Nominate Your Favorites in the Mexico Travel Readers' Choice Awards
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 a finalist and move on to the voting round. The categories are:
- Favorite Mexican Beach Destination
- Favorite Mexican Colonial City
- Favorite Spring Break Destination in Mexico
- Favorite Spring Break Resort in Mexico
- Favorite All-Inclusive Resort in Mexico
- Favorite Mexico Luxury Hotel
- Favorite Mexico Budget Hotel
- Favorite Mexico Blog
After the close of nominations, we will tally up the responses and choose five finalists in each category. Voting will begin at midnight EST on February 22 and run until March 21 at 11:59 P.M. EST. The winners will be announced on March 30. Go here to nominate your favorites now: 2012 About.com Mexico Travel Readers' Choice Awards.
Mexico Travel Warnings and Geography
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:
Xcaret's Mexico Espectacular Show
© 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.
Candelaria in Mexico
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
Oasis Sens Resort Offers Tranquility and Fun
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.
Plan Your Spring Break in Mexico
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 soak up the rays and partay. Our Mexico spring break planning guide will help you decide where to go, what to take, and offer some useful tips for your spring break getaway.
More resources for spring break in Mexico:
Find out what precautions you should take to make sure your spring break in Mexico is safe and fun: Spring Break Safety
Read some answers to common questions about spring break in Mexico, such as: When is spring break? Is it safe to travel to Mexico for spring break? What are the best destinations for spring break in Mexico? Frequently asked questions about spring break in Mexico
Photo by Guillermo Aldana, courtesy of the Mexican Tourism Board
When is Carnival in Mexico?
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.
More about Carnival in Mexico:
Creative Commons photo by cable369
2012 Mexico Travel Readers' Choice Awards: Nominations Open
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.
To stay up to date as the nominations and voting progresses, follow me on Twitter and Facebook.
Best Mexico City Sights
Many travelers flying into Mexico have connecting flights in Mexico City. The majority of them are anxious to get on another plane to their final destination as quickly as possible, and never see more of Mexico City than the Benito Juarez International Airport and what they can glimpse out of the plane window.
Admittedly, everything in Mexico City is on a grand scale. With its 680 years of history; urban sprawl that covers over 1500 square miles; and population hovering around 20 million, the city can be intimidating, but those who do venture into the nation's capital may be pleasantly surprised by all the city has to offer.
If you'll be flying into Mexico City, consider spending a few days before continuing on to your final destination. Some time spent exploring this city can be a great complement to your trip. This list of the Mexico City sights you shouldn't miss will help you make the most of your time.
More about Mexico City:
January Festivals and Events
Your Christmas and New Year's celebrations may be over and done, but the Christmas season in Mexico isn't finished yet! January 6th is the Día de los Santos Reyes, "Kings Day" and the Christmas season doesn't truly come to an end until 40 days after Christmas, on February 2nd, Día de la Candelaria (Candlemas). There are other festivals and events taking place during this time as well, such as Merida's International Arts Festival, the Fiesta Grande in Chiapas, and the fiesta of Santa Prisca in Taxco. Read about these festivals and more in our list of January Festivals and Events in Mexico.