The rising number of kidnappings and disappearances throughout Mexico is of particular concern. Both local and expatriate communities have been victimized.  In addition, local police have been implicated in some of these incidents.  We strongly advise you to lower your profile and avoid displaying any evidence of wealth that might draw attention.

Carjacking and highway robbery are serious problems in many parts of the border region and U.S. citizens have been murdered in such incidents.  Most victims who complied with carjackers at these checkpoints have reported that they were not physically harmed.  Incidents have occurred during the day and at night, and carjackers have used a variety of techniques, including bumping/moving vehicles to force them to stop and running vehicles off the road at high speeds.  There are some indications that criminals have particularly targeted newer and larger vehicles, especially dark-colored SUVs.  However, victims driving a variety of vehicles, from late model SUVs to old sedans have also been targeted.  While violent incidents have occurred at all hours of the day and night on both modern toll (“cuotas”) highways and on secondary roads, they have occurred most frequently at night and on isolated roads.  To reduce risk, we strongly urge you to travel between cities throughout Mexico only during daylight hours, to avoid isolated roads, and to use toll roads whenever possible.  The Mexican government has deployed federal police and military personnel throughout the country as part of its efforts to combat the TCOs.  U.S. citizens traveling on Mexican roads and highways may encounter government checkpoints, which are often staffed by military personnel or law enforcement personnel.  TCOs have erected their own unauthorized checkpoints, and killed or abducted motorists who have failed to stop at them.  You should cooperate at all checkpoints.

For more, read this information from the U.S. Department of State regarding:

Travel Warning
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Bureau of Consular Affairs

I didn’t know this, but Groundhog’s Day is also celebrated as Dia de la Candelaria  in Mexico. As here in the States, it signals the mid-point between winter solstice (December 21 or 22) and the spring equinox (March 20 or 21), but it is also a religious  / Christian holiday representing 40 days after the birth of Christ and signaling the end of Christmas (put very, very simply).

 All I know is that I hope the Groundhog does not see his shadow. It hasn’t been a bad winter here in Southern California, but I do prefer longer days and flip flops as opposed to shoes!

Anyway, I will get back to February and try not to think about summer months a-comin’

The gray whales have been parading past our coastline in San Diego for a few weeks now; we don’t even need to leave the shore to view them, they are so near. Trekking to warmer waters to mate and to feed, more than half the gray whale births take place in Laguna Ojo de Libre.

Other  than whale-watching and such, some of you will be interested in the bird migration, art shows, and some will be VERY interested in  ♦♦♦♦♦ hotel-stays for V-day …

For whatever reason, as advised even in Mexico, don’t drive alone, don’t drive at night, don’t drive without a cell phone with international calling, and don’t drive without insurance.

Look at these average temps in February:

Oh yeah, let’s go to Mexico!! Our family has recently discovered San Felipe. I think our dang menfolk are trying to claim it as a “man only” destination (fathers and sons) HOWEVER we womenfolk saw the pics and the amazing home they stayed in on the beach – saw the video of them quadding – and we have some plans of our own. Maybe we will see you there

Mexico Insurance Services is BBB Accredited - Better Business Bureau says: MexInsure.com, Trusted Online Source for Tourist Auto Insurance.

If you go to the site, check out the video – an introduction to the service, and the owner/ President of the company. Also, we wouldn’t hate it if you clicked the “like” button It helps spread the word to your friends and followers … which, after all, is the reason for the blog and Facebook and Twitter and such!

Mexico tourism is picking up – more on that in a future blog – and recently they enacted a new law requiring (rather than suggesting) that everyone have at the very least Liability insurance. Before, it was recommended that you have coverage, because if you were in an accident and couldn’t prove financial responsibility for damages at the time, then your car would be impounded and you could go to jail. Now, even the Mexicans are required to have insurance policies.

It will be slow to implement, slow to enforce, but do not take the chance.

The law is new to Baja. It may take a while for residents and law enforcement to get used to it. The interior of Mexico isn’t enforcing this in the entire Republic, but Baja Norte and Baja Sur are trying to make this a regulation for the safety of all drivers – Mexican and American.

It’s easy to get the insurance, it’s not expensive (in most cases, and considering the alternative) so get your quote, fill out the application, pay with your credit or debit card on the secure site, then print out your policy. Although you don’t necessarily have to print it out – Qualitas has a data base system where they are able to verify electronically that you are insured and what coverage you purchased. However, the claims number is on the policy itself so it is advised that you carry a print with you.

Thank you and Happy New Year!

Marcy

Come West, y’all … we have something for you north and south of the Mexican border.

We have been having phenomenal weather since before Christmas! High’s in the eighties, it feels like summer. The waves on our west-facing beaches have been getting higher than normal waves, and our surfers are quite happy (despite our cold water temps).

I don’t surf, but I plan to go to the beach to “observe” the big waves; maybe catch a bite to eat, look for shells (although I don’t keep them anymore … not sure why I shell hunt )

Everything has been so lovely for so long, I am not sure how I’m going to like have “winter” arrive. I’ve been wearing flip-flops and shorts; we’ve been eating outdoors at the beach cafe, riding bikes, and eating fro-yo. Spring has sprung early. Or so it seems. But I am quite sure you will not be disappointed when you visit southern Cali or Mexico – guess you must visit our breweries, according to The New York Times, and have some mole in Puebla … put those things on your bucket list!

I don’t frequent San Diego’s breweries … too many other things to do that don’t involve calories and if I go to Puebla it won’t be for the mole, but the weather is fine, the whales are calling, our earth hasn’t been shaking, and we haven’t had out-of-control wildfires this year.

I know, I know … Puebla is quite a distance from San Diego… but we were both on that list so I’m “lumping” us together for this one time

When you cross the border in any state, get your insurance, because, remember they have a new 2012 law: Liability is required in Mexico!

OBLIGATORY INSURANCE FOR PERSONAL ACCIDENTS (SOAP)*

S seguros

O obligatoriors

A automobiles

P personal

 Presentar seguro de responsabilidad civil vigente que ampare los conceptos y el monto señalado en el artículo 18 BIS de este ordenamiento:  To present current liability insurance that covers the concepts and the amount specified in Article 18 A of this ordinance

Naturally, for those traveling (especially to Mexico) we hope you never need to use your insurance! We hope you all have no fender-benders, no crashes, no flat tires, no car thefts, no broken windshields, and no need for legal aid or bail money! But get the insurance just in case! Liability is the minimum that covers damages you may cause to another vehicles; complete coverage will cover your auto for collision and total theft, as well as liability. One is required now, the other is recommended for vehicles of higher dollar value.

If you take your tourist auto into Mexico, get insurance here: www.MexInsure.com  

If you are Mexican and need insurance for your Mexican-plated vehicle:  Quálitas Compañía de Seguros, S.A.B. de C.V.

( https://servicios.qualitas.com.mx/tdc/index.jsp )

It is a very new law. There wasn’t preparation before it was inacted. They are still trying to figure out how to implement and enforce; so in the meantime, as before, it is best to cover your own assets and make sure you have your liability and coverage for your own vehicle. For now the law doesn’t much affect our business or your M.O. for driving into Mexico: 1) buy insurance 2) gas up 3) bring a cell phone with international calling service 4) etc.

Whether you are vacationing, working, or living there, we wish you safe travels, and a very HAPPY NEW YEAR!

This event represents Joseph and Mary seeking lodging for the night; the Parrish chooses the house/ family who will eventually “take in” the individuals portraying the two – inside they feast and generally partake in the Novena (a devotion consisting of a prayer repeated on nine successive days). 

Here are some books you might be interested in reading:

Nine Days To Christmas

The Night of Las Posadas 

The Legend of The Poinsettia 

Here’s a random, off-the-wall insert:

Have you ever heard of the Night of the Radishes? Well, they celebrate it every December 23rd in Mexico.

Need to check the weather in Mexico? Go here: http://espanol.weather.com/

December is a very busy month for tourism in Mexico. It’s warm, and the traditions and authentic culture are waiting to be observed, appreciated and partaken!

If you plan to go, get your insurance, take your cell phone with international calling plan,  and maybe a few trinkets to hand out to the local children … that’s always fun, especially this time of year. 

My wish is for there to be no more earthquakes (in Mexico, or anywhere), for there to be no flu or disease outbreaks, no criminal threats, and no need for travel advisories … I want there to be unity and strides toward peace and maturity regarding drug use, domination, and egotism.

I get a little sentimental and perhaps sappy this time o’ year … perdóname por favor. It’s Christmastime for me. ¡Feliz Navidad!

For those of you who do not celebrate Christmas, I hope you’ll filter this post and take away from it: there is history, Mexican culture, and traditions to experience… regardless of religious preference. Also, my pie-in-the sky wish list holds true! Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men (mankind) is pretty much a universal mantra … Mexico can teach us, enlighten us, and entertain us – now, in December, and in 2012 months to come!

¡Viva México!

Wow, just yesterday it was getting dark at 8:30, the a/c was on, shorts and flip flops were worn to the grocery store, and an evening after work at the beach for a jog or bonfire was a common occurrence.

Now it’s dark around 5:00, the heater is on, the sweats and socks are back on, and after work we are stoking the fireplace and contemplating recipes, menus and gift giving lists!

Even for those who aren’t “into” the holidays, times have changed. It happens every year, but still we are shocked by the sun an hour earlier in the morning and forget how to drive home from work in “the dark”, causing traffic to be especially heavy the first few weeks after the time changes. Also, the malls are suddenly active and that increases traffic delays and aggravation.

BUT, we generally don’t lament this too much – as this is a signal that the end of year is nigh … for some of us it means The Holidays are here, for some it means cozy times, fresh start soon, sweater season, ?

Mexican Christmas festivities start on December 12, with the feast of La Guadalupana (Virgin of Guadalupe), and end on January 6, with the Epiphany.

In Mexico the Christmas celebrations have morphed a bit … but there are still the traditionalists. Las Posadas is a nine-day celebration with origins in Spain, now celebrated chiefly in Mexico, Guatemala and parts of the Southwestern United States, beginning December 16 and ending December 24.

The red poinsettia (which the Aztecs called cuetlaxochitl) originated in Mexico and is named after Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first United States ambassador to Mexico (in the 1820s)

However you feel about this time of year, I say:

Nice November, Delightful December, Jolly January, Fun February, Marvelous March, Awesome April, Merry May, Joyful June, Jazzy July, Awesome August, Sweet September, Opulent October… HAPPY NEW YEAR, and Merry Christmas, Feliz Navidad, Happy Holidays, Season’s Greetings!  How do sheep in Mexico say Merry Christmas?

Fleece Navidad!

For those of you who have purchased policies from our site for your weekend in Mexico: Acción de Gracias Feliz – which I believe means Happy Thanksgiving

Drive safely everyone, north or south of the border – I’ll get back to Mexico-related blogs next week.

Until then – THANK YOU FOR YOUR BUSINESS, FOR YOUR INTEREST, AND FOR BEING M’FELLOW AMERICANS ON OUR UNIQUE HOLIDAY!

PCI stands for “The Payment Card Industry”.  The PCI has developed a Data Security Standard as a set of requirements designed to ensure that all companies that process, store or transmit credit card information maintain a strict and secure environment.  Collectively, this may also be known as PCI DSS.

It is extremely important in today’s e-commerce world that you make sure your online purchases are verified as PCI compliant by an industry authority.

All Mexico Insurance Services’ websites are PCI Compliant as verified by Trustwave.

Mexinsurance PCI Compliance