Chitzen Itza is one of many fascinating Mayan archaeological sites in the Yucatan Peninsula. The name of this site actually means “the edge of the well of the Itzaes”. Between 750 and 1200 A.D. it served as the political and economic center of the Mayan civilization. The amazing buildings in Chichen Itza are still standing and they demonstrate the Mayas’ extraordinary commitment to architectural space and composition, as well as their vast astronomical knowledge. As reword for being so unique and able to survive through tough times, it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1988. What is more, it has been selected as one of the New 7 World Wonders. This all tells you that you really have to see this magnificent archeological site. It is located 125 miles from Cancun and 75 miles from Merida. It is good to know that there are several hotels there in case you want to come in Chichen Itza the day before and early start visiting the ruins, which is excellent idea since it can get hot and very crowded, latter during the day.
If I knew that you would not definitely go from Cancun the day I want to visit the site and come here in the hottest part of the day. According to average, one can spend from 3 hours to a full day here, depending how much you are interested in the ancient ruins and how much you were amazed when you saw them. Some will be disappointed when they here that you have to pay the admission fee and what is more there is an extra charge for use of video camera on the site. Another useful advice is to dress in natural fiber clothing that will protect you from sun and of course do not forget to wear comfortable shoes; there is a lot of walking to be done.
If you ever get the chance to go and visit Chichen Itza you should not miss the following features of Chichen Itza.
El Castillo – is known as the most striking building here. It is dedicated to Kukulkan, the Plumed Serpent. I have been lucky, and visited El Castillo on the spring equinox when the side of the building making a play of light and shadow which appears as a snake along the steps of the building. This also happens on the fall equinox.
Temple of the Warriors – here, the hundreds of columns surround a massive temple structure carved with reliefs. These columns are carved on all four sides with figures of feather-bedecked warriors.
Great Ballcourt – this ballcourt at 545 feet in length and 225 feet in width and as such it is the largest known ballcourt in Mesoamerica. What also makes this ballcourt fascinating is the the acoustics of the ballcourt, that are remarkable: a whisper from one end can be clearly heard at the other.
Most tourists visit the Chichen Itza as a day trip from Cancun or Merida, so take this into consideration when planning your time if you’re staying in one of those two places..
If you are a fan of Mexican food and culture, don’t hesitate you share that with your friends. An ideal occasion for that is to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. Do not despare if you cannot be in Mexico on Cinco de Mayo, because you can throw a real Mexican Cinco de Mayo party wherever you are. We will provide you with everything you need to know in order to throw an original Cinco de Mayo fiesta.
First of all you have to set the right mood and inform you friends what kind of party it would be, and the best way to do such a thing is to send out Mexican-themed Cinco de Mayo party invitations. When it comes to the decorating the place, there is no much philosophy, use the colors of the Mexican flag; red, white and green. If you have Mexican handicrafts or papel picado use it, it would definitely add a nice touch. I am sure that you are familiar with the fact that tequila and mescal are traditional Mexican drinks, so it is inevitable to have them prepared for your party. Additionally, you can make margaritas, Cinco de Mayo cocktails or provide some Mexican beer. For those guests who do not drink alcoholic drinks you should prepare some of the refreshing Mexican drinks such as Aqua Fresca, Horchata or a Virgin Pomegranate Sangria. Mexican culture is well-known for distinguished food, so you really have to do your best in this segment of the party. Jalapeño poppers and nachos with guacamole and salsa are some of the favorite appetizers for a Mexican-themed party. If you and your friends are the vegetarians, it does not mean that you should give up. You should serve famous Mexican vegetarian recipes such as 30 Second Chili “Cheese” Dip or Easy Mushroom Fajitas. On the Cinco de Mayo party you can also serve Guacamole that will be very cool and refreshing. But I have to point out the fact that the Cinco de Maya actually celebrations the long relationship between the United States and Mexico. So it is not important whether you are going traditional or hitting the ribs or beer can chicken, fire up the grill and celebrate this great holiday. When I throw the Cinco de Mayo party on my menu you will most likely find Carne Asade and that is a Mexican recipe for marinated, grilled beef served in tortillas. In order to set the tone of your fiesta, play mariachi music or some other Mexican popular music. And the most important thing is to have a piñata. You can either buy it or make it yourself. Don’t forget to have fun and happy Cinco de Mayo!
The City of Puebla is the 4th largest city in Mexico and also one of the oldest cities in the country. Likely for all the tourist, it has preserved its colonial architecture. It is situated in a valley flanked by volcanoes, only 80 miles from Mexico City. Mostly it is visited as a day trip from Mexico City, but trust me, it is worth staying a few days. In the 16th century, the city represented a bastion for Spaniards mid-way. It has changed its name for several times and today it is also known as Puebla de Zaragoza in honor of General Ignacio Zaragoza, who commanded during the battle against French.
Puebla City has a warm, relaxed atmosphere, colorful surroundings and distinct colonial history and that make it a worthwhile destination. Among all the things you can do and see I would sincerely recommend you to go on a walking tour of Puebla’s historical center where you will discover the unique colonial buildings. You can take the Turibus or tranvia for a guided tour or visit the Amparo Museum where you can see a large collection of Prehispanic, Colonial, Modern and Contemporary Mexican art.
To some tourist the visit to Puebla is a one day tour, but if you come to Peubla to spend there several days, you can go on different day trips. One of the most popular day tour form Pueblo is a tour to Cholula. On this tour you can see The Great Pyramid of Cholula, which is the world’s largest pyramid, topped by the Virgen de los Remedios church. Another very visited day tour is called the Africam Safari. Here, on the 500 acres of park wander a wide variety of wild animals, including lions, tigers, giraffes, buffalo, and rhinoceros.
Where ever you go you have to eat, but here it will not only be to satisfy your hunger it would be a real pleasure. Puebla is well-known for its cuisine, and this is known by both Mexicans and foreigners. According to the local story, here originated both mole poblano and chiles en nogad. But you will not only enjoy in the food you eat in the restaurants, because the street food is delicious too, so do not hesitate to try it, especially chalupas which are very popular. Since I have mentioned restaurants here are some that you have to visit. Those are Mi Ciudad, Fonda Santa Clara and La Zanahoria. When it comes to the hotels, those in Puebla’s historical center are more interested and visited. Hotel Colonial is in a former Jesuit monastery, Hotel Royalty is on the Zocalo, great place isn’t it? And a pricey but luxurious Meson Sacristia de Capuchinas. Now, since I have informed you on where to eat and stay, a little part mostly for the ladies, shopping in Puebla. This is a great destination for shopping. Go to a charming handicrafts market, known as Mercado el Parian; than Plazuela de los Sapos that has antiques and flea market, furthermore Mercado La Victoria, which is a let 19th century market that is transformed into a modern shopping mall. Not to forget to tell you that there are also festivities in Puebla and those really worth mentioning are Puebla’s fair, The Chile en Nogada festival and Independence Day.
The second largest city in Mexico is Guadalajara. Among the local people and some well-informed tourists it is also known as “the Pearl of the West”. It owns its popularity to the Mariachi music since this is the place where it has been born. It is located in the center of Mexico, in the state of Jalisco. Guadalajara has a humid subtropical climate, featuring dry and mild winters and warm and wet summers. The highest temperatures are usually reached in May averaging 32°C, before the onset of the wet season. The name of the place comes from the Arab word “Wadi-al-Hajara”, meaning “Valley of stones” and it is named like that in honour of conquistador Nuño Beltrán de Guzmán, who founded the Mexican city in 1531.
In the tourist sector the cultural wealth of Guadalajara has taken on an important role. Many of the main cultural events in the country is held right here. The culture is a key factor in the development of Guadalajara that is why it has been approved the construction of the Guggenheim Guadalajara, the sixth Guggenheim museum in the world. Guadalajara also hosts music festivals and open-air art and photography shows. It is a city with a great number of contemporary artists in dance, theater, music, photography, cinema, design, architecture, etc.
Like in every town or village in Mexico, here you can also see and do interesting things. You should visit the Government Palace and attractions such as the Institute of Jalisco Handicrafts, the Museum of Archaeology of Western Mexico, the Jose Clemente Orozco Museum, the Museum of Huichol Indian Handicrafts and the Museum of Journalism and Graphic Arts. There are also day trips. I would definitely recommend to all to take a ride on the Tequila Express and visit the town of Tequila and learn everything about this famous drink. Not to forget to mention, there is plenty of tequila for you to taste and also mariachi music to make the real impression on the journey.
Shopping is also one of the attractions of Guadalajara. It is renowned for its glass-blowing workshops, its ceramics and leather-work. Nearby there is also a village that ha san abundance of crafts studios and shops. And you mustn’t miss the Mercado Libertad, which is Latin America’s largest enclosed market.
When it comes to the nightlife, you should start your evening with the Nocturno walking tour if you are in the town on Saturday. There is also La Maestranza Cantina, a bar with the bullfighting museum that includes also restaurant service and live music. If you are not a fan of the bullfights and you want to spend your nights dancing, than you should definitely go to El Mito, a disco for the over 25 crowd where you can enjoy in the music of the 70s, 80s, and 90s. On the other hand, if you don’t want to spend your nights in Mexico listening to the pop music and if you want to hear some latin rhythms, such as salsa, merengue and cumbia you should go to Tropigala and let the rhythm overtakes you.
The Yucatan Peninsula is on of the worlds most famous archaeological sites. It is filled with the enchanting colonial cities, romantic haciendas and resorts. This area is a real cultural heritage, however, most of the visitors are attracted by the beautiful beaches and distinct cuisine. The Yucatan Peninsula is located between the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. It comprises states of Yucatan, Campeche and Quintana Roo. When it comes to the geographical characteristics of the Yucatan Peninsula, it is a vast, flat limestone shelf with a thin layer of topsoil. The rivers are mostly subterranean and there are also several lakes. As far as the weather is concerned due to the Yucatan’s low elevation and tropical climate, the weather is hot and humid most of the year.
Something that you have to know before visiting the Yucatan Peninsula is that it is the homeland of the Maya. I am sure that you are familiar with the fact that they built cities and ceremonial centers in ancient times and that is exactly what attracts tourists and gives this area a distinctive cultural feel. What really amazed me during my stay in the Yucatan Peninsula is that along with Spanish, the Yucatec Maya language is still spoken, and believe me you have to hear that.
The Yucatan Peninsula is not only blessed with amazing historical sites but with the beaches as well. They are so beautiful that you will feel like in paradise. Here, the sand is white and the water is of astonishing blue turquoise colour. One of the most popular destination is Cancun. All around the place are modern hotels and resorts and it is especially known for the opportunities for practicing water sports. Trainers are well equipped and have patience for you and I can guarantee to you that you will learn everything you want. If you want a beach vacation but want to avoid mega-resorts, you will definitely fulfill your dreams, since the Mayan Riviera stretches along nearly 100 miles of Caribbean coastline, and there are lots of places like that. If you ever get the opportunity to visit the Yucatan Peninsula, I will provide you with some information, not to miss anything important. Merida is a capital of the state of Yucatan and it is filled with colonial buildings and colourful cultural life. Furthermore, you have to see the Convento de San Bernardino, a fortress in Valladolid and the city of Campeche, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it suffered attacks by pirates.
To be honest, what really took my breath away were the wildlife parks and nature reserves, where over 450 species of birds have been identified. In the Rio Celestun park among all the birds you can see exceptionally beautiful flamingoes and in the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve you can enjoy exploring mangroves, lagoons, savannas, coral reefs, rainforest and undiscovered Mayan temples. This all makes the Yucatan Peninsula a great vacation destination.
The Hidden Beach Resort is an adult-only, nude resort on Mexico’s Mayan Riviera. It is located on the Kantenah Bay of the Mayan Riviera, only 25 minutes from the ruins of Tulum and one hour and twenty minutes drive from the Cancun airport. This is luxurious, all-inclusive resort that provide san entirely uninhabited environment. Here guests participate in a wide range of activities in the nude, from sunbathing to dining and dancing. What is more, guests can be nude all the time, in all the areas of the resort. All guest rooms face the ocean and according to some it is to provide privacy from praying eyes as well as to offer amazing views to all the guests that have been chosen this type of holiday. This resort is a 42-room, all-suite hotel. Every room is carefully decorated, bearing in mind not to forget something, that is why every room has a king size bed, jacuzzi, air conditioning, ceiling fan, safe deposit box, satellite TV, DVD player and minibar. These suites also feature a fully furnished balcony, where you can relax and enjoy the view. The properties that feature in the hotel are really amazing. There is one main pool which is connected by an artificial river accessible by all first floor suites. In the centre of the pool there is a large swim-up bar and an island with food, beverage and snack service. Additionally, there is a huge beachfront hot tub, a disco, and three bars.
When it comes to dining, guests dine nude at La Vista restaurant. This restaurant offers continuous a la carte service from 6 am to 10 pm, or they may enjoy room service 24 hours a day, isn’t that great. These people really made everything they can to make you relax and want to come back. If you are one of those who do not mind getting dressed, you can dine at the one of the neighboring El Dorado Seaside Suites.
In rate there are lots of things included such as a glass of champagne and personalized check-in, a bottle of sparkling white wine in room upon arrival, all meals (a la carte), snacks, and alcoholic drinks, the Internet access, fitness center and unlimited access to facilities at neighboring, El Dorado Seaside Suites (clothing required) including swimming pools, restaurants, bars, fitness center, sauna and steam bath, land and water sports with equipment provided: tennis, kayaks, snorkeling, beach volleyball and ceramic painting.
Like in all other tourist destinations in Mexico, Hidden Beach Resort can also organize different tours for you. Go snorkeling with Playa Maroma Paradise Reef Snorkel, where you can swim among tropical fish and experience the magic of coral formations. See 5 million years old Caverns with stalagmites and stalactites by taking Aktun Chen Caverns tour, go horse back riding, diving, snorkeling, everything you can to make your stay as widest as possible.
Costa Maya is the stretch of Caribbean coastline in the state of Quintana Roo, located south of the Mayan Riviera; it is sometimes referred to as the “Grand Costa Maya“. The most familiar destinations in the Costa Maya are Majahual, Bacalar, and Xcalak. The Great Maya Reef is located just across from the Costa Maya, making this an excellent area for scuba diving and snorkeling. Even though the area is mostly undeveloped it has been growing quickly and rapidly after construction of a large pier to accommodate cruise ships. Destinations on the Costa Maya are blessed with soft sand beaches, grass thatched palapas, and the coral reefs. these villages are busy when ships are in port, since the cruise passengers explore every corner. There are bars, restaurants and shops that make their time pass by so quickly that they want to return to these beautiful villages. Except from the traditional shops, where local people sell handmade jewellery, there is also a new and modern tourist shopping mall that is open only to cruise ship passengers. Here you can find anything you want to have to remind you on your trip to Costa Maya. There are several jewellery stores and many small shops selling ubiquitous souvenir items. Most of the tourist just run into the already mentioned shopping mall without being aware of the beauty of the place they are in. so, stop for a moment and realize that these tranquil ports and villages have palm fringed beaches and calm aquamarine waters offering an abundance of water and land activities. In Costa Maya, Zip Line Park has finally been open. It offers all in one tour starting with an Unimog Tour through the lush bio sphere, 4 impressive Towers, 3 complete Zip Lines and an informative Guided biosphere walk exploring manicured jungle Maya trails.
Another excellent tour is Costa Maya Beach Break Experience. Under this interesting title there is an life time experience of pleasure, you can choose incredible beach location and it would be your for a whole day. But that is not all, you will get an open bar, beach chairs and everything you need to have an amazing day in the sun. When we talk about the activities on Costa Maya, we really have to inform you how amazing it is to go snorkeling in the richest sea in the world. This activity is just a part of what is offered to you in Costa Maya Private Snorkeling and Fishing Excursion. By doing this you can explore Reefs or visit deserted beaches you have only dreamed of. So, make sure that you have used up every segment of Costa Maya before leaving it.
Riviera Maya includes the eastern coastline of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula and it is also known as the Mayan Riviera. It faces the Caribbean Sea’s gentle waters under which is the second largest coral reef barrier in the world. The Mayan Riviera has been blessed with a warm, tropical climate with intense midday sun, making it one of the favourit destinations. The most interesting towns and attractions of Riviera Maya are Cancun, Puerto Morelos, Playa del Secreto, Playa Paraiso, Punta Maroma, Punta Bete, Xcalacoco, Playa del Carmen, Xcaret, Puerto Aventuras, Xpu-Ha, Kantenah, Aktun Chen, Akumal, Xel-Ha, etc. Do not get surprised when you ask people what attracted them to Riviera Maya and they say the beach and the water, because that is the truth. That is what calls them at the first place but they go home with much more. There are unique cultural and historic points of interest inland. Chichen Itza is within the jungle and the excursion to there takes up most of the day. It i san ancient Maya capital, and there you can experience the Observatory, El Castillo pyramid, Ball Court and Sacred Wall. Another thing worth of seeing is Tulum and Xel- Ha. This is a combination of immersion in Maya history with the extreme beauty of Xel-Ha. If you are not familiar with what Xel-Ha is you will be surprised to hear that it is a completely natural aquarium and eco-park ideal for swimming and snorkeling. Something similar to Xel-Ha is Xcaret. It features an aquarium, aviary, butterfly pavilion, botanical garden, Mayan village, and archaeological sites. Here, you can also float down an underground river, snorkel, go horseback riding, and swim with dolphins. If you cannot leave this place, do not worry there are also restaurants there and nightly entertainment.
In Riviera Maya there is a large variety of hotels, some of them are small and modest boutique hotels and some are luxury, all-inclusive or to someone’s surprise, there are also hotels that are exclusively for adults. The most attention is given to Adults-only hotels by the tourists. They are restricted to adults age of 18 and over. They offer more rooms and greater services and facilities, some of tehm are all-inclusives and other are clothing-optional. Some of them are the following; Maroma Resort, which was voted number one beach in the world by the Travel Channel. Royal Hideaway Playacal is a Four-Diamond hotel, while El Dorado Maroma is intimate all-inclusive hotel with 15 spa treatments. There is really huge amount of hotels here and each of them is special in a certain way and you will definitely find the one that will make your dreams come true.
Los Cabos is situated on the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula. It has been gaining popularity as a tourist destination over the past 30 years. This area includes the towns of San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas, and the area between them which is commonly referred to as the “Tourist Corridor” or simply “the Corridor.”
Cabo San Lucas is the most popular tourist destination in Baja California and a great place for sport-fishing, golf and different types of water sports. Only thirty years ago, before Las Cabos was discovered by tourists, Cabo San Lucas was a small fishing village in Mexico. Nowadays, it is urban tourist resort area with luxury hotels, modern restaurants, beautiful resorts and an amazingly active nightlife in Mexico.
On the other hand, if you are the type of tourist that is attracted by a quiet, laid-back vacation in a traditional Mexican town, you should go Twenty miles to the northeast of Cabo San Lucas where San Jose del Cabo is situated. It is a quiet colonial town that was founded as a Jesuit mission in the 18th century. Its purpose was to convert the local Pericu people and over time it has also served as a military outpost and mining center. Today it is a perfect place for those who like quiet vacations.
In Los Cabos the main activities are based on the beaches and oceans. If you ever come to Los Cabos you should not miss the opportunity to go on a glass-bottom boat tour, parasailing, scuba diving and snorkeling. During those glass-bottom boat tour you will see the sea lion colony and the pelican rocks. All these activities will end like the unexpected experiences since this is the richest sea in the world. Los Cabos is considered to be the marlin sport fishing capital of the world. If you come to Los Cabos in the period between December and March our advice is to take whale watching tour. If you appetite for exploring is not satisfied by visiting only Los Cabos, the artist community of Todos Santos is an hour’s drive. It is protected as a Mexican national historic district and in this small picturesque town, during a day trip you can visit art galleries and shop for handmade textiles, handicrafts and folk art.
If you are the one of those tourists who likes to explore the culture through food, do not hesitate. Even though it is hard to believe, but Los Cabos has a very high level of cuisine, you can find international or the traditional Mexican dishes. In 2008, there were only 60 restaurants with the 5 diamonds award in the world, and believe it or not, Cabo has one of them.
Fairmont Pierre Marques is located on a 480 acre estate in the exclusive Acapulco Diamante area. It is tucked between the Sierra Madre mountains and the Pacific surf, standing across the street from The Pierre Marques Golf Course. At first, Fairmont Pierre Marques was the private getaway of J. Paul Getty and today this beautiful beachfront offers hotels with rooms and suites overlooking exquisite landscaped gardens, the pool fountains, or the sea. In the high-class Tabachin restaurant the sesonal Mexican cuisine and more than one hundred varieties of tequilas are served. Lots of celebrities such as John F. Kennedy, Elizabeth Taylor and Aristotle Onassis have dined here. Pierre offers a sports venue, an intimate lounge section and outdoor veranda seating. In the hotel’s conference room that can hold up to 500 guests, th emeetings nad events of different types are held. The thing that really attracts numerous tourists is that hotel offers three beach-view outdoor pools, five tennis courts, a basketball court, a beach-volleyball court and a fitness room. There are also daily supervised programs for children feature miniature golf, basketball, soccer, painting lessons, water polo and water volleyball. Rooms are located in pristine white villas, tropical bungalows and low-rise pavilions. Décor includes tropical hardwood furniture, tiled floors, ceiling fans and colorful Mexican rugs. For total seclusion we advise you to select a villa or bungalow.
