Mexican Wholesale

Hola. This post is a request. It  goes out to everyone and specially to my Canadian friends who  requested it.

Map Of Mexico

This directory provides a listing of maps and map services available from MexOnline.com, providing a general overview of roads and major geographical landmarks in Mexico.

The U.S. State Department has issued in the last several years new requirements for travel into and back from Mexico. Note that the following update pertains to rules set by U.S. law, as entry into Mexico is governed by their own rules, please see below.

In summary, beginning January 23, 2007, passports were required for all AIRLINE travel to and from Mexico.

Beginning June 1st 2009, if you are crossing back into the U.S. by land or sea, from Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean, you need either a passport or the new high-tech travel card. Please check the official State Department memo for up to date verification, at www.travel.state.gov

At the present time we are on red alert and travel into Mexico or to US/Mexico Border Cities is not recommended. That being said, I personally do not recommend travel to Mexico or US/Mexico Border Cities at the present time.

Resources: Mex online.co

Cholula Pyramid

THE GREAT PYRAMID OF CHOLULA, Cholula, Puebla

Located on the central plateau of Mexico, hidden to the naked eye, sits the world’s largest ancient pyramid. The town where this wonder is located is Cholula, a small village just outside Puebla. Upon first glance, one sees only the charming colonial church of La Iglesia de los Remedios, built in the 16th century. Amazingly, however, this church sits atop the Great Pyramid of Tepanapa, oftentimes referred to as the Cholula Pyramid. Hidden by vegetation, the hill upon which the church was built, actually houses the great pyramid.

The history of the pyramid, coupled with the momentous events which followed, is full of drama and mystery. Approximately one hundred years before Christ, the pyramid’s construction begun. Cholula, by this time, was already one of Mexico’s largest cities, having been settled circa 1700 B.C. The pyramid’s construction along with affiliated temples, was carried out by various groups over hundreds of years. Its early period coincided with the great city of Teotihuacan’s development and power.

Inside Cholula Pyramid

An important ceremonial and political center of the pre-Columbian world, Cholula mirrored Teotihuacan’s glory days of power. As well, its first subsequent demise coincided with that of Teotihuacan. But unlike the great city to the northwest, whose people mysteriously disappeared, some residual peoples remained in Cholula, not abandoning the city entirely. Expansion of the pyramid continued with the arrival of the Olmec-Xicallancas, who further added to the pyramid’s scale.

The Toltec-Chichimecas occupied Cholula next, circa 1100 A.D. By that time the great pyramid was already largely submerged underneath tree and dirt. The Toltecs chose to focus their activity on building new temples which would surround the area of the great pyramid. The Toltecs also brought with them their intense devotion of Quetzalcoatl. Cholula subsequently became a mecca for pilgrims from all over Mexico, who flocked to the city to pay homage to the feathered serpent God.

Quetzalcoatl, already a long established deity of the Mesoamerican world, undoubtedly helped to inspire the pyramid’s initial construction. However, with the arrival of the Toltecs, the cult of Quetzalcoatl truly flourished. Additionally, under the rule of the Toltecs, Cholula became a major center for trade and commerce. Having established strong ties with all other cities in the region, Cholula maintained its independence for a time from the ever expanding Aztec Empire.

However, the Aztecs eventually took control of Cholula. When Cortes arrived in 1519, the pyramid, stood silent, hidden under grass and stone. The city’s population at this time equaled 100,000 inhabitants. Legend advises an ambush was planned by the Cholulans against the Spanish invaders under the direction of Montezuma. No longer swayed by Cortes whom he initially believed to be the reincarnation of Quetzalcoatl, the Aztec ruler made one last attempt to save his empire. Unfortunately, Cortes learned of the plan and what followed next was horrific: the slaughter of 6,000 Cholulan residents took place under the brutal command of Cortes.

Restored Stairway Cholula Pyramid

Temples were torn down and the ancient city of Cholula was destroyed. Cortes proclaimed that he would build a church in the area for each day of the year to match the number of temples destroyed. Drunk with power and with gold on his mind, Cortes failed to see the great pyramid.

Centuries elapsed before the pyramid was again discovered. In 1910, construction began on an insane asylum located at the base of the pyramid. Archaeologists once aware of the site began to survey and excavate. In the 1930′s, tunnels were made in order to better study the pyramid. These tunnels, which amount to an amazing five miles worth of passageways, zigzag in subterranean fashion, creating a labyrinth, not for the timid. These tunnels afford the visitor the opportunity of observing first-hand the various levels of construction. Delineated layers of shell and stone are visible. A total of four stages of construction occurred, over hundreds of years. Although lit with lamps, the atmosphere is definitely haunting and you most assuredly want to exit before nightfall.

In addition to the tunnels, outside there are altars, stairways and platforms to explore. One can also see a portion of the pyramid which was reconstructed by archaeologists. Not only does the pyramid of Cholula represent the largest single structure in Mexico, it also bears the distinction of having the largest base of any pyramid in the world, exceeding the bases of the great pyramids in Egypt. The total acreage the pyramid occupies is 25 acres with a height reaching an impressive 181 feet. Each side of the structure’s base is over 1300 feet in length.

When visiting the great pyramid of Cholula one is also afforded a magnificent view of the majestic snow-capped El Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl volcanoes. The pyramid of Cholula is truly a wondrous pre-Columbian gem. The site holds the potential of even greater discoveries and with only a small portion yet excavated, who knows what marvelous secrets the great pyramid has yet to reveal.

This is great information  about Mexico and US Border Cities. At the present time we are on red alert and travel into Mexico or to US/Mexico Border Cities is not recommended. That being said, I personally do not recommend travel to Mexico or US/Mexico Border Cities at the present time.

This U.S./ Mexico Border directory provides information useful for conducting business in the region between the two countries. Included here are support services like hotel lodgings, transportation or freight service, and manufacturing consulting services.

U.S./Mexico BORDER REGION City Guides and Directories

The border between the United States and Mexico is a thriving link for businesspeople and travelers from both nations. This 2,100 mile international boundary consists of the states of Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas on the U.S. side and Baja California, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Sonora and Tamaulipas on the Mexican side.

CIUDAD JUAREZ City Guide and Directory

Ciudad Juarez is located in the state of Chihuahua on the Rio Grande River and sits directly across the border from El Paso, Texas. The city is mostly commonly referred to as Juarez and represents one of the largest international border crossings in the world. Juarez is one of the largest cities in Mexico and its economy has grown substantially with the approximate 400 maquiladoras that are present here.

Because Juarez is a busy metropolitan city, it attracts many US citizens who cross the border to visit its nightclubs, to attend sporting events, dine in fine restaurants and to explore shopping opportunities. Traditional rodeos are prevalent in Juarez and the city is often referred to as the home of the Mexican Vaquero (Cowboy). Bullfighting is popular as well and many visitors come to the Plaza de Toros Monumental Bullring when the sport is in season (April through September). If you are interested in attending one of these bullfights, The El Paso Trolley Company (915-544-0062) offers tickets and transportation from El Paso, Texas.

While in Juarez, consider visiting the historic Mission of Our Lady of Guadaulupe Church. It is located in downtown Juarez on the West Side of Plaza de Armas. Built in the 1600’s, this colonial church features intricate geometric designs in the beamed roofing and houses 18th-century paintings and sculptures. Another site to visit is the Juarez Museum of Art, located in the Plaza de las Americas area. The central cone-shaped building is surrounded by a moat and connected to the other two exhibit areas by bridges. If interested in the history of the city, be sure to visit the Juarez Museum of History in downtown Juarez, the exhibits chronicle the Mexican Revolution and the exploits of Pancho Villa.

The city of Juarez was founded in 1659 by Spanish explorers who were seeking a route through the Rocky Mountains. The original name of the city was El Paso del Norte (“North Pass”). The city was renamed in 1888 for Mexico’s national hero, Benito Juarez.

The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848 established the Rio Grande River as the border point between Mexico and the United States. The part of the city designated to the United States would subsequently become El Paso, Texas. In 1911, during the Mexican Revolution, Pancho Villa took control of the city and forced the dictator Porfirio Diaz to resign.

Hotel Colonial Cd. Júarez
Secure and Confortable Environment for Productive Business Meetings
5 min. from the Major Industrial Parks / 3 min. from the Internationl Bridge
Relaxing and Beautiful Mexican Colonial Setting * 140 Rooms
Executive Suites / Wireless Internet / Spacious Gardens / Two Swimming Pools
Ave. Abraham Lincoln 1355, Col. Córdova Américas, Ciudad Juárez
* Tel: from USA 1-800-782-6926 * Lada Nacional 01-800-771-6333
The following buisnesses provide services in or to the state of Chihuahua

	Ciudad Juarez park monument

American Industries Maquila Services
Brown, Alcantar & Brown Customs Brokerage
Camino Real El Paso Hotel
CJC Metals Recycling
ECM International Construction Consulting
Embassy Suites El Paso Hotel
F.C. Felhaber & Company, Inc. Customs Brokers
Guardian Metal Sales
Holiday Inn Airport
Holiday Inn El Paso Sunland Park
Howard Johnson El Paso
Keats Southwest Manufacturing
Lancer’s Club Private Dining
M&M Metals Recycling
Otero County Economic Development Council, Inc.
Packaging Concepts
Pedraza Customs Broker
QMS, Inc. Manufacturing
Radisson El Paso Hotel
Santa Teresa Industrial Real Estate
Travelodge Hotel El Paso

ENSENADA City Guide and Directory

This is great information  about Mexico and US Border Cities. At the present time we are on red alert and travel into Mexico or to US/Mexico Border Cities is not recommended. That being said, I personally do not recommend travel to Mexico or US Mexican border cities at the present time.

Resources: mexonline.com

Published and/or edited 5/05/2010 by Aetna J H

Interactive Map Of Mexico

This interactive Map Of Mexico is very detailed and quite useful.

Guadalajara Jalisco Mexico

The bright blue banner spanning the highway to Guadalajara is by no means an empty attempt at notoriety. General Electric, Hewlett Packard, IBM, Motorola, Solectron, Flextronics, SCI, Kodak, Siemens, … they’re all here, and the list goes on.

The State of Jalisco is rapidly becoming known for a great deal more than just tequila these days! The political and economic atmosphere, coupled with a number two rating on the “Worlds best Climate” list, makes Jalisco an exciting discovery for a growing number of offshore entrepreneurs. The thousands of “retired” Canadians and Americans who winter here would undoubtedly agree. The city of Guadalajara is located 45 kilometers north of Mexico’s largest lake, and at an elevation of approximately 5,200 feet. This combination of high elevation and the moderating effect from Lake Chapala, create a warm and sunny climate all year, without most of the flying insects and humidity associated with life at lower altitudes. “International Living Magazine” called Guadalajara “The City of Eternal Spring”.

Guadalajara Mexico

Within the past decade, electronics and manufacturing facilities have been popping up like mushrooms as billions in

foreign capital flows in on the heels of the North American Free Trade Agreement. Many new roads are being constructed and modern, manicured industrial parks now encircle the city.

For many Mexican families, higher paying jobs and a more “American type” lifestyle have become a reality. As a result, both local government and citizens look upon foreign businesses located here favorably. Affluent Canadians and chartered accountants alike, speak of considerable tax-sheltering benefits enjoyed by being owners of equity interests in Jalisco. Real estate and business transactions in U.S. dollars are quite commonplace, and are said to provide further diversification and protection from devaluation of the Canadian dollar.

Jalisco seems lacking in neither money nor modern technology, however unlike Canada and the United States, skilled and experienced industrial trades people are extremely rare. Technological training and tooling support is developing, but not in step with an “industry transplant” of this magnitude. Until there is further development of a custom tool supply infrastructure, foreign giants will remain largely dependant upon importing their needs from outside of Mexico.

Buisiness In Guadalajara Jalisco Mexico

Since the election of Vicente Fox as President, however, optimism is high among local business

leaders. The Presidential agenda thus far, has shown both efforts to improve trade relations with the north, and the establishment of Mexico as an integral hub attracting international trade and commerce with South American and European countries. Fox, a graduate of the Harvard Business School and former CEO of Coca-Cola Mexico, has already started making positive changes within many areas of government as well.

Visitors to Jalisco, for the most part, will probably find most citizens to be extremely hospitable and unusually tolerant of their presence, in relation to most other countries.

Foreigners are allowed to stay up to six months by completing a tourist visa at the border or on route by air. For longer periods, an annually renewable FM-3 visa can be obtained quickly, and inexpensively. For those adventurous souls who plan not to be business owners, yet seek to earn income here, an FM-3 visa is not sufficient. Sponsorship by an existing international corporation is probably your best method for entry into Mexico. This method will “smooth” immigration procedures and may even provide a semi-English working environment while one is learning to adapt in other areas of life.

Guadalajara Jalisco Mexico

Public transit throughout the state is excellent, readily available, and inexpensive. Travelers can obtain bus transportation to anywhere, from anywhere, with the inclusion of most small Pueblos along the way.

Arriving Northerners should be advised to expect numerous cultural unfamiliarities.

Language, and other native traditions tend to weed out those unable to appreciate the beauty of Mexico’s unique people, culture and history. Canada has long been known for its cleanliness and attention to detail. Mexico, in contrast and in spite of its stunning natural beauty, does not attempt to present such a tidy facade. Rural areas and roadsides often appear quite cluttered by comparison. Changes are occurring rapidly however, and ecological preservation is now becoming an important issue throughout the education process. All things considered, the State of Jalisco appears poised to provide considerable force within the economic tide of North America and beyond. By Alan and Ron Young

For it’s attributes, it is a modern jewel on this ever-shrinking planet and while certainly not for everyone, feels very much like home to us!

Editor’s Note: Alan and Ron are currently working on plans to start a small (at first) precision CNC machining business in order to help supply the custom hardware needs of local industry. They possess Canadian Tool and Die credentials, as well as, many years experience servicing the Canadian Automotive Industry. You can contact them at 11-52 (33) 3766-2598 (from U.S. or Canada) or by e-mail at visionaire@laguna.com.mx.

Xochimilco

When visiting Mexico City, there is an abundance of day trips to choose from when planning your activities. A fantastic destination to explore can be found just outside the city. This is where the historic canals of Xochimilco (so-chee-mil-co) are located. In Nahuatl, the language of the Aztecs, Xochimilco means “garden of flowers”. Enjoyed by foreigners and nationals alike, this magical location dates back several centuries.

Miles of canals dot the landscape in Xochimilco, enchanting the senses with their natural beauty. Flat-bottomed boats called trajineras travel these waters, as they have for hundreds of years. Produce and flowers grow in abundance in this exotic atmosphere. What makes Xochimilco so fascinating is its embodiment of traditional Mexican culture. These canals and gardens represent a living example of an ingenious agricultural practice that was invented long ago.

The Xochimilca people settled in the Valley of Mexico between the eighth and tenth centuries. One of the key challenges for these early inhabitants were the vast amount of wetlands that the area possessed. Traditional farming methods were not conducive in this setting. To surmount the obstacles this water-filled environment presented, the Xochimilca came up with a creative solution.
Using available resources, these settlers built chinampas (floating gardens) on the surface waters of Lake Xochimilco. Using cane structures, mud was placed inside these containers and were anchored in position by trees lining the shore. Fertilizer was culled from the floor of the lake bed which was rich in aquatic mulch. Flowers, fruits and vegetables grew abundantly using this successful farming method.

The Xochimilca people who established these chinampas were ultimately conquered by the Aztecs, who in turn utilized these floating gardens to feed their growing empire. During its height, the chinampa system extended over 22,000 acres of wetlands and provided food for tens of thousands of people. The canals were built to navigate the chinampas and to provide a transportation corridor which brought produce to the Aztec Empire.

Today, the existing canals of Xochimilco represent only a fraction of their former acreage. A portion of the canals have been set aside, dedicated to an ecological park, the Parque Natural Xochimilco. This area of Mexico represents the only remaining habitat for the Axolotl salamander, a critically endangered species. Also, a great number of birds make their home here, including herons, egrets and ducks, to name just a few. In actuality, Xochimilco is home to over 150 native birds with approximately 70 species visiting the canals during the winter season.

Visiting Xochimilco provides the traveler the opportunity to view a part of Mexico’s historic past. On Saturdays a popular produce market attracts large crowds. In the 1920′s when the area was first starting to attract tourists, Xochimilco was affectionately called “the Venice of Mexico”. In 1987 it was designated a World Heritage site by UNESCO.

Spending time here is popular with both visitors and residents alike. The brightly colored trajineras are available to rent on a per hour basis. The canals of Xochimilco provide a festival-like atmosphere with the sound of mariachi bands filling the air. Smaller canoes with vendors sell everything from corn-on-the-cob to blankets to chilled beverages. This travel destination is a wonderful spot to enjoy recreation, fun and great scenery.

If you visit Mexico, Xochimilco is a must.  Enjoy!

MEXonline.com

Semana Santa is one of  Mexico‘s  most important holiday season of the year behind only Christmas &  NewYears. It runs from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday. In addition to attending Mass on Good Friday and Easter Sunday, many Mexicans will also take advantage of the holiday to go on vacation. If you’re planning to visit Mexico during Semana Santa, make sure you checked on availability in advance.

Semana Santa in Mexico

Semana Santa, or Holy Week, celebrates the Christian holiday of Easter. Mexico is nearly 90 percent Catholic, so this religious holiday takes on a special meaning that the entire community shares and participates in.

All of Mexico celebrates Semana Santa, but certain cities and villages are better known for celebrating the holiday, and often provide reenactments of the events leading up to Christ’s crucifixion on the cross. The best known cities are Ixtapalapa (in Mexico City), Pátzcuaro, San Cristobal de las Casas (Chiapas), and Taxco. Smaller and silent torch lit processions, Processión del Silencio, also take place in Aguascalientes and San Luis Potosí.

Each community celebrates the holiday with it’s own regional flavor, however, popular with the whole country is the breaking of cascarones, colored egg shells filled with confetti, over friends and family. Churches will be filled with those attending Mass on Good Friday and Easter Sunday, and families will take this opportunity to be together.

The most moving event of Semana Santa is the reenactment of the Passion of Christ, or the Passion Play. The event’s in the mentioned cities are sponsored by religious or community groups, and can include large processions of penitents, sometimes on their knees, a portrayal of the last supper and the crucifixion itself.

In many cities, important religious images from the church will be displayed, traditional altars are decorated at home and in the streets, and flower decorations and palm crosses will be found everywhere. The central colonial cities seem to celebrate this holiday with the most reverence and tradition, and if you wish to see the beauty of traditional Mexico, Semana Santa would be well worth seeing for yourself.

Enjoy!

MEXonline.com

Paricutin, the volcano that grew out of a cornfield.

Volcan Paricutin

Paricutin-Mexico’s most famous volcano.
One day in 1943, a farmer in a small village in central Mexico in the state of Michoacan set out to plow his cornfield. It seemed like any ordinary Saturday, the month was February and the skies were clear. The farmer, Dionisio Pulido, was attending his crop of corn when he heard low rumblings emanating from the earth. This in itself was nothing particularly new; indeed, the area in which he lived, just outside the quaint village of Paricutín, had been experiencing small earth temblors for the past 2 months.

Little did he realize that his life was to forever change due to the impending events that would soon unfold. Suddenly and without warning, much to the farmer’s consternation, the earth started to open up before his very eyes. A huge crack appeared in the dirt directly in front of where he stood. Instinctively, Dionisio Pulido attempted to fill the hole with earth. This was to no avail. Soon a terrible odor could be smelt coming from the fissure in the ground, a smell that can only be described as rotten eggs.

Volcan Paricutin

This odor, which was actually sulfur rising from the fissure in the earth, portended more events yet to come. Much to the farmer’s dismay, smoke started billowing out of the ground, the rising gray vapors filled with soot and ash. A terrible heat could be felt rising from the earth’s inner core and wisely, Dionisio Pulido fled the scene. Incredibly, what the farmer was unknowingly witnessing first-hand was the birth of a new volcano. Exhausted from the day’s extraordinary events and with the sun quickly setting in the western sky, Dionisio retreated to his home for the evening.

The next day, Dionisio, along with several others from the village, went out at dawn to examine the location. What they saw both amazed and justifiably terrified them. Rocks were furiously shooting into the sky while the cone of the previously underground volcano now broke through the surface and started growing before their very eyes. Lava started to pour quickly out of the cone’s spout and this was enough to convince the villagers to get away as fast and far as possible. The entire cornfield was soon transformed, its surface filled with molten rock that continued to expand across the landscape.

Two villages were buried by the volcano’s lava and ash, Paricutin and San Juan Parangaricutiro. A striking example of the volcano’s effects can be seen in photos of the church that was buried neck high in San Juan Parangaricutiro. Only the steeple of the church can be seen today with the landscape forever and dramatically altered with acres upon acres of lava rock stretching out in all directions. Incredibly, there were no fatalities from the falling rock or scalding lava, although lightning that accompanied the original event was blamed for 3 deaths.

The former residents of the two villages had to relocate with the memory of that fateful February day forever etched in their memories. What they had witnessed was extraordinary, for what they had observed with their own eyes was the birth of a volcano. The volcano’s cinder cone ultimately reached its full height of 1,391 feet where it stands today. Thankfully, the type of volcano that occurred in Paricutin is classified as monogenetic, meaning that it will never erupt again. In 1952 all activity ceased and it is now considered a dormant volcano.

Volcan Paricutin

Many people come to visit the volcano which is located approximately 200 miles west of Mexico. The city of Uruapan, located 20 miles south of the site, is a good jumping-off point to take a day trip to see the volcano and the surrounding lava fields. It is a good idea to stock up on supplies in this city, especially water. From this city you’ll board a bus to the small village of Angahuan. This small outpost is the closest village to the site and it is here that you can hire a guide for the day. This is highly recommended as the trails are not clearly marked. As well, the option to travel by horseback is available as this adventure will take a full day in any event (14 miles round-trip). Angahuan offers cabins for rent and there is a small cafeteria on the premises. Be sure to wear sturdy shoes as the lava rock can be very slippery and dangerous.

The volcano of Paricutin now bears the honor of being listed as one of the world’s 7 natural wonders. It holds the distinction of being the only volcano on the planet born in modern times. Eruptions from volcanoes are commonplace occurrences but the birth of an entirely new volcano is genuinely rare. MEXonline.com

Hola.  Are you planning to visit Mexico?  I’ve decided to post an outside article because of its good and useful information.  Enjoy!

Do I need to have a passport?
Starting January 27, 2007, the U.S. State Department will require a passport for all travel to and from Mexico by AIRLINE. If traveling on foot, by car or boat, including cruise ship or ferry, the passport requirement will not come into effect until after January 2008.
At present, the Government of Mexico requires that all U.S. citizens present proof of citizenship and photo identification for entry into Mexico, such as a combination of a birth certificate and driver’s license. However, some U.S. citizens have encountered difficulty in boarding flights in Mexico without a passport.
Get the latest information about Visas and Passports here.

What do I need to enter Mexico?
This depends on which country in which your visit originates. If you are from the U.S. or Canada, you will need your passport or notarized birth certificate with state issued ID. You will also need a tourist card unless you are traveling for less than 72 hours within the border zone (usually no further than 20 miles south of the U.S. border except in Baja California and Sonora which have extended their zones). If you are from any other country, you will need to check with the Mexican Embassy or Consulate nearest you (the New York Consulate has a detailed list of requirements on their website). See our Visa Information Center for compete information about entry requirements.

Do I need auto insurance?
It is highly recommended to have auto insurance before you enter Mexico. The law in Mexico does not specifically require you to have auto insurance to drive in Mexico, until you get into an accident. Then you will need to prove you have MEXICAN auto insurance, as Mexico does not recognize foreign insurance. Without insurance you will be taken to jail first to determine your guilt or innocence, your financial ability to pay damages, the amount of damages you’ll need to pay, etc. It’s a major hassle that can be avoided by paying for relatively inexpensive insurance, and you can even add legal services to your policy to have a lawyer represent you while in Mexico. See Mexico Car & Health Insurance and Legal Services for more details.

Can I bring my pet into Mexico?
Yes you can. You’ll need to make sure you pet has documentation of recent rabbies shots, and be sure to have a Certificate of Good Health from your Vet to make sure you don’t have any problems getting back into the US with your pet. See Bringing Your Pet Into Mexico for more details.

Can I purchase prescription drugs in Mexico and bring them back into the United States?
There are regulations for bringing in pharmaceuticals from Mexico, however they are changing on a constant basis. Although many drugs in Mexico are available over the counter at a pharmacy, certain prescription drugs in Mexico do require a prescription from a Mexican pharmacist, and foreigners have been known to purchase them from people not authorized to issue them. You can be arrested in Mexico if caught buying drugs without the proper prescription and the penalties are stiff, up to 25 years in jail in Mexico.

According to the U.S. Customs, to bring back prescription drugs into the U.S. you must have a prescription written by a physician licensed in the United States, have it in its original packaging and carry no more than a three-month supply AND you must declare them. If you are caught trying to bring in drugs without the above requirements you can be stopped, have your good confiscated and may be arrested.

Visit our Purchasing Medications in Mexico page for additional information.

Can foreigners purchase land/real estate in Mexico?
Yes, with some limitations. In the “restricted zone” along the coast or borders, you can purchase land or property through a trust called a Fideicomiso, which is held by a bank in Mexico for up to 50 years and can be renewed and passed on to heirs. Property in the interior may be purchased “fee simple”, meaning you get the title direct. When dealing with real estate, always cross-check everything to make sure the property and owners are legitimate, and there is clear title. Seeing a real estate agent, lawyer, escrow service, notary, bank officials, etc. are all part of the process. Do your research.

What is the drinking age in Mexico?
Eighteen (18) for all citizens and visitors to Mexico. You must have valid ID in the form of a passport or driver’s license. Mexico has strict laws about drinking in public and public drunkeness, so don’t use the lower drinking age as an excuse to forget your common sense.

To get answers to a specific question you may have, please visit our Message Board, where you can get post your message and have hundreds of other online members help you out. Those questions that get asked often are then included into this FAQ list.

MEXonline.com

Los Niños Heroes

The Niños Heroes (Heroic Children) were six teenage military cadets who died defending Mexico at Mexico City’s Chapultepec Castle (which was the Mexican army’s military academy,) from invading forces from the U.S.in the Battle of Chapultepec on September 13, 1847. Mexico has had many heroes through its long and eventful history but conceivably none have mesmerized the thoughts and stirred the hearts to the extent that Los Niños Heros have. These brave young men fought valiantly for their country during the Mexican-American War but sadly, they died defending México’s honor.

These cadets ranged in age from 13 to 19 years of age. Their commanders ordered them to fall back but the cadets did not and instead they resisted the invaders until they were all dead. The six young men refused to relinquish their posts and bravely met the superior forces of the Americans.

· The last survivor Juan Escuitia born in Tepic between 1828 and 1832 was a second lieutenant in an artillery company, and is said to have draped himself with the Mexican flag before jumping to his death to prevent it from being taken by the enemy.

· The other five were Juan de la Barrera, born in Mexico city in 1828 He was the son of an army general who enlisted at the age of 12 and died defending a gun battery at the entrance to the park. He was 19 and the oldest of the six.

· Francisco Marques, born in Guadalajara, Jalisco in 1834 and was the step son of an army cavalry captain. He applied to the Academy on January 14, 1847 and belonged to the first company of cadets. His bullet riddled body was found on the east flank of the hill. He was the youngest of the six;

· Agustin Melgar born in Chihuahua, Chihuahua between 1828 and 1832. He was the son of Esteban Melgar, a lieutenant colonel in the army and Maria de la Luz Sevilla, both of whom died while he was very young and he applied for the Academy on November 4, 1846. He was able to shoot and kill invaders before taking refuge behind some mattresses in one of the rooms but was mortally wounded.

· Fernando Montes de Oca born in Azcapotzalco, Mx., Mexico between 1828 and 1832 to Jose Maria Monted de Oca and Josefa Rodriguez. He applied to the Academy on January 24,01847 and was one of the cadets who remained in the castle. His personal record reads “Killed for his country on 13 September 1847″;

· Vicente Suarezborn in 1882 in Puebla, Puebla and was the son of Miguel Suarez, a cavalry officer and Maria de la Luz Ortega. He applied for admission to the Academy on October 21, 1845 and was killed at his post in hand-to-hand combat.

They were buried in the grounds of Chapultepec Park in an undisclosed location and on September 27, 1952, they were re-interred at the monument top of the Heroic Cadets in Chapultepec.

This grand monument was raised in their honor, “Los Niños Heroes Monument,” and stands proudly at the entrance to Chapultepec Park in Mexico City. This impressive monument was made of Carrara marble by architect Enrique Aragon and sculptor Erlesto Tamariz in 1952.

In 1947, President Harry S. Truman of the United States visited the “Los Niños Heroes” monument where there was a moment of reverential silence observed by the President as a sign of respect for the young boy cadets. When President Truman was asked why he stopped at the monument his response was, “I respect bravery wherever I see it.”

Monument "Los Ninos Heroes