Tour Group Travel in Mexico
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:
Photo Tim Hall/Getty ImagesYucatan Bird Festival
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.
Day of the Dead: In the Cemetery
Day of the Dead Treats
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:
Photo of pan de muertos © Suzanne Barbezat
Mexico Trivia Quiz
Think you know Mexico? I've put together a quiz to test your knowledge of Mexican geography, history and culture. It's a difficult quiz, so don't feel bad if you don't score very high. When you finish you'll see the correct answers and links to more information.
Take the Mexico Trivia Quiz and then come back here to let us know how you did in the comments section, below.
Sugar Skulls
Photo by Glen Van Etten, licensed under Creative Commons
Sugar skulls, or calaveras de azucar, are made for Mexican Day of the Dead celebrations, and used to decorate Day of the Dead altars.
Learn how to make sugar skulls from About.com's Guide to Mexican Food, Chelsie Kenyon.
Thanksgiving in Mexico Getaways
Thanksgiving is five weeks away and there's just enough time to plan a getaway to Mexico for the holiday. Some resorts are offering special packages to entice you to head south. Although Thanksgiving is not officially celebrated in Mexico, if you decide to spend the holiday at one of Mexico's resorts, you're sure to find plenty to be thankful for!
Las Velas Resorts in Puerto Vallarta, Riviera Nayarit and the Mayan Riviera will be showing their gratitude to Thanksgiving guests by offering Thanksgiving night (November 26) free with a minimum stay of 4 nights. Guests at the luxury, all-inclusive Velas resorts will also enjoy a special Thanksgiving dinner. Rates for this package start at $190 per person, per night, double occupancy, at Velas Vallarta, $275 per person per night at the adults-only Casa Velas Hotel Boutique, and $390 per person per night at both Grand Velas Riviera Maya and Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit. For more information and to book, visit www.velasresorts.com.
Casa Dorada Resort and Spa in Los Cabos is also offering a discounted Thanksgiving package, which includes three nights of ocean-view suite accommodations, along with a complimentary Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings, discounted golf and family activities, transfers and more. Rates for this Thanksgiving in Mexico package are $875 for a junior suite, $950 for a one-bedroom suite and $1,750 for a two-bedroom suite. Package available from November 24 to 28, 2009. To book your Thanksgiving getaway at Casa Dorada, call 1-866-448-0151, or visit www.casadorada.com.
Check out our Mexico Travel Deals page for more packages and deals in Mexico.
Xcaret's Festival of Life and Death
For the fourth year in a row, Xcaret theme park in the Mayan Riviera is hosting their Festival de la vida y la muerte, "Festival of Life and Death," in honor of the Day of the Dead. The festival will run from October 30th to November 2nd, and will include theater and dance performances, concerts, conferences, parades and special tours, as well as a few special Day of the Dead rituals.
For more information about Xcaret's Festival of Life and Death, visit the festival website.
More about Day of the Dead:Infinity Pool
Photo by Brett Wood, licensed under Creative Commons
The infinity pool at the CasaMagna Marriott Puerto Vallarta
CasaMagna Marriott Puerto Vallarta Holiday Packages
The CasaMagna Marriott Puerto Vallarta is making it easier for you to take a family getaway during the holidays this year, offering special packages that feature discounted rates, as well as allowing kids to stay and eat for free.
The Pure Magic Family Holiday package includes deluxe accommodations, complimentary breakfast, lunch and dinner daily for children 12 and under when eating with parents. You can also enjoy two-for-one spa treatments at the resort's Ohtli Spa, Puerto Vallarta's most spacious complete service resort spa. Rates start at $179 per room, per night for guests traveling between December 19 and December 22, 2009; rates start at $439 for travel December 23 through January 2, 2010. Book this package by October 31, 2009.
The Sand Dollar package offers holiday travelers a fourth night free, daily breakfast for the whole family, free lunch and dinner for children aged 12 or younger, and discounted rates starting at $299 nightly between December 19 and December 22, 2009. Rates start at $459 for stays between December 23 and January 2, 2010. Available for booking now through Jan. 2, 2010.
- CasaMagna Marriott Puerto Vallarta: Book now
- More about the CasaMagna Marriott Puerto Vallarta
- More Mexico travel deals