Mexican Wholesale

Chichen Itza, El Castillo, Kukulkan Pyramid, Mayan Civilization

Chichen Itza which means “at the mouth of the well of Itza “, is the 2nd most visited archeological site of Mexico today. The Kukulkan Pyramid in Chichen-Itza which known as “El Castillo” (the castle), is one of the new seven wonders of the world elected in 07.07.2007. It is exactly 24 m. high considering the upper platform. Apart from the Kukulkan Pyramid, in Chichen Itza there many other archaeological sites to visit, all carrying traces from Mayan Culture in many ways.

Chichen-Itza, now including one of the new 7 wonders of the world; the Kukulkan Pyramid, is located in the Peninsula of Yucatan, in the Yucatan State; Mexico, between Valladolid and Merida and is just120 km from Merida.

The New Seven Wonders of the World were announced on july 7th, 2007 in Lisbon, Portugal after seven years of publicity and promotion.

* Chichen Itza, Mexico
* The Great Wall, China
* Petra, Jordan
* Christ Redeemer, Brazil
* Machu Picchu, Peru
* The Roman Collesseum, Italy
* The Taj Mahal, India

Chichén Itzá
“The most famous, spectacular, and, consequently, most frequently visited of Mexico’s Mayan sites, the magnificent metropolis of Chichén Itzá was the principal ceremonial center of the Yucatán.”

Resources: Chichen Itza.com

Re-Published on January 5, 2012 by Aetna Jo Buitron

Share this:

Click on pen to

January the 6th is a special day in Mexico. Known as ‘El Dia de Reyes’ (Three Kings Day), this holiday represents the height of the Christmas season. The date marks the culmination of the twelve days of Christmas and commemorates the three wise men who traveled from afar, bearing gifts for the infant baby Jesus. The children of Mexico in particular look forward to this holiday as traditionally, gifts are exchanged on this date, not on Christmas day.

In Mexico and many other Latin American countries, Santa Claus doesn’t hold the cachet that he does in the United States. Rather, it is the three wise men who are the bearers of gifts, who leave presents in or near the shoes of small children. The holiday is also known by the name of the Epiphany which dates back to the 4th century. A grand feast would be held on this day to honor the occasion of Jesus’ baptism and to pay homage to the three wise men.

	Los Tres Reyes Magos

Many believe mysterious events preceded Jesus’ birth with perhaps the most notable being the appearance of the Star of Bethlehem. This new star appeared in the evening sky just prior to the arrival of Jesus. Three wise men or Magi as they were then known, whose names were Gaspar, Melchior and Balthasar, traveled a far distance to pay homage to the Christ child. They brought with them fine gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Three Kings Day remains an important holiday for the people of Mexico. In addition to the gift-giving aspect of the day there is also a culinary treat that is specific to the holiday. Known as ‘Rosca de Reyes’ (King’s Cake), this holiday dessert offers much in the way of symbolism. Shaped in the round to signify a king’s crown, this sweet bread holds a special surprise. Baked inside is a small plastic figurine representing the baby Jesus. Whoever finds this token is obligated to host an upcoming party for the occasion of ‘Dia de la Candelaria’ (Candlemas Day) which occurs each year on February 2nd.

	Rosca de Reyes

The effigy of the baby Jesus, hidden inside the cake, represents another aspect of the holiday. The reason Jesus is ‘hidden’ inside the bread is to symbolize how in life, the Christ child’s birth location also needed to remain secret, in order that his life be spared. The ruler of Jerusalem at the time, King Herod, had been appraised of the mystical signs that indicated the new and rightful King of Jerusalem was soon to be born. Herod’s reaction to these predictions was swift and horrible. He ordered his minions to murder all male infants recently born in Bethlehem. However, as destiny would have it, Mary and Joseph found their lodgings in a manger, not an inn. Herod’s henchmen didn’t think to look for an infant in such a location.

Another lovely custom associated with the Three Kings Day holiday centers around the evening meal. Traditionally, the supper served on this special day is delicious corn tamales accompanied by hot chocolate. This makes for a perfectly quintessential Mexican meal and one that is enjoyed by everyone in attendance.

Resource: Mexonline.com

Share this:

Click on pen to

Mexico has given the world so much. Certain contributions that Mexico has bestowed upon us may surprise you. Read on to catch a small glimpse of Mexico’s many gifts.

The Poinsettia
Each year, just before Christmas, poinsettia plants start to make their annual appearance in grocery and retail chains nationwide. The poinsettia has become synonymous with the Christmas holiday season and many bring this plant as a gift when visiting friends and family. Indeed, the plant’s bright red flowers lend a joyous presence to any environment and holiday decorations don’t seem complete without them. This plant is native to Mexico and originally came from a particular region near present-day Taxco. The Aztecs, whose name for the plant was ‘cuetlaxochitl’ used the poinsettia medicinally and also as a dye.

	Joel Roberts Poinsett

The plant adopted its current name after the first U.S. ambassador to Mexico, Joel Poinsett (1825-1829). This dignitary was so impressed with the plant that he had it shipped to his plantation in South Carolina.

Some decades later, in California, Albert Ecke, started to sell the flowers from his florist stand near Hollywood, California. It is believed he found the plant growing wild, in the foothills of present day Los Angeles. Ecke noticed that the plant’s flowers would bloom in a profusion of bright red around the Christmas holiday season. The plant proved enormously popular as a holiday decoration and a multi-million dollar business was born. Today, the base of operations is located in Encinitas, California, where the poinsettia is grown in greenhouses and shipped world-wide.

Chocolate
Chocolate is one of life’s true pleasures. When Cortes met with Montezuma, the Emperor of the Aztec Empire in 1519, he was presented with a frothy drink, presented in a golden goblet that was accompanied by a tortoise-shell spoon. This drink, a spicy blend of chiles, vanilla and ground cacao beans, was called ‘xocoatl’ which translated, means bitter water. Of course, Cortes’ eyes were riveted by the golden vessel that the exotic drink was served in. However, after tasting the golden cup’s contents, his taste buds were captivated by the exotic and invigorating taste of this native drink. Cortes soon learned that the cocoa bean was a valued means of currency, its pods utilized to purchase a variety of goods. When Cortes returned to Spain, his ships were heavily laden with gold and silver but also, amongst the cargo was the cocoa bean. Once this magical bean made its way to Europe, its evolution included the addition of sugar which led, ultimately to the creation of, what we now call today, chocolate.

Vanilla
Vanilla has enchanted people with its sublime taste for hundreds of years. The first people to cultivate it were the Totonacs, an indigenous people who resided near the Gulf of Mexico in present day Veracruz. Native to Mexico, the vanilla bean is derived from the world’s only known edible orchid. Vanilla is used as a flavoring agent in many desserts as well as exotic perfumes. Vanilla is the world’s second most expensive spice after saffron and delights connoisseurs the world over with its fabulous taste and unique attributes. Today, much of vanilla’s production occurs in Madagascar in the Tropics, however, its birthplace will always be Mexico.

The Avocado
The ancient Aztecs held the avocado in high esteem. Today, this wondrous fruit is enjoyed daily the world over, frequently eaten as guacamole. The avocado is native to Mexico, Central America and South America. The Spanish conquistadors, upon discovering this fruit, applauded its attributes in letters written to the crown. They even discovered that the seed, when crushed, releases a red dye that works extremely well for inking documents. Some of these documents survive today. Another name for the avocado is ‘alligator pear’ due to the rough green texture of its skin and shape. The avocado is a nutrient-rich super food, containing more beta carotene than any other fruit and surprisingly, exceeding the banana in potassium content. As well, the avocado contains many other important vitamins and minerals. The Aztecs definitely knew a good thing when they tasted it!

Tequila
The history of tequila is an interesting one. For thousands of years in Mexico, a sacred drink called pulque was enjoyed, a fermented beverage. Pulque is made from a type of agave, the maguey, which is native to Mexico. Due to the plants appearance, oftentimes it is mistaken for a cacti. The agave was used historically by the indigenous peoples of Mexico for a wide variety of uses. The leaves produce fibers that can be made into rope, clothing and paper. Its flowers and stalks are edible and the sap of the plant produces a sweet liquid called ‘aguamiel’ (honey water).

The Spanish conquistadors, upon their arrival in Mexico, were keenly interested in the Aztec’s drink of choice, pulque. Curious and motivated, with their supplies of brandy running low, the Spaniards set out to make their own beverage from the agave. Promptly, they had distilling pots sent over from Spain and as a result, North America’s first indigenous distilled alcohol was born. Some decades later, a Spanish aristocrat discovered the blue agave plant which grows in a specific region of Mexico, in Jalisco state. It is the blue agave that Tequila is derived from. The rest is history, as they say. Today tequila is considered Mexico’s national drink and even has a city named in its honor, aptly named Tequila.

The Jumping Bean
Mexican jumping beans have delighted children for ages and definitely have a bit of magic about them. Placed in the hand, the little beans begin to ‘jump’, seemingly on their own accord. Many adults have fond childhood memories of being mesmerized by the jumping beans’ antics. Not quite a toy but definitely a curiosity, the jumping bean needs to be credited for untold hours of amusement. Interestingly, however, jumping beans are not beans at all. Deep in the deserts of mainland Mexico as well as in certain parts of Baja California, a native plant grows that gives ‘birth’, so to speak, to the jumping bean. This plant bears flowers that moths find particularly attractive. These moths lay their eggs on the plant, inside a seed capsule. As the egg begins to grow, it starts to move around as the moth larvae inside develops. This is the famous Mexican jumping bean. Should conditions be ripe, some months later, a moth will emerge from the ‘bean’ and the cycle carries on.

Chewing Gum
Deep in the heart of the Yucatan Peninsula grows the tropical sapodilla tree, whose trunk, when cut, oozes a milky white substance called chicle. This ingredient, in combination with flavorings and sugar, created the basis of our modern day chewing gum. Since time immemorial people have chewed on a variety of substances, ranging from sweet grass to wax to tobacco.

However, it is chicle that deserves credit for the gum industry as we know it today. And, curiously enough, it is General and Mexican President Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna who helped bring this event to fruition. While in exile in the U.S., Santa Anna thought he had a great business idea. He imported chicle from Mexico in hopes it could be used as a rubber substitute in carriage tires. Alas, the chicle proved not suitable for this purpose. However, a business acquaintance named Thomas Adams, who had purchased the chicle from Santa Anna, discovered another use for the product, namely chewing gum. A whole industry was born and ‘chiclets’ became available in every corner drug store, to the joy of children everywhere. Today, the vast majority of chewing gum is produced with a less expensive substitute than natural chicle. However, the ‘real thing’ can still be found in certain specialty shops nationwide.

Resources: Mexonline.com

Share this:

Click on pen to

Located on the central plateau of Mexico, hidden to the naked eye, sits the world’s largest ancient pyramid. The town where this wonder is located is Cholula, a small village just outside Puebla. Upon first glance, one sees only the charming colonial church of La Iglesia de los Remedios, built in the 16th century. Amazingly, this church sits atop the Great Pyramid of Tepanapa, oftentimes referred to as the Cholula Pyramid. Hidden by vegetation, the hill upon which the church was built, actually houses the great pyramid.

The history of the pyramid, coupled with the momentous events which followed, is full of drama and mystery. Approximately one hundred years before Christ, the pyramid’s construction began. Cholula, by this time, was already one of Mexico’s largest cities, having been settled circa 1700 B.C. The pyramid’s construction along with affiliated temples, was carried out by various groups over hundreds of years. Its early period coincided with the great city of Teotihuacan’s development and power.

	Inside Cholula Pyramid

An important ceremonial and political center of the pre-Columbian world, Cholula mirrored Teotihuacan’s glory days of power. As well, its first subsequent demise coincided with that of Teotihuacan. But unlike the great city to the northwest, whose people mysteriously disappeared, some residual people remained in Cholula, not abandoning the city entirely. Expansion of the pyramid continued with the arrival of the Olmec-Xicallancas, who further added to the pyramid’s scale.

The Toltec-Chichimecas occupied Cholula next, circa 1100 A.D. By that time the great pyramid was already largely submerged underneath tree and dirt. The Toltecs chose to focus their activity on building new temples which would surround the area of the great pyramid. The Toltecs also brought with them their intense devotion of Quetzalcoatl. Cholula subsequently became a mecca for pilgrims from all over Mexico, who flocked to the city to pay homage to the feathered serpent God.

Quetzalcoatl, already a long established deity of the Mesoamerican world, undoubtedly helped to inspire the pyramid’s initial construction. However, with the arrival of the Toltecs, the cult of Quetzalcoatl truly flourished. Additionally, under the rule of the Toltecs, Cholula became a major center for trade and commerce. Having established strong ties with all other cities in the region, Cholula maintained its independence for a time from the ever expanding Aztec Empire.

However, the Aztecs eventually took control of Cholula. When Cortes arrived in 1519, the pyramid stood silent hidden under grass and stone. The city’s population at this time was 100,000 inhabitants. Legend advises an ambush was planned by the Cholulans against the Spanish invaders under the direction of Montezuma. No longer swayed by Cortes whom he initially believed to be the reincarnation of Quetzalcoatl, the Aztec ruler made one last attempt to save his empire. Unfortunately, Cortes learned of the plan and what followed next was horrific: the slaughter of 6,000 Cholulan residents took place under the brutal command of Cortes.

	Restored Stairway Cholula Pyramid

Temples were torn down and the ancient city of Cholula was destroyed. Cortes proclaimed that he would build a church in the area for each day of the year to match the number of temples destroyed. Drunk with power and with gold on his mind, Cortes failed to see the great pyramid.

Centuries elapsed before the pyramid was again discovered. In 1910, construction began on an insane asylum located at the base of the pyramid. Archaeologists once aware of the site began to survey and excavate. In the 1930′s, tunnels were made in order to better study the pyramid. These tunnels, which amount to an amazing five miles worth of passageways, zigzag in subterranean fashion, creating a labyrinth, not for the timid. These tunnels afford the visitor the opportunity of observing first-hand the various levels of construction. Delineated layers of shell and stone are visible. A total of four stages of construction occurred over hundreds of years. Although lit with lamps, the atmosphere is definitely haunting and you most assuredly want to exit before nightfall.

In addition to the tunnels, outside there are altars, stairways and platforms to explore. One can also see a portion of the pyramid which was reconstructed by archaeologists. Not only does the pyramid of Cholula represent the largest single structure in Mexico, it also bears the distinction of having the largest base of any pyramid in the world, exceeding the bases of the great pyramids in Egypt. The total acreage the pyramid occupies is 25 acres with a height reaching an impressive 181 feet. Each side of the structure’s base is over 1300 feet in length.

When visiting the great Pyramid of Cholula one is also afforded a magnificent view of the majestic snow-capped El Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl volcanoes. The pyramid of Cholula is truly a wondrous pre-Columbian gem. The site holds the potential of even greater discoveries and with only a small portion yet excavated, who knows what marvelous secrets the great pyramid has yet to reveal.

Share this:

Click on pen to

Cancun has the beautiful beaches and crystal clear water that are perfect for some outdoor and ocean fun. For the person looking for things to do in Cancun, there is no shortage of activities or of services to help you make the most of your stay here. Here are some of the most popular activities:

Diving & Fishing
The waters surrounding Cancun are legendary for their clarity and diversity. You can snorkel right off the beach or scuba dive/snorkel over the “Mayan Reef” on Mexico’s Caribbean. Most of the good snorkeling on Cancun can be done off the Punta Cancun, near the convention center and Forum shopping center. The water is calm and there are rental services available.

Famous dive spots like Palancar, El Bajito, Manchones and Chitales are all nearby can be found off of Cozumel, about an hour south of Cancun. There is also the Cave of the Sleeping Sharks, offshore from Isla Mujeres, where divers can sometimes “pet” the sharks. Isla Mujeres is probably the most scenic place in the area for diving & snorkeling though, and the reefs just offshore at 10′ to 40′ deep are perfect for snorkeling or scuba diving.

Deep sea fishing is available throughout Cancun, although it is not well known for that sport. Marlin, sailfish, tuna and dorado are available during their respective seasons.

Golf
Cancun has 4 18-hole golf courses available for the avid golfer. In Cancun you’ll find one at each tip of the island. The other two courses are found to the south on the Mayan Riviera.

Kayaking & Windsurfing
Kayakers & windsurfers will find Cancun’s waters perfect for your enjoyment. For calmer waters, try the protected Nichupté Lagoon or the northern end of Cancun Island. Jet skiing, parasailing and regular sailing are also popular in this water paradise.

Bullfights
Every wednesday, you’ll find the classic struggle of man (bullfighter or torrero) against beast (bull or toro) downtown at the Plaza de Toros Cancun. Dances, cockfights and traditional cuisine can sometimes be experienced here also. A word of caution: bullfighting is a blood sport, so if you are not ready for that kind of visual it might be best to pass on that activity.

Side Trips

Actun Chen
Actun Chen is about an hour from Cancun on the road to Tulum. The name means “cave with an underground river inside,” but the words only hint at the underground grandeur. The main cave of three, over 600 yards long and with a magnificent vault, has been illuminated and supplied with paths for easy walking. There are thousands of intriguing stalactites, stalagmites and natural sculptures, as well as a crystal-clear cenote forty feet deep. Trained guides escort visitors, giving a combination history lesson and geology class.

Around is the jungle, with special trails through the tropical vegetation that may reveal some of the local wildlife: white-tailed deer, a badger, a spider monkey, an iguana or a wild turkey. There is a restaurant, and rest rooms — but otherwise, the 988 acres of Aktun Chen remain as they have been for millennia.

Tres Rios                                     
Tres Rios, stretching inland from a pristine mile-long white sand beach just 25 miles from Cancun, encompasses subtropical jungle and mangroves, covers 370 acres and offers a prime selection of cenotes — the pools where the area’s underground rivers break through to the surface. Only in Tres Rios are these cenotes at ground level, found in the shallow rivers that run to the sea.

At Tres Rios visitors can walk or bicycle through the jungle, canoe down the river, kayak in the sea, ride a horse along the beach, snorkel in the river or on the park’s outstanding section of the Great Mayan Reef. For the less adventurous, there are hammocks to swing in, sandcastles to build, delicious ceviches of marinated fish to enjoy and a few simple rules to help ensure that the next generation will find the park as it is today.

Xpu-Ha
Just over 50 miles south of the resort, Xpu-Ha (shpoo-ha) offers close contact with nature, and a chance for visitors to make it part of their lives. Of its 91.5 acres, only 3% has been developed: to build access roads, install bathrooms and showers, and provide two snack bars, as well as a beautiful seaside restaurant, La Palapa. There are sunbathing areas, places for soccer and volleyball, and shops where aquatic equipment for snorkeling or scuba can be rented. There is even a beginner’s dive class.

Ranked among the most diverse environments in North America, Xpu-Ha is a sanctuary for rare birds, some of them endangered, and for protected species such as crocodiles, sea turtles, native deer and snakes. Walks along nature trails are led by expert guides, who explain and interpret, simply and memorably, the many types of vegetation and the geological features, as well as the fauna.

Be it diving, fishing, golfing, Kayaking, Wind Surfing, Golfing or any one of many activities in Cancun, you’ll be sure to enjoy.

Share this:

Click on pen to

First Printing, 387 pages
PublishAmerica (Baltimore) 200
Available from Amazon Books: Paperback

Frank Dolezal, fighting for Pancho Villa during the Mexican revolution, was captured by some of Venustiano Carranza’s troops, taken before a mockery of a trial, and was charged with “Treason against the legitimate government of Mexico.” With fifteen other prisoners he was taken to a clearing, offered a final cigarette, and then shot.

Miraculously he survived, rescued by Yaqui Indians who saw his leg sticking through the pile of dead bodies…the leg was slowly moving. A Yaqui medicine man cleaned Frank’s wounds and, even after gangrene had set in, restored him to health.

Frank’s son, Frank O. Dolezal, and his son’s daughter, Kathryn Dolezal Tyler, wrote this interesting adventure filled with intrigue, love, loyalty, deceit, suffering and survival, set for the most part in the early days of the Mexican revolution, much of it in and around Alamos (recent named as one of Mexico’s “pueblos mágicos“), a politically important town in northern Mexico, near the Pacific Coast.

Drums in the Hills — the title refers to the sophisticated communications system used by the Yaqui Indians — begins with young Frank leaving his native Austria to seek his fortune in Mexico. In Austria, in the military, he had been well educated, mastering several languages and learning how to handle both rifles and horses well. In Mexico City he became a partner in a clothing store.

One day a young woman, answering their ad for a job,

“entered and took possession of the room like a high-fashion model commanding the respect and awe of all whose eyes beheld her, beautiful beyond description…. Tall, with bronzed skin and penetrating dark eyes, she had the aristocratic features of breeding and privilege.”

Frank becomes obsessed with Clara, although Clara is in love with a popular young matador. When Frank, to impress Clara, takes formal training to be a matador, he is almost killed during his first public appearance, because he looks at Clara more than at the bull.

Don Antonio, Clara’s father, is aristocratic, arrogant, and detests foreigners.

Nevertheless, after Don Antonio moves the family from Mexico City to his large estate in distant Alamos (Don Porfirio had made him “master of all the land [Yaqui land] and people around him”), Austrian-born Frank follows her there and soon finds employment as a mechanic in Las Animas Silver Mine. Despite her father’s machinations to marry Clara off to a handsome and high ranking Mexican army officer, Frank steadily works his way into her heart, “getting love letters to Clara through an Indian messenger with the blessing of her sympathetic mother.”

Back in Mexico City, despite rumors of revolution, the capital was preparing for a great celebration — the 100th anniversary in 1910 of Mexican freedom from Spain, just as now, incidentally, Mexico City is preparing for another great celebration — the 200th anniversary in 2010 of Mexico’s freedom from Spain.

We also hear the stories of good doctors and of good priests, and of the long-suffering Indians, particularly the Yaqui and the Tarahumara. We discover, for example, that when a tax-collector a few years earlier was killed in Tarahumara territory, Don Porfirio sent in the Mexican army to essentially massacre the village.

“Some who survived the initial conflict tried to take refuge in an old church. When the soldiers found them they burned them alive. Over one thousand Indians were murdered to avenge the death of one tax collector.”

Pancho Villa, when he had ordered some stylish clothing at Frank’s store in Mexico City, had been impressed by Frank and later sought his help in the Mexican revolution. During this same time Frank was contacted by the German military and received a commission (now Captain Dolezal) in the German army (World War I was about to begin in Europe).

Frank’s experiences on board a German submarine, where he was studying the latest in communications, are also detailed her, although a bit of an aside from the central story.

Frank returned to Mexico and to Pancho Villa.

Fighting with Villa against Obregon, while trying to save artillery pieces in a retreat, “a barrage of bullets slammed into his legs, sheared off Frank’s kneecaps. Staggering, he fell face down in the mire. Then his mortally wounded horse collapsed on top of him.”

Recovering, disguised as a campesino, Frank limped into Mexico City to see his family; but leaving the city to return to the war, he was captured by Carranza’s troops and taken before a firing squad.

Toward the end of the Mexican Revolution, Frank crossed the border into the United States, where he found work in a meat-packing plant. “Things were going well until the workers asked for a raise. Management dealt with the problem by sending some of the workers to the border patrol to be deported as illegal aliens. Frank had the misfortune of being included in the group.”

He was turned over to United States Military Intelligence who, because of his wounds and appearance and accent, suspected he was involved in the German war efforts. As if his body had not been battered enough, at Fort Bliss he was staked out spread eagle on his back and then “A large funnel was placed in his mouth, into which guards poured buckets of water.” Further humiliation followed. He was tied to a post with his hands above his head and then he was whipped with a “cat o’ nine tails” until he fainted. When he came to he was hung up by his thumbs and left there for the long and cold January night. His torturers thought that would kill him, but Frank survived and two years later he was handed five dollars and released.

I like stories about Mexican history, and I enjoyed Drums in the Hills.

Share this:

Click on pen to

Hello my friends. I found this great article on the Mexican Caribbean and its endless source for ecotourism and I just had to share it with you.

(US NEWS SOURCE) January 4, 2011 - The Mexican Caribbean offers hundreds of miles of white sand beaches, stunning turquoise waters, lowlands along the coast that hide ancient Mayan cities and a limestone plateau that allows underground rivers to emerge through caverns and create distinct formations.
Few places in the world offer beauty and attractions like the Mexican Caribbean. A paradise for lovers of nature and adventure, travelers arrive every year to this multifaceted destination in the state of Quintana Roo in search of ecotourism, a popular type of vacation.

The Mexican Caribbean offers hundreds of miles of white sand beaches, stunning turquoise waters, lowlands along the coast that hide ancient Mayan cities and a limestone plateau that allows underground rivers to emerge through caverns and create distinct formations. It also has the second largest coral reef in the world, protected biosphere areas, natural aquariums, and several archaeological sites that encompass some of the world’s most amazing settings.

Among the areas of outstanding natural beauty with a wide range of eco-tourism activities, are Cancun, Riviera Maya, Cozumel, Grand Costa Maya, Puerto Morelos, Isla Mujeres and Holbox. Ecotourism forces the traveler to constantly engage and connect with nature and enjoy its offerings while keeping a respect for the balance of the environment. All of these elements join together in the Mexican Caribbean, where visitors are surrounded by lush jungle, cenotes and natural reserves. Visitors can enjoy exotic bird watching, observing endangered species in their natural habitat; swim with whale sharks, as well as enjoy the rich fauna and flora.

From Cancun to the Mayan area, there are a wide variety of eco-tourism activities that allow visitors to enjoy a one of a kind experience with nature. Among the most popular spots to visit is Isla Contoy, ideal for bird watching enthusiasts. Another option is Coba, a site that holds an impressive archaeological area immersed in a Mayan community.

Cancun is a gateway to our environmental world. It’s a beautiful, natural place with underground river systems, caves, the world’s largest cenotes (natural sink holes), magnificent waterfalls and spring-fed pools surrounded by a mystic jungle full of ancient Mayan cities. Due to its unique and strategic location in the Yucatan Peninsula, Cancun offers a variety of adventure and eco-tourism activities such as snorkeling in the Great Mesoamerican Reef, swimming with majestic whale sharks and dolphins, diving along the archipelago or visiting eco-archaeological parks.

The region offers exclusive and exciting adventure tourism, such as rappelling in a cenote, as well as the fast and long zip lines in the middle of the forest, combined with expeditions to different lagoons. One of them, Laguna Bacalar, known as ‘lagoon of the seven colors’ for its seven shades of blue, is a perfect place for camping, snorkeling, enjoying the beauty of the tropical fish or simplying relaxing during leisurely stroll in a canoe surrounded by nature.

Also, there are a variety of tours that cross the lowland jungle of the Mexican Caribbean and offer a wonderful eco-tourism experience. The adventure begins aboard a jeep and continues by visiting different ranches and small Mayan communities where cenotes and underground rivers can be found. Once there, visitors can snorkel in beautiful and unique rivers. Another impressive ecotourism excursion is a trip to the Rio Secreto, an exciting caves tour between stalagmites and stalactites in a pristine underground river.

On the other hand, some eco-tours offer visitors what is known as Maya flight, a zip line experience in the jungle that also combines a Mayan ceremony in a cenote, where visitors learn how this ancient culture envisioned the world.

The Mexican Caribbean offers one of the most diverse flora and fauna in Mexico and is constantly researching new sustainable practices. The hotel industry and many service providers are also in the process of becoming certified by international environment agencies.

The Mexican Caribbean offers endless activities for ecotourism and direct contact with nature for visitors, as well as unique and memorable experiences.

About Quintana Roo

The Ministry of Tourism is a department of the Executive Power of the Free and Sovereign State of Quintana Roo, whose main aim is to establish, direct and supervise the criteria and policies for tourism promotion and development in the state, as well as act as a liaison for the departments and entities of the Federal Government related to the tourism sector.

Thus we present on this website all the information related to tourism activity in the state that the State Government, through this department, generates to fulfill its function and objectives, which will serve as an instrument for consulting and working among the Tourism Sector in the State. For more information, visit http://www.caribemexicano.gob.mx/

Follow us on Twitter @mexcaribbean or “LIKE” us on Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/mexcaribbean

# # #

Share this:

Click on pen to

A country rich in history, tradition and culture, Mexico is made up of 31 states and one federal district. It is the third largest country in Latin America and has the largest population—more than 100 million—making it the home of more Spanish speakers than any other nation in the world.

Despite the towering reputation of Egypt’s Great Pyramids at Giza, the Americas actually contain more pyramid structures than the rest of the planet combined. Civilizations like the Olmec, Maya, Aztec and Inca all built pyramids to house their deities, as well as to bury their kings. In many of their great city-states, temple-pyramids formed the center of public life and were the site of much holy ritual, including human sacrifice. The best known Latin American pyramids include the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon at Teotihuacán in central Mexico, the Castillo at Chichén Itzá in the Yucatan, the Great Pyramid in the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan, the Pyramid at Cholula and the Inca’s great temple at Cuzco in Peru.

Amazing. Surely you’ve enjoyed this as much as I have!LOL

Share this:

Click on pen to

A country rich in history, tradition and culture, Mexico is made up of 31 states and one federal district. It is the third largest country in Latin America and has the largest population—more than 100 million—making it the home of more Spanish speakers than any other nation in the world.

Mexico, famous for his dramatic confrontation with the Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés.

In 1502 Montezuma succeeded his uncle Ahuitzotl as the leader of an empire that had reached its greatest extent, stretching to what is now Honduras and Nicaragua, but that was weakened by the resentment of the subject tribes to the increasing demands for tribute and victims for the religious sacrifices. Montezuma was commander of the army and organized extensive expeditions of conquest in deference to Huitzilopochtli, the god of war and of the sun. Through astrologers, the god instilled in the emperor a kind of fatalism in the face of an uncertain future.

The Azetcs feared and expected the return of another important deity, Quetzalcóatl, the white, bearded god who would rule over the empire. Instead, the white, bearded Cortés arrived; he was aware of this fear and used it to his advantage in his expedition across Mexico. Montezuma tried to buy off Cortés, but the Spaniard made alliances with those subject tribes who hated Aztec rule. Welcomed into the capital city of Tenochtitlán by Montezuma, Cortés realized it was a trap and, instead, made the emperor his prisoner, believing that the Aztecs would not attack as long as he held Montezuma captive. Montezuma’s submission to the Spaniards, however, had eroded the respect of his people. According to Spanish accounts, he attempted to speak to his subjects and was assailed with stones and arrows, suffering wounds from which he died three days later. The Aztecs, however, believed the Spaniards had murdered their emperor, and Cortés’s force was nearly destroyed as it tried to sneak out of Tenochtitlán at night.

Britannica.com.

Share this:

Click on pen to

What’s your idea of fun? Volleyball? Water skiing or jet-skiing? Wind surfing? Fishing? San Felipe’s beautiful beaches offer a variety of activities. Or do you like solid ground underfoot? If so, dunes and mountains are ideal for back- and off-road motorcycling, four-wheeling, and horseback riding. Hikers, nature lovers and history buffs will also want to explore.

Bird’s eye view of town from Virgin of Guadalupe shrine

Sportfishing
Just in the last few decades has San Felipe’s main economic source turned to tourism, before this fishing made this town & there is still alot of good fishing available to the visitor. March through October seems to be the high season with catches of white sea bass, corvina, cabrilla, yellow tail & grouper. San Felipe has a few large boats available for the one day or multi-day trips to the local fishing grounds. Also popular if the local fisherman & their pangas for a 1/2 day or 3/4 day of fishing.

Watersports
The Bay of San Felipe provides for endless watersports. It’s calm waters are perfect for water & jet skiing, as well as kayaking. Many kayak adventures start here headed south. Both jet skiis & water skiing are available from local rental agencies. You’ll also find young men trailing “banana boats” from their pangas looking for beachgoers who are eager to jump on the yellow rubber boats and be pulled through the wake.

Catamaran’s on San Felipe’s beach

Catamarans are also available for rent in San Felipe and the winds of the outer bay provide for exhilarating rides. A catamaran regatta is held each year.

Sail boats aren’t as common as points south, but more & more sailors are towing their boats down & putting into the water here, many for the beautiful sail to Bahia de Los Angeles about 200 miles to the south.

San Felipe can become windy in the late fall & early spring. The storms which cause these winds are called chubascos. The winds shoot down the coast from the north and can last 3 or 4 days at a time. Depending on the strength of the storm, sailing may be hazardous except for the expert.

Adventure Tours
San Felipe is a border between the desert & the sea, so naturally off road enthusiasts and nature lovers make up a significant number of visitors here. You’ll see & hear dirt bikes, ATV’s and dune buggies pass through town headed for the desert or the nearby sand dunes at the southern edge of town. This is the transport of choice for many people staying on the outskirts of town. Rentals are available in town. We recommend enjoying the surrounding area, but please show a healthy respect for the fragile desert environment.

The Baja 1000, 500 & 250 also pass through or nearby San Felipe. Sponsored by Score International Racing, these racing bring a festive attitude to town.

Side Trips

San Felipe is an isolated desert beach town located on the warm waters of the Sea of Cortez which one of the reasons this small fishing and retirement village attracts so many outdoor enthusiasts.

In order to get a proper feel for the town, visitors are recommended to hike the short distance up a small hill to the Shrine of the Virgin Guadalupe. Here you’ll command a near panoramic view of the town and bay which makes up San Felipe.

South of Town

The Valley of the Giants

You’ll find miles of sandy beaches, some with collections of vacation and retirement homes and others completely isolated. A somewhat maintained paved road leads past these beaches and camps to Puertecitos (Little Port) 80 kilometers away. On the way you’ll notice giant Cardon Cactus, among other species, in an area called the “Valley of the Giants”. In fact Mexico donated a 60 ft.+ tall Cardon from this area to the World Fair in Spain a couple of years ago.

Puertecitos can barely be considered a town, more like an American retirement colony. Houses surround the small cove. A small airstrip, one or two tiendas, a cantina serving beer & tequila plus a gas station which is rarely opened make up this settlement. There is a reason to visit and it’s the hot springs in the rocks on the seaside of the small point. One of the best times to visit is after high tide when the sea water has cooled the scolding mineral water enough to relax in the pools.

After Puertecitos, the road is dirt track and only 4wd or other sturdy vehicles should venture further. Make sure you have supplies including water and gas if you plan on heading south. You’ll come along various fish camps and small settlements such as El Huerfanito and Punta Bufeo plus a retirement home or two. You won’t find any hotels, but you may be able to rent a cabin. Be prepared to camp.

The largest settlement you’ll reach is the scenic bay of Bahia San Luis Gonzaga, 75 kilometers (5-6 hours) after Puertecitos. Here a cluster of fisherman and their families scratch out a living off the sea. You’ll also find American vacation homes and Papa Hernandez’ and Alfonsina’s Camps where you can buy supplies, find meals, go fishing or just set up camp. You’ll also come upon the airstrip as many Americans fly their planes down. From here you can drive another 65 kilometers on a graded dirt road to Highway 1 coming out 30 kilometers north of the Bahia de los Angeles turnoff.

West of Town
If you head towards the Sierra de San Pedro Martir, you’ll cross a dry lake bed to reachCañon Diablo (Devil’s Canyon) near the base of Baja California’s highest peak, Picacho del Diablo. In the spring the Canyon is known to have waterfalls and pools of cool Sierra runoff from the winter storms. You’ll also find Indian caves and fossils if you know where to look. If you adventure to the Canyon, please make sure you are well supplied and be prepared to camp as you won’t find any supplies or settlements here. Also, make sure you have a sturdy vehicle to make the trip, this is Baja 1000 country!

To Ensenada
If you prefer something a bit more tame, try the beautiful drive across the peninsula to Ensenada on Highway 3. To get there, head north out of town on Highway 5 towards Mexicali, then, after about 50 kilometers, take the turnoff at Crucero La Trinidad east on Highway 3. This 145 km drive takes you out of the desert and into the higher elevations with various farmlands and chaparral. You also pass the dirt road exit (sturdy vehicles only) to pristine Parque Nacional Constitución de 1857 and Laguna Hanson (please see the Ensenada Directory  for more information). Other highlights of the trip include the turnoff for Mike’s Sky Ranch, a famous guest ranch high in the rugged Sierras.

As you drive on you’ll pass the towns of La Trinidad and Ojos Negros where you’ll be able to find fuel, meals and supplies before arriving in Ensenada.

The Las Caras de Mexico Golf Course
An 18-hole championship golf course on the Sea of Cortez
Named the “Faces of Mexico” to give it an archaeological,
historical and social Mexican character.
San Felipe * US Tel: 800-404-2599 + 9 + 4417  From Mexico 686-576-0517

Enjoy!                                                                                              

Resource: Mexonline.com

Share this:

Click on pen to