Going to Mexico.. What to take?

[nightfly]

I wouldn't carry a Billingham anywhere personally since they sorta scream "expensive stuff in here" but if you're not going to take your "good" camera with you traveling, what's the point of having it?

Mexico City is supposed to somewhat dangerous (kidnapping etc.) but outside of there the smaller towns should be fine. Probably a little knowledge and walking like you know what you're doing is better protection than anything else.

The one time I've gotten robbed in a foreign country, I had just gotten off a bus in Peru and had a 7 and a half foot surfboard bag over my shoulder and was staring at a map and generally looking clueless. Some guy ran by and swiped my watch right off my wrist before I knew what happened. Not a big deal but made me a little more cautious and self aware.

I would think that almost anywhere you go there will be someone with a giant DSLR hanging off a fat strap with NIKON or CANON embossed in huge letters who will make a better target than you will with a discrete rangefinder in hand.

But if fear is going to get in the way of your enjoyment for whatever reason, leave your camera at home.

 

[dll927]

Maybe I owe a reply about what I said before.

My only extensive trip in Mexico was to Mazatlan for a few days -- in 1961. So I cannot claim to have a lot of personal experience. When I lived in L.A., I used to journey down to TJ once in a while, but that's not necessarily a typical city.

I fully agree that the people are not necessarily the government, and it's the latter that I was referring to before. And yes, I realize that it's a rather poor country. But is it OUR responsibility to serve as their pressure release?

To turn the tables a bit, I feel that one of the worst aspects of U.S. foreign policy is this persistent attitude that we will get along only so long as everybody else allows the U. S. to tell them how to run their show. It's no wonder that so many other countries resent the way we treat them. Nobody appointed the U. S. to be the watchdog of the rest of the world. But on the other hand, nobody said we have to shoulder their bills, either.

I taught for 32 years at a jr. high in East L.A - which is pretty much the Latino part of town. I often had people ask me how I survived - as if it meant nothing but crime and trouble. BS!! It may not be the 'silk stocking' part of L.A., but it's not all that bad, either. Now, if somebody (not necessarily the current mayor!!) could straighten out that loveable (?) school district, they should be considered a candidate for some kind of Nobel Prize.

Like any country, Mexico has its attractions, and I'm not diminishing them.

 

[bob cole]

Going to Mexico.. What to take?

I, too, have lived a long time in Mexico [the capital] and never, ever had any difficulty or trouble with anyone seeking a bribe...Film is easy to find and I'm sure it's easier to get processed nowadays...

As others have said, many Mexicans are poor and you must use every precaution to protect your belongings, even in a decent hotel...

My luggage was opened with a screwdriver in a downtown Mexico City hotel == no longer there -- and management showed no interest in helping me... So don't lock your luggage [in the hotel] if you don't want it damaged and don't leave valuables there when you're out...

As for what to take, I'd suggest, in addition to your camera stuff, a little Kaopectate for diarrhea that tourists get, regardless of how careful they are.

Don't take any guns; the cops look for them if you drive across the border

If this is your first trip, remember -- always -- to agree on a price before taking a taxi...Silver dealers [except in some stores] always ask much more than they expect to get, so bargain...they expect it...Exchange your dollars at a bank rather than with a money changer. Don't eat coconut on the street; sellers keep it wet with unfiltered water...

Be sure to visit the Monte de Piedad [the Government pawn shop]. You may find a Leica or other great camera, but they know what they have...

 

[plummerl]

I have a friend, also traveling to Mexico, who said to me that he found out he could only take a single camera. I found this hard to believe, but in looking at various sources, found that it is stated as such:

Tourists are allowed to bring in personal effects duty-free. According to Mexican customs regulations, in addition to clothing, personal effects may include one camera, one video cassette player, one personal computer, one CD player, 5 DVDs, 20 music CDs or audio cassettes, 12 rolls of unused film, and one mobile phone.

This was cut from the US gov. site: http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/regional/regional_1174.html, but I also found the same listings in Mexican government sites. I still find this hard to believe. Has anyone stumbled on this before or encountered it? I have not been there before, but I would be hard pressed to meet those requirements!

 

[ibcrewin]

I have a friend, also traveling to Mexico, who said to me that he found out he could only take a single camera. I found this hard to believe, but in looking at various sources, found that it is stated as such:

Tourists are allowed to bring in personal effects duty-free. According to Mexican customs regulations, in addition to clothing, personal effects may include one camera, one video cassette player, one personal computer, one CD player, 5 DVDs, 20 music CDs or audio cassettes, 12 rolls of unused film, and one mobile phone.

This was cut from the US gov. site: http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/regional/regional_1174.html, but I also found the same listings in Mexican government sites. I still find this hard to believe. Has anyone stumbled on this before or encountered it? I have not been there before, but I would be hard pressed to meet those requirements!

Whoaa,, get outta town! Hopefully, it's per person. This way I can get away with 3.

 

[reagan]

"... a single camera." I had read that before as well, though I personally have never had any trouble crossing the border with more than one + lenses + film. (I wasn't aware of it at the time I lived there. duh.) Nor have I heard of anyone else having that trouble. But, if that's law (and it probably is) THAT'S WHAT IT SAYS and they could enforce at anytime they wish.

Many laws of this sort are in place to *regulate* what is brought across the border for resale in Mexico. This is just a guess, but it's likely that a couple of cameras + lenses in a small camera bag with film and other gear would probably go unnoticed. OTOH, 12 digicams in their original boxes would raise some flags. I would advise, take no chances... abide by the law (and buy another camera when you get there 😉 ) And yeah, ask beforehand. I'm sure "1 per person" is the intent.

If you want some shots of everyday life, another great photo-op is the weekly "farmer's market" held in numerous neighborhoods of every city, town, village... different neighborhoods on different days. Can't remember how to spell it - sorry - but it's called something like "tienges" ... maybe someone will correct me. Anyway, they're held in the mornings in a park or they block off a steet for several blocks, and there are lots and lots of all kinds of people. Ask a waitress or hotel clerk and you'll probably find one within walking distance of where you're staying. You might also ask if there are any local parades scheduled while you're there. They're very colorful with some great costumes and decoration.

Wish I were going along. Have fun!

 

[tedwhite]

That's probably the case if you are flying in. Driving in, as I do, seems quite different. When they ask - if they even ask - what's in the bag? I say cameras, I'm a photographer. They say, have a nice trip.

Ted

 

[Ronald M]

Out of major tourist areas the place is full of thieves of one sort or another.

When fellow employees went on company business, highway signs were posted falsely directing you off the highway to the "airport" When you got to a less populated area, you were stopped and robbed.

Be very careful, don`t drive and don`t brush your teeth with the water.

Keep in mind Mexico is third world outside major population centers and tourist areas like Accopulco.
'

 

[CorreCaminos]

Out of major tourist areas the place is full of thieves of one sort or another.

When fellow employees went on company business, highway signs were posted falsely directing you off the highway to the "airport" When you got to a less populated area, you were stopped and robbed.

Be very careful, don`t drive and don`t brush your teeth with the water.

Keep in mind Mexico is third world outside major population centers and tourist areas like Accopulco.
'

This is how these "stories" begin ... second or third hand accounts of things that might or might not have happened. How did your coworkers know about the signs? How did they know the signs were incorrect? Were they themselves robbed?

I've done all those things: I have ridden motorcycles (with US plates and other things that identified us as tourists like large amounts of luggage, auxiliary gas tanks, etc.), I've used the water to brush my teeth, I've eaten food from street vendors, I've been to some pretty remote areas, and a lot of other things. Yet, I've never had a problem nor have many other people I know, personally and through forums like this.

It's really a shame that these rumors persist as I'm sure they keep a lot of people from experiencing everything that Mexico has to offer (and it has a lot to offer).

 

[Bill58]

Quoting Bob Cole: "As for what to take, I'd suggest, in addition to your camera stuff, a little Kaopectate for diarrhea that tourists get, regardless of how careful they are."

I think Lamotal (sp?) is the modern drug of choice for "Montezuma's revenge" nowadays. It tastes good-- like bananas!

 

[reagan]

It's really a shame that these rumors persist as I'm sure they keep a lot of people from experiencing everything that Mexico has to offer (and it has a lot to offer).

How true. I couldn't even get my own family to cross the border to visit me while living there because of all the "I heard..." horror stories their neighbors would tell them. ( hmmm -- but then, even as I write this my sister is laying on a beach at the tip of Baja. 🙄 whassup wit tat?)

I just remembered, I did have a bicycle stolen while living there. Then last summer I had TWO stolen out of my garage here. So be veeeery careful when you travel to Northern Illinois! 😉

 

[tedwhite]

It's "Lomotil" and I mentioned it in a previous post.

Like Miguel from Austin, I, too, have ridden a motorcycle over large parts of Mexico and was always treated very well. Three incidents:

1. I parked my Suzuki in front of an old hotel in San Blas, Nayarit and checked into the hotel. The manager asked if that was my motorcycle parked at the curb and I said yes. Well, he said, you can't leave it out there. Bring it in here and park it in the lobby. So I did.

2. I stopped for gas in Arizpe, Sonora, and lifted the nozzle off the gas pump. Two employees ran out and said, No, no, you don't want to put that crap in a good motorcycle like this. We've got better stuff in the back.

3. I was contemplating trying to cross the Rio Sonora, but it was obviously too deep (it had been raining). A flat bed truck came up, full of farm workers. They got off and all lifted the motorcycle onto the flat bed. We crossed. They unloaded the bike and refused to take any money. They obviously had a lot of fun doing what they did.

Ted

 

[charjohncarter]

Maybe, I've been more fortunate in Mexico and definitely less fortunate in Europe, but my life in Mexico is more like tedwhite's. Oaxaca: when my wife and I asked a guy where the central market was he said, 'jump in the back of my pickup with my family, we are going there.' We did, thanked him.

 

[sevres_babylone]

I have travelled to Mexico 14 or 15 times, and each time photography was a primary reason for my trip. Except for the first time, when I was clueless about Mexico, I have always taken 2 cameras. Combinations have included a couple of OM bodies, OM body and XA, Mamiya 7 and Stylus Epic, Mamiya 7 and T2. On my last trip I went digital and took my R-D1 (I had my XA as backup, my Stylus Epic having been stolen...in Canada, not in Mexico).

I have a couple of galleries of my Mexican photographs on pbase.
http://www.pbase.com/zuiko40/mexico
http://www.pbase.com/zuiko40/5_days_in_mexico_city

I am a domke addict, and have used one bag or another -- generally the smaller ones or satchels (except when I took the Mamiya).
If you have specific questions, feel free to PM or e-mail me, as I love travelling to Mexico, and probably won't get back there for a while, so I could use the vicarious thrill.

 

[CorreCaminos]

Like Miguel from Austin, I, too, have ridden a motorcycle over large parts of Mexico and was always treated very well.
Ted

It sounds like we might even have the same bike. Here's mine

 

[fishtek]

I've been to Mexico 4 times in the last 6 years, and although I can't generalize, I REALLY like the Jalisco/Nayarit area. Family members have a time-share situation in Puerto Vallarta, and, although there's LOTS of building going on, a few minutes in a car or bus will get you out into the traditional Mexico.

People are friendly, and in my experience, NOT pushy. They understand that the turistas bring lots of money, and are accordingly eager to please.

Have Fun!
Don

 

[tedwhite]

Miguel:

Those look like DR650's. No, mine was a 1991 VX800. They only brought them in for a few years, so now it's sort of a collectible. Wish I still had it.

Many friends have the DR bikes and I get to ride one now and then.

Current bike is the Kawasaki W65.

Ted

 

[CorreCaminos]

Miguel:

Those look like DR650's. No, mine was a 1991 VX800. They only brought them in for a few years, so now it's sort of a collectible. Wish I still had it.

Many friends have the DR bikes and I get to ride one now and then.

Current bike is the Kawasaki W65.

Ted

It was a long shot. I remember the VX800. My bike is the DR650 (blue on the left) and the other is my wife's Yamaha XT225. Good bikes, although not the most comfortable for long-distance touring.

 

[ibcrewin]

Well I am back.. Just quickly checking in..

Mexico was great! Spent most of if pool/beach side with drink in hand but really thought it was awesome. The people are so nice there, I am really looking forward to going back some day sooner than later.

I'll post pics later this week. Still unpacking and I am at work now.. 🙁