A reminder from Mexico for all Canadians planning to travel to Mexico - March 1, brings new entry requirements into Mexico.  Most notably:  CANADIAN CITIZENS will be required to present a valid passport.

This change will align Mexico to all the security measures established by the ICAO International Civil Aviation Organization.  There is a good chance that this won’t even affect you - of the 1.2 million Canadian tourists that visited Mexico in 2009 only 10,000 did not have a passport as form of ID.  Many didn’t even know it wasn’t required!

Your Canadian passport is the best document for proving your Canadian citizenship and your right to return to Canada. If you don’t have a passport or yours expires in the next 6 months, then it’s time to apply.  All the info you need to get a passport is provided by Passport Canada.

We all know that you should never leave home without your toothbrush, and you’d be silly to forget your passport.   But too often it’s the little things that make all the difference on the road.  Here are eight non-essential travel accessories that you may find to be, well, essential.  If you have any of your own, feel free to post a note below.

1. Hot sauce

Anyone visiting Mexico, Thailand or Jamaica needn’t worry about the spice of their meals, but if you’re going to Europe, Africa, or just about anywhere else, a tiny bottle of hot sauce rescues any meal from certain doom.   Hot sauce rescues most airline meals too. Remember to keep it in a plastic bag for security, and just in case it breaks and spices up your luggage.

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Dream of having the beach to yourself?  Head to Mexico now! 

Canadian Foreign Affairs has lifted it’s travel warning for Mexico, and most Canadian tour operators are adding it back into their programs throughout the month of June.  It will take a while for the tourist traffic to reach the pre-H1N1 levels, so for the time being you will find incredible pricing and lots of elbow room!  The virus has barely affected the tourist regions and many areas have reported zero cases. 

This is a GREAT opportunity to take that trip you thought you couldn’t afford, or to try out a higher level of accommodation that you are used to.  Contact me for recommendations and to book your getaway.  I spent a week on the Mayan Riviera recently, and my pricing is the same or better than on-line.  Travelonly also has it’s own booking engine, featuring the best pricing available.