Saturday, May 19th, 2012

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Mexico FAQs


What are day and night time temperatures?
The days are in the 60′s to 80′s and the evenings are in the 40′s to 60′s—pure spring-like weather!

How about water temperatures?
That is dependent upon the river and its source. Water temperature generally is in the 50′s and 60′s. It is good to have a dry top and fleece for a chilly day.

What if I don’t have my own paddling gear?
We will supply boats for everyone. We ask participants to bring their own helmets, sprayskirts, paddles, and PFDs. If you don’t own these, let us know and you are welcome to rent the necessary items from us. Please let us know in advance what equipment to bring for you.

Can I bring my own boat?
You certainly are welcome to bring your own boat if you like. We recommend speaking with your airline in advance regarding excess baggage charges.

How can my family reach me in Mexico?
We will often travel through towns with internet cafes, so you can give your family an email address you can check periodically. We will try to supply you with a mobile phone number or hotel phone number prior to your trip if you need this for emergency purposes, but be aware that our overnight schedules are subject to change and we often are in somewhat remote areas. As a result, phone access will be unreliable.

Will I have telephone or internet access while on the trip?
We will pass through towns that offer internet cafes or long distance phone offices. Phonecards also can be purchased for use at payphones in the larger cities.

What if I want to tour other parts of Mexico prior to or after my paddling trip?
We encourage you to visit this beautiful and diverse country! Whether you decide to dive or snorkel in Cozumel, explore the pyramids of Teotihuacan or sample the mariachi music of Guadalajara, the main thing is to coordinate in advance a meeting place with the group. And watch out, once you fall in love with this warm and colorful country, you may decide never to leave!

Is there a single supplement if I come on my own?
No, the price per person is constant, although we do ask group members to share cabins with same-sex travelers. If you prefer your own room, we may require a slight surcharge at the time. In fact, we encourage you to join us—our groups are friendly and inclusive and solo paddlers are welcomed!

Do I need a passport and visa?
Everyone must now enter Mexico with a valid passport, and it must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your date of entry. U.S. citizens may get a visa at the border or at immigration control at the airport when you enter Mexico. Please check with the consulate at the Embassy of Mexico in Washington if you require information on visa requirements for non-U.S. citizens.

Any books about Mexico you would recommend?
Our staff favorite is Octavio Paz’ Labyrinth of Solitude.
If you like history, Enrique Krauze’s Mexico Biography of Power is very good.

How much money should we bring?
About $10-$15 a day is usually enough for cervezas and souvenirs. You can get Mexican currency at a good rate with an ATM card at the airport and in any city.

What is your student/instructor ratio?
We maintain a 4:1 student to instructor ratio for our Mexico trips.

What is the refund policy?
Due to the small size of our trips, we regret that we are unable to issue a full refund for cancellations. A 50% refund can be returned for cancellations made at least 30 days prior to the start date of a trip. We highly recommend that guests purchase travel insurance to protect their travel plans.

What about insurance?
We strongly recommend that our guests be covered by insurance. Travel insurance will protect you should you need to cancel at the last minute, and health insurance will cover you should you require medical attention while on the trip. Most U.S. health insurance policies do cover expenses incurred while traveling abroad. If yours does not, you may wish to purchase travel health insurance. We have used these providers in the past for our own travels: www.gatewayplans.com/, www.quotetravelinsurance.com

Should I get my shots?
Participants must be up to date on tetanus, typhoid, and hepatitis. If you plan to travel in Oaxaca, we advise taking malaria tablets. Dengue fever has been reported near Oaxaca, as well, so everyone should bring insect repellent to deter evening mosquitoes. Please check with your health provider for details.

Is it dangerous to travel in Mexico?
Mexico is a big country, and the drug violence your hear about is far from the areas where we travel. The best paddling in Mexico is along the more prosperous East Coast, in Veracruz province, and in San Luis Potosi. We paddle in tranquil areas near small agricultural villages and away from the northern border and larger cities where the problems exist. Paddlers are picked up from the Mexico City airport and escorted to resort areas in the state of Veracruz.

Who gets travel diarrhea and why?
Here is an explanation of travel diarria from the Center for Disease Control

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