Aug 05, 2011
Mexican updates!
I am very sad to report that winter 2011/2012 aka tourist season 2011/2012 is going to be lacking in the people department. The cruise ship industry has decided to hit Mazatlan rather severely. Currently there are a few monthly dockings by the Spanish Pullmantur cruise line ship Ocean Dream. It’s last visit will be in September followed by a final visit Oct. 18 by the Oosterdam, of the Holland America line. That is it for 2011. The schedule for 2012 promises 7 port visits between 2 Holland America ships. Per Maz Messenger online that seems to be it until 2013. How sad for everyone but most especially the economy of Mazatlan. I will point out that at this time, that the ships are also planning on boy cutting Puerto Vallarta. There are many in the tourist industry contemplating the next move. I am mostly concerned with rvers who have been talking on a variety of forums of returning to Mexico this season. Most did not enjoy freezing in Florida, Texas and Arizona. So if they return to Mexico this winter, what are they coming back to. Because tourism in general is down, will that mean more local ( not drug war but local) violence or even just petty theft as people have to feed their families?? We have personally seen this evolve in the Acapulco area. We hope this will not happen but if there are no tourists how does the economy in a tourist town like Mazatlan survive?
Personally we believe that the situation will sort itself out over the next few years. There are many major projects under way in Mexico that will make travel easier for rvers and others. I think that in another year or two Mazatlan will see an influx of tourists by vehicle. The new road from Durango to Mazatlan is 80% complete and is scheduled to open in late 2012. This new highway has more than 60 tunnels and 115 bridges. This will open the area up to many from Central and Eastern US and Canada and of course Mexico. Many who now winter in Puerto Vallarta and further south will be able to easily travel into the Mazatlan area saving many hours on the road. This can only be good for the economy of the region.
Green Angels....
As to this year, the Green Angels are running an escort service down from the US border. Also a few RV parks are providing an escort caravan to their various parks. Many rvers will buddy up with someone for peace of mind on the road. There is no way more rvers will make up for the cruise ship industry but we can try.
The Mexican Government is in the process of making plans to build a four lane highway between Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara which would cut the trip to 2 and 1/2 hours. More easy travel trips for us in the future. There is a light down the road, we just have to get through the next few years.
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So sad about the cruise ships, it will certainly affect the local economies and the whole lifestyle of the Mazatlan and other areas.
Hi Contessa:
Yes, it’s disappointing that tourism will be down again this winter. We missed Mexico last winter and we won’t be going back this winter either because of the fact that the out of province health care top up still won’t cover injuries caused by violence indicated in the Canadian government travel warnings. We still have the feeling of “unease” with the violence levels down there.
We hope that the situation calms down there and we can go back at some future date. It also doesn’t help that the government introduced additional hoops to go through with charges against your CC to bring in RV’s and vehicles.
Al
It is so sad for the Mexican,s and their economy! Must find # for Green Angels and no one should travel into Mexico alone, its too bad we have to be afraid to travel in 2011!!
Susie….I did some research and have posted a concise article on the Green Angels….dial 078.
George…maybe you and Suzie should head south this winter?
Al….I knew you would reply to this. I am sorry that you still have the feeling of unease as I know how much you lover heading to Mexico. Still confused about the provincial health care top up but I am going to redo my health research again soon.
I had no idea they were building a four lane highway between Puerto Vallarata and Guadalajara, this is my travel route to my family in Zacatecas. Maybe it will be done by the time I decide to go visit. You always share such useful information even though you are not in Mexico, thanks.
Trinidad, I sent you a link to the original article in Spanish as well as the shorter English version. Glad to be of service!
Trinidad, my body is here but my heart is in Mexico!
We froze our butts off in the US last winter! Not because of fear but because we have always wanted to see the “Old South”. It was nice but cold! Our Mexican friends Chris and Juan drove up from Monterrey to Galveston to join us for Christmas and New Years but poor Juan never got out from under his four layers of blankets!
It is back to Mexico in November! Destination Yucatan!