International Conference on logic programming

TRAVEL INFORMATION

The ICLP99 will be held on the campus of New Mexico State University. Directions are given for the hotels Sleep Inn, and Comfort Suites, where many of the attendess will be housed. The hotels are located at a 5-7 minute walking distance from the location of the Conference.

HOW TO REACH LAS CRUCES:

BY AIR:

The most convenient way to reach Las Cruces is to fly into El Paso International Airport (ELP), Texas, airport and then take a shuttle to Las Cruces. Las Cruces is about 45 miles from the El Paso airport and the shuttle takes about 1 hour. El Paso is served by most major airlines: Delta, American, Continental, Southwest Airlines, America West Airlines, Frontier and TWA. The shuttle is highly recommended as the means of transportation between El Paso and Las Cruces. The shuttle will drop you directly at the Sleep Inn/Comfort Suites.
Taking a taxi from the El Paso airport to Las Cruces is not advised. A Taxi costs anywhere from $70 to $100 EACH WAY, depending on the time of day. However, if you still wish to take a taxi, then they can be found right outside the baggage claim area of the airport. No advance reservation is required.
If you rent a car, then when you exit the airport, you'll come out on Airway blvd. going towards the Interstate highway I-10. When you see the Interstate bridge turn right at the lights just before the bridge and merge into the highway. Take I-10 West all the way to Las Cruces. Follow signs in the "BY CAR" section when you reach near Las Cruces.
Another way to reach Las Cruces is to fly into the Las Cruces airport, on Mesa Airlines from Albuquerque, NM. Take a taxi from the airport to your destination in Las Cruces.

BY CAR:

Las Cruces is at the junction of two major Interstate Highways: I-25 and I-10.

If you are driving on I-10 and going West (e.g. traveling from El Paso, Texas): about 18 miles after you cross the Texas-New Mexico border, I-10W splits into I-10W and I-25N. Stay on the right lane and take I-25 North. Take the very first exit on I-25 (Exit 1, University Avenue). Go up the exit ramp and at the lights turn left. At the next lights (Triviz & University) turn right on Triviz. Hotel is 100 yards down this road to your left.

If you are driving on I-25 and going South (e.g., travelling from Albuquerque): Take Exit 1 (University Avenue). The exit splits, follow the one to the right that says NMSU. As soon as you exit you'll meet a traffic light (Triviz & University). Turn Right on Triviz. Drive about 100-200 yards and you'll see the hotel entrance. In fact, you can see the hotel as you approach exit 1.

If you are driving on I-10 going East (e.g., driving from Arizona): Take exit 142 (Main Street). At the lights at the end of the ramp turn right. At the very next lights, turn right again. Now you are on University Avenue. Keep going until you reach the 7th light (Triviz and University). Turn left on Triviz. Hotel is 100 yards down this road to your left.

Click here for a map of the vicinity of Comfort Suites/Sleep Inn.

HOW TO MAKE YOUR SHUTTLE RESERVATION (FROM ELP TO LAS CRUCES AND BACK):

Once you have made your air-ticket reservations, please make a reservation on Las Cruces Shuttle Service for transportation to Las Cruces by calling toll-free 1-800-288-1784 or +1-505-525-1784. Click here for the shuttle schedule. (This is also a good time to make your return reservation to the El Paso airport after the conference). Please tell the reservation clerk that you are with the "ICLP99" group. Please pay the shuttle driver when you board the shuttle at the El Paso airport. It is better to buy the return ticket at the beginning itself as the return ticket is a lot cheaper. When you make your reservation it is very important to identify yourself as part of the "ICLP'99" group to get the special discounted rate of $35 for a roundtrip.
If you are attending both LPNMR and ICLP, then you should still buy the return ticket on the Las Cruces Shuttle for $35. You should then make your return reservation to go to the Hotel Camino Real (where LPNMR is being held) in El Paso on Wednesday night after the banquet. The shuttle will return you for no extra charge to this hotel. The shuttle will not take you to any other hotel (in case, you are staying in another hotel nearby), so in such a case, you should get down at Hotel Camino Real and take a taxi or walk to your hotel. For going to Hotel Camino Real the shuttle can pick you up right at the Holiday Inn (where the ICLP/LPNMR Banquet will be held).
On arrival at the airport, you will meet your shuttle driver at the Ground Transportation desk opposite the baggage claim area.

ATTRACTIONS IN AND AROUND LAS CRUCES

Las Cruces is a small desert town in southern New Mexico, close to the Texas/New Mexico border (as well as the US-Mexico border), famous for its red and green chiles, hot Mexican food, and its old western traditions. The weather is warm and sunny all year round. There are many attractions in and around Las Cruces, that you are encouraged to visit. You need a car for visiting most of these attractions. If you are a foreign national residing in the US, please carry your passport or green card with you as there are several INS checkposts around Las Cruces due to our proximity to the border. US citizens, however, do not need to carry any proof of citizenship. There are several very interesting short trips (half day to one day) that one can take:

White Sands National Monument: At the northern end of the Chihuahuan Desert lies a mountain ringed valley, the Tularosa Basin. Rising from the heart of this basin is one of the world's great natural wonders - the glistening white sands of New Mexico. Here, great wave-like dunes of gypsum sand have engulfed 275 square miles of desert and have created the world's largest gypsum dune field. The brilliant white dunes are ever changing: growing, cresting, then slumping, but always advancing. Distance from Las Cruces: Approximately 45 miles.

Alamogordo: Twenty miles from the White Sands National Monument is the town of Alamogordo, home to the Space Hall of Fame, and the Tombaugh Omnimax Theater. Alamogordo is also the home of Holloman Airforce Base which houses the USAF stealth bombers. Distance from Las Cruces: Approximately 65 miles.

Cloudcroft : Located 15 miles from Alamogordo, Cloudcroft is a small mountain village located in the heart of the Lincoln National Forest. At 9000 feet in elevation, Cloudcroft is a year-round mountain playland. Take the scenic route in Cloudcroft to visit the Apache Point Observatory at Sunspot and the the historic Lodge (the Lodge is located next to a golf-course, which at 9000 feet, is one of the highest in the world). Distance from Las Cruces: Approx 80 miles (including 15 miles of mountainous roads).

Ruidoso: Ruidoso, NM, is nestled in the Southern Rocky Mountains. Towering above the village, Sierra Blanca reaches 12,003 feet above sea level. The mild climate is seasoned just right for outdoor activities. Attractions include camping and hiking in pristine Lincoln National Forest, horse racing, golf, tennis, and fishing, Art galleries, museums, and shops. Recommendations: Drive atop the Sierra Blanca (12,0003 feet); Visit the Inn of the Mountain Gods: on the Mescalero Apache Indian Reservation. Distance from Las Cruces: approx. 100 miles.

Ski Apache: Operated by the Mescalero Apache Indian tribe, located in Sierra Blanca Mountain, close to Ruidoso, New Mexico, has 750 Acres of skiable area with 55 Trails (20% beginner, 35% intermediate, 45% advanced), at a base elevation of 9,600 feet (top elevation: 11,500 feet). Also has snowboarding, ski school, ski rentals, lodges, restaurants, sports shop. Ski season begins: Nov. 25th, 1999 (4 days before ICLP'99!).

Las Cruces and New Mexico: Visit the nearby historic town of Mesilla and visit the courthouse where Billy the Kid was tried to be hanged. Hike the trails in nearby Organ Mountains. Las Cruces has a number of fine Mexican restaurants: For an authentic experience visit any one of the following restaurants: Si Senor, (1551 E. Amador Ave., Las Cruces), La Posta (2410 Calle De San Albino, Mesilla), and Double Eagle (308 Calle de Guadalupe, Mesilla). There are several interesting day trips that one can make. New Mexico, known as the Land of Enchantment, also has several national parks. Click here to see the list of NM State Parks. Click here to visit the NM Department of Tourism web pages. Here is another visitors' guide.

El Paso: A city of nearly three-quarters of a million people, which sprawls across hundreds of square miles of desert and rambling foothills. The Franklin Mountains, southern tip of the Rockies, slice El Paso nearly in two. With its classic Western geography and tri-cultural history, El Paso makes an intriguing place to visit and live in. Click here to see a list of attractions. Distance from Las Cruces: 45 miles

Ciudad Juarez, Mexico: Ciudad Juarez in Mexico, just across the border from El Paso, TX, is known for its shopping, restaurants, and entertainment. Please note that you may need a visa to visit Mexico. If you are taking your car, you are advised to buy appropriate insurance as most US car insurance policies do not cover Mexico. Distance from Las Cruces: 45 miles

Gila National Forest: The Gila National Forest offers 3.3 million beautiful, rugged acres, and more wilderness than in any other national forest in the Southwest. Home to the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Mounument. Distance from Las Cruces: 150+ miles (includes mounainous terrain).

Carlsbad Caverns: Calbard Caverns National Park was established to preserve Carlsbad Cavern and numerous other caves within a Permian-age fossil reef. The park contains 83 separate caves, including the nation's deepest limestone cave - 1,597 feet (486.8 m) deep - and third longest. Carlsbad Cavern, with one of the world's largest underground chambers and countless limestone formations (stalactites, stalagmites, etc.), is also highly accessible, with a variety of tours offered year round. Distance from Las Cruces: 180 miles. (3 hours by car; return trip from Las Cruces can be done in one day)

Suggested 1/2 day trips:

    El Paso/Ciudad Juarez

    White Sands National Monument

    Las Cruces/Mesilla

Suggested 1 day trips:

    Carlsbad Caverns

    White Sands National Monument and Cloudcroft

Suggested 2 day trips:

    El Paso/Juarez and Carlsbad Caverns

    White Sands National Monument and Cloudcroft

    White Sands National Monument and Ruidoso

     White Sands National Monument, Alamogordo, Cloudcroft, Ruidoso

     Gila National Forest

Suggested 4 day trip:

     White Sands National Monument -> Alamogordo -> Cloudcroft (Day 1)-> Ruidoso (Day 2) -> Carlsbad Caverns (Day 3) -> El Paso/Juarez and back to Las Cruces (Day 4)

	White Sands National Monument: At the northern end of the Chihuahuan Desert lies a mountain ringed valley, the Tularosa Basin. Rising from the heart of this basin is one of the world's great natural wonders - the glistening white sands of New Mexico. Here, great wave-like dunes of gypsum sand have engulfed 275 square miles of desert and have created the world's largest gypsum dune field. The brilliant white dunes are ever changing: growing, cresting, then slumping, but always advancing. Distance from Las Cruces: Approximately 45 miles.
	Alamogordo: Twenty miles from the White Sands National Monument is the town of Alamogordo, home to the Space Hall of Fame, and the Tombaugh Omnimax Theater. Alamogordo is also the home of Holloman Airforce Base which houses the USAF stealth bombers. Distance from Las Cruces: Approximately 65 miles.
	Cloudcroft : Located 15 miles from Alamogordo, Cloudcroft is a small mountain village located in the heart of the Lincoln National Forest. At 9000 feet in elevation, Cloudcroft is a year-round mountain playland. Take the scenic route in Cloudcroft to visit the Apache Point Observatory at Sunspot and the the historic Lodge (the Lodge is located next to a golf-course, which at 9000 feet, is one of the highest in the world). Distance from Las Cruces: Approx 80 miles (including 15 miles of mountainous roads).
	Ruidoso: Ruidoso, NM, is nestled in the Southern Rocky Mountains. Towering above the village, Sierra Blanca reaches 12,003 feet above sea level. The mild climate is seasoned just right for outdoor activities. Attractions include camping and hiking in pristine Lincoln National Forest, horse racing, golf, tennis, and fishing, Art galleries, museums, and shops. Recommendations: Drive atop the Sierra Blanca (12,0003 feet); Visit the Inn of the Mountain Gods: on the Mescalero Apache Indian Reservation. Distance from Las Cruces: approx. 100 miles.
	Ski Apache: Operated by the Mescalero Apache Indian tribe, located in Sierra Blanca Mountain, close to Ruidoso, New Mexico, has 750 Acres of skiable area with 55 Trails (20% beginner, 35% intermediate, 45% advanced), at a base elevation of 9,600 feet (top elevation: 11,500 feet). Also has snowboarding, ski school, ski rentals, lodges, restaurants, sports shop. Ski season begins: Nov. 25th, 1999 (4 days before ICLP'99!).
	Las Cruces and New Mexico: Visit the nearby historic town of Mesilla and visit the courthouse where Billy the Kid was tried to be hanged. Hike the trails in nearby Organ Mountains. Las Cruces has a number of fine Mexican restaurants: For an authentic experience visit any one of the following restaurants: Si Senor, (1551 E. Amador Ave., Las Cruces), La Posta (2410 Calle De San Albino, Mesilla), and Double Eagle (308 Calle de Guadalupe, Mesilla). There are several interesting day trips that one can make. New Mexico, known as the Land of Enchantment, also has several national parks. Click here to see the list of NM State Parks. Click here to visit the NM Department of Tourism web pages. Here is another visitors' guide.
	El Paso: A city of nearly three-quarters of a million people, which sprawls across hundreds of square miles of desert and rambling foothills. The Franklin Mountains, southern tip of the Rockies, slice El Paso nearly in two. With its classic Western geography and tri-cultural history, El Paso makes an intriguing place to visit and live in. Click here to see a list of attractions. Distance from Las Cruces: 45 miles
	Ciudad Juarez, Mexico: Ciudad Juarez in Mexico, just across the border from El Paso, TX, is known for its shopping, restaurants, and entertainment. Please note that you may need a visa to visit Mexico. If you are taking your car, you are advised to buy appropriate insurance as most US car insurance policies do not cover Mexico. Distance from Las Cruces: 45 miles
	Gila National Forest: The Gila National Forest offers 3.3 million beautiful, rugged acres, and more wilderness than in any other national forest in the Southwest. Home to the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Mounument. Distance from Las Cruces: 150+ miles (includes mounainous terrain).
	Carlsbad Caverns: Calbard Caverns National Park was established to preserve Carlsbad Cavern and numerous other caves within a Permian-age fossil reef. The park contains 83 separate caves, including the nation's deepest limestone cave - 1,597 feet (486.8 m) deep - and third longest. Carlsbad Cavern, with one of the world's largest underground chambers and countless limestone formations (stalactites, stalagmites, etc.), is also highly accessible, with a variety of tours offered year round. Distance from Las Cruces: 180 miles. (3 hours by car; return trip from Las Cruces can be done in one day)