Most of us are familiar with tequila, but fewer realize that tequila is just a subset (made only in the Mexican state of Jalisco) of mezcal, the class of liquor distilled from the agave plant. And the state of Oaxaca is to mezcal as Kentucky is to
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Unlike as is increasingly the case with Christmas, in Ibero-America Semana Santa (Holy Week, aka Easter week and the last week of Lent), going on right now, is still an almost exclusively religious observance, largely sans the Anglo-Saxon-style Ea
El Cid Resorts recently unveiled Ventus, a sophisticated all-inclusive conveniently situated just outside Puerto Moreles 20 miles equidistant between Cancún to the north and Playa del Carmen to the south, along Mexico's Riviera Maya.
The unpretentious pueblo known as Sayulita is located on the Riviera Nayarit in Mexico and has a magnetic personality that keeps drawing us back. This beach town is just north of Puerto Vallarta, but as we've noted before, it’s a world removed from
Cirque du Soleil shows are imbued in the magic of lighting, interplay of costumes, and spectacular acrobatics, all tied into a storyline filled with intrigue and charisma. Cirque's JOYA, performed on continuous engagement in Mexico's Mayan Riviera,
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Cave diving in Mexico is a wonderful experience combining underwater diving with the exploration of cave systems that date back eons. In Sistema Sagitario evidence can still be seen of human remains and previous rock movements that tell a story of wh
Heading to a tropical destination means you've booked some fun in the sun to erase your daily routine and responsibilities for a while. Staking out a beach or poolside lounger to catch up on some reading with a drink in your hand and toes in the san
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We heard about a sleepy little fishing village just north of Puerto Vallarta from friends who had visited the area and found this relatively hidden gem of a vacation destination, situated on a prime section of sandy beachfront with a long, gentle su
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As I unpacked my bags in my well-appointed room at the luxurious CasaMagna Marriott Puerto Vallarta & Spa, my eyes wandered towards the view of lush landscape and rolling waves of the Pacific. My thoughts were of all the experiences awaiting me for
On the 48th anniversary of the Stonewall Riot in New York City, its spirit has spread to Latin America, where after Europe and the USA, significant chunks this region have seen, despite the traditionally conservative nature of Latin society, the gre
A city of nearly two million inhabitants some 200 kilometers(170 miles) from Mexico City, Santiago de Queretaro (usually known simply as Queretaro is one of central Mexico’s great colonial cities, but a little more under the radar to non-Mexicans tha
The michelada became popular in Mexico during the 1940s, when people started to mix beer and spicy hot sauces. There are two versions to explain the origin of its name: one attributes it to Michel Ésper, who was said to have invented the drink at t
Celebrating Christmas/New Year's in Latin America
Along with many other cultural traditions, Spain bequeathed Christmas and New Year’s to its American colonies, now the 17 Spanish-speaking countries of Latin America – and while quite a few customs ha
Sayulita, a charming little town on the Riviera Nayarit north of Puerto Vallarta, is a beach fit for adventurers. Age doesn’t matter, and you can come along with your family, your partner or with friends. The hallmark of visitors to Sayulita is their
Yes, Mexico’s capital is famously ginormous and sprawling. But it’s also, at the end of the day, a patchwork of towns with long histories and local traditions. And there’s no better example than Coyoacán, “place of coyotes”, 10 kilometres (six miles)
Fewer foodstuffs in the world today seem to have more fans than xocolātl, the cacao-based infusion the Spanish conquistadors found quaffed by the elites of Aztec, Mayan, and other Mesoamerica societies they conquered. Back then, it was not necessaril
Local travel needs more entrepreneurs to operate and promote healthy local enterprises, whether they be small B&B’s or Grand Lodges, small day tour operators or extended tour businesses or....... promoters.
Here is an opportunity to get involved as a
First off, there are no beaches on the Yucatan Peninsula's Riviera Maya, stretching south of Cancun., that you would call anything less than paradises of white sand and crystalline waters. Even so, it's clear that each piece of coast is different fro
Mexico City boasts a clutch of cool colonias (neighbourhoods) these days, but the foremost flavour of the decade is turning out to be one called Roma, just west of the historic downtown. This is where chill chilangos (as locals call themselves) come
When it comes to shopping on holiday, the 20 countries of Ibero-America are a stupendous trove that reflect the diversity of both their modern culture and their Hispanic and pre-Columbian heritages. Some of the most striking items that decorate my ho
