The Fishing is Hot in Cabo
Do you need another reason to head south? How about a day out in the blue Sea of Cortez with a line in the water. Or heck, you don?t even need to fish to enjoy this incomparable body of water ? and they do practice catch-and-release. Here is a recent report from a local captain http://www. bdoutdoors. com/forums/baja-mexico-fishing-reports-discussion/358719-good-fishing-cabo-san-lucas. html And there is lots more to do while you are in town. World-class restaurants attracts locals and celebrities, or just stop by a street stand for a fresh fish taco.
View full post on Mexico Premiere
February 8th, 2013 at 5:11 am
Do you need another reason to head south? How about a day out in the blue Sea of Cortez with a line in the water. Or heck, you don’t even need to fish to enjoy this incomparable body of water – and they do practice catch-and-release. Here is a recent report from a local captain http://www.bdoutdoors.com/forums/baja-mexico-fishing-reports-discussion/358719-good-fishing-cabo-san-lucas.html
And there is lots more to do while you are in town. World-class restaurants attracts locals and celebrities, or just stop by a street stand for a fresh fish taco.
February 8th, 2013 at 5:37 am
Here is an announcement from President Enrique Pena Nieto on a new Forestry Program. This is a great move for the environment and the people of Mexico.
Today I returned to the city of Las Palmas, the capital of the beautiful state of Colima.
Colima is a state where virtually all forestry activities are conducted in marginalized areas, using subsistence practices with low productivity and high environmental costs. However, it is a state with great potential for the development of sustainable forestry.
So I came to this land to present the new National Forest Program (PRONAFOR), designed to improve the social and economic conditions of those living in forests and protect them.
The program will be operated by the National Forestry Commission (CONAFOR), which this year will have a budget of 6,937 million pesos. The goal for 2018 is to practically double the timber production achieved in 2011 from 5.5 million 10.7 cubic meters.
Our forests and jungles generate large benefits: they prevent soil erosion and loss; generate water; purify the air; capture carbon and produce timber. If we exploit them rationally and sustainably, forests can be a great source of wealth for those who live in them.
February 8th, 2013 at 5:56 am
(February 1 , 2012) – The luxury all-inclusive Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit offers guests 20% savings on a stay now through April 30, 2012. Also, children under 12 stay for free and teens 13-16 enjoy a 50% savings rate. In addition to all-inclusive rate features, the promotion includes kids club activities, 10% discount on resort boutique and $50 credit that can be used toward golf or spa treatments.
While at the resort, hotel guests can take advantage of Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit’s special 10th Anniversary Spa Menu, where guests choose from the Spa’s 10 most popular treatments from the past 10 years and receive an additional 25-minute massage (Back, Legs, or Face & Head) for only $10. Offered through the end of December, treatments range from the Four Hand Samunprai Massage, to the Magnetic Diamond Treatment and Men’s Facial.
The Velas Resorts’ all-inclusive rates include suite accommodations, a la carte gourmet meals at a choice of specialty restaurants, premium branded beverages, 24 hr in-suite service, fitness center, taxes and gratuities, and more. All-inclusive rates start at $281 per person per night in double occupancy. For more information and reservations, please call Velas Resorts at 1-888-323-4294 or visit http://www.velasresorts.com.
About Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit: Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit, an all-suites and spa resort located just 15 minutes north of Puerto Vallarta on Banderas Bay, is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World and a recipient of the AAA Five-Diamond Award. The resort features 267 spacious ocean-view suites. The crown jewel of the resort and a member of Leading Spas of the World, the Spa at Grand Velas features 20 treatment rooms, over 60 spa treatments, gym and exercise room, spa boutique and beauty salon. The family-friendly resort also offers tiered three-temperature infinity pools, tennis court, 25,321 total sq feet of meeting space and a Kids Club. Nearby are championship golf courses, numerous options for soft adventure, and the charming town of Puerto Vallarta with its many shops, art galleries and nightlife. Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit has received numerous accolades within the industry, including most recently as one of Forbes’ 10 Coolest All-Inclusive Resorts
February 8th, 2013 at 6:14 am
Yesterday was the birth date of Justo Sierra Mendez, a great man who was very important in founding of the National University of Mexico – better known as UNAM. You can read more about him here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justo_Sierra
February 8th, 2013 at 7:02 am
Magazine’s Reader Survey Ranks Grand Velas Riviera Maya and Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit
Amongst Mexico’s Top Resorts
Mexico’s “Beyond All Inclusive, Beyond All Compare” Grand Velas Resorts in Riviera Maya and Riviera Nayarit are honored as top resorts by Travel & Leisure readers in the 2013 T+L 500 List of Best Hotels in the World. Grand Velas Riviera Maya on Mexico’s Caribbean Coast and Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit on the country’s Pacific Coast rank as two of 20 resorts named to the list in Mexico. This is the first time being selected for both Grand Velas Resorts. Chosen by readers, the list is a compendium of the highest-ranking hotels and resorts worldwide, based on data collected in the Travel + Leisure 2012 World’s Best Awards readers’ survey.
“We are deeply honored our resorts have been recognized as two of the world’s best,” says Juan Vela, Vice President of Operations of Velas Resorts, “We are thankful to our loyal guests and committed staff who helped make this happen.”
“We are especially proud to make our debut on Travel + Leisure’s 500 List of Best Hotels in the World,” said Fernando Garcia Rossette, Managing Director for the Grand Velas Resorts. “It will be another banner year for our resorts thanks to our staff; the award coming on the heels of Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit’s 10th Anniversary, another AAA Five Diamond rating, two Condé Nast Traveler’s Reader’s Choice Awards and Grand Velas Riviera Maya’s inclusion in Forbes’ roundup of the 10 Coolest All-Inclusive Resorts.”
About Grand Velas Riviera Maya:
The AAA Five Diamond Grand Velas Riviera Maya, an all-suites and spa resort located five minutes from Playa del Carmen, is the latest and most sophisticated iteration of the ultra-luxury, all-inclusive resort experience. This Leading Hotels of the World designated resort is the preeminent one of its class boasting 491 suites, each more than 1,000 square-feet, in three separate ambiances– premium ocean-front Grand Class Suites with terrace plunge pools for families with children 12 and up, family-friendly ocean-view Ambassador Suites and Zen Grand Suites embraced by the flora and fauna of the Yucatan Peninsula’s jungle. The resort presents a gastronomic tour of the Yucatan, Europe and Asia offering seven restaurants with world-class chefs from France, Spain and Mexico; dedicated butler service for each guest, and the region’s largest spa sanctuary at over 89,000 square-feet specializing in signature treatments inspired by ancient cultures from around the world. The spa was named “Best Spa” in the world by Virtuoso and also earned a SpaFinder Readers’ Choice Award. The resort was designed by lauded Mexican architecture firm Elias and Elias and features the sleek and modish interiors that fuse the serenity of the Caribbean with the vibrancy of Yucatan cultures.
About Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit:
Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit, an all-suites and spa resort located just 15 minutes north of Puerto Vallarta on Banderas Bay, is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World and a recipient of the AAA Five-Diamond Award. The resort features 267 spacious ocean-view suites. The crown jewel of the resort and a member of Leading Spas of the World, the Spa at Grand Velas features 20 treatment rooms, over 60 spa treatments, gym and exercise room, spa boutique and beauty salon. The family-friendly resort also offers tiered three-temperature infinity pools, tennis court, 25,321 total sq feet of meeting space and a Kids Club. Nearby are championship golf courses, numerous options for soft adventure, and the charming town of Puerto Vallarta with its many shops, art galleries and nightlife.
February 8th, 2013 at 7:31 am
By: MP News Staff
Mexico is quickly being recognized as a hub for emerging contemporary art but also is noted for its rich history or traditional art. Mexico Boutique Hotels, a full service online hotel collection specializing in extraordinary boutique properties, highlights tucked away hotels that incorporate art in various ways, from art galleries exhibited within the hotel, art tour packages, recommendations for local galleries and more.
Hacienda San Ángel – Puerto Vallarta:
The 16-room Hacienda San Angel located in downtown Puerto Vallarta, is a restoration masterpiece of several classic-style houses overlooking the expansive Banderas Bay. The hotel houses a vast and prestigious collection of antiques, one-of-a-kind artifacts, and authentic artwork from large original oil paintings circa 1560 through mid 1900’s, and other exquisite rare relics. Downtown Puerto Vallarta has a number of art galleries featuring contemporary local artists. A popular Art Walk is hosted every Wednesdays from 6-10pm (October to April) highlighting two of the hotels favorite spots, including Galeria Uno a pioneer in the PA art world, and Galeria Pacifio, known for exhibiting art from Mexico City, Oaxaca and Guadalajara.
Hacienda de los Santos – Alamos:
Relax in a beautifully restored 17th century 27-room hacienda just blocks from the main plaza, mercado and cathedral in the colonial gem of Alamos. The elegant property also features three swimming pools, two putting greens, a theater, a Revolution-era cantina and a full-service spa. The Hacienda is a Mecca for art and architecture students with seminars often held by experts in various fields. Local artists frequently paint at the hotel, among them Richard Murphy, Catherine Callingham and Millard Davidson. In addition, the hacienda houses one of the finest private collections of retablos in Mexico, with prominent religious pieces from statues, to Ex-Votos and oil paintings dating back to 1500’s with a selection for sale in the Galeria. The well-known Mexican wood carver, Augustin Parra, created several carved mirrors for the suites, as well as two large gilt figures for the stage of the Teatro.
La Quinta Luna – Cholula:
La Quinta Luna is a 17th-century mansion converted into a beautifully intimate seven-room retreat located in Cholula, the American continent’s oldest city. The hotel features a gallery of over 40 original contemporary artworks by renown Mexican artists including Federico Silva, José Lazcarro, Gerardo Brito Ramos, Fernando Camino, Raymundo Sesma, José Bairo, Mario Benedetti, Germán Montalvo, and many others. The hotel can arrange the sale of work directly with the artist from oil painting, prints, lithographs, to sculptures. In addition, the hotel offers an Art Tour package starting at $395 including accommodation. The tour includes visits to talavera pottery workshops and studios of contemporary artists along with an a la carte dinner at the hotel’s acclaimed La Antigua Capilla restaurant.
Mesón Sacristía de la Compañía – Puebla:
This intimate eight-room 19th century colonial hotel is located in the heart of Puebla’s historic center. The property itself acts a gallery where all the décor and furnishings from fine antiques, reproductions, and traditional crafts can be purchased. The galleries currently shows works from the famous painter Jalicience Chucho Herrera, Jose Maria Velazco, Jesus Reyes Ferrerira and other international artists. In addition, Meson offers an “Art Experience” package that includes six nights in a Junior Suite, a 15-hour in- studio workshop in Talavera pottery making including materials, passes to two prominent museums in Puebla, a tour of the historic center, daily breakfast, ans lunch or dinner in Meson Sacristía de la Compañía Restaurant. The package starts at $1,300 per couple, tax included.
To experience these or any of Mexico Boutique Hotels’ stylish properties, call 1.855.223.6061 (US and Canada) or visit http://www.mexicoboutiquehotels.com.
About Mexico Boutique Hotels:
Established in 1999, MBH is a collection of upscale, independent member properties (located in 25 destinations throughout Mexico) handpicked for their intimacy, high level of service and outstanding attributes. Some are housed in exquisitely restored buildings, others are paeans to Mexican cuisine, still others showcase the sleekly modern–but they each encourage guests to savor the many fascinating traditions of this vast country, and all offer guests a unique travel experience. Typically less than 30 rooms in size, they are often destinations unto themselves. Based in Puerto Vallarta, MBH is staffed by an experienced team of multicultural—and multilingual—travel and hospitality professionals who both live and work in Mexico.
February 8th, 2013 at 8:03 am
Beautifully designed large-format cards combine entertainment, culture and history while supporting Mexico’s indigenous communities
Bend, OR (January 1, 2012) – Decorated with beautiful reproductions of Mayan words by renowned artist John Hillmer, the VozMaya cards combine works of art on one side with a bite-sized lesson in Maya, Spanish, and the English translation on the other. Used to play the lotería, or Mexican bingo game, they open a window into an ancient culture while becoming a colorful new addition to the usual parlor games—it’s edutainment at its best! “The ‘Year of the Maya’ has introduced the world at large to many fascinating aspects of this ancient civilization,” says creator Jane Custer, longtime Mexicophile and current e-learning Editorial Manager for Mexico and Latin America at travAllianceMedia. “Many people might not be aware, though, that the Maya are still very much alive and very much a part of the vibrant cultural tapestry of Mexico.”
Rich in history, many of these indigenous communities are quite poor by today’s standards. Besides the wonderful entertainment aspect of VozMaya, Custer’s intent is to give these communities a voz, a voice, and assist them in supporting themselves and continuing to enrich the modern world. After covering overhead costs, 50% of the profits from VozMaya go directly to the native people of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.
Custer’s interest in Mexico’s Mayan culture dates back to 2006, when she was invited to join the World Heritage Alliance, a project combining the resources of the United Nations Foundation in Washington DC, and Expedia in Seattle, to promote travel to UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This project had the larger goal of supporting the communities (mostly indigenous in Mexico’s case) that surround these awesome cultural and natural sites. They launched their efforts in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, home to 5 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Sadly the organization dissolved, but Custer’s desire to assist the Maya communities did not. “There are many things that you can bring home following a trip to the Yucatan: tequila, t-shirts and Mexican handcrafts, just to name a few,” she says. “As a gift for yourself or for others, VozMaya is unique in that it offers entertainment as it educates you in the rich Mayan culture and history, hopefully sparking a curiosity to learn even more. Plus, thanks to the whimsical designs of John Hillmer, they truly are a work of art.”
The cultural value of VozMaya cards has been recognized by several prestigious museums including the University of Pennsylvania’s Penn Museum; Mexico City’s Museo Nacional de Antropología; Long Beach, California’s Museum of Latin American Art; and the Denver Art Museum, where they are on sale in their carefully curated gift shops. You may also purchase them online at http://www.vozmaya.com For more details and information, please contact Jane Custer at jcuster@vozmaya.com
February 8th, 2013 at 8:57 am
by Ron Mader
Happy 2013! Here are free calendars for downloading and printing.
Tip: For those interested in learning how to make the most of the social web and who are interested in responsible, conscious ecotourism, check out the All Travel is Local Workshop in Oaxaca de Juárez, March 18-22.
February 8th, 2013 at 9:04 am
DALLAS, Dec. 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — It’s already time to put a bow on Spring Break travel plans and set sights South of the Border as Southwest Airlines and wholly owned subsidiary AirTran Airways announced today new international flights between Denver International Airport and SJD Los Cabos International Airport in Baja California, Mexico.
AirTran daily service on the new route begins March 10, 2013, and is open for sale now at both airtran.com and southwest.com with introductory fares as low as $189 one-way. These fares must be booked by 11:59 p.m. PST on Jan. 1, 2013, for travel between March 12, 2013, and April 24, 2013 (sale fare valid for travel Tuesdays and Wednesdays). See full fare rules below.
“As we continue preparations to connect the Southwest and AirTran route networks beginning early next year, we are excited to add another nonstop travel option to Mexico alongside our strong portfolio of domestic nonstop service in Denver,” said Bob Jordan, Southwest Airlines’ Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer and AirTran Airways President. AirTran began nonstop flights between Denver and Cancun in April.
AirTran Airways also currently serves SJD Los Cabos International Airport with daily service to/from Orange County (increasing to twice-daily as of June 2, 2013) and has flights between other destinations in the US and both Cancun and Mexico City.
Southwest Airlines began service to Denver on Jan. 3, 2006, with 13 daily departures to three destinations. The airline currently operates 163 daily flights to 54 destinations from Denver. Southwest recently demonstrated its LUV for the state of Colorado by dedicating Colorado One, a specialty aircraft painted with the colors of the Colorado state flag. Southwest also is actively engaged in the community through sponsorships of the Downtown Denver Partnership, the Denver Nuggets, Red Rocks Amphitheater, Denver’s Road Home, the Mile High Pedicab Company, and many more local organizations. To learn more about Southwest’s dedication to Denver, visit: southwest.com/denver .
February 8th, 2013 at 9:41 am
Order includes six 787s plus reconfirmation rights for four additional 787s
Boeing (NYSE: BA) and Aeromexico (BMV: AEROMEX) finalized an order for six 787 Dreamliners, with reconfirmation rights for four additional Dreamliners. The firm order by Mexico’s largest airline, which was first announced as a commitment in July, is valued at more than $1.2 billion at published list prices.
“The acquisitions of these Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, that are part of the set of 100 aircrafts announced previous this year, represent a fundamental step that strengthens the international position and leadership of Grupo Aeromexico. It also reaffirms the company’s commitment to provide the best service to our clients, assuring them that they will be treated with the best crew and will fly with the best aircraft ever built,” said Andres Conesa, Aeromexico’s CEO.
Andres Conesa also stated that: “With this successful purchase, Grupo Aeromexico will have a total of 19 Boeing 787 Dreamliners in its fleet, whose first delivery is expected to be in the summer of 2013. The arrival of these aircrafts will surely increase the added value of our assets and will also reinforce our operative structure, giving us the flexibility to continue growing.”
“Aeromexico continues to show it is a leader in aviation in Latin America and across the globe,” said Van Rex Gallard, Vice President of Sales for Latin America, Africa, & Caribbean, for Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “These additional 787s will help Mexico’s largest airline expand its international presence with a stellar product for its valued customers. The Dreamliner will allow Aeromexico to provide the highest level of service to its passengers, while taking advantage of the airplane’s unmatched economics.”
Made primarily from composite materials, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner is the first mid-size airplane capable of flying long-range routes and will allow Aeromexico to replace older aircraft on its European, Asian and South American routes. As a result of innovative technologies, the airplane offers unparalleled operating economics, fuel efficiency and passenger comfort. More than 800 787s are on order by 58 customers, a testament to the airplane’s unique capabilities.
Aeromexico operates an all-Boeing fleet for airplanes larger than 100 seats. Grupo Aeromexico, the parent company of Aeromexico, operates its main hub out of the Mexico City International Airport. In 2011 the Group transported more than 14 million passengers and offered close to 600 daily flights to different cities in Mexico, the United States, Canada, Central and South America, as well as Europe and Asia.
About Grupo Aeromexico
Grupo Aeromexico, S.A.B. de C.V., is a holding company whose subsidiaries are engaged in commercial aviation in Mexico and the promotion of passenger loyalty programs. It has a fleet of Boeing 777, 767, 737 and the latest models of Embraer 145, 170 and 190. As of 2011, an important expansion plan began that includes the incorporation of 20 new planes and properties over the next 24 months. In 2012, Aeromexico announced that it signed a letter of intent to purchase 100 Boeing aircraft, 90 Boeing 737 Max and 10 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, making it the largest investment program in Mexican aviation history.
Grupo Aeromexico operates its main hub out of Terminal 2 in the Mexico City International Airport. The Group’s airlines operate around 600 daily flights to different cities in Mexico, the United States, Canada, Central and South America, as well as Europe and Asia.
Aeromexico is a founding member of SkyTeam, the global airline alliance comprised of the following 19 airlines: Aeroflot, Aerolineas Argentinas, Air Europa, Air France, Alitalia, China Airlines, China Eastern, China Southern, CSA Czech Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Kenya Airways, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Korean Air, Middle East Airlines, Saudia, TAROM Romanian Air Transport, Vietnam Airlines and Xiamen Air. SkyTeam offers all partner airline passengers a large global network with more destinations and frequencies, and improved connectivity. Passengers can accrue and redeem miles with the different partners’ loyalty programs and enjoy the convenience provided at 525 airport lounges worldwide. SkyTeam offers its 552 million annual passengers more than 15,000 daily flights to 1,000 destinations in 187 countries. http://www.skyteam.com