Packing List for Mexico

Stephanie Mojica, Demand Media

    

Whether you’re driving or flying to Mexico for a sunny cultural vacation, you need to pack several items beyond your favorite clothes and books that you might not necessarily bring on a trip to other regions of North America. You must also bring a valid passport or passport card to re-enter most countries from Mexico, according to the U.S. Department of State. Finally, you’ll also not likely want to leave home without a sunscreen and bathing suit because of Mexico’s usually warm weather.

Electrical Adapters and Converters

The electricity in Mexico is not the same voltage as in the United States and Canada, although the outlet plugs have the same shape, according to Let’s Go Travel. If you plan to use a cell phone charger, laptop, hairdryer or other electrical appliance while visiting Mexico, make sure you have adapters and, if necessary, converters for the 120/127V current of the country.

Toiletries

Although toiletries are widely available in many parts of Mexico, your favorite brands might not be so easy to find there, according to Let’s Go Travel. Bring extras of any essential items such as toothpaste, a toothbrush, shampoo, conditioner, soap, shaving implements and tampons or sanitary napkins. Also, if your trip involves potential sexual activity and you use condoms as a form of protection, be sure to bring some with you.

Contact Lenses, Eyeglasses and Medications

Bring plenty of contact lenses, eyeglasses and medications with you as well as any prescriptions, according to Let’s Go Travel. You may not be able to easily replace these in Mexico. Also, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America recommends those traveling to Mexico to bring extra contact lens solution and to pack all essentials such as medication and eyeglasses in a carry-on bag.

Safety-Related Items

It’s always a good idea to bring a money belt or small daypack to Mexico, according to Let’s Go Travel. A small padlock can protect some of your valuables; a basic sewing kit as well as electrical tape can also help you mend your clothing if any unexpected tears happen during your trip. A first-aid kit is usually essential, especially if you plan on going into remote areas or spending a lot of times outdoors in Mexico. Other safety-related items you should pack for an outdoor adventure in Mexico include a compass, plastic water bottle, waterproof matches and a hat.

Typical food of Mazatlan, Mexico

pricetravel.com

Fishing is very important in Mazatlan, so you will find a great variety of dishes made of fresh seafood and unique shrimp specialties.
       

Mazatlan is known as the capital of shrimp, so here you can taste different dishes prepared with this ingredient. You can try shrimp ceviche, shrimp stuffed with bacon and cheese, tequila shrimp, shrimp soup, beer shrimp, among other delicacies.

Also, Mazatlan has an abundance of fish and other sea delights, and you can enjoy "pescado zarandeado," fish ceviche, and smoked marlin, typical specialties from Mazatlan.

Other typical dishes are "aguachile," which are shrimps or scallops served with red onion, cucumber, pepper, and lemon; "mariscada " or seafood platter; shrimp machaca, which is shredded and fried shrimp with onion, chili, and tomato; and shrimp cocktail.

But there is much more in Mazatlan than dishes with seafood and fish. "Chilorio" is a Mazatlan specialty prepared with shredded pork seasoned with "chile ancho" sauce and spices, served for breakfast. Sinaloa-style roast chicken is also very popular in several other places in Mexico, not only in Mazatlan, for its great flavor. "Mochomo" is another regional dish, made with a kind of beef jerky.

If you like sweet things, be sure to try the typical sweets of the region such as "jamoncillo," bars made of milk, sugar, and pecans; "pepitorias," a sweet with sesame, pumpkin seeds, peanuts, and honey or brown sugar; "torrejas," rice pudding, "cocadas," and mango sweets.

As a suggestion, to eat all these gastronomic delicacies of Mazatlan, restaurants such as Pastelería Panamá, Mariscos El Guamuchilito, and La Marina, are great and affordable options. Overall, the restaurants around Mercado Municipal or near the harbor, are a good place to eat, but if you're adventurous and you like fish as fresh as possible, the restaurants on Isla de la Piedra are one of the best choices.

 

 

 

Tourism Seen Jumping to No. 3 Mexico Cash Source by 2018

By Jose Enrique Arrioja - Jun 24, 2013 10:00 PM MT

bloombergnews.com

 

 

 A cruise ship is anchored offshore as tourists walk past a vendor on Medano Beach in Los Cabos, Baja California, Mexico on May 15, 2012 Photographer: Paul J. Richards/AFP/GettyImages

“Tourism is already one of the most important economic sectors for Mexico,” Ruiz Massieu said. “We are confident that it can represent at least one point more of GDP at the end of the administration and that we can become the third source of revenue at least.”

Last year, tourism generated $12.7 billion in foreign exchange inflows, according to a report by JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM), a 10.5 percent increased versus 2011. Tourism trails manufacturing, oil, remittances and foreign direct investment as the nation’s biggest source of revenue, according to Citigroup Inc.’s Banamex unit.

Ruiz Massieu said Latin America’s second-biggest economy received a record 24 million international visitors last year, or 2.6 percent more than the 23.4 million tourists it received in 2011, according to World Bank figures. Global international arrivals grew by 4 percent in 2012, according to a report from a World Tourism Organization report, and reached 1 billion tourists worldwide for the first time.

International visits abroad to the so-called emerging economies rose 4.1 percent, while arrivals to advanced economies climbed 3.6 percent, the WTO report shows.

Mexico’s Share

“We want to keep growing the market share in our traditional markets,” such as the U.S. and Canada, the biggest source of international travelers to Mexico, Ruiz Massieu said. At the same time, Ruiz Massieu is focusing on emerging marketssuch as Brazil, Argentina, Russia and China. She declined to offer a projection for the total international visitors expected for this year.

The increase of international travelers to Mexico comes even as more than 6,200 people have been killed in drug-related violence since Pena Nieto took office Dec. 1, according toMilenio, a Mexico City-based newspaper.

Eduardo Medina Mora, Mexico’s ambassador to the U.S., said in a June 6 interview that the government’s efforts to fight organized crime “are going to take more time and be long-term driven, because they’re based on institutional buildup,” and that the number of casualties is already dropping.

Economic Initiatives

Pena Nieto has said that legal changes he’s pushing for by year-end to open up the state-controlled energy industry and to increase tax collection may boost growth to as much 6 percent a year, versus 3.9 percent in 2012. Ruiz Massieu said Mexico seeks to increase private investment in the tourism industry.

The Mexican government is finishing its infrastructure strategy which will be unveiled in the coming weeks and the plan will for the first time include tourism development, Ruiz Massieu said.

Mexico wants to build new airports, cargo and commercial ports, railways and highways to link well-known transportation hubs with lesser-known tourism destinations, she said without specifying how much investment will go into the projects.

2013 Spending

This year Mexico is investing 310 billion pesos ($23.3 billion) in infrastructure, Pena Nieto said June 20. Speaking at a construction industry event in Merida, Mexico, the president said that about 187 billion pesos will be invested in the second half of the year.

Ruiz Massieu said the Communications and Transportation Ministry will announce “in a couple of weeks” a final decision regarding potential measures to alleviate congestion at the Mexico City airport, the busiest hub in Latin America. “What I favor is getting more planes to an area where I can distribute more tourists to different destinations,” she said.



 

Money Tips for Mexico

Laura Elise, Demand Media

    

Change matters in Mexico. Outside of large tourist resorts, travelers to Mexico might be surprised to discover large bills of local currency are commonly not accepted; they’re refused because vendors often do not have enough change. To buy a beer, catch a cab or walk away with local handicrafts, smaller is better when it comes to currency. To avoid awkward or disappointing money situations, take a bit of time before you travel to understand Mexican currency and how to use it safely and efficiently.
 

Know the Currency

In Mexico, the national currency is the Mexican peso (MXN), so your first money matter is to get familiar with these colorful bills. The most common bills come in denominations of 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500. They come in a range of hues, including purple, blue and yellow. The smaller bills will often be made of plastic, so feel free to take them swimming with you. Coins come in values of 1, 2, 5 and 10 pesos. Cents, or “centavos,” are worth very little. The same symbol ($) is used to designated prices, but this will always designate the price in pesos, never dollars, in Mexico.
 

Know the Exchange Rate

Before you start spending, you need to know what everything is worth in real terms. To do this, you need to know the exchange rate to your own national currency. In 2010, on average, $1 USD was equal to 12 to 13 pesos. Exchange rates fluctuate, so be sure to check online before you exchange money. You can exchange your local currency into pesos at airports or money exchange locations, but you will either be charged a fee or will pay an unfavorable exchange rate. You can also withdraw cash from foreign bank accounts from ATMs in Mexico, but you will likely be charged ATM fees, international withdraw fees and currency exchange fees. The cheapest way to get foreign currency is to withdraw it from your local bank before you travel. Most banks will do this for free, if you ask a week in advance and withdraw at least a significant amount of money; check with your bank for its specific policies.
 

Hidden Fees

If you insist on using American dollars in Mexico, you might get away with in it big tourist destinations, such as Cancun or Los Cabos, but be aware you will probably be charged at the standard rate of 10:1 (10 pesos to one US dollar). This will probably be a very unfavorable exchange rate for you. However, the biggest hidden fee will likely come from your bank or credit card company. Major credit cards, like MasterCard, charge one percent on all foreign transactions. Many banks also tack on fees. However, you are much better off using your credit card for large purchases in Mexico rather than using cash; the fees will be smaller in the long run.
 

Keep it Safe

Safety is a major concern for many tourists to Mexico. In large cities petty theft is a problem, especially on public transportation, and there are the occasional “express kidnappings,” when miscreants hold you overnight in order steal your full ATM withdraw limit for two days, once before and once after midnight.

The best way to avoid these mishaps is to be aware of your surroundings and use common sense. Don’t carry large amounts of money. Don’t walk alone in dangerous areas; don’t flaunt your wealth. Carry only the money you plan to spend and keep it close to your body; keep the rest securely stored away. Try not to carry a credit card if you think you’ll be out alone late at night.
 

Tipping and Taxis

At restaurants, it is customary to tip 10 to 15 percent, with 15 percent being the standard in Mexico City and large tourist destinations. However, you do not need to tip taxi drivers. However, if you decide to hop in a street cab, it is nice to let the driver keep a few pesos of change. Before you get in a taxi, make sure the meter is running or that you have agreed on a final price. If the taxi is not metered, feel free to bargain down the price. A 10 peso tip is customary for delivery items, and you should tip grocery baggers and parking attendants a few pesos as well.


 

Give Memories, Not Things: Using Travel to Celebrate Milestones

By Jennifer Miller

March 25th, 2013bootsnall.com

 

 

 

Three days after we got married, I had back surgery instead of a honeymoon.

 

Our long running joke about the traditional vows, “For richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health,” is that we started out sick and poor, so it had to get better. To celebrate our first anniversary we drove our beater car from central Indiana to Miami and took a four day cruise to the Bahamas. You know, one of those free ones you get for sitting through the time share presentation in which they browbeat you and tell you you’re a terrible parent for not buying in so your non-existent children will have a place to vacation? It was all we could afford, and it was fantastic. We got sunburned, we got offered weed on the street five times a day, we ate lobster, our car was t-boned by a drunk Irish dude – what more could a girl ask for in a belated honeymoon? How ‘bout 20 more?

 

Taking an annual honeymoon

 

 

 

That trip started a long standing tradition of annual honeymoons. Some were big: to Hawaii for number ten. Some were tiny: a cake purchased at a grocery store and eaten in our tent in the rain somewhere in England with our four kids and a friend. Some have been epic: a two week east coast motorcycle tour through Maritime Canada. Others have been quick: an overnight at a fancy hotel with creme brulee and berries via room service.

 

Almost by accident, that tradition has lead to a trend in our family, as it has grown from just our two hearts to six, to value experiences over things. The grandparents have even gotten on board.

 

We travel for a living. Right now we are in an RV, touring the backroads of New Zealand with approximately 21square feet per person.

 

• For the preceding ten months we’ve been living out of backpacks in Southeast Asia.
• Before that we were camping in the USA.
• Before that we were road tripping Central America.
• Before that we were bicycling Europe and North Africa.

We don’t have a lot of room for stuff. So what’s a person to do when birthdays and holidays come around that are famous for being celebrated by a consumeristic binge? Opt out? Exactly the opposite. We opt in, but in all the ways that will matter for a lifetime, not simply a morning or a few months of tangible enjoyment.

Instead of buying things, we buy experiences

We decided long ago to spend our money on enriching our lives, building relationships, and crafting memories that tie heartstrings with the people who matter most. We don’t have closets full of clothes. Our kids have only the toys they love enough to carry on their backs. We’ve traded a pretty house for beautiful landscapes and the ability to change them at will.

I don’t remember what I got for my tenth birthday, but I promise you that when my youngest child is 38, he will. We rode elephants in the jungles surrounding the tiny town of Pai, Thailand for his 10th birthday. Our daughter wanted to see Angkor Wat for her 16th birthday, so we did (although on her actual birthday we were in Vietnam and she had a stunning Vietnamese tunic and pants custom made as a gift. She’ll never forget that either!) Our middle son spent his 12th birthday with “Uncle Ho” in Hanoi and proudly sports the t-shirt. My husband’s birthday was spent surrounded by friends and travelers at an enormous party in San Marcos, Guatemala. We’d been living there for six months, and the entire town came to his party. Two restaurants closed because there was no point in opening – everyone was with us.

For Christmas two years ago my in-laws came to Guatemala and spent two weeks climbing volcanos and learning Spanish with us. It was their first international trip and a huge gift of irreplaceable memories stitched into the hearts of our kids.
 

We have some of the coolest grandparents, on both sides of our family. They’ve gotten on board with our quest to make memories and give experiences instead of stuff. For Christmas two years ago my in-laws came to Guatemala and spent two weeks climbing volcanos and learning Spanish with us. It was their first international trip and a huge gift of irreplaceable memories stitched into the hearts of our kids. Four years ago my parents flew almost half way around the world to join us, camping, on the sands of the Sahara in Tunisia. We rode camels for Christmas and lay, freezing, in the dark as Daddy read the end of A Christmas Carol out loud. My Dad told me in the morning that listening to my husband read reminded him of our childhood sleepless nights in Central America when he’d read for hours to stave off the suffering of mosquitos and unbearable heat. I come about it honestly as we’ve been investing in memories for generations on my side of the family.

Using travel to celebrate

I turn forty in 17 months, but who is counting? I’m really looking forward to it. My twenties were a decade of pregnant or nursing and were characterized by chronic laughter and exhaustion, and I got four people off of my skirt hems and on towards independence. My thirties have been a roller coaster of adventures that have taught me much about life and myself. I’m surprised to find that I’m not at all who I thought I was before. My forties promise to be a time of rebirth and a different sort of adventuring, in which my children will leave as quickly as they came and I’ll have time on my hands in a way that I haven’t in a very long time. I’m excited about that.

To mark our 40th birthdays my friend Jade and I have an adventure in the works. It was her idea, truth be told. We’re going to take a month or so late next spring and walk the Camino de Santiago from St. Jean Pied-du-Port, France to Santiago, Spain. It’s about 500 miles, and we’re going to do it alone, just she and I. It will mark the milestone of our entrance into the second half of life. Mid-life deals some surprises, and we’re intending to spend some time walkin’ it off. It will be a time of personal reflection and seeking direction. It will be a time to celebrate who we are and where we’ve been as well as where we’re headed as individuals – wives, mothers, daughters, and friends. Neither of us want a gift we can hold in our hands; instead we’re creating a gift to one another that we’ll hold in our hearts forever.

I’ve read that the average American was projected to spend over $850 on Christmas in 2012 and that the average spending per child was over $270. I believe it. So, if you’re a couple, that means that Christmas is likely setting you back $1700. If you have four kids, like we do, you could average $1080 on just the kids, never mind extended family and friends. Six months later, what do you have to show for that? Is the “stuff” still treasured, still making you “happy?” With all my heart, I hope so.

What I can promise you, beyond a shadow of a doubt, is that the memories made with that same amount of money will live forever in your mind, and the collective consciousness of the people you make them with. Every adventure you have with your kids changes the culture of your family forever.

Instead, I think of us as maximalists. We believe in living life to the fullest, sucking the marrow from every moment, spending our money liberally on the things that really matter.
 

We’ve been accused, occasionally, of being minimalists, because we’ve downsized to the point of only what we can carry and because we just don’t buy stuff. To be honest, that kind of offends me. I don’t view us as minimalists at all. To me, there are negative connotations to that word, and there’s an arrogance that seems to go with it for some people. As if living with less is somehow morally or socially, or ecologically superior to “everyone else.”

Instead, I think of us as maximalists. We believe in living life to the fullest, sucking the marrow from every moment, spending our money liberally on the things that really matter. And that is people and experiences that will last for a lifetime, perhaps into eternity – not things that will end up in a landfill.

We’ve stayed at the Four Seasons a few times and reveled in the lap of luxury. We’ve also camped with no electricity or running water in more than a few places and delighted in the simplicity of stars over head and a card game with friends by lamplight.

Give me people and experiences over stuff, every single time.



 

Mexico: Tourism picture is brightening for Mazatlan

Mazatlan, Mexico, has just had its best spring tourist season ever and is poised to have a record-breaking summer season. (Mazatlan Hotel Assn.)

 

By Rosemary McClure

June 18, 2013, 6:50 a.m.

Things are looking up for tourism in Mazatlan, Mexico.


The Pacific Coast resort, with 20-plus miles of beaches and dozens of high-end resorts, has long been a favorite with American tourists. Mexico’s ongoing drug war, however, caused concern on both sides of the border.

But recent infrastructure changes, coupled with an overhaul of Mazatlan’s police force, have quieted fears.

 Now the Mexican Riviera city has just had its best spring season ever and is poised to have a record-breaking summer season, according to tourism bureau statistics.

The London Financial Times named it one of the Top 10 American Cities of the Future, rating it as Mexico's top medium-sized city in terms of its future economic expectations and cost effectiveness.

 Several upcoming improvements may increase Mazatlan's popularity as a tourist destination, including a new highway scheduled to open this fall that will provide a high-speed land route between Mazatlan and the southwestern United States that cuts travel time in half.

 “The Mazatlan-Durango [Texas] Highway will boost domestic tourism from 30,000 cars per year to around 1 million,” said Frank Cordova, secretary of tourism for Sinaloa state, home to Mazatlan. The new road “will provide a direct and safe route for tourists traveling from the southwest United States.”

The $1.2-billion highway, which crosses a region of rugged terrain sometimes called the devil’s backbone, will allow increased commerce and international trade between the U.S. and Mexico, and is expected to increase tourism and business activity between the two nations. The highway will cut drive time between Mazatlan and Texas from six to three hours, said Cordova. It is scheduled for completion in October or November.

Other improvements include:

 

• A new $3-million tourism corridor between the Port of Mazatlan and the city’s historic center; the cobblestone promenade will make it easier, and safer, for cruise visitors to reach the heart of Mazatlan, said Cordova.
• A crime crackdown that includes coordination between local police, state police and army, plus a $50-million investment in security cameras in the city.
• Additional airline connections to Mazatlan. The city is negotiating agreements with airlines that will increase airlift by 40%.
• Three major cruise lines are returning to the Port of Mazatlan this winter, starting with Holland America in November. Norwegian will resume service in December, and Azamara is to return in January 2014.
• Mazatlan has about 12,000 hotel rooms in about 180 hotels and hopes to double that number in the next five years.

 

35 Tips for a Successful Flight

Avoid a serious case of cabin fever with these 35 tips to keep you—and, more importantly, your kids—happy, healthy, and distracted on even the longest flight.

 

By The Budget Travel Editors, Monday, Dec 17, 2012

 

 

Always pack an inflatable beach ball in your carry-on!

(Jon Cannell)

 

9 Smart Ways to Keep Kids Entertained

SCULPT A MASTERPIECE My daughter had a great idea to keep her five-year-old (and the rest of us) entertained. She brought a roll of aluminum foil, and we spent hours "sculpting" hats, flowers, wings, and anything else we could imagine. The time flew by, and it was a breeze to clean up. Honey Pettigrew, Danville, Calif.

SCULPT ANOTHER MASTERPIECE When I travel with my kids, I always stow a package of colorful pipe cleaners in my carry-on. Being creative and twisting them into various shapes keeps them busy for hours. The best part? Pipe cleaners aren't messy or loud, and they don't take up a lot of space. Meghan A. Usmani, Queensbury, N.Y.

 

 

 

GO ON A SCAVENGER HUNT To keep my three kids quiet while flying or on a road trip, I created the Magazine Scavenger Hunt. I look through three different magazines and find an item for each to look for, such as a lady with green shoes or a cherry pie. You can customize the difficulty level for any age. Each time, the winner gets a quarter, second place a dime, and third place a nickel. Sure, the game costs a bit of money, but we then use their prizes as souvenir money. Tiffany Bloshenko, Dallas

CHANNEL YOUR INNER MARY POPPINS Nothing quiets children faster than a new plaything! So before taking a trip with the kids, I spend $20 for 20 toys at the dollar store. I take out one at a time, and when the thrill is gone I take out another. The plane ride is over before they know it! The toys also come in handy for other children on the plane. A dollar is worth it to stop a crying child three rows up! Cheryl Dela, Buffalo, N.Y.

... OR YOUR INNER JIM HENSON When there's a fussy kid near me on a plane, I tear out a page from the in-flight magazine and fold it into a puppet—the same design as the paper fortune tellers we made when we were kids—and then draw on two eyes. The little ones are usually so amused that they stop kicking the seat in front of them, giving me—and their parents—a much-needed rest. Toby O'Brien, Hurricane, Utah

MAKE FRIENDS WITH THE NEIGHBORS Before I took my son on his first flight, I printed out stickers saying: "I'm sorry if I'm a little fussy. This is my first flight, and it's a bit overwhelming. My parents are doing the best they can, and they appreciate your patience. Owen, 8 months." I attached the stickers to candy bars that I gave to nearby passengers. We all enjoyed the flight! Carrie Rodriguez, Beaverton, Ore.

FINISH UP YOUR HOMEWORK My kids often end up doing homework on the plane. To avoid having to pack a lot of paper in my carry-on, I create a makeshift dry-erase board by mounting a plastic sheet protector on a piece of cardboard. We slip math problems inside and work them out with dry-erase markers. We can wipe the surface clean and retry as many times as necessary without wasting paper. Gloria Carion, Cincinnati

 

KEEP YOUR KIDS DISTRACTED My child receives countless goodie bags at birthday parties. I stow the small toys (crayons, stickers, games) away for when we fly. They're the perfect size for carry-ons, and we don't care if they get lost. Onboard, I can dole them out and prevent those "terrible twos" tantrums. Susan Goldman, Beverly Hills, Calif.

TENT YOUR TODDLER For quiet time on a plane, clip one end of an airline blanket under the top of the folded-up tray and the other end under the headrest (behind the child). Voilà: You have a "tent" that lets your toddler take a better nap on the plane. We put this together one night when we were stuck on a runway for almost six hours, and it saved a very bad travel day. My child rarely naps anymore, but he still asks for an airplane tent, if only to play inside. Roy Youngblood, Chicago, Ill.

14 Tricks for Relaxing While You're in the Air

GET A MASSAGE Treat yourself to a golf-ball foot massage. During a long flight, or afterward in your hotel room, take off your shoes, put a golf ball on the floor, and roll it under your foot. It's a great stress reliever. Practice a bit before you try it on a plane, so that your ball doesn't go rolling down the cabin, tripping other passengers. Dawn Yadlosky, Centerville, Ohio

TAKE A NAP On long flights, I bring a one-gallon plastic bag with a large safety pin stuck through the corner. I put my eyeglasses case, a small hearing aid pouch, a deflated neck pillow, and some sleeping pills into the bag and pin it to the seat in front of me. When I'm ready for some sleep, I take out and inflate the pillow, swallow a sleeping pill, and place my eyeglasses and hearing aids inside the bag. I never have to worry about sitting on or losing my glasses and aids. Stewart Woodward, Lafayette, Colo.


BLOCK OUT THE NOISE To block out noise on a long flight or in a noisy hotel, I downloaded an 80-minute white-noise track from iTunes onto my iPod. I keep the track on repeat, and it works wonders. It was only $10—which is much cheaper than a sound machine or noise-canceling headphones—and since it's on my iPod, I don't have to pack anything extra. Kim Paschen, Philadelphia, Pa.

VISIT THE SPA FROM YOUR SEAT Flights tend to dry out my skin and sinuses, so I always pack a rolled-up washcloth in my carry-on. During the flight, I ask the flight attendant for a cup of hot water, then dip the washcloth and place it over my face. Breathing in the steam helps my sinuses, and the warm, damp cloth hydrates my skin. Meekyung Chung, West Bloomfield, Mich.

 

 

TAKE A BREAK FROM EVERYONE I like to sleep on the plane, but I don't like how eye masks block everything out. Instead, I wear sunglasses. They still shut out much of the harsh airplane light, making it easier to sleep, but I can also see around me when I need to. Even better, people don't bother me because they can't tell if I'm asleep or not. Katherine Boury, Seattle

WEAR YOURSELF OUT I always try to work out before heading to the airport. It usually gets me tuckered out enough that I can relax and sleep on the plane. If I don't have time for pre-travel exercise, I take a brisk walk through the terminal before boarding or find a quiet spot in an empty gate and practice a little yoga. Kimberly Gilbert, Raleigh, N.C.

PACK A PILLOW Therm-a-Rest's Compressible Pillow is perfect for the plane. It comes in three sizes, packs smaller and expands bigger than any other pillow, and is machine-washable. Whenever I pull mine out of my carry-on, I get jealous stares: People always ask where they can get one. REI sells the pillows for $15 to $25, depending on the size (rei.com). Sheila Lauber, Anderson Island, Wash.

BRING YOUR OWN LINENS They're useful in a million different ways. Obviously a soft cotton pillowcase makes those scratchy airplane pillows bearable, but it can also be used to gather loose items when deplaning. A nice sheet will cover up an ugly bedspread or sofa, and makes a great tablecloth or picnic blanket. Dori Egan, Pleasant Hill, Calif.

TAKE A "BATH" For long, overnight flights, pack a dry washcloth in a Ziploc bag in your carry-on. Right before landing, ask the flight attendant for a cup of hot (not boiling) water. Very carefully pour the water into the Ziploc bag and then wipe your face and hands with the steaming cloth. It's like having a portable sauna! Henrietta Scarlett Ober, Rexford, N.Y.

 

PAMPER YOURSELF Create your own comfort kit—the kind that a few international airlines still give their first—and business-class passengers. Fill a Ziploc bag with some lip balm, a travel toothbrush and toothpaste, a small bottle of hand lotion, a sleep mask, a pair of socks, and some eye drops. Don't forget to bring a bottle of water, too. Carolyn Whitman, Gulf Breeze, Fla.

HAVE A BALL I always pack an inflatable beach ball in my carry-on for long flights. When I'm ready to sleep, I just blow it up, put it on my tray table, and curl over it to sleep. I don't have to worry about my head bobbing from side to side as I sleep, and I never have a sore neck when I wake up. Connie Race, Tooele, Utah

HAVE A BALL, TAKE TWO A beach ball can replace many expensive in-flight gadgets. Depending on how much you inflate it, the ball can function as a very comfortable footrest, as back support, or as a lap pillow to support your book. Dorothy Vincent, New York, N.Y.

REST YOUR FEET Many airlines give passengers socks to wear on long international flights, but we all know what a sad mess airplane lavatories can be after a few hours. I keep a pair of rubber-soled slippers in my carry-on and slip them on as soon as we're airborne. My feet stay comfortable during the flight and dry when I use the lav. When it's time to take them off, I slip them into a plastic bag (usually one of the free laundry bags found in the hotel room closet) and tuck them away till my next flight. Lori Lamb, Peoria, Ariz.

DON'T MIND THE MIDDLE The middle seat isn't always awful. On a recent trip overseas, I called too late to confirm an aisle or window seat. After explaining the plane's AB-CDEFG-HI configuration, the customer service agent urged me to take the very middle seat, E, because D and F have less footroom. (In some rows, there are metal boxes underneath the seats in front of you that house wiring for onboard electronics.) I went along with her advice somewhat skeptically, but I ended up with plenty of room. The people on either side of me weren't so lucky. Audrey Ting, Secaucus, N.J.

Tips for Staying Healthy In Transit

WIPE GERMS AWAY Are you tired of catching colds while traveling? Take along a travel-size package of Clorox wipes. Disinfect the tray table and armrests on the airplane, and the telephone and TV remote in your hotel room. Sherill Hacker, Williamston, Mich.

EAT A HEALTHY BREAKFAST I always bring a packet of instant oatmeal in my carry-on bag during morning flights. Then I simply ask the flight attendant for a cup of hot water, and I have an easy and healthy breakfast on the plane. Christina Tuff Saull, Washington, D.C.

 

KEEP CHEWING If you worry about clogged ears when you're flying, bring along an apple. When you feel the plane begin to descend—about 25 minutes before arrival—eat your apple. The chewing and swallowing will keep your ears in good shape. I'm an airline pilot, and I always bring a couple of apples and have a flight attendant give them to passengers who complain of ear problems. They work every time! Capt. Mike Filippell, Tower Lakes, Ill.

COOL OFF IN STYLE Now that airlines serve either snack boxes or no food at all, we often pack sandwiches. I also like to freeze a bunch of grapes and place them in a freezer bag. They'll keep your lunch or dinner cold, and you'll have a snack when they defrost. Patricia Spillane, Warwick, R.I.

KEEP IT CLEAN On a flight to New Zealand, the pilot informed us that the aircraft cabin was pressurized to 8,000 feet above sea level. This became apparent when I opened my dinner container of yogurt and had its pressurized contents spray all over me! Place a napkin over containers (salad dressing, condiments, etc.) as you open them—or point them toward the nearest offending seatmate. Guido Hara, San Luis Obispo, Calif.

BRING A BRUSH I always like to brush my teeth on long flights, but with the new carry-on restrictions, I thought it would be a problem. Then I found Eco-DenT tooth powder at Whole Foods (along with Burt's Bees Rosemary Mint Shampoo Bar). You can carry both products on board. Anna J. Ware, Atlanta, Ga.

FRESHEN UP For overnight flights, pack a few Dove Body Refreshers and Oral B Brush-Ups in your carry-on. Before the plane lands, you can "wash" your face and "brush" your teeth, leaving you refreshed and ready for the day! Janice Pruitt Winfrey, Atlanta, Ga.

 

AVOID MOTION SICKNESS Besides being a tasty treat, candied ginger is a preventative or remedy for motion sickness. (Some cruise ships even offer it with after-dinner mints.) We always carry a small supply with us in a resealable plastic bag, whether we're on the road, in an airplane, or at sea. Weyman Lew, San Francisco, Calif.

BREATHE EASY If the dry, recycled air on planes makes you stuffed up, take a half-dose of moisturizing nasal spray, such as Afrin, before you board. The spray keeps your nose from drying out and overproducing its own moisture (which is what causes stuffiness). My doctor recommended this trick. Karen Van Brunt, Issaquah, Wash.

3 Most Popular Ways to Pass the Time

RESEARCH YOUR DESTINATION Ask your flight attendants for dining, lodging, shopping, and sightseeing advice. Most crews have up-to-the-minute recommendations gleaned from layovers, which they're more than happy to share with passengers. You can count on flight attendants to seek out budget treasures—I know; I've been married to one for over 21 years! Fred Manget, Potomac Falls, Va.

CATCH UP ON YOUR FAVORITE SHOW I download TV shows to my iPod to watch while I fly. I was having trouble figuring out a way to watch hands-free until I discovered that the plastic cups that airlines serve drinks in are the perfect size and shape to prop up an iPod. Put a cup on your tray table and place the iPod inside; the screen will be just above the lip-the perfect position. Everyone I've shown this trick to says it works great. Kristi Wright, Norman, Okla.

READ A CLASSIC BOOK Download free audiobooks online. Before my last long flight, I went to LibriVox.org and chose a bunch of books, short stories, and poems to download to my iPod-for free. The site has both adult and children's books (Pride and Prejudice, A Little Princess, The Call of the Wild), and the list is growing. All of the titles are in the public domain and they're read by volunteers, so there's no question of copyright infringement. Even if you don't own an iPod, you can download them to your computer and burn them onto a CD. Diane Bowman, Huntington Beach, Calif.






 

The Top 5 Airport Travel Secrets

petergreenberg.com


We’re headed into the peak summer travel season, but you can beat the crowds. The secret is to Know Before You Go.

This week, we’re trying something a bit different. We’re offering a 360 guide to surviving the summer airport crowds with the top five airport tips from Alyssa Caverley’s Know Before You travel series. We’re talking about what to pack, how to fit it all in a carry-on, how to upgrade in economy class, how to pick the right security line and how to behave in flight.

5. How to Behave On a Flight

Summer travel means more families flying and more kids on planes. But don’t be the person just complaining about the crying baby, instead be the change you want to see in the travel space. Help a parent out. It’s one of the five essential rules of airplane etiquette.

 

4. How to Upgrade an Economy Class Ticket

If you have a long summer flight or want to make sure your carry-on makes it on the cabin, then it’s time to consider upgrading to a preferred economy class seat. These days buying an upgrade is not just about buying an expensive business or first class ticket. Instead, discover these affordable economy class upgrades that can change the experience of flying coach.

 

3. How to Avoid Fees & Pack it All in a Carry-On

These days, unless you have status on an airline or are flying Southwest, you’re probably paying to check a bag. Instead, you can pack for a trip in just one bag. Find out the best luggage, helpful packing apps and some smart packing practices to fit all your travel gear into that carry-on.

 

2. How to Prevent Your Luggage from Getting Lost at the Airport

Okay, so you didn’t carry-on and know you’re spending the whole flight worrying about lost luggage. There’s a better way. If you have to check a bag, there are the updated tools and technology to help you prevent lost luggage and recover your bags if the worst case scenario happens.

 

1. The Fastest Way Through Airport Security

Getting through airport security can be one of the most exhausting and stressful part of your trip. Not to mention the increased waits. But you can pack smart, dress properly and even pick the right security line. Here’s the secret to the fastest way through security.

For more summer travel secrets, don’t miss The Time to Book Summer Travel is Now.
 

By Alyssa Caverley for PeterGreenberg.com

Mazatlan Continues On a Path of Tourism Recovery

 

 

 

travelpulse.com

By Claudette Covey
June 12, 2013 4:49 PM

 

 

Mazatlan is continuing to make a significant recovery following a drop in tourists since 2009 due to safety concerns. That situation, says Frank Cordova, secretary of tourism for the state of Sinaloa, has turned itself around. “Things are looking really, really good,” he told Travel Pulse. “We’ve had a month of May to remember. Four- and five-star hotels closed out may at about 85 percent occupancy,” he said, adding that May is traditionally a slower month.

Convention business has also fought its way back, with Mazatlan hosting 45,000 convention participants this year. Violent crime is down 80 percent from two years ago. “We haven’t had any incidents whatsoever in the tourism zone in over two years,” said Cordova. “Security is not an issue for us.”

Cordova said Mazatlan is working toward recouping its traditional markets, which include Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland, Seattle, Denver, Minnesota, southern Texas, Calgary and Vancouver with a $3 million advertising campaign that differentiates the destination from traditional beach resorts. “We’ve got a lot to offer that nobody else has,” Cordova said. “We have a Colonial city on the beach. We have the best of both worlds.”

Mazatlan has invested more than $7 million in restoring the city and is building a highway around the city that will reduce traffic that now runs through the destination.

In other tourism developments, both Holland America Line and Norwegian Cruise Line have begun serving the destination again. Cordova said that seven corporations have solicited bids to build hotels. On the airline front, Sun Country has more than doubled its seats into Mazatlan. Cordova said tourism officials are in negotiations with a host of other carriers to increase service. “We’re going to be able to close some good deals on flights,” he said.

Cordova said that he has high hopes that Mazatlan will host Tianguis Turistico in 2016 and has received a verbal promise from Mexico’s Secretary of Tourism Claudia Ruiz Massieu saying just that.

“We really want people to come back and get to know us again,” Cordova said. “That’s really what our message is.”


 

How to pimp your 'moon

lonelyplanet.com

Sarah Baxter 1 March, 2013

You’re getting married. It’s a dastardly-dipped recession, but you LOVE your betrothed and still want oodles of romance on your ’moon, even if you can’t afford the Ritz. Here’s how to add amour to your adventures without breaking the bank

Unleash the ‘H’ word

Whereas prefixing anything with ‘wedding’ guarantees a price hike, ‘honeymoon’ has the opposite effect. People love giving couples freebies – perhaps keen they’ll return for anniversaries. Tell hoteliers and you could get anything from free champers to a room upgrade. Tell your tour operator and it can notify its ground handlers – your airport transfer driver might be holding a cute sign; you might get the best table at the local restaurant.

Self-glamp your camp

Wild camp by Alltan Ban by Ted and Jen. Creative Commons Attribution Licence

Camping is the cheapest way to ’moon – in some regions (notably Scotland and Scandinavia) wild camping is perfectly legal, meaning you pay nowt for accommodation. It’s also inherently romantic: what could be dreamier than unzipping the tent to your own private loch view? Make your camping super-chic with some simple touches: pack tealights and jam jars to turn your pitch into a fairy-dell; take plastic wine glasses and decant your favourite vintage into a wine bag (try the Platypus Platy Preserve - www.platypreserve.com); check astronomy charts to time your trip with a meteor shower or full moon.

Get your guests to pay

Increasingly, couples are ditching towels-and-toasters wedding lists, and asking guests to contribute to their honeymoon instead. Set up a list with your tour operator (many have giftlist services) or, if travelling independently, use a site such as buy-our-honeymoon.com or justthething.co.uk. Some of these charge a set-up fee, others take commission. Either way, you can list experiences – perhaps that Harley ride round Uluru or cocktails at Hong Kong’s Ritz Carlton – and your guests can buy them for you.

Book the right flight

Garuda Cabin by Simon_sees. Creative Commons Attribution Licence

You won’t get a free upgrade to business class just for being honeymooners – though it’s worth a cheeky ask. However, research your planes to feel like you’re flying higher: look for aircraft with a 2-3-2/2-5-2 seat configuration and book yourselves into a ‘2’ section for a bit of privacy.

Sleep cheap so you can splurge

Don’t blow your budget on fancy accommodation. It’s better to book the best room at a three-star hotel than the cheapest one at a five-star: you’ll feel more special and get more for your money. What you save on the room, use to buy cocktails in a bar with a beautiful view or those unforgettable front-row concert seats.

Be amorous ‘off-season’

Rates vary dramatically depending on when you travel. There’s no point heading to the Caribbean in peak hurricane season if you only want to sunbathe, but it’s worth considering certain destinations outside the most popular months. For instance, safari in Botswana in ‘green season’ and, while you might get short daily downpours, the landscape will be lush, the animals healthy-looking and lodge rates slashed. Shoulder months – the period just before/after peak time – can offer bargains, and decent weather.

Self-cater in style

Slash eating-out costs by self-catering. It makes having breakfast in bed easy. You can stock the fridge with cheap fizz. And you can make market-shopping for local goodies part of the fun. Ratchet up the romance by packing a tablecloth and candles. If you’re going to eat in a lot, book a place with a view, terrace, garden or balcony.

Take it in turns to plan treats

Little extras, such as spa treatments or ordering breakfast in bed, can quickly add up. So take it in turns to do them yourselves – one morning, one of you might nip to the patisserie to bring back brioche; the next, the other could offer a back massage. One day, one of you takes charge of booking dinner; the next, the other leads a mystery walking tour. It keeps the trip full of (cheap) surprises.

Think beyond the norm

Don’t just consider hotels – a house-swap could net you an hip apartment or beach hut for nowt but the airfare. Register (for a fee) on a website such as lovehomeswap.com to find options worldwide. Note, swaps don’t have to be simultaneous, giving you flexibility. Not ready to rent out your own home? You can still stay in other people’s: check out rental sites such as airbnb.com (www.airbnb.com/) and housetrip.com (www.housetrip.com/); rates often work out 20-30% cheaper than hotels, and properties may come with more personal touches such as access to a great DVD collection or the owner’s bikes.

Pack a ‘honeymoon kit’

Picnic by Chloe Lim. Creative Commons Attribution Licence

Before the trip, put together a package of ‘instant romance’ items for your partner. This might include: a slushy music compilation (and cheap travel speakers); a star chart for your destination; a thin check cloth (so picnics are always an option); matches and tealights; plastic folders (for memorable tickets and oddments); a full hip flask (for when you need to toast the wilderness).

Mexico's Mazatlan is getting its mojo back

By Anne Z. Cooke and Steve HaggertyMcClatchy-Tribune News Service

7:20 a.m. CDT, June 10, 2013

MAZATLAN, Mexico The atmosphere in the Plaza de Toros, hot in the afternoon sun, crackled like popcorn, leaving visitors wondering just how long the crowd, growing larger by the minute, would sit patiently and wait. But as late arrivals searched for the last free seats, their concerns melted away.

Suntanned cowboys in big-brimmed hats spotted distant friends and waved. Vendors selling beer worked the aisles and ladies spread sunscreen on their children. Clean-shaven men, eyes hidden behind black Ray-bans, shook hands and strangers compared notes on the afternoon's event, the Carnaval Week bull fight.

 

Weekly bull fights, a winter sport here in Mazatlan, on Mexico's Pacific Coast, run from Christmas through April. But the bull fight held during Carnaval, featuring world-famous "rejoneador," Pablo Hermosa de Mendoza, is the spectacle that packs the arena. Challenging the bull, the charismatic Hermosa and his horse he travels with six trained Lusitanos are super stars, leaping, dancing, and spinning, melding the crowd into a cheering, gasping, groaning, clapping, handkerchief-waving mass.

While we waited for the first bull to enter the ring, I overhead a conversation behind me, a couple discussing their new house on the hill overlooking the beach. Another family moving to Mexico, I wondered? Immigrants heading south, instead of Mexicans coming north?

A favored beach retreat since the 1940s, Mazatlan has been shunned lately, tarred by the same brush that paints the country as crime-ridden and unsafe. But this couple seemed to be ignoring conventional wisdom. Why? I wondered.

"Are you living here permanently?" I asked, turning around to introduce myself. "Maybe you've met my friends. They live in that neighborhood, too, up on the hill."

"Vacation for now, but permanently soon," said Edward Klop, a company owner from British Columbia, smiling and leaning over to shake hands. "Why? Because people here are so decent. Look at this crowd. I've never seen so much beer drunk by so many people who are so good natured," he said. "You don't find that very often. You've heard of the Vancouver riot, after the Stanley Cup match? People got drunk, turned over cars, broke store windows, looted merchandise. That doesn't happen here."

"Mexicans are family people," added Yvonne Klop. "They take their kids when they go out to eat or to a concert. The kind of restaurants we'd like to eat at in Vancouver, or San Francisco or New York, don't allow kids. If there's a bar or they serve alcohol, it's illegal."

Right about then, the crowd broke into cheers and Hermosa cantered into the ring mounted on a white Lusitano stallion. Whether you condone bullfighting, it's impossible not to watch Hermosa as he gets down to business, teasing the bull until it charges, then wheeling away, leaning and turning, whirling and circling the ring with the bull in hot pursuit, staying just inches away from the bull's horns. At the conclusion, Hermosa took a victory lap and the ladies tossed red roses. The fight committee awarded prizes and the crowd collected their things and filed peaceably away to the parking lot.

The Klops, when they do move, won't be outliers, but part of a settled expat community, people that bring time, energy and expertise to the town. "There are more than 10,000 Americans and Canadians in Mazatlan," said Francisco (Frank) Cordova, secretary of tourism for Sinaloa, speaking by phone from a meeting in Miami. "They rent apartments and some even own houses. Now, if it wasn't safe, why would they be here?"

Drug cartel murders are a fact, he conceded. They are, he said, the federal government's most pressing internal security issue. But most violence occurs far beyond the Golden Zone (the town's designated tourism area), in the mountains or along the U.S. border.

"There isn't any crime in the Golden Zone, not that we've heard about," agreed Paul Petty, a 12-year resident. "Nothing violent, no drive-bys, no school shootings like we had at home. We feel a lot safer than we did when we lived in Los Angeles."

It could be the bounce-back effect, but 2013 is shaping up as the town's best year in a decade. According to Carlos Berdegue, President and CEO of Mazatlan's four El Cid hotels, $6 million has been allocated for tourism from the U.S. and Canada, a promotion that's already filling the town's 12,000 beds. "Our group and convention programs have been very successful, the cruise lines are returning and the airlines are looking at creating more capacity," he said.

The cruise industry, often the first to fold up and run when bad news hits the wires, agrees. After pulling out abruptly 18 months ago, Holland America and Norwegian Cruise Lines are returning to Mazatlan, adding 10 port stops to their Mexican Riviera route this year (in November and December) and 35 more during the 2014 season.

"We'll be ready for them," said Cordova. "I've got a tourism budget of 400 million pesos (U.S. $32,541,000), half for the new cruise port and the rest for restoration and improvements in the historic city center."

The cruise port and passenger terminal, a contemporary stunner designed for comfort and for passenger security has docking room for eight large passenger ships at once. Adjacent tour bus parking will allow passengers taking shore tours to board the buses without much walking. Travelers who'd rather stay on the ship or at the port will have shops, a restaurant, a tourist information center, and gift stores to explore.

Shore tours in Third World ports, often the bete noir of cruise passengers, haven't been forgotten. "Funds are set aside to train tour guides to make sure every tour is unforgettable," said Cordova. Cognizant of first impressions matter, the adjoining neighborhood has also gotten a facelift. Seedy shacks are gone, cracked stucco was painted and vacant lots turned into gardens. "They've spent $3 million restoring the colonial buildings on the corridor between the port and the historic district," said Berdegue.

Shore tours will visit several nearby 16th and 17th century-era villages, and the ancient pictographs on the shoreline. But visitors who opt for a stroll through the historic center's narrow streets and shaded plazas, dating to 1837, won't be sorry. It was these plazas where the first colonists gathered and where much of the time's social and civic life played out. Still popular gathering places, this is where people meet to walk, talk, work, eat out or sit and watch the world go by. Wander around and you'll find the Plaza Machado, the Cathedral, the elegantly restored Angel Peralta Opera House and the art museum.

The Central Market, humming from early morning to late afternoon, is where housewives shop for food, teenagers for cheap purses and jewelry and travelers take photos. Covering a city block, the two-story iron structure (think late Victorian), houses hundreds of stalls selling fruits of every color and shape, vegetables, nuts, bread, tortillas, cheeses, woven hats, souvenirs, fish, shrimp, chickens (whole and butchered), pigs (everything but the squeal), beef ribs, cakes, pies, cookies, puddings and candy, not to mention soap, brooms, buckets and dish towels.

If the past is prologue, the outcome is already written. Some cruise passengers will make a beeline for the beach, sample real Mexican cuisine at Pancho's and take the sightseeing boat to Deer Island. On the second trip they'll dine by candlelight at Pedro & Lola's, sit on the Plaza Machado, meet expats from home and play golf. On the third visit, they'll check out the bullfights.

After that, who knows?

Tips to Take Good Vacation Pictures

haciendatresrios.com

Your vacation is your special time with your family and/or friends. This time is precious, and in addition, it cost you a lot of money! Have you ever gotten home from a trip and realized most of your pictures weren’t very good? Are they out of focus, taken from too far away, too dark? Well before your next trip, study these tips from the experts, Kodak, and then practice a bit before you head for Cancun, the Riviera Maya, or Playa del Carmen!

1. Get down on your subject’s level. Especially with kids and pets.
2. Use a plain background. This will emphasize the subject.
3. Use flash outdoors. Use it in bright light to lighten shadows and on cloudy days to brighten up faces.
4. Move in close. Fill your picture with the subject.
5. Take some vertical pictures. Many subjects look better in a vertical picture.
6. Lock the focus. Press the shutter button halfway down, re-frame your picture, then push it down all the way.
7. Move it from the middle. Bring your picture to life by simply placing your subject off-center.
8. Know your flashes range. Pictures taken beyond the maximum will be too dark.
9. Watch the light. Study the effects of light in your pictures.
10. Be a picture director. Add some props, rearrange your subjects or try a different viewpoint.

Don’t want to worry about taking pictures on vacation? Zoom Photoshop in Hacienda Tres Rios can help you. They will take the pictures for you. Then you can choose only the ones you want and create a custom package.

A special thanks to Nicolas Karim, Dtroyka, MrsSavannah, cpliler Flickr for the photos.

Mexico Tries To Capitalize On Xi Jinping's Visit To Lure Chinese Tourists

Published June 08, 2013

Fox News Latino

Mexico To Chinese Tourists: Visit Us!

 

 

 

Mexico is trying to capitalize on the Chinese president's visit to spark a mass influx of tourists from China, the world's largest tourism spender.

Mexico is learning to say “Bienvenidos” in Chinese.

The country wants to capitalize on the recent visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to try and lure Chinese tourists to visit their country.

Xi, who visited the famous Chichen Itzá in Mexico, appeared to be doing a photo op to spark a mass influx of tourists from China, the world's largest tourism spender.

But officials and industry insiders said it's still a long way before Chinese vacationers begin flocking to Mexico.

"What you have to do is to make the process quick. That's what countries that have been successful in attracting Chinese tourists have done. Mexico doesn't have it yet."

- Jorge Guajardo, the former Mexican ambassador to China
 

Xi and Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto toured archaeological site in Yucatan and spoke about expanding their commercial ties.

The Chinese leader said he trusts that some of the 400 million Chinese tourists who will travel abroad in the next five years will find Mexico's ancient ruins and resort cities alluring.

Xi's three-day stay in Mexico has been used to pump for an increase in Chinese visitors. On Tuesday, Mexico boasted of a 35 percent increase in Chinese tourists in the first four months of the year. On Thursday, the Tourism Department said it wants to increase flights from China and put up more Mandarin signs in key areas, hoping to make China the No. 1 source of Asian travelers to Mexico.

Tourism is one of Mexico's biggest industries, last year drawing 23 million foreign tourists who spent about $12.7 billion.

However, travel insiders and government officials said Mexico is not close to exploiting China's fast rise as a source of tourists. The World Tourism Organization says China is the largest supplier of tourists around the world, its travelers spending a total of $102 billion in 2012. Other countries have expanded their consular offices and flights to welcome Chinese visitors, but not Mexico.

Just under 50,000 Chinese visited Mexico last year. Ten times that number of U.S. citizens visit Mexico each month.

Jorge Guajardo, who left his post as Mexican ambassador to China on Sunday, said Mexico doesn't have the facilities or staff in China to issue the increasing number of visas needed to boost tourism.

"What you have to do is to make the process quick. That's what countries that have been successful in attracting Chinese tourists have done. Mexico doesn't have it yet," he said.

Guajardo said Mexico's consular office in Beijing potentially serves up to 400 million people, but it has only two people issuing visas.

"If we want to capitalize on this opportunity, we have to expand our consular sections," he said.

He also said more flights are needed to connect the two countries. Right now, Chinese travelers can only fly from Shanghai to Mexico City on Thursdays and Sundays.

Jorge Hernandez, president of Mexico's association of tourism and travel agents, said there is a dire need for Mexican tour guides who speak Mandarin and for Chinese signs in airports, hotels and restaurants.

"They are very devoted to their traditions, their language," he said. "Whoever is not working on making these tourists feel welcome won't enjoy the benefits."