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Noche de Rábanos – “Radish Night” in Oaxaca

23. December 2011

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 [...]

Las Posadas: Mexican Christmas Tradition

16. December 2011

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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 [...]

Puerto Vallarta’s Revamped Malecon

14. December 2011

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© 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 [...]

Indulge Your “Appetite for Luxury” at the Fairmont Mayakoba

8. December 2011

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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 [...]

A Perfect Day at Xcaret

1. December 2011

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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 [...]

Mariachi Recognized by UNESCO

28. November 2011

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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 [...]

Yucatan Bird Festival

15. November 2011

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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 [...]

Mexico’s Best Beaches

11. November 2011

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© 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. [...]

Understanding Day of the Dead

1. November 2011

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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 [...]

Cancun Prepares for Hurricane Rina

27. October 2011

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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 [...]

Festival of Life and Death Traditions at Xcaret

26. October 2011

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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 [...]

Adventure Travel Summit in Chiapas

19. October 2011

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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: … Read Full Post View full post on About.com Mexico Travel

Guadalajara Hosts the Panamerican Games

13. October 2011

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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 [...]

Vegetarian Dining in Mexico

1. October 2011

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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 [...]

Taking the Turibus

29. September 2011

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© 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 [...]

International Tourism Fair of the Americas (FITA)

22. September 2011

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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. … Read Full Post View full post on About.com Mexico [...]

Celebrating Mexico’s Independence

18. September 2011

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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. [...]

Hotels and Resorts in the Riviera Maya

11. September 2011

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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. … Read Full Post View full post on About.com Mexico Travel

September in Mexico

5. September 2011

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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, [...]

Lady Gaga Surfs in Mexico

25. August 2011

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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 [...]

Templo Mayor: Aztec Ruins in Mexico City

19. August 2011

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Photo © Suzanne Barbezat I’m always surprised by the number of people who visit Mexico City and don’t go to the Templo Mayor. Many tell me they didn’t even realize it was there, and I can’t blame them for that, because, although it’s right beside the cathedral and a stone’s throw from the Zocalo and [...]

My First Visit to Mexico

11. August 2011

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I visited Mexico for the first time the summer that I was 17 years old. My parents had split up the previous year and my mom decided that she and her girls (my sister and I) deserved a vacation. She booked us a week in Acapulco. (Note to divorcees and anyone suffering from a breakup: [...]

Mexico for Foodies

4. August 2011

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Creative Commons photo by Du Tran Mexico’s diverse gastronomy is one of its many attractions. The variety of cultures and communities in Mexico, as well as the country’s great biodiversity accounts for the diversity of Mexican cuisine. Each region has its own specialties, ingredients and methods of preparation. … Read Full Post View full post [...]

Wellness Escapes in Mexico

29. July 2011

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When you think vacation, you may think of long lazy days by the pool or on the beach drinking calorie-laden cocktails, and overdoing it at the buffet. Many people return from their holidays a few pounds heavier and fatigued from heavy partying. You could make better use of your vacation time, however. Going on vacation [...]

Oaxaca’s Guelaguetza Festival

21. July 2011

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Photo © Suzanne Barbezat The Guelaguetza is a colorful celebration of traditional culture that takes place every year in Oaxaca at the end of July. Brilliantly attired in traditional garb, representatives of each of the state’s regions perform folk dances and share their local products. Usually held on the last two Mondays of July, since [...]