Mexican resort towns like Cancun, Acapulco and Cabo San Lucas are major spring break destinations. Hundreds of thousands of college students flock to these beach resorts and other places south of the border to take advantage of cheaper prices and fewer restrictions. But spring break in Mexico might be a little less crowded this year. The Texas Department of Public Safety has issued a statement advising students to avoid Mexico during spring break, with the department’s head saying that continuously escalating drug violence has made it too dangerous, especially for young, inexperienced travelers. For the most part, tourists have not been targets of drug gangs. However, there have been frequent shootouts between rival gangs, cartel members and Mexican armed forces. The biggest danger for spring break travelers would be getting caught in the crossfire of such gun battles.
The Department of Public Safety’s statement didn’t mince words: “Our safety message is simple: avoid traveling to Mexico during Spring Break and stay alive.” Though the statement focused on Mexico as a whole, Texans are especially concerned about areas near the border that are especially prone to violence and especially easy for tourists to access. The statement specifically mentioned Falcon Lake, a body of water that straddles the border. An American jet skier was killed by a sniper this past summer when he strayed onto the Mexican side of the lake. Authorities believe he was killed by members of a drug gang who mistook him for a rival gang member or law enforcement official. A U.S. Customs agent was also recently attacked and killed in a Mexican town along the Texas border.
In total, 68 people from the U.S. were killed in Mexico last year, most as a result of drug-related violence. Tens of thousands of Mexicans have been killed since authorities began using the army to crackdown on drug gangs. A recent spate of shootings in Juarez, one of Mexico’s most violent cities, lead to the deaths of three people associated with the U.S. Consulate. Recent bloody incidents in Cancun (including several be-headings blamed on cartel enforcers) probably inspired Texas decide to issue a country-wide warning rather than simply focusing on the border areas.
Of course, not everyone will heed the warnings. Cancun alone sees well over 100,000 college students annually during spring break. MTV still plans to continue its popular spring break events, which will be held in Acapulco this year. Mexico, which relies heavily on tourism for income, will undoubtedly be upping the security. However, that has not warded off violence in the past. Drug gangs have showed a willingness to have fire fights with police and army officials rather than avoiding them. Because of the many instances of violence, it almost seems inevitable that spring break revelers somewhere in Mexico will end up caught in the cross-fire. If you are traveling to Mexico for spring break or vacation this year, use common sense to protect yourself. Better yet, talk to local law enforcement about what you can do to stay safe.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Monday, March 7, 2011
visit vacation and retire in san felipe,mexico!
san felipe,mx
a great place to vacation or buy beach property!
About 200,000+ American expatriates live in Baja California. The Baja California Real estate in coastal resorts such as Rosarito and San Felipe are notable for offering affordable homes, which can be easily purchased by retirees while still holding US citizenship. There is also a considerable immigrant community from Central and South America, as well as Canada. Immigrants who work in San Diego earn better, pushing Baja California Real estate prices several notches higher, and prefer to live in Tijuana, which has a considerable American population. The investment prospects in Baja California are much diverse than they were even a year ago. There are many successful developers in the U.S. who are also building good projects in Baja Norte. There is a new security in purchasing here and it is attracting investors from not only the U.S. but also from Europe and Asia. The best thing here is, the fundamental criteria for buying Baja property are no different to buying in the United States when it comes to an investment opportunity.
Worry free vacations in Baja
Truly a vacationer's paradise, Baja California has something for everyone, with wonderful water sports, fishing and sailing, trekking, wildlife and exotic destinations to explore and simple relaxing activities. Baja California cruises are a great way to explore this fascinating peninsula as there is a long, long shoreline, and are dotted with islands on the Pacific shore. Guadalupe Island is especially noted due to its big colonies of sea lions. The Todos Santos Islands are popular with surfers offering some of the highest waves worldwide, and the diving, snorkeling and kayaking opportunities are truly unique. Great shopping, modern resort hotels, fabulous beaches, and unbelievable weather fulfill every traveler's dream.
Baja California vacation rentals are very popular, as it is not possible to experience the variety of this land without staying for a while. Whether it a beach condo, a cottage or villa, or an apartment, Baja California vacation rentals have something for every budget, and brings out the true spirit of a Mexico vacation Baja California vacation rentals feature much better views and amenities than hotels!.
The best of Mexico in Baja With winery tours available, horseback riding, the freshness of open air dining and the nearby sea lion show, unparalleled seascape and exhilarating water sports, Baja California has a very tourist-friendly atmosphere. Many Baja California Airlines offer convenient round trips that allow the traveler peace of mind while on a vacation, and travel between the airports. It is little wonder that people who visit once want to never go back!
san felipe 250 2011
25th Annual MasterCraft Safety Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250
March 10-13, 2011—San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico. Total Entries: 135 (as of 2/12/11) (from 18 States, Canada, Finland, Germany, Mexico)
Race to honor memory of long-time SCORE Mexican liaison Jose ‘Pepe’ Limon
LOS ANGELES - Round 2 of the 2011 SCORE Desert Series will be held March 10-13 in Mexico’s picturesque fishing village of San Felipe, located 120 miles south of the U.S. border on the East side of the Baja California peninsula along the azure waters of the tranquil Sea of Cortez.
As part of the festivities of the 25th anniversary of the popular SCORE ‘spring-break’ race, SCORE has made it a memorial race to honor long-time SCORE Mexican liaison Jose ‘Pepe’ Limon, who passed away last November at age 73.
With entries accepted up to race morning, over 275 entries from over 20 US States and 10 countries expected to enter the race and competition will be held in 28 Pro and 6 Sportsman classes in the popular race. The green flag will drop at 6 a.m. on Saturday, March 12, for the motorcycle and ATV classes, followed three hours after the last Sportsman ATV later by the car and truck classes at approximately 10 a.m. The start line and finish line for the race is scheduled to once again be the landmark San Felipe Arches on Highway 5 on the outskirts of San Felipe. One vehicle will start every 30 seconds in the elapsed-time race, with an 11-hour time limit to become an official finisher.
Following January’s season-opening SCORE Laughlin Desert Challenge, the World’s Foremost Desert Racing Series will be visiting Mexico for the first of its three annual SCORE Baja races
Andy McMillin, National City, Calif., and his father Scott, race in SCORE Trophy-Truck, while Scott’s daughter Jessica McMillin is racing in Protruck. Scott’s brother Mark McMillin, El Cajon, Calif., is also racing in SCORE Trophy-Truck while Mark’s sons Daniel (Class 1) and Luke (Class 1-2/1600) are also entered in this year’s event. This year’s race will use a race course of just under 250 miles that is very similar to the past two years with a few modifications beyond those caused by normal weather conditions. Running in a counter clockwise direction out of San Felipe up to and then parallel to Highway 3 (south side) and then south back down through three of the most picturesque and challenging washes in all of Baja.
After the start at the landmark San Felipe Arches, the race will proceed north and then Northwest and then south to the entrance of majestic Matomi Wash. After Matomi, the challenging course will run through two more of the infamous Baja canyons—Huatomote and Chanate before heading back Northwest for the final sprint to the finish line.
The pre-race Manufacturer’s Midway and tech inspection of the vehicles in the race will be held on Friday, March 11 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the picturesque Malecon, flanked by the Sea of Cortez on one side and the popular restaurants and night clubs of San Felipe on the other.
Round 2 of the 2011 SCORE Desert Series, the MasterCraft Safety Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250 annually provides a greater economic impact to San Felipe than the popular six-week-long ‘Spring Break’.
The race began in 1982 and was not held between 1985 and 1989, the first five years of the seven-year combined High Desert Racing Association-HDRA/SCORE Desert Series of US and Baja races. It has been held consecutively each year since 1990.
In its first 24 years, the race was held in San Felipe all but 2007 when political issues forced a last minute move by SCORE, starting it in Ensenada and finishing it in Santo Tomas. Ironically, 2007 saw a race-record 394 starters and a race record 288 finishers even though the race was moved and the course changed just 10 days before the event. The records when the race actually started and finished in San Felipe are 341 for starters in 2006 and 220 for finishers, also in 2006.
In addition to season class point championships, the racers are also competing for part of the nearly $400,000 in cash purse and contingency postings in this event. Drivers in the Pro car and truck classes are also attempting to earn prestigious SCORE Toyota Milestone Awards given to drivers who complete every required mile of the five-race season. Being presented by Toyota Motorsports for the 26th consecutive year, a total of 72 drivers remain eligible after Round 1 of the 2011 SCORE Desert Series. Racers are also competing for the annual SCORE Off-Roadsman of the Year awards, including the MasterCraft Safety SCORE Rookie of the Year award, which includes a $2,000 MasterCraft bonus.
For more information, contact SCORE at its Los Angeles headquarters 818.225.8402 or visit the official website of the 2011 SCORE Desert Series at www.score-international.com.
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