Global-Trekker.net » Latin America

Global-Trekker.net » Latin America http://www.global-trekker.net Global Travel News, Blogs, and Deals Wed, 08 Feb 2012 06:21:58 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 en hourly 1 Candelaria in Mexico http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/02/candelaria-in-mexico/ http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/02/candelaria-in-mexico/#comments Wed, 01 Feb 2012 21:27:56 +0000 admin http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/02/candelaria-in-mexico/

Niño Dios

Every year around this time I start to notice people walking down the street cradling baby Jesus figures in their arms. It often takes me by surprise because at first I think it’s a baby they’re holding and then as I get closer I realize that it’s not actually a baby. In Oaxaca where I live, and in many other places in Mexico, it is customary for people to dress up their baby Jesus figures in special outfits and take them to the church to be blessed on February 2nd. You may remember that anyone who received the baby Jesus figurine in their slice of Rosca de Reyes on January 6 will have to provide the tamales for the party on this date, and you may have also made the connection that this is Groundhog Day in the United States and Canada. These celebrations are all somewhat connected and have to do with the special significance of February 2nd and where it falls in the calendar, midway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox, and forty days after Christmas.

…

View full post on About.com Mexico Travel

]]> http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/02/candelaria-in-mexico/feed/ 0 Oasis Sens Resort Offers Tranquility and Fun http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/oasis-sens-resort-offers-tranquility-and-fun/ http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/oasis-sens-resort-offers-tranquility-and-fun/#comments Tue, 31 Jan 2012 21:27:52 +0000 admin http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/oasis-sens-resort-offers-tranquility-and-fun/

Oasis Sens

Earlier this month I spent 48 hours in Cancun at the invitation of Oasis Hotels & Resorts. I stayed at the Grand Oasis Cancun, but I had the pleasure of visiting the other Oasis properties in the hotel zone: the Oasis Sens and the Oasis Palm/Grand Oasis Palm. The adult-oriented resort in the collection, the Oasis Sens, has undergone recent renovations to a tune of 7 million dollars. Guest rooms have been completely revamped, and a slew of amenities have been added.

…

View full post on About.com Mexico Travel

]]> http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/oasis-sens-resort-offers-tranquility-and-fun/feed/ 0 2012 Mexico Travel Readers’ Choice Awards: Nominations Open http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/2012-mexico-travel-readers-choice-awards-nominations-open/ http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/2012-mexico-travel-readers-choice-awards-nominations-open/#comments Fri, 20 Jan 2012 21:28:04 +0000 admin http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/2012-mexico-travel-readers-choice-awards-nominations-open/

Readers Choice Awards

I’m pleased to announce that nominations are now open in this year’s About.com Reader’s Choice Awards. There are eight categories for consideration within Mexico Travel. You can nominate your favorite destinations, hotels and resorts, and there’s also a category for your favorite Mexico blog. Nominations end on February 15. We’ll publish a list of finalists on February 22, and you’ll have from then to March 21 to vote for your favorites. Readers’ Choice Awards winners will be announced on March 30, 2012. So nominate your favorites now! The complete list of categories and links to nomination pages is here: Mexico Travel Readers’ Choice Awards 2012.

…

View full post on About.com Mexico Travel

]]> http://www.global-trekker.net/2012/01/2012-mexico-travel-readers-choice-awards-nominations-open/feed/ 0 Mexican New Year’s Eve Traditions http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/12/mexican-new-years-eve-traditions/ http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/12/mexican-new-years-eve-traditions/#comments Sat, 31 Dec 2011 21:27:54 +0000 admin http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/12/mexican-new-years-eve-traditions/

Firecrackers

Santa brought me a new suitcase, and I’ll be walking it around the block tonight to ensure that I’ll have plenty of opportunities to travel in the coming year. Along with eating twelve grapes at midnight and wearing underwear of a certain color, this is just another of the many customs and superstitions practiced in Mexico for New Year’s Eve. Celebrations vary: there are both rowdy fiestas and intimate family celebrations, but most Mexican New Year celebrations will involve cohetes (firecrackers) of some type. Read about New Year’s Eve in Mexico.

…

View full post on About.com Mexico Travel

]]> http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/12/mexican-new-years-eve-traditions/feed/ 0 Noche Buena – Christmas Eve in Mexico http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/12/noche-buena-christmas-eve-in-mexico/ http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/12/noche-buena-christmas-eve-in-mexico/#comments Sun, 25 Dec 2011 21:27:51 +0000 admin http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/12/noche-buena-christmas-eve-in-mexico/ In Mexico, Christmas Eve is called Noche Buena, literally “good night”. This is the night of the last posada, and families gather together with their family and friends to have a late-night feast, either before or after midnight mass. Some families exchange gifts for Christmas, but traditionally it is on January 6th, Kings Day, that the three wise men bring gifts to Mexican children. The Christmas feast will include some very special dishes, such as ensalada de noche buena, bacalao a la vizcaina, and romeritos. Learn more about Mexican Christmas foods.

…

View full post on About.com Mexico Travel

]]> http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/12/noche-buena-christmas-eve-in-mexico/feed/ 0 Noche de Rábanos – “Radish Night” in Oaxaca http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/12/noche-de-rabanos-radish-night-in-oaxaca/ http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/12/noche-de-rabanos-radish-night-in-oaxaca/#comments Fri, 23 Dec 2011 21:27:52 +0000 admin http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/12/noche-de-rabanos-radish-night-in-oaxaca/

Radish Night in Oaxaca

_{Photo © Suzanne Barbezat}

There’s a special festival that takes place every December 23rd in the city of Oaxaca in southern Mexico. It is said to have originated in the market of the Vigilia de Navidad, (Vigil of Christmas) which took place on the night before Christmas eve. Vendors in the market would create attractive and creative displays to attract clients to their stall. Radishes were carved and assembled to create figures and scenes, generally with a Christmas theme. In 1897 the mayor of the city organized the first formal exposition in which the curiously carved radishes were displayed for the public to enjoy. The custom was later formalized and turned into a contest. Nowadays a cash prize is awarded to the three best entries in the different categories: radish, totmoxtle (corn husk), and flor immortal (dried flowers).

…

Read Full Post

View full post on About.com Mexico Travel

]]> http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/12/noche-de-rabanos-radish-night-in-oaxaca/feed/ 0 Las Posadas: Mexican Christmas Tradition http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/12/las-posadas-mexican-christmas-tradition/ http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/12/las-posadas-mexican-christmas-tradition/#comments Fri, 16 Dec 2011 21:27:53 +0000 admin http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/12/las-posadas-mexican-christmas-tradition/

The Mexican Christmas season kicks off with the first posada on December 16. This is the first of nine consecutive nights of processions and parties leading up to Noche Buena, Christmas Eve. Las Posadas are a Mexican Christmas tradition that involves reenacting Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter in Bethlehem. A special song is sung before the participants enter the home of the family hosting the celebration. Here are the lyrics and translation of the Posada Song.

…

View full post on About.com Mexico Travel

]]> http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/12/las-posadas-mexican-christmas-tradition/feed/ 0 Puerto Vallarta’s Revamped Malecon http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/12/puerto-vallartas-revamped-malecon/ http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/12/puerto-vallartas-revamped-malecon/#comments Wed, 14 Dec 2011 21:27:56 +0000 admin http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/12/puerto-vallartas-revamped-malecon/

Puerto Vallarta's malecon

_{© Mattock Photography}

Puerto Vallarta’s malecón or seaside promenade, has long been one of this beach destination’s outstanding features. On a stroll along the malecón, you can enjoy street performers, admire the bronze sculptures that line the walkway, and people watch to your heart’s content. The malecón has recently undergone a renovation project which reinforced the retaining wall facing the sea, widened the walkway and added trees, all which enhance the pedestrian experience. The revamped Malecón now offers wifi service, and users can enjoy up to two hours of internet access for free.

…

View full post on About.com Mexico Travel

]]> http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/12/puerto-vallartas-revamped-malecon/feed/ 0 Indulge Your “Appetite for Luxury” at the Fairmont Mayakoba http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/12/indulge-your-appetite-for-luxury-at-the-fairmont-mayakoba/ http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/12/indulge-your-appetite-for-luxury-at-the-fairmont-mayakoba/#comments Thu, 08 Dec 2011 21:27:53 +0000 admin http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/12/indulge-your-appetite-for-luxury-at-the-fairmont-mayakoba/

Fairmont Mayakoba Pool

On a recent trip to the Riviera Maya, I had the pleasure of spending two nights at the Fairmont Mayakoba. This upscale resort is located about five miles north of the hip town of Playa del Carmen on the luxurious and environmentally friendly Mayakoba complex. My traveling companions and I were delighted with our stay at the Fairmont. We loved our accommodations, the delicious food, the resort’s lush setting, and also the measures the resort has taken to protect the local environment. This is not an all-inclusive resort, but by taking advantage of the resort’s Appetite for Luxury package, all of our meals and drinks were included in our stay.

…

View full post on About.com Mexico Travel

]]> http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/12/indulge-your-appetite-for-luxury-at-the-fairmont-mayakoba/feed/ 0 A Perfect Day at Xcaret http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/12/a-perfect-day-at-xcaret/ http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/12/a-perfect-day-at-xcaret/#comments Thu, 01 Dec 2011 21:28:04 +0000 admin http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/12/a-perfect-day-at-xcaret/

Xcaret

Xcaret, an eco-archaeological theme park on the Riviera Maya near Playa del Carmen, is a great place to spend a day. The park stretches over 250 acres and offers a wide variety of activities and attractions. The park is well-executed: it’s attractive and interesting, and offers educational and entertaining things to do. On a visit to Xcaret you can see a Mayan archaeological site, learn about the area’s flora and fauna, get a glimpse at Mayan culture and history, as well as enjoy lots of water activities like snorkeling and swimming in an underground river.

…

View full post on About.com Mexico Travel

]]> http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/12/a-perfect-day-at-xcaret/feed/ 0 Mariachi Recognized by UNESCO http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/11/mariachi-recognized-by-unesco/ http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/11/mariachi-recognized-by-unesco/#comments Mon, 28 Nov 2011 21:27:53 +0000 admin http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/11/mariachi-recognized-by-unesco/

Mariachi

Mariachi music was recognized by the United Nations’ cultural organization as part of the intangible culture of humanity this week. At the meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Heritage being held in Bali from November 22 to 29, 2011, the Mexican musical tradition was inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity along with over a dozen other cultural traditions from around the world. According to UNESCO: “Mariachi is a traditional music and fundamental element of Mexican culture, transmitting values, heritage, history and different Indian languages.”

…

View full post on About.com Mexico Travel

]]> http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/11/mariachi-recognized-by-unesco/feed/ 0 Yucatan Bird Festival http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/11/yucatan-bird-festival/ http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/11/yucatan-bird-festival/#comments Tue, 15 Nov 2011 21:27:57 +0000 admin http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/11/yucatan-bird-festival/

Toh Bird Festival

The 10th annual Yucatan Bird Festival is taking place this month, from November 25 to 27. This festival aims to promote the rich diversity of bird species found in the Yucatan and develop a conservationist culture among tourists and tour providers. Activities will include field trips, conferences, photographic exhibits and a “bird-a-thon.” Events will be held in Merida, Celestun and the archaeological site of Uxmal.

…

View full post on About.com Mexico Travel

]]> http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/11/yucatan-bird-festival/feed/ 0 Mexico’s Best Beaches http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/11/mexicos-best-beaches/ http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/11/mexicos-best-beaches/#comments Fri, 11 Nov 2011 21:27:55 +0000 admin http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/11/mexicos-best-beaches/

Tulum Beach

_{© Suzanne Barbezat}

If the weather’s getting chilly where you are, it may be just the right time to plan a getaway with sand, sun and sea on the menu. With nearly 6000 miles of coastline and some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, Mexico is an excellent choice for a beach vacation. It may be difficult to choose among Mexico’s many beautiful beach destinations, however. Mexico’s top beach destinations may be the first options that come to mind, but there are many other options that are worth some consideration.

…

View full post on About.com Mexico Travel

]]> http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/11/mexicos-best-beaches/feed/ 0 Understanding Day of the Dead http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/11/understanding-day-of-the-dead/ http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/11/understanding-day-of-the-dead/#comments Tue, 01 Nov 2011 21:27:56 +0000 admin http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/11/understanding-day-of-the-dead/

Folk Art Skeletons

_{Photo by Suzanne Barbezat}

If you didn’t grow up with the tradition of Day of the Dead, it may be difficult to understand this Mexican holiday. Images of skulls, skeletons and coffins strike many as morbid, and the fact that they are portrayed in a playful way may be even more baffling. Some people don’t really grasp the meaning of the holiday until they’ve experienced it in Mexico. Others may feel an immediate connection with the customs surrounding Day of the Dead, and incorporate its traditions into their own lives. To grasp the meaning of this holiday, it helps to understand its origins and history, which you can read about here: Day of the Dead Origins and History

…

View full post on About.com Mexico Travel

]]> http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/11/understanding-day-of-the-dead/feed/ 0 Cancun Prepares for Hurricane Rina http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/10/cancun-prepares-for-hurricane-rina/ http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/10/cancun-prepares-for-hurricane-rina/#comments Thu, 27 Oct 2011 21:27:56 +0000 admin http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/10/cancun-prepares-for-hurricane-rina/ Residents and visitors in the Yucatan Peninsula are preparing for the arrival of Hurricane Rina, which is likely to hit Cancun and the Riviera Maya on Thursday. Original reports forecast Rina hitting Mexico’s coast as a category 3 or 4 storm, but along its route the hurricane has weakened, and on Wednesday afternoon was downgraded to a category 1 storm. Rina is expected to weaken more as it nears land, however the storm is forecast to remain a hurricane as it sweeps towards some of Mexico’s most popular tourist destinations. According to the National Hurricane Center, a hurricane warning is in effect for the Northeast coast of the Yucatan Peninsula from north of Punta Gruesa to San Felipe.

…

View full post on About.com Mexico Travel

]]> http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/10/cancun-prepares-for-hurricane-rina/feed/ 0 Festival of Life and Death Traditions at Xcaret http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/10/festival-of-life-and-death-traditions-at-xcaret/ http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/10/festival-of-life-and-death-traditions-at-xcaret/#comments Wed, 26 Oct 2011 21:28:03 +0000 admin http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/10/festival-of-life-and-death-traditions-at-xcaret/

2011 marks the sixth year that Xcaret park in the Riviera Maya will celebrate Day of the Dead, or Hanal Pixan, as it’s known in the Maya area, with its Festival of Life and Death Traditions. This grand festival takes place from October 30th to November 2nd, and includes a wide varienty of cultural representations with Day of the Dead altars, theater presentations, concerts, dance performances, handicrafts and gastronomical treats.

…

View full post on About.com Mexico Travel

]]> http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/10/festival-of-life-and-death-traditions-at-xcaret/feed/ 0 Adventure Travel Summit in Chiapas http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/10/adventure-travel-summit-in-chiapas/ http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/10/adventure-travel-summit-in-chiapas/#comments Wed, 19 Oct 2011 21:27:55 +0000 admin http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/10/adventure-travel-summit-in-chiapas/ The Adventure Travel Trade Association’s eighth annual Adventure Travel World Summit is being held this week in Chiapas. This gathering of adventure travel professionals is held in a different destination every year. According to adventuretravelnews.com:

…

View full post on About.com Mexico Travel

]]> http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/10/adventure-travel-summit-in-chiapas/feed/ 0 Guadalajara Hosts the Panamerican Games http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/10/guadalajara-hosts-the-panamerican-games/ http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/10/guadalajara-hosts-the-panamerican-games/#comments Thu, 13 Oct 2011 21:27:53 +0000 admin http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/10/guadalajara-hosts-the-panamerican-games/

Panamerican Games 2011

The Mexican state of Jalisco is ready to welcome athletes and visitors from all over the Americas for the sixteenth edition of the Juegos Panamericanos, the Panamerican Games. Guadalajara will play host from October 14 to October 30th to over 5000 athletes who will compete in 36 different sports and nearly 400 events. The Panamerican Games are held every four years in the year before the Summer Olympics, and this is the third time that Mexico will host the games.

…

View full post on About.com Mexico Travel

]]> http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/10/guadalajara-hosts-the-panamerican-games/feed/ 0 Vegetarian Dining in Mexico http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/10/vegetarian-dining-in-mexico/ http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/10/vegetarian-dining-in-mexico/#comments Sat, 01 Oct 2011 21:27:55 +0000 admin http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/10/vegetarian-dining-in-mexico/ If you’re vegetarian and heading to Mexico, you may be worried about what you’re going to eat and how you’ll order your meals in restaurants. Not to worry – you need not go hungry! There are plenty of options available to vegetarians traveling in Mexico. Read our guide to vegetarian dining in Mexico for some tips, a list of dishes to try and some useful phrases.

…

View full post on About.com Mexico Travel

]]> http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/10/vegetarian-dining-in-mexico/feed/ 0 Taking the Turibus http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/09/taking-the-turibus/ http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/09/taking-the-turibus/#comments Thu, 29 Sep 2011 21:28:02 +0000 admin http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/09/taking-the-turibus/

Turibus

_{© Suzanne Barbezat}

I had been to Mexico City several times before I took the Turibus. Previously I had always gotten around the city by metro and found it a convenient and practical way to get from one place to another. Also I must admit that whenever I saw those red double decker buses I felt, as independent travelers often do, a sort of disdain for the passengers – those unadventurous folks who, instead of experiencing the “real” city the way the locals do, view it all from the remote perspective of their tour bus.

…

View full post on About.com Mexico Travel

]]> http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/09/taking-the-turibus/feed/ 0 International Tourism Fair of the Americas (FITA) http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/09/international-tourism-fair-of-the-americas-fita/ http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/09/international-tourism-fair-of-the-americas-fita/#comments Thu, 22 Sep 2011 21:27:59 +0000 admin http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/09/international-tourism-fair-of-the-americas-fita/

International Tourism Fair of the Americas

I’m in Mexico City attending the International Tourism Fair of the Americas, known as FITA for its acronym in Spanish. This is the second edition of the tourism fair which is being held at the Expo Bancomer Santa Fe in Mexico City from September 22 to 25.

…

View full post on About.com Mexico Travel

]]> http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/09/international-tourism-fair-of-the-americas-fita/feed/ 0 Celebrating Mexico’s Independence http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/09/celebrating-mexicos-independence/ http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/09/celebrating-mexicos-independence/#comments Sun, 18 Sep 2011 21:28:00 +0000 admin http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/09/celebrating-mexicos-independence/

Viva Mexico

Mexican Independence Day is September 16, but festivities get underway on the night of the 15th, when crowds gather in town squares across the country to shout “¡Viva Mexico!” Many people confuse Cinco de Mayo with Mexican Independence Day, but these are two distinct holidays, and in Mexico, Independence Day is celebrated far more lavishly. This year Mexico is celebrating 201 years of independence; last year the country celebrated its bicentennial in a grand blow-out celebration. Here’s all you need to know about this holiday, its history and how it’s celebrated: Mexican Independence Day Facts. This photo guide will lead you through preparing for and joining in el grito de la independencia (the cry of independence) in a Mexican city.

…

View full post on About.com Mexico Travel

]]> http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/09/celebrating-mexicos-independence/feed/ 0 Hotels and Resorts in the Riviera Maya http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/09/hotels-and-resorts-in-the-riviera-maya/ http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/09/hotels-and-resorts-in-the-riviera-maya/#comments Sun, 11 Sep 2011 21:28:07 +0000 admin http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/09/hotels-and-resorts-in-the-riviera-maya/

El Dorado Royale

_{El Dorado Royale Resort, photo © Suzanne Barbezat}

Mexico’s Riviera Maya offers a wide range of accommodation options, from simple cabanas on the beach with no electricity to upscale luxury resorts with 24-hour butler service. There’s something for all budgets and interests.

…

View full post on About.com Mexico Travel

]]> http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/09/hotels-and-resorts-in-the-riviera-maya/feed/ 0 September in Mexico http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/09/september-in-mexico/ http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/09/september-in-mexico/#comments Mon, 05 Sep 2011 21:27:58 +0000 admin http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/09/september-in-mexico/

You can always tell it’s September in Mexico when you begin to see stands selling Mexican flags (and an assortment of other items in red, white and green) popping up on street corners. Although Mexican Independence Day falls on September 16th, the whole month of September is referred to as el mes de la patria, and dedicated to the celebration of all things Mexican.

…

View full post on About.com Mexico Travel

]]> http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/09/september-in-mexico/feed/ 0 Lady Gaga Surfs in Mexico http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/08/lady-gaga-surfs-in-mexico/ http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/08/lady-gaga-surfs-in-mexico/#comments Thu, 25 Aug 2011 21:28:07 +0000 admin http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/08/lady-gaga-surfs-in-mexico/ Lady Gaga was in Mexico last week, reportedly taking surfing lessons in Punta Mita, a resort area just north of Puerto Vallarta. The pop star was photographed body boarding, and then standing up on the surf board, wearing a tiny black bikini. On Thursday she tweeted a photo of herself surfing, with the caption: “yeah thats me. no heels baby.” LivePuntaMita.com reports that she took surfing lessons at the La Lancha break, offshore of Ranchos, and that her teacher was Josue of Tranquilo Surf. Read a report and see photos of Lady Gaga’s Mexican surfing adventure on livepuntamita.com, and more photos at Daily Mail UK.

…

View full post on About.com Mexico Travel

]]> http://www.global-trekker.net/2011/08/lady-gaga-surfs-in-mexico/feed/ 0