Trip Planning Guide

What to Expect (Mexico):

Mexico is a fascinating experience, one that can be greatly enhanced if you take the time to do some learning prior to your visit. The culture, customs and history of Mexico are all fascinating and well worth reading about before your visit. Try these hyperlinks for an overview:

Local customs – The more you learn about the rich heritage beforehand the more you will be able to interact with the local people.
Mexican culture - The culture is unique. Discover how European culture was superimposed on those of the native Indians to create the Mexico you see today.
Mexican history - Read about Pre-hispanic Mexico, the conquest, the role of the church, the many revolutions, the evolution of the political system, and the situation today.
The language - To fully understand a culture, you must understand its language. The more Spanish you learn beforehand, the more you will get out of your visit.
WAGGGS - Our Cabaña is owned and operated by the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. We recommend you learn about the four world centres in order to understand their purpose. We also recommend you learn the English and Spanish words to the Our Cabaña song and find out about some WAGGGS projects, such as Girls Worldwide Say.

And don’t forget to come prepared to share your own culture with other participants and people you meet. Your culture is "foreign" to them.

What to Expect (Our Cabana):

Programmes at Our Cabaña include a variety of activities – wide games, arts and crafts, Our Cabana Alberca Panoramica.jpg swimming, singing, a Mexican fiesta, workshops on current WAGGGS initiatives, and, during most events, an opportunity to participate in one of our service projects with the local community. Each event may include sightseeing and shopping trips to Cuernavaca, Taxco (a silver city), the rural village of Tepoztlán where there is a traditional Mexican craft market or to the archaeological site of Xochicalco.

While at Our Cabaña, each group will be given an 11 inch x 15 inch (40 cm. x 30 cm.) double-sided page to illustrate for our Log Book. We suggest that you plan your page in advance, and perhaps bring postcards, patches, group photographs or other illustrations, but please remember that pages cannot be three-dimensional.

The majority of the events at Our Cabaña are bilingual - in both English and Spanish. We recommend that you try to learn some basic Spanish words prior to your trip to help you during your stay.

We recommend that participants learn the Our Cabaña Song, something about the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS), and be familiar with the history of Mexico. Please also know the Promise of your Association. The songs and promises are used in ceremonies at Our Cabaña.

Our Cabaña follows the mission of our World Association:

“To enable girls and young women to develop their fullest potential as responsible citizens of the world.”

Before you Arrive:

For many groups, visiting Our Cabana takes months if not years of planning. From your initial enquiry, right up to the day you arrive, the Cabana Staff will be sending you lots of information and resources to help you get ready for your trip. We also have a special activity pack for girls to learn about Mexico and Our Cabaña and get ready for their trip.

For now, here is a quick look at some main points.

Documents

Passport / Visa – everyone needs a passport to enter Mexico. You may also need a visa to enter Mexico, depending on your country of residence.
Tourist Card – you will receive a tourist card during your flight to Mexico. This must be presented to officials when entering and leaving the country. The form is available from your airline, travel agent, or a Mexican Consulate. Keep it in a safe place.
Parent Permission - Mexico requires a notarized Parent Permission form for anyone under the age of 18 traveling without both parents. The form must be signed by both parents in front of a Notary or other recognized signature guarantor. If the parents are not together (one is deceased, divorce, etc.), papers proving one-parent custody may be required.
Cabana Health Form - you need an authorized Cabaña Health Form to help us ensure you have a safe visit.
Proof of medical insurance should be carried in case of medical emergency.

We suggest that a group leader carry copies of everyone’s documents in case of loss.

Insurance

You must have your own health and accident coverage when traveling. Our Cabaña and Ticalli will not be liable for injury, damage, or loss to person or property however caused.

Customs

Check current regulations to find out how much you can bring back into your country duty-free.

Keep all receipts and an accurate record of all purchases including how much you paid for them. This may be required if you have to prove the value of items for customs purposes.

Money

Mexican currency is the Mexican Peso. Learn numbers in Spanish and check the current exchange rate so you can practice dealing in the local currency before you arrive.
Traveler’s checks are the safest way to carry money. Small denominations will be easier to cash. Keep your record of check numbers separate from the checks themselves and record all checks cashed. The group leader should keep an extra copy of all check numbers in case of loss.
Traveler’s checks may be cashed at a bank or "Casa de Cambio". Check the exchange rate you are receiving before proceeding. You can cash travelers checks at Our Cabaña on two occasions during your stay.
Personal ID is required to replace lost travelers checks and may be required to cash them. Each participant should carry an extra photo ID separate from the checks for this purpose.
Exchange rates vary frequently. Plan to exchange some money at the airport bank in Mexico for taxis, phone calls, etc.
Major credit cards are widely accepted. At least one adult should carry a credit card for emergency purposes. ATM’s and Cash Points are available in many locations.

Donations

Many people ask about bringing gifts to Our Cabaña. You will be sent our current wish list. Please do not arrange to send any parcels or packages to Our Cabaña as the customs import duties are very high. We welcome any gifts or money donations that you are able to bring with you.

If you would like a member of the Friends of Our Cabaña to contact you prior to your trip to offer additional help and advice in connection with your trip to Mexico, please let me know and I will make the arrangements.

Staying At Our Cabana:

Health - General

Our Cabaña is in the tropics at an elevation of over 1500 meters (5000 feet) with a rainy season from June to October. The changes in climate, elevation, food, and time zone can be very demanding on any physical activity. Exercising before your visit, and eating and resting well upon arrival, will help you get the most out of your visit.

Please note, Our Cabaña is located in a malaria-free area of Mexico.

Our Cabaña has a Red Cross hospital 2 blocks down the street. We are well prepared to handle medical problems. We require that you be immunized against tetanus before your visit.

You must submit the Cabaña Health Form or your national organization’s equivalent. This form must indicate any conditions which would limit your participation in activities, any special requirements (wheel chair etc.), any required medications, any emergency information (allergies etc.), or any other conditions a medical doctor should be aware of. It is important to prepare and submit this form as early as possible so we can be prepared for your visit.

Please be aware that there are many stairs at Our Cabaña. If you are concerned about this or the altitude, please seek advice from your doctor during the planning stages of your trip. If you struggle with stairs please let us know and we will place you in a dormitory accordingly.

Follow these tips for a healthy visit to Mexico:

Check and follow the immunizations requirements of your health authority.
Do not attempt strenuous activity as soon as you arrive in Mexico! Rest a few days to get used to the altitude before climbing pyramids or doing sports.
Eat three balanced meals per day. Work up to chilis and green sauce!
Wash all fruits and vegetables BEFORE peeling.
Drink bottled water only and avoid ice cubes. Bottled water is provided around the Cabana.
Brush your teeth with bottled water - not tap water. This applies at Ticalli and Our Cabaña.
Rest well – try to sleep 8 hours every night.
Never buy food from street vendors. You do not know how clean it will be.
Wash your hands before meals and after handling money. Sanitizer gel is available around the Cabaña.
Have emergency procedures in place. Each participant should know basic emergency procedures, who has the First Aid kit, and who to contact in an emergency (locations and phone numbers).
Drink 3 litres of water every day.

Turista, or Montezuma’s Revenge, is a very un-pleasant intestinal problem affecting some tourists. Eat well, sleep well, wash often, and you should avoid it. However, "Be Prepared" by getting your doctor’s advice and prescription ahead of time.

If you feel unwell during you stay at Our Cabana it is very important that you let a member of staff know straight away. We would rather get you treatment early than wait for things to get worse.

Bring all required medications as well as your prescriptions with you.

Health – Special Needs

Any serious health problems, like asthma, diabetes, anorexia, epilepsy, heart conditions, etc, should be reported to Cabaña staff immediately upon arrival.

Group leaders are expected to look after medications required by their group and should bring an appropriate first aid kit as recommended by their doctor.

Special dietary needs (vegetarians, diabetics, allergy sufferers, etc.) should be identified well in advance of your arrival so we can adjust our menus accordingly.

If participants require wheel chairs we have a ramp system throughout the Cabaña as well as a disabled access dormitory and bathroom. The group is expected to look after any special needs for this participant although she will be treated like other group members and expected to join in all activities.

Emergency Plans

When you arrive we will explain the emergency procedures for inside the Cabana grounds. At other times it is worth every member of the group learning some basic emergency phrases in Spanish, and carrying emergency contact numbers whenever they are outside the Cabana.

Language

The language you will hear in Mexico is mostly Spanish with many words adopted from Nahuatl (local language in Cuernavaca) and other native tongues. You can survive quite well with English and a few Spanish phrases like "Por favor", "Gracias", and "De nada" (you’re welcome).

You will feel more comfortable if you can count, order from a menu, and use emergency phrases like "Where is the bathroom?" (Dónde está el baño?)

Laundry

Sinks for hand washing and clothes lines are available between each dorm. Sunshine 365 days a year keeps drying time to a minimum. We also have laundry facilities available to participants for a small fee (dependent on size of load).

Internet

There is an internet cafe at Our Cabana for use by participants during free time at your session. Internet use costs 1 peso per minute.
There are several internet cafes in all the towns and cities that we visit during our sessions.

Luggage

Plan your packing carefully - it will make your trip more enjoyable
Bring all of your luggage with you. Duty is prohibitive on packages mailed into Mexico and delay at customs may prevent their arrival.
Don’t over pack - we have lots of stairs.
Leave room to bring souvenirs home with you.
Bring a carry-on bag. With your own basic necessities available you will be more comfortable should your luggage be delayed.
Identify all of your luggage with a group tag, like a bright ribbon, and your personal identification both inside and outside.
NEVER leave luggage unattended
Carry your own luggage so you know it is where it is.

We are looking forward to welcoming you to your home in Mexico very soon. The culture, country and friends you are preparing to meet will stay with you forever.

If you have any questions in the run up to your visit, do not hesitate to contact us.