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Oaxaca, the mezcal hub of Mexico - AAA Magazines

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  Oaxaca, the mezcal hub of Mexico Santa Domingo Cathedral is considered by many to be one of the finest examples of 17th-century colonial architecture. Photo by Elijah-Lovkoff/Getty Images By Lydia Carey July 18, 2023 Travelers have long flocked to Oaxaca City for indigenous traditions, deliciously warm weather, and incredible cuisine. But these days, the city’s slow, leisurely pace belies a blossoming cultural evolution: This state capital marked by cobblestone streets and a lively central plaza is becoming an international hot spot thanks to its star export, mezcal. In case you’ve missed it, mezcal has exploded in popularity. Americans are spending record sums on the strong, smoky spirit. You’d be hard-pressed to find a trendy cocktail menu in the U.S. without a paloma or other mezcal
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Why travelers are flocking to Mexico City - AAA Magazine

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Original article: https://www.ace.aaa.com/publications/travel/international-destinations/mexico-city.html Why travelers are flocking to Mexico City Sunset view of the Basilica of Guadalupe and the Mexico City skyline. Photo by Martin Molcan/Envato Elements By Lydia Carey A tortilla filled with thin, salty beef and french fries drips fiery green salsa over my fingertips. Two teenagers rap over a scratchy boom box soundtrack as men selling kitchen towels walk past and women cluster in groups, pressing tortillas and catching up on the latest news. Mexico City’s second-largest market, La Merced, barely sleeps and is a microcosm of the city: colorful, chaotic, and delicious. To be sure, the market has a film of city grime, but it’s also home to the storied building blocks of Mexican cuisine, inc
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Soak up historic charm in Puerto Vallarta - AAA Magazine

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  By Tim Leffel June 21, 2023 As I strolled down the Puerto Vallarta waterfront, I admired sculptures by some of Mexico’s most famous artists and savored mariachi blending with the sounds of crashing waves and ringing church bells. When I reached the end of the pier, I gazed out at the expanse of Banderas Bay and the Sierra Madre behind it—one of Mexico’s most distinctive views. Whereas resort areas such as Cancún and Cabo San Lucas were developed in the 1970s to draw tourists, Puerto Vallarta began as a fishing village and port in Spanish Colonial times. The town evolved in the late 1800s, but it really landed on the visitor map in the 1960s thanks to Hollywood royalty vacationing here and publicity from the 1964 film Night of the Iguana . In the ensuing decades, regular appearances on The Love Boat added to the city’s celebrity. As a result of this history, Puerto Vallarta feels
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Location: Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico
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Dive in to the Yucatán Peninsula’s otherworldly cenotes - AAA Magazine

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 Repost from AAA Magazine By Tim Leffel July 18, 2023 A  single shaft of light cut through the jungle and illuminated a patch of water before me. I set down my sandals and dove in. The water was clear, cool, and refreshing. I could see fish below me, and much deeper down—perhaps 60 feet—the bottom of this mystical pool, named Chukum-Ha. Thousands of freshwater sinkholes called cenotes dot Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. They were created some 66 million years ago when a massive, miles-wide asteroid crashed into the area. The cataclysmic event is thought to have eventually wiped out the dinosaurs, but it also sent a lot of freshwater underground—so instead of ponds and rivers, the Yucatán Peninsula today has caverns and hidden pools. Some, like Chukum-Ha, became exposed when the ground covering them collapsed.   Cenotes for the modern world To the Mayan people, these cenot
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The lush, historic north coast of the Riviera Nayarit

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  The Riviera Nayarit is known for an extensive coastline that stretches over 307 km, dotted with luxurious developments like Nuevo Vallarta and Punta de Mita, or the emerging Compostela Coast, where tradition shares space with glamorous hotels. However, there is another coast just farther north that is also part of this tourist destination, encompassing the municipalities of San Blas, Santiago Ixcuintla, and Tecuala. During the 70s this area was known as the “Gold Coast” and developed thanks to extensive tobacco plantations that generated great wealth and defined an era, although it has steadily declined over the years. Historical relics coexist in this area with the pristine nature and authentic cuisine; it is ideal for those seeking a peaceful getaway, without the crowds typical of the most popular tourist destinations.   Here’s a look at the towns located on the North Coast of the Riviera Nayarit:   BOCA DE CHILA This micro-destination since is a mangrove area t
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Three Days in Costa Bahia de Banderas in Riviera Nayarit

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We know you’re more than ready to go on vacation and disconnect from the routine of the last few months, which is why we want to share a few options to help you discover Costa Bahía de Banderas in just three days (in other words, a weekend!) Are you ready to roam in paradise? Keep reading! No matter where you come from, when you arrive in the Riviera Nayarit you can begin your adventure in any order. All we recommend is that you plan out your route for practical purposes. Nuevo Vallarta We recommend staying in one of the hotels in Nuevo Vallarta—there are plenty of options for every budget. For example, there’s the Marival Emotions, Grand Velas, Reflect, Villa La Estancia, Occidental, Paradise Village, Hard Rock, among others. You’ll also find an ample and very delicious culinary offer in Nuevo Vallarta, making your first day of relaxation here simply fabulous. Bucerías After taking it easy on your first day you’ll be ready to venture out to the most chill and laid-ba
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Cozumel Fishing Report - Pre-Coronavirus

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NOTE: This was the last fishing report just before the Coronavirus shut down everything. It's often our fishing takes us North.  Once we clear the North lighthouse the waters can get a bit choppy.  It's early in our season to expect the likes of dorado and marlin, but this group of fishermen happily settled in for 4 nice red snappers and a couple of barracuda.  While we were unable to get pictures while out by the lighthouse, we were able to let the fishermen pose for some pictures with their fish once we returned to the marina.  Pictured are a couple of the snapper.  Was excellent dinner that night. Thank you to Rita from Albatros Fishing - http://www.mexonline.com/albatros-charters.htm
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Location: Cozumel, Quintana Roo, Mexico
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