ATTORNEYS AT LAW FOR MEXICO Please contact us at our Mexico offices located at: Apartado Postal No. 9 San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico U.S. TEL: (800) 856-5709 Local Phone & Fax: (415) 152-3648 E-MAIL

For professional assistance & information on legal & business matters regarding Mexico and Latin America, please contact: E-MAIL

BUSINESS CONSULTANTS FOR MEXICO REAL ESTATE BROKERAGE ASSISTANCE FOR MEXICO At our Phoenix or Mexico Offices Tel: (623) 242-7442 Fax: (623) 242-7443 P.O. Box 42773 Phoenix, Arizona 85080 E-MAIL

TOURISM

MENUS: ( A. & B. ) & Tourism in General

A. TOURISM IN MEXICO and more

Choose One (on this webpage):

Bus Lines in Mexico , Diving in Mexico , Environmentally Oriented Travels in Mexico , Oaxaca Community Based Tourism and Tours , Tourism Offices of Mexico in the U.S. ( in Canada ) , Tourism Websites for Mexico , Sports Fishing in Mexico , Traveling to Mexico by Car

(See Spanish, Learn It )
(See My Favorite Places in Mexico elsewhere on this website.)
See States of Mexico elsewhere on this website for tourism in those states)
(See Transportation elsewhwere on this website)
(see Embassies & Consulates elsewhere on this website)

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B. TOURISM IN OTHER PARTS OF LATIN AMERICA

Chile , Consulates of the World (Including Latin America) in the U.S. (Look for tourism references on these sites) , Browsers of the Several Latin American Countries

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Tourism in Other Parts of Latin America

General Touristic Information

MEXICO

Bus Lines In Mexico (Contributing Author of this Section - Gabriel Alejandro Martínez Ramírez). We express our thanks to him.

According to the Iberoamerican Business Information and Documentation Center in 1994 there were 841 Mexican bus lines, with 43,850 buses lodged in 123 bus stations. The more important lines are the ones that have a big route, many buses and various kinds of services as: executive class, luxe class, first class, second class and ordinary class (There are not third class or fourth class).   The most important companies are 4:  

Grupo Estrella Blanca.- This company owns more than 30 bus lines in 27
states:
Executive class: Turistar Ejecutivo
First class: Estrella Blanca, Autobuses Expreso Futura, Autobuses Americanos, Autobuses Crucero, Transportes Chihuahuenses, Transportes del Norte, Transportes Cuauhtémoc, Expresso Iguala Chilpancingo, Cuernavaca Ecológico, Autobuses Aguila, Autobuses Blancos Saltillo Torreón, Elite, Autotransportes de la Baja California, Omnibus de Oriente, Transportes Guadalajara Tepatitlán, Línea Azul, Transportes Huastecos.
Second class: Autobuses Blancos Coordinados, Camiones de los Altos, Transportes Frontera, PerZona, Trasnportes de Guadalupe, Transportes Chihuahua Madera, Flecha Roja del Sur, Transportes Gacela, Estrella Roja del Sur, Transportes Norte de Sonora, Autotransportes Transpacífico, Transportes Caballero Azteca, Autotransportes Aguila.  

Grupo ADO.- This company owns 25 lines in the mexican southeast:
Exeutive class: UNO serviconfort
Luxe class: ADO GL, Cristobal Colón Plus, Maya de Oro
First class: Autobuses De Oriente ADO, Super Expresso, Premier, Expresso, Transportes de Lujo Linea Dorada, Cristobal Colón, Altos.
Second class: Autobuses Unidos AU, Transportes Regionales de Veracruz TRV, Línea Vía, Autotransportes de la Cuenca del Papaloapan, Valles, Transportes Regionales de Tabasco TRT, Transportes Región Peninsular TRP, Autotransportes del Sur ATS, Autotransportes Peninsulares ATP, Autotransportes de Oriente AO, Mayab, Autobuses del Sur, Rápidos del Sur, Volcanes.  

Grupo Flecha Amarilla.- With 36 lines in the center and north of Mexico:
Executive class: Enlaces Terrestres Nacionales ETN
Luxe class: Primera Plus, Primera AeroPlus, Destinos Parhíkuni Plus.
First class: Servicios Coordinados, Destinos Parhíkuni, Omnibus de México.
Second class: Autobuses Centrales de México Flecha Amarilla, Omnibus del Bajío, Omnibus del Jorullo, Omnibus San Luis-León, Autobuses de la Piedad, Autotransportes la Alteña, Transportes Cuerámaro, Autobuses Flecha de Oro, Autotransportes Cortazar, Autotransportes La Piedad Cabadas, Unión de Permisionarios Azules y Triángulo, Omnibus Libertadores del Bajío, Transportes Amealcences, Autobuses Purúandiro-Irapuato, Transportes Turísticos Azteca de Oro, Lineas Azteca de Oro,  Autobuses Unidos de Jalisco Costalegre, Autobuses del Sur de Jalisco, Autotransportes Tapalpa, Autobuses de Atoyac, Ciénega de Chapala, Transportes Colimenses, Nuevo Horizonte, Autobuses de la Costa, Sociedad Cooperativa Colima-Tecomán-Cerro de Ortega, Omnibus Flecha Blanca, Autobuses Regionales de Querétaro, Autotransportes Paracho, Soc. Coop. de Carga y Pasaje Cd. Guzmán-Tuxpan-Teclaitlán, S.C.L.  

Grupo Toluca.- This company is present in the center and north of Mexico with the following lines: Executive class: Enlaces Terrestres Nacionales ETN Luxe class: Omnibus Cuauhtémoc Vía Plus, Autobuses de Jalisco La Línea Plus, Destinos Parhíkuni Plus. First class: Pegasso Plus, Satélite, Viajero Plus, Omnibus Cuauhtémoc Vía 2000, Autobuses de Jalisco La Línea, Destinos Parhíkuni, Omnibus de México.
Second class: Autotransportes Herradura de Plata, Horizonte, Mensajero, Viajero, Autobuses de Occidente, Autotransportes de Pasajeros México-Toluca-San Luis Mextepec-Queretaro y anexas Flecha Roja, Autotrasnportes Naucalpan-Toluca, Autotransportes Toluca-Cuatro Caminos, Turismos y Autobuses México-Toluca Triángulo Flecha, Caminante, Autotransportes Tres Estrellas del Centro, Autotransportes Aguila, Autotransportes Azteca Toluca-Ixtlahuaca.
  And there are other companies that have less destinations and buses, but also with good quality and the same services that the big ones. These are: Grupo Estrella de Oro, Grupo Estrella Roja; Grupo Pullman de Morelos, Grupo Senda and Grupo Transpaís  

The bus lines that have an internet address are:   Of Grupo Estrella Blanca:
Autotransportes de la Baja California: http://www.abc.com.mx   Of Grupo ADO:
Autobuses De Oriente ADO y empresas coordinadas:
http://www.adopeninsula.com.mx
ADO GL Camionera del Golfo:
http://www.adogl.com.mx AUTOTUR Rápidos de Zacatlán:
http://www.autotur.com.mx
Línea UNO Omnibus Serdán:
http://www.uno.com.mx
Omnibus Cristobal Colón:
http://www.cristobalcolon.com.mx
Ticketbus: http://www.ticketbus.com.mx
Of Grupo Flecha Amarilla:
Autobuses Centrales de México Flecha Amarilla:
http://www.flecha-amarilla.com
Of Grupo Toluca: TMT-Caminante: http://www.tmt-caminante.com.mx  
And there are the links for the medium companies:
Grupo Estrella de Oro: Estrella de Oro:
http://www.estrelladeoro.com.mx
Grupo Estrella Roja: Autobuses Mexico Puebla Estrella Roja:
http://www.estrellaroja.com.mx
Grupo Pullman de Morelos: Autos Pullman de Morelos:
http://www.inetcorp.net.mx/pullman   Grupo Senda: Senda Autotransporte: http://www.gruposenda.com   Grupo Transpaís: Transpais Autotransportes: http://www.transpais.com.mx
For major information about buses like images, destinations, news and other links go to this page: CYBER-BUS: http://paginas.deagrapa.com.mx/viajes/autobuses  
Others:
Autotur:
http://www.autotur.com.mx
Of Grupo Flecha Amarilla:

Enlaces Terrestres Nacionales ETN:
http://www.etn.com.mx

Sincerly:
Gabriel Alejandro Martínez Ramírez.  

Diving in Mexico

One option is PADI. To find out more about The Professional Association of Diving Instructors and/or PADI Travel Network, point your browser to: http://www.padi.com or http://www.padi.com/ptn

Environmentally Oriented Travels in Mexico.

http://www2.planeta.com/mader/ecotravel/mexico/mexico.html

Listing of Mexico Government Tourism Offices in the U.S.:

While in Mexico 91-800-90392

While in Nevo Leon 91-800-83222. While in Sonora 91-800-62555

Chicago, Illinois - Tel: (312) 606-9215, Fax: (312) 606-9012

Coral Gables (Miama), Florida - Tel: (305) 443-9160, Fax: (305) 443-1186

Houston, Texas - Tel: (713) 629-1611 & 880-5153, Fax: (713) 880-1833

Houston, Texas (Surface Tourism) - Tel: (713) 880-8772, Fax: (713) 880-0286

Lake Buena Vista (Orlando), Tel: (407) 827-5315, Fax: (407) 827-5006

New York, New York - Tel: (212) 755-7261, Fax: (212) 753-2874

Washington, D.C. - Tel: (202) 728-1750, Fax: (202) 728-1758

(Check the Mexican Consulate and Embassy offices for tourism information)

Listing of Mexico Government Tourism Offices in Canada:

Montreal, Quebec - Tel: (514) 871-1052, Fax: (514) 871-3825

Toronto, Ontario - Tel: (416) 925-0704, Fax: (416) 925-6061

Vancouver, British Columbia - Tel: (604) 669-2845, Fax: (604) 669-3498

(Check the Mexican Consulate and Embassy offices for tourism information)

Oaxaca Community Based Tourism and Tours

http://www.umco.org : Community based tourism in Oaxaca, organized by their community museums.

Tourism Websites

http://www.si-mexico.com

http://www.vtourist.com/North_America/Mexico

http://www.wotw.com/mexico

http://mexico-travel.com (Mexico Ministry of Tourism)

http://www1.minn.net/~pegoraro/mexico.htm

http://www.go2mexico.com

http://www.sanborns.com (Sanborns Tours)

http://www.seaportsinfo.com/mexico.html

http://www.travlang.com (Choose the travel portion)

See Places to Visit in Mexico on this Site

Sports Fishing in Mexico

There is sports fishing the full length of both the east coast and west costs of Mexico. Some general rules to remember in Mexico regarding sports fishing:

1. There are permits for the persons that fish as well as for the boat used for fishing. These permits are non-transferable, children 12 and under are not required to have a fishing permit (provided they are fishing with an adult that has a permit) and the permits can be obtained from the sea port captains.

2. All boats in the territorial waters of Mexico are required to pay a permit whether or not it is being used for fishing.

3. Each person aboard a sports fishing boat must have a permit whether they are fishing or not.

4. The owners of boats that are chartered to take persons and fishermen out for sports fishing must have a permit with the boat.

5. It is not permissible to charter boats for sports fishing to those persons that do not have a permit.

6. All sports fishing boats are to maintain the boats clean and clear of waste and not to contaminate the waters.

7. Only 5 kilos of fish per person are permitted to be taken out of the country.

8. Fish caught sports fishing are only for personal consumption and not for barter or to be sold.

9. The limits on the types of fish are:

-- 1 per day for: Marlin, Pez Vela (Sail Fish) , Pez Espada (Sword Fish)
Pez Sierra (Saw Fish).

-- 2 per day for: Sabado , pez Gallo, Dorado, Jurel.

-- 5 per day for: Macarela, Lenguados, Barrilete, Conito, Corvina, Sierra, Robalo, Mojarra, Rayada, Pargo, Chihuil, Cazon.

10. The permits for sports fishing are for: a day (aprox. $6.70 Dls) , a week ( aprox. $17.00 Dls , a month (aprox. $26.00 Dls) , or a year (aprox. $34.00 Dls).

Traveling to Mexico By Car

What do You Need before Leaving Home
1. Vehicle Registration or Title (preferablly title). Bring original and 2 copies.
2. A valid U.S. or Canadian Driver's License (in the same name as the car title).
(if not in the same name, then a notary public certified letter giving authorization
to take the car to Mexico, stating how long the trip will be for)
3. Proof of Citizenship (in the same name as the title and driver's license)
(Passport, original Birth Certificate with raised seal and original certification, or Voter Registration Card or Resident Alien Card)
4. A valid major credit card (like Visa, Mastercard, American Express, etc.) to which the authorities can charge the bond premium (just under $12.00 U.S.) (in the same name as the title, driver's license, proof of citizenship)

What are the Procedures when You Get to the Border
1. Go to the Mexican Customs (ADUANA) Vehicle Control Checkpoint (where the authorities process the crossing of car that will travel into the interior). In some border towns it is right at the border and in others is is 20+ kilometers passed the border. (note: a few require you to get tourist FMT forms issued at the border and then the car papers at kilometer 25!)
2. Fill out the Form: TEMPORARY IMPORT PERMIT (for foreign registry automobile)
3. Fill Out Form: VEHICLE RETURN PROMISE AGREEMENT.
4. Fill Out Form for Immigration (if FMT not already received) (some persons may have an FM3, in which case FMT is not needed)
5. Go to Banjército Window/Desk (Mexican Army Bank) with the 3 forms filled out.
6. Complete Vehicle Security Deposit Procedure (using any of the 3 methods : credit card, bond, bank deposit) (Note: the simplest and least difficult is the credit card)

What Other Information Should You Know about Driving Your Car to Mexico

1. You should have the following documents with you while driving:
Temporary Importation Permit (decal stuck on front windshield and accompanying document)
Vehicle Return Promise Agreement
Tourist FMT form (or possibly FM3 or FmE or other)
Your Driver's License
Your Proof of Citizenship
(NOTE: avoid getting your papers lost or stolen, do not leave them in the car)
2. The car may be driven in Mexico by another foreign (or U.S./Canadian resident) or a Mexican National, provided the spouse, any ascendant or descendent of the permit holder is present in the car.

What are the Procedures for Crossing the Border when You Leave Mexico

1. Go to the Banjercito (Mexican Army Bank) Office (where you got your papers upon entry or where you would have gotten them had you crossed through that border city)
2. Turn in Form: TEMPORARY IMPORT PERMIT and CAR RETURN PROMISE AGREEMENT.
3. Turn in the FMT (Tourist Form) or FME. (If you have an FM3 or other similar keep it)
4. Your car security deposit will be returned to you (if you used a credit card, you just pay the premium when it arrives on you monthly credit card statement)

SPANISH, LEARN IT

http://www.travlang.com/languages/indextext.html (choose Spanish option)

Tourism in Other Parts of Latin America

Chile: http://www.sege.gob.cl/seg_esp/turismo.htm

Look for references to tourism on the websites of the Consulates of the World (Including Latin America, in the U.S.) (partial listing) http://www.webofculture.com/refs/consulates.html

Also See the browsers of the several Countries of Latin America listed elsewhere on this website.

General Touristic Information:

World Travel Guide (by Columbus Press Ltd.)

Lonely Planet Destinations (by Lonely Planet Publications)

Atevo Travel Destinations (by Atevo, Inc)