Second Strongest Hurricane On Record In Eastern Pacific Aims for Cabo

Officials at the National Hurricane Center are now calling Hurricane Rick the second strongest hurricane on record in the Eastern Pacific. As of 8pm Pacific time, Rick was located 295 miles South-Southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico, moving West-Northwest near 14 mph. The storm is expected to make a turn to the North by Monday. Maximum sustained winds are now up to 180 mph, with stronger gusts -making Rick an extremely dangerous Category Five Hurricane. Additional strengthening is possible overnight, before a slow gradual weakening commences.

Most forecast models show a weakened version of Hurricane Rick hitting southern tip of Baja by the middle part of next week. Anyone planning travel to this region should keep turned to changing weather conditions, and possible air travel disruptions.

Pictured above: Infrared image of Hurricane Rick with a most impressive stadium-like eye wall surrounding a beautiful 10-nautical mile wide eye.

Hurricane Jimena Gaining Strength Off Coast of Mexico

Travelers to Baja California/Cabo should monitor the latest Hurricane Center updates.

As of 11:00 PM Eastern:

Hurricane Watch issued for Southern Baja Region

Jimena was located 255 miles SSW of Cabo Corrientes, Mexico, moving NW at 7mph. Maximum sustained winds are 145mph, making it a Category 4 - major hurricane. The likely track of the storm is illustrated to the left, courtesy of Weather Underground.

Take A Winter Break and Fly South

Good seasonal fares now available for travel over the next few months.

Here is sampling of fares, recently lowered by the airlines, for flights South into Mexico and South America. Other cities are available.

Book early, availability and pricing can change at any moment. All sample fares have been verified for availability.

-San Francisco to Sao Paulo, Brazil (pictured above): $783 RT, "all in" (taxes and fees included).
TAM Airlines via Miami or JFK. Fare valid through January 2009.

-San Francisco to Cancun, Mexico: $297 RT, "all in."
American Airlines. Fare valid through mid-December 2008.

-San Francisco to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico: $325 RT, "all in."
United and American Airlines. Fare valid through mid-December 2008.

-San Francisco to Bogota, Columbia: $570RT, "all in."
Delta Airlines.Fare valid into much of 2009.

Visit Farecompare for more travel ideas.

Mexico Sale!
Take a break from Winter in Mexico
& Save up to 40%!
Book by December 8th for travel from November 3rd to December 8th.

Acapulco Hotels! (Save up to 30%)
Cancun Hotels! (Save up to 40%)
Cozumel Hotels! (Save up to 40%)
Guadalajara Hotels! (Save up to 35%)
Ixtapa Hotels! (Save up to 30%)
Los Cabos Hotels! (Save up to 35%)
Mazatlan Hotels! (Save up to 40%)
Mexico City Hotels! (Save up to 35%)

Travel Advisory: Hurricane Felix now a Category 5 Hurricane

Hurricane Season is in full force! Hurricane Felix (to the left), currently located Southeast of Jamaica has just been upgraded to a Cat 5 Hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 165 mph. The projected path takes it through the Caribbean then at for Belize and/or the Mexican Yucatan by Midweek. After crossing inland, the storm is expected to reemerge, over the Gulf of Mexico late next week.

Also, Tropical Storm Henriette, about 300 miles Southeast of Cabo, Mexico is expected to become a Hurricane within the next 24 hours, making landfall somewhere along Southern Baja Peninsula Tuesday.

Folks traveling to these areas over the next week should be aware of potential travel interruptions.

Sacramento to Cabo San Lucas $220 Roundtrip incl taxes

HOT fare! American Airlines is offering Sacramento to Cabo, Mexico for $220 round-trip with taxes included. Valid September 1 to October 15th. Non-stop or 1 stop service via Dallas available. Visit Farecompare.com or AA.com for availability.

San Francisco/Oakland/San Jose - Coastal Mexico (Puerto Vallarta, Cabo, Ixtapa/Zihuantanejo/Cancun) $300 taxes included
Valid on Delta Airlines & Mexicana depending on airports you fly to/from
Through December 18th. Farecompare

Alaska Airlines HOT Summer & Fall Award Redemptions

Hot! Alaska Airlines has expanded their already generous award redemption opportunities.
Travel roundtrip to select California destinations in August by redeeming 15,000 Alaska Miles.
For example: San Francisco/Santa Rosa or Oakland to Southern California.

Hotter! Travel roundtrip to select Mexico destinations in September and October by redeeming 20,000 Alaska Miles.
For example: San Francisco to Puerto Vallarta/Mexico City/Los Cabos/La Paz