We see it every time we are in Mexico; families traveling, filling the shopping malls, dining out – all the signs of a growing middle-class. Why don’t we hear more about this in the media instead of the cartel drumbeat? Thank you Forbes Magazine for this right-on perspective with facts to support it.
State of Guerrero Launches Campaign to Promote Its Top Tourism Destinations to the International Market
PR Newswire ACAPULCO, Mexico, Oct. 9, 2012 — The Acapulco Destination Marketing Office is pleased to announce its involvement in the “Sun Triangle,” a tourism initiative launched by the State of Guerrero to position and promote its top tourist destinations – Acapulco, Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo and Taxco – on an international level.
One of the major efforts put forth by the State of Guerrero as part of the “Sun Triangle” campaign is the sponsorship of Mexican NASCAR driver, Daniel Suarez, who debuted his car and uniform with the official Acapulco and “Sun Triangle” logos at the New Hampshire NASCAR Pro Series race on September 22. He will be sporting the logo for his next three races in the United States, taking place on October 13, November 3 & 10 as well as in Chihuahua on October 28 and in Mexico City on November 11.
The Secretary of Tourism of the State of Guerrero, Mr. Javier Aluni Montes, announced the promotional campaign with NASCAR is one of the many projects that Governor of Guerrero, Angel Aguirre Rivero, is pursuing to introduce the “Sun Triangle” destinations to a high-income market in the United States and abroad. “By sponsoring Daniel Suarez, the “Sun Triangle” campaign has the opportunity to reach the over 75 million NASCAR fans in the United States, which is one of our most important international markets,” said Mr. Aluni. “The races will be broadcast in 150 countries, further extending the potential reach of the campaign, and each race expects to have an average of 200,000 people in attendance.”
A magical combination of incredible beauty and hypnotic charm, Acapulco is Mexico’s largest and most dazzling seaside resort attracting over nine million visitors annually. Acapulco is exotic yet easily accessible by direct or convenient connections via all major airline carriers from gateway cities across the U.S. For more information about Acapulco, visit rememberacapulco.com.
“What I see in Nature is a magnificent structure that we can comprehend only very imperfectly, and that must fill a thinking person with a feeling of humility. This is a genuinely religious feeling that has nothing to do with mysticism” ~ Albert Einstein
Tis almost the season… whale season that is. Mexico and marine life have a very specific bond, and there are few places where it is felt more strongly than along the coasts of the Baja Peninsula. With the Pacific Ocean on one side and the Sea of Cortés on the other, this is one of the best locations anywhere to witness nature’s magnificent wonders. The Sea of Cortés is one of the world’s unique ocean environments, and is considered by some to be the most biologically rich body of water on earth. In late December through the end of March, it also happens to be one of the premiere whale watching destinations in the world.
RED Sustainable Travel makes its home in La Paz, which means “peace” in Spanish. This is the capital of the state of Baja California Sur and is the second largest city south of Tijuana on the Baja Peninsula. La Paz is also arguably the ecotourism capital of North America. Just outside the city itself are countless deserted beaches, calm bays and ecologically pure offshore islands. The region’s complex wildlife, plant life, and geology are truly astonishing. More than 850 species of marine life make their home in its temperate waters. Colonies of sea lions, pods of Humpback, Blue, Sperm, Fin and seasonal migrating Gray whales are a very common site.
Each year an estimated 12,000 of the world’s 21,000 Gray whales make a 6,000-mile journey to bear their calves in the warm waters of the Pacific lagoons to the north of Los Cabos. From there, many continue south, veering around the tip of the Baja into the crystal waters of the Sea of Cortés. Here they find peace and freedom and provide whale-watchers with incredible thrills. At birth, the pacific gray whale is approximately 15 feet long. As adults, their average length can be from 40 to 46 feet (about the same as a Greyhound bus!), and they can weigh up to 35 tons. They spend their summers northwest of Alaska in the Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort Seas before making their way toward Mexico for the winter. The journey to Mexican waters is a lengthy trip for the gray whales that travel in pods as small as three whales and as large as sixteen members. Though they only swim at about five miles per hour, they are extremely agile. Diving as deep as 500 feet, they can stay under water for up to 30 minutes. Since they are mammals and surface to breathe, they have two blowholes near the top of their heads. You can hear them spouting from nearly a half a mile away and the stream of water shooting from their blowhole can rise 10-13 feet above the surface.
In the sheltered lagoons of the Baja, the calves learn survival skills and gain strength by swimming against the ocean currents flowing into the calmer waters. The calves weigh around 3,000 pounds and are about 19 feet long when they are ready to leave. RED’s whale tours take place in Magdalena Bay, which is one of the most famous breeding lagoons in the area and it’s not uncommon for the “friendlies,” as they’re called, to approach the small boats (“pangas”) of whale watchers. The sweet-tempered leviathans often approach the boats and welcome a gentle rub from humans… truly extraordinary. It’s an encounter with nature not easily duplicated. The Magdalena Bay area comprises the largest wetland ecosystem on the west coast of the Baja California Peninsula and is considered one of the most important in North America. The Bay not only provides a vital calving area for the Gray whale, but is also feeding grounds for several species of endangered marine turtles. There are mangrove forests, barrier beaches and sand dune islands, contributing to the incredible scenery and diverse biological makeup of the zone. The Bay harbors the continent’s northernmost breeding colony of magnificent frigate, the southernmost breeding site for threatened bald eagles, a large nesting colony of the endangered California brown pelican, and one of the largest California sea lion colonies on the Pacific coast of the peninsula.
There are a number of tour operators in the area, but RED takes a particularly unique approach to nature-based travel. According to their website, “RED Sustainable Travel was founded in 2009 upon the idea that conservation and socioeconomic well-being go hand in hand. Since its founding, the RED project has shattered paradigms, changed lives, and created natural resource stewards in rural communities throughout northwest Mexico. RED takes conservation projects – such as sea turtle monitoring – and turns them into Conservation Adventures, along the way creating sustainable economic alternatives (to poaching, for instance) to local communities along northwest México. As part of these efforts, RED fosters direct support for conservation work and community development (such as cash or volunteer time), and promotes a model of tourism for the region based on natural resource preservation.”
RED works with TourRadar (a social platform for organized group tours) to offer the upcoming GRAY WHALE AND SEA TURTLE CONSERVATION ADVENTURE. This is one not to be missed and incorporates working with the sea turtles as well. (Five species of sea turtle are at home along the Baja peninsula. This area provides both nesting habitat and vital feeding grounds for turtles from as far away as Japan and Indonesia.)
Description: This tour will start and end in La Paz. Experience the wonder of the gray whales, on this 5-day expedition in scenic Magdalena Bay on the Pacific coast of the Baja California peninsula where come to mate and give birth to their calves before returning north towards the Bering Sea. You will also take part in a sea turtle conservation project recognized around the world as a model for community based conservation. From your secluded base camp on a tiny shell island, learn about the importance of the green sea turtle’s survival and the role local fishermen play in the species’ recovery, before heading out in pangas to capture and release turtles after recording vital data.
Activities: Gray whales, Sea turtle monitoring, mangrove exploration, dune hikes, cultural interaction, bird watching, star gazing, gourmet cuisine. For more information and trip details visit: http://www.tourradar.com/t/45256
About TourRadar
TourRadar is the social platform for organized group tours. We help travelers search & compare 27,772 organized group tours visiting 220 countries of the world as well as helping them meet and engage with other people in their groups before the tour departs. By using our online tools (search, compare, reviews, meet) travelers can better inform themselves before making critical purchasing decisions about the organized group tour that suits their needs. Since launching 2 years ago, TourRadar has evolved into the leading cloud based platform for businesses in the tour industry providing cost effective access to Web, Facebook, Android and iPhone Apps that reach and engage travelers.
I want to introduce you to Stacy Taylor, a friend of mine. Stacy has spent most of his adult life in radio as a talk-show host. He’s one of the best in the business, having had good runs in San Diego, Chicago, and most recently San Francisco. Stacy couldn’t do the right-wing scream that dominates the airwaves. He’s way too smart and independent for that, so he’s in Mexico, a place he has always like. In fact, that is how we got to know each other about 17 years ago when I was publishing the Mexico File and he had a top-rated show in San Diego. He graciously had me on his show a few times.
Well, the radio biz has changed in recent years and Stacy is now living in Rosarito Beach in Baja, just about 30 miles south of the border on the West Coast. I wanted you to read some of his thoughts that he posts on his blog. I have the feeling that Stacy will be migrating from radio to writing, and if you read this piece you’ll see why.
Expedia marking Mayan calendar milestone with savings up to 40% in Riviera Maya, Cancun, Guatemala, or Belize PR
Newswire BELLEVUE, Wash., Sept. 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Expedia.com®, the world’s leading online travel site, today announced that the company plans to honor the end of the Mayan calendar cycle with savings throughout the Mayan world. More than 100 hotels throughout Cancun, Cozumel, Riviera Maya, Merida, Guatemala, Belize and El Salvador are offering up to 40% off of travel, from today through March 2013, in areas where travelers can explore Mayan ruins. In addition, 11 hotels are offering exclusive $0 rates on December 21, 2012, the date that the ancient Mayan Long Count calendar identifies as the end of an era that would reset the date to zero.
Hotels include: • Gran Melia Cancun • Intercontinental Presidente Cancun Resort • GR Solaris Cancun & Spa – All Inclusive • Hyatt Regency Cancun • Villa del Palmar Cancun • Great Parnassus Resort and Spa All Inclusive • Golden Parnassus Resort & Spa All Inclusive • Flamingo Cancun Resort • Now Jade Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa • Now Sapphire Riviera Cancun All Inclusive • GR Caribe By Solaris Deluxe All Inclusive Resort
“The Mayan region has always been a fascinating destination, but interest is up this year for reasons that might be obvious. In fact, travel to this part of the world is up over 10% this year over last,” said Joe Megibow, Vice President and General Manager, Expedia.com. “Given that this might be the last chance to see this great destination, we thought we would make it easier to get there, by introducing some amazing sale prices. We do realize you’re not going to have much use for the money you’ve saved if the world actually does end, but either way, those savings are yours to keep.” In addition, Expedia also announced the launch of their fall promotion. Now through October 1, 2012, travelers who book on Expedia.com can save on hundreds of hotels. As part of the sale, Expedia® Rewards members and non-members can register to earn double points on all hotels and vacation packages.
About Expedia
Expedia.com is the world’s leading online travel site, helping millions of travelers per month easily plan and book travel. http://www.expedia.com
As host of the ILTM Americas, Fairmont Mayakoba offers innovative and responsible tourism experiences
Riviera Maya Mexico, September 18, 2012– Traveling to discover new worlds and have authentically local experiences, with the least environmental impact, are key components that define the contemporary luxury traveler. Fairmont Mayakoba, host of the first edition of ILTM Americas, offers participants of the world’s leading luxury travel expo the possibility of discovering innovative and responsible tourism practices.
Since opening in 2006, Fairmont Mayakoba has been committed to environmental care and sustainability bringing to reality the harmonious equilibrium between luxury and nature. Its construction contemplated the use of recycled and sustainable materials whenever possible, the relocation of more than 10,000 plants and a commitment to implement actions to conserve the natural resources, support the development of local communities and encourage guests to actively participate in the conservation of the environment while providing facilities and premium experiences in a majestic setting surrounded by mangroves, rainforest, water canals and the spectacular turquoise waters of the Mexican Caribbean.
“Sustainability includes not only environmental management but also socio-cultural aspects and economic benefits to local communities” mentioned Ian L. Robinson, Regional Vice President and General Manager of Fairmont Mayakoba. “In our commitment to promote responsible tourism, we are pleased to participate in ILTM, Americas and share luxury experiences in harmony with nature and, our knowledge to a real sustainable tourism with unique services with true value for the sophisticated traveler”.
Guests attending ILTM Americans can participate in sustainable practices even before their arrival to the Riviera Maya. The hotel invites all guests to help underprivileged children by supporting Pack for a Purposeprogram, in which the empty space left in their luggage can be used to bring a donation for the community centers of Save the Childrenin Playa del Carmen. The list of donations such as school supplies, books and learning games can be found at:
During the day, travelers can participate in different activities to discover the beauty of the surroundings. Boarding a lancha (electric boat) with biologist Rosaura Cuevas, Ecology and Social Responsibility Manager of the resort, guests will be guided on an adventure to discover the more than 250 species living around the hotel such as turtles, herons, fish, coatis, and even deer. This is a unique opportunity to experience the resort’s tangible commitment to the local environment.
Furthermore, as host Hotel, some of the programs that ILTM Americas participants may discover include:
Green Cuisine:
– The food products, whenever possible are organic, local and obtained via fair treatment practices, including the Chef’s Garden with native products as chaya and habanero chile.
– The endangered species, such as Chilean sea bass, shark and blue fin tuna are not offered in any of our menus and closed seasons are strictly respected.
Support Mayan Communities and Social Responsibility:
– Fairmont has donated $10.000 USD for a group of Mayan women who are dedicated to making medicinal products derived from honey to support the family economy. Through this program, women have managed to develop and market their products, these products can be found at Willow Stream Spa. In gratitude, the community donated a “meliponary”, an area where two hives of native stingless bees called Meliponas live, which is very important in the Mayan culture.
– Muyil Forest and Float Tour: This off-site tour is operated by Community Tours Sian Ka’an, a community-based operator supported by the World Heritage Alliance. Fairmont donated $ 5,000 USD for the construction of toilets in Muyil, installation essential for the operation of the tour and the cooperative.
– Fairmont Babies Room, the hotel has an area enabled for employees who are breastfeeding can express and store milk for their babies. In this way, they can ensure the best nutrition for their children and not be forced to choose between their professional and economic development and breastfeeding.
Greening our Greens:
El Camaleon Mayakoba golf course, managed by Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, participates in the Audubon International Cooperative Sanctuaries, an organization which sets guidelines for an international system of wildlife and environmental conservation. Through our participation, we have developed an extensive integrated management plan for ongoing improvements to our golf courses called “Greening Our Greens”. The program offers practical ways for our courses to make positive changes, while working toward the larger goal of achieving certification from Audubon International.
Every year (November through March, with the best month being February) millions of black and orange monarch butterflies find their way to Mexico. The monarchs’ annual journey, encompassing more than 2,500 miles, takes the butterflies from Canada and the northeast United States to their winter home in Michoacán, where, in some areas, they can number four million per acre of land. With their four-inch wingspans, the monarchs cloak fir trunks and hang on boughs in clusters of tens of thousands. Up to 250 million monarchs winter in the region pulsating in the trees and creating one of nature’s brilliant displays. A Mexican legend says that the souls of the dead are reborn as monarch butterflies. Organized tours are available from the capital city of Morelia. Read more and see a video clip….
SK Films is proud to present Flight of the Butterflies. Follow the monarchs’ perilous and extraordinary journey, and join hundreds of millions of real butterflies in the remote mountain peaks of Mexico. For the very first time, witness the transformation from caterpillar to butterfly. This includes being able to see inside a chrysalis, due to advanced MRI and micro CT scans. Become lost in the compelling story of a courageous scientist’s 40-year search to find the secret migration destination of monarchs. More details…
History, art, nature and a culture of mining come to life in Real de Asientos, Aguascalientes, Mexico. An ancient city, Real de Asientos dates back to 1548, when it was founded by the congregation of a religious group. Over the past few centuries, Real de Asientos transformed into a mining town, and then to a city of great mystery. Read more…
The tacos of San Felipe, a town on the coast of Baja California in Mexico, are getting global recognition. Earlier this month, the Daily Beast published the Newsweek article “Top Chefs Choose 101 Best Places to Eat Around the World.” Renowned chefs participated in this global survey in order to compile a list of must-eats. Representing Mexico are the delicious tacos – specifically from taco trucks – located downtown San Felipe. The article recommends trying the carnitas and al carbon tacos, but the true specialty of San Felipe is its fish tacos. Read more…
October 20th, 2012 at 11:06 pm
Oaxaca Wiki
Flickr
Ruck, Maul, Mezcal: Oaxaca Hosts Rugby Tournament in November #oaxacatoday, originally uploaded by planeta.
October 20th, 2012 at 11:09 pm
We see it every time we are in Mexico; families traveling, filling the shopping malls, dining out – all the signs of a growing middle-class. Why don’t we hear more about this in the media instead of the cartel drumbeat? Thank you Forbes Magazine for this right-on perspective with facts to support it.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/nathanielparishflannery/2012/08/14/sorry-brazil-mexico-is-better/
October 20th, 2012 at 11:37 pm
State of Guerrero Launches Campaign to Promote Its Top Tourism Destinations to the International Market
PR Newswire ACAPULCO, Mexico, Oct. 9, 2012 — The Acapulco Destination Marketing Office is pleased to announce its involvement in the “Sun Triangle,” a tourism initiative launched by the State of Guerrero to position and promote its top tourist destinations – Acapulco, Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo and Taxco – on an international level.
One of the major efforts put forth by the State of Guerrero as part of the “Sun Triangle” campaign is the sponsorship of Mexican NASCAR driver, Daniel Suarez, who debuted his car and uniform with the official Acapulco and “Sun Triangle” logos at the New Hampshire NASCAR Pro Series race on September 22. He will be sporting the logo for his next three races in the United States, taking place on October 13, November 3 & 10 as well as in Chihuahua on October 28 and in Mexico City on November 11.
The Secretary of Tourism of the State of Guerrero, Mr. Javier Aluni Montes, announced the promotional campaign with NASCAR is one of the many projects that Governor of Guerrero, Angel Aguirre Rivero, is pursuing to introduce the “Sun Triangle” destinations to a high-income market in the United States and abroad. “By sponsoring Daniel Suarez, the “Sun Triangle” campaign has the opportunity to reach the over 75 million NASCAR fans in the United States, which is one of our most important international markets,” said Mr. Aluni. “The races will be broadcast in 150 countries, further extending the potential reach of the campaign, and each race expects to have an average of 200,000 people in attendance.”
A magical combination of incredible beauty and hypnotic charm, Acapulco is Mexico’s largest and most dazzling seaside resort attracting over nine million visitors annually. Acapulco is exotic yet easily accessible by direct or convenient connections via all major airline carriers from gateway cities across the U.S. For more information about Acapulco, visit rememberacapulco.com.
October 21st, 2012 at 12:26 am
“What I see in Nature is a magnificent structure that we can comprehend only very imperfectly, and that must fill a thinking person with a feeling of humility. This is a genuinely religious feeling that has nothing to do with mysticism” ~ Albert Einstein
Tis almost the season… whale season that is. Mexico and marine life have a very specific bond, and there are few places where it is felt more strongly than along the coasts of the Baja Peninsula. With the Pacific Ocean on one side and the Sea of Cortés on the other, this is one of the best locations anywhere to witness nature’s magnificent wonders. The Sea of Cortés is one of the world’s unique ocean environments, and is considered by some to be the most biologically rich body of water on earth. In late December through the end of March, it also happens to be one of the premiere whale watching destinations in the world.
RED Sustainable Travel makes its home in La Paz, which means “peace” in Spanish. This is the capital of the state of Baja California Sur and is the second largest city south of Tijuana on the Baja Peninsula. La Paz is also arguably the ecotourism capital of North America. Just outside the city itself are countless deserted beaches, calm bays and ecologically pure offshore islands. The region’s complex wildlife, plant life, and geology are truly astonishing. More than 850 species of marine life make their home in its temperate waters. Colonies of sea lions, pods of Humpback, Blue, Sperm, Fin and seasonal migrating Gray whales are a very common site.
Each year an estimated 12,000 of the world’s 21,000 Gray whales make a 6,000-mile journey to bear their calves in the warm waters of the Pacific lagoons to the north of Los Cabos. From there, many continue south, veering around the tip of the Baja into the crystal waters of the Sea of Cortés. Here they find peace and freedom and provide whale-watchers with incredible thrills. At birth, the pacific gray whale is approximately 15 feet long. As adults, their average length can be from 40 to 46 feet (about the same as a Greyhound bus!), and they can weigh up to 35 tons. They spend their summers northwest of Alaska in the Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort Seas before making their way toward Mexico for the winter. The journey to Mexican waters is a lengthy trip for the gray whales that travel in pods as small as three whales and as large as sixteen members. Though they only swim at about five miles per hour, they are extremely agile. Diving as deep as 500 feet, they can stay under water for up to 30 minutes. Since they are mammals and surface to breathe, they have two blowholes near the top of their heads. You can hear them spouting from nearly a half a mile away and the stream of water shooting from their blowhole can rise 10-13 feet above the surface.
In the sheltered lagoons of the Baja, the calves learn survival skills and gain strength by swimming against the ocean currents flowing into the calmer waters. The calves weigh around 3,000 pounds and are about 19 feet long when they are ready to leave. RED’s whale tours take place in Magdalena Bay, which is one of the most famous breeding lagoons in the area and it’s not uncommon for the “friendlies,” as they’re called, to approach the small boats (“pangas”) of whale watchers. The sweet-tempered leviathans often approach the boats and welcome a gentle rub from humans… truly extraordinary. It’s an encounter with nature not easily duplicated. The Magdalena Bay area comprises the largest wetland ecosystem on the west coast of the Baja California Peninsula and is considered one of the most important in North America. The Bay not only provides a vital calving area for the Gray whale, but is also feeding grounds for several species of endangered marine turtles. There are mangrove forests, barrier beaches and sand dune islands, contributing to the incredible scenery and diverse biological makeup of the zone. The Bay harbors the continent’s northernmost breeding colony of magnificent frigate, the southernmost breeding site for threatened bald eagles, a large nesting colony of the endangered California brown pelican, and one of the largest California sea lion colonies on the Pacific coast of the peninsula.
There are a number of tour operators in the area, but RED takes a particularly unique approach to nature-based travel. According to their website, “RED Sustainable Travel was founded in 2009 upon the idea that conservation and socioeconomic well-being go hand in hand. Since its founding, the RED project has shattered paradigms, changed lives, and created natural resource stewards in rural communities throughout northwest Mexico. RED takes conservation projects – such as sea turtle monitoring – and turns them into Conservation Adventures, along the way creating sustainable economic alternatives (to poaching, for instance) to local communities along northwest México. As part of these efforts, RED fosters direct support for conservation work and community development (such as cash or volunteer time), and promotes a model of tourism for the region based on natural resource preservation.”
RED works with TourRadar (a social platform for organized group tours) to offer the upcoming GRAY WHALE AND SEA TURTLE CONSERVATION ADVENTURE. This is one not to be missed and incorporates working with the sea turtles as well. (Five species of sea turtle are at home along the Baja peninsula. This area provides both nesting habitat and vital feeding grounds for turtles from as far away as Japan and Indonesia.)
Description: This tour will start and end in La Paz. Experience the wonder of the gray whales, on this 5-day expedition in scenic Magdalena Bay on the Pacific coast of the Baja California peninsula where come to mate and give birth to their calves before returning north towards the Bering Sea. You will also take part in a sea turtle conservation project recognized around the world as a model for community based conservation. From your secluded base camp on a tiny shell island, learn about the importance of the green sea turtle’s survival and the role local fishermen play in the species’ recovery, before heading out in pangas to capture and release turtles after recording vital data.
Activities: Gray whales, Sea turtle monitoring, mangrove exploration, dune hikes, cultural interaction, bird watching, star gazing, gourmet cuisine. For more information and trip details visit: http://www.tourradar.com/t/45256
About TourRadar
TourRadar is the social platform for organized group tours. We help travelers search & compare 27,772 organized group tours visiting 220 countries of the world as well as helping them meet and engage with other people in their groups before the tour departs. By using our online tools (search, compare, reviews, meet) travelers can better inform themselves before making critical purchasing decisions about the organized group tour that suits their needs. Since launching 2 years ago, TourRadar has evolved into the leading cloud based platform for businesses in the tour industry providing cost effective access to Web, Facebook, Android and iPhone Apps that reach and engage travelers.
October 21st, 2012 at 12:37 am
David Simmonds
I want to introduce you to Stacy Taylor, a friend of mine. Stacy has spent most of his adult life in radio as a talk-show host. He’s one of the best in the business, having had good runs in San Diego, Chicago, and most recently San Francisco. Stacy couldn’t do the right-wing scream that dominates the airwaves. He’s way too smart and independent for that, so he’s in Mexico, a place he has always like. In fact, that is how we got to know each other about 17 years ago when I was publishing the Mexico File and he had a top-rated show in San Diego. He graciously had me on his show a few times.
Well, the radio biz has changed in recent years and Stacy is now living in Rosarito Beach in Baja, just about 30 miles south of the border on the West Coast. I wanted you to read some of his thoughts that he posts on his blog. I have the feeling that Stacy will be migrating from radio to writing, and if you read this piece you’ll see why.
http://stacytaylor.com/living-in-mexico/baja/some-observations-after-two-months-in-baja/
October 21st, 2012 at 1:12 am
Expedia marking Mayan calendar milestone with savings up to 40% in Riviera Maya, Cancun, Guatemala, or Belize PR
Newswire BELLEVUE, Wash., Sept. 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Expedia.com®, the world’s leading online travel site, today announced that the company plans to honor the end of the Mayan calendar cycle with savings throughout the Mayan world. More than 100 hotels throughout Cancun, Cozumel, Riviera Maya, Merida, Guatemala, Belize and El Salvador are offering up to 40% off of travel, from today through March 2013, in areas where travelers can explore Mayan ruins. In addition, 11 hotels are offering exclusive $0 rates on December 21, 2012, the date that the ancient Mayan Long Count calendar identifies as the end of an era that would reset the date to zero.
Hotels include: • Gran Melia Cancun • Intercontinental Presidente Cancun Resort • GR Solaris Cancun & Spa – All Inclusive • Hyatt Regency Cancun • Villa del Palmar Cancun • Great Parnassus Resort and Spa All Inclusive • Golden Parnassus Resort & Spa All Inclusive • Flamingo Cancun Resort • Now Jade Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa • Now Sapphire Riviera Cancun All Inclusive • GR Caribe By Solaris Deluxe All Inclusive Resort
“The Mayan region has always been a fascinating destination, but interest is up this year for reasons that might be obvious. In fact, travel to this part of the world is up over 10% this year over last,” said Joe Megibow, Vice President and General Manager, Expedia.com. “Given that this might be the last chance to see this great destination, we thought we would make it easier to get there, by introducing some amazing sale prices. We do realize you’re not going to have much use for the money you’ve saved if the world actually does end, but either way, those savings are yours to keep.” In addition, Expedia also announced the launch of their fall promotion. Now through October 1, 2012, travelers who book on Expedia.com can save on hundreds of hotels. As part of the sale, Expedia® Rewards members and non-members can register to earn double points on all hotels and vacation packages.
About Expedia
Expedia.com is the world’s leading online travel site, helping millions of travelers per month easily plan and book travel. http://www.expedia.com
October 21st, 2012 at 1:36 am
As host of the ILTM Americas, Fairmont Mayakoba offers innovative and responsible tourism experiences
Riviera Maya Mexico, September 18, 2012 – Traveling to discover new worlds and have authentically local experiences, with the least environmental impact, are key components that define the contemporary luxury traveler. Fairmont Mayakoba, host of the first edition of ILTM Americas, offers participants of the world’s leading luxury travel expo the possibility of discovering innovative and responsible tourism practices.
Since opening in 2006, Fairmont Mayakoba has been committed to environmental care and sustainability bringing to reality the harmonious equilibrium between luxury and nature. Its construction contemplated the use of recycled and sustainable materials whenever possible, the relocation of more than 10,000 plants and a commitment to implement actions to conserve the natural resources, support the development of local communities and encourage guests to actively participate in the conservation of the environment while providing facilities and premium experiences in a majestic setting surrounded by mangroves, rainforest, water canals and the spectacular turquoise waters of the Mexican Caribbean.
“Sustainability includes not only environmental management but also socio-cultural aspects and economic benefits to local communities” mentioned Ian L. Robinson, Regional Vice President and General Manager of Fairmont Mayakoba. “In our commitment to promote responsible tourism, we are pleased to participate in ILTM, Americas and share luxury experiences in harmony with nature and, our knowledge to a real sustainable tourism with unique services with true value for the sophisticated traveler”.
Guests attending ILTM Americans can participate in sustainable practices even before their arrival to the Riviera Maya. The hotel invites all guests to help underprivileged children by supporting Pack for a Purpose program, in which the empty space left in their luggage can be used to bring a donation for the community centers of Save the Children in Playa del Carmen. The list of donations such as school supplies, books and learning games can be found at:
http://www.packforapurpose.org/docs/countries/mexico/fairmont-mayakoba.shtml
During the day, travelers can participate in different activities to discover the beauty of the surroundings. Boarding a lancha (electric boat) with biologist Rosaura Cuevas, Ecology and Social Responsibility Manager of the resort, guests will be guided on an adventure to discover the more than 250 species living around the hotel such as turtles, herons, fish, coatis, and even deer. This is a unique opportunity to experience the resort’s tangible commitment to the local environment.
Furthermore, as host Hotel, some of the programs that ILTM Americas participants may discover include:
Green Cuisine:
– The food products, whenever possible are organic, local and obtained via fair treatment practices, including the Chef’s Garden with native products as chaya and habanero chile.
– The endangered species, such as Chilean sea bass, shark and blue fin tuna are not offered in any of our menus and closed seasons are strictly respected.
Support Mayan Communities and Social Responsibility:
– Fairmont has donated $10.000 USD for a group of Mayan women who are dedicated to making medicinal products derived from honey to support the family economy. Through this program, women have managed to develop and market their products, these products can be found at Willow Stream Spa. In gratitude, the community donated a “meliponary”, an area where two hives of native stingless bees called Meliponas live, which is very important in the Mayan culture.
– Muyil Forest and Float Tour: This off-site tour is operated by Community Tours Sian Ka’an, a community-based operator supported by the World Heritage Alliance. Fairmont donated $ 5,000 USD for the construction of toilets in Muyil, installation essential for the operation of the tour and the cooperative.
– Fairmont Babies Room, the hotel has an area enabled for employees who are breastfeeding can express and store milk for their babies. In this way, they can ensure the best nutrition for their children and not be forced to choose between their professional and economic development and breastfeeding.
Greening our Greens:
El Camaleon Mayakoba golf course, managed by Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, participates in the Audubon International Cooperative Sanctuaries, an organization which sets guidelines for an international system of wildlife and environmental conservation. Through our participation, we have developed an extensive integrated management plan for ongoing improvements to our golf courses called “Greening Our Greens”. The program offers practical ways for our courses to make positive changes, while working toward the larger goal of achieving certification from Audubon International.
October 21st, 2012 at 1:51 am
Every year (November through March, with the best month being February) millions of black and orange monarch butterflies find their way to Mexico. The monarchs’ annual journey, encompassing more than 2,500 miles, takes the butterflies from Canada and the northeast United States to their winter home in Michoacán, where, in some areas, they can number four million per acre of land. With their four-inch wingspans, the monarchs cloak fir trunks and hang on boughs in clusters of tens of thousands. Up to 250 million monarchs winter in the region pulsating in the trees and creating one of nature’s brilliant displays. A Mexican legend says that the souls of the dead are reborn as monarch butterflies. Organized tours are available from the capital city of Morelia. Read more and see a video clip….
SK Films is proud to present Flight of the Butterflies. Follow the monarchs’ perilous and extraordinary journey, and join hundreds of millions of real butterflies in the remote mountain peaks of Mexico. For the very first time, witness the transformation from caterpillar to butterfly. This includes being able to see inside a chrysalis, due to advanced MRI and micro CT scans. Become lost in the compelling story of a courageous scientist’s 40-year search to find the secret migration destination of monarchs. More details…
Here is a link to the dates and locations where the film will premiere in the US and Canada.
October 21st, 2012 at 2:03 am
Mexico Today News
History, art, nature and a culture of mining come to life in Real de Asientos, Aguascalientes, Mexico. An ancient city, Real de Asientos dates back to 1548, when it was founded by the congregation of a religious group. Over the past few centuries, Real de Asientos transformed into a mining town, and then to a city of great mystery. Read more…
Photo courtesy of http://www.visitmexico.com
October 21st, 2012 at 3:02 am
Mexico Today News
The tacos of San Felipe, a town on the coast of Baja California in Mexico, are getting global recognition. Earlier this month, the Daily Beast published the Newsweek article “Top Chefs Choose 101 Best Places to Eat Around the World.” Renowned chefs participated in this global survey in order to compile a list of must-eats. Representing Mexico are the delicious tacos – specifically from taco trucks – located downtown San Felipe. The article recommends trying the carnitas and al carbon tacos, but the true specialty of San Felipe is its fish tacos. Read more…