The People's Guide to MexicoBest Travel Book Award: Independent Publisher Association
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I am finally taking the time to write, and hope that this gets through to you. We have been traveling in Latin America for quite awhile, having started back in 2003 with short trips into Mexico. In December, 2007 we crossed into Mexico and then throughout Central America; we shipped to Cartagena, Colombia, in June, 2008; and we are still here. All this in our tiny casa rodante.Anyhow, over the years, when we've had car trouble, or needed the name of something, or how to figure out how to do something, your book has been extremely helpful. Also some great recipes. Just wanted you to know that!Rick and Kathy Howe, in La Tortuga
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Frequently Asked Questions about MexicoWill I be Safe or Sorry?
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Safe & Easy Travel.
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Who Are We?
Writers & Artists
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
Lorena and Carl are home again, working on the Website and Blog .
Carl's Mexico Blog
Mexico: Articles, Letters, Travel Tips & More
¡Gringo! by Nick Threndyle
Moments from ¡Gringo! are familiar to the serious Mextripper: a lone van nestles for the night at the foot of a desert mountain, a Mexican family arrives for a fully clothed swim in the river, a ‘ghost campground’ is recognized by....Comic book doesn’t quite capture ¡Gringo!, but it’s not a graphic novel either.... (more) Review by Felisa Rosa Rogers
Hat Dance, by Michael A. Thomas
If you can get past the garish cover and the weak first chapter, Hat Dance, by Micahel A. Thomas, is a thoroughly entertaining, if not always satisfying, read.... That said, the story is alive with the author’s palpable love for Mexico. ‘It’s always cheering to be in Mexico and to know it’, Lee White, the gringo journalist, thinks as he wakes up to the sound of a Tepic fiesta....(more) Review by Felisa Rosa Rogers
Caballo Blanco Ultramarathon
We just got back from 4 weeks in the barrancas. We started with a hike to Urique for the 5th annual Caballo Blanco Ultramarathon.... (more) by Mike Huckaby
Is Mexico Still Safe?
My wife and I are retired and had been living down in southeast Arizona and so much has been in the news about how unsafe it is to cross into Mexico especially in Nogales, Naco, Agua Prieta.... Michael
Senor Codo: Border towns have never been a great inspiration. Nogales on both sides of the border is at best more than a bit seedy. I do believe that those crossings that manage to avoid extensive travel in downtown and suburbs may be the best choice... (more) (1-09)
The New Year In The Copper Canyon
i am writing to thank you for your advice, which helped me plan my trip to the copper canyon over the new year. It was great! on your suggestion, we did end up buying a ticket from nyc to tucson with a return from el paso in order to cut down on travel time. it worked really well. we took a bus down to alamos overnight from tucson.... (more) by Hilary. (1-09)
Cheap Hostels & Stunning Scenery Make a Great Budget Break
With a tropical landscape dotted with ancient Mayan ruins, a lively capital and two 
attractive coastlines, Mexico has plenty to offer both adventurous travelers and holiday makers seeking a spot of relaxation in an affordable paradise.
Great water-sports, vibrant nightclubs and a low cost of living add to the charm of both Mexico's scenic shores and thriving cities. In recent years, it has also become a very comfortable destination even for tourists on a budget, thanks to an increase in quality Mexico hostels..... more by Alison Woolliams, HostelBookers
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
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?
•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)
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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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