The 19^th session of the CLIVAR Scientific Steering Group will be held at the Marina Hotel in La Paz, Mexico. Our local host is CIBNOR (Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste) (http://www.cibnor.gob.mx/en/home).

The meeting will take place 11-14 June; there will be a joint session with the IMBER SSC on Wednesday 13 June.

Travel

La Paz is the capital of the state of Baja California Sur; with a population of about 250,000 (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Paz,_Baja_California_Sur). La Paz is served by an international airport with flights to and from Los Angeles and major cities in Mexico; there are many more international flights in and out of Cabo San Lucas which is approximately two and half hours drive from La Paz.   

Visas

The following site (in Spanish) provides guidance regarding citizens of which countries need visas, but you should confirm with your local consulate whether a visa is required for travel to Mexico: http://www.inm.gob.mx/index.php/page/Paises_Visa. If you require an invitation letter from the local hosts in order to obtain a visa, please send an email to Isabel Hall (ihall@wmo.int) no later than 1 May.

Airport-Hotel Transportation

The Gen. Manuel de Leon Airport of La Paz is about 18km (11 miles) northwest of town. Information about taxi rates can be found at http://www.aeropuertosgap.com.mx/english/airports/lapaz-airport/services-lapaz/taxi-fares-lapaz.html. The estimated cost of a taxi from the airport to the Marina Hotel is  $400 pesos. We will organize a hotel shuttle for those who have indicated their arrival time.

Hotel Arrangement/Accommodation

A block booking has been made at the Marina Hotel https://www.marinahotel.com.mx/en/index.html. Single rooms are $895 pesos with tax and breakfast buffet included. Because the hotel requires a deposit be made via bank transfer for the first night, WCRP/WMO (via UCAR) will cover the first night for all WCRP-supported participants to avoid many individual bank transfers. Payment for the balance of your stay (after the first day) should be made with a credit card when you arrive at the hotel. If for some reason you wish to make your booking direct with the Hotel, please let Ms Hall know.

Lunch Monday-Wednesday will be provided by the hotel and paid for by WCRP. If your per diem support is coming from WCRP, your per diem will be adjusted accordingly.

Internet facilities and electricity

The Marina Hotel has free wireless connection in the hotel rooms;

The standard voltage in Mexico is 110 volts; sockets take standard US 2-flat prong plugs.

Currency Exchange/Credit Cards

Local currency is the Mexican peso, on 26/03/12 equivalent to about

Major currencies can be exchanged at the airport or downtown banks. The most common credit cards (e.g. Visa, American Express, Master Card, Diners club, and JCB) are accepted at major hotels and stores. 

Climate and Weather

Climatological features of La Paz in June:

• Mean monthly maximum temperature: 35.9 ºC
• Mean monthly minimum temperature: 18,5 ºC
• Average monthly rainfall: 0.6 mm

Health requirements/Medical Services

Up to date information on international travel and health is provided by the World Health Organization (WHO) at the following Website:

http://www.who.int/countries/mex/en/

Time Zone

June – Daylight saving time: UTC/GMT – 6 hours

Local contact at CIBNOR 

Ms Carmen Couto: ccoutoc@hotmail.com; tel +52 1 612-348-9876

Details about local logistics will also be posted on the CLIVAR web site (www.clivar.org).