2024 NLW Surf MX Travel Confirmed

Greetings Good People.
We are excited to see you and we are preparing for your arrival.

This link is your confirmation link and travel instructions. Provides airport instructions, Mexican Tourism Card info (must be printed), CBX Cross Border Express info (if applicable). There are some useful links to prepare your CBX ticket, and tourist card prior to your arrival at airport.  

There is also a What to Bring List included towards the bottom of this page.

Like Water, this is a profound reflection, an opportunity for positive vibes, connection and conductivity. A frequency which began years ago and is sacred in light, water conductor, player, laughter and function.

On Travel Day, remember the following important information in this sequence (photo shot this screen):

Prepare yourself days leading up to travel. Be vigilant, eat healthy, drink lots of water, wake your body from slumber with stretches or exercise. Travel well and be at airport at least 2-3 hours EARLY to guarantee no stress and easy flow.

CBX Airport Crossing for US/TIJ is super easy and info on its location, ticket and parking drop off point can be found here: https://www.crossborderxpress.com/en/. Its a touch-less entry system, and located in Otay, San Diego U.S. Side, and takes you right into the TIJ , Tijuana, airport terminal. Please review this link .

Crossing on foot and not using CBX Crossing. For some reason you would like to cross the regular Otay Boarder Crossing or San Ysidro Border Crossing by foot, you can do this. Once you cross into Mexico, you just ask a Taxi to take you to the Tijuana Airport. It is around a $10-$15 short, 5 minute Taxi Ride from Otay Crossing. You do not need a passport to board a flight in Tijuana, just a valid ID. Since you are already in Mexico and airport, they just need to verify you are the person that matches your boarding pass. Be sure to have your electric boarding pass saved to your phone and walk directly to security and the gates.

NOTE: From San Diego or LA, most will travel from TIJuana Airport (TIJ) to Colima (CLQ) and use CBX border Xrossing bridge located in Otay Mesa, San Diego, U.S.A. Side
.
If traveling from other major cities, flying into Guadalajara airport (GDL) or Manzanillo airport (ZLO) may be the option.

(If Traveling to Guadalajara, GDL Airport, scroll down)

Mexico does not require a covid test upon entry.

Mexican Tourist Permit paper is handed to you when entering CBX (or arrival to GDL). There is a computer monitor at the entrance and you punch in your data and print it out, OR do it online ahead of time. If you are staying less than 5 days, a Mexican Tourist Permit is not needed.
If you would like to do it online before you arrive and pay the $30 (approx) you can click here .

This form Asks for an address, stay location while in Mexico:
”Casa Asilomar”
76 Boulevard,
San Juan de Alima, Aquilla, Michoacan

After completing the Tourist Form on Line, it will direct you to a third party bank payment page website to fill in your payment info.
This form is needed after you cross into the Mexican Side (or arrival in GDL).

Please request the days you plan to stay or more from Permit stamp desk clerk.

Luggage Check-in TIJ: After immigration, pass your luggage by Mexican Customs and then immediately left on to the check-in counter. If you have no bags to check, DIRECTLY to your GATE. Tell any Volaris representative where you are headed to COLIMA (CLQ) and they will direct you. If needed, Great idea to pay for your check in bag before arriving to airport OR on-line or when you purchase your ticket with Volaris. It will be cheaper. Surfboards pay extra $60-$70 for luggage (sporting equipment), regular luggage about the same. Inflatable boards that come rolled up are like regular luggage and should not need special equipment check-in.

Colima (CLQ) Airport pick-up and on site Leader: Marc Chavez 858-987-2260 (also airport pick-up) Its a very small airport and we will be curbside waiting for you, outside baggage claim. Surfboards are the last bags they put onto the baggage turn-style, so be patient. For some reason your plane is late departing its final leg, or you want to touch base or text with someone as you land, let us know. Calling from Mexico use +1 858-987-2260

Flying into GDL (Guadalajara/MIGUEL HIDALGO Y COSTILLA AIRPORT): At entry, immigration and customs will ask for your hotel information for the tourist card (see above), but they do not charge you for the Mexican Tourist Card. Surfboards are the last bags they put onto the baggage turnstyle, so be patient. If you are taking a Taxi to the main bus terminal, its about $8 to $10. The Taxis are controlled by checking in at the ariport lobby Taxi KIOSKS. You are given a ticket and they meet passengers at the pick up island towards the far right end of the airport (where you come out of baggage at) and in front of the Oxxo Store. You can see folks getting picked up. GDL is not that big of an airport so easy to see. With a TAXI to the Main Bus Terminal, your destination is : NUEVA CENTRAL CAMIONERA. On arrival to the bus terminal, ask driver to drop you in front of the busline “La Linea” or ETN Its a very nice bus terminal and all marked clearly. At “La Linea Bus Line” you ask for the bus to Colima, Colima. Omni bus also goes there and is the counter next to La Linea. Its about $400 Mexican Pesos and they leave every hour. Its important you change some money at airport so you have pesos for things. Not many folks accept dollars. There is also an ATM as your exit airport baggage in GDL claim that will give you Mexican Pesos. We will pick you up at the Colima Bus Terminal. Calling Marc from Mexico/Whatsapp use +1 858-987-2260

Money Exchange US $ to Mexican Pesos: US$ cash exchange to Mexican Pesos is available on arrival to Colima. In addition, any ATM at airport or in Mexico, Mexican Peso Currency can be withdrawn. Exchange rate averages between $16 to $18 Mexican Pesos per $1 US Dollar.

Whatsapp: The whatsapp smart phone application is super handy and used mostly internationally. Please download it and send a message to Marc 1-858-987-2260 (cell phone) so we can all be on there. I will make a group chat/vm for us. Its a great app.

NLW Surf MX
Mexico 2024 

What to BRING
Please CHECK LIST  BEFORE LEAVING HOME  

Our relations in Mexico share excitement anticipating your arrival. Temperatures range from 90 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. It is warm tropical, so good to bring clothes/materials that are light and dry easy.  

It is highly recommended to travel as LIGHT AND ORGANIZED as possible. One backpack (suggested) or suitcase and one day bag/pack is the maximum you should bring. No over pack. (click links below for helpful info).

Check list of What to pack/bring:

□   Electronic Boarding Pass and confirmation code AND CBX TICKET. Use for CBX US/TIJ crossing and check-in

□   ADDRESS (Cabanas El Eden named above) of stay and phone #s for the Mexican Tourist Visa Card (upon issue tell visa stamp person you will be there 31 days or more or, en espanol: “Un Mes Minimo”)

□   Passport or Passport Card . Note: If you are walking across border back into U.S., and DONT have Passport, you will need your original birth certificate and a government issue ID. To board the plan in Tijuana, Mexico DOES NOT ask you for a passport, just an ID.

□   Liability & Medical Waivers (2)

□   Re-Fill-able Water Bottle 20oz or greater (non-BPA if you can).  No single use plastic, IMPORTANT.

□   One Sheet for camping nights AND

OPTIONAL: One YOGA Mat for daily yoga.

□   Two (2) Pairs of Swim-Suits Minimum. Important: sport suits that stay on in waves.

□   Comfortable light clothes that dry easily. NO Heavy Denim pants.

□   1 hoodie or fleece vest needed for cold mornings/evening walks.

□   Small flashlight/headlamp (optional) good to have

□   Beach Towel

□   Adventure sandals or “easy-dry” light runners. (do not over-pack heavy shoes or boots, NO Doc Martens:)

□   Flip Flops

□   Beauty Needs and Personal Toiletries (be sure to place in check-in luggage if over 4oz)

□   Good Hat for shade. REEF SAFE non-toxic sunblock if you have. .

□   There are not much mosquitos, but some may be present. Please bring non-toxic repellent.

□   Cell phones are permitted. Bring Ziplock FREEZER BAG to protect from water and sand. 

□   Medical Prescriptions (if applicable).

□   Money for Souvenirs/Gifts (Optional).  US$ exchange available or MX Pesos at ATM’s

□   Surf board/craft with travel bag. Boogie/“bully boards” to be used with DaFin foot swim fins.

□   Surf booties for warm water, optional. Recommended when rocks and reef are present. It is not necessary, but a great idea for beginners. See LINK to for idea. 2mm or less

On site, We do have 8 foot soft tops and short boards for rental use.

Additional things to Note:
Sharing is an important part of travel. Offerings or gifts for community elders/ relations are welcome. Sage (dried) or something small and meaningful from your heart is always cherished.

Emergency calls from home can be directed to our NLW staff phone numbers, below. Please note there are times we are out of cell phone coverage and/or not used due to respect to presenters or we are just in the water.

Emergency contact numbers: Program Director Marc Chavez, Direct Cell: 858-987-2260 (limited to coverage, at Airport ok and good), or Office # rings us in Mexico (858) 314-8821 (live or leave message)

Links for Equipment that may help:

Bully Board, let us know to get a significant NLW discount. Let me know. https://www.bullyboard.com

Bully Boards are used with swim fins: www.dafin.com

Spring Suit (April to May Only), early mornings can be a little chilly. A neoprene vest, wetsuit tops, or spring suit is recommended and booties optional. A good local surf shop or one with bigger selection near the beach.
Short list, things that are helpful to bring, but not totally necessary, but recommended :
Booties ideas: https://jackssurfboards.com/collections/booties

Wetsuit tops, no more than 2mm only for early mornings or April - May. They are a one piece, like a jumper. Short legs and arms. Larger store in San Diego: https://surfride.com

If you need to get back to the Itinerary Page of this program, click here

Vital Information and Emergency Outline

We are so glad you will be visiting with us and we know its important to have safety information. We are thankful that in our many years we have not had any major incidents. However its good to prepare. For our international programs, it is a good option to have Travelers Insurance if you feel the need. In Mexico and in Panama health care is provided for folks as a free service. However, there are greater options of medical service and that travelers insurance allows and is recommended.

Native Like Water, Michoacan Mexico Program

Main contact Marc Chavez , +1-858-987-2260 whatsapp/cell
Secondary Contact, Sophia Uribe +1-760-215-3678
Location, 76 Boulevard, San Juan De Alima, Aquila, Michoacan, Mexico

NLW Main Base Location of Stay address
76 Boulevard, San Juan De Alima, Aquila, Mich.
AsiloMar Whatsapp +52 312 593 9216
Proprietor of Rental House, Helena Martinez

During NLW Program Safety Outline

·      Local San Juan de Alima Beach Lifeguard, Ramon Gomez on staff with Native Like Water for duration of program.

·      3-4 NLW Staff on location BWRAG Certified and CPR Certified during duration of program.

·      During Semana Santa, March 26-31, Mexican National Marine Force and Ambulances are physically on Standby on the beaches of San Juan De Alima due to higher levels of tourism and as safety. First responder units as well.

·      Policing and Community safety in San Juan de Alima and La Ticla are done by Community Police (Comunitarios) and not done by state police. Communication is done on radio and Community watch. Landline to reach Community Police of San Juan +52 1 313 139 0064

·      La Ticla has community police and first aid is set up during the Surf Contest March 28-30th

·      Surfing Remote areas, NLW Team is equipped with an Emergency Location Beacon that uses satellites to triangulate the exact location of distress and send out a distress signal to all authority services in the area.

·      First Aid Kits available on site and carried in vehicles with NLW.

·      In San Juan de Alima, Wifi is abundant, at times slow, and Whatsapp is used as the popular mode of communication. There is no cellular phone service in San Juan de Alima nor La Ticla. Community communicates via whatsapp and wifi is common.

·      Regular Cell phone service exists in La Placita Mirador *10 minutes away and on Road to El Ranchito 10 minutes away. However, most use whatsapp or VOIP apps, platforms.

·      There are no ATMS in San Juan de Alima, nearest ATM is in El Ranchito/ Coahuayana , please exchange or withdrawl prior to arriving to San Juan, Best bet Colima Airport ATM or exchange in Tijuana or San Ysidro.

Nearest hospital, 20 minutes away North, with AED Defibrillator,
El Ranchito/Coahuayana
Avenida Rayón
Centro
60800 Coahuayana de Hidalgo
Coahuayana de Hidalgo, Mich.

Larger Hospital
27 miles away, approx. 45 minutes Away|
Hosptial Regional Tecoman
Ricardo Flores Magón
Infonavit Las Palmas
28150 Tecomán, Col. Mexico

Largest Hosptial
Colima has various Hospitals
1 hour and 15 minutes away from San Juan