. Street Tacos and Authentic Food

This really must not be understated. The food is something wonderful. Far beyond what most gringos equate to Mexican food, a culinary paradise is at your fingertips when you explore regions overland.
Whether it’s a street vendor offering up Horchata con Coco (a delicious drink) or a vendor serving ceviche or coctels mariscos, you are guaranteed some excellent and memorable eating at a drastically reduced price over what you pay in common tourist areas.

There are many more reasons to choose an Overlanding adventure. Naturally, there are some guidelines and legal requirements you must pay mind to drive your car, motorcycle, or RV into Mexico. You can learn about them in this award-winning article detailing what’s required and how to safely and successfully travel in Mexico.
Additionally, please read this important story about Safety and Mexico to better understand the realities and realistic expectations of traveling.

As you can probably guess, it’s quite fun and easy to travel in your own car in Mexico. All you need is a destination, your Passport, and a Mexican Insurance Policy By Mexican Insurance Store.

 

  • Beautiful smiling woman dancing while enjoying road trip with friends
  • young woman standing out of the sunroof and her partner driving car, couple on road trip.
  • All Terrain Vehicle rider in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
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Military Checkpoints In Mexico

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News and information from Mexican Insurance Store

 

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Approaching a Military Checkpoint

 

Story and Photos by Jim Foreman

Among the most prominent differences between traveling in Mexico and the USA and Canada are the military checkpoints set up throughout the country.

For a first time traveler, the sight of freshly graduated soldiers with military rifles can be quite unnerving.

Military Checkpoints have been built and manned as an effort to stem the tide of drugs free-flowing from Mexico to the United States. Like the TSA airport screeners, they serve mainly as window dressing. The big difference is that the Mexican Military won’t be putting their hands down your pants to feel you up.

First things, first. What are the Military Checkpoints looking for?  They are looking for drugs, illegal weapons, and federal criminals. Some checkpoints have drug-sniffing dogs; others don’t. In most cases, they merely ask only a few questions. Expect to hear, “A donde va?”, “De donde eres?”, and “Por que estas aqui?” These questions translate to, “Where are you going?”, “Where are you coming from?”, and “Why are you here?”

Before each day of travel, know the answers to these questions. Sometimes the accents of the soldiers are quite thick so that a hand gesture can help.

Point your thumb back behind you and tell them what city you left this morning. Then motion ahead to the city you plan to stop in tonight and say that city’s name. Lastly, say, “Turismo” as to your purpose.

Now, in most cases, they will probably say, “Pasale” and wave you through. If it’s an exceptionally desolate checkpoint, a dull day, you are driving an RV or luxury car, or are traveling with exceptionally lovely passengers, they may ask you to pull aside for a more thorough inspection, however they will rarely ask for your Mexican Insurance Store policy.

Do not be alarmed or worried by this. Despite whatever motivation, the soldiers are not there to ruin your day. Play along casually, and you’ll be on your way in no time.

A couple of things that will help speed your passage through the checkpoint is to be calm and respectful. Open up and show them whatever luggage they wish to inspect. Smile and nod in respect to them and the job they are doing. In most cases, nobody will speak English, but if you happen upon someone who does, be kind and even engage in some small talk.

If you have a cold drink in a cooler, offer one to them and their compatriots. It’s a great way to indicate that you are a good person and respect their roles.

Unless you are a complete jerk or like being arrested, don’t do any the following:

  • Don’t joke about having drugs or being part of the Narcos, Cartels, or Corridos.
  • Don’t belittle, berate, or become abusive to them.
  • Don’t act like you’re too special or in a big hurry.
  • Don’t tell them how to do their job.
  • Don’t ignore them and keep driving on when asked to stop.

Doing any of these things will guarantee you an extra thorough search and possible detainment. They will probably also call ahead and make sure you are hassled again at the next checkpoint, too.

Being waved through

 

The Mexican soldiers are human, just like you. The universal rule is to treat others the way you wish to be treated.

During disasters like earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, and fires, it’s the military that does the bulk of the heavy work to restore life to normal.

Traveling in Mexico is easy. It’s especially true when you begin to understand the subtleties and differences from what you’re accustomed to back home. Military checkpoints are a part of life in Mexico and no big deal. After passing through a couple, it becomes quite simple and even fun conversing in a little Spanish.

To drive in Mexico, you must have a Passport and should have car insurance coverage. If you are planning to stay longer than a weekend or travel outside the Hassle-Free-Zones, stop and get your tourist visa and Temporary Vehicle Import Permit (TVIP). Then the whole of Mexico is yours to enjoy.

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San Felipe, BC – Mexico’s Other Weekend Destination

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Group of Friends on the Malecón

Story and photos by Jim Foreman

When you say, “Weekend in Mexico” you’ll likely hear, ‘Ensenada,’ ‘Rocky Point,’ or ‘Rosarito.’

Occasionally, someone smart will say ‘San Felipe.’ Not to say the other destinations are not awesome, they are. San Felipe though stands on its own because it takes a little more effort to get there.

Located between the phenomenal Colorado desert and the waters of the sea of Cortes, San Felipe is unarguably one of the choice destinations, particularly for foreigners who are looking to buy a vacation home.

From Los Angeles, San Felipe is about 350 miles away. That’s about 50 miles further than the distance to Las Vegas. From Yuma, it’s only 175 Miles. In most cases, Mexicali serves as your entry point.

San Felipe is the choice destination for tourists and retirees alike; I remember a lot of college students from the US who love to visit San Felipe for the spring break season.

The road (Mex 5) down to San Felipe is in excellent condition and is a pretty straight shot south.

Visitors to San Felipe won’t find large mega-resorts or cruise ships in port. Instead, San Felipe is a quiet village with fishing and tourism as its primary sources of income.

For lodging, San Felipe has many options from Rental homes with popular sites like Airbnb and smaller hotels. Some favorite choices for hotels include the El Cortez Hotel and the next-door Stella Mar Bungalows. The cost is very reasonable, and the location is about 500m south of the malecón (boardwalk). Both are situated right on a wonderful stretch of beach.

Sunrise at low tide.

Speaking of beaches, San Felipe has a beautiful phenomenon in addition to warm water temperatures. During low tide, the water recedes about a kilometer or more making for some incredible sunrise or sunset photos. The shallow seabed makes playtime in the water safe, fun, and very enjoyable.

The dining is quite good. San Felipe, commonly attributed to inventing the fish taco, serves up some of the best. There are many seafood options along the malecón all vying for your business. They are excellent for lunch or a quick bite, but when you want a great dinner, the choices are a little more limited. Highlights include the El Nido Steakhouse on the south end of town and La Vaquita Marina on the north end.

If you’re looking for a place to hear live music and knock back some great drinks, head back out of town onto Mex 5 for about 10 minutes and stop at either the Roadrunner Café or the Sand Rail Pizza and Jolly Mon Bar.

If you love fishing, one can easily hire a local with a Panga to take you out to some secret spots.

There are lots of fun activities you can engage in; they include; off-road driving walks along beaches, sports fishing, desert tours, tours along the surrounding mountains, etc.

Because of the incredible dunes inland, ATVs, dune buggies, and Dirt bikes are regularly seen in town. Several vendors also rent out ATVs by the hour.

When it comes to peaceful family-friendly weekend getaways, San Felipe makes an excellent choice. With a strong combination of accessibility, fun, and value, the area shines.

Panoramic view of the Coast.

Getting there is easy. Just make your way to El Centro via I-8 and head south to Mexicali. Returning is also hassle-free with two main crossings in Mexicali. The East Gate (Garita II) is typically far less busy. Leave on Monday instead of Sunday and sail back across the border like a boss.

The only other thing you need is your passport and your Mexican Insurance from MexicanInsuranceStore.com.

Mexican insurance and San Felipe Attractions

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15 Secrets to Enjoy Motorcycle Riding in Mexico

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A group of riders taking a quick photo at sunset.

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Story by Jim Foreman

Mexico is a great country for overland travel. It’s got a well-developed highway system and wonderful cities and places to visit throughout the country.

Motorists and truckers generally like motorcyclists and think you’re cool!  Treating them with mutual respect makes for a more pleasurable journey.

One very important thing you need to do if you want to enjoy motorcycle riding in Mexico is to have solid Mexican insurance.  This is not negotiable.  Unless you travel with $300,000 USD Cash or enjoy Mexican jails, get yourself covered. Go to Mexican Insurance Store to purchase your insurance.

Riding a motorcycle is different from riding in the USA or Canada. Americans and Canadians are sticklers for rules and right-of-way. In Mexico, driving priority is primarily based on who is bigger and who is there first.

While not exhaustive, these secrets will enhance your journey and increase the number of friends you make.

  1. Wave to military vehicles, truckers, children in cars, drivers when you pass them, and of course other motorcyclists. A simple wave or better yet, a peace sign is a perfect way to demonstrate respect and mutual camaraderie.  Even wave to cops.  You’ll be surprised how often a wave gets you a smile and wave back.
  2. Passing is an art in Mexico. If you are on a two-lane road and you want to pass, flick on your left-turn blinker and let the drivers ahead know your intention. They will often pull over to the right a little bit to allow you to pass ahead. If a vehicle wishes to pass you, do the same. Move over to the right and let them.
  3. When passing trucks, also use your left-turn blinker as you approach and pass. This alerts them you are there and keeps you visible to them.  Do this even when you are in the passing lane and they are in the right lane.
  4. Never pass trucks or vehicles on the right shoulder. This is the first place they will go to make room for emergency vehicles or to let others pass.
  5. SLOW DOWN when approaching and within a town or city! This is very important for several reasons. There are often bus stops, gas stations, and topes (speed bumps) as you approach towns. This is also where both Policía Municipal and Policía Federal like to wait with radar guns to catch speeders. Slow it way down.
  6. If you are at or below half of a tank, fill it up at the next gas station. The next one may be many kilometers down the road.
  7. Take signs the read ‘Aguas’ and ‘Curva Peligrosa’ seriously. ‘Aguas’ means ‘Heads up’ or ‘Pay Attention.’ Also before certain corners deemed ‘peligrosa,’ there are often rumble strips, which can seriously affect traction and control.
  8. Be friendly at gas stations. People will come up to you and ask the size of your engine, how much it costs, how fast it goes, and if you like Mexico. These are very typical questions and don’t feel weird about answering them.  Smile and be gracious with your answers.
  9. DO NOT RIDE AT NIGHT. This is a big one. When riding toward the end of the day, hold your hand out with three fingers showing. If the sun is at or below your fingers from the horizon, you have 15-20 minutes to find a place to stay the night. Do not try to continue. Road hazards, livestock, and in some regions, criminal activity become acute at night. Find a hotel and enjoy a good dinner.
  10. Lane Sharing and lane filtering are OK, and drivers are typically quite good about it. Don’t abuse the privilege drivers give you to pass. Do it safely and discretely. Be sure to wave and thank the drivers who make room for you.
  11. Drink about half a liter of water every time you stop. Many riders crash and suffer significant injuries and sometimes fatalities due to dehydration. A simple way to tell if you are properly hydrated is that you need to use the restroom at each stop and your urine is a light color. The darker it is, the more dehydrated you are.
  12. If you see a rider on the side of the road or a motorist in need, stop if it is safe, to offer help. There may not be mobile reception, and you may be the angel of the day. They will stop for you if you are in trouble, too.
  13. Ride with your chin up and always scanning in the distance.  Look for hazards, errant drivers, debris, accidents, and animals. Doing so will give you plenty of time to take evasive action and not become a bigger problem. Be careful not to daydream when riding.
  14. If you have them, flash your emergency lights to let other drivers or riders know of oncoming hazards or sudden stops.  Flashing your brake light also works to alert drivers.
  15. In windy curving roads and especially blind corners, take it easy and stay to the right. Large vehicles including buses and trucks will take those corners wide. Give yourself plenty of time and options to remain safe and happy.

Again, this is not an exhaustive list, but this should give you an excellent primer to riding safely and enjoyably in Mexico.

Of course, it goes without saying to read Mexican Insurance Store News and Information and purchase quality coverage for your motorcycle when in Mexico.

Mexican Insurance Store News and Information

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Travel Warnings About Mexico. How to Correctly Read Them.

Mexican insurance,Mexican auto insurance,Mexico insurance

Important Travel Tips From Mexican Insurance Store

Mexican Insurance Store

 

Story by Jim Foreman.

Some time ago a group of friends decided to enjoy Chinese Food together. At the end of the meal as the check arrives, the most outspoken and perhaps the most attractive friend grabbed her fortune cookie and stood up.

She pronounced that everyone had to add the words ‘in bed’ after every fortune. One by one, we all read aloud our fortunes with the additional fun words.

Today it seems whenever you try to plan a trip down south, some news report comes out. Don’t go this week, the US State Department just issue another warning! The cheeky nerve… Who are these people at the State Department and have any of them even traveled to Mexico?

How to interpret Mexican travel warnings

As of this writing, many popular destinations are on the US State Department Travel Warning page for Mexico.  One should actually read it rather than rely on others to tell them what to think.

Go ahead and click on the link. The first thing you’ll notice is these warnings nearly always specify US Personnel. This means US Government employees. In particular, the warnings mostly refer to US Embassy and Consulate employees and Anti-Drug officials.

One must chuckle at the line, “U.S. government personnel are prohibited from patronizing adult clubs and gambling establishments in the states of Coahuila, Durango, Zacatecas, Aguascalientes, San Luis Potosi, Nuevo Leon, Tamaulipas, Jalisco, Colima, and Nayarit.”  It’s seemingly okay for US Government personnel to patronize ‘Adult Clubs’ (legal brothels) in other states of Mexico.

The more important line to take from all of this is, “There is no evidence criminal organizations have targeted U.S. citizens based on their nationality.”

For many readers and travelers to Mexico, this is all common sense. However for those who sell gear, also known as the news media, this will add to the ignorant indignation.

Foolish ‘American Traveler’ naiveté causes many to take regrettable and ridiculous actions at home and while traveling. Later these same folks dare to complain when something does go wrong and blame everyone else for their complete lack of common sense or reason.

Let’s make this perfectly clear. Follow these simple guidelines to enjoy the amazing Mexican culture.

  1. You should not travel at night. Be off the road before dusk, and don’t mess with this one.
  2. Don’t wear shirts with a large ‘DEA’ printed on them.
  3. Don’t get gas or visit an ATM at night. Do you do this at home?
  4. Don’t be a loud, obnoxious, overly complaining boor. Ever! Whether traveling or not.

Seriously, be aware of the ever changing situation in Mexico. Talk to people who have recently (within the last 3-4 months) been there. Get their perspective. Don’t rely on people who have never been or only have anecdotal stories about their brother’s friend who, for no reason wound up in a Mexican jail.

Because of this, it’s wise to avoid sensational or out of date info from the news media, TV shows, movies, pulp thrillers and especially Facebook and what passes for news on the internet.  Remember, the ‘News’ is not there to inform you. Above all, it’s sole purpose is to keep you angry and afraid.  Watch 20 minutes of any newscast and then see how you’re feeling.  When one is angry and afraid, one can be manipulated into believing or doing anything, no matter how abhorrant.

Pro Tip: Mexican car insurance is required!

Mexico is a warm and wonderful place to visit offering some of the best beaches, weather, culture, and hospitality anywhere in the world. More than 15 Million people visit Mexico each year with nothing but sunburn and great stories. Few places in the world offer all the benefits that Mexico does.

Going back to the story about the Chinese food fortune cookies with friends, add the words, “If you’re involved in the drug trade” to the travel warnings to get the accurate perspective.

For more information Please read, “Rookie Mistakes to Avoid While Traveling“

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Beat the Summer Heat in La Paz

Mexican insurance,Mexican auto insurance,Mexico insurance

la_paz_sign_mexico

La Paz offers a ton of outdoor activities and beach fun without the burning sun and hassle. As always, Mexican insurance is required when driving anywhere in Mexico. If you forget to buy a policy ahead of time, it’s fine to secure Mexico car insurance on your smartphone before crossing the border.

La Paz is cooler, in more ways than one

Located well south of the border, the city can still be hot. Most days though, you’re unlikely to see scorching temperatures.  The ocean and sea breezes keep the ultra-high temperatures away.

Luckily, La Paz has an abundance of outdoor water activities. Sea kayaking and stand-up paddle-boarding (SUP) are popular in the area.  One can go on day trips or even plan week-long excursions.  There’s nothing like enjoying a pod of dolphins casually swimming around you. At night, everyone gets together and has fun, the way it should be.

Have you ever attempted to swim with Whale Sharks? It’s an unforgettable experience. It seems scary at first, but give it a go.  You won’t regret it. Espiritu Santo, a small nearby island teeming with dolphins, sea lions, and other marine life, is a natural eco-system worth a visit. Of course, there’s the whale watching, in season! It’s fun to simply stroll along the Malecón as well.

Some Tips You Can Use To Beat Summer Heat In La Paz

Here are some ideas you can use to beat the summer heat if you find yourself in this wonderful city. If you’re hesitant to stay for the summer, this might help you.

  • Enjoy live music at one of the many excellent restaurants.  Keep the drinks coming and embrace the passion of the city.
  • Don’t miss the ice cream along the Malecon.  Spend your evenings there, and listen to music from a number of free concerts.
  • Wear loose fabrics that are made from cotton or linen.  Make sure that the fabrics are lightweight and breathable.
  • Visit Tesoro beach and enjoy every bit of it, the food and refreshments, it is even better if you have children with you, they’ll surely have a good time. Don’t forget to dip yourself in the water as often as you can, it is a great way to beat the heat.

Question: Is Mexican insurance required across the border?

Some people think Mexico car insurance is optional because years ago, it was.  Mexican insurance is definitely required. Without a policy, you’re in big trouble if you are involved in an accident.

Anything else worth checking out?

Never forget that Google is your friend.  Assuming your phone plan includes Mexican data, utilize maps, and ‘near me’ requests for help.   It’s useful to locate activities and restaurants to try, but prioritize the reviews in Spanish. That being said, the shopping is fantastic. The area features many local artists and jewelry merchants, so it’s easy to find something to like, often at a bargain.

 

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