Mexico’s Mayan Temple of Ixchel
June 26, 2009 | Written by Sabina Lohr
When Spanish explorers first sailed ashore Isla Mujeres in 1517, they discovered an island where the Mayans had already lived out part of their existence. Built hundreds of years earlier, at its southern end stood the temple to the goddess Ix-Chel as well as several stone structures in the shape of women. To honor Isla Mujeres’ female slant, it was given its current name - Spanish for “the island of women.”
Positioned... [Read more]
Mexico’s Sculpture by the Caribbean Sea
June 24, 2009 | Written by Sabina Lohr
An outdoor modern art exhibit stands at the southern tip of Isla Mujeres, Mexico, a colorful tribute to the area’s indigenous Mayan civilization. Situated about five miles away from the island’s little downtown area, Punta Sur Sculpture Garden was created in 2001 - the work of almost two dozen Mexican artists as well as sculptors from around the world. Travelers wanting to mix a little culture into their... [Read more]
Chichen Itza, A Must-See in Mexico
June 16, 2009 | Written by Sabina Lohr
Chichen Itza, the greatest of the Yucatan Peninsula’s Mayan ruins, was a mandatory stop for me when I was in the area - and not because it’s made one of the Seven Wonders of the World lists. Rather, I had explored Tulum just a year earlier, Chichen Itza’s little sister several hours away on the Riviera Maya. Although Tulum is spectacular in itself, I had felt I was missing the big time.
Now,... [Read more]
Still Plenty of Good in Mexico
June 15, 2009 | Written by Xochitl-Julisa Bermejo
After months of cold and rain (even in L.A.), the time has come to forget about winter and take off to a warm beach destination. For many, this usually means journeying south of the border where temperatures soar, and prices are reasonable. Of course, this year Mexican resorts will be seeing a decline in U.S. tourists due to the media and governments push to discourage travelers from heading south, in fear of drug wars,... [Read more]
The Colors of Isla Mujeres, Mexico
June 10, 2009 | Written by Sabina Lohr
I didn’t want to know what to expect when I disembarked from the ferry onto Isla Mujeres. The only information I really needed upon my arrival to this little island in Mexico was the name of the family-owned hotel where I would be staying. The rest, I had decided, I would discover bit by bit.
Isla Town, a village at the island’s northern end, holds most of the restaurants, shops and hotels as well... [Read more]
The Real Cancun, Mexico
June 4, 2009 | Written by Sabina Lohr
Cancun as it is popularly known - a haven for fans of soft sand beaches and see-through sapphire water, a home to all-inclusive resorts catering to people who want a forget-the-world beach vacation - this is, in reality, but a part of this Mexican city. Drive away from the Zona Hotelera, or the hotel zone, and you will find the rest.
Away from the strand of sand where tanning tourists lounge is the real Cancun. ... [Read more]
Mexico, Where Have All the Tourists Gone?
June 2, 2009 | Written by Sabina Lohr
One month to the day after Mexico reported its first case of swine flu, I traveled in to the country, unconcerned about contracting the illness and curious about whether the media-fueled drastic decline in tourism would be obvious.
The Immigration line at the Cancun airport, which I had heard is often clogged with hundreds of people, took mere moments to pass through on this weekday afternoon. Then, after a speedy... [Read more]
The Real Cinco de Mayo
May 6, 2009 | Written by Dominic DeGrazier
It’s gotten to the embarrassing point now. My friends, family and coworkers all repeated the same answer to the question, “What does Cinco de Mayo celebrate?”
‘Mexico’s Independence Day’ being the answer. No.
In fact, most of Mexico does not celebrate this day - if they do it is only an excuse to drink (from what I have been told that is). Sounds similar to the custom in... [Read more]
Beach Bounty
April 4, 2009 | Written by Dawna L. Robertson
I’ve hunted and collected beach glass ever since my days of beachcombing the Windward and North shores of Oahu. So when I came across a mother load in the sleepy fishing village of Puerto Angel, this heavenly slice of Mexico’s Pacific Coast shot even higher up my list of great south of the border retreats.
Waiting for lunch at Cordelia’s on Playa Panteon, I decided to check if the water was as pleasant... [Read more]
Beauty, Banos & Big Name Golfers
March 30, 2009 | Written by Dawna L. Robertson
My fingers are crossed. When visiting Huatulco, Oaxaca last week, I was told by various visitor industry contacts that Mexicana Airlines plans to launch much-needed nonstop service from LAX to HUX this summer. The destination certainly warrants the convenient West Coast access with its emerging eco-tourism options, remarkable cuisine, sparkling bays, rich cultural diversions, roster of fine accommodations and commitment... [Read more]
Baby Turtles: New Life on My Last Day
March 29, 2009 | Written by Xochitl-Julisa Bermejo
On my final day in Puerto Escondido, I was able to get just a taste of what life is like in this laid back beach town. It is unique from other Mexican beach destinations because its lack of big corporations polluting this surfers paradise. As the woman in the tourist information hut told me, “I’m sorry, but if you want McDonald’s you can go to Cancun.” That is exactly the kind of place I like. In... [Read more]
To Eat, Or Not Eat, a Grasshopper.
March 23, 2009 | Written by Xochitl-Julisa Bermejo
It is the general belief that when traveling people should eat everything that’s different than what they are normally eat. This is more true if someone offers it to you. When a person offers you food, you eat it — unless you want to insult them. So when I took a trip to the town of Oaxaca in the summer of 2003, and I came back without trying the chapulines (grasshoppers fried in oil and seasoned with salt)... [Read more]
A Treat Off the Beaten Beach
March 21, 2009 | Written by Xochitl-Julisa Bermejo
If sitting on a beach all day tanning and drinking margaritas doesn’t always cut it for you (as it doesn’t always for me), than I have a side destination you’ll like. Sure it may take an hour and a half of unpaved road to find it, but believe me La Gloria Coffee Plantation is a fantastic treat.
La Gloria is actually a home that is surrounded by the middle forest of Huatulco. This charming home separates itself... [Read more]
Feeling the sun in Huatulco
March 17, 2009 | Written by Xochitl-Julisa Bermejo
I arrived at the Crown Pacific Hotel in Huatulco, Mexico at approximately 4p.m. My first impression of Huatulco? I almost forgot what warm weather feels like. After five minutes in this beach town, I now understood why people need a spring break — or I should say a winter break. Even in Los Angeles where temperatures never dip very low, I feel like I’ve been sleepwalking through an abnormally long and gray winter.... [Read more]
My Mexico, part two
March 4, 2009 | Written by Dominic DeGrazier
My welcoming hours in Mexico were a complete success. After those nocturnal events, the first true day of the Mexico City adventure was on stage. Luckily it fell on a national holiday. Talia, my new local friend, had the time to show off parts of her city. However, the ensuing 12 hours of memories aren’t so focused on the historic center of El Zócalo or the Museum of Frida Kahlo or any other sight that one reads about... [Read more]
Welcoming Spring at Cumbre Tajín
January 22, 2009 | Written by Kimberli Waack
I believe each time I leave my home for a trip I will return a changed person. Sometimes I am more changed than others. Recently, I returned from my trip from Veracruz, Mexico and Cumbre Tajín,( pronounced Coombray Taheen) the Festival of Identity, more changed than I expected. Cumbre Tajin which began in 2000 now takes place every year during the week of the spring equinox at Takilhsukut Tematico Park adjacent to the... [Read more]
My Mexico
December 30, 2008 | Written by Dominic DeGrazier
For some people, Mexico signifies a land of poor people, of desperation, of dirtiness, and of corruption. For others it conjures visions of spring break fiestas or bachelor(ette) party sessions on pristine beaches in a resort town. And for yet others, Mexico is a combination of these memories. I live an hour away from the disheveled border town of Tijuana. In the four years preceding age 21, I sporadically crossed the country... [Read more]
Why Mazatlan? (video podcast)
November 20, 2008 | Written by Devin Galaudet
After a week in Mazatlan, I had a chance to meet with Carlos Berdegue, the Vice President of the Mazatlan Hotel Association and President of El Cid Resorts. I took his word on it and checked out several of the Colonial town near Mazatlan. They are all quite impressive and I recommend the silver mines beneath Daniels in Copala.
Please note the dreadful choice to have my glasses propped up on my head like that. However,... [Read more]
Around Mazatlan
November 12, 2008 | Written by Devin Galaudet
Most of my day was spent in a van cruising along the roads leading out of Mazatlan. I whizzed passed lots of green rolling hills with construction, cows, stray dogs and a curious pair of copulating donkeys on the side of the road. The goal for the day was to visit some of the outlining towns nearby Mazatlan — definitely worth the trip.
Malpica was my first stop for beautiful handmade tiles (I bought a matched... [Read more]
A Change in Mazatlan
November 10, 2008 | Written by Devin Galaudet
I was exhausted as the van pulled up to my hotel in Mazatlan, Mexico. While the plane ride was shorter than many international flights from Los Angeles, I am discovering that all the airport sitting and preparing makes for a tired day of travel — especially when the day started a 6AM. Still I managed to keep an eye on the road and the surrounding buildings. Home Depot, Starbucks, and Taco Bell compete with Tacos Arnoldo... [Read more]
Puebla’s Food for Angels
June 11, 2008 | Written by Kimberli Waack
Galleons with bellies bulging gold sailed from Mexico bound for Spain, but a staggering amount of gold stayed in Puebla de Los Angeles, one of the jewels in Colonial Spain’s crown. When the city was designed by Bishop Julian Garces in the 1530’s, he intended it to be a city where angels could reside.
Whether angels have laid their heads to rest here, or as legends claim, helped to build the cathedral’s bell... [Read more]
Expert Shopping in Oaxaca
February 16, 2008 | Written by Kimberli Waack
The Méxican state of Oaxaca (pronounced wah-HA-kah) doesn’t just sound exotic to my ears, the name inspires thoughts of the mysterious and unusual. Located in Mexico’s deep south, the state’s name taken from a Nahautl word ‘huaxycac’ literally means nose of the juajes and refers to this tree’s bloom fruit. It’s said that this bloom must be respected and ingested... [Read more]
Authentic Mexico: Mazatlan
January 23, 2008 | Written by Jason Fitzpatrick
Mazatlan sits on the Pacific coast of Mexico just south of the tip of the... [Read more]
Mazatlan Memories (video podcast)
January 15, 2008 | Written by Wayfarer Digital
Jason has just returned from Mazatlan with some good insights and gorgeous video. Jason explores,... [Read more]
Moon’s Oaxaca and New Year’s Wishes
January 1, 2008 | Written by Kimberli Waack
As I plan and dream about the places I’ll go and the people I’ll meet in 2008, I also reflect on the places, people... [Read more]
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