Can anyone recommend a pilgramage group to Guadalupe?

[mdgspencer]

My wife and I intend going on a pilgrimage to Guadalupe in Mexico. And since this shrine is meant for all North America I find it particularly appealing, among other reasons. However, I don’t even know the companies which provide such a tour, so I thought I would see here what people recommend.

 

[LSK]

I would try a search of Catholic Pilgrimage Travel Agencies…my parish is on such a pilgrimage right now to Guadalupe. We use Storer Travel Agency.

 

[onetruechurch]

It is not easy to find a pilgrimage to Guadalupe. I know…I tried. I even asked Bob and Penny Lord if they would be making another tour to Mexico and they said it is too dangerous to be responsible for a group in Mexico City. So, my husband and I studied Spanish for a year so we could “get by” on our own, watched all the videos of Guadalupe we could find and studied the culture of Mexico. We also studied the Aztec culture which is very important to understand before going to Guadalupe. The best book on Guadalupe is called “A Handbook on Guadalupe” which can be purchased at amazon.com for about $11.00. You also should go to the www.tripadvisor.com and type in Mexico City to keep up with other traveler’s reports on finding the right hotels, how to get around in Mexico City, how to wear a money belt around your neck to prevent pickpocketing., etc. Very useful information. I would recommend staying at the Holiday Inn at the Zocalo because it is right across the street from a beautiful cathedral with gorgeous side altars. Mass is going on many times a day. There is a subway station right there at the Zocalo where you can go to Guadalupe on your own and spend the entire day at Guadalupe. The Basilica has mass or other services going on throughout the day. There are also tourist busses that go directly to the Bascilica and you can spend as much time as you wish walking the grounds.
Good luck with your planning!

 

[puzzleannie]

I recommend going with a company located on the border, such as here in So Tex, that handles regular tours in Mexico, their regular business. Your only additional expense would be airfare down here. For instance one popular tour company has at least a dozen tours which inclued the Guadalupe shrine this season, all led by priests. They publish one guide for the general public of the “touristy” tours, and another of the pilgrimage type tours to this and other sacred sites, most led by priests. an internet search on tour companies in McAllen, Harlingen or Brownsville should be productive. These are bus tours by the way, a great way to see the country.

 

[onetruechurch]

I recommend going with a company located on the border, such as here in So Tex, that handles regular tours in Mexico, their regular business. Your only additional expense would be airfare down here. For instance one popular tour company has at least a dozen tours which inclued the Guadalupe shrine this season, all led by priests. They publish one guide for the general public of the “touristy” tours, and another of the pilgrimage type tours to this and other sacred sites, most led by priests. an internet search on tour companies in McAllen, Harlingen or Brownsville should be productive. These are bus tours by the way, a great way to see the country.

This sounds like the way to go. I still recommend reading the traveler’s hints on the tripadvisor website for safety hints. Pickpockets love “groups” because the tourists feel their leader is looking out for them. But, a real pilgrimage with a priest guide would be a wonderful experience!

 

[puzzleannie]

I cannot urge strongly enough that Americans avoid travelling alone in Mexico, especially driving. Go with a tour, or with friends who know the country, preferably residents. If you are going to Guadalupe or other shrines go with a pilgrimage, not a regular tour, or you will spend more time in shopping areas and night life than in the shrines themselves.

 

[johnnydigit]

It is not easy to find a pilgrimage to Guadalupe. I know…I tried. I even asked Bob and Penny Lord if they would be making another tour to Mexico and they said it is too dangerous to be responsible for a group in Mexico City.

I cannot urge strongly enough that Americans avoid travelling alone in Mexico, especially driving. Go with a tour, or with friends who know the country, preferably residents. If you are going to Guadalupe or other shrines go with a pilgrimage, not a regular tour, or you will spend more time in shopping areas and night life than in the shrines themselves.

but they’re soo expensive! 800-1200$ from southern california. i heard a roundtrip flight is $200. few pesos for some bread and water and i’m set for a weekend. well and maybe a bench to sleep on

 

[puzzleannie]

your biggest expense will be airfaire. there is a tour leaving next week from a neighboring parish that is under $500 double occupancy, includes continental breakfast and one meal each day, besides Guadalupe and several other sites in Mexico city, bus will stop at other shrines on the way. RT from Cleveland on Southwest is anywhere from 360 to 480, less for senior citizens.