New Three-Cat Monolith Found Outside Mexico City

Posted by & filed under Colonial Cities, Culture, Mexico City, News.

#MexicoToday: It seems that the ancient people of Chalcatzingo, located about 60 miles south of Mexico City, fostered some serious artists. Since the 1930’s, more than 40 large stone carvings have been found in the area in which they lived. Just recently, a new five foot by three-and-a-half foot carving has been discovered, which has been deemed “spectacular” by archeologists familiar with these types of works. The carving depicts three felines, thought to be either jaguars or mountain lions, who are reported to have supernatural traits such as “flamed eyebrows,” associated with the ancient Olmec customs.

The Chalcatzingo, who flourished around 1500 to 400 B.C., were not technically Olmecs themselves, but it is believed that the Chalcatzingo traded heavily with the Olmecs and adopted many of their customs and beliefs. While several of the carvings found in the Chalcatzingo region do contain Olmec symbols, however, the Chalcatzingo carvings differ in that they were usually carved as raised figures on a flat background (as shown in the image above). The Olmec works, in contrast, were usually carved as three-dimensional sculptures.

Interestingly enough, this new-found carving, deemed the “Triad of Felines” by its finders, is believed to be just a piece in a much larger display. Scientists are theorizing that the Triad of Felines was a part of a massive frieze built into the Chalcatzingo hill, which overlooks the region. The frieze is thought to have served as sort of a “spiritual billboard” along a pilgrimage route up the countryside.

Month after month, the ancient cultures of Mexico continue to offer fresh insight into their cultures through artifacts like this Triad of Felines. Archeological travel enthusiasts have been rejoicing as this discovery comes just months after two sculptures of Mayan Warriors were discovered at Toniná and new photographs were taken inside an ancient tomb at Palenque, continually exemplifying the profound travel experiences available in Mexico today.

You can read more about the Triad of Felines at National Geographic

 

2012 Tianguis to be Held in Puerto Vallarta

Posted by & filed under Culture, News, Puerto Vallarta & Punta Mita, Tourism Tianguis, Upcoming Travel.

After several months of debate, it’s official – Mexico’s annual Tianguis Turistico will be held in Puerto Vallarta next year. Tianguis is the most important travel trade show in Mexico, providing a unique business arena where domestic and international purchasers are able to meet with over 500 Mexican tourism service providers. The 2012 Tianguis will be the first time the event has been held outside the city of Acapulco since the event’s inception, and the city of Puerto Vallarta couldn’t be happier about the decision.

Earlier today, The Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita tweeted: “We are so proud Riv Nayarit & Puerto Vallarta won for be the host of the 2012 Tianguis Turistico!! Worked so hard for this,” reflecting the buzz that has quickly engulfed the media outlets of Puerto Vallarta and the Riviera Nyarit, the new hot spot of Mexico’s Pacific Coast. The P.V. Mirror, one of Puerto Vallarta’s top print/online news sources recently posted on Facebook: “We beat 18 other destinations (including Cancún, Mazatlán, Querétaro, Guadalajara, Monterrey, and Mexico City) to host the biggest tourism trade fair in Mexico – The Tianguis!!! Congratulations to all concerned and involved!”

Although booming with expats (Puerto Vallarta was recently named the number one place to retire abroad by the AARP), Puerto Vallarta has seen a decline in tourism over the past few years due to the relentless negative reports about Mexico pouring out of US media. It seems you can’t keep a good city down, however, as Puerto Vallarta has been chosen to host a portion of the 16th chapter of the Pan American Games later this year and now looks forward to hosting the 10,000+ buyers expected to attend the 2012 Tianguis as well.

The primary Journey Mexico office has been located in Puerto Vallarta since the company originally moved to Mexico in 2006, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome the Tianguis and its participants into our beautiful home on the sea!

Travel Authorities Comment on Safety in Mexico

Posted by & filed under Health and Safety.

Travel Experts Talk Safety in Mexico

Peter Greenberg, a highly regarded authority in the international travel industry, posted an article titled Is it Safe to Travel to Mexico Now? on his blog a few weeks ago in which he and Robert Reid, U.S. travel editor for Lonely Planet, discussed the current state of Mexico in regards to safety and tourism.

Both Greenberg and Reid travel to Mexico frequently and their conversation offers some great insight into the matter (you should definitely read the entire article), but I just want to point out some of the stand-out quotes I came across.

  • Robert Reid: “You need to consider that Mexico is about the size of Western Europe. There’s an area that’s bigger than Britain and Ireland that is not on the travel warnings.”

  • Robert Reid: “The Washington Post had an article last year that the homicide rate in our nation’s capital is four times greater than Mexico City.”

  • Peter Greenberg: “Look at Cozumel. It is probably the most popular cruise ship port in the world. And yet anytime somebody hiccups the cruise ships say we’re pulling out of Mazatlan or we’re pulling out of Cozumel. Guess what happens a week later? They’re back. It’s so fickle and capricious. It’s not based on real facts. It’s based on fear.”

  • Robert Reid: “During the swine flu crisis a couple of years ago, some cruise ships stopped going to places like Puerto Vallarta, where there were no reported cases of the swine flu. Instead, the ships went to places like San Francisco where there were reported cases of swine flu. It is worth listening closely to reports.”

  • Peter Greenberg: “I’ll call a spade a spade here, Mexico has been seen in an almost racist way by Americans for so many years. They imagine dusty border towns, guys wearing sombreros and doing shoot ‘em ups. They see it how it was portrayed in the movies. If you couple that perception with the drug cartels or with the swine flu or with select crime reports, suddenly everybody starts running for the border.”

  • Robert Reid: “I’m in this business because of Mexico. I think it is an asset to be close to such a diverse, wonderful and friendly country. I’m sad that more people don’t take advantage of it.”

  • Peter Greenberg: “Isn’t it ironic that we’re talking about crime and murder in Mexico and I’ve spent so much of the year enjoying the ocean, the beaches and the beautiful sunsets in Mexico?”

On the Road: A Tweet-Up in Mazatlan

Posted by & filed under Media, On the Road.

Journey Mexico in Mazatlan

This past weekend, I was invited to a “Tweet-up” in Mazatlan (sponsored by the Mexico Tourism Board) to showcase the destination in a positive way through the power of social media. Mazatlan, on Mexico’s Pacific Coast, was the only major beach destination in Mexico I’ve not yet had the chance to explore, so I was excited about the opportunity. For those not familiar with the concept of a Tweet-up, there are actually several variations of how these events can take place. The most common is when friends on Twitter get together in real life for some sort of event. Our Tweet-up was a little different as many of us invited to Mazatlan had not yet interacted on Twitter, so the focus of the event was to bring us all together to celebrate Mazatlan through a weekends worth of collective Tweets using the hashtag #wevisitmexico.

The weekend itinerary planned for our small yet widely diverse group of tweeters included nightly dinners at some of Mazatlan’s most iconic restaurants and several adventure excursion options. I’ve never been much of the adventurous type while on vacation (I’ve zip-lined in Puerto Vallarta and snorkeled in Cozumel, but that’s about as “extreme” as I’ve ever gotten). One of our day tour options was an ATV expedition and although I’ve never been particularly interested in ATVs and that almost every Mexican beach destination offers some sort of ATV tour, it was either that or another zip-line excursion. I’ve been several zip-line tours already (which, come to think of it, were pretty adventurous) so in the interest of trying something new, I went for the ATVs.

four-wheeling in Mazatlan

The ATV excursion was awesome! We were a small group of 4, cruising through the terrains of Mazatlan: dirt, rocks, rivers, fields, and even through the small colonial town of La Noria (where we stopped to see a leather factory and old church.) To my surprise, driving the countryside on an ATV (loud as ATVs are) brought me a sense of tranquility. It was like a nice hike through the park or bicycle ride through the mountains – but without all the dreadful exercise! As I passed by field workers who waved and smiled and an old cowboy on horseback nodding to say hello, I was able to clear my mind and appreciate the beauty of the land and the hospitality of the people around me. It was an experience I will never forget, and I regret not having taken part of it sooner. I can only imagine how amazing it would be to ATV through the sandy desert of Baja California Sur or through the Sierra Madre Mountains on the Pacific Coast. The ATV tour definitely left me with a new desire to try more “adventure-like” opportunities as the arise.

The day after ATVing, we took a private yacht to Deer Island, a semi-private beach filled with various water-activities. Again, things like fishing, snorkeling, jet-skiing are all activities I usually dodge; however, the ATV tour definitely left me with a new-found desire to try more “adventure-like” opportunities as the arise, so I both literally and figuratively “dove right in.” The waters of Mazatlan were beautiful and, best of all, I didn’t drown or have a panic attack! It really felt great to step outside my comfort zone and let myself go.

I definitely left Mazatlan with a new level of confidence in myself, which, combined with my unending appreciation for the incredible nature of Mexico, has me aiming high for future adventures. I figure with a few more adventure excursions under my belt, I’ll be ready for next year’s Copper Canynon Semana Santa Trek in April, which looks both intense and amazing.

No matter how much time I spend in Mexico and no matter how many regions I visit, there’s always something yet to discover. This is, without a doubt, my favorite aspect about this country. I went into this weekend not knowing much about Mazatlan and like most everyone else, all I’ve read about the city lately is that their cruise ships have decided to skip the city for the remainder of the year. Yet after just three days in Mazatlan, I can confidently say to anyone that it’s a safe and gorgeous city of culture, of adventure, and of beautiful and warm people. When I think about our experience in Mazatlan, I’m reminded of Mexico’s new slogan: “Mexico, The Place You Thought You Knew,” which is especially fitting as I know there are many who have a wildly misconceived idea of not just Mazatlan, but many of the cities of Mexico that I’ve come to love.

Mexico Awarded Best Destination Day Spa in the World by Travel + Leisure Readers

Posted by & filed under Los Cabos & Baja Californias, Luxury, News, Travel + Leisure, Whale Watching.

Mexico in Travel + Leisure's Reader's Choise Awards

The 2011 Word’s Best Awards mark the 16th consecutive year where Travel + Leisure has polled it’s massive database of readers, allowing them to determine the best hotels, cities, spas, and more. For the second year in a row, Rancho La Puerta in Baja Californa was named the Best Destination Day Spa in the World in this year’s Travel + Leisure: World’s Best Awards readers’ survey.

Originally opened in 1940 in a sheltered valley only an hour’s drive from San Diego, California, Rancho La Puerta quickly became the paradigm of all multi-day “destination spa” vacations that encompass health and wellness for mind, body and spirit. The property encompasses over 3,000 acres of land and includes world-class landscaped gardens, an organic farm, an internationally known cooking school, and mountainsides and meadows of great hiking and walking experiences. For more information about Rancho La Puerta, visit www.rancholapuerta.com.

Also making one of this year’s Travel + Leisure: World’s Best lists was the One & Only Palmilla, Los Cabos, also in Baja California. The One & Only Palmilla was voted number 48 in the World’s 50 Best Hotels list, and for good reason. The One & Only Palmilla was designed with one thing in mind: Luxury. To quote Travel + Leisure, “At the tip of Mexico’s Baja peninsula, One & Only Palmilla takes moonlight serenades seriously. The 172-room resort can arrange a Latin guitar trio to strum ballads on sandy coves facing the Sea of Cortés, atop a historic bell tower, or in a Casa Gardenia suite. For families, there’s a meandering river that connects the kids’ pool to an infinity pool overlooking the sea. Ride horses on the beach—on of the safest in Los Cabos for swimming—then kick back in red-tiled suites with shaded daybeds, ideal for siesta.”

Several other Mexican resorts and hotels were chosen for regional awards, featured in the cover story of the August issue of Travel + Leisure magazine, which hit newsstands July 22nd.

A True Oaxaca Alebrije

Posted by & filed under Culture, Media, Mexico Today, Oaxaca, On the Road.

dragon alebrije in oaxaca

#MexicoToday – During our recent visit to Oaxaca for the Mexico Today program, Chase and I experienced a  total cultural immersion. Visiting the ruins of Mitla, learning about Zapotec ancestry and experiencing La Calenda and La Guelaguezta – every minute of the trip our senses were captivated. The sights of all the colorful dresses, the sounds of the band leading the parade, the taste of the finest Oaxaca cheese, the smell of rich mole, and the feel of everyone’s vibrant energy radiating, all combined to make Oaxaca astounding.

Because Oaxaca is so rich in culture, it serves as a well representative of Mexico as a whole; however, one craft in particular has come to represent the spirit of Oaxaca: the Alebrije. Alebrijes are carved and painted animal figurines that have become a form of symbolic art important to the existence and development of the small villages that produce them. The word alebrije means “imaginary” or “fantasy,” describing a style of animal carvings with exceptional paint schemes. There are 3 main villages that are known for producing these colorful figures and luckily enough, a visit to San Martin Tilcajete was part of our program. The role alebrijes play in the local culture of Oaxaca was immediately evident upon entering the small village as the giant entryways were painted in the brightest of neon colors and doors were carved in the shape of whimsical animals.

When we arrived to the workshop of Jacobo and Maria Angeles (renowned masters in the art of carving and painting) , it was clear that San Martin Tilcajete were proud producers of the Alebrije. Unlike modern workshops, the Angeles family does not use synthetic paints, rather natural colors derived from nature. The skills to create these masterpieces were passed down through the family; Jacobo gained proficiency in wood carving from his father and Maria came from a line of painters.  A progressing art continually altering due to demand, Jacobo and Maria have developed their skills in the intricacy and variation of each piece, raising the bar of quality for other villagers.

Alebrijes found outside of Mitla

Once I returned home from Oaxaca, my stimulation and interest for alebrijes grew as I stared at my hummingbird alebrije made by Jacobo. I was interested in how to distinguish a “true” and “authentic” alebrije as the work produced by the Angeles family was not duplicated or common. You can buy Oaxaca alebrijes all over Mexico in all different design styles, but how can you tell an imposter? The truth is, there is no one way an “authentic alebrije” should look. Alebrijes actually originated in Mexico City and were made of paper mache, trickling its way to Oaxaca, the art manifested into wood carvings and the name remained ‘alebrejies’. What is traditional and authentic is the carving of the copal wood. The extent of quality or design does not diminish its authenticity; it’s purely a unique work of art.

That being said, there are those who have tried to replicate and mass produce the alebrije out of foreign materials in foreign countries like China. When Jacobo Angeles realized that some of his customers where actually trying to exploit his craft, he started a legal battle to protect the native ritual, which he is still fighting today. Speaking at a panel discussion during our visit, Jacobo explained to us that his goal is to establish an official stamp of authenticity to be used not just for alebrijes, but for all traditional Mexican crafts.

For those interested in learning more about Jacobo’s alebrijes and his fight to preserve his family’s tradition, please visit tilcajete.org.

Alebrije’s continue to gain popularity as collectors and tourists from all over the world are drawn to the beautiful pieces. As with any piece of artwork, each carving tells it’s own story and it was truly a fascinating experience be able to visit one of the workshops and meet the carvers and painters. Oaxaca has many traditions it preserves and there is no better way to discover some of Mexico’s best customs than starting with Oaxaca.

Mexican Tourism Rising at Record Rates

Posted by & filed under Culture, News.

The numbers continue to climb as Mexico has seen an increase of about 200,000 international visitors from Jan to May of this year when compared to the same time period of 2010. A recent press release from the Mexican Tourism Board confirms the trend we’ve been seeing lately, where international travelers from outside the US have been filling the void left by American travelers discouraged from traveling to Mexico by negative media.

According to the press release, Mexico has seen substantial growth in travel from Russia (58.1 percent), Brazil (40.9 percent), and China (32.8 percent) since the start of the year. At this rate, Mexico is expected to receive a record number of international foreign visitors, trumping its previous high of 22.4 million achieved in 2010.

When asked to comment on this rapid increase in travelers to Mexico from outside the US, Journey Mexico founder and President, Zachary Rabinor, replied with the following:

“It doesn’t surprise me at all; Mexico is a world class destination with incredible geographic, cultural, natural diversity and great selection of hotels and experiences for every interest and budget.  Following on a few years of discounting and incredible value added offers due to the worldwide economic downturn and then multiple shocks to demand in N. America (by far Mexico’s largest market), there has never been a better time to travel to Mexico – we can offer outstanding value right now!  Fortunately, European, Russian and S. American visitors can differentiate between one sided, sensationalist reporting and the great travel experiences that Mexico offers. Hopefully N. Americans will take the cue and return to Mexico in force before too long!”

As Mexico continues to offer new and authentic travel experiences (did you know two major new Mayan archeological discoveries were made in just the past few months?) at such great value and proximity, it’s surely just a matter of time before discerning travelers from the US grow tired of the sensationalized reports about Mexico and begin to return to Mexico in droves. The return of the US market in combination with these exploding foreign markets should give Mexico a real chance of hitting its goal of being in the top five international tourist destinations by 2018.

Drug violence: is it safe to travel to Mexico?

Posted by & filed under Health and Safety, Media.

safety of mexico vs the streets of the US

This article was originally posted at Geo-Mexico

With so much media attention focused on drug violence in Mexico, many potential tourists and tour operators are canceling planned trips to Mexico. Are such decisions rational? The analysis below indicates that travel to Mexico is considerably safer than risking vehicle traffic in the USA.

The US State Department has issued numerous travel advisories concerning visits to Mexico. As we discussed in a previous post —Which parts of Mexico are currently subject to US travel advisories?— the advisories focus on specific areas of Mexico. Unfortunately, many potential tourists overlook the geographic specificity and get the impression that all parts of Mexico are dangerous. Previous posts clearly indicate that levels of drug war violence vary enormously from place to place in Mexico.

This post investigates the chances of being a fatal victim of drug violence in various places in Mexico and compares these with the chances of being a fatal victim of a traffic accident in the USA. The US Department of Commerce estimates that about 19 million US citizens visit Mexico each year. According to MSNBC, in 2010 at least 106 Americans were killed in Mexico as a result of drug violence. Dividing the 19 million visits by the 106 deaths suggests that the chance of a visitor being killed on a trip to Mexico in 2010 was about 1 in 179,000. These are good odds, much better than the annual chance of being killed in a US traffic accident which is about 9,000 to 1. In other words, the chances of dying in a US traffic accident are roughly 20 times greater than being killed as a consequence of drug violence while visiting  Mexico. (As an aside, the annual chances of being killed in a Mexican traffic accident are about 1 in 4,800.)

Some areas of Mexico experience much more drug violence than others. For example drug violence deaths in Ciudad Juárez are 16 times greater than the Mexico national average. Consequently, the chance of an American visitor getting killed in drug violence in Ciudad Juárez is about 11,400 to one, still safer than risking traffic in the USA. The table shows the risks for a range of Mexican locations and compares them to the risks of US traffic. In the city of Puebla the risk is one in 6.6 million compared to one in 750,000 for Mexico City, one in 570,000 for Guadalajara, one in 360,000 for Cancún, about one in 300,000 for Chapala and Puerto Vallarta, and about one in 50,000 for Tijuana and Mazatlán.

These results indicate that the chance of a visitor being killed by drug violence in Mexico is extremely unlikely, far less likely than the risk of being killed in a US traffic accident. For example, a visit to Chapala is 33 times safer than risking US traffic for a year, while Mexico City is 83 times safer. Though this analysis focuses on the travel of US tourists to Mexico, the results are equally relevant for visitors from other countries.

The Spirit of Tequila

Posted by & filed under Media, Mexico Today, On the Road.

The Spirit of Tequila

#MexicoToday – The fiery drink of Tequila has been rapidly gaining international popularity for years now, being featured in popular billboard hits and increasing in US consumption by 45% in the past 5 years. So it comes as no surprise that the town of Tequila, birthplace of the most representative beverage in Mexico and the proud producer of the worldwide spirit that bears its name, has also been gaining more and more attention. Recently, ABC, MSNBC, and USA Today all ran an article about this small town in Jalisco, Mexico – about 4 hours east from the popular tourist city of Puerto Vallarta (just outside Guadalajara, part of Mexico’s Colonial Heartland).

This acclaimed Magic Town sits against the Tequila Volcano which overlooks the valley encompassed by endless landscape of perfectly lined of blue agave plants. Built around Tequila’s main square of beautiful fountains and fresh flowers are the distilleries of popular producers such as Sauza and Jose Cuervo. Visiting the town of Tequila is a trip to the past, where the traditions and the most authentic aspects of Mexico are still alive and prevalent.

Curious about this traditional and legendary drink, I took the trip to discover Tequila for myself.  Starting off with a visit to the 17th Century stone Santiago Apostol Church and a walk around the flourishing plaza, I filled my stomach with the juiciest Torta Ahogadas (pork sandwiches drowned in a spicy red sauce – famous to the Guadalajara region) before enjoying a small tequila to get in the right mindset. What many people do not know is that tequila is not something that should be taken as a shot. Rather it should be treated as a fine wine, acknowledging the various aromas and savoring ever nuance in flavor.

Appreciating the smells and tastes of the actual liquid is one thing, but a true appreciation of Tequila comes from seeing the process of its creation from start to finish. I learned this during my tour at Mundo Cuervo; where in a small VIP group, we visited fertile agave fields, wandered through picturesque courtyards of the hacienda and toured the actual production factory. With the largest distillery in Latin America, the Cuervo brand started distilling a private tequila called ‘Reserva de la Familia’, reserved only for the Cuervo family. As time went by, they decided to share a very limited amount which is exclusively made in Mundo Cuervo, housing only barrels of Reserva during a specific season. I was able to try a very small sample of this limited edition tequila, and not exaggerating, it was one of the best Tequila Anejo’s I had ever tasted.

tequila barrels

At the end of the tour, we learned how to distinguish quality tequila – much like you can distinguish a fine wine. One way is to swivel the tequila around in a glass and notice if any drops stick and form along the glass, the more droplets that adhere to the glass, the better the tequila. The other way, which I found most fascinating, is that Tequila has three very distinct scents depending on which part you smell.  Starting at the bottom portion of your glass, this is the scent where you appreciate the key ingredient, the aged agave plant, distinguished by its pungent scent of alcohol. Moving up to the middle portion, it is differentiated by a sweet fruity floral smell, much less harsh than the fragrance at the bottom. Reaching the top one-third portion of your glass, the aroma changes from a nice spring day to a warm cozy fire, emitting a rich wood smell due to the aging process in the barrels. Detecting and savoring each scent and learning about the long process and stages it makes to produce tequila, I developed a strong appreciation and understanding of the intricate process.

After a 3 hour tour around the facilities and numerous taste testing and margaritas (complements of the tour), I headed to the National Tequila Museum where, through its collections, I gained an even deeper understanding regarding the cultural values of the tequila region, which I learned was recently declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Reflecting on my day trip, I learned more about Tequila then I ever thought imaginable, both the drink and the town. Both are unique and representative of the country in which they reside. Having only spent a day in Tequila, there’s still more to discover. The town has many “tourist friendly” facilities and tours, including the infamous Tequila Express train ride and the giant tequila bottle-bus city tour – which are on my list next time I am driving through!

Mexico Regains Title as World’s Top Beer Exporter

Posted by & filed under Culture, News.

In the spirit of the weekend, we’re happy to report that Mexico has emerged victorious from what’s been a dogfight with Holland for the title of the World’s Top Exporter of Beer.

According to figures from the World Trade Organization, Mexico reported $ 1.876 billion in foreign sales for 2010, while the Netherlands amounted to 1.778 billion. The last time Mexico reigned in beer sales was 2006 as Holland has held the top spot since 2007.

It turns out the key to victory has been filling the frothy demands of consumers outside of North America. A recent article from Economista quotes Valentin Diez Morodo, senior vice president of the Board of Directors of Grupo Modelo, as saying: “Exports are good and have been successful in countries like Australia, which is already the second destination, exceeding in 2011 to Canada after the United States.”

Although Grupo Modelo owns many brands of beer, its Corona Extra is by far the most recognizable. In 2010, Corona Extra ranked 85th in the Best Global Brands 2010 ranking of Interbrand.

I mean, who doesn’t enjoy the thought of unwinding on a Mexican beach with an ice-cold Corona? Mmmmm… Happy Friday!

Our Mexico: Adventure

Posted by & filed under Adventure, Media, News.

repelling down a waterfall

Click Image to View the Full Ad

The third web-ad in our Our Mexico series focuses on Adventure Travel in Mexico (click here to view the full ad). The main image features Journey Mexico staff members repelling down a waterfall during our annual staff-adventure day.

As noted in the ad, Mexico is home to endless opportunities for world-class adventure experiences of all age/skill levels. Did you know that in 2010, Red Bull held an extreme diving contest at one of our favorite cenotes in Yucatan? Check out Journey Mexico founder and president doing a little cenote jumping of his own.

Though Mexico has been flying under the radar for the past couple of years when it comes to adventure travel, the secret is out. In fact, the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA), the largest international network of adventure travel companies and organizations, has announced that in 2011, their annual World Summit will be held in Chiapas, Mexico!

If you love adventure travel, click the image above then tweet the ad/or hit the Facebook Like button. Por favor y gracias!

New Mayan Sculptures Discovered in Tonina

Posted by & filed under Culture, News.

We’re excited to report that just days after we visited the site of Toniná, in southern Chiapas, Mexican archeologists discovered two ancient statues that many believe offer important clues as to the relationships between certain city-states of the time. The 1,300-year-old, life-size statues depict two Mayan warriors who are believed to have been captives of Toniná as their hands are bound behind their backs.

Hieroglyphic inscriptions on their loincloths and chest lead archeologists to believe that the warriors were from the city of Copan, many miles south of Toniná on the border of current-day Guatemala and Honduras. While local archeologists take these statues as proof that Copan had been fighting along side warriors from Palenque (north of Toniná) in a combined effort to control the Usumacinta River (which now marks the boundary between Mexico and Guatemala), David Stuart, a specialist in Mayan epigraphy at the University of Texas at Austin disagrees and feels that, “…these two statues refer to prisoners already known from other Toniná inscriptions, and I suspect they are probably more local to the Chiapas region.”

Stuart believes the main purpose of the sculptures was to commemorate a dedication of the ballcourt at Tonina on June 27, 696. Interestingly, two stone score-cards used during the ballcourt games were also found with the statues – many Mayan civilizations believed spilled blood “gave life” to structures like ballcourts and temples.

Either way, it’s clear that there is still much to be learned about the ancient Mayan civilizations of the region.  As we often like to point out, what is currently visible at most of the archeological sites in Mexico is just a fraction the entire site. For example, the 30 temples and buildings of Uxmal are an incredible site explore, yet archeologists have yet to uncover more than 300 other structures at the site!

These findings in Toniná come just two weeks after we posted an article about a robotic camera that had captured new images of an ancient tomb at Palenque. As you can see, there’s never a dull moment for fans of archeological travel in Mexico!

 

Growing Mexican Economy a Big Incentive for US Assistance in the War on Drugs

Posted by & filed under Health and Safety, News.

While we continue to assure travelers that the majority of Mexico is extremely safe for travelers (which travelers from outside the US seem to understand very well), we do always acknowledge that specific areas of Mexico (mostly located along the US/Mexico border) do have a problem with violence and should be avoided. To the surprise of many, however, a growing number of people are interested in visiting and even moving to these troubled areas – industrial business owners from the US.

As Mexico’s economy continues to grow at a steady pace, more and more industrial businesses are looking to open or expand along the US/Mexico border, which (in conjunction with other growing economic trends) should serve as a pretty large incentive for the US to accept more responsibility for the violence in the area and to help take care of the problem.

For many readers in the US, that last sentence may seem a bit offensive, but it’s no secret that a significant number of the guns used by drug gangs come from the US. To be fair, President Obama has taken responsibility for a portion of the problem, yet many would argue that effective changes in policy have been slow to take place. As the Mexican economy continues to grow, it’s difficult to understand why the US would not be more interested in doing all they can to aid in the speedy resolution to the border violence.

According to the New York Times, the Mexican economy “grew 5.5 percent last year, its fastest pace in a decade, and is expected to grow 4.5 percent this year… The American economy, by contrast, is expected to grow between 2.7 percent and 2.9 percent in 2011.” The Times also added that “Mexico’s manufacturing sector increased 8.2 percent to 1.8 million as of January, the most recent figures available, driven mostly by what Mexican officials called regaining health in the auto and electronics industries, the engine of the economy along the border.” And it’s not just a thriving industrial sector within Mexico that should entice Americans to do more in stopping the violence as a strong Mexican economy directly boots the US economy, much more so than many realize.

Did you know that 22 states in the US report Mexico to be their number one or number two market for exports? In addition, Mexico is within the top five export-markets for many other US states. Theoretically, if the US would make stemming the sales of guns to Mexico (as well as dealing with it’s insatiable demand for drugs) more of a priority, violence in Mexico would drop and the Mexican government would have an easier time dealing with the cartels. Less violence would lead to less negative reporting in the US media, which would lead to more US tourism to Mexico. More tourism would cause Mexico’s economy to increase even faster, and Mexico’s rapidly growing middle class would have more money to spend on US exports. It’s a win, win (at least in theory), right?

So why isn’t it happening? Doesn’t everyone, on a humanitarian level, want to see the violence in Mexico ended? Doesn’t the US economy want to make more in exportation? Don’t US travelers want to save money by vacationing in neighboring Mexico instead of in destinations much further away?

There are only two explanations I can come up with: One, the sale of guns to Mexico accounts for more money than would be produced by the above scenario via exportation or, Two, the money from the sale of guns goes to a specific group of people capable of influencing policy. Which seems more plausible to you?

*Update – Shortly after I published this post, I came across this article published today on the Los Angeles Times website, which concludes with: “…it appears that the United States has been effectively — or inadvertently — sending weapons to Mexico’s government to fight cartels while also sending weapons to cartels that are fighting the government.”

Russian Tourism to Mexico to Increase 400% in 2012

Posted by & filed under Culture, News.

Last week, we published a post speculating about an interesting trend in tourism to Mexico. The theory goes something like this: The negative/slanted media coverage of Mexico pouring out of the US is hurting the Mexican Tourism industry, which has caused the industry to lower prices and offer enticing deals. These deals are being eaten up by international travelers from outside the US, causing an overall rise in tourism to Mexico. A recent press release from the Mexican Government seems to be adding validity to theory, predicting Russian tourism to Mexico to increase by 400% in 2012.

2010 saw 27,137 travelers from Russia, which was an increase of 134% increase from 2009. From Jan. to April of this year, Mexico has already welcomed more than 14,000 Russians, which is a 64% increase from the same time period in 2010. Taras Kobishchanov, the President of the Association of Tour Operators of Russia, said that not only is Russian tourism to Mexico expected to explode in 2012 but that if this trend of growth continues, Mexico could be seeing about  500,000 yearly visitors from Russia by 2018!

Even more interesting (and important for Mexico) is that the average group of Russian travelers spends about 10 days in Mexico, whereas US travelers usually stay for only 4.5 days per trip. In addition, Russian groups spend an average of $1,000 dollars a day during their travels in Mexico.

According to the press release, “The most attractive destinations for Russian tourists are: Cancun-Riviera Maya (64.8 percent), the Federal District (29.7 percent), Puerto Vallarta (1.7 percent) and Los Cabos (1.6 percent).”

Russian travel agencies have reported that the Mundo Maya program and the approach of 2012 have sparked great interest among their clients. To capitalize on this interest, the international airline Aeroflot has announced that they will begin new flights to Mexico beginning October 3rd.

Needless to say, this new influx in Russian travelers is great news for Mexico as the country continues its march towards the Top Five International Travel Destinations in the World.

#MexicoToday

New Positions at Journey Mexico

Posted by & filed under News.

As Journey Mexico continues to grow, new opportunities have become available within our team. If you are interested in applying for either of the positions below, please email rebecca (at) journeymexico (dot) com with a subject of “Opportunities at Journey Mexico.”

Location: Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico

Position: Travel Planner – 3-5 Years experience in sales and travel industry. BA required. Bi-lingual English/Spanish Required.

  • Customer Sales and Account Management: To prepare, present and manage pre-sales proposals and pre-departure documents to groups/individuals incorporating unique itineraries, accurate pricing and clearly defined terms and conditions
  • Operations: To follow the operations of Journey Mexico trips managed by the JM Operations Staff to ensure client satisfaction.
  • Product Development: To develop and promote current and new products to be marketed through the Journey Mexico channels through scouting new itineraries, and creating new travel experiences for our unique clients.
  • Marketing/Public Relations: To Represent Journey Mexico in client facing situations such as FAMs or with local clients.

Position: Operations Coordinator – 3-5 Years experience in guiding or operations in travel industry. BA required. Bi-lingual English/Spanish Required.

  • To ensure near flawless execution of all trips booked through the Journey Mexico.
  • To maintain high quality and current knowledge about Mexico to ensure unique itineraries, quality customer experiences and repeat clientele
  • To improve Journey Mexico operations in Mexico through negotiating relationships with vendors, identifying guides and coordinating all the administrative aspects of the field with a high degree of accuracy, skill and customer service in all aspects of responsibilities.

Location: Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico

Position: Operations Coordinator – 3-5 Years experience in guiding or operations in travel industry. BA required. Bi-lingual English/Spanish Required.

  • To ensure near flawless execution of all trips booked through the Journey Mexico.
  • To maintain high quality and current knowledge about Mexico to ensure unique itineraries, quality customer experiences and repeat clientele
  • To improve Journey Mexico operations in Mexico through negotiating relationships with vendors, identifying guides and coordinating all the administrative aspects of the field with a high degree of accuracy, skill and customer service in all aspects of responsibilities.

Position: Administration Assistant

  • Check back shortly for details




The Approach of 2012 to Spark Mayan Tourism

Posted by & filed under Culture, News.

Aztec Calendar 2012

Most people don't realize that the calendar above is the Aztec calendar adapted from the Mayans

#MexicoToday: Ever since scientists/historians have discovered that 2012 marks a certain “end” to the Mayan Calendar, excitement has been abuzz about December of 2011. Although many would argue that most of the “end of the world” theories associated with the Mayan Calendar and 2012 are misinterpreted, most scientists and historians knowledgeable about the topic would agree that 2012 does mark “the end of something.”

During a recent trip to Chiapas, I had an interesting conversation with one of our top guides, Roberto, about the Mayans and their advanced skill in terms of astronomy. Roberto made a fascinating point when said that if you contextualize the Mayans with other civilizations of the world at the time, the Mayans were far more advanced in mathematics and astronomy, yet they were far behind in other areas of life as they were basically still living in “the stone age.” They could make nearly perfect calculations in terms of the yearly calendar but had yet to really discover the wheel. When I started to ask Roberto about the specifics of the Mayan Calendar and what it predicts, he said that was a whole different conversation that we didn’t have time to get into.

It’s that conversation, though, that seems so exciting. Does the calender predict the end of the world or just the end of a “cycle?” If it’s a cycle, what will the new cycle bring?

The possibility of finding the answers to these questions has enthusiasts from around the world interested in being in Mayan Mexico for the year’s end. Seizing this opportunity to bolster travel to Mexico, Mexican President Felipe Calderon has announced the launch of “Mundo Maya 2012″ (Mayan World 2012), a program designed to increase tourism and promote the Mayan Culture Legacy in Mexico through 2012.

A recent press release in regards to the program states: “Between now and Dec. 21, 2012, when the Mayan calendar officially ends, the Mexican government will promote a variety of events in southeastern Mexico’s “Mayan World,” made up of the states Campeche, Chiapas, Tabasco, Quintana Roo and Yucatan. This region is home to six of Mexico’s 27 UNESCO World Heritage sites, the most found in any one country.”

The Mexican government is investing money into improving the roads leading to the Mayan archeological sites as well as their facilities to prepare for the increase in tourism. The government has also said that they plan to make previously private sites available to the public for the program, which is exciting as Mexican archeologists continue to make new discoveries daily.

End of the world or not, the Yucatan Peninsula is poised to deliver an unforgettable New Year’s experience. Where will you be?

 

International Travelers Pick Up US Slack in Travel to Mexico

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International Tourism in Mexico

#MexicoToday: Two recent articles (one from the Washington Post and one from Sand Diego Red) are indications of an interesting scenario: The negative/slanted media coverage of Mexico pouring out of the US is hurting the Mexican Tourism industry, which has caused the industry to lower prices and offer enticing deals. These deals are being eaten up by international travelers from outside the US, causing an overall rise in tourism to Mexico.

Proof of this can be found in the continual increase in international flights to Mexico. The prestigious Virgin-Atlantic has recently reported that as of June, 2012, they will be adding a twice-weekly flight from London’s Gatwick Airport to Cancun. Virgin sees demand for Mexico rising and expects to carry 94,000 passengers during the first 12 months of service.

In addition to the new Virgin flight from London, airlines such as Aeromexico, Air Europa, TAM, and LAN have added new flights from Lima, Peru to Cancun; Sao Paulo, Brazil to Mexico City; and Madrid, Spain to Mexico City – many beginning in the next few months. Earlier this year, the Mexican Tourism Board said they anticipate 2011 to see up to a 15% rise in tourism (coming off 2010 which saw a 12% increase), but I doubt they imagined so much of it coming from outside the US.

So if the San Diego Red is right and it’s bargains that are driving this year-over-year increase in tourism, one must ask for how long is this bargain model sustainable? Now more than ever we’re seeing public backlash against the “daily deal” model as business owners continue to say that large discounts offered by companies like Groupon are not sustainable and do more damage to the business than good. If all these new tourists come to know Mexico as a land of cheap deals, how can the industry ever raise their rates back to normal?

Pretty easily, actually. According to the Mexican Tourism Board, Mexico boasts a 97% retention rate, meaning that 97 percent of travelers to Mexico say they plan on returning. Being almost two million square kilometres in size and home to more UNESCO World Heritage Sites than any other country in the Americas (including the US), it’s not surprise that Mexico leaves visitors wanting more. As tourism continues to increase, Mexico should be able to gradually raise rates to normal as demand rises.

In May of this year, Mexican President Felipe Calderón stated that he wants Mexico (currently number 10) to be one of the top five tourism destinations in the world by 2020. If current trends continue, international tourism continues to rise, and the US starts to realize that 99% of Mexico is perfectly safe for travel, Mexico should have a real shot at hitting the top five.