The longstanding restrictions on foreigners buying property along Mexico’s coast and borders were loosened on Tuesday after Congress’ lower house voted on a proposal that drew stiff criticism from some quarters. The measure, which passed 356-119 in the Chamber of Deputies, still needs approval from the Senate and a majority of the country’s 32 state […]
I have been traveling to Baja for 35 years—it is likely the one place on the planet that has served up some of the best waves of my life. For the last few years Baja has been plagued with negative media and unwelcoming stories. Coyote Adventures, started by Ivan Feerman, was born out of one surfer’s desire to change all that.
Costa Rica is most famous for its lush national parks, evergreen rainforests, white beaches, and thermal springs. The country’s parks draw an average of 300,000 tourists per year, generating approximately $2.1 billion a year that makes up roughly 5 percent of the country’s gross domestic product. Unfortunately, Costa Rica’s parks, jungles, and marshes do not […]
The Drive The drive through Mexico and Central America is a wonderful experience, however, it’s not an adventure for everyone. What type of person would like this sort of trip? First and foremost, you go to like to drive—if the open road turns you on then this is a great trip for you. Even through […]
Thanks to Christi and Crispian for sending in this update on traveling with the pups. Just a note about traveling with dogs, we are on the way back from 5 months in Central America with two very well-behaved dachshunds, and more than 50% of the time, we stayed in hotels. It is hardest in large cities, […]
Today the Wall Street Journal wrote about the escalating violence near the border and now there seems to be all this fear that it will spill over into the US and they (they that are in power) are talking about sending troops to beef up security. I am sure if you are thinking about a […]
Latin American Driving Habits Mexican and Central American drivers make driving in the cities a bit frustrating for visitors from above the border. Obedience to basic traffic laws seems to depend upon if a policeman is watching or not OR if you are a Gringo (haha, really). For example, if you stop for a red […]
By Scott Stewart This week’s Geopolitical Intelligence Report provided a high-level assessment of the economic forces that affect how the Mexican people and the Mexican government view the flow of narcotics through that country. Certainly at that macro level, there is a lot of money flowing into Mexico and a lot of people, from bankers and […]
Brownsville & Valle Hermosa, The Border The roads on the gulf route are not nearly as bad as they used to be. The scenery is varied and beautiful. Depending on what time you cross the border into Mexico through Brownsville, you may choose to either stay in Valle Hermosa (Beautiful Valley) or continue on toward […]
In general border towns are areas that you want to move through very quickly. I recommend NOT sleeping in border towns—choose a location that will get you to the border crossing early enough in the morning to strategically process your paperwork and that allows you ample time for any problems or complications that may arise. […]