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Lenten Observances in Mexico

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 09:44:52 +0000

Today is Ash Wednesday. The craziness of Carnaval is over and in the church calendar, this period leading up to Easter is supposed to be a time for reflection and self-restraint. There are some particular traditions associated with Lent in Mexico, including special foods that are prepared at this time of year and celebrations that take place on each of the Fridays of the season.

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Carnival Week in Mexico

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 09:50:36 +0000

_{Veracruz Carnival dancers - Creative Commons photo by cable369}

It's Carnival week in Mexico, time to break out the fancy costumes and get ready for parades, music, dancing, fireworks, food, and drink. This is a time to celebrate, let your hair down and maybe go a little bit crazy. Carnival celebrations vary throughout Mexico, with the largest ones taking place in Mazatlan and Veracruz, but many Mexican destinations celebrate Carnaval exuberantly. Find out where to celebrate Carnival in Mexico, and more information about how Mexico celebrates Carnaval.

Nominate Your Favorites in the Mexico Travel Readers' Choice Awards

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 09:33:03 +0000

The nominations period for the 2012 About.com Mexico Travel Readers' Choice Awards ends tomorrow night, Wednesday, February 15, at 11:59 P.M. EST. If you haven't made your nominations yet, there's still time (but not much!). The top five nominees in each of the eight categories will become finalists and move on to the voting round. The categories are:

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Mexico Travel Warnings and Geography

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:55:31 +0000

The U.S. State Department updated its travel warning for Mexico yesterday, replacing the warning that had been in place since April 22, 2011. This latest travel warning endeavors to clarify to travelers which areas of Mexico are to be avoided, and which ones are considered safe. The biggest difference with this travel warning in comparison with its predecessors is the inclusion of links to a map which shows the specific areas discussed. I think this is a great help, as most people are very unclear about Mexico's geography and the map may help people to visualize the extent of Mexico and the exact location of the various destinations. I suspect this change was made because the State Department has (as have I) been inundated with questions by people contemplating travel to Mexico about whether the area they're considering visiting is safe or not.

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Xcaret's Mexico Espectacular Show

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:36:53 +0000

_{© Suzanne Barbezat}

Xcaret park in the Riviera Maya offers many attractions, from watersports and archaeological ruins to seeing and learning about the Mayan culture and the flora and fauna of the area. A full day at Xcaret is capped by an impressive show in the park's Gran Tlachco theater. Aptly named Mexico Espectacular, this show offers a glimpse into Mexican history, from pre-Hispanic times to the present day, with presentations of the Mesoamerican ball game, the voladores, mariachis and a variety of Mexican folkloric dances. Over 200 performers take part in this show, as well as many animals. It is a beautifully choreographed presentation . As I walked out I overheard some folks commenting that the show itself was worth the price of admission to the park, and I would agree. Especially if you enjoy music and dance, you shouldn't miss the Mexico Espectacular show at Xcaret.

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Candelaria in Mexico

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:28:06 +0000

Every year around this time I start to notice people walking down the street cradling baby Jesus figures in their arms. It often takes me by surprise because at first I think it's a baby they're holding and then as I get closer I realize that it's not actually a baby. In Oaxaca where I live, and in many other places in Mexico, it is customary for people to dress up their baby Jesus figures in special outfits and take them to the church to be blessed on February 2nd. You may remember that anyone who received the baby Jesus figurine in their slice of Rosca de Reyes on January 6 will have to provide the tamales for the party on this date, and you may have also made the connection that this is Groundhog Day in the United States and Canada. These celebrations are all somewhat connected and have to do with the special significance of February 2nd and where it falls in the calendar, midway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox, and forty days after Christmas.

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Oasis Sens Resort Offers Tranquility and Fun

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 09:48:09 +0000

Earlier this month I spent 48 hours in Cancun at the invitation of Oasis Hotels & Resorts. I stayed at the Grand Oasis Cancun, but I had the pleasure of visiting the other Oasis properties in the hotel zone: the Oasis Sens and the Oasis Palm/Grand Oasis Palm. The adult-oriented resort in the collection, the Oasis Sens, has undergone recent renovations to a tune of 7 million dollars. Guest rooms have been completely revamped, and a slew of amenities have been added.

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Plan Your Spring Break in Mexico

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 09:19:44 +0000

Spring Break will soon be upon us and if you haven't already planned your getaway, time is running out! Buy those tickets, book that hotel and prepare to ...

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When is Carnival in Mexico?

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 09:47:14 +0000

Carnival is celebrated the week preceding Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent. The date of Ash Wednesday, like the date of Easter, varies from year to year. In 2012 Ash Wednesday falls on February 22. Carnival takes place in the week or so before that date, although customs may vary in different destinations. Some Mexican cities like to stretch out their carnival celebrations: in Mazatlan carnival celebrations begin on February 9th which allows them to celebrate over nearly two weeks, and in Veracruz celebrations begin on February 14th. Check the official website of the carnival destination you're planning to attend for details of when and where parades and other events are being held.

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2012 Mexico Travel Readers' Choice Awards: Nominations Open

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 08:26:46 +0000

I'm pleased to announce that nominations are now open in this year's About.com Reader's Choice Awards. There are eight categories for consideration within Mexico Travel. You can nominate your favorite destinations, hotels and resorts, and there's also a category for your favorite Mexico blog. Nominations end on February 15. We'll publish a list of finalists on February 22, and you'll have from then to March 21 to vote for your favorites. Readers' Choice Awards winners will be announced on March 30, 2012. So nominate your favorites now! The complete list of categories and links to nomination pages is here: Mexico Travel Readers' Choice Awards 2012.

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