Thursday February 9, 2012
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.
This travel warning also lists places that are popular tourist destinations and are considered safe, and specifically states that there is no advisory in effect for those places. These include the following Mexican states: Baja California Sur, Campeche, Chiapas, Estado de Mexico, Guanajuato, Hidalgo, Mexico City, Oaxaca, Puebla, Queretaro, Quintana Roo, Tabasco, Tlaxcala and Yucatan. I think this warning is a vast improvement over the State Department's previous travel warnings in terms of its clarity. Read the full text of the travel warning at the U.S. Department of State website: February 2012 Mexico Travel Warning.
More about Mexico travel safety:
Wednesday February 8, 2012
© 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.
Read more about what to see and do in Xcaret.
Tuesday January 31, 2012
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.
Read more about Día de la Candelaria, the origins of this festival, and how it's celebrated in Mexico.
Photo © Suzanne Barbezat
Monday January 30, 2012
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.
The Oasis Sens resort caters to couples, offering a serene atmosphere, but easy access to a whole range of fun activities, starting with the entertainment options offered at the Grand Oasis Cancun, including concerts by big name performers (I attended a Kool & the Gang concert during my stay), a beach club experience with live DJ, and circus type performances. The Oasis resorts have also recently acquired a fleet of Smart cars, and the use of one is included in the room rate of guests staying at the Oasis Sens (a $30 insurance fee per day applies).
Read more about the Oasis Sens.
