Trip Planning Guide

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Health - General

"Be safety conscious in everything you plan"

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. A good exercise program (doing stairs) before arrival and good eating with lots of rest once you are here will help you get the most out of your visit.

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 when you arrive.

The many stairs at Our Cabaña combined with our elevation of 5000 feet can be physically stressful. The best insurance against illness or accident is to be in good physical shape when you arrive. Exercise regularly and have a thorough checkup by your doctor before leaving. Be sure your doctor knows that you will be taking part in a strenuous program at 1500 meters above sea level.

Here are several tips to help you stay healthy while visiting Mexico ...

Check with your local authorities regarding immunization requirements for going to Mexico and coming back home again.
Acclimatize for a few days before attempting strenuous activity. The great pyramids are best climbed later in your stay. Altitude sickness has many forms - none of them pleasant. Our programs are designed to start you off slowly.
Eat three balanced meals per day. We have an international menu of healthy, well balanced meals. We never serve our Mexican specialities spicy hot. We recommend you eat only in better restaurants while away from Our Cabaña.
Wash all fruits and vegetables BEFORE peeling.
Drink bottled water only and avoid ice cubes. Bottled water is available in most places and is provided in our dormitories, activity areas, and dining room. We recommend a bottled soft drink if bottled water is not available somewhere.
Brush your teeth with bottled water - not tap water. This applies at Ticalli and Our Cabaña as well. Develop the habit while still at home so you don’t forget.
Sleep 8 hours every night - your health depends on it. Rest is VERY important.
Never buy food from street vendors. You do not know how clean it will be.
Wash your hands before meals and after handling money.
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).
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.
Start medication treatments for "Turista" at the first sign of any symptons, usually stomach cramps. You will require professional treatment if you wait till you are dehydrated.
Bring all required medications as well as your prescriptions with you

Health-Special Needs

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. We encourage "picky eaters" to become members of the "Clean Plate Club" as an unbalanced diet may result in illness. There is no snack bar or tuck shop although soft drinks are available.

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.

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

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.

Documents

Passport / Visa - you may need a passport and/or visa to enter Mexico , depending on your country of residence.
Tourist Card - all visitors to Mexico must have a Tourist Card which 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.

Dress Codes

Groups are expected to arrive and leave Our Cabaña in the official uniform of their Association. Official uniform is also worn on some of the out-trips. The camp uniform is worn for flag ceremonies, a walk to the local pyramid, and exploring the local neighborhoods.

The camp uniform may be your official uniform, a council camp uniform, or a uniform voted on by the girls themselves. Selected uniforms must be in good taste and not call attention to the wearers when out in public. At all other times any sensible clothing may be worn.

Emergency Plans

Have an emergency plan in place and rehearsed. Each person in the group needs to know the plan in detail.

Know how to ask for help IN SPANISH.

Your plan should include:

Emergency contacts and phone numbers
Our Cabaña’s phone number and address
What to do if separated from the group
What to do if someone becomes ill
Where to go in case of fire, earthquake, etc.
General emergency handling procedures

Kit List - What to bring

Girl Guide/Girl Scout official uniform
Girl Guide/Girl Scout camp uniform
National costume of your country (if applicable)
Casual / sports wear for inside Our Cabaña
Summer dress or outfit for the Mexican Fiesta
Sweater or light jacket
Lightweight bathrobe and slippers
Bathing suit
Underwear
Socks
Toiletry articles
Sunscreen lotion (high factor)
Raincoat and hat or umbrella (May to October)
Two pairs of flat or low-heeled walking shoes. Rubber soles and closed toes are recommended at all times.
Flashlight, notebook, & pen
Extra pair of glasses / contact lenses if worn. Pollution can be aggravating for contact lens wearers so bring a pair of glasses as well.
Required medications.

Note: We supply bed linen and towels.

Kit List - What Not To Bring

Electricity in Mexico is extremely expensive. Please do not bring radios, curling irons, hairdryers, etc..
Items often get lost when travelling. Do not bring items of high value.
Leave space in your luggage for souvenirs!

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.

Internet

There is an internet cafe at Our Cabana for use by participants during free time at your session. There is a small fee associated with the use of the internet.
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.

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.
Travelers checks are the safest way to carry money. Budget ahead so you know how much to bring. 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.
Travelers checks may be cashed at a bank, a "Casa de Cambio", or some shops. Check the exchange rate you are receiving before proceeding. You can cash travelers checks at Our Cabaña on the first day, only, of your session.
Personal ID is required to replace lost travellers 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.

Safety

Mexico City and Cuernavaca , like any other big city, have their share of pickpockets and rip-off artists. Your best protection is a thick leather or heavy vinyl shoulder purse with inside compartments for valuables.

Carry your purse in front of you with both arms. This will discourage purse slashers and pick pockets. Be careful with your camera and other valuables as well. Do not advertise what you are carrying or flash your money around.

The following tips will help you have a safe visit:

Beware of traffic. Drivers are quite aggresive due the large population. Be sure you look both ways before entering a roadway.
Always keep the door to your hotel room locked and only open it for someone you know. Call the office if you are unsure who is at the door.
Understand hotel emergency systems and escape routes.
Stay in groups and always use the buddy system to track everyone’s whereabouts.
Carry some form of identification. Make sure each member of your group knows the address and phone number where you are staying.
Do not carry travel documents with you. Leave then in a locked suitcase in your locked hotel room.
When walking, watch out for holes in sidewalks, broken steps, slippery cobblestones, low shop roofs, and low hanging signs.
Do not draw attention to yourself in public. If someone tries to get your attention, ignore him and keep walking. Stay with your group to avoid being hassled.

What You Should Know

Mexico is a fascinating experience, one that can be greatly enhanced if you take the time to do some learning prior to your visit.

Local customs - study these carefully so you can interact with the local people. A rich heritage is yours to share if you invest a bit of time up front.
Mexican culture - The culture is unique, and you will enjoy exploring the country more if you dicover 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, the Four World Centres song "Hands of Friendship", as well as the World Song.

Your own community - Come prepared to share your culture with other participants and people you meet. Your culture is "foreign" to them.

For a written copy of our Trip Planning Guides for Girls and for Adults please contact Our Cabaña direct.