Info on Mexico?

Hi,

I'm going to be travelling to Mexico to visit a friend in the new year, and I was wondering if anyone knew of a good website or something that would provide me with some information on what sites to visit, what places to avoid, and any other information about preparing for my trip. I'll only be staying 10-14 days, but I'd like to do as much as possible.
If anybody has any knowledge to pass on, I'd greatly appreciate it.

Thanks,

Columbo

 

AcaCandy should see this post shortly and should have all sorts of info for ya!

 

Hi Columbo,

What parts of Mexico are you planning on visiting? Are you flying? Driving?

 

Hey Aca,

Thanks for responding!

I don't know the name of the city yet, (my friend is going there as part of a university exchange program or something). I would be flying down, probably in late Jan. or early Feb.
If you could just give me some general information or tips, that'd be great. I know not to drink the water or anything, it's just that I know that I won't be staying in a resort or anything, so I want to prepare myself as best I can.
I'll find out where my friend will be staying, so that I can post back with more info later.

Thanks again,

Columbo

 

<img src="http://forums.techguy.org/attachment.php?s=&postid=286046">

 

Hey--I blew that picture up and the one in the front looks familiar.

<img src="http://forums.techguy.org/attachment.php?postid=286723">

 

Yeah... she does look ofly familiar... you better watch out columbo!...

 

When I was on vacation in Mazatlan, Mexico a long time ago, I stopped in a local bar and grill (Sr. Frogs) to have a beer. The waiter served me the beer in a mug. Well, about half way through the beer, a big piece of ice came floating to the top. They apparently freeze the glass with a little water in the bottom. You can well imagine that that piece of ice was made from contaminated water. Needless to say, I became very sick that night and thought I was going to die. I was throwing up from both ends at the same time. A friend gave me some lomotil, a local medicine to help overcome diarrhea but it didn't work too well. I recovered after about 3 days. So, the moral to my story is to not accept any drinks in Mexico that contain ice. Be careful. PS...... The beer was delicious

 

While waiting for Columbo to post back more specifics, I'll add this:

The tourist resort areas (bars and restaurants) are safe to eat and drink in. They use purified water for drinking purposes, or you can get bottled water and they also use purified ice in their drinks. I always wipe the tops of cans or bottles as sometimes they are cooled by large blocks of ice that aren't necessarily purified and have never had any problems. Now, the street vendors, that's a different story, although I have been known to grab a hot dog or two from those cute little cart vendors, I make my choice based on the number of 'locals' eating from the same area......they wouldn't want to 'kill' off their own, now would they? Not good for repeat business.

If the hotels have purified water running from the tap, there will be signs stating so. If not, there is usually a covered jar of water placed in the bathrooms.

But along those same lines, I think I remember a time or two getting sick after eating in US restaurants......

 

I highly recommend the book "The People's Guide to Mexico" by Carl Franz (if you can still get it - it is an old book, but still good).

 

AcaCandy........ Touché! Actually, I have been sick after eating in USA restaurants too. But at Sr. Frogs, I didn't eat anything. Just a beer and I didn't eat nor drink anything the rest of that day. Just a fluke of my luck I suppose.

 

Yikes!

Thanks for the horror stories guys. Lets see, I'll either get shot by the local female firing squad (apparently led by AcaCandy herself) or possibly I'll "throw up from both ends at the same time".
Jeez, now I'm really looking forward to my vacation
(Maybe I'll just go to my local mexican restaurant instead).

All kidding aside, thanks to everybody for the warnings and suggestions, and I'll definitely pick up that book DN, thanks.

Don't they have Pepto Bismol in Mexico?

I'll come looking for you guys once I have more specific details and questions.

Thanks again

 

DN, I thought you were going to say "The People's Guide" by Carl Marx

 

That's "Karl" not "Carl".

 

Just testing to see if you're paying attention, Crumb