One of the first things you might consider when planning a trip Mexico is whether to travel independently or with a group. Travel with a tour group may be a good option for you if: it's your first trip to Mexico; you're going on your own and you would prefer the companionship that you would have as part of a group; you don't speak Spanish and you're concerned about being able to communicate and get your basic needs met; or you want to cover a lot of distance but you want to avoid the hassle of having to make travel arrangements for buses and hotels.

Traveling with a tour group has advantages and disadvantages, and you should give some thought to how you like to travel before deciding whether to travel as part of a group and what type of tour is right for you. About.com's Guide to Senior Travel, Nancy Parode, has a great resource for exploring the pros and cons of tour groups.

If you do decide to take a tour group trip to Mexico, there are different types of tours to choose from. Some groups are geared towards senior travelers, some toward younger travelers, and some have a mix of ages. Some group tours are coach tours and others are backpacking groups with a leader who will take you on public transportation.

Here's a list of tour companies offering multi-day group tours in Mexico: Group Tour Companies Operating in Mexico.

More Mexico travel planning resources:

• Mexico Travel Planner
• Best Mexico Guide Books
• Top Mexico Destinations

_{Photo Tim Hall/Getty Images}

The 8th annual Yucatan Bird Festival is taking place this month, from November 19 to 22. This festival aims to promote the rich diversity of bird species found in the Yucatan and develop a conservationist culture among tourists and tour providers. Activities will include field trips, conferences, photographic exhibits and a "bird-a-thon." Events will be held in Merida, Celestun and the archaeological site of Uxmal.

The Yucatan Peninsula is home to over 500 bird species, and besides being an excellent destination for birdwatching, visitors can also enjoy beautiful beaches, water parks and ecological reserves.

Read up about other events taking place this month: Festivals and Events in November.

_{© Suzanne Barbezat}

A woman lights candles on the grave of a family member during Day of the Dead.

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With Day of the Dead just a few days away, you may want to make a few treats to get into the spirit of the holiday. Just like turkey is associated with Thanksgiving, Day of the Dead has certain foods that are considered an essential part of the celebration. Chelsie Kenyon, About's guide to Mexican Food has put together some recipes and instructions for making these special foods. You can learn how to make pan de muertos, candied pumpkin or chocolate coffins and skulls.

Day of the Dead Resources:

• What is Day of the Dead
• Where to celebrate Day of the Dead
• Day of the Dead photo gallery

_{Photo of pan de muertos © Suzanne Barbezat}