Travel Tips

• After going through customs, speak to sales people, only if you want to buy a condo
• Put your passport, extra cash and tourist card in the safety deposit box at your hotel
• Best exchange rate is at the local ATM
• Avoid taking too much sun the first two days, best 8-11 am and 2-6 pm, not mid day
• Eating at taco and fruit stands, we’ve never experienced Montezuma’s Revenge
• If you have an AT&T cell phone, they provide free unlimited calling to and from Mexico
• Nicknames are very common in Mexico, ask if they have one “Tiene un apodo?”
• Having the same name of a person like “Mary & Maria” is called tocaya, for men “John & Juan” is called tocayo
• Crossing any street, Look Both Ways, even on one way streets
• Have a good meal before any long bus ride or boat trip, it prevents motion sickness
• When traveling by car or bus take a roll of toilet paper, you never know when you might need it

• If you want the check, just say “La Cuenta, por favor“
• Usually they only bring you the check when you ask for it
• If you want to leave a tip, it’s best to leave cash in PESOS not US dollars
• If you like Cabernet Sauvignon, I’d suggest buying or ordering RESERVADO 2019 from Chile
• If you’d like some lemon for your seafood, ask for limon pronounced “Leemon” por favor, it will be a lime not the yellow lemon that you see back home
• If you buy beans in bulk to cook yourself, chew them slowly since on occasion you might find a stone.

• If you are a light sleeper, ask for a quiet room away from the street and families
• In Mexico and other Latin countries small hotels are called Posadas
• When you see netting above the bed, use it, it’s not for decoration
• If your traveling independently, pay one day at a time in case you get inspired to move on
• If your pillow is too hard or soft, roll up a towel, then put it in the pillow slip to adjust the height and softness as you like

• Anytime you’re inland or near vegetation, wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts to protect you from the local gnats commonly called No Seeums
• Leave your fine jewelry and watches at home
• In small towns, if you’d like to blend in, men should wear long pants

• Always settle on the price before getting in, ask a local or front deck what it costs
• Use small bills to pay. NEVER a $500 peso bill
• If the driver offers to wait or return for you, make sure you settle on the price
• Most cab drivers speak a little English, so asking their name, nickname or apodo, and where they’re from shows them your interested in them and Mexico
• Drivers are very accommodating, they will gladly adjust the music or A/C.
• Official taxis (sedans) are always yellow and only take up to four passengers, it’s the law
• If you’re a group of five or more, they’ll call for a larger taxi or van taxi

• When renting a car, it is required to take Mexican insurance
• The flashing green light appears just before the red light comes on
• To make a left turn, on the road from Old Puerto Vallarta to the airport, go to the right lane and wait for the green left turn signal
• When you see the word “Tope” on a road sign, it indicates a speed bump ahead
• Never drive at night, animals love to cross roads after dark
• If you have to drive at night, make sure to follow a car with brake lights to give you advance warning of up-coming obstacles and Topes, “the silent police bumps” in the road
• When traveling by car or bus take a roll of toilet paper, you never know when you might need it

• You can’t choose who is going to stop, but you can choose not to get in
  • The smell of alcohol is a clue
  • The only danger we’ve encountered in our hitching for 10 years, was climbing into the back of pickups
• Hitching as a couple works best
• Hitch from a place where it is safe for them to pull over, that’s obvious
• Take your sunglasses off and make eye contact
  • Smile even if they pass you by
  • People have often turned around to pick us up
• When the driver asks “Where are you going?”
  • It’s best to say ”Wherever you are going” or the name of the town you’d like to go to.
  • That guarantees you a ride to that town and further depending on the driver’s destination
• The person who speaks the best Spanish should sit next to the driver to converse
• It is not unusual to get rides from women and families

• Every town has drop-off laundry services, they charge by the load or weight.
• Average cost is about $3 to $4 US for washing, drying, and folding
• Your laundry will usually be ready the same day if you deliver it before 12 noon
• To avoid any inconvenience, make sure you know the days and hours of operation
• If you are sensitive to chemicals, request organic soap or bring your own

If traveling to San Sebastian, Mascota or Talpa:

Just before you cross the long Main Bridge before La Estancia, stop at Panadoria Carmen’s Bakery.

Their relaxed garden atmosphere is just a few feet from a spectacular bridge.

They are open 7 am – 3 pm weekdays (closed on Tuesdays). On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday 6 am – noon.

If you have a group, best to call ahead to order your muffins, since they often sell out. Ask for Carmen or Jesus. Call 322-132-0620.