Exito Travel Official Blog !

Three weeks during the month of October every year the city of Guanajuato, Mexico, plays host to the Festival Internacional Cervantino. This festival is a cultural celebration of the arts, and is one of the most important happenings of its type in the world. Attendees can expect to see first-class theater, dance, music, visual arts, and street performances from not only Mexican artists, but artists from all over the globe as well. Previous acts include: Radiohead, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Nortec Collective, and Cafe Tacuba to name a few.

The city itself sees tens of thousands of visitors during October from all over the world, so many that, when I was there in 2001 any public bench or grassy area was the sleeping space of any enthusiastic Cervantino-goer that did not make lodging arrangements far enough in advance. I almost ended up as one myself, luckily though I had some friends who put me up.

Personally, the street performers were the biggest draw. You will see everything from clowns and mimes to graffiti artists and fire dancers. Throngs gather round to watch these creative geniuses work their crafts. Some even had regular performances in front of the Teatro Juarez where spectators fill the steps that lead to the theater’s entrance.

Getting to Guanajuato for the Cervantino Festival is quite simple. Airfare offered by airlines such as American, Continental, Mexicana, and AeroMexico will get you to Leon(airport code BJX), which is the capitol seat of the state of Guanajuato, then from there the city of Guanajuato is about a 45-minute automobile ride. Be sure to arrange your airfare and lodging well in advance so as not to be one of those literally, left out on the street.

Bonus ! Also check out these pictures from the festival.

Fire Art Pictures
A View of Guanajuato

It’s the same challenge for most groups: How to find a group airfare option that fits the total budget, without having to pay in full right away, or otherwise risk paying more later, as the fare, taxes and/or fuel charges continue to skyrocket?

In the current airfare market, there is an inherent risk of paying more tomorrow for what was quoted today. Even when a “guaranteed” group rate is available, this guarantee typically applies only the base fare, and not to taxes, or the ever-increasing fuel surcharges, which can be as much as $300 per ticket. A group fare booked today can end up being hundreds higher by the time the group is ready to issue tickets.

There is a refreshing exception. Exito group specialists can now offer a guaranteed rate on select group fares INCLUDING taxes and fees. Book today with a deposit, and lock in todays total price, even if the final purchase is months away. While other group bookings fluctuate from rising fuel costs and annual tax adjustments, Exito’s qualifying group rates stay put, allowing groups the chance of actually staying within a set budget.

Here’s how it works:

1. Contact an Exito Group Specialist and request a quote for a group flight, specifying an interest in a guaranteed total rate. Phone: 800 655 4054 . *Minimum group size is 10 people, traveling on an identical itinerary*

2. Once a suitable itinerary is confirmed for the group, pay a standard group deposit, up to $100 per seat, to lock in the space and the price for the group. Deposits are either refunded or applied to the purchase price, provided the group abides by the airlines stated cancellation and minimum utilization policy. Note: Flights departing within 90 days may have special deposit and payment requirements.

3. Provide all passenger names and payment by the airline’s quoted deadline; typically 30-60 days prior to departure. *No surprise fees or extra taxes will be charged on qualifying fares, according to the initial quote*

This option is available to groups of at least 10 people traveling together, on select airlines, subject to availability of group space and according to specific airline policies, which are subject to change. Round trip travel must originate in the US, and include select destinations in:

Mexico - Guatemala - Costa Rica- Honduras - Belize - El Salvador
Nicaragua - Ecuador - Peru- Venezuela - Chile - Argentina - Brazil - Colombia

Contact an Exito Group Airfare Specialist for further details and to find your guaranteed group fare, now.

Phone: 800 655 4054

Email: groups@exitotravel.com

Beginning July 1^st, 2008, TACA Airlines will begin offering daily flights between it’s hub in San Salvador, El Salvador and Panama City, Panama. This flight makes it possible for passengers from a variety of cities throughout North America to travel to Panama City, Panama with a seamless connection at TACA’s hub in San Salvador, El Salvador. TACA offers nonstop service to San Salvador, El Salvador from New York-JFK, Los Angeles, Washington, San Francisco, Oakland, Miami and Chicago which now allows a quick connection to Panama City via San Salvador International Airport.

TACA continues to offer service to Panama City, Panama via it’s hub at Juan Santamaría airport in San Jose, Costa Rica. Previously many passengers needed to make a double connection in El Salvador as well as San Jose in order to reach Panama City. This new flight makes it possible to reach Panama City with a single connection from virtually any city served by TACA in North America.