Tag Archives: Mexico

5 Fun and Inexpensive Things to Do in Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta is the best of both worlds—this coastal favorite has golden beaches and tropical jungles, quiet cocktail bars and steamy nightclubs, cobblestone streets and quaint white-washed houses with orange-tiled roofs. On top of all that, it has the same latitude as Hawaii, providing it with year-round balmy temperatures and superabundant sunshine. Whether you’re a city slicker or nature-lover, Puerto Vallarta has something for you. So, amp up your español, dust off your passport, and lighten your luggage. From Bar La Playa to Los Arcos, we’re laying out the top five places that you need to visit in Puerto Vallarta.

 

Bar La Playa

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Nestled between beachwear and souvenir shops, Bar La Playa is a hidden gem that’ll make you sad when it’s last call. With a ten-seat wooden bar inside and five tables on its sidewalk, it might be tiny, but it fits the party-happy vibe of Vallarta. Even if you don’t visit during happy hour—when margaritas are $1.50 and Mexican beers are 76¢—the bar is packed with regulars that’ll share side-splitting stories and travel tips. “Alex the owner is a master mixologist,” says Mikee Bridges from Ventura, California. His Jell-O shots are served in hollowed out strawberries and watermelon rinds. His cocktails are handmade with fresh ingredients like fruits, herbs, juices, and spices, most of which have comical names like It’s All About the Lavender, Green Peace, and Release the Kraken.

 

Vallarta Botanical Garden

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Just 30 minutes from downtown Puerto Vallarta, you’ll find a landscape of unrivaled natural beauty where you can escape into pockets of still-pristine coastal wilderness. Opening in 2005, the Vallarta Botanical Garden (VBG) is primarily dedicated to preserving native Mexican plants such as strangler figs, prickly pear cactus, wild vanilla, and blue agaves. “There are currently around 200 species of orchids of the more than 1,200 that exist in Mexico,” says Jesús Reyes, the co-founder and general director of the VBG. “Many of the orchids you see here were grown in our in vitro propagation lab.”

You could spend your entire visit learning about the more than eight thousand plant species, but there’s so much more to do here. You can hike through swaths of rainforest on the Jaguar Trail, where squawking groups of Lilac-Crowned Amazon parrots wheel through the sky. Then cool off in the Horcones River. It has pools that are separated by house-sized granite boulders. At the Hacienda de Oro, you can tuck into shrimp stuffed avocados or beer-battered fish tacos while enjoying a gorgeous view of the Sierra Madres. You can also watch 13 species of hummingbirds sip nectar from feeders on the terrace.

 

Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe

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Photo: Bud Ellison

When Vallarta’s skyline ignites into a myriad of colors, just like a brightly colored Mexican serape, the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe’s crown can be seen miles away. A powerful symbol of Mexican identity and faith, its bells ring 15 and 30 minutes before every mass. Their sound becomes especially inviting during the Feast of Guadalupe that’s held every year from December 1st to the 12th. According to tradition, on December 12, 1531, the Virgin of Guadalupe appeared as a dark-skinned woman who spoke Nahuatl. She asked an Indian peasant named Juan Diego to gather Castilian roses from a hillside and then arranged them in his cloak. When he presented it to his local bishop, the flowers tumbled out, and they discovered a life-size image of the Virgin Mary.

“Our Lady retains her appeal without specifically being anchored in religious tradition,” says John Moran Gonzalez, director of the Center for Mexican American Studies at the University of Texas at Austin. “ She’s seen as the champion of the underdog, of the Indian, of all those who lack power in society.” That’s why tens of thousands of tourists come from around the world to enjoy this annual festival. They leave Milagros to ask her for healing, protection, and good luck. Fireworks decorate and light up the skies. Aztec warriors dance in the streets, and traditional parades entertain the crowds. The central plaza is also filled to the brim with street vendors selling Mexican folk art, Christmas ornaments, and foodstuffs.

 

Isla Río Cuale

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Isla Río Cuale will make you feel like you have one foot in the jungle and the other in the city. Formed by a huge flood caused by a tornado in October of 1926, it’s densely forested by bamboo, Madras Thorns, Caro Caros, and rubber trees. Locally dubbed the Isla de Gatos, roughly 150 feral cats roam the island. “It’s been a dumping ground for the past 20 or 30 years, and people abandon their cats,” says Jill Goldstein, the founder and executive director of Pause 4 Paws, a Minneapolis-based animal charity. You’ll also see orange-fronted parakeets darting around tree crowns, iguanas sunbathing in trees, and otters smashing clams with rocks.

Reached by swinging bridges, its main attractions are its rustic brick-paved streets surrounded by charming thatched bungalows. It also boasts one of the best two-story flea markets in the world. You’ll find everything from sarapes (blankets with a head opening, worn as a cloak) and huaraches (woven leather sandals) to paper machè figures and blown glass. Venture upstairs for authentic Mexican food like coconut ice cream and chicken tamales. Or view a small collection of Pre-Colombian pottery, tombs, and artifacts with English-translated panels at the Cuale Archaeological Museum. Movie buff?  There’s a statue of John Huston, who directed The Night of the Iguana, starring Richard Burton and Ava Gardner.

 

Los Arcos and El Malecón

“If you come to Vallarta and don’t come to the Malecón, you haven’t been to Vallarta,” says Alberto Garcia, who rounds up visitors for time-share presentations. It’s the heart of Puerto Vallarta and its version of a seaside boardwalk: minus the boards. Stretching from the Hotel Rosita to the Río Cuale, it’s a popular meeting point, featuring dancers and musicians playing traditional Mexican folk music.  From “The Seahorse” to local sand art, it’s like walking through a beach-side sculpture garden.

If you’re looking for a showstopper, watch the Voladores of Papantla: four men dressed in Totonac costumes rotate around a 65-foot pole to summon the four directions of the universe. Dig into grilled corn coated with cheese. Or down a tejuino, a fermented drink that’s made from the same corn dough as tortillas. Then head to Los Arcos. A symbol of the Puerto Vallarta, it’s used during weekends and holidays as an open-air theater for food tastings, sporting events, cultural performances, and festivals.

Yo Quiero Mexico City in One Day

It would be easy to spend a week exploring the vast metropolis of Mexico City, but if you only have a day, here’s an itinerary that will let you sample the tastes and culture of this beautiful city. A clean, efficient and inexpensive public transportation system makes maneuvering around the city fairly easy.

 

 

Pastelería Ideal

flickr Yusuke Kawasaki Pasteleria Ideal
Photo by: flickr/Yusuke Kawasaki under license CC BY 2.0

With its high ceilings, chandeliers, security guards and line of cashiers along the walls, Pastelería Ideal has the feel of an old-world bank. But instead of piles of gold, there are piles of pastries, breads, buns and cakes heaped on tables throughout the expansive interior. Grab a tray and go hunting for your favorite sweet and savory treats. When you’re satisfied, bring it to one of the cashiers and have them wrapped in a vintage-looking box that looks like it was designed when the bakery first opened in 1927. At less than dollar apiece, the pastries are as affordable as they are delicious.

 

Museo Frida Kahlo

flickr momo Museo Frida Kahlo
Photo by: flickr/momo under license CC BY 2.0

This meticulously preserved house and garden was the home of legendary Mexican artist, Frida Kahlo, for most of her life. A brutal trolley accident she endured as a young girl rendered the artist bedridden and in severe pain for a large part of her life, so she completed many of her masterful self-portraits lying on her back in bed. That same bed and mirror can be seen up close in the bedroom where she spent so much of her time.

 

Mercado de Coyoacán

Flickr Flying CrimsonPig Coyoacan
Photo by: flickr/FlyingCrimsonPig under license CC BY 2.0

Located just a short walk from the Frida Kahlo museum is Mercado de Coyoacán, a labyrinthine market where locals buy everything from produce to party favors under one roof. Explore the winding aisles and let your nose guide you to one of the food stands in the center. There, you can ask an attendant to build you the taco of your dreams.

 

Museo Nacional de Antropología

flickr Antony Stanley Museo Nacional de Antropología
Photo by: flickr/Antony Stanley under license CC BY-SA 2.0

Housed in a stunning mid-century building on the edge of Chapultapec Park, Mexico’s National Museum of Anthropology is packed with murals, dioramas, artifacts and recreations that span pre-Columbian times to present day. Even those who’ve never considered themselves archeology aficionados will find something fascinating in this comprehensive museum. Spend some time peering at the meticulous dioramas that make ancient life feel visceral and alive, and then relax for a bit by the multi-story tree fountain and reflecting pool.

 

El Pialadero de Guadalajara

El Pialadero de Guadalajara
Photo by: Sara Huneke

Qué rico. You might have to wait for a table at this popular restaurant down the road from the Museum of Anthropology, but you’ll be glad you did. Specializing in cuisine from Jalisco, El Pialadero serves some of the best tortas ahogadas and ceviches outside of Guadalajara. Wash it all down with a michelada, the popular Mexican beer-based cocktail that’s served in a salt-rimmed glass.

 

La Botica

flickr alejandro de la cruz La Botica
Photo by: flickr/Alejandro De La Cruz under license CC BY-NC 2.0

Mmmmm mezcal. The smoky liquor made from a form of agave native to Mexico has enjoyed a surge in popularity throughout the country. And there’s no better place to try the drink than at La Botica, a hole-in-the-wall mezclaría located not too far from El Pialadero. You can sample one of dozens of varieties of the liquor each with its own story, flavor profile and tanginess.

5 Island Vacations to Escape the Cold

For many of us around the world, the cold has arrived. As much as we love sweater weather, mulled wine and cozying up around the hearth, we can’t help but start to fantasize about warmer climates and escaping for the beach. To help with your vacation dreaming, we’ve gathered our top five destinations for winter island vacations.

1. Mo’orea, French Polynesia

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Photo by: Flickr/Saïda Under License CC BY-SA 2.0

You’ve probably heard of Tahiti and Bora Bora, but Mo’orea is the lesser-known crown jewel in French Polynesia. Accessible by ferry or a short plane ride from Tahiti, Mo’orea, which means “yellow lizard” and is shaped like a heart, is the Platonic Ideal of a tropical island. White sand beaches, crystal clear water and laidback hospitality greet you on your arrival. Visitors can partake in world-class snorkeling and scuba diving among the world’s largest coral reef ecosystem, or simply hold hands while watching the sunset. Paradise.

 

2. Punalu’u Beach, Hawaii

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Photo by: Flickr/Blake Handley Under License CC BY 2.0

Because of volcanic activity, Hawaii’s beaches come in all shades of white, green and even black. None is more breathtaking or mind-bending than Punalu’u Beach on the southeastern Kau coast of the Big Island. Inhabited by endangered species of turtles, seals and other flora and fauna, Punalu’u, also called Black Sand Beach, offers an unusual glimpse of some of the rarest creatures in the world. With a consistency closer to coffee grounds than sugar, the beach’s black sand is made of basalt, created by lava that flows into the ocean. So, pitch a tent (camping is permitted) and drift to sleep as you listen to the waves crash on shore.

 

3. Vieques, Puerto Rico

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Photo by: Flickr/karlnorling Under License CC BY 2.0

What’s better than horses frolicking on the beach? Frolicking puppies, of course. Vieques has both. Just a short 25-minute plane ride from Puerto Rico, Vieques is a world unto itself. Until recently, the 21-mile island was used as a bombing range and testing ground by the US Navy, which lead to massive protests, shutting down the operation in 2003. Because of that, tourism hasn’t infiltrated this gorgeous island in the same way it has other locations in the Caribbean. The W opened a luxury resort not far from the airport, but there are plenty of rentable beach cottages and apartments throughout the island. If horses and puppies aren’t your thing, you can take a nighttime canoe tour of Puerto Mosquito, considered the best example of a bioluminescent bay in the United States.

 

4. Tulum, Mexico

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Photo by: Flickr/mdanys Under License CC BY 2.0

If Cancún is a party girl, Tulum is her hippie (or some would argue, hipster) sister. An hour and a half away from Cancún, Tulum is a gem of a town on the Yucatan nestled among Mayan ruins and pristine white sand beaches. In recent years, it’s been “discovered” by jet-setting fashion editors and media types drawn to the plentiful yoga classes and spicy cuisine. It’s the perfect destination for travelers who are torn between experiencing the scene and the scenery. In Tulum, you can easily have both and at prices that aren’t New York level. Yet.

 

5. Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands

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Photo by: Flickr/Curtis Simmons Under License CC BY-NC 2.0

The main attraction on Virgin Gorda, the sleepiest and third-largest of the British Virgin Islands, are The Baths. On the southern part of the island, enormous granite boulders emerge along the beach, forming natural tidal pools of warm water that visitors can tour for just a few dollars. When done visiting The Baths, relax on the beach and enjoy the quintessential breeze that can only be found in the Caribbean.

Queretaro: Central Mexico’s Best Kept Secret

Nestled in the Central Mexican lowlands of the Bajío lies a temperate colonial treasure that somehow continues to elude the guidebooks and the travel blogosphere. Just a few dozen miles away from backpacker favorites San Miguel de Allende and Guanajuato, Querétaro hides in the shadows of the Sierra Gorda mountains and urban monstrosities like Mexico City and Guadalajara, where just short of a million Mexicans enjoy life in one of the most tranquil and picturesque cities in the country.

Santiago de Querétaro, as the city is officially named, is the center of gravity for so much that’s happening in modern Mexico. It looks nothing like the media images of conflict and unrest from along the northern border, nor the cruises and all-inclusive resorts of Cancún and the Caribbean. Its idyllic, semi-arid climate and a longstanding reputation for safety and stability have made it home to burgeoning tech industries and an influx of young, educated Mexicans looking for work and a good life. It’s its own contentedly beating heart, at the crossroads of climates and cultural regions in the world’s thirteenth largest country. And if it’s not on your Mexican itinerary, it needs to be now.

Centro Historico, the 16th century colonial city center that was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996, is invitingly open and walkable. Parque Alameda is the natural starting point for arriving travelers, on the southern edge of the historic center, and you can easily make an entire afternoon of winding between vendors’ stalls at the market.

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A fountain in the center of Parque Alameda. Photo by Jakob Gibbons

Cut across Parque Alameda heading northeast and maneuver around jogging students and stroller-pushing families to head for the Aqueduct of Querétaro, the literal lifeblood of the city. Constructed in the 18th century as the byproduct of a starcrossed love affair between a nobleman and a nun, its stone arches step over the Pan-American Highway and lead you deeper into Centro Historico, where its irrigation fuels the soothing sounds of idyllic fountains in nearly every plaza.

Travelers of all budgets and styles should beeline for the Blue Bicycle House hostel as soon as they arrive in town. Located on the edge of Centro Historico and just steps away from the Aqueduct, it offers a selection of dorms or private rooms, all of which have access to the rooftop terrace overlooking the city and the Sierra Gorda mountains. After breakfast, you can rent one of the hostel’s namesake blue bicycles to spend your day taking in the city on two wheels.

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Graffiti painted on the wall of an alley in Centro Historico. The text at the top reads la ignorancia es capaz de hacernos cenizas, or “ignorance can turn us to dust.” Photo by Jakob Gibbons

Throughout Mexico there’s an endless inter-regional battle waged over whose local take on national dishes is the best, but even Norteños of Monterrey and Yucatecos of the Caribbean will admit, if you corner them in private, that Central Mexico is the king of street cuisine. Flautas resembling deep-fried chicken-filled flutes and crunchy chicharrón-filled gorditas await you around every corner in the city. If you search the quiet side streets surrounding the Blue Bicycle House, you’ll find delicious tacos al pastor for as little as three for one US dollar, which you can then wash down sitting in a mezcalería and sipping on mezcal.

Dive deeper into Centro Historico with your flautas in hand on any given evening and you won’t have finished chewing and swallowing before you stumble onto an impromptu live music performance in one of the many plazas with amphitheatre-like acoustics. Full uniformed mariachi bands share the streets with yukulele-strumming Central Mexican hipsters, streetside cover bands, and outdoor pianos; and brick walls and winding alleys keep the sounds of the band around the next corner from drowning out those of the one in front of you.

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One of the five 18th century Franciscan missions that collectively form a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Sierra Gorda mountains outside Querétaro. Photo by Jakob Gibbons

Once you’ve had your fill of the city you’ll discover yet another thing to love about Santiago de Querétaro: it’s close to everything. Within a four-hour bus radius lie the cosmopolitan capital of Mexico City, the famous monarch butterfly reserves of Morelia, and the vibrant cultural capital of the west, Guadalajara. If you need a reprieve from the urban density and festive streets, head northeast into the Sierra Gorda mountains, where you’ll find, among other things, another World Heritage Site in the form of the 18th century Franciscan Missions hidden in the steep wooded slopes of the Sierra Gordas.

5 Last-Minute Warm Weather Getaways

Temperatures are dropping and there’s a smell of snow in the air that can only mean one thing. Winter is upon us and as magical as it can be it only takes one below-freezing morning or afternoon of shoveling snow before you’re daydreaming of a warm weather getaway.

There’s something extraordinary about sitting at your computer, realizing you need a break, booking a hotel, packing a bag, and hopping on a flight without a second thought. And while getting away this time of year, especially at the last-minute, can be frightful, it is possible. Whether you want to be at the beach by the end of the day or want to wake up to the desert sun, satisfy your winter wanderlust at one of these spots.

 

Costalegre, Mexico

Mexico is a no-brainer for a last-minute getaway but if you’re thinking Cancun or Cabo, stop right now. Yes, they’re beautiful but they’re also crowded and expensive. Instead, opt for often-overlooked Costalegre. Located on a 150-mile stretch of the Pacific coastline, it’s only a two-hour drive from Puerto Vallarta. Rent out a villa or stay at one of the numerous oceanfront hotels and prepare to post Instagram pics that will leave all your followers jealous.

Photo: Doug Matthews on Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
Photo: Doug Matthews on Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

 

Saguaro National Park, Arizona

With more than 91,000 acres to explore, Saguaro National Park is a hiker’s paradise. Prepare to see everything from desert tortoises to real horned lizards to roadrunners. While not as warm as a beach in Mexico, winters are mild, averaging in the 60s during the day. From ranches offering a detailed list of activities, to smaller inns that are simply a place to rest your head, to one of the park’s six designated camp sites, there is a place to stay near or in this park for every type of traveler.

Saguaro National Park
Saguaro National Park

 

Key West, Florida

Settle into a hammock and let all thoughts of snow fade away. For those seeking sun and sand without needing a passport, look no further than Key West. The city’s peaceful, laid back vibe makes it perfect for a last-minute vacation. You don’t need an itinerary here. Hop a flight and head to the The Marquesa Hotel for a romantic getaway or the Pier House Resort & Spa if you need to be as close to the beach as possible. The hardest decision you’ll have to make is if you want to spend your day lounging in that hammock, jetskiing, or shopping in town.

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Maui, Hawaii

No list of warm weather destinations would be complete without a mention of Hawaii. While Hawaii can be expensive and require some planning, especially if you’ve never been, it is possible to do it last minute. Book an AirBnB on beach-bum favorite Maui for sun, surf, outdoor adventures, and food. You can spend your days wandering past waterfalls, sampling local food, or learning how to surf, and forget all about winter in the process.

Bamboo Forest, Maui, Hawaii
Bamboo Forest, Maui, Hawaii

 

Escondido, California

Nestled in the heart of San Pasqual Valley, the city of Escondido literally means “hidden” in Spanish, and while it’s only 30 minutes outside of San Diego, it feels truly off the beaten path. It’s a localvore paradise full of wineries, breweries, and restaurants and the mild Southern California weather means you can work up your appetite hiking. For a truly remote last-minute getaway, make The Ranch at Bandy Canyon your destination, where you can choose to stay at the main-lodge or in one of the cottages with 144 acres of nature surrounding you.

ranch at bandy canyon
Image courtesy of The Ranch at Bandy Canyon