This coming May marks the 25th anniversary of Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo’s International Sailfish Tournament. Prizes are given for the largest catch of dorado (mahi mahi, also known as dolphin fish), sailfish and marlin. According to a press release from Ixtapa’s Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, the magazine Saltwater Sportfishing recently named the destination, on Mexico's Pacific Coast, second-best in the world for sport fishing.
Ixtapa is a planned resort, but much smaller than Cancun. Its neighbor Zihuatanejo is an established fishing village that's grown into a popular tourist destination. Just a few kilometers apart, they together make an interesting vacation getaway. Choose an international chain hotel in Ixtapa, a budget hotel in downtown Zihua, or a luxurious boutique hotel on gorgeous Zihuatanejo Bay. These twin destinations are 425 km (252 mi) south of Manzanillo (which bills, no pun intended, itself as the Sailfish Capital of the World. Acapulco is 235 km (141 mi) to the south.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Finding "Cheap Sleeps" in Mexico
I recently received a press release about the site www.hostelworld.com. I was curious to see what sort of budget accommodations they listed in Mexico, where hostels are few. Mixed in with the true dorm-style hostel accommodations were B&Bs with rooms priced at $100 and more a night. But I did find a number of nice-looking hostels and some less expensive accommodations in out-of-the-way towns.
For example, in the beach resort of Ixtapa, Ixtapa Hostel offers a mixed dorm room with eight beds at just under $20 per person. According to the website, the property has a swimming pool, parking lot, airport transportation, and a temazcal indigenous steam room. Photos give a preview of the hostel and its restaurant. In neighboring Zihuatanejo, “Angela’s” offers private rooms, as well as dorm beds at less than $10 per person. Tripadvisor-style reviews let you know what past visitors experienced.
La Casa de José, in San Cristobal de las Casas, lists private double rooms for $7.50 and dorm beds for under $5. All prices are in U.S. dollars. There are 19 places listed for Mexico City, in various neighborhoods. The Ramada, with its own heliport and fitness center, isn’t a hostel, but it did offer a double room for under $50. A number of more traditional hostels in this huge city offer Wi-Fi or cable internet access, restaurants, lockers, and other amenities. Some include breakfast.
The site is fairly easy to navigate and has lots of information. You can book your room with a small deposit, via PayPal.
For example, in the beach resort of Ixtapa, Ixtapa Hostel offers a mixed dorm room with eight beds at just under $20 per person. According to the website, the property has a swimming pool, parking lot, airport transportation, and a temazcal indigenous steam room. Photos give a preview of the hostel and its restaurant. In neighboring Zihuatanejo, “Angela’s” offers private rooms, as well as dorm beds at less than $10 per person. Tripadvisor-style reviews let you know what past visitors experienced.
La Casa de José, in San Cristobal de las Casas, lists private double rooms for $7.50 and dorm beds for under $5. All prices are in U.S. dollars. There are 19 places listed for Mexico City, in various neighborhoods. The Ramada, with its own heliport and fitness center, isn’t a hostel, but it did offer a double room for under $50. A number of more traditional hostels in this huge city offer Wi-Fi or cable internet access, restaurants, lockers, and other amenities. Some include breakfast.
The site is fairly easy to navigate and has lots of information. You can book your room with a small deposit, via PayPal.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Group Activities Reassure Border Crossers?
The Northern Baja tourism industry has suffered heavily from a number of serious image problems, most of them firmly grounded in reality. Along with a rising rate of kidnappings and shoot-outs among drug traffickers, rival criminal elements, and police, those who make a living from tourism have seen business erode because of the slumping American economy and long waits to return north across the border.
Business is especially slow in Rosarito Beach, where heads literally rolled in the streets during drug wars last year. According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, the number of visitors to that city declined from 20.3 million in 2006 to 18.6 in 2007. At the beginning of 2008, tourism there was off another 40 percent.
But spring breakers recently felt the pull south, lured by low prices, drink specials, the beach, and Baja’s party-hearty reputation. In addition to those who made their own arrangements, thousands of young people purchased packages through Southern California travel agencies specializing in group tours. Along with hotel rooms and entertainment, the packages included the presence of security forces, which no doubt reassure students ... and their parents.
Another group activity sure to lure athletes as well as party animals to northern Baja is the 28th Spring Rosarito to Ensenada Fun Ride. Held annually since 1980, the biking event is expected to draw 7,500 participants this year. Food, drinks, and a festival atmosphere are the rewards for those who finish the 50-mile ride, which starts at 10 AM April 19, 2008. See www.rosaritoensenada.com for more info.
Business is especially slow in Rosarito Beach, where heads literally rolled in the streets during drug wars last year. According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, the number of visitors to that city declined from 20.3 million in 2006 to 18.6 in 2007. At the beginning of 2008, tourism there was off another 40 percent.
But spring breakers recently felt the pull south, lured by low prices, drink specials, the beach, and Baja’s party-hearty reputation. In addition to those who made their own arrangements, thousands of young people purchased packages through Southern California travel agencies specializing in group tours. Along with hotel rooms and entertainment, the packages included the presence of security forces, which no doubt reassure students ... and their parents.
Another group activity sure to lure athletes as well as party animals to northern Baja is the 28th Spring Rosarito to Ensenada Fun Ride. Held annually since 1980, the biking event is expected to draw 7,500 participants this year. Food, drinks, and a festival atmosphere are the rewards for those who finish the 50-mile ride, which starts at 10 AM April 19, 2008. See www.rosaritoensenada.com for more info.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Beloved Pope to Become Mexican Saint?
April 2 marks the death day of Mexico’s beloved Pope John Paul II. The spiritual leader of the Catholic Church, John Paul’s kindness and genuine concern for the world’s least fortunate human beings inspired people of many faiths. Known as “the people’s Pope” and the “pilgrim Pope,” the white-haired, seemingly frail pontiff was one of the most influential and best-traveled world leaders in history. During his lifetime, John Paul made five visits to Mexico, where he blessed millions of people strung out along parade routes and during huge, open-air Masses.
Born Karol Jozef Wojtyla in 1920, the first Polish pope mastered some half dozen languages in addition to his native language. Like previous popes, John Paul spoke out against abortion, birth control, and war; but he also routinely preached against materialism and substituting capitalism for spirituality rooted in community involvment.
John Paul beautified (the first step toward sainthood) more people than any other pontiff. Among them was Juan Diego Cuautlatoatzin, the peasant to whom Mexico’s pride and joy and patron saint, the Virgin of Guadalupe, appeared on several occasions. John Paul II himself (known as Juan Pablo Segundo in the Spanish-speaking world) was put on a fast track to sainthood by his successor, Pope Benedict XVI.
Born Karol Jozef Wojtyla in 1920, the first Polish pope mastered some half dozen languages in addition to his native language. Like previous popes, John Paul spoke out against abortion, birth control, and war; but he also routinely preached against materialism and substituting capitalism for spirituality rooted in community involvment.
John Paul beautified (the first step toward sainthood) more people than any other pontiff. Among them was Juan Diego Cuautlatoatzin, the peasant to whom Mexico’s pride and joy and patron saint, the Virgin of Guadalupe, appeared on several occasions. John Paul II himself (known as Juan Pablo Segundo in the Spanish-speaking world) was put on a fast track to sainthood by his successor, Pope Benedict XVI.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Mexico's Growing Problem
The current trend away from a natural, simple diet of corn, beans, and vegetables such as squash is contributing to Mexico’s rapidly expanding obesity problem. According to a recent study cited in the San Diego Union-Tribune, approximately 68 percent of Mexicans are obese. That makes Mexico the second-fattest nation on earth, after its close neighbor, the United States. Directly linked to obesity, diabetes is the leading cause of death in Mexico.
Like the Americans, Mexicans eat too much junk food and don’t get enough exercise. The problem is greatest among urban Mexicans, where even extremely poor people can be seen munching Doritos and giving toddlers sips of Coke. Fast-food is everywhere, and while more expensive and less nutritious than whole foods, it is also more convenient and accessible.
A 2000 study by the Mexican Health Foundation et al, pegged Mexico’s obese urban population at 21 percent. If the current trend continues, Mexico will have more gorditos than any other country in the world by 2018. As the population expands (in both number and girth), subway trains, buses and even big city streets feel increasingly crowded.
Like the Americans, Mexicans eat too much junk food and don’t get enough exercise. The problem is greatest among urban Mexicans, where even extremely poor people can be seen munching Doritos and giving toddlers sips of Coke. Fast-food is everywhere, and while more expensive and less nutritious than whole foods, it is also more convenient and accessible.
A 2000 study by the Mexican Health Foundation et al, pegged Mexico’s obese urban population at 21 percent. If the current trend continues, Mexico will have more gorditos than any other country in the world by 2018. As the population expands (in both number and girth), subway trains, buses and even big city streets feel increasingly crowded.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Welcome to the Mexico Guru
We want to take this opportunity to welcome you to the Mexico Guru Blog. Travel Writer, Jane Onstott and webmaster, Pat Cordes have been friends since the 70s and met up again a few years ago at Pat's home in San Blas, Mexico. They decided to do a website about Mexico - and what a website! Our goal is simple: to provide the best website there is about Mexico - all of Mexico!
We have been at it now for almost 2 years. So far, we have photos and articles about over 70 different locations. No, we don't copy or data from other sites or make things up - we actually go to the places! What fun. We have just added a complete section on Copper Canyon with articles about the Copper Canyon Train, Los Mochis, El Fuerte, Creel and Batopilas. I took this trip myself a few years back and it is not to be missed.
We have been at it now for almost 2 years. So far, we have photos and articles about over 70 different locations. No, we don't copy or data from other sites or make things up - we actually go to the places! What fun. We have just added a complete section on Copper Canyon with articles about the Copper Canyon Train, Los Mochis, El Fuerte, Creel and Batopilas. I took this trip myself a few years back and it is not to be missed.
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