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Off the north coast of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, one of nature’s most extraordinary encounters can be found – the whalesharks of Holbox Island. A visit to see these, the largest fish species in the world, can be an awe-inspiring part of a trip to the Yucatan.

The whale shark is a slow-moving, filter feeding shark. It can grow to extraordinary size – up to 40 feet in length and weighing up to 15 tons. They are believed to live up to 100 years. Every summer, these gentle giants congregate in the warm waters near Isla Holbox. While scuba diving is forbidden to protect the sharks, the experience of swimming and snorkeling with the sharks is both humbling and rewarding.
Boats to see the whale sharks depart approximately every hour in the morning, starting around 7am, from the main pier in Isla Holbox. The ride out to the sharks’ feeding area can take anywhere from 45 minutes to 2 hours, depending on where they are feeding that day. While sunscreen is a must, make sure it’s biodegradable and harmless to the fish – the Mexican government takes preserving these unique creatures quite seriously. On the ride out, the guide will go over the other regulations , such as no touching the sharks, only two snorklers in the water at a time, etc.

Once your boat arrives in a feeding area, get ready with your mask and fins- when a shark comes within range, your guide will have 2 swimmers jump in for the swim of a lifetime. You cannot get closer than 6 feet to these protected fish, but 6 feet is plenty close - as big as they look from the boat, they look even bigger in the water! They are, however, completely harmless, as they are filter-feeders that live on plankton.

Boats generally spend an hour or so at the shark feeding ground. After seeing the sharks, your guide may look for other marine life to observe. Manta rays are often found in this area, as are dolphins.

Manta rays are another giant of nature. The largest of all rays, they have been known to reach 25 feet across and weigh up to 5,000 pounds. Another filter feeder, they can be found lazily swooping through the warm waters, enjoying a meal of plankton. With their huge kite-like shape, they appear to fly through the water.

By the time your boat returns to Holbox Island, you will have memories to last a lifetime.

Getting there: Most dive shops in the Yucatan can arrange the trip for you. If you are coming from Cancun or anywhere along the Mayan Riviera, your trip will include van transportation to Chiquila (the closest point on the mainland to Holbox), boat transportation to the whale sharks, water and juice to drink, snacks on the boat, all equipment, and lunch at Holbox on the return. It’s an all-day trip - if you leave your hotel at 6am, you will probably be back around 4pm. Cost as of summer 2008 was around $200 per person.

Alternatively, you can do the trip on your own. From Cancun, take the local bus to Chiquila, and the ferry across to Holbox. As this is an approximately 3.5-hour trip, you would want to plan on spending the night on the island. There are a variety of hotels available, in various price ranges. The trip from Holbox to the whale sharks was about $90 per person as of summer 2008.

Many countries in Latin America require a payment at the airport prior to departure. Often times you have to pay this amount in cash (usually either local currency or US Dollars).

Argentina: (Buenos Aires EZE) $18 to be paid in USD upon checking in for international flight from Argentina.

• El Calafate: $18 to be paid in USD at local airport for domestic flights.
• Trelew: $6.05 to be paid in USD at local airport for domestic flights.
• Ushuaia: $15 to be paid in USD at local airport for domestic flights.

Belize: (Belize City BZE) $20 Paid in cash at the airport prior to departure.

Bolivia: (La Paz LPB) and (Santa Cruz VVI) $16 airport toll plus $25 traveler tax. ($100 USD reciprocal VISA fee now required for US citizens… check before you fly)

Brazil: (Rio de Janeiro GIG) or (Sao Paulo GRU) None (Included in ticket price). Visa required in advance including $100 reciprocal fee for US citizens.

Chile: (Santiago SCL) $100 to be paid in USD, Visa, Master Card or American Express upon arrival at customs. (This is actually a reciprocal Visa fee)

Costa Rica: (San Jose SJO) and (Liberia LIR) $26 to be paid in USD or local currency prior to checking in with the ticketing booth. Costa Rica now accepts credit cards… however a cash advance fee may apply. Use your debit card to avoid the fee.

Ecuador: (Quito UIO) and (Guayaquil GYE)

• Guayaquil: $27.15 to be paid in USD upon checking in for international flight.n (Cash only)
• Quito: $40.80 to be paid in USD upon checking in for international flight. (Cash only)
• Shell: $3 to be paid in USD upon checking in for domestic flight to & from Kapawi.
• Galapagos: $10 to be paid in USD for Galapagos Transit Control Card upon checking in for domestic flight to Galapagos. National park fee currently USD 80 per person

Guatemala: (Guatemala City GUA) $30 for international departure, plus $5 per domestic flight, plus $5 fuel surcharge per domestic flight.

Mexico; (Mexico City MEX) Included in ticket price (but over $70… paid when you buy your ticket). The same tax applies to all airports in Mexico

Panama: (Panama City PTY) $20 paid at airport upon departure

Peru: (Lima LIM) $30.25 for international departures, $6.05 for each domestic flight to be paid in USD or local currency after check-in before entering gate area. (cash only)

Uruguay: (Montevideo MVD) $29 to be paid in USD after check-in, before entering gate area.

This information is estimated and is subject to change. Check with the appropriate embassy prior to confirm accuracy prior to departure

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