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Guadalupe Island is a volcanhic island of the west coast of Baja California.

Habitation on the island is very sparse. Just 15 people were recorded as permanent residents in the census of 2008. The island has a rugged landscape conbsisting of two overlapping shield volcanoes. Most of the southern part is barren, but in the northern half there are fertile valleys  amd trees.

Guadalupe Island is famous for its beautiful and unique scenery and some unique species, including the Guadalupe Fur Seal,  which attract tourists from many different parts of the world. Scuba diving expeditions, and cage diving tours to view the sharks in the region are also available.

My husband and I took the ultimate mexican vacation in December, when the weather of the Pacific Northwest was at its very worst.  We left the cruel winter far behind, and entered a world of  pure fantasy.  When our taxi  from the airport pulled off the main street onto a narrow cobblestone road,  that was lined with stately palms swaying gently in the breeze as though they were sentries announcing our arrival, I knew instinctively we were entering a very special place.  We had to pass through a massive wrought iron gate which absolutely defined the boundary between reality and fairytale.

A Sunset as Viewed from our Window

Our taxi was met by an energetic welcoming staff.  We were given flutes of fine champagne as we exited the vehicle.   They said our luggage would be taken to our room and told us to relax and enjoy and that we would not have to worry about a single thing for the next 7 days, which proved to be exactly the case.

If one so desired, you could spend the entire 7 days right at the resort.  The food is unbelievable and abundant, and you have the choice of 5 gourmet restaurants, as well as 24 hour room service, a large buffet for breakfast and lunch, and snack bars set up on the beach.  There is a world class spa that offers a variety of different treatments.  I personally liked the hot stone massage, which was done on a deck over looking the ocean.

There are three pools, with the main pool having a swim up bar and a jacuzzi insert.  Of course, then you have the huge sandy beach which is dotted with thatch huts if you need a shaded break.  It is the largest private beach in Puerto Vallarta, which means you have plenty of space to spread out and catch the warm sun’s rays.

There is nightly entertainment specials and planned daily excursions off-site if you wish.  The all inclusive package is unbeatable, as it includes all drinks, meals, activities and gratuities.  The service awesome, and the staff makes the trip memorable for all.  Xavier, who was our server at the breakfast buffet presented my friend and I each a plate he had made, and  our husbands with a bottle of tequila gold, on the last day of our stay.  I know this will sound like a clique’,  but this is stuff of which dreams are made.  We will definitely return to this quiet paradise on the Pacific.

Isla de Sacrificios

CC photo by Sergio Lubezky courtesy of Flickr

In 1992, the mexican government declared the Isla de Sacrificios a Natural protected area becoming a part of the Systema Arrecifal Veracruzano, Veracruz Reef System (VRS). The area is located off of the port of Veracruz in the Gulf of mexico. The area is a hotly visited tourist destination for day trips and is the subject in many postcard photos and paintings.

CC photo by Reaper Stinky courtesy of Flickr

The island is located right off the coast of Veracruz and can be reached after a short boat ride. The island’s beautiful lighthouse is a famous landmark and focus for many artist creations.  Guests are sure to take an interest in the informative visitor’s center and the massive collection of flora and fauna to explore.

lighthouse

CC photo by Jubilo Haku courtesy of Flickr

The island boasts many various transplanted vegetation, in addition to, the original greenery native to the areas. The area surrounding the island is host to several exotic species of fish and aquatic wildlife. Isla is well known for scuba diving and snorkeling, in addition to beach combing for exploration.

View of the island

CC photo by AboGabo courtesy of Flickr

The island’s history holds great intrigue and mystery filled with sacrifices and rituals giving power to its name. It is believed that Hernan Cortez stopped at the island before continuing on to the area where Mexico City stands today. Several archeological finds have recovered artifacts, as well as, a temple where the actual sacrifices took place. Because of the many tourists and scientific visitors, the government has taken a more active roll in insuring its protection.

The island is easily assessable from the Veracruz shores either by boat or kayak. The island stands a mere kilometer from the Veracruz seawall and offers a perfect way to spend a day adventure to and from the island.

Dolphin area at Xel Ha

CC photo by Mewzii courtesy of Flickr

Xel Ha is a natural water park offering gorgeous natural features highlighting the amazing local flora and fauna. The popular inlet is a magnificent adventure for visitors, especially families, offering over 70 recorded species. Occasionally sea turtles, manatees and barracudas visit the area. It is sure to start your visit on a high note.

Xel Ha Waterpark

CC photo by Umbrau44 courtesy of Flickr

One of the best times to have at Xel Ha is with the dolphins. These intelligent creatures are famous for coming to the rescue of injured swimmers by pushing them to the service. They are often seen playing in the waves for fun, just as their human counterparts. Here at Xel Ha, programs offer visitors a chance to see just how smart these beautiful animals are and a once-in-a-lifetime chance for children to experience marine bilogy firsthand.

For relaxation, find a hammock of lounging chair along the superb stretch of sandy beaches. beachcombers aren’t the only ones enjoying these sandy havens. The Xel Ha beaches save an average of 35,000 loggerhead and green sea turtle eggs. At the end of breeding season, and average of 20,000 hatchlings are released from Xel Ha each year.

Gorgeous view

CC photo by Ferran Rodenas courtesy of Flickr

Xel Ha’s  Chacah garden offers a walk through Chacah trees which have been planted by local and international celebrities. The Mayan wall showcases remnants of Mayan ruins which run along a footpath leading to the Xel Ha river. Cenotes at Xel Ha reveal results from the amazing event that occurred 65 million years ago when a meteor crashed into the Yucatan peninsula created various disturbances in the geology of the area.

Hidden Lagoon at Xel Ha, Riviera Maya

CC photo by Javi Celard courtesy of Flickr

Xel Ha is a beautiful place for families to enjoy ecology education in a fun and fully interactive setting. They offer several different packages that are sure to satisfy various budgets and time constraints. The park is well thought out and wonderfully maintained. The staff are friendly, knowledgeable and work hard to make your visit the best possible. Xel Ha is a true gem in the Riviera Maya.

CC Photo by Retro Traveler courtesy of Flickr

Bahia de Banderas is the bay where you will find the famous tourist destination, Puerto Vallarta. The area affords over 42 miles of beaches and all the fantastic aquatic fun you can have in the ocean. The bay is one of the deepest in Mexico, at a depth of 3000 feet, and is the third largest natural bay in Mexico. It makes the list of one of the world’s largest bays as well.

The area is known for dolphin sitings, as well as, sea turtles, huge manta rays and many exotic fish. For this, it is a favorite spot among scuba enthusiasts and snorkelers as well. The Islas Marietas, a tiny island chain right off the coast, is home to several exotic birds, including the Blue Footed Booby.

Sparkling water in Nayarit

CC photo by Christian Frausto Bernal courtesy of Flickr

With eco-minded travel becoming the hot trip idea, many are visiting this gorgeous coastal community because of it’s whale watching adventures. The area is both the breeding and birthing grounds for the Humpback Whale. These intriguing and breathtaking adventures take place beginning the first week of December and run through the end of March. While Whale watching season is only about four months, there are several tours and excursions for you to choose from.

Calm and tranquil beaches

CC photo by Waywuwei courtesy of Flickr)

The bay is composed of land belonging to both mexican states of Jalisco and Nayarit. While the municipal seat is Valle de Banderas, the area is composed of several cities including Jarretaderas, San Juan de Abajo, Bucerias, San Jose de Valle, and San Vincente.

Map of the area

CC photo by Waywuwei courtesy of Flickr)

The geological make up of the area, including a valley, create a wonderful opportunity for agriculture and livestock. The valley holds man cattle farms while abundant crops of corn, bean, rice and exotic fruits contribute to commerce. The fishing industry thrives along the coast both for local stocking and the tourist trade. The area offers a plenitude of tourist attractions, but also holds on to traditional culture and lifestyles that many visitors find so alluring.

Dune buggies galore in Puerto Vallarta (CC photo by Gehad83 courtesy of Flickr)

Ah, the dune buggy adventure! It is one of the coolest ways to experience the grandeur of mexico. Whether in the hills, mountains or sand dunes, mexican buggy adventures are a great solution for adventurers or even families who want to live on the wild side for the day.

Buggies on a mountainside (CC photo by the Queen of Subtle courtesy of Flickr)

There are several different types of dune buggies available for rental and it is always a good idea to do your research. Ask around locally and through your own networks to see companies friends have used. There are those buggies, like the ones above, that many young riders chose because of the lack of safety features. While exhilarating in nature, a tumble down a dune can mean serious injuries. The choice is yours, but riding on the side of caution is always a good idea.

Sand buggy (CC photo by Pasujoba courtesy of Flickr)

The sand buggy above is a common model used by families. It resembles more of a car, which does wonders for making riders feel safer, but also usually boasts more safety features. These are much less likely to flip and experience roll overs. However, accidents are always a possibility, so be cautious with every turn.

It is also important to understand the payment and hourly rate of your adventure. Many think an hour is enough time only to return two hours later than planned. Always expect at least an hour longer than you think you will need. This gives a little padding and it’s better to enjoy the surprise of owing less than paying an hour’s worth more. It is also important to ask about break downs and what happens if the buggy has problems. The better rental companies will pick up your group and offer a replacement at no extra charge.

Buggy on Oaxacan street (CC photo by Chris J Murray courtesy of Flickr)

In Puerto Vallarta, Safari Dune Buggy offers three hour excursions for $85 dollars and the deal includes beverages. Cozumel’s Dune Buggy Tours offer an excellent package which includes scuba gear for $89 per person. There’s a bounty of other tours that are sure to meet your price range, safety needs and destination. If you’re into adventure and some stomach dropping fun, this could be a marvelous way to spend a day.

Coastal beauty (CC photo by Gahan78 courtesy of Flickr)

Much like the mainland, Baja California is the gateway to sub tropic environments that embrace an amazing collection of flora and fauna made famous in mexico. The Pacific Coast of Baja California is where the colder waters of the north give in to the warmer temperatures closer to the equator. For tourists, this means amazing aquatic fun with warmer waters, but it also means more stunning colors in the animals they may encounter.

Baja sunset (CC photo by Why Not This One courtesy of Flickr)

Just as Gloger’s rule explains why animals get more colorful closer to the equator, the warmer waters of the subtropics explain the amazing collection of bright and colorful fish. There are many more species of fish in the warmer water which requires brighter colors to help tell each other apart. This makes breeding much easier and it makes snorkeling and scuba diving much more fun. This also helps with camouflage because, as crazy as it seems, brighter colors help hide prey from predator in the water since certain colors are not as bright the deeper you travel.

Cabo San Lucas (CC photo by JJ.Figueroa courtesy of Flickr)

The warmer waters also bring northern visitors. Whales migrate to the warm waters to birth to their offspring. This offers the wonderful opportunity for Whale Watching Tours that have become a popular hot spot off of Baja California. More the 20 species of whales frequent the area and the best time for viewing is between the months of January through March.

Ensenada coast (CC photo by Gregory Melle courtesy of Flickr)

Recently, the area of Baja California has become an important place for evaluating climate changes and global warming trends. The warm waters and the animals who migrate to the area give a good picture of the overall health of the ecosystem. The area is often frequented by Marine biologists for its expansive menagerie of sea life, but more climatologists are visiting to figure out what is happening and how quickly the changes may come.

The area is simply stunning and there is so much to do that families will have excitement every day of their visit. The sea is brimming with beauty both above and below and the shores are perfect for rest and relaxation. The temperatures remain delightful year round making this subtropic paradise a wonderful choice for your mexican getaway.