The People's Guide to Mexico

Best Travel Book Award: Independent Publisher Association
"The best guidebook to adventure in the whole world" - Harper's
2006 Book of the Year Award: Planeta.com

Frequently Asked Questions about Mexico

Will I be Safe or Sorry?
How do I stay Healthy?
Do I Really Need a Prescription?
Drive? or Fly & Bus?
Should I buy Insurance?
Where should we Live, Retire?
Can I find a Job & Work?
Best Books & Maps?
Do I need Spanish?
Hello Carl and Lorena,
Like untold others, your work was my introduction to beautiful Mexico some 20 years ago. As important as the practical advice in you books, is the vibe. More than any other gabachos, you have changed Mexico from a scary foreign place, to a friendly foreign place. You're great.... Keep up the good works. My wife and I have enjoyed riding along with you for the past 20 years. Esmi
Discover why generations of travelers wouldn't cross the border without it!
Desert Camp, San Carlos Bay
Safe & Easy Travel.

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Carl Franz and Lorena Havens, a writer/editor team with over 40 years experience traveling, living and learning things "the hard way" in Mexico and Central America.
Steve Rogers
1938 - 1999

ACA Organic Gardens
on Lake Chapala

Mexico: Articles, Letters, Travel Tips & More

A Single Woman Going to Sinaloa: Rent a Car or Take the Bus?
Is it Safe?

Devra: I'm a woman (60) and am doing some historical research in the areas of Sinaloa and Sonora... is it better to rent a car… or take buses? ...I have some Mexican friends who warn I shouldn't be driving anyplace in northern Mexico alone, no matter when (narcotraficantes and kidnappers), and others who say its no problem....

Carl: I think the odds of being kidnapped or even carjacked in northern Mexico are less than in much of LA and southern California…. The last time I went to El Fuerte… a great shrimp cocktail… You can walk at night there, especially around the central plaza… a small bookstore.… Here's a tip that really works: carry your PDA, camera, and can't-bear-to-lose items in a cheap..

Later, Devra: I loved driving. Ended up driving out to a small ejido.… (more) (5-08)

I had planned to send you my Mexican Traffic Cop stories, but Curly was very insistent that I pass on information about the road conditions from Creel to Batopilas. This is as of 02/14/08...The pavement from Creel to Samachique is in great shape, though drivers should keep an eye out for rocks in the road.... (more) by B.J. (5-08)

2008: A Great Year for Mexico GPS

You might ask: why do I need a GPS receiver? Well, if you have to go into Guadalajara for a doctor's appointment, it will make the trip less stressful and faster to have a device that speaks the names of the streets and instructs you in advance where to turn....

At the beginning of this year Garmin released the City Navigator Mexico NT 2008.(more) by Mark Walker (5-08)

GPS Receivers for Mexico

Any Garmin receiver will work in Mexico as long as it has the ability to load extra maps. Most users are choosing a Nuvi of some kind since they are the newest models... (more) by Mark Walker. (5-08)

Camping on the Pacific Coast of Michoacan

After spending some four years living and traveling up and down the rugged and beautiful coast of Michoacan I have formed some opinions about travel and camping safety....My advice is to not camp alone on a seemingly deserted beach.... (more) by David Eidell (4-08)

Thanks for writing the People's Guide for me and my husband

Dear Carl & Lorena, After several trips to mexico travelling PG style, I feel I've at least earned the privelege of writing to express my thanks. after all, the people's guide was written for me and my husband, Curly. We don't have much money, we avoid border towns, cities, and tourist areas and we love the mexican people.... Before travelling in mexico, of course, I had heard the horror stories. But, it didn't take long to realize....(more) from b.j. (2-08)

Development in Mexico: Surprise! It Isn't About You:

My favorite place to sit in Bucerias, Nayarit is under the rooftop palapa of "The Bar Above", a fantastic martini and dessert bar owned by Buddy, who makes the world's best chocolate soufflé. It is inevitable that I will be joined by one or two old-timers, that is, people who have been traveling to Puerto Vallarta and the Bay of Banderas since the beginning of time. Without fail, as they gaze across the glittering lights of the bay, they say the same thing, “Boy, things sure have changed. I remember when Puerto Vallarta was just a little fishing village.”....(more) by Robin Noelle (2-08)

The Rough Guide To Mexico (2007)

Carl says: This review of the latest edition of The Rough Guide To Mexico by our curmudgeonly correspondent, David "El Codo" Eidell, reminds me of why I could never face the harsh realities involved in writing and updating a "real" guidebook..... (more). Full review by David "El Codo" Eidell

Money in Mexico: First Things First

Among the most important questions to ask yourself while packing up and making your pre-trip preparations, is "what about money? "Will you carry cash and/or traveler's checks in Mexico, and when it runs out, as it always does, how will you get more? .... (more) by Carl Franz

Carl’s Mexico Travel Writing Toolkit (part 1)

Once upon a time, when I first began a serious writing routine, I worked entirely with pencils, ruled 3 x 5 index cards and a very sturdy Olympia portable typewriter....Then, in 1985, an article in the newspaper about personal computers and something called “dedicated word processors” changed my life..... (more) by Carl Franz

Bus or Taxi: Guadalajara Airport to San Miguel de Allende?

Our flight gets into Guadalajara at 2:15pm on Christmas Eve....Any suggestions as to if/how I could hire a taxi to drive us the 5 hours to San Miguel?....(more) from Jim A

Burro Assisted Hikes in Mexico's Copper Canyon

Tucson-based guides Mike Huckaby and Cathy Waterman have been exploring Mexico's northern Sierra Madre and Copper Canyon for many years. I first worked with them.... (more) intro by Carl Franz.

Three Handy Mexico Road Atlases for 2008

Guia Roji*, the household word for map in Mexico, just published this new bilingual road atlas with travel information in English (and Spanish) for 60 places and towns. (more) by Tara Shadowen, MapsGoneTomorrow.com

Do I Really Need a Prescription?

It seems that there are conflicting statements in the following from your website....El Codo clarifies ... "Let's go over the issue of written prescriptions one more time.... (more) by David "El Codo" Eidell

Aconchi Hot Springs Revisited

.... The springs are there and the water is great. The unfortunate thing is it was overcrowded and trash was everywhere. We were there on January 3 so the holiday could be a factor....We cannot recommend the drive there enough though.... (more), Buck

Topo Maps: Mexico & the Copper Canyon

Topographic maps are valuable for any outdoor recreation activities -- hiking, biking, four wheeling, motorcycling, or back road adventures. This is especially true in Mexico's Copper Canyon ... (more) by Laura Ericson, Map Link

Timeshare Resales

Many people see timeshares in a negative light. However, sale-by-owner timeshares - also called timeshare resales - are different than resort offered timeshares. For one thing, resales are often thousands less than resort-offered property.... (more) article donated by Sell My Timeshare Now

•Mexico GPS Atlas Now Available

Mexico Maps is pleased to announce a breakthrough product for Mexico travel, the Mexico GPS Atlas. This product is the most complete and functional (please note that we are not saying "perfect") GPS map for Mexico (Garmin compatible). This GPS Atlas includes street level mapping for 44 cities in Mexico (including San Miguel de Allende and Puerto Vallarta).... (more) by Mark Walker

•Not All Mexican Auto Insurance Is The Same

Tips on How to Shop for Mexican Auto Insurance: If you are planning a road trip to Mexico, acquiring quality Mexican auto insurance should be one of your top priorities. It is not much fun to think about having a car accident in Mexico, but it will be even less fun if you end up getting in an accident and you don’t have quality Mexican auto insurance to back you up.... (more) by Jeff Nordahl, President, Adventure Mexican Insurance Services

•Are there jobs in Mexico for a Dialysis Nurse?

I am not ready to retire financially but am looking at relocating to Mexico. I am a dialysis nurse administrator and would like to work in a similar field there. I would be quite happy to do some humanitarian work and do not expect to get rich but to create some meamingful existance there...... (more) Reply by Bill Masterson

•Searching for Sustainable Communities

My friend Katie and I (two women in our late 20's) are planning a 2 month trip "through" Mexico, leaving in Feb. We are thinking about driving from the US-Mexico border at Nuevo Loredo and down the Gulf Coast to the Yucatan. We are planning on making a documentary along the way of sustainable communities (i.e. communities that are ecologically, culturally and perhaps even economically sustaining themselves)....(more)

Legal disclaimer

The materials on this website and the opinions and answers provided are for informational purposes only, do not constitute and should not be relied upon as legal advice, and are not guaranteed to be correct, complete or up-to-date.

This website and any articles or emails contained herein do not create an attorney-client relationship and one should not act on or rely upon any such information on this site without speaking directly to and properly retaining an attorney. No attorney-client privilege is maintained by this website and your communications, nor can your communication be considered to be privileged and confidential via this website.

Any informational items of a legal nature on this website or offered via reply email or postings are not to be construed as advertising or legal advice, but merely as a public service to the visitors of this website.
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