Advice needed on Mexico Trip

Hi everyone,

I'm getting married in 20 days (uh, wish me luck )), then me and my wife will fly to Mexico for a 15-18 days trip. I need some advice as I'm planning the Mexican trip: could you give us ideas both on places to stay (must-see / nice to see / if you have plenty of time you can also see...) and practical issues to keep in mind? I'm a bit worried about taking my D200 + lots of glass with me. I won't take big glass with me (e.g. I'll leave the 300 VR and 200-2400 at home...), but 12-24, 28-70, 70-200 and some other lens / tc are coming with me. I usually store this stuff in a LowePro Mini Trekker classic bag, but I'm scared about the possibility of being robbed. I'm not the tipe of guy that goes out alone at night in the suburbs of Mexico City, but I'd like to see also typical places, markets and so on, and not only resorts or tourist destinations.

Well, that's it: I'm confident that your help and advice will make the trip even better!
Thanks in advance,
Alfredo (Italy)

Mexico City is where the danger is real; elsewhere I've gone most everywhere with a decent looking camera bag (although not overly large - Domke 5). Mexcio City is not safe at night except for a few limited areas which your hotel can suggest.

I don't know the beaches well except for Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo which I've liked as it's not as large as other beach areas. The only drawback to the Pacific beaches - the ocean is rough and often not safe for swimming (Caribbean side - eastside - is best if you like to be swim in the ocean). My favorite places are Oaxaca & Guanajuato for local culture and colorful markets.

I haven't been to Mexico, so I can't give you any advice on that.

but I did get married almost 3 years ago, and we went to Barbados for our honeymoon.

I had packed a photobag with my F3 and a few lenses, and on the way to the airport I realized I'd left it at home, but it was too late for turning back! Even though I only have very few photos of our honeymoon (shot with one normal disposable camera, and one underwater disposable camera (very cool by the way!!!)),
I hardly regret not having to carry around that huge bag of camera stuff.

and I'm very very sure that my wife enjoyed the honeymoon a LOT more without the camera, than if I had taken it... (which of course made the honeymoon a lot nicer for me as well: wife is happy=> I am happy

anyway, I'm not telling you to leave your camera, but I am telling you to rethink whether you're going on a siteseeing (and photography) trip, or on a honeymoon (or all the various stages in between)

I'd take the 12-24, for normal (of course extremely high quality) "holiday snapshots" and lots of pictures of the bride... ;-)
maybe the 28-70 (if you like that range for the shots mentioned above)

if you're staying in a safe hotel (a LOT of stuff gets stolen in hotels!!!) take your 70-200, and if you're going some place interesting where you'll use it, take it there too, but don't carry it around every day...

I don't know what your future wife is like, but I know even though my wife is very supportive & tolerant with my hobby, -> she'd accept and probably even appreciate all the pictures I'd take, especially afterwards, when we look through them, and reminisce about the holiday, but all the "hold on honey, I need to change lens", "can you just hold that", "oh wait, I need to get this" (put down the bag, get out stuff, put on the TC and the long lens, take a picture of a stupid bird on some stupid stone, miss the shot, then change lenses again, and put the bag on again) and similar situations (you'll probably think of enough yourself), won't make her so happy, which usually makes a holiday a lot less enjoyable (even if you're very egoistic, since her mood will DEFINITLY affect you!).

anyway so much for the advice about the wife.. ;-)

take your lenses if you can keep them somewhere safe. Insure them if you can (especially with the equipment that you have!!) - there are quite a few travel insurances around, but I have no idea about italy...

that way you don't constantly need to worry about your equipment, and can spend more time with your wife.

I'd probably not wear the camera around my neck with the big, shiny yellow and black "I'm so proud I have an Expensive Nikon D200 Professional Digital Camera"-camera strap when I'm in a place where I'd have to be scared the camera will get stolen (even though I do enjoy wearing that in safe places ;-)

but I usually tie that (or another less shiny) strap around my right wrist, and hold the camera firmly while I need it. (makes snapshooting a lot easier too!)

use a "normal" rucksack, which doesn't have "Expensive camera equipment in here" written all over it, with as few zippers as possible on it.

(if you want, check out crumplers foto rucksacks such as "the shrinkle" or "the puppet" they're pretty theft proof, but if you need anything from the bag, you'll have a problem too...)

anyway, I hope you can pick out the information you need/want out of my posting

have a great wedding!

theFool

PS. WOW! you have a 200-2400 lens?? where did you find that? how is it at the 2400 end? ;-D

I travel to Mexico a lot for business reasons, but I do not go to the "touristy" areas. I visit the heartland -- mostly in the vicinity of Guanajuato. This is a city I highly recommend if you want to capture the real flavor of Mexico with your camera. This city is built high in the mountains -- and basically on the sides of the mountains! There are few places in town that are level! The main traffic routes have been built underground in tunnels, so the picturesque and narrow cobblestone streets above ground are filled with pedestrians -- but no traffic. This is an ancient city whose life revolves around the cathedral square, which sits in the middle of town. This garden plaza comes to life on Saturday evening -- all manner of musicians, costumed dancers and street performers, Mariachi bands, street vendors hawking their wares, etc., etc. The party goes on until the wee small hours of the morning. I wandered around this city for hours with my camera & bag -- even at 3 in the morning. I never felt unsafe. But Mexico City is a different story entirely. Be very careful there, and make sure you know where you are -- it is a very large and dangerous place.

I also recommend San Miguel de Allendé -- also a very picturesque old Mexican city with many photo ops.

--
Rick A.
Johnson City, TN
http://www.photographyimpressions.com

Alfredo

Not sure what you are looking to do in Mexico, but here are some suggestions on places

1-) Cancun 7 days- Very Safe- You should rent a car a go to Xcaret, Tulum (must see the only mayan ruins built beach side and have survived despite many hurricanes, bring your bathing suit and pic-nic basket as it has beautiful natural beaches), Playa del Carmen, Isla Mujeres and if possible Merida. All these locations are with-in 90 minute drive of Cancun.

The ruins of Chichen Itza (must see) which is far away from cancun, there I recommend staying in this hotel , it is family owned and very charming: http://www.mesondelmarques.com/

Keep in mind that right now is hurricnae season so you must check the weather and have a "plan B" for this location.

2-) Mexico City- The palace of chapultepec (must see) from there mainly nightlife and shopping. Especially in Polanco or la Zona Rosa.

From Mexico City you have two options;

Option 1-) Puebla- Very Safe- considered by many one of the prettiest towns/cities in all of Mexico, with wonderful colonial architecture and extremely friendly people. the popocateplete Volcano (must see) can't miss it anyways. from puebla you can go to Oaxaca, what many people consider the real mexico. The best, best , best real mexican food is here.

option 2-) Morelia- A wonderful thriving city with a unique charm and architecture, considered as a very romantic city, with lots of poetry, music, and literature. I recomend this hotel in the main plaza which overlooks the cathedral.

http://www.mexicoboutiquehotels.com/losjuaninos/

There you can surprise your wife by hiring a mariachi band to serenate her outside her balcony with some old fashioned romantic mexican songs. It would also be a nice photo shoot with the Cathedral in the background.

From morelia you can then drive to patzcuaro, which is a dreamy, eery, beautiful town, which looks almost like it is lost in time. Several other charming towns are also nearby with-in driving distance.

3-) Guadalajara- visit the local artisan markets - Tlaque Paque- and take the fantastic tequila tours (must do) also the food here is the second best in all of Mexico, Jalisco Food but the drinks are the best!. Fantastic nightlife and almost everywhere you look you will see the most beautiful women in all of Mexico. You will be married, so suffer dude ;-)

4-) if you have any time left try to make it to Zihuatanejo on the pacific coast, a truly charming little fishing village, with wonderful beaches and incrdible scenery. There I recomend this hotel/camping place in playa las gatas:

http://www.lasgatasbeachclub.com/index.shtml

Owen is the owner, and he will take excellent care of you. After 5:00 pm there is no more water taxis, so you have the island to your self!

As fas ar gear, keep it light. All you really need is the 18-200 VR if you have one. if not an 18-70 and 70-200 will do. Also the sun will be very strong and harsh this time of the year, so I recomend a gradient filter so you do not blow out the sky in your shots.

Have fun in mexico, and again, keep an eye out for the weather as it is hurricane season on both coasts.

Hi. All recommendations above are nicely suggested- I would say Guanajuato, Gto. is the nicest: its people, scenery, history, "photogenic" content, and food is wonderful. The Yucatan peninsula is also nice for it's scenery and archeological structures.

(I think you will enjoy visiting smaller towns "pueblos" more than large cities- unless you are going to see the "tourist" locations within the particular city. If you want to see (capture) what Mexico really is, a small town or village is the way to go.)

About safety...

most, if not all small towns are pretty much safe- day or nights. I would worry about large cities like the D.F. (Mexico City), Guadalajara, Leon, etc.. but, mostly, only at night!- or once the sun begins to set. Using common sense is a must: like no stopping on a dark lonely street! And, like ANY large city, there are the "nice" (safe) and "bad" (unsafe) areas. So, get to know where they are. Whenever I visit a new place I always ask airport, restaurant, bus depot, hotel, and/or taxi workers/staff two things: 1. where the good places to eat are and, 2. where the "bad" areas are. And, so far, I haven't had any bad experiences.

I've been traveling to Mexico (via train, plane, car, bus) since a very young age (having had grandparents in Zacatecas, Mex.) and I truly feel safe everywhere I go - though, I really don't visit large cities much. (I don't have much interest in these places- as they are mostly crowded, with way too many cars, buses, smog, and unwanted noise polution.) Besides, most of the culture is not in the cities but outside these areas.

Using Mexico's bus system (I'm not talking about city/metro buses) to get to different parts of Mexico is awesome- It's simple, safe, fast and innexpensive. You can pretty much get to anywhere in the republic with their bus system!

In all, 99 % of the people in Mexico are very friendly. But like everywhere, use common sense.

Good luck and Congratulations in getting married. (It's something that I've been findning myself thinking of more and more about me and my girlfriend.)

Oh, I almost forgot, if you know spanish use it! The people will love it.

JZ

can't address safety while out and about with your camera. However, if you're going to leave it in the hotel room, I recommend the pac-safe. It's a wire mesh enclosure for your camera bag that you can lock to an immoveable object in the hotel room. It can't prevent against any and all thefts, but it certainly can make your equipment harder to steal. Of course, if you have a safe in your room that can hold any of your equipment, that's your best bet.

Here's a link to the pacsafe. http://www.thesavvytraveller.com/tools/pacsafe/pacsafe/1home.htm

I am going to San Miguel de Allendé the first week in September. Anything special you recommend to do or see?

Thanks
Tom Cooper

Hi Alfredo,

I have been to Mexico many times on vacation by way of cruises mainly via Princess cruise lines. The lenses you chose to take with you are perfect, I never had a problem as far as being hassled by anyone, people seem friendly after all they're looking for your tourist money in a nice way I always wear my camera and a 70-200 or other lens, never a problem.

Your wife and you should enjoy your trip and not worry, my pbase site has a few pics of Mexico with names of places on some.
Roger
http://www.pbase.com/tesseract86/inbox
Pbase supporter

Just for kicks... here is a pano I shot about a year ago at 5 a.m. in Guanajuato -- just as dawn was breaking. At the time I was using a Pentax *ist DS. I think the shot gives some sense of the flavor of this old Mexican city. The cathedral is in the center of the shot -- and the rest of the town spreads out from there. You can walk just about everywhere.



--
Rick A.
Johnson City, TN
http://www.photographyimpressions.com

Lots of good advice here. I would say that Tulum, Chichen Itza and Xcaret are a must if you are in Yucatan.

If you find yourself in the Central Northern part of the state (but I warn that this is a very remote area) try to visit Creel, Chihuahua. It is beautiful and strange. The Tarahumara Indians live there (most of them don't speak spanish). It is like being on the moon with the rocky structures. There is a waterfall (it is very hard to photograph) that is the 3rd tallest in the Americas (I think).

Puebla will be a winner also.

Good luck and post when youget back.

Andrew
--
Hard times don't last, hard people do!

Last time there, 1954. Tequila and lime at my hotel ,$.05 a shot. Also saw the catacombs.
--
Paul Linder

'The future is not what it used to be'

I would add just one thing to the advice already given about not leaving valuables in your hotel room. Many hotels have room safes but they are not very big (about the size of a shoe box). You might be able to fit a D200 and 18-200 VR (without the lens shade) into one of them along with your passports and wallets, but not much more. You certainly can't fit a lot of big glass plus an SB-800 into most of them. Most hotels also have a hotel safe for larger valuables, but they are sometimes a nusance to use.

Unless your bride is into photgraphy as much as you are, my advice for a honeymoon trip would be to leave the big expensive stuff at home and take a good quality pocket camera like the Cannon A620. You won't be a target for theives. Lets you have one more carry-on bag on the plane. Plus, you can have it with you all the time and get those spur of the moment shots that you would otherwise miss when a big camera case would be too much trouble to haul on that short walk to the market or a restaurant. I know you have a great camera with great lenses and it would be a shame to waste them, but dealing with the hassle of a lot of expensive equipment can be a downer on a trip that should be about having a care-free good time. Come back with your gear for a photography vacation next time.
--
Bill K.

I just wrote this entire diatribe and forgot to say anything about camera equipment. I Always carry my D70 with me. Last year it was in a Lowe sling pack. D70, 18-70, 50 1.8, 12-24, 90mm macro, sigma 70-20, SB-800, accessories. Never had a problem. I would usually just take what I thought I would need for the day and either leave the rest in the room, or leave it at our friends dive shop.

Agree with everyone and theire suggestions about central Mexico. Same goes for safety. I have never felt unsafe anywhere I have been. Mexico City is safe as long as you stay to the good areas durning the day. Let your Hotel call the taxi for you. That way you can be confident you will be getting a real collectivo instead of some guy with a car.

The ruins in Mexico City are great, but don't miss the Anthropology Museum or the zoo. You can get great photos in the Mexico city zoo. They are much more relaxed about how close the animals are than here in the states.

Anthropology Museum info
http://www.mna.inah.gob.mx/
http://www.geographia.com/mexico/mexicocity/index.htm

GENERAL TIP - try to hit the ruins on Sunday. They used to be free on Sunday. Not sure if this is still in effect. Also be wary of a tripod charge of $20 or so.

Pacific - I have only been to Huatulco. We don't like it quite as much as central Mexico and the Yucatan. Still a nice, clean, safe area. There are some really good, protected beaches.

Anthropology Museum info
http://www.mna.inah.gob.mx/
http://www.geographia.com/mexico/mexicocity/index.htm

Zacatecas - Great city. I fell in love there once . . .

Guanajuato - Beautiful - Don't let morbid curiosity get the better of you and do the catacomb tour. I had nightmares for weeks. They put dead people whos families can't afford the cemetary fee on display in the tunnels.

San Miguel de Allendé - Great for the arts

oaxaca - don't miss the market. There is a tourist market, but you want the "real" market.

Palenque - I have not been there for 8 years or so, but one of my favorite ruins. If you go near dawn, you will be greeted by a chorus of howler monkeys that live in the jungle around the ruins. This was one of the most magical experiences I have ever had while in Mexico - at the same time, very creepy.

Merida - Great city. Inexpensive and full of culture. If you are there on sunday, the small plaza in front of the gran hotel has kids programs, craft vendors, and food - very family oriented.

You cant miss the Governors Palace. Open to the public and amazing, powerful murals hang on all of the walls.

Hotel
http://www.granhoteldemerida.com.mx/
Pictures
http://www.pbase.com/islaguy/merida
Governors Palace pictures
http://www.pbase.com/devonshire/image/52240055

Cancun - skip. Mileage will vary, but Cancun is a lot like Florida except cheaper.

Chichen itza - Must see

Tulum - Ruins are great, but the town is even better. Lots of Italians there. Very friendly and relaxed. Not as relaxed as 10 years ago, but much different than Cancun or even Playa. On the highway heading south from Cancun, take a left imediately after the ruin entrance. Follow the road 2km and take a right when you hit the beach. You will find all kinds of places to stay. They can be a bit pricey though. To go to Coba (one of the best ruins IMHO) take a right at the ice factory north of tulum. Folow for 40 km through the jungle. You can take a detour on the way to see the spider monkey preserve. Rent a canoe. See website.

Hotels
http://www.hotelstulum.com/beach_hotels.htm
Monkey Preserve
http://www.locogringo.com/past_spotlights/oct2003.cfm
Coba
http://www.differentworld.com/mexico/places/coba/coba.htm

Playa del Carmen - Right in the middle - Much bigger than Tulum, but smaller and more relaxed than Cancun. You can still get tacos from a stand or small family restaurant for 3/$1 USD or you can spend $30 usd per person on a fantastic four star meal. Same goes for hotels. You can stay for $25/night in cabannas or an intown hotel or spend over $200/night for a swanky chic room.
bus schedule
http://www.travelyucatan.com/cancun_airport_playa_del_carmen_bus_schedule.php

Hotels -

Best to just show up and wander around until you find something you like. We have always found a room this way. You can negotiate a better price for multiple nights if you are there in person with cash. Med priced is Hotel colibri on 10th or 12th Hotel Plaza - on tenth or 12th -

El Faro (look for the lighthouse) is med. priced. One of the few hotels with a pool AND on the beach. Hotel Zanzibar also gets good reviews.

Diving in Playa - Way underestimated. If you dive, do tortugas. Drift dive. Last month I saw 28 sea turtles and we swam into a school of tarpon. I have done the dive at least 8 times and we always see at least 10 turtles and hit the school of hundred + tarpon about 1/2 the time. Ask for Oliver - He is the owner. They also do discover scuba if that interests you at all.
http://scubaplaya.com/

Snorkeling - Yal-Kul lagoon in Akumal (45 min south of Playa del Carmen). great for first timer. http://www.akumal-riviera-maya.com/airtouryalku.htm , http://www.locogringo.com/maps/tour/ak-yalku-t.html

Majahual - about a three hour drive or buss ride south of Tulum. Wonderfull accomodations at the link below. A canadian guy and his wife own 7 rooms right on the beach. All solar and wind powered. Clean and relaxing. The drive down takes you through the small town of Felipe Carrillo Puerto. Great place to stop and have lunch.

http://www.balamku.com/
http://www.mayanbeachgarden.com/Mahajual.html
http://www.mayanbeachgarden.com/Monkey_farm.html

Cenotes - If you are going to be spending any time in the Yucatan, Some Cenote snorkeling or diving is a great way to spend some time. Lots of them between Playa and Tulum. You can head out on your own or go with a guided trip. This is one of the few things I think are better with a tour. See links for tons of cenote info.
http://www.pbase.com/image/26379609
http://www.pbase.com/mandrade/image/25966173
http://playadelcarmen.com/ArticleSite.cfm/PageID/26761801

http://baber.servehttp.com/PicturesMisc/2002DecMayaRiviera/CenotesLaguna/2002DecMRCenLag.html
http://www.playa.info/playa-del-carmen-forum/14937-cenote-do-2.html?pp=15

Cenote Azul
http://www.mayanbeachgarden.com/Bacalar.html
http://www.mentalwanderings.com/photos/yucutan/3_573.html

http://baber.servehttp.com/PicturesMisc/2002DecMayaRiviera/CenotesLaguna/2002DecMRCenLag.html

Let me know if you have any other questions. As you can see, I would be more than happy to help. My first passion is Mesoamerican culture, second is photography.

Darren Kennedy

I have been to Mexico City on business several times. I stay in the Nikko hotel which is in a very nice part of the city.

However, Mexico City is a dangerous place, day or night. I took brief walk around during the day and there were police patrols in groups of 5-6 carrying M-16 rifles and wearing bullet proof vests. I saw several groups of them near my hotel as well. Based on this, I stayed in my hotel.

In fact, the businesspeople I met with are locals and they told me not to leave the hotel at night and to take only certain taxis. Your hotel can tell you which ones are safe.

As far as camera equipment goes, I would travel very light. I would not carry a D200 in MC as I its too dangerous. ALso, it could get stolen from your room. I am not an alarmist and carry my camera everywhere, having grown up in NYC. But MC is different and you should be careful; it is dangerous - especially at night.

Congratulations on getting married.

SJP

more time with your wife, not your camera and lens.

--
http://www.photography-blog.com/