thecircumference.org catalogs the best life experiences around the world; country results for Mexico

Navigate Stalagmites Cenote Diving on the Yucatan Peninsula

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 04:01:07 +0000

Have you ever looked up at the starlit sky and wondered what your place is in the Universe? That’s the spirit that carried David Livingstone to the depths of Africa, Neil Armstrong to the Moon, Marco Polo across the seas, and even Sir Edmund Hillary to the top of Mt. Everest. That spirit of exploration is still alive and well if you make your way to Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula and dive its Cenote's. The Yucatan peninsula rests on a bed of limestone, which over time, as rainfall accumulated created subterranean caverns filled with fresh water. Known as Cenotes, sometimes the “roof” of these caverns collapses in, leaving pools open to the sky and creating a fresh water swimming hole in the jungle. Playa del Carmen in particular has some great cenote dive sites. Cenote Angelita, or "Little Angel" draws advanced divers to its magical cave. The first half of the dive is done in fresh water with unlimited visibility and the second half is done in salt water. Where they meet, divers can experience a mystical layer of hydrogen sulfate. Cenote Cristalino, Cenote Azul and Chac Mool Cenote are great for all, even snorkelers. When cenote diving in Playa del Carmen, you will find a lot of stalactite and stalagmite formations, which is incredibly cool to experience up-close and weightless. Some Cenote's even have roots reaching down from trees above, creating air pockets that you can pop up into such as Chac Mool Cenote. Many of these Cenote's are actually interconnected. Yucatan offers some of the largest underwater Cenote systems in the world. Consider this. The Ox Bel Ha system is 146.7 kilometres long. Nohoch Nah Chich is 61 kilometres, and the Dos Ojos system stretches for 57.7 kilometres. If you want a taste of this adventure, you should definitely visit the Yucatan region, known for its stunning natural beauty and amazing ruins such as Uxmal and Tulum. You can certainly see all these attractions, but one activity that is sure to make your trip truly memorable is Cenote diving. So go ahead and bring out the explorer in you. There’s a bit of it in all of us. You won’t find a better opportunity then the Cenote's in Playa del Carmen. You can discover a new cave system, and maybe it can even be named after you. You could soon become a celebrity who's name lives on forever. Wouldn't you like to enter your name into the World Atlas?

Sing Along with a Humpback Whale at Socorro

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 21:54:34 +0000

During man's next age of enlightenment, Earth will be called "sea". The world's oceans cover 70 per cent of its surface, and harbour the majority of species. The most majestic of these, the humpback whale, can be best appreciated on a liveaboard to a little known refuge in the waters of the Eastern Pacific Ocean. Here, a chain of volcanic islands rise up from the ocean floor, over 1,050 metres below. The Revillagigedos Islands, commonly referred to as Socorro, are special because in a time when most dive spots are suffering a loss, here humpback encounters continue to flourish. Your dive vacation begins by flying into Cabo San Lucas and boarding the impressive Solmar V. Hunker down on the deck before departing on the Socorro liveaboard to ensure you've got everything you need for the voyage. There's no turning back once you weigh anchor. Bunking up with other divers might seem a little awkward at first, but rest assured the folks that roll in these quarters are arguably some of the most open-minded and intriguing people you can hope to come by. As you pull away from the marina, sit back and enjoy a beverage as seals chase returning fishing boats for leftover bait. Past the marina, you'll see the famous and beautiful natural rock archway that marks the harbour of Cabo San Lucas, known as Land's End at the tip of Baja California. The Socorro liveaboard transports divers to a world where humpback whales come to calve and breed. Submerge yourself in a world where complex songs are sung in a beautifully unfamiliar language. After feeding in polar waters during the summer, humpbacks migrate to Socorro Island to give birth and find friends. It's hard to believe in a time where breaches, tail lobbing and fin slapping abound, that these humpback whales are powered only by their fat reserves. To have a chance to swim with these gentle giants (that can top the scale out around 80,000 lb) is most certainly a once in a lifetime experience. Most liveaboards have you diving and returning to the main ship, but the Solmar V has added two luxury inflatables that take you close to pinnacles and pick you up wherever a current or encounter may take you. The inflatables are a comforting safety, but be warned if you're the first one in, you will be the last out. Given the waves, it can be rather upsetting, if you get my drift. These feelings are fleeting and if nothing else, make you feel bad ass. Like you're a Navy Seal, pulling yourself from the wild waters below and over the side to the safety of the inflatable. The Socorro liveabord allows you to explore areas that are beyond the stretches of land, and for the most part, the reach of humans in general. Here, face to face with some of the biggest marine mammals you could ever wish to encounter, like humpback whales, mantas, sharks and dolphins, it's easy to understand that if you want the wildest encounters you need to distance yourself as far as possible from the reaches of man. Consider a liveaboard akin to going on Safari, only out at sea. Try one, and I guarantee you will begin to wonder why this planet isn't called "sea" and not Earth too.

Come Toe to Tail With One of Earth's Most Intelligent Species

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 19:38:47 +0000

Off the posh and popular coast of Cabo San Lucas lies Socorro Island, a frontier as remote and rugged as they come. As any great explorer knows, you need to stay with the locals to fully appreciate a place, and as Socorro is an uninhabitable volcanic island, the best way to explore here is on a liveaboard. Set sail with Solmar V on a Socorro liveaboard and be prepared to splashdown with one of the world's most intelligent species, the Pacific Bottlenose Dolphin. A pursuit so great isn't without some hardship, though. The journey from Cabo San Lucas to Socorro Island is about 24 hours, but the opportunity to meet these amazing animals in the wild fully makes up for any uneasiness the wavy terrain may cause you. Solmar V's comfy digs don't hurt either. The Pacific Bottlenose Dolphin has a brain that is nearly five times larger for their bodies, when compared to similar sized animals, and not far off from us humans who measure seven times larger. Their skills set spans artificial language, self recognition, echolocation and even mimicry. They are so smart that you may feel like your encounter with them is closer to a battle of wits versus mere observation. They mimic diver behaviour as best they can through spins, clicks and flaps. You move your right arm, they move their right fin. A Socorro liveaboard is sure to set a new standard of excellence in your diving. When you enter the water each morning, count on finding a welcoming comittee pod of 8 to 10 dolphins every time. The ideas of luck and chance give way to a feeling of fate or destiny. What's more, with dolphins the general rule that divers abide by of not touching, doesn't apply. You can get as friendly as you'd like, or as they'll let you. You'll see lots of incredible things on a Socorro liveaboard. Hammerheads, mantas and whales are nothing to be bat an eye at. To count among that the authentic encounters with wild dolphins, it is somewhat like finding a kindred spirit. If I could choose a way to live out my life, it would be just like a dolphin—free, uninhibited and playing in the ocean. This is one dive vacation that will raise the bar. When you dive with Solmar V even your worst dive promises to be better than your best dive elsewhere.

Cage Diving with Great Whites at Guadalupe Island

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 18:36:28 +0000

If you have an adrenaline addiction, diving with Great Whites is a sure way to satisfy any craving you may have. There are a few go-to spots scattered throughout the world, but what many in the Western world don't realize is that Guadalupe Island, Mexico, is a just a hop, skip and a jump from their backyards. Departing from Ensenada, Mexico, hop aboard the Solmar V and get ultimate access to these apex predators on a Great White Shark tour. In partnership with Great White Adventures, Somar V offers adrenaline junkies liveaboard diving, so that you have more opportunities to feel the rush of a Great White sweep by your cage. Despite being able to accommodate 22 passengers, Solmar V only takes 16 passengers for optimal Great White Shark diving in their two- and four-person submersible cages. Tag teaming eight people in and out of the water from morning to night, you will be able to experience first-hand many times a day the simultaneous thrill and terror that shows like the BBC, National Geographic and the Discovery Channel have come to idolize. Try not to let the Jaws theme song eat away at you as you wait submerged just beneath the surface. Even with visibility up to 100 feet plus, Great White's still seem to appear out of the darkness. Swimming directly towards you and veering away from the cage only at the last second, you may start to rethink who is observing who. Cage diving with Great Whites for the first time is always intimidating knowing you are on their turf. Ranging in size from a metre and a half to over five metres long, you can encounter anywhere from a few sharks to over eight per dive if you're lucky. Everyone should experience Great White Shark cage diving sometime in their life. Not only does it offer you an incredible high, it also allows you the opportunity to feel the power shift from you to one of the most misunderstood animals on earth. Its offers great perspective, especially knowing that over 100 million sharks are harvested each year for their fins due to human demand.

Dive Cabo Pulmo, the Largest Coral Reef on the Western Side of North America

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 12:05:45 +0000

Take your photography to new depths when you venture out on your next dive vacation to Cabo Pulmo. Just north of Los Cabos, Cabo Pulmo is the largest living coral reef on the western side of North America, boasting some of the youngest, most fertile waters on earth. Be sure to bring a full tank, because if the schools of jacks, tuna, stingrays, turtles, frogfish, sharks, and mantas aren't enough to take your breath away, there are always the playful resident California sea lions. Cabo Pulmo Marine National Park is composed of eight veins of coral reef, which protect over 800 species of marine animals. It wasn't until 1995, through persistent efforts of the Cabo Pulmo community, that this spectacular place became protected. Despite this, enforcement remains hard, so it is up to locals and conservationists to work together with the park to create programs like reef monitoring. Solmar V offers luxury liveaboard diving access to Cabo Pulmo so that you can make the most of your time on the waters. It's a great dive vacation for those looking to make their first venture into liveaboard diving as the waters are calm, and provide intermediate and advanced dives with both big and small animals. During liveaboard diving off Cabo Pulmo you will come to expect the unexpected due to the area's rich biodiversity. Cabo Pulmo is located at the mouth of the Gulf of California, otherwise known as the Sea of Cortez. The Gulf is known to be one of the most diverse seas on the planet. The geography of the zone is really to thank for this, as Pulmo Bay protects the fringing reefs and moderates water temperature to a comfortable 75 degrees. No other place can inject you with this unstoppable heart-pounding high. Diving off Frailes Rock is always interesting with its sea lion colony, a drift dive at El Bajo may bring you nose to nose with rays, or maybe whale sharks are more your thing, in which case catch a plankton bloom at the right time off Roca de Jonathan.

Bubble Makers Unite to Play with San Benedicto's Manta Population

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 13:48:35 +0000

When you come face to face with a Giant Pacific manta ray, it makes you want to find more ways to identify with them. The simple fact that a manta is almost always paired with the words "magical" or "unimaginable" may provide some insight as to why manta diving has become so popular. There is no better location in the world to experience this magical creature then at the Revillagigedos Islands, an environment equally matched in intrigue. A remote chain of volcanic pinnacles, the Revillagigedos Islands are comprised of 4 islands: San Benedicto Island, Socorro Island, Roca Partida and Clarionis. Off the coast of Cabo San Lucas, you can find these islands if you are brave enough to search them out. Board the Solmar V Socorro liveaboard and set sail for the Revillagigedos Islands, a minimum 24 hour trip. For the ultimate manta diving encounter, the Socorro liveaboard will take you straight to San Benedicto Island. Every dive you go on around San Benedicto and Socorro Island you will encounter manta rays. In certain places, they will actually wait for you to enter the water, circling around the anchor lines. Many believe that the manta population here is attracted to the bubbles made by scuba divers, and having them ripple off their nearly twenty foot wingspan. Manta diving is one of life's greatest wildlife encounters. Naturally curious creatures, mantas will circle you with the grace of a dancer, surveying you eye to eye. On the Solmar Socorro liveaboard, you will find them in all ages and sizes, from small juveniles to old matriarchs. Mantas can live to be more than twenty years, so many of the rays you will play with around Socorro Island will be ones that have been interacting with divers here for years. Over the years the mantas have been identified, and you can find their individual cards aboard the Solmar V—each one with a name and a depiction of the markings that can be found on the bottom side of the manta. Given the richness of the area and the chance to see so many different large pelagics, you actually gets to the point of begging the mantas to leave you alone just so you can actually focus on some of the other sea life, like hammerheads, whale sharks or dolphins. Of course, on many liveaboards around the world, you would think you'd won the lottery to get so many close encounters with a manta ray, which tells you just how special a place San Benedicto Island and Socorro Island are. They are a rare refuge for a species under threat as shark finners turn their attention to other species in order to meet demand by the asian community. These days, manta gills are fetching top dollar, and their fins are being substituted for sharks. Years ago, divers were told it was okay to touch the mantas, and that they desired to be touched or tickled. Now the new crew of the Solmar, with formal backgrounds in marine biology, communicate that mantas are not to be touched and that stroking a manta may actually cause harm by removing the useful bacteria coating that protects their skin against parasite infestation. At times, respecting this can be challenging as these Giant Pacific manta rays are not shy and will approach you to the point of hovering a mere few inches away.

Admire the Mayan Ruins in Tulum, Mexico

Mon, 18 Jul 2011 23:46:18 +0000

A lazy holiday at Cancún resort can easily be highlighted with a trip to the Mayan ruins at Tulum, Mexico. As the most important archaeological site on the coast of the Riviera Maya, Tulum is a fascinating cultural experience, and provides an opportunity to glimpse the coastline of the Yucatan Peninsula as it might have been hundreds of years ago. Tulum is just a few hours south of Cancún, and is one of the most easily accessible archaeological sites in the area. When temperatures and humidity are soaring, the relatively small size of the Tulum site (compared to Coba and Chichen Itza), and the accessibility of Tulum’s beach, make the archaeological site one of the best choices on the Riviera Maya. Green lawns surround the ancient stone temples and palaces of this Mayan port town, with excellent signage explaining the purpose of the ruins’ architecture. Admire ancient stone carvings depicting the Mayan gods, as well as the well-preserved stone structures. One particularly fascinating element of the Mayan ruins of Tulum was the doorways, where the door posts and lintels were intentionally designed to be crooked, so they are not be level with the floor. While you won’t find gigantic towering pyramids such as those at Coba, Tulum has one thing the other Mayan ruins don’t have: a gorgeous Caribbean beach. The pristine white sand and clear turquoise waters are beautifully juxtaposed against the craggy cliffs and stone towers of the Tulum ruins. After a hot hour of touring the ruins, a plunge into the refreshing water is an absolute must. It is certainly a unique experience to float in the Caribbean waters while gazing up at the ancient watchtowers of Tulum. Families and kids will find Tulum one of the best choices for a visit to the Mayan ruins. The site is of a manageable size and is definitely doable with small children. The beach waters are calm and shallow, and children will love to count the iguanas that can be seen sunbathing on nearly every rock. Nearby, a craft market sells souvenirs, insect repellent, sunscreen and other necessities, and there are several restaurants catering to tourists just outside the entrance to the Mayan ruins. The Tulum pole flyers put on a good show for kids as they swing on ropes around a tall pole at the entrance to the craft market.

Base Jump in the Cave of Swallows, Mexico

Thu, 21 Oct 2010 05:04:58 +0000

There's adventure travel and then there's the Cave of Swallows, which takes adventure travel to a whole other level. As the deepest cave shaft in the world, there's only one way to see the Cave of Swallows, and that's down. This is the Mount Everest of caves, and adventure travellers and groups of outdoor enthusiasts make the trek each year to the pit cave that is deep in the Mexican forest. Located in the small town of Aquismón in the state of San Luis Potosi, Mexico, the Cave of Swallows is certainly off the beaten path, away from the town in a heavily wooded area. The pit cave doesn't have the same history as many of Mexico's landmarks, as it was only found a little over 30 years ago by a team of scientists who were actually studying the bird life of the area. Though the Cave does somewhat swallow adventure seekers, it's actually named after the thousands of swallows that ascend and descend it each day. For years the Cave of Swallows has been an observation point for scientists studying bird life around the area, and it's only recently become such a popular tourist spot. The Cave is essentially a large elliptical abyss in the middle of the Mexican forest. It’s a 1,200+ foot freefall drop to the bottom, making it the largest cave shaft in the world. To give you a perspective of height, it would be like diving from the very top of the Empire State Building. With its steep drop of over 1,000 feet, the bottom of the Cave can get pretty cool, so adventurists typically don't spend much time at the bottom before they are ready to go back up. The top of the Cave of Swallows has a diameter of about 200 feet. Although popular among climbing and “spelunking” (caving) enthusiasts, its real draw card is as a site for base jumping. With the Cave’s wide diameter and deep straight freefall, the Cave of Swallows is a Mecca for cave diving. From the top, it takes base jumpers approximately 12 seconds to reach the bottom of the cave pit, and this is 12 adrenaline-soaked seconds. Most people go with large adventure tour groups and spend an entire day taking turns diving into the Cave. Cave diving in the Cave of Swallows certainly isn't for the faint of heart, nor the inexperienced, as base jumpers must have appropriate permits and equipment to dive.

Savour the Surreal at the Sculpture Gardens of Las Pozas

Thu, 03 Jun 2010 16:13:51 +0000

Las Pozas, which means “The Pools,” is an eccentric and surreal sculpture garden high in the rain forest outside Xilitla, Mexico. English poet and artist Edward James built Las Pozas because he “wanted a Garden of Eden set up,” and what he found on a visit to Los Angeles in the 1940s wasn’t to his liking. Instead, “Mexico was far more romantic,” he explained, and there was “far more room than there (was) in crowded Southern California.” In the lush mountains seven hours north of Mexico City, and about 2,000 feet (610 meters) above sea level, Las Pozas sits on 80 acres (320,000 meters2) that Edward James chose as the ideal location for his Eden. Prior to building the Las Pozas gardens, James planted orchids, up to 29,000 at one time in and around the natural waterfalls and pools. But in 1962 an early frost destroyed all his work. So instead of replanting, James spent millions of dollars and employed countless workers to create a surreal concrete garden that was inspired by both the orchids that were once there as well as the surrounding jungle vegetation. From 1949 to 1984 James built 36 surrealistic concrete structures in Las Pozas, Mexico. These palaces and pagodas hold such names as “The House on Three Floors Which Will in Fact Have Five or Four or Six,” as well as “A Roof Like a Whale.” Here, in the moss covered sub-tropical jungle, concrete spiral staircases lead to nowhere, buildings are more like mazes, and concrete towers pierce the sky. Following the labyrinth like trails, bridges, and paths will only bring you deeper into Edward's magical world. Everywhere you turn there are hidden details of art amongst the wild, and as time continues on, so does the jungle in its rise to reclaim Las Pozas. The Las Pozas sculpture garden was an effort that cost Edward James more than $5 million dollars, as well as his surrealist art collection. James was a wealthy man after inheriting a 6,000 acre estate upon his father’s death, but he had to auction off his art in order to generate the necessary funds. Before Las Pozas, Xilitla Edward James lived in a 300 room mansion in England – now a center for the arts known as West Dean College. James was the only son of an American railroad magnate and a Scottish socialite who was rumored to be fathered by the Prince of Wales, later known as Edward VII. That was all a far cry from the jungles of Mexico, but it’s where he became impassioned as a patron to surrealist artists, most notably Salvador Dali in 1938. He also ran in various intellectual circles throughout Europe and the United States, but abandoned it all for Las Pozas.

The Mighty Monarch Butterfly Migration

Tue, 13 Apr 2010 13:38:09 +0000

The Monarch butterfly migration “is one of the most significant biological events on this planet,” according to University of Kansas biology professor Chip Taylor. It is an awe-inspiring sight to see thousands, if not millions, of Monarch butterflies come to roost in the Oyamel forests of Mexico and the trees of Southern California. The Monarch butterfly migration route takes these insects thousands of miles from the north, some coming from as far away as Canada, making this migration a beautiful wonder, and one that no other butterfly takes part in. Each winter, as the temperatures drop in the north, the Monarch butterflies migrate south to the warmer climates of the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve. No bad for an insect that weighs less than a gram. Generally, birds fly south for the winter, but the Monarch does manages up to 12 mph over a journey as long as 3,100 miles (nearly 5,000 km). What’s particularly astonishing about the Monarch migration, is that not one single butterfly succeeds in a full migration due to their short life span. It generally takes three or four generations of Monarch butterflies to complete a full migration cycle (to the southern Monarch sanctuary and back). It’s simply a pattern that’s engrained in the butterfly’s genetic code to instinctively know where to go. The Monarch migration generally starts around October. If temperatures drop earlier, then the butterflies will go south, travelling about 50 miles in a single day. The Rocky Mountains appear to be the dividing line that helps determine where the Monarch migrates—if they’re east, they go to the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in the Mexican state of Michoacán; and if they’re west, they go to Southern California, most notably around Santa Cruz. When they arrive at their destination, the butterflies tend to use the same trees each year to roost, huddling together for warmth, which makes for a truly bizarre and wonderful experience to observe. This migratory test of endurance proves unsuccessful for many of the Monarchs as they succumb to fatigue and the dangers of storms and passing cars. Despite this, it is believed that as many as 300 million of the orange and black butterflies successfully migrate to their over-wintering lands in the south. The exact path they take is still being studied and plotted, but as there’s no mass exodus filling the skies, the only real spot to enjoy the migration is at their winter roosts nearly two miles (2,400 to 3,600 meters) above sea level.

Get Apocalyptic at Mexico's Uxmal

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 08:31:11 +0000

The Yucatan Peninsula is commonly considered and visited for the warm beaches around places like Cozumel, Cancun, and Playa del Carmen. They’re great getaways that draw the sun worshipers looking to unwind, relax and have some fun; but it’s not all about the sand and surf. Visitors to the area can also explore ancient city ruins of the once powerful Mayans: a civilization that ruled a large chunk of present-day Mexico and Central America for thousands of years. The most popular of these sites is the nearby Chichen Itza; but just a bit further down the road sits its impressive cousin: Uxmal (Oosh-mahl)— an interesting and less crowded experience. The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Uxmal, which is Mayan for “built three times,” is believed to have been abandoned shortly before the Spanish arrived in the 15th century. Research and restoration work is still conducted to determine historical details, but it appears the area experienced initial construction as early as 850 BC. Uxmal, once a prominent location for the Mayans, diminished as other Toltec invaders and cultures moved in. Uxmal in Yucatan was once home to an estimated 25,000 people, but those crowds aren’t even remotely seen here today as Chichen Itza, the second most visited site in Mexico, tends to draw more visitors from the nearby beach resorts. What sets the Uxmal ruins apart is the Magician’s Pyramid, also known as the Pyramid of the Dwarf, which rises 115 feet (35 meters) above the surrounding structures. It is believed to be unique among Mayan constructions, with its rounded sides and height, and even gradient, as it towers over the sprawling 150-acre complex. The Magician’s Pyramid is adorned with beautiful temples and decorations, some being built as late as AD 1000. A number of other fascinating structures litter the grounds and are also worth experiencing. The Nunnery Quadrangle (a possible military academy) and the Governor’s Palace (both named by the Spanish) are two of the most important and worthwhile. Although elaborate carvings and adornments can be found around both buildings, of particular note is the 320-foot (97 meter) long mosaic facade on the Governor’s Palace. It is definitely worth closer inspection, as is the Jaguar Throne (an animal associated with Mayan kings) in the front of the structure. The ceremonial causeway that links Uxmal with Kabah, once a trading centre 11 miles (18 km) to the south, is definitely worthy of a visit. Some travellers today are attracted to the Mayan sites because of the 2012 apocalyptic predictions from the Mayan calendar. Many historians and scientists argue against the popular culture, saying that there is very little fact indicating such an occurrence. Nonetheless, revitalization in the interest of these places is happening. Now is a great time to take advantage of it and experience a fascinating and exotic place, close to the relaxing resort life, that once held great sway in the world.

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo - Mariachi, Margaritas and Mole, Oh My!

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:21:20 +0000

Despite the common misconception, Cinco de Mayo is not actually Mexico's Independence Day. Cinco de Mayo celebrates the Mexican militia's victory over the French army at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. It is more of a regional holiday than a national one, and most of the celebrations occur in the city of Puebla. Those parts of the United States with large Mexican populations will also enjoy the thrill of Cinco de Mayo celebrations, which have become a bigger tradition than in Mexico itself. Cinco de Mayo is seen more as a day to celebrate Mexican culture within the United States. The Battle of Puebla took place over forty years after Mexico gained its independence from Spain. The years following independence were riddled with war, strife and bloodshed, culminating in a civil war in 1858 that nearly destroyed the national economy. The decades of chaos and violence drowned Mexico in debt owed to a number of other countries, including France. At that time, France wanted to expand their empire and saw an opportunity in war-torn, debt-ridden Mexico, who had lost the ability to make loan payments. France seized on this weakness and invaded at the Gulf, near Veracruz. The French troops then began their long march toward Mexico City. Much to their shock, they encountered determined resistance near Puebla as two Mexican forts had been filled with militia men, intent on stopping the progress of the French. It is estimated that only 4,500 poorly armed, ill-trained Mexican militia stopped and defeated the trained, perfectly outfitted 6,500 French soldiers. This victory provided the Mexican nation with a sense of much-needed unity, which is the founding reason for the Cinco de Mayo celebration. Sadly, the Mexican victory was short lived. Napoleon the Third sent 30,000 more troops to Mexico; and this time the French were victorious and installed Maximilian of Austria as Mexican ruler. Thanks to the United States intervening, Maximilian's rule only lasted three years. Once the French were expelled, Maximilian was executed by the Mexicans, and his bullet-ridden shirt is kept on display to this day. Mexican people see Cinco de Mayo as a day to celebrate their national unity, won through such strife, bloodshed and loss. In Mexico, Cinco de Mayo festivities involve music, food and dancing, and mostly occur in the city of Puebla. On the day of celebration, all Mexican men who serve in the army pledge allegiance to Mexico and the Mexican national flag. Cinco de Mayo in Mexico is always notably colourful as inhabitants come out to their city squares in traditional clothes accented in ever colour imaginable. One of the more common foods to find is called “mole” (a sauce made with chocolate and forty other spices). It is usually served over chicken or turkey. Celebrations for Cinco de Mayo can begin up to a week beforehand with parades, banners and even schools holding special events to educate students. The day of Cinco de Mayo is filled with food, traditional Mexican music and folk dancing. In Los Angeles they hold yearly mariachi and folk dancing demonstrations. In the US, Cinco de Mayo celebrations are considered on par with St. Patrick's Day and Oktoberfest. Food, drink, dance and fun fill the air; a far cry from the dark times that led to this day hundreds of years ago. Whether in Mexico or in the United States, the Cinco de Mayo celebrations are a fabulous, cultural event that should not be missed.

Snorkel Above a Rich Fabric of Marine Life at Mexico's Akumal Bay

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:23:31 +0000

Akumal is a wonderfully laid back, quiet village 60 miles south of Cancún, along Quintana Roo’s Mayan Riviera coast in Mexico. A world away from the turbulent goings-on farther north, Akumal has held onto its rich history and Mayan roots, which is very evident when mingling with the residents on a walk along the town’s narrow avenues. One of the former residents is celebrated just inside the town arch, where a statue of Gonzalo Guerrero and his family stand. Guerrero was a Spanish conquistador, who, after being shipwrecked at Akumal, made the very best of his situation by becoming a respected warrior and marrying a Mayan princess to start the first known Euro-American family. Re-discovered in the early 1950s, Akumal’s sugar sand beaches, coconut palms and warm emerald waters captivated world explorer Pablo Bush Romero so much that he purchased land from a plantation owner and set about establishing a small resort community for scuba divers. Romero was a pioneer in underwater exploration who saw the vision of a unique underwater museum in Akumal Bay where tropical sea critters make their home among massive anchors and cannons from ancient shipwrecks. With just one addictive peek beneath the surface at the remarkable diversity of life in this shallow-water reef, you'll be hooked on Akumal snorkeling. The coral is busy with dozens of species of underwater flora and fauna, and it’s in relatively good health considering the rising water temperatures and a host of other environmental concerns. While snorkeling Akumal, I rounded a craggy blob of coral and met the business end of a lime-green moray eel showing off a smile of tiny razor teeth. I floated right on by, checking to be sure I wasn’t followed, and chased a brilliant blue angel fish into the midst of a liquid light show. Tiny quarter-sized fish in iridescent yellow and orange darted into coral crevices, and striped clownfish stayed true to their name, generally goofing about the neighborhood. There were floating purples and reds and whites and blues—it looked like all the colours from my crayon box at school were swimming around—and only my burning lungs broke my trance to head back up for air. Venturing a bit deeper while snorkeling Akumal, several large shadows drifted into my direction, and a foursome of giant, battleship-grey groupers moved slowly past, bulbous mouths pursed in an eternal smirk. Near the surface, a long, hovering straight line caught my eye. The silvery scales of a barracuda reflected the afternoon sunlight, and he kept a wary eye on the pale-skinned intruder in his part of Akumal Bay. An immense school of small, gray-brown fish, easily numbering in the thousands, hovered very near the “‘cuda,” drifting slowly back and forth at the whims of the currents. They seemed to have no destination that day, and were content to float next to the larger fish in suspended motion like a giant shadow forever swaying with the wind. Waning daylight forced a reluctant exit from snorkeling Akumal bay, but the sunset view on the beach conjured plans for my next trip to this getaway location.

Discover an Underwater Odyssey Diving in Cozumel Mexico

Mon, 09 Feb 2009 08:30:56 +0000

Lying just off the Yucatan Peninsula, Isla Cozumel, the Island of the Swallows, offers world class diving in picture perfect surroundings. With striking coral reefs, thriving marine life and crystal clear waters to spy them through, Cozumel was Mexico’s best kept secret until a young Jacques Cousteau “discovered” it in the 1960’s, placing this sleepy isle square on the scuba map. With over forty major dive sites to choose from, Cozumel caters to every diving level and preference, from dolphin dives to personalized ‘Scuba Subs’. Yet the island’s greatest attraction remains drift diving: currents that carry divers along great swathes of reef on an ‘aquatic wind’. As you float over the technicolor corals you’re likely to spot sea turtles, stingrays, angelfish and even grey nurse sharks enjoying the ride with you. Some of the most popular sites include the Santa Rosa Wall, Chankanaab, Palancar and the no-translation-needed Tormentos. Back on land, underwater river systems lead to Cozumel’s other great treasure: cenotes. Formed over thousands of years, cenotes are startling underwater caves that have evolved their own eco-systems. Featuring stalactites and stalagmites like their terra-based brethren, the water within is so clear that diving in a cenote feels more like a spacewalk than a swim (the water’s also clean enough to be sampled, for those that like their mineral water fresh). Before taking the plunge make sure to choose an accredited dive school, well versed in the local waters and currents. And remember all reefs are protected National Parks and a ‘look but don’t touch’ approach works best for all. If you want a break from diving then Cozumel’s clear waters are perfect for snorkeling, and the island’s abundant wildlife, Mayan ruins, Caribbean beaches and fresh seafood ensure Cozumel’s charms are far from surface deep.

Cleanse Your Soul at Catemaco’s Noche de las Brujas

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 17:52:05 +0000

In southern Mexico, nestled between ranges of volcanic mountains, the town of Catemaco springs to life every March with a spectacle of witchcraft, sorcery and merriment. The Noche de Brujas—“Night of the witches”—dates back to the precolonial era, drawing traditional healers, shamans, prophets and fortune-tellers from all over Mexico to gather for a legendary all-night festival, during which participants invoke a mass cleansing to alleviate the previous year’s negative energies. Adventurous tourists join in on the fun of Noche de Brujas, some just to witness the spectacle, others daring to get involved. The adorable avenues and landscapes of pristine Catemaco are supercharged with mysticism on a regular day, but during Noche de Brujas the sense is nearly palpable. Streets are crowded year-round with vendors selling trinkets, magical potions and healings. Tourists encounter spiritualists and sorcerers in every nook and cranny, advertising traditional remedies for just about any malady you can think of. The culebreros (snake bite healers) are renowned due to the region’s abundance of venomous snakes, but unless you’ve recently come across an asp or a cobra, consider hiring a yorbatero (massage healer) instead for a soothing massage. Follow the signs to dwellings of prominent witches. Hire a witch for a limpia—a spiritual cleaning; better yet, unless your soul is afflicted with a curse, have the bruja cast one on someone else in your party! When the Noche de Brujas is over, stay a few extra days to catch a ferry to the Monkey Islands, where abandoned research monkeys from Thailand run free. Take a morning stroll down the Malecon and witness the 600 species of birds come to life as the sun breaks on the volcanic horizon. Unless you're a risk taker who craves confrontation, avoid taking snapshots of the brujos; they hate photographs.

Chichén Itzá, Journey Back to the Land of Gods

Mon, 18 Feb 2008 00:39:59 +0000

The ruins of Chichén Itzá take you back in time to an era of a vast and powerful Mayan empire, once the center of being for all of the Yucutan civilization ruling over politics, religion, and military. Today the ceremonial structures and various other buildings that were in their time of grandeur between 800 - 1200 A.D are in various states of preservation, and open for travelers to explore. Set in a clearing surrounded by jungle, the history of Chichén Itzá entails stories of humans sacrifices and ultimately a violent end spurred by a revolt against the reigning powers that shifted development away from Chichén Itzá. Today it is a UNESCO World Heritage site and was recently declared one of the new 7 Wonders of the World. Exploring the secret rooms, passages, and summits at Chichén Itzá, make you feel like you are the first to delve into the mysteries that lay around each corner. The site has many fascinating stone buildings that are a must see when exploring this lost Mayan world. El Castillo also known as the temple of Kukulkan, will stop you in your tracks once you pass though the turnstile to enter into Chichén Itzá. This temple is particularly intriguing at the rising and setting of the sun during Spring and Fall Equinox, when the suns shadow casts the impression of a snake slithering down the North stairway. Another complex called the Temple of Warriors includes many large stepped pyramids scattered amongst many rows of carved columns that depict various warriors, and is adjacent to the Great Market. Las Monjas, also known as “The Nunnery” is one of the more captivating complexes built in Puuc architecture style, the structures here are believed to be living quarters for the elite Mayans and are covered in relief carvings. There are 7 ball courts, but the most notable is the Great Ball Court approximately 150 meters north west of El Castillo. These ball courts housed many games and festivities and at each end of the field is a raised temple in which you can envision Mayan Kings sitting in presiding over the activities. It is said that the captain of the winning team would present himself to the captain of the losing team to be decapitated. It might seem a bit backwards, but the Mayans believed this tradition to be the highest honor, granting them direct access to heaven versus the 13 steps Mayan culture believed they had to go through. Just east of the primary ruins is an underground world called Cenoté. To get into these underground caves with glowing cool water set against the backdrop of blood read stalagmites you must climb down steep vertical hole, with entry steps carved by the Mayans themselves thousands of years ago.