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Cabo Leadership Experience Speaker/Guest Orientation Guide 2011/2012

Cabo Leadership Experience Speaker/Guest … you for considering participation in the Cabo Leadership Experience ... actual experience, not contrived. ... audio or visual enhancements

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Cabo Leadership Experience

Speaker/Guest Orientation Guide

2011/2012

AMERICAN LEADERSHIP ACADEMY Guid ing Tomorrow’s Leaders

Greetings!

Thank you for considering participation in the Cabo Leadership Experience (CLE) to help

cultivate the next generation of America’s leaders. Whether you are a first-time attendee at

the CLE, or an experienced veteran, we believe this will be as rewarding an experience for

you as it will be for the students. We appreciate your support and we hope you will enjoy

being with us!

This guide is your resource for our program, lodging, navigation, weather, activity

suggestions and, most importantly, to help you understand your role as a presenter or

participant of the Cabo Leadership Experience. We recommend you bring this manual with

you to Mexico. You’ll find it a very helpful resource.

Aside from the time you dedicate to speaking and interacting with the students, we invite

you to explore the natural wonders and diverse activities of Los Cabos. The area offers

world-class golf, fishing, and sightseeing activities, all of which can be coordinated once you

arrive. Just ask one of our staff members to help you plan or arrange your activity.

Enjoy your time in Los Cabos! We sincerely hope you will find it a satisfying opportunity to

share your wisdom, experiences, and lessons with America’s next generation of leaders.

We’re happy you’re here!

The Board and st af f o f the Amer ican Leadersh ip Academy

P.S. – If you are presenting and have not done so already, please forward a recent biography and photo to

Tom Pennington at [email protected].

TABLE OF CONTENTS I. CABO LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE (CLE) FACULTY

a. Introduction ...................................................................................................... p. 4 b. Speaker Orientation.......................................................................................... p. 5 c. Presentation Format......................................................................................... p. 7 d. Presentation Room & A/V................................................................................. p. 7 e. Donations to the ALA........................................................................................ p. 7 II. HACIENDA LOS AMIGOS

a. Your Host – Jerry Nelson ................................................................................. p. 8 b. Accommodations .............................................................................................. p. 8 c. Getting Around.................................................................................................. p. 9 d. Security, Meals, Beverages and House Provisions.......................................... p. 10 e. Telephone/Internet ........................................................................................... p. 10/11 f. Mail, Lost and Found........................................................................................ p. 11 III. MARBELLA SUITES EN LA PLAYA

a. ALA Facilities..................................................................................................... p. 12 b. Staff................................................................................................................... p. 12 IV. YOUR TRIP TO MEXICO

a. Customs and Entry into Mexico ........................................................................ p. 13 b. Ground Transportation ..................................................................................... p. 14/15 c. Money and Expenses........................................................................................ p. 15 d. Safety and Security ........................................................................................... p. 15 e. Activities............................................................................................................ p. 16 f. Los Cabos Essentials........................................................................................ p. 18 g. Our Favorite Restaurants ................................................................................. p. 19 APPENDIX A. Cabo Packing Checklist .................................................................. p. 20 APPENDIX B. City Maps (Cabo and San Jose) .................................................... pp. 21–22 APPENDIX C. Miscellaneous Information ............................................................ pp. 23–27

(Airline info; Telephoning in Mexico; Emergency Services, Examples of Mexican Entry Documents)

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CABO LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE (CLE) FACULTY INTRODUCTION

Those who participate in this important program have a remarkable opportunity to impact the future leaders of our country. While the structured environment of our leadership seminars will allow you to share some of your experience and advice with participants, it is just the starting point.

The greatest impact you wi l l have on our par t ic ipan ts w i l l b e dur ing the t ime spen t interac t ing with them outs ide o f the sem inar s – whether that be sharing a meal with them at the hotel, having a chat over a drink in town, or just engaging in conversation around the pool. Often it is this informal interaction that leaves the greatest impression on the students.

Paul Wineman, who has been speaking at the American Leadership Academy for many years, says: “Until you've actually experienced interacting with the students, you won't know the degree of interest that they feel in what we have to say, or their degree of appreciation for our volunteering, in some way, to be a part of their lives.”

Your time and attention make a difference. Here are some examples of the responses the ALA and individual speakers receive regularly from attendees:

“Not only did I enjoy the seminar that you conducted, but afterwards, and maybe more importantly, I appreciated the fact that you simply took the time to sit down and talk to me.”

“I appreciate all you have done for me and I'm glad to have someone to guide and mentor me. This is the beauty of our organization.”

“Thank you for being such a wonderful friend to me. I do not know many people that have been so willing to help me in my adventures through life. Know that I will pay it forward to all that I meet.”

For these young men, a week at the CLE may rank among the most influential experiences in their young lives, which is why they so greatly appreciate you sharing your time. So many students have great ability and ambition, but need the wisdom and direction our experienced speakers can provide. Many of the students have shared with us that they leave the CLE with a new outlook on their place in the community and in the world.

“I now reach farther than I did before. I want to be better and I can recognize what my goals are, what my problems are, how to fix my problems and achieve my goals.”

Every week, new life-long friendships are created and connections between accomplished leaders and aspiring ones are forged. This may be your opportunity to be the catalyst a student needs to succeed, so take your participation seriously.

We know you will enjoy your time with us. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to make your visit more enjoyable. John Henebry, ALA Board Chairman Tom C. Pennington, Executive Director

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SPEAKER ORIENTATION

This document starts the process and should be helpful as you consider or create your presentation. Discussions with ALA Executive Director Tom Pennington also will help you better understand the nature of the program and the students you will address. If you’re not an experienced speaker to college students on Spring Break, that discussion will be important to your planning. Tom or another ALA volunteer or staff person will contact you before you arrive to make sure you have the information needed to participate and/or to help you tailor your presentation.

Your audience will consist almost entirely of college men. Other speakers and guests may be present, but the bulk will be underclassmen (non-seniors) from campuses across the U.S. Our students represent many races, religions and nationalities, so please keep that in mind as you prepare your words. We allow more seniors in January, but few in March, as they’ll be graduating soon after. Our capacity is 150 men, but we average 125-140 each week. Usually, more than 90% are attending their first ALA program in Cabo. We want you to share your first-hand experiences dealing with leadership, ethics and management in a way that provides lessons for life to a younger generation – in essence, what do you know now that you would have liked to know when you were 19? Next, can you offer it in a format that is simple, direct, engaging and interesting to men on Spring Break in Cabo. Lastly, can you provide clear, practical steps for these men to adopt and implement these lessons, so as to start them on the road to success? Some questions you might ask yourself: What does success mean to you? Money? Power? Fame? Family? Philanthropy? What are the values/principles/habits that have helped you in your success? What are the lessons you've learned in life that can help these young men succeed? What are the biggest barriers to success and how do you avoid them? We want to discuss not only successes, but also failures. How did you fail? What did you learn from it? How did you change yourself after? Sometimes a sincere story of failure can teach more than lecturing about success. The goal is to use your personal experience to illustrate important concepts and values that will be useful to their success. We want to address problems these men encounter - apathy, procrastination, conflict - and provide solutions to avoid or fix them. Many emerging leaders feel overwhelmed by their challenges and fall out of leadership positions, when it's easier to just be part of the group. What skills, ideas or talents can we provide to make them more confident and effective in addressing these challenges? We also like to emphasize how the chapter experience can be a valuable living/learning laboratory for success after college. No other student experience can provide the practice in managing time, people, money and resources toward a common goal quite like fraternity involvement. They should, therefore, see serving as an officer or committee head as a way to build skills for life, not as something they don't have the time to do. Key components for presentations: It should be relevant to young men in college. It should be relevant to those who want to lead organizations and be a success in life. It should include solutions, rather than just concepts or ideas. It should be YOUR story - first person, sincere, actual experience, not contrived. It should provide steps these men can take NOW to begin their journey. Summary: ALA is about first hand experiences dealing with leadership, management, behavior, life skills and lessons learned, and how a chapter experience can be the catalyst for learning and mastering these areas.

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These are bright young men, but doing education during Spring Break can be a challenge. Generally, whatever your topic, make it easy for them to follow, provide them step by step instructions they can write down, and make it memorable with quotes, stories, audio or visual enhancements or audience participation. This may not be the venue to re-present something you’ve put together for your office, community or peer group, or even other groups of college students. Consider the following chart for ideas, as you develop your presentation plan for maximum educational impact… Low ------------------------------------ > Educat ional Impact ------------------------------- > High Lecture Small Group Discussion Case Studies Computer Simulation Real Video Large Group Discussion Role Playing (games) Life! Individual Activities

From our previous year’s evaluations, we’ve found some consistent themes to speakers and sessions rated highest by the students. These may help you to plan your time with them.

• high energy; loud and clear voice; passionate about the topic • includes stories illustrating and helping validate topic • clear and logical focus of presentation (start, beginning, end) • topic is relevant not only to future success, but is immediately applicable • provide simple action steps that can be implemented within the next 60 days • speak in terms familiar to them – i.e. they may not understand corporate budgeting, but the principles

are the same as budgeting for a chapter house; sales and marketing is a lot like rush, etc. • use bullet points and memorable quotes to enhance your information • get them out of their chairs, if appropriate • spend time outside of presentation to continue discussions

Example: You’re in PR and want to present on the importance of building a personal “brand”. You talk about your experience in the chapter, using rush as a public relations and recruitment project – what worked, what didn’t. You touch on a couple high-profile PR failures (new Coke, etc.). You talk about personal “branding” as a means toward their getting a job. You then call on students to help build a list of the skills, values and character traits they’ll need to adopt and communicate, if they want the best companies to be interested in them. You then ask everyone in the room to take five minutes to write one sentence to describe their personal brand. Ask for volunteers to share theirs, then close with a final story on the importance of living up to your brand with friends and within the chapter. Your time target should be 45 minutes, with 10 minutes for Q&A. It’s best to focus on one or two most important ideas – don’t get too technical, use examples that require lengthy explanations, or try to explain the intricacies of your professional discipline. You’ll have time later to go into more detail with students who want to speak with you after your session. Most of all make it relevant and useful to them NOW, not several years after graduation. And show them how leadership in their chapter can be the best preparation for professional success. Breakfast is held at the Nelson compound each morning. Information on the speaker schedules, meeting room assignments, any special guests or events, and general announcements for the day are provided there. It’s also an opportunity to plan your day, if you want to put together or join a group for sightseeing, fishing, golf, etc. An ALA staff member will attend each morning to answer questions and assist your needs. You also are encouraged to eat breakfast with the students at the hotel any day – they greatly appreciate that extra time with you.

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PRESENTATION FORMAT

Presentations are either core curriculum, delivered in general session to all attendees, or breakout sessions for special interests, such as law, medicine, technology, entrepreneurship, etc. General sessions are held in our main meeting room, while breakouts can be held anywhere on the hotel property, beach, or even off-site, depending upon the number of men who will attend. If you are doing a breakout session, you may be assigned an initial meeting space. These sessions are open to any students who are interested in the topic, and locations will be announced before and after our general sessions. Once your group assembles, you can meet anywhere else you please.

General sessions should be designed for a 55-minute segment, but times can vary depending on the day’s schedule. Typical presentations include a short autobiography, a brief introduction on your topic, a 35-40 minute presentation, a conclusion, and time for questions. Audio/Video, handouts or other materials can help the students follow along. Keep in mind the feedback above. It can be a challenge to get and keep audience attention, especially early in the week. The men are on Spring Break and, though good about making the meetings, are not always at full attention span. Feel free to shake them up a bit; have them stand and stretch; do something interactive; get them to work with those next to them, etc.

Also, keep in mind you are presenting to a group of students who will pursue careers in many different fields. General session speakers should remember to develop presentations that will provide information relevant to a broad group of leaders, regardless of their major, year in school or background. Focus on the most important concepts, then bring it down to a more personal level, so the men can relate the topic to what they do on a daily basis. Too many students discount good information because the speaker wasn’t someone in a profession they want to pursue. If you do talk about your job, make sure you also point out the important elements to your success (character, integrity, persistence, etc.) are universal to success in any career. PRESENTATION ROOM & A/V

Our new meeting room is an air-conditioned, well-lighted space with first class audio/video capabilities, including video broadcasting via the Internet. The students will sit in a lecture room format, unless you request differently. Capacity is about 180. There also is a smaller meeting room one floor below, suitable for up to 40.

If you require anything for your presentation, (Audio, Video, DVD, PowerPoint, flipchart, etc.) or desire any special setup or props, please make sure to provide details on your needs to the ALA staff at least 2 days prior to your presentation date. You may send that info to [email protected] or note it on a Presentation Proposal form. DONATIONS TO THE ALA

The American Leadership Academy is a 501(c)(3) public non-profit charitable organization (EIN# 81-0625000) and our budget is funded by donations from the public. As a speaker, you already are making a considerable investment in the future of these young men, but we hope you also will consider a financial investment to help us continue our work. It costs about $500 a week to host you at the guest compound, and about the same amount to host a student at the hotel for a week. Please consider this as a minimum gift amount. Tax deductible gifts may be made during your visit to Los Cabos, via our website at www.AmericanLA.org, or by mail to American Leadership Academy; P.O. Box 245; Zionsville, IN 46077, or you may contact our Executive Director, Tom Pennington, at [email protected].

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HACIENDA LOS AMIGOS YOUR HOST – JERRY NELSON

J erry Nelson has been a general contractor with construction projects in Michigan, California, Arizona, and Europe. He is president and founder of Pinnacle Peak Land Company and of Pinnacle Paradise, Inc. Through these entities and affiliates he has, since 1971, developed Pinnacle Peak Village, Pinnacle Peak Country Club and Shopping Plaza, Troon Village, Troon Golf & Country Club, Troon North, and Troon North golf course.

Brother Nelson has funded the creation and startup of numerous companies, including Simulnet, Video Electronics, Ticketmaster, Antenna Technology Corporation and Technology Control Services. He was appointed by Arizona Governor Bruce Babbitt to the Urban Lands Advisory Commission and, in 1997, was inducted into Scottsdale’s “History Maker Hall of Fame.” Brother Nelson has been a Trustee of the Phi Kappa Psi Foundation since 1989. At Phi Kappa Psi’s 2000 National Convention, the Fraternity recognized Jerry’s outstanding achievement as a volunteer and philanthropist with a National Leadership Award. Jerry has three sons, Nick, Tom and J.P. (California Epsilon ’94). His late wife Florence, was an educator and philanthropist also, and a strong supporter of the work done in Cabo by the ALA. ACCOMMODATIONS

When you arrive at the compound, you will get a brief tour from an ALA or Nelson staff member. He will help familiarize you with the compound and get you to the suite where you’ll be staying while at the CLE. Please let him know if you have any questions or special needs.

There are six homes, three casitas and several apartments on the property. Each home has a swimming pool and complete kitchen. Most have washers and dryers you may use. Each air-conditioned suite will have a private bath and will receive linen, towel and cleaning services daily. Bathrooms will have soap, shampoo, toothpaste and other amenities, should you need them. Water (agua) supplied to the estate is filtered and purified with biologic and ultraviolet filtering and is safe to drink. Generally, water and ice in all the restaurants and bars in Los Cabos is safe. They will be happy to sell you bottled water at inflated prices, but it’s probably bottled in their kitchens from the tap. The Los Cabos water system is relatively new and clean water is plentiful.

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GETTING AROUND

Los Cabos means “The Cabos” and there are two: San Jose del Cabo, which is nearest the airport, about 15 miles northeast, and Cabo San Lucas, about 20 miles southwest. The area between the two is called “The Tourist Corridor” (or el Corr idór) and is home to most of the luxury hotels and resorts (see map). The Nelson compound is at KM 18, on Costa Brava. There is ample and regular bus, taxi and shuttle service between the two towns and the airport, so don’t be afraid to use these options. The new public buses are reliable, clean and quite comfortable, and cost only about $1.75, each way, to either town.

NELSON VEHICLES

There are several Nelson vehicles available for check-out during your stay, when they are not otherwise needed by staff or family. To use a vehicle, ask an ALA staff member about availability. If a vehicle is available, sign for the keys and let him know when you will return. Please make sure it is relatively full of people (i.e. not two people in a Suburban) and return it on time. Please also drive carefully and replace the fuel you use. Pemex gas stations are located in the towns and along the corridor and take cash only – pesos or dollars. Also, p lease do not transport students dur ing CLE sess ions. It’s prohibited by ALA insurance. If you would prefer maximum independence, rental cars are available at the airport from most U.S. vendors and rates are competitive. We recommend you purchase Mexican insurance from AAA or another travel vendor in the U.S. before you arrive. It will be less expensive.

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SECURITY

Access to the estate is controlled by a keypad and gate. We can E-mail the code to you, once you make your travel arrangements. There also are gates at the beachfront entrances and a security camera system at several access points to the property. Most rooms also have keys so you can lock your room if you’re leaving the compound for the day. While there have been very few security issues, please be aware of who is on property and alert the staff to any concerns you may have. MEALS, BEVERAGES AND HOUSE PROVISIONS

Breakfast (desayuno) is served each morning on the back patio of Casa Florencia (the main house of the Nelson estate) promptly at 9:00 AM. If you would like to share breakfast with the students, please go to the hotel where breakfast begins at 8:45 AM. Please be sure you are present for breakfast at the Nelson compound the morning that you are scheduled to speak, as this is when you will be coordinating with one of the staff members and the other scheduled presenters for that day. Otherwise, talk with ALA staff the afternoon before you present.

Lunch (comida) and dinner (cena) are served at the hotel every day at 12:30 and 6:30 PM, respectively. We encourage speakers to have meals with the students and use this time to interact with them in a more informal manner. Several lunches each week may be structured with some discussion topic or assignment. While we encourage you to dine with the attendees, we are sure you also will want to explore some of the great restaurants Los Cabos has to offer. Dining in Los Cabos can range from inexpensive local fare to very expensive European or

Spa cuisine. Later in this guide are listings of the various places in Cabo where you can tickle your taste buds. We have included our recommendations. Jerry Nelson will tell you, “You can’t get a bad meal in Cabo!” and he’s right! The Palapa Bar at the Nelson compound (right) features ice, soft drinks, beer and an assortment of liquors and mixers. This facility hosts happy hours each day and serves as a common meeting area for those wishing to go into town in the evening. PHONE & INTERNET

For friends or family who may need to reach you, the Nelson compound has a fax machine and phone. A VOIP (Internet-based) phone service allows lower priced calls from the states, using a Tucson area code. The numbers 520-232-2508 or 520-232-2498 will connect you to the house. If these lines are down, the Nelson compound number, dialed from the U.S., is: 011-52-624-144-0110. The fax number from the U.S. is: 011-52-624-144-0130. Within Los Cabos, only dial the last seven digits: 144-0110, unless you are calling from a mobile phone, then add the area code “624” at the start. See more instructions in Appendix C about using phones in Los Cabos.

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While on the property, the same VOIP lines provide free calls back to the states. In most houses, just pick up the phone and dial “87” or “88” and the dial tone will click, then sound a bit stronger. You are now connected to a U.S. area code. Now, dial 1, the area code, and your number, like you would from home. There is no time limit or charge for these calls. There are two computers with Internet access for you to use. They are located behind the kitchen on the first floor of Casa Florencia (main house). There also is an Internet line for your laptop that you can use at no charge, and wireless Internet access is available on some parts of the property. Ask an ALA staff member to help, if you cannot get connected. Particularly for those with data plans on their phones (Email, text, etc.), it is recommended you turn off your cellular services and use only WiFi while in Cabo – roaming charges can be very high in Mexico. Otherwise, check with your provider to add an international service plan for a week or more, to minimize charges. MAIL & PACKAGES

There is not a conventional postal service, as there are not conventional addresses for private homes. If you have materials that need to be delivered, it’s best to use a courier service. DHL is the most reliable, but UPS and FedEx are expanding services each year. For deliveries, it’s best to use the Hotel address, as that is a more identifiable landmark for the delivery people. ALA or Hotel staff will ensure the package is delivered to the Nelson compound. Address packages to you, care of:

Hotel Marbel la Su it es en la P laya Carretera Transpeninsu la r KM 17.5 S/N Co lon ia Cabo Real 23450 San Jose del Cabo, BCS Mexico

(624) 144-1060 in Mex ico or (866) 654-6160 to l l- f ree f rom U.S. If possible, indicate somewhere: “Contact (Your Name) @ Nelson Compound, upon receipt”. UPDATES/LOST AND FOUND

Near the breakfast area, at the main house, is a bulletin board where you can find a schedule of activities for the week, roster of interns, phone list and other items you may find helpful to plan your time with us. You should check the bulletin board each day, to see if there are any last-minute changes or new activity options. We’ll also post any notes or phone messages there, if we could not find you to deliver them. If you lose something valuable, please ask Jerry or one of his staff at breakfast. Any valuable items found on the property are turned in to the staff. They’ll usually get those to Jerry for safekeeping until the owner is located.

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MARBELLA SUITES EN LA PLAYA (ON THE BEACH) ALA FACILITIES

Marbella Suites on the Beach is the hotel that has hosted the ALA since 2003. The hotel has 40 suites and can accommodate up to 160 attendees. As well as housing the attendees during their stay here, the hotel provides dining, meeting and recreation space. The restaurant will have buffet style meals prepared daily by its chef and kitchen staff. The poolside bar is open daily and there is a fitness center and computer center on property, as well as a spa room with an excellent masseuse. There are two meeting rooms. The new Harlan Meeting Center is an enclosed, air-conditioned room that can accommodate up to 180 people, theater-style. The other room is a smaller breakout room below the main lobby that holds about 40 people. The Harlan Room is equipped with computers, a projector and screens, as well as wi-fi and hardwire Internet access. Feel free to bring a PowerPoint presentation on a CD or flash drive. We also have limited ability to video-conference and “stream” content to the Internet. The hotel has a large heated pool and two hot tubs just a few feet from one of the finest beaches on the Corridor. There are kayaks, surfboards and boogie boards available for use, as well as frisbees, footballs, soccer balls and other beach equipment. The hotel is just a short stroll from the Nelson estate (about 150 yards), and you will always find the beach full of energetic young students. Feel free to walk over and hang out with the students on the beach in the afternoon. Student room and board during Spring Break ALA programming is made possible by deductible gifts from alumni and friends to the American Leadership Academy, and by contributions from hotel profits. You can help by referring friends and family to the hotel during the year. MARBELLA SUITES EN LA PLAYA STAFF

Carlos Escobosa, General Manager Edgar “Tavo” Moreno, Maintenance Manager Karla Peña, Reservations/Operations Manager Lilian Flores, Concierge/Front Desk Manager Chef David Perez, Restaurant Manager AMERICAN LEADERSHIP ACADEMY STAFF

Tom Pennington, Texas , Executive Director Several student interns serve during each ALA session These are full time staff members who are here to ensure the program and your experience is the best possible. Please let any of them know if there is anything that can be done to make your stay more pleasant or productive. NOTE: A number of alumni prefer to stay in one of the executive rooms at the hotel, so they will have more opportunity to interact with the students. Please let us know if this is your preference, as we must work with the hotel to insure rooms are available and ready for you.

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YOUR TRIP TO MEXICO ENTERING THE COUNTRY

U.S. citizens do not need to obtain a visitor’s visa for short-term stays. However, as of Jan. 23, 2007, all travelers between the U.S. and Mexico must have a valid government-issued passport. While Mexico may continue to accept lesser forms of ID to enter Mexico, you w i l l no t be ab le to re-enter the U .S. w ithout a passport . If you do not have a passport, please acquire one before your trip. Travelers should expect to receive their passport within six to eight weeks of applications made in the U.S. Find out more at:

http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html. Tour ist Cards: All U.S. citizens visiting Mexico for tourism or study for up to 180 days need a document, called a tourist card (FMM in Spanish) to enter and leave Mexico. The airlines usually provide this document in-flight, prior to landing. Upon entering Mexico, the authorities will stamp your form and give you a tear-off section. Keep this safe, as you must surrender it to Mexican Immigration (usually will be collected when you check-in with your airline for your departure flight) when you depart Mexico. ARRIVAL TO LOS CABOS

On or before the flight, you’ll be provided two forms. One is a customs form to declare any merchandise you may be bringing into the country. You are allowed a number of items without taxation and these will be identified on the form. The other form is the FMM, or tourist card mentioned above, indicating your nationality and where you’ll be staying in Cabo. Refer to Appendix C. for more information on how to complete these forms. When you arrive in Los Cabos, you will deplane and go through Mexican Immigration. They’ll ask for your completed copy of the FMM form you were provided on the airplane. They’ll confirm your identity and stamp the form, tear off the right side and give it back to you. Don’t lose this! You will need it to exit the country, or you’ll have to pay up to $50 for a replacement. You’ll then claim your luggage, send it through the x-ray machines (searching for taxable items or weapons) and go through Customs. Customs is a few tables behind a couple of stop lights. You’ll be asked to press a button and the light will either be red or green, indicating “search” or “proceed”, respectively. That is how they determine whose bags will be lightly searched by Customs. As with the x-ray, they’re looking primarily for taxable items you may not have declared. If you have a question about any item, indicate this before you press the button on the stoplight. If they find anything after you get a red light, there may be a fine, as well as the tax. GROUND TRANSPORTATION

After Customs, you’ll pass into a sales area. Rental cars and shuttles will be available. If you are not renting a vehicle, the ALA will make your shuttle reservation, unless we’ve agreed to pick you up (usually for first time visitors). Locate the TransCabo shuttle representative (usually wearing a beige TransCabo shirt or holding a sign with the company logo) and give them your name. They will put you on a shuttle and get you to Hacienda Los Amigos. It is very rare, but there have been times where there is no company representative to meet you. Don’t panic, you have several options…

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1) Go to the taxi and shuttle area and ask for TransCabo. There is usually a supervisor at one of the terminals who will secure a shuttle for you – even if with a competitor. TransCabo is the service we use for the students, so they’ll know the hotel and Jerry’s home. You are going to Hacienda Los Amigos, which is located on the Transpeninsular (highway) at kilometer 18 (k i lometro d iez y ocho). Look for the big Phi Psi flag (red, green, red) flying over the gate. 2) If your cell phone has a signal (Cingular, ATT, Sprint, T-Mobile and others should work in Los Cabos), and if you have activated international roaming with your cell phone provider, you may call the hotel to let us know you’ve arrived and are waiting. Dial “052” and the hotel’s number: (624) 144-1060. There’s an English-speaking attendant at the hotel to take your call and arrange for your pickup or let you know someone is on the way. Especially, if you’ve arrived early, your ride may be on the way. 3) If all else fails, you may consider paying for a taxi – about $50 from the airport. If you have more than three in your party, this will be less than the shuttle. Be sure to agree on the fare before you get into the taxi . Otherwise, legally, the driver can charge you anything he wants and you must pay. There are no meters in the taxis in Los Cabos. If we’ve agreed to pick you up, an intern will meet you and drive you to the Nelson home. If arriving in Terminal 1, stay to the left as you exit customs and go back into the terminal. If arriving in Terminal 3, go outside and walk to your left, as if going back into the terminal. When it is time to depart Los Cabos, ALA staff will provide a ride to the airport, or your return shuttle will be arranged. Confirm with a staff member at least a day prior to your flight, and he will make sure a ride is arranged or a shuttle is present at the appropriate time. You should leave for the airport approximately two hours before your flight. RENTING A CAR

Renting may be your best option while in Mexico, if you want to travel freely on your own, or have a group with you. Many major vendors (Alamo, Budget, Thrifty) are at the airport and prices are very competitive. Many offer deals under $100 a week on compact cars. If you work through a travel agent, make sure they find out what vehicle you’ll drive, as many of the cars do not have automatic transmission or A/C. It might be best to call the rental car “800” number in the states to discuss and make sure you get the car you want.

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You are required to have Mexican insurance. If you don’t and are in an accident, they have the right to jail you until you provide the means to pay for damages. American insurance is not valid on Mexican roads. It is best to get temporary auto insurance if you’ll be driving. We recommend you consider Mexican auto insurance online, rather than from the auto rental merchant, as their prices are inflated. AAA and several other organizations allow you to purchase and print your policy online. Carry that information with you wherever you drive. MONEY AND EXPENSES

Both dollars and pesos can be used for most transactions. The conversion rate changes daily but runs around 11 to 13 pesos for a dollar. Most stores and restaurants will accept dollars at an exchange rate of 10 or 12 to 1.

Dollars can be converted at the bank or at any one of many establishments which line the main street. However for the BEST conversion rate use your credit card, as the conversion is done electronically at the time of the transaction and rounded to the nearest cent. You will always get the best deal paying with pesos. ATM’s are available at many locations in Cabo, but there is a fee ($2.00 - $10.00) for withdrawal of cash. Look for ATMs from the major Mexican banks – Banamex, Banorte,

ScotiaBank, or Bancomer. These are more reliable and their fees are lower. Our advice? Use your credit card where you can (but make sure they bill you in pesos!) and use the ATMs when you want to pay in cash. Most vendors will take VISA and MasterCard. Fewer accept American Express (cards OR travelers checks) because of the higher merchant fees and delays in receiving payment. SAFETY AND SECURITY

Although Cabo is considered one of the safest, most well-protected areas in Mexico, you should remember to be aware of your surroundings as you walk around. Cabo San Lucas, in particular, can get pretty wild at night. As with any popular tourist town, keep an eye on valuables and don’t flash cash around. If you don’t need it with you (cameras, iPods, cell phone, etc.), leave it at home. There are electronic safes provided in most rooms at the Nelson compound and hotel. NOTE: There has been considerable publicity and concern about violence in Mexico, related to drug cartels and the drug trade. Rest assured that Los Cabos has not fallen victim to this threat. Its location – 1,000 miles from the border and 300 miles from the mainland – has kept it isolated from the troubles in other areas of the country. As such, there are no U.S. Department of State travel warnings for Los Cabos, related to drugs or violence. In the words of some visitors, not going to Cabo because of violence on the border is like not going to Atlanta because Chicago has crime – it’s that far away from the threat. There is crime in Los Cabos, as there is in any resort community in the U.S. or Canada, but it is mostly petty crime on individuals.

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ACTIVITIES (MORE INFORMATION IN APPENDIX C)

Conc ierge: There are many diversions in Los Cabos and many vendors to help you enjoy your visit. As an attendee at an ALA session, you have access to the hotel concierge services. The hotel concierge knows many of the local vendors and can make recommendations for most activities. Call or come by the hotel desk for brochures, pricing, or ideas. Weather: The average temperature in January is 75 degrees during the day and 64 degrees at night (March is 78/68), sometimes dipping into the 50s. This time of year there should be little humidity and usually no rain. High temps will reach the 80s and even 90s later in March. Swimming : The Nelson estate features five pools and a hot tub. Towels are provided. The beach in front of the estate is easily accessed, but the waves can be strong so you should only enter the surf if you are a good ocean swimmer. Beachside showers are available to hose off the sand. One reaches the beach by walking down the stairs located off the main house pool, or the stairs directly below the Principe house. Medano Beach in downtown Cabo is a place where you can parasail, jet ski, sail, or kayak. On the western side at the marina you can take a water taxi to Lover’s Beach where you can snorkel or sunbathe. Scuba and Snorkel ing : In Cabo San Lucas there are a variety of outfitters, where you can sign up for extended dives along the coast. The ocean water can be cool but the sun will be hot so make sure that you apply liberal amounts of sunscreen. Chileno Beach, located just about 2 miles west of the Nelson estate, is a favorite for snorkeling tours that come in on large group boats. Watch for the diving symbol on the seaward side of the highway. They’ve recently built a new access road, so access and parking is much improved. There is a short walk to the beach and facilities and food and drink are available. The current is not too swift and the snorkeling is good. Santa Maria Beach (Playa Sta. Maria), located a few miles farther west of the estate, has coarse pink sand consisting of granite, so wear shoes as the walk from the parking lot is somewhat long. This is a quiet beach where you can relax in the tropical breeze. It is less developed, so also less busy. Look for the bus stop on the beach side at KM 12 and follow the dirt road to the beach.

Fish ing : The deep-sea fishing in Cabo is considered among the finest in the world. Marlin, tuna, wahoo and dorado are abundant. Marlin are catch-and-release, except for one per boat, per day. All other sport fish are keepers, though it’s best to release, if you aren’t planning to eat the meat or take it back with you. Cabo has several services that can filet, vacuum pack and quick freeze for shipping back to the states.

While you can rent large cruiser boats and go in search of bigger game fish, it is also possible to charter an inexpensive “Panga” which will take up to 3 people out for a four-hour trip for only $180 total, (you bring your own cooler). Larger boats average $75-

$150 a person and will be smoother on the seas for landlubbers. Plan to depart the estate at 6:00 am, returning at 4:00 pm. It makes for a great day!

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Go lf : Previously, groups have played the premiere courses at Cabo Del Sol, Quivera, Cabo Real, and Palmilla. You should be aware that to play world-class quality golf courses can be quite expensive ($250+ per person). There are more public courses available at lower prices. Jerry and/or the hotel sometimes have discounts available. Shopp ing: You can find very good prices on silver, Mexican fire opal, clothing, leather goods, glass, pewter and tile. Prices are negotiable, although in the nicer shops you pay close to the sticker. At the open markets you should expect to bargain. It can be quite a spirited conversation! You’ll always get a better price for quantity, if you need more than one of anything. If you have the chance, attend Paul Wineman’s workshop on the Art o f Negot iat ion we present to the students. It will make you a much better negotiator when you shop. Cabo San Lucas has a small glass factory that turns out cobalt blue glassware and a variety of other items. There are two good size open markets where bargaining is the name of the game. While you will be approached on the beach by vendors, they are usually polite and will not pester you beyond the initial offer. Their product is the same as that found in the markets, but, depending on their day, you may be able to get a better bargain. Artisanos is a huge shopping warehouse just outside Cabo San Lucas, with pottery, pewter, furniture, glassware and tile. It’s a one-stop shop for just about everything you might want to take home with you and they can arrange to ship back larger items. Plan to spend a couple hours. Night l i f e: The two Cabos offer just about every kind of experience you could wish. San Jose del Cabo is a quieter, more traditional Mexican town, with patio and courtyard restaurants, art galleries, strolling mariachis and jazz and Latin dance bars. It’s much more attuned to the mature traveler wanting a quieter evening. In March, Thursday evenings from 5 to 9 PM, the Gallery Walk is a great opportunity to get a feel of the new arts community emerging in San Jose. Galleries in the historic area of town are open – often with the artists present, hosting visitors with food and drink. The Festival of San Jose occurs each year, beginning March 8 and culminating on March 19. Parades, dancing, a carnival midway and concerts from popular traditional and contemporary artists make it one of the most exciting weeks in the Baja. Cabo San Lucas, on the other hand, is the tourist center, with a very lively and loud main strip that includes bars and dance clubs more popular with the college crowd. With cruise ships docking more often, it can get very crowded and Spring Break is the height of activity. But don’t let that stop you from getting a look and, perhaps, participating in the excitement. A night at Squid Roe has to be seen to be believed! Prices are comparable to U.S. clubs, because that’s what tourists will pay. Prepare to pony up $5 a beer and $8 to $15 for mixed drinks. There are happy hours and bargains at many locations and you can always negotiate a better price for quantity. As with most venues, ask the price before you order, or ask to see the menu, so there aren’t any surprises. The Corridor, between the two Cabos is host to many excellent restaurants and evening clubs – most located behind the gates of the many world-class resort and spa hotels. It’s another option if you don’t want to go into either town, but the hotel and resort prices will be higher than the norm.

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LOS CABOS ESSENTIALS

If you are a first-time traveler to Cabo there are several “must-see or do” places or activities, which you should seek out. These include: P laya del Amor (Lover’s Beach) : Travel through Cabo and around the harbor to the marina. Walk through the open market and out to the dock where you pay around $5 a person to be transported by water taxi to one of two beaches at Land’s End, where the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific Ocean meet at the arch (E l Arco). The service also is available on Medano Beach in front of “The Office” beach bar. There are no facilities on Lover’s Beach and you will arrange with the boat captain when he is to return to pick you up. Plan on 2-3 hours and bring a cooler and your snorkel equipment. Swim only on the Sea of Cortez side, as the Pacific currents are very dangerous. The Of f ice: Located across the harbor from Lover’s Beach is this famous beachfront drinking and dining establishment. Finding the place and finding parking can be tricky, so buddy up with one of the seasoned veterans. The food and drink are good, but the people-watching in the sun is great. Wear your bathing suit, as it’s only a few steps to the surf from your table. You can make arrangements from here to go parasailing, rent a jet ski or take a glass-bottom boat ride. Beach vendors are abundant, but will keep clear of your table unless you invite them over.

E l Squid Roe: This is Phi Psi’s stompin’ ground and Jerry is an institution here. Pablo Moreno, the hardest working emcee in Mexico, even leads the whole place in the Phi Psi yell every once in awhile, and there are signs that welcome Phi Psis. Watch out for the Jell-o shot girls! If they can get it in your mouth, you’ve bought it. Shr imp House (do not confuse with the Shrimp Factory nearby): Like Bubba Gump said, “Shrimp is the best!” and this place proves it. In fact, it’s about all they serve. Order your shrimp breaded and fried, grilled or boiled.

Throw in a couple of “bulldogs” (a lemonade-like drink with an upside down beer) and you’ll be in heaven. Great for lunch! For those who can’t eat shrimp, they can order other items from a partner restaurant next door. If you’re really hungry, ask for the Phi Psi Special – all you can eat and drink, shrimp three ways and bulldogs or beer. Open A ir Market : There are two good open-air markets in Cabo. The first is across from the Aramburo supermarket, which you will see just past El Squid Roe on the right. The other market is located at the end of the main road on the far side of the harbor. Haggling is the fun of this place, as you never pay what is the listed price. Don’t get overeager to buy. There are lots of places and you should shop around – many booths carry the same items. Mart in i Jung le: While every other place in Cabo seems to vibrate with a loud, pounding dance beat, Martini Jungle is a quieter, outdoor courtyard bar, much better for conversation. The owner, Odin, is a good friend, offering drink specials and even a few drinks in honor of our group. A good place to relax a bit between other bars, and get to know people.

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OUR FAVORITE RESTAURANTS

Cabo San Lucas –

Ed ith ’s: A wonderful, moderately expensive, outdoor restaurant – one of the best restaurants in Los Cabos. Only dinner is served and reservations are a must, due to its popularity. Enjoy fantastic seafood, steaks and traditional Mexican. You will not be disappointed! La Fonda: Excellent traditional Mexican and outstanding continental cuisine. The poblano bisque is amazing and we recommend the short ribs. Feeling adventurous? Try a few of their pre-Columbian appetizers from historic mezo-America. Fried grasshoppers, ant eggs and grub worms prepared just for you! Mi Casa: Outstanding traditional Mexican on the city square. Holiday and special dishes you won’t find at other restaurants. Great mariachis, potent margaritas and a festive atmosphere make it one of the most popular restaurants in Cabo, so reservations are a necessity. There’s a location in San Jose also, in the historic district. N ick-San/JapanGo: If you’re a sushi lover, or just want the best possible sushi as your first experience, you can’t get better than Cabo. Nick-San has two restaurants and a sushi window at Nowhere Bar with the freshest and most creative sushi you’ve ever had. Go to the restaurant for the best service, but the food at JapanGo at Nowhere Bar is just as good, at lower prices, and you get to hang out at one of the best places in town to see and be seen. Pancho ’s: Great Mexican food and the largest tequila menu in Mexico (according to them, of course). Enjoy Jerry’s favorite, Pancho’s special (formerly #75) and “freshly” made ice cream – lemon, orange, pineapple, and coconut, served inside the fruit from which it was made. Watch out for the Rattlesnake Tequila! Puerta V ie ja: At the Missiones turnoff about 3 miles outside of Cabo. They serve steaks, lamb and seafood and have a good wine list and excellent mango margaritas. Consider watching the sun set at Mona Lisa (just down the road), then dinner here. Try the lobster bisque and shrimp in tequila sauce. San Jose del Cabo –

Baja Brew ing Co . : From a small micro brewery, the business is now bottling beer and selling in every Costco in Mexico. Excellent pub fare and their specialty pizzas were voted best in Los Cabos. They have another location on the roof of Cabo Villas Resort in Cabo San Lucas, with one of the best views of the bay you can get. La Do lce: Italian on the main square. Great wood-fired pizzas, pastas, soups & salads. Dining inside or in the outside courtyard. A great way to end a Thursday night Gallery Walk! There’s also a location in Cabo San Lucas. Morgan’s and Morgan’s Encore: Fantastic Mediterranean fare, great wine lists and very talented chefs. Both restaurants are just a couple blocks off the center square. Morgan’s is on the west side and Morgan’s Encore is on the East in the gallery district. Trop icana: Outdoor dining along the main avenue or courtyard dining inside. Good food (large helpings), great drinks, excellent jazz and Latin music in the indoor gallery and bar. They even have salsa and tango lessons some nights. Get on your dancing shoes – or enjoy the show from the upstairs martini bar. Come on Sunday for the best brunch in town – only $20! V io lá B istro : Down a few feet from Morgan’s Encore in the gallery district, you’ll find creative Mexican dishes “tweaked” with French and Asian twists and a small but diverse wine list. Chef Valle is famous for his lobster burrito with mango chipotle salsa.

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APPENDIX A. CABO PACKING CHECKLIST

Los Cabos is at Latitude 22 – about as far south as Havana, Cuba – so the sun is much more intense than what you are probably used to. It’s also in an arid desert climate, so you can dehydrate much more quickly here. Clothing and sunscreen can help to make sure you don’t get burned, and you should make sure to drink lots of water and fruit juices while here (alcohol is a de-hydrator). Otherwise, here are some thoughts on what you might want to bring. C lo th ing

Dress during the day: (beach attire) resort casual, shorts & polos or camp shirts. In the evening (it might cool down): pants, long sleeves, a lightweight sweater or jacket may be needed. For the ladies, beach wear or shorts during the day, sundresses, capris or shorts at night, but bring a

sweater or wrap for evenings – especially in Jan/Feb For Sw imming/Beach

you can bring beach towels, although Jerry has plenty suntan lotion/sunscreen (for most an SPF 15-30 is needed) beach bag sandals water shoes hat, with neck protection

For House

favorite CDs or DVDs, or choose from the extensive library any special child needs – strollers, playpens, toys, etc.

(Jerry has some equipment on site; call or email for specifics) For ATV

tennis shoes/hiking shoes/boots bandana (2) for face and neck driving/ski goggles blue jeans long sleeve shirt

For Snorkel ing

swim fins swim mask/snorkel water camera wetsuit, if you get cold when snorkeling (Spring water temp. averages 72° F)

Note: All these items are available locally for rent, individually, or as a part of a snorkeling/scuba package.

Miscel laneous

A smile! Don’t forget your PASSPORT and Driver’s License ATM and Credit Cards

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APPENDIX B. – MAP OF DOWNTOWN CABO SAN LUCAS

NoWhere Bar JapanGo Sushi

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APPENDIX B. – MAP OF DOWNTOWN SAN JOSE DEL CABO

Morgan’s Rest.

Viola, Baja Brewing & Morgan’s Encore

Amigo’s Cigar Shop

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APPENDIX C. AIRLINE INFORMATION

Los Cabos International Airport (SJD) - San Jose del Cabo. Phone: (624) 146 - 5111 Cabo San Lucas Airport (private planes) - Operations Phone: (624) 122 - 4227

Air l ine To l l Free Local phone Internet

Aeroméxico 1-800-237-6639 in USA; 01-800-021-4000 in Mexico 146-5097 www.aeromexico.com

Alaska Airlines/ Horizon Air

1-800-252-7522 in USA; 01-800-654-5669 in Mexico

142-3324 146-5102 www.alaskaair.com

American Airlines 1-800-433-7300 in USA; 01-800-904-6000 in Mexico 146-5304 www.aa.com

Continental Airlines 1-800-523-3273 in USA; 01-800-900-5000 in Mexico 146-5040 www.continental.com

Delta Airlines/ Northwest (seasonal)

1-800-221-1212 in USA; 01-800-123-4710 in Mexico

146-5005 146-5217 www.delta.com

Frontier Airlines 1-800-432-1359 in USA; 001-800-432-1359 in Mexico

146-5316 146-5318 www.frontierairlines.com

United Airlines 1-800-864-8331 in USA; 01-800-003-0777 in Mexico 146-5436 www.united.com

US Airlways/ America West/

1-800-428-4322 in USA; 001-800-428-4322 in Mexico

142-2882 142-2880 www.usairways.com

Virgin America 877-359-8474 in USA; 001-877-359-8474 in Mexico

142-2882 142-2880 www.usairways.com

Ae roméx i co - Aeromexico's US-Mexico service originates in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, El Paso, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, Ontario CA, Orlando, Phoenix, San Antonio, San Diego and Tucson. Almost all flights connect in Mexico City to reach Los Cabos. Alaska A i r l i nes - Alaska's non-stop Mexico service originates from San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Jose, CA and Seattle. Amer ican A i r l i nes – Offers daily nonstop service from Dallas/FW and Los Angeles, with seasonal (Nov thru April) nonstop service from Chicago. Cont inenta l /United Ai r l ines - Continental's merger with United may change total flights into Los Cabos each week, but routes into Mexico normally originate from hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, San Francisco or Newark, NJ. Delt a Ai r l i nes - Offers nonstop flights from Atlanta, Detroit and Salt Lake City, with seasonal service from Minneapolis. Front i er Ai r l ines - Based in Denver, Colorado, Frontier Airlines has daily service to Los Cabos from Denver and seasonal service from Kansas City, via partner Republic Airlines. US Ai r/Ameri ca Wes t - USAir serves cities in Mexico from its hubs in Charlotte, Phoenix, Philadelphia and Las Vegas connecting to an extensive secondary regional city route system in the US. V irg i n Amer ica – Virgin’s direct flights from the US include Las Vegas, San Francisco, New York (JFK), Chicago and Washington, DC.

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APPENDIX C. TELEPHONING IN MEXICO

Tak ing your own ce l l phone w ith you t o Mexico If you have a "Tri Band" mobile phone, you can now take it with you and use it in Mexico using the GSM (Global System for Mobile) network in Mexico. Calling can be a bit confusing, as there is a difference between calling landlines and cellular numbers, but the population of Cabo is such that there aren’t too many exchanges yet, and service is pretty reliable.

Make sure to have your provider activate “international roaming” for Mexico. For most providers, it’s a small charge ($5-$10), but will make a big difference in the rate you will pay per minute of call time. If you have a data plan to download Email and Web, add that also, or turn it off while you’re in Cabo. Your provider (ATT, Verizon, etc.) can explain all the possibilities to you, based on your account and needs.

If you don’t have any international services, it’s probably best to put the phone in “airplane” mode (no cellular reception) until you need to use it. If your phone can connect to WiFi, use that to download Emails while at the hotel or Nelson home. US Ca l l i ng Ca rds i n Mexico All of the major telecom companies in the US provide calling cards. Their access numbers (free access numbers when in Mexico) are as follows: AT&T – 01-800-331-0500; Sp rint – 01-888-886-7212; Ver izon – 01-800-711-8300 D ia l i ng Land l i ne Phone Numbers i n Mex ico Below are instructions on different calls types and how to dial when you are using telephones in Mexico: Local Calls from a Landline: To dial local calls, ignore the area code, and dial direct, just as you would do at home. Los Cabos has seven digit phone numbers, just like the U.S. National Calls (other areas of Mexico): Dial “01”, which is the prefix for all non-local calls, followed by the area code, followed by telephone number. Calls to the U.S.: Dial “001”, then the area code, then the phone number. D ia l i ng to Mexic o f rom t he U .S . : Dial “011” followed by Mexico's country code (52), the area code (Cabo is 624) and then the seven or eight digit local number. Jerry’s Compound from the U.S. would be 011-52-624-144-0110. Cal ls to Mobi l e Phones in Mex ico : From a Landline in Mexico: If you are calling a mobile from a landline within Mexico, you have to add an access code for the cellular network you’re calling. Most in Cabo are on Telcel, which is “044”. So, to call a Cabo cell, you’d dial “044”, then the area code (624) and the seven digit phone number. From a Mexican Mobile in Mexico: If you are calling a mobile from another mobile on the same network (e.g. Telcel) there is no need to prefix the 3 digit access code (e.g. 044); just dial the area code (624) followed by the mobile number. If you are not on the same cellular network, you will need to include the access code as if you were calling from a landline. From Outside Mexico: If you are calling a Mexican mobile from the U.S., you dial “011-52” and the mobile phone's area code and number, just as if you were calling a landline in Mexico. From a US cell phone in Mexico: If you are calling from a US mobile phone to a Mexico mobile, dial "011-52”, followed by the area code (624), and the local number. Use this same process to call landline numbers from your cell phone while in Mexico. TEL EPHONES AT THE HOUSE AND HOTEL Having said all that, we also have VOIP lines you are welcome to use whenever necessary. There is no charge for these calls. Please keep calls to a reasonable length, as only two lines are available and others may wish to use.

If you need help - Ask before running up a huge bill!!

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APPENDIX C. EMERGENCY SERVICES & INFORMATION

Fire Department, Decompression Chamber, Emergency Services, Air Ambulance, Red Cross

Amerimed Hospi ta l - Staffed 24 hours with bilingual in house physicians. Edif. Pineros Lazaro Cardenas, Cabo San Lucas. Phone: 143-9670;

Fax: 143-9671 Daily 24 hours.

Atenc ion Medica I nteg rada - Venustiano Carranza 11 Loc. 3, Cabo San Lucas, BCS. Doctor. Alfonso Najar, FACS. Surgery, Gastroenterology

& Endoscopy, Board Certified, Fellow of the American College of Surgeons Dra. Laura Elena Castañeda, Pediatrician - 24 Hour Emergency.

Phone: 143-2686 & 143-1218.

Baja Medica l Response BMR - López Mateos between Leona Vicario & Morelos, Cabo San Lucas, BCS. Specialties Hospital, total medical

service, Air and ground evacuations. Emergencies: 144-3434. Hospital Ph 143-77-77. Home or Hotel Vitis - Cell: 044 (624) 147-0911.

Balboa Hospi ta l & Wal k- I n C l ini c Lo s Cabos - Experienced Bilingual Physicians - Hotel & House Call Available. USA & Canadian

Insurance and Credit Cards Honored. (Some restrictions may apply) CABO FIRST RESPONSE - AIR & LAND AMBULANCE - Rescue Critical Care &

Worldwide Evacuation. Pick-Up Service - Phone: (624) 143-5900. Daily 24 hrs. Blvd Lazaro Cardenas, between Gaviotas y Libramiento.

Cabo House Cal l s - Dr. James McAllister is a board certified physician who offers professional on-site visits to homes, businesses, or hotel

rooms. It is his goal to provide you with excellent medical treatment while helping you maintain physical health. Medical care is also provided

exclusively by specialists in: Internal Medicine, Geriatrics, General Surgery, Pediatrics, Orthopedics and Sports Medicine. We Provide: 24 Hour

Hotel Care; Prompt, Professional Service; Treatment in your hotel room by Board Certified Physicians; No long pharmacy lines; More convenient

than an emergency room; Invoice available for Insurance carrier reimbursement; Cash, major credit cards and checks accepted. The last place

you want to be is waiting in line in an overcrowded emergency room. Questions or concerns at 044-624-141-6176. From the U.S. and Canada

011-52-624-141-6176

Cabo Medica l Ca re - General Medicine & Aesthetic Treatments and Products. Mesotherapy - Restylane - New-Fill - Botox. Ocampo & 16 de

Septiembre, Cabo San Lucas, BCS. General Medical clinic of English speaking Dra. Alma Vázquez Lomas, with X-ray, ultrasound and laboratory

facilities. Phone: (624) 143-0774, (624) 143-3517, Cellular: 044 (624) 147-5719. Open Monday to Friday 9 am to 8 pm; Saturday 9 am to 2

pm.; Emergency - 24 hours. AX, MC, VS - e-mail: [email protected]

Cent ro Medi co Cabo San L ucas - Prolongación Juan Álvarez s/n col. El Arenal, libramiento El Bordo, Cabo San Lucas, BCS. Medical

services 24 hours a day. Ph: 143-9727; Fax: 143-1583. Open daily 24 hrs.—AX, MC, VS.

Decompression Chamber - 24-hour diving and emergency medical services. Clínica de Especialidades, L. Mateos between L. Vicario &

Morelos, Cabo San Lucas. 24 Hr . P h : 144-4343 ; Fax: 143-4088. www.sssnetwork.com; Daily 24-hrs

F i re Depa rtment - Bomberos Vo l untar i os - If you want to help our volunteer fire department with equipment or donations. Ph: 143-

9000, Camino Viejo a San José in front of McDonald’s, Cabo San Lucas. 24-hour emergency calls. Emergency Calls 24 H rs . 143-3577

or j ust d ia l 066

Hospi ta l o f Spec i a l t ies - Specialized medicine, x-rays, lab, ambulance, drugstore, hospital, oxygen, wheelchairs and crutches. Emergency

24 hrs . 144-3434 PH: 143-2919. Dr. Avalos Cell: 044 (624) 147-0911 Lopez Mateos between Leona Vicario & Morelos. Cabo San Lucas,

Baja California Sur. [email protected]

Med-Ca re Ambulance Serv ic e - Hidalgo y Zapata, Altos Zona Centro. Emergency International Air Transport. 24 H our P h: 143 -4020 . [email protected] Emergency Service. AX, MC, VS

Medica Los Cabos - Medi ca l C l ini c : English spoken. Zaragoza near corner of I. Green, San Jose del Cabo ; Phone: 142-2770, 142-1510.

Emergency and general practice. Surgery, lab, X-rays, ultrasound, 24 hour care and pharmacy. Daily, 24 hours—VS, MC.

Red Cro ss - 24-hour emergency rescue and ambulance service. Delegación Cabo San Lucas, Km. 121, Todos Santos Hwy. #19. Cabo San Lucas. 24 H r: 143-3300 ; Fax: 143-3031.

Red Cro ss La Paz - 24 Hr. Telephone & Fax: (612) 122-12-22.

SkyMed I nte rnat ional - Emergency air ambulance protection plan. SkyMed takes you ALL THE WAY HOME! Hotel Los Patios Suite 2 Transp

Hwy Km. 4, Cabo San Lucas, BCS. Emergency Air Evacuation, Protection -Travel Safe, Join Now. Office Phone: (624) 143-1212. Office hours

from Monday to Friday 8 am to 6 pm, Saturday from 10 am to 1 pm. AX, MC, VS.

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APPENDIX C. MEXICAN ENTRY DOCUMENTS – TOURIST CARD

Each traveler must complete the Multiple Immigration Form, or FMM at top. You present this to the first Immigration desk you reach. The Immigration officer will stamp your passport and take the left half of the document, and return the right half to you. Do not lose this! You will give the right half of the document to the gate agent, when you check in for your departure flight. If you lose this form, it will cost you money and time to depart – and that extra time could make you miss your flight. Because Mexico does not have conventional addresses, we recommend you write “Hot. Marbella Suites” as your address in Mexico (see form, below). For “Place or city of destination” write Cabo San Lucas (or CSL). The state is BCS (Baja California Sur). This will save any confusion of your explaining that you’re staying at a private home, but you don’t know the address. We’ll be able to reach you if any messages come to the hotel for you. Otherwise, complete the form as needed and sign.

CSL, BCS

Hot. Marbella Suites

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APPENDIX C. MEXICAN ENTRY DOCUMENTS – CUSTOMS

The second form is for Customs, to declare any taxable items you may be bringing with you. A list of allowances is provided on the tear-off portion of the form. Read through these items and insure you are within allowances, or declare any overage. Be sure to sign and date on the back of the form. Once you’ve passed through Immigration, you will pick up your bags, send them through a scanner, then proceed to a desk where you will see a red and green light with a button below. If you have anything to declare, do so before pressing the button. They’ll take you aside and check your declarations. If nothing to declare, present your form to the Customs official and press the button. If the light comes up green, you’re free to go on your way. If red, they’ll take you aside and do a cursory check of your bags – you’re usually on your way in a few minutes. (Front) (Back)