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TRAVEL INFORMATION
ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE INFORMATION
Arrival and Departure Airport: You should arrive at and depart from Ordaz International Airport in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico (PVR). Please plan to arrive by late afternoon on Day 1 for an introduction to our trip leader followed by dinner with the group.
Pick-up & Drop-off Information: We provide complimentary airport pick-ups and drop-offs on the first and last day of the trip. We will be waiting for you with a sign saying 'Access Trips' as you exit customs at Ordaz International Airport. If you would like to be picked up or dropped off on a different day or to somewhere other than the airport, please contact us.
Airlines and Checking Equipment: If you intend to bring your own equipment, please check with your airline regarding policies for checking and transporting sports gear and equipment before you book your flight. This includes inquiring as to weight, charges and liability.
Flights: We do not book flights or insurance for our clients. For recommendations, click here
TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
Travel Insurance: Medical insurance, including emergency evacuation coverage, is compulsory for all our trips. Please do not attend any of our trips without purchasing appropriate insurance coverage and providing the details to Access Trips. We recommend that you purchase travel insurance that includes cancellation protection so that you will be covered in the event that you are unable to attend our trip (due to injury, illness or other unforeseen circumstances). We do not provide travel insurance for our clients. Please contact your local travel agent to purchase travel insurance. Additional details are on our website at: http://www.accesstrips.com/company/insurance/
Passports & Visas: All visitors are required to present a passport for travel in Mexico (with a minimum of 6 months validity). Citizens of some countries will also require a visa. To learn more about visa and entry requirements for Mexico, please check out http://embamex.sre.gob.mx/eua/, or consult your local travel agent. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documentation.
You will obtain and fill out a Tourist Visa on the plane. Be sure to keep the stamped portion, as you will need it when you depart from Mexico.
Age: The minimum age for this trip is 13. The majority of our clients are between the ages of 28 and 50, but we also have many clients who are older and younger than this. Please contact us with any questions.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
Emergency Contact: If you need to contact the Access Trips office in an emergency, you can reach us at the following:
Email: customer_service@accesstrips.com
Mobile: +1 (415) 260-7270
Dialing within North America: 1 (650) 492-4778
Dialing outside of North America: +1 (650) 492-4778
If you do not receive an immediate answer when calling the above numbers, please leave us a detailed message and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Health requirements: Please carefully review the health information section of the following webpage for up-to-date health information, including information on the quality of medical care, the availability of medications and the necessity for vaccinations in Mexico: U.S. Department of State Consular Information Sheet at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_970.html
We strongly recommend that you visit a travel doctor before embarking on international travel. You are responsible for ensuring that you receive any necessary vaccinations before traveling on your trip with us.
Fitness requirements: The majority of our trips are open to people who are beginners in our target sports. Nevertheless, you should have a reasonable level of fitness before attending any of our trips and you should enjoy physical activity and the outdoors. During the majority of our trips you will be able to take a rest if you find that you are over-exerting yourself, but in order to maximize your enjoyment of our tours you should ensure that you are in reasonable shape. We recommend seeing a doctor before participating in any new physical activities.
Safety & Security: To maximize your safety during our tours you should exercise common sense and caution at all times. We recommend that you always stick to set travel arrangements, and avoid unknown areas. We also recommend that you wear minimal jewelry and that you keep valuable items safely stored. Always keep a copy of your passport, airline tickets, traveler's checks and credit card numbers separate from where you keep the originals.
For information on safety and security in Mexico, please review the safety and security section of the following webpage, U.S. Department of State Consular Information Sheet for Mexico: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_970.html
Mosquitoes: To cut down the number of mosquitoes in Sayulita, avoid standing water, especially at dusk, which is the worst time for getting bitten. Other precautions include wearing long pants, long-sleeved tops, or using an anti-bug cream or spray.
Drinking Water: It's best not to drink the water in Mexico, so be prepared to buy bottled drinking water which is available most everywhere.
Climate, Electricity, Currency & Banking
Climate: Sayulita's location on the Central Pacific coast of Mexico, hemmed by jungle covered mountains, gives it a sub-tropical climate with only two seasons: fairly warm and dry winters (Nov to May) and hot, semi-humid wet summers (June to Oct). The Nayarit region averages 345 days of sunshine and 60 inches of rain a year. Winter temperatures average 80F (26C) during the day and 64F (17C) during the evening.
Electricity: Mexico uses standard 120-volt/60-cycle current, the same as the US and Canada, so adapters are not needed if traveling from North America.
Currency & Banking: Mexico's currency is the peso. U.S. and Canadian dollars (not traveler's checks) are accepted at most stores and restaurants in Sayulita, but you will get better exchange rates from ATMs and at exchange bureaus ("Casa de Cambios"). Sayulita does not have bank, but there are three ATM cash machines in the village that charge roughly $4-$5(plus any international bank fees). Please note that during peak season, one or more of these ATM's may run out of money.
You may not need as many pesos as you think. Your hotel will keep a tab that you will pay as you leave. However, we recommend exchanging a small amount of USD (~$80) at the airport, just to get you started.
Note: Travelers checks are not commonly used.
For the latest currency exchange information please go to: http://finance.yahoo.com/currency
WHAT TO TAKE
Surfboard
Surfboard: Surf board and leash rental are included in the trip price. However, you are welcome to bring your own if you prefer.
If you intend to bring your surfboard, please check with your airline regarding policies for checking and transporting sports gear and equipment before you book your flight. This includes inquiring as to weight, charges, and liabilities.
Clothing Norms: Life in Mexico is very casual and the weather is usually warm, so beach wear, casual resort wear, and flip-flops or sandals are perfect during the daytime. Bring a pair of lightweight pants and a sweater or jacket as the evenings can sometimes get cool. We may also suggest that you pack a pair of tennis shoes or comfortable walking shoes for walking on the cobblestone streets.
Clothing & Equipment
* Surf board & leash (if you decide to bring your own)
* Rash guard (you can buy one from any surf retailer)
* Board shorts
* Reef booties
* Toiletries
* Money belt
* Sunscreen & sunglasses
* Swimsuit
* Mosquito repellant
* First-aid kit containing lip balm, aspirin, band aids, cream for sore muscles (e.g. deep heat), extra prescription drugs you may be taking
* Casual summer clothing
* Sweatshirt
* Comfortable walking shoes
* Small daypack
Documents & Money
* Passport (with photocopies)
* Travel insurance (with photocopies)
* Airline tickets (with photocopies)
* Credit and/or debit card and/or traveler’s checks and/or cash
* Any entry visas or vaccination certificates required
Spending Money
* Meals: All breakfasts, one lunch and two dinners are included. For the lunches and dinners that are not included, you should budget $5-$30 USD per meal, depending on where you eat.
* Other Expenses: There are no required additional expenses for this trip, but you might like to take spending money for such things as souvenir shopping, drinks and Internet cafes.
* Tipping: For taxi rides, 10-20% of the fare (in pesos) is the suggested tip amount. For someone who carries your bags to your room or from your hotel to a taxi, $10-$20 pesos per article of luggage would be appropriate. In restaurants, 10-15% of the bill (in pesos) is usually applied to the check. Please check your bill before tipping!
Discretionary tips to your tour staff for good service are much appreciated. For your yoga instructor, USD $20 per guest is recommended for the week. For your surf instructor and trip leader, USD $40-$100 per guest is recommended for the week.
USEFUL LINKS
Country Information: For additional information about traveling in Mexico, check out U.S. Department of State Consular Information Sheet: Mexico.
Currency Exchange: The currency in Mexico is the Mexican Peso (MXN). For the latest currency exchange information: http://finance.yahoo.com/currency
FINAL NOTE
The information contained in this document is provided in good faith. Due to the nature of travel, details in this document may change. You should thus use the above information as an indication only and not as a contractual obligation on the part of Access Trips, Ltd. |
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