Mexico News: Mexico Increases Travel Police Force

Mexico is in the process of increasing the travel police in order to grow its tourist traffic. Police agents from Tijuana, Playas de Rosarito and Ensenada completed a one day training course in San Diego.Read about it here.

What do you think about the new changes? Positive? Negative?

By: Cara Gourley

Mexico Food: "Ponche con Piquete"

"Ponche con Piquete" is the traditional drink consumed during the Christmas time in Mexico. Its name means "Punch that stings."

In order to make this traditional Mexican beverage, you will need apples, pears, oranges, guava, grapes, tejocotes, tangerines, prunes, raisins, cinnamon and sugar cane.

Boil a large pot of water and add the fruit, which should be cut into medium sized chunks. Let it simmer for about 30 minutes. Peel the sugar cane and cinnamon and add it to the mix. Let the mixture boil for a few minutes and then move it back down to a simmer for another 40 minutes. Make sure to stir the mixture every once an a while. Once the fruit is soft and the punch is a brownish color, the Ponche con Piquete is ready.

A lot of people add a shot of brandy or rum to their Ponche con Piquete!

By: Cara Gourley

Mexico History: Los Posadas in Mexico

No room in the inn? Well, at least not during the first few times the children ask during the journey the nine nights before December 25th. Los Posadas, where participants reenact Mary and Joseph's search for a place to stay, is a yearly Christmas tradition in Mexico.

Los Posadas lasts from December 16th to the 24th and on each night during the celebration, neighborhood families choose a house which will host the Posada, which means inn or shelters in Spanish. The homes are decorated with a nativity scene and the home owners act as the innkeepers. The neighborhood children carry candles and sing simple choir songs while symbolically looking for an inn to stay in. Two of the children lead, carrying Los Peregrinos, which are small statues representing Mary and Joseph with the donkey. Musicians and the neighborhood follow the children.

The children ask three times if there is room in the inn and they are told there is not. Finally, the doors open and the "innkeepers" welcome the group into the house. Everyone prays by the nativity scene and then the fun begins.

For the children, there is a Piñata, filled with goodies such as oranges, sugar cane, and peanuts. They take turns singing chants while trying to break the Piñata. For the adults there is food, music, and games. Ponche con Piquete, a traditional hot drink made out of seasonal fruits and cinnamon, is served, sometimes with a shot of an alcoholic spirit.

The last Posada, on December 24th, is followed by a midnight mass.

The length of the event is nine days, symbolizing the nine months Mary carried the baby Jesus in her womb.

For more about Mexico, visit All About Mexico!

By: Cara Gourley

Mexico History: Night of the Radishes in Oaxaca

Oaxaca's celebrates the "Night of the Radishes" or La Noche de Rábanos, an unique art showing in which extremely large radishes are carved into elaborate sculptures, on December 23rd each year.

How the festival started is still unknown, but Night of the Radishes is believed to stem from when the Spanish Conquers introduced the native people to vegetables such as the radish. Radishes were then sold at the Christmas Eve markets and competing vendors began to create radish figures in order to distinguish themselves. Over time, locals were not looking to complement their Christmas dinner, but instead to use the radish designs to decorate for the holiday. The Night of the Radishes is said to have been first held in 1897, under the leadership of the mayor at the time, Francisco Flores Vasconcelos.

People from all over the valley bring their largest radishes, grown for months in preparation, that have been carved into nativity scenes, saints, buildings and any other imaginable design to the Zócalo (the main square in Oaxaca). Thousands of people go to the Zócalo to look at the wooden tables filled with scenes that have been constructed with care.

The sculptures in Noche de Rábano are not simply radishes, but art pieces created in pain staking detail. Prizes are awarded to the best and most creative designs. The awarding takes place at 9pm, but lines to walk the ramps around the tables of radish figures start up to 5 hours before.

The event is a celebration. Street vendors and restaurants sell delicious buñuelos, which are similar to a fried pancake. Children play in the street and even compete in their own radish carving contest.

The next days are marked by Christmas parades, which precede a grand fiesta and the traditional Christmas dinner. On this night many people flock to the zócalo to watch the parades, a fireworks display and to get a close up look at the extravagant floats.

For more information about Oaxaca's history, visit All About Oaxaca.

Have you ever been to Night of the Radishes? If so, please tell us about it!

By: Cara Gourley

Mexico Vacations: Planning to see the Monarch butterflies in Michoacán

Each winter, millions of tiny Monarch butterflies migrate to the warmer weather in Mexico. From November to March, these delicate insects fill the forests of Central Mexico with their beauty. Many say the sight of the butterflies covering the branches of the fir trees cannot even described, it must be seen.

January and February are popular months to visit the area because the Monarch population is at a peak at this time, however the weekends do get crowded.

There are several reserves that offer tourists a chance to wander in the forests enchanted by these small creatures. The El RosarioButterfly Reserve, one of the most popular, is in the state of Michoacán, located 130 miles west of Mexico City. Sierra Chincua Reserve is in the town of Angangueo, also in Michoacán.

If you intend on visiting the reserves there are a few things to note. The visit requires a lot of hiking through the forests that the butterflies live in so make sure that you are in good shape. Bring hiking shoes as you most likely be walking a few miles. Most reserves also offer a chance for you to rent horses to go horseback riding through the trails. However, there will still be places that you will have to walk. Also, the morning are cool in the higher altitudes so a few extra layers would be good to wear during this time. Once you are on the trails there aren't places to buy water, so make sure you get some before you go. Stay on the paths and watch your step. The Monarchs are every where and you do not want to crush them.

A few companies offer Monarch butterfly exclusive trips where they take you to several reserves. If you do not feel comfortable traveling on your own and would rather be in a group with a tour guide, this is a very good option.

However, the small town of Angangueo offers many affordable hotels for tourists coming to see the butterflies. Zitácuaro is a slightly bigger town, but farther from the reserves, that also offers reasonable accommodations. If you are up for a longer drive, staying in Mexico City would also be an option.

For more about attractions in Mexico, visit All About Mexico.

Have you been to the butterfly reserves? Tell us about it!

By: Cara Gourley

Photo: ©iStockphoto.com/GVphotography

Share Your Spring Break in Mexico Stories!

Here are All About Mexico, we love to hear from our readers! Share your stories about the places in Mexico you visited during Spring Break!

Mexico Vacations: Planning your Spring Break in Mexico

A lot of people expect Spring Break to be spontaneous; however, in order to have a successful Spring Break takes planning. But that doesn’t mean you can’t experience that wonderful spontaneity to once you have landed in Mexico and checked into the hotel! You should start planning your trip around 4 months before you go. That way you make sure you have secured the best Spring Break deals and don't have to worry about anything last minute.

First, you need to get a group of people interested in traveling with you. It’s a lot more fun to celebrate Spring Break in Mexico with your friends. Usually, a lot of hotels or travel services offer discounts for group travel. Student City and STS Travel are all examples of companies that work with student groups. You should come up with a budget for your group. Knowing what everyone is willing to pay for your Spring Break of a life time helps you know where you want to go, where you will be staying, and how you will be getting there.

Then you need to come up with where you want to go. Mexico is one of the most diverse travel destinations. There is something for everyone! Make sure to research where you are going and look into all the activities of the location you decide on. Find a place that fits your personality. If you are a beach buddy, choose somewhere with a lot of beach. If you are a party person, make sure there is an abundant nightlife! Here are some of the premier Mexico Spring Break Destinations:

• Acapulco: Acapulco has topped the list of Spring Break destinations for years. And for a good reason. Acapulco offers some of the best beaches in Mexico, great options for activities like boating and fishing, as well as some of the best known parties. Acapulco offers the spectacle of the famous cliff drivers and it is the location for MTV's Spring Break 2010!
• Cabo San Lucas: This sunny western Mexican Spring Break destination offers miles of the best beaches for you to work on that tan as well as warm water for those who love to go swimming. Cabo is great for watersports and also offers a selection of great golf courses, including a few by Jack Nicklaus. It also has a healthy nightlife and spectacular accommodations. The average day for a Cabo Spring Breaker includes beach bathing in the 80 degree sun!
• Cancun: Cancun is a name synonymous with Spring Break Party. Thousands of college students flock each year to this sunny beach city for its famous nightlife and party atmosphere. Famous clubs like The City and Coco Bongo bring in world famous acts to perform. For those day-time adventurers, Cancun holds a whole world of possibilities. Popular attractions in scuba diving and snorkeling. Also, a few hours out of town can take to you famous Mayan ruins (It's two and a half hours to the famous Chichen Itza). And of course a chance to swim with the dolphins!
• Mazatlan: For those looking to spend their time relaxing on the beach, Mazatlan offers one of the longest stretches of uninterrupted sandy beach in all of Mexico. There are beaches of every kind (from populated hotel beaches to those that are almost secluded) and you can even take a day trip to the beaches on one of the nearby islands! Mazatlan offers a picturesque downtown, complete with vintage mansions and town plazas. If you need a break from the beach, watersports and other sports activities are found abundantly in Mazatlan. And it offers great deals.
• Puerto Vallarta: This "friendliest city" offers one of the best Spring Break Destinations. Here in Puerto Vallarta you will find a extensive list of both daytime and nighttime activities. The cobble-stone streets of the town provide the feeling of a small seaside village, but the town is all from quaint offering great restaurants, museums and shopping. Lush green mountains and 26 miles of beaches surround Puerto Vallarta.

Next, you should look into how you are going to get there! You can drive, fly, or take a bus! Or even better - you can take a Spring Break Cruise! A lot of US airlines fly into Mexico such as Continental, American Airlines, Delta, Frontier and Jet Blue as well as other international airlines including Air France, Air Canada and British Airways. Mexico's airlines, Mexicana and Aeromexico, also have an abundance of international flights.

Then you need to know where you are going to stay. There are a lot of options in Mexico for Accommodations. Hotels, Resorts, Villas and Timeshares all open their arms for Spring Breakers. Also a lot of companies geared towards Spring Break offer deals that include flight and hotels.

Spring Break Accommodation Terms to know:

• All Inclusive: A lot of Mexican resorts offer all-inclusive options. This means that all of your food and drinks are included with the price of the hotel room.If you plan to be partying a lot, this is definitely the way to go. Besides, you don't have to worry about carrying a lot of cash on you.
• Villas: A villa is usually a house that is available for rent. If you are traveling with a group, this can be a good way to spilt the cost. What's better than having your own house for the break?A lot of villa companies, such as this one, offer the full experience, including maids, massages, personal chefs and other luxury services!

Once it is time to go on your vacation, pack appropriately for the warm weather (don't forget your bathing-suit!) and bring all your documents (Passports are needed for US travelers into Mexico!). Make sure someone at home knows the details of where you are staying and how to reach you incase of an emergency. Also, don't forget to have the time of your life.

And the number one tip for Spring Break in Mexico: Don't forget to bring your sunscreen. There is nothing attractive (or more painful) about being the burned lobster of the group.

By: Cara Gourley

Mexico Deals: 2 for 1 Cover Charge at Bora Bora Beach Club in Mazatlan

2 for 1 on your Cover Charge. MAZATLAN CYBER COUPON Please present coupon at time of purchase. Presented courtesy of Bora Bora Beach Club FIESTA LAND and AllAboutMazatlán.com
No limit on number of guests. Not valid on open bar or with any other promotion