Evading the scorching temperatures of a south Texas August, I recently headed to San Miguel de Allende for some AAA inspections. San Miguel, as the locals call it, was mostly settled during Mexico’s silver boom—the period plazas, churches and homes were well-built with an ornate style. 

Just walking the narrow, hilly cobblestone streets evokes images of old Europe. San Miguel sits just west of the continental divide, is 6,500 feet above sea-level and generally provides a beautiful climate year-round. All of these special elements have long made San Miguel a haven for U.S. retirees and a popular travel spot with American tourists. It’s a beautiful place, and I get to evaluate about 25 lodgings and restaurants while there.... Read More

Two hundred years ago on Sept. 16, Padre Miguel Hidalgo rang the bells of his church in Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato, and launched the 1810 Mexican War of Independence against the Spanish colonial rule. Just a few weeks ago, I visited this church.

Located over a mile above sea level in the Sierra Madre Occidental mountain range, Dolores retains its colonial charm with Padre Hidalgo’s church and bells, which are still there today. Dolores is also great place to shop— the area is known for ceramics, handcrafts, antiques and leather goods.... Read More

As a AAA/CAA inspector, one of my duties is to evaluate attractions to potentially recommend to members. This year I was asked to check out a whale watching tour while working down in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. I must admit I have never been 100% comfortable on small boats in the huge ocean so as I enter the marina to leave on the trip I’m apprehensive. ... Read More

One of the things I love about my job is that even after 23 years of seeking quality travel information for AAA members, I can still be surprised. One Sunday morning on a recent visit to Mexico City, I stepped out of my hotel expecting the usual heavy traffic and honking of horns common to Avenida Paseo de la Reforma. What I encountered instead was individuals and generations of families, some with their pets, out walking, jogging, roller skating, you name it, on one of the city’s major thoroughfares. It was transcendental.... Read More

As a result of drug-cartel related border violence, the U.S. State Department today issued an updated travel warning.  Some colleges and universities have also recently issued travel warnings advising their soon-to-be spring breakers to stay north of the border. AAATravelViews has also received several questions on this topic via the Q&A section. 

     AAA has responded by encouraging travelers to heed travel warnings, while noting  that the violence which spurred the State Department travel advisory is fairly isolated and has not been reported in resort areas or on the major highways leading to popular destinations. In addition: 

- It is important to remember that crime and violence are not confined to one region or area. Crime and violence can occur anywhere.

- Destinations in Mexico are going to be popular for spring and summer travelers, given their affordability and proximity. All travelers, no matter their destinations, should utilize common sense and exercise caution while on vacation

- Because laws in Mexico differ from laws in the U.S., Mexico-bound travelers are encouraged to consider the following in order to enjoy a seamless vacation:

Be prepared for border requirement laws. U.S. citizens 19 years of age or older are required to present both a government-issued photo ID and proof of citizenship, such as a passport or a birth certificate and driver’s license. Citizens 18 or younger will be required to present proof of citizenship, such as a passport or birth certificate. Passports and birth certificates must be original or certified copies, photocopies will not be accepted.

If traveling by vehicle, buy Mexico auto insurance. U.S. auto insurance is not valid in Mexico, even though some companies extend their coverage a certain number of miles from the border, Mexican officials will not recognize this. If a collision occurs, a Mexican auto policy is the only form of insurance the authorities will accept as evidence of financial responsibility. If you cannot provide Mexico auto insurance, you could be arrested and sent to jail.

Pack smart. Leave valuables and other irreplaceable items at home.

Bring copies of important documents. Make copies of your passport, birth certificate and driver’s license and store them separate from the originals.

Leave a copy of your itinerary with a friend or family member at home. Include approximate arrival and departure times as well as destination information so that people know where and when you are expected and how to get a hold of you in case of an emergency.

Obey all laws. In Mexico, you are assumed guilty until proven innocent. This means that if you are arrested for any reason, you may be jailed until you can prove your innocence. 

Stay with your party at all times and avoid sharing your travel itinerary with people you meet on vacation.

If you plan on renting recreational vehicles, such as jet skis and ATVs, use caution. These may be uninsured, underinsured or not covered by your personal insurance. Read the rental contract carefully and do not operate these vehicles recklessly. If you incur damage to other vehicles or people while operating a rented vehicle, you could be arrested until full restitution is made.

Drive carefully. When driving in Mexico, remember that speed limits are posted in kilometers rather than miles per hour. Obey the speed limits and other traffic controls, even if others motorists are ignoring them.

If driving, pick your return day and time carefully. According to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, peak wait times at the border are Sundays and Mondays between noon and 7:00 p.m. Avoid returning on these days and arrive at the border before 9:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m. to reduce delays.

Be prepared with all required documents for everyone in your traveling party before approaching border patrol agents. Be sure to answer all questions truthfully and declare all items acquired while in Mexico. The amount you may bring back into the U.S. varies by region. For additional information on document requirements and prohibited or restricted items, travelers can visit the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website at www.cbp.gov

For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov where the current Worldwide Caution Travel Alert, Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts can be found. Up to date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States, or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

A visit to this mammoth relic (pronounced oosh-mahl) was always something on my bucket list after seeing a few photos of Uxmal in the April 2002 issue of National Geographic. Located along the Puuc Route (Mayan for ridge or hill and pronounced pook) in the northwest interior of the Yucatan Peninsula, it is not very difficult to reach - the roads are as good as the best two-lane highways the US has to offer.

I hadn’t done much driving in this area of Mexico so I was pleased to discover uncrowded roads in very good condition and adequate signage to complement my map.  Getting there from Merida is an easy one-hour drive and there are plenty of signs as this is an attraction growing in popularity especially with tour groups and for good reason. ... Read More

Happy Birthday Mexico!

Mexico is currently gearing up for the party of a century -- make that two centuries. Preparations are underway to celebrate the centennial anniversary of the Mexican revolution (1910) and the 200-year anniversary of Mexico’s independence from Spain (1810). The Zocalo, Mexico City’s main plaza since pre-Columbian time, is the epicenter of this party, which will culminate on September 16, 2010.... Read More

Where have AAA Member Appreciation Cruises been all my life? Until sailing to the Mexican Riviera aboard Holland America Line’s Oosterdam, I’d never taken one. Now, I’m reluctant to cruise any other way.

My husband, Paul Lasley, and I were guest speakers on this AAA Member Appreciation Cruise, traveling with some 230 readers of Westways, Texas Journey, and New Mexico Journey magazines. The experience was a revelation.

On a AAA Member Appreciation Cruise, cruise hosts accompany the group and make sure things run smoothly. If problems arise, they run interference for you with... Read More

In Puerto Vallarta, we took our own advice. “Try to see a place through the eyes of someone who lives there,” we always tell people. “If you know someone who lives in the place you’re visiting, get in touch with them.” So, when Holland America Line’s Oosterdam called at Puerto Vallarta on the fourth day of our seven-night Mexican Riviera cruise out of San Diego, my husband, Paul, and I met up with our friend Liz, who has lived here for seven years.

“Many people who get off the cruise ships that call here never see the real Vallarta,” she told us as we... Read More

When we went ashore in Mazatlán, we hadn’t expected to hear Leroy Anderson’s "Sleigh Ride" played on marimba and French horn. But by the end of our visit, it made perfect sense. It was day three of a seven-night Mexican Riviera cruise out of San Diego aboard Holland America Line’s MS Oosterdam. My husband, Paul, and I are guest speakers on this AAA Member Appreciation Cruise. We’re traveling with cruise hosts Rita and Phil Brown and some 230 readers of AAA's Westways, Texas Journey, and New Mexico Journey magazines. We’d visited Mazatlán before, so instead of taking a shore excursion in this port, we opted to stroll through Old Mazatlán, the Centro Histórico, on our own. The day reminded us that the simplest travel experiences can be the most memorable.  ... Read More