We are into the latter part of summer, but that doesn’t mean many of us are not still traveling on vacations. Here are a few last minute tips to help you out.

First and foremost, figure out if you will need a passport for your trip. Recent regulation changes have been implemented that require you to have a passport to reenter the US from practically any country. This includes Mexico and Canada. The new regulation has led to a massive backlog, so make sure you have a current passport. If you need a new one, find out how long it will take and any exceptions that might apply to your destination.

A second issue to take into account is the end of summer weather. Mentally, we all usually equate the end of summer with cooling temperatures. In the Northern Hemisphere, this is not true. August is one of the hottest months and September will bake as well. Only in the latter half of September can you expect things to cool down. Plan and dress appropriately for the heat.

Electricity is the same everywhere except when it is not. If you live in the US, you should know the rest of the world for the most part run their electronics on a different voltage. If you are heading outside of the country, make sure you have a power converter. There is no better way to ruin a trip than to plug in the old laptop, here a crackling noise, smell a bad odor and know something very, very bad has happened!

If your wallet is light, try to look for charter air flights. These airlines offer intermittent flights through the summer. As summer comes to a close, the ticket prices can get super low. Once you buy a ticket, try to upgrade when checking in. I once paid $75 for an upgrade to first class on a flight from Paris to Los Angeles. Best $75 I ever spent!

Finally, avoid the doom and gloom. For some reason, we have become a species of complainers. Yes, the summer is coming to an end, but that doesn’t mean you need to sit around and complain about it. Doing so is not going to make time stop, so don’t! Get out there and enjoy yourself.

About the author

Rick Chapo is with NomadJournals.com - makers of writing journals for the outdoors

 by Timothy Scott

At the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula, the once-sleepy towns of San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas have evolved into vacation playgrounds. This striking landscape attracts fishing enthusiasts, golfers, and anyone looking for sun and fun in an area that’s always warm.

At the luxury end of the scale, the Los Cabos region has several world-class resorts that are fixtures on annual best-of lists. Here are the five top resorts where you can’t go wrong, according to the upscale review site Luxury Latin America. http://www.luxurylatinamerica.com

One and Only Palmilla This resort sits on 250 acres of a 900-acre community, which includes private residences and a 27-hole Jack Nicklaus golf course. Its ten categories of luxury accommodations range from large oceanfront superior rooms to 12 beachfront one-bedroom luxury suites at 1,400 square feet. The beach here is swimmable, which is not always a given on this rocky coast.

Las Ventanas al Paraiso Las Ventanas set the tone for a new standard for Los Cabos when in opened in the nineties. With international billionaires and tabloid celebrities guests among its guests, privacy and specialized service is ingrained into the culture of the staff. With a Robert Trent Jones golf course, a highly acclaimed spa, and a bevy of butlers at the ready, this resort is still hard to top.

The Hotel at Esperanza With only 50 casitas and six luxury suites, this boutique resort is laid out like a private Mexican village. Spread across 17 lushly landscaped acres, the oceanfront hotel is perched on the bluffs of Punta Ballena (Whale Point) above two secluded coves on the Sea of Cortez, creating a natural barrier exclusive to registered guests. Accommodations range from 925 to 4,700 square feet, all facing the sea.

Marquis Los Cabos With a 15,000-square-foot spa, stunning infinity pool complex, and rooms with great views, this is a great spot for taking in the dramatic scenery of Los Cabos. It is also the most Mexican-feeling resort around, with all interior design and décor items sourced locally. Public spaces are filled with an extensive art collection featuring 400 commissioned oil paintings and bronze sculptures featuring many notable Latin American artists.

Hilton Los Cabos Under the same ownership as the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles, this above-average chain hotel is coming off a major renovation, to the tune of $15,000 per room. Rooms range from large to larger and are now equipped with plenty of goodies like flat-screen TVs and marble baths with separate showers and whirlpool tubs. Stunning views are a given from most areas of the hotel and the draped lounge beds and draped palapas by the pool and swimming beach add more drama.

About the author:

Timothy Scott is editor of Luxury Latin America, http://www.luxurylatinamerica.com, a guide to the best hotels and tours in Mexico, Central America, and South America. To see full reviews, go to the Mexico Luxury Hotels section. http://www.luxurylatinamerica.com/lux_mexico.html