Mexico Vacation Travels Pictures, Reviews, & Deals » Colonial Mexico Cities: Pictures & Info About Mexican Colonies

Mexico Wonder: Taxco de Alarcón

Rachel — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 13:20:30 +0000

Mexico is mostly influenced by Aztec and Mayan culture and this is so evident in many of its cities or towns, in its ruins, monuments and sights to see. One such town is the Taxco de Alarcón, or simply referred to as Taxco, which is located at Guererro.

Associated for its silver mining industry, Taxco is where tourists can find lots of silverware and jewelry. Apart from this, the city is also quite a majestic place to visit as most homes look as if these were built for story books.

Some of the best places to visit in Taxco include the Parish of Santa Prisca y San Sebastían or the Santa Prisca Church, which truly stands out for it is a massive structre with its Baroque architecture. Its also decked in pink stones and has two elaborate towers on each side. For such a small town, this site is something that one cannot miss.

The main plaza, called the Zocalo, is also a great place to check ou. This is where the Casa de Cultural or the Cultural Center is, and appeals to lovers of fine arts, languages or sports. Zocalo is also a shopping site where one can find bars and restaurants as well as plenty of shops selling silver and jewelry.

Mexico Wonder: San Miguel de Allende

Rachel — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 11:29:33 +0000

Mexico’s rich historical past, with its Mayan, Aztec and Spanish influences, can be seen in many of the towns in the country. Its colonial flavor is one of the reasons why tourists enjoy coming to the country because they both bring out classic, historical and luxurious charms worthy of visiting.

San Miguel de Allende is one town that has a distinct colonial flavor, it’s as if you’ve stepped in time when you’ve come to this place. Located in Guanajuato, this place has been established in 1542 and is called home by many of the Mexico’s rich, as well as American and Canadian retirees.

The summer months would be the best time to come to San Miguel De Allende as there are plenty of festivals that take place during the season including the Expresión en Corto International Film Festival, Latin America’s annual and largest film showcase.

The town also has a beautiful mural at the Escuela Universitaria de Bellas Artes that is worth checking out. done by Eleneor Coen, an American artist, the mural depicts the simple Mexican way of life with women and children bathing and washing in the river.

If you want to do some shopping, there are planty of places for those who are looking for handicrafts, furniture and home decoration. They are a bit pricy but they look elaborate, fabulous and well-crafted, they’re actually investment pieces.

Things to do in Mexico: Visit Their Version of Venice

Rachel — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 04:19:27 +0000

If there’s anything to closely describe what Xochimilco is, it’s that it can be compared to Venice, and perhaps even New Orleans. The site is literally filled with boats or trajineras, that brings tourists to different canals and lakes around Mexico City.

In the old days, this used to be a very popular tourist activity, but it has since downgraded as decay and ubanization has caught up with it. Still, there are still boats plying the river and visitors will love the colorfully painted rides. Depending on the length, the rides are actually very affordable to take and you can even have a picnic on the boat, or enjoy music played by mariachi bands and marimba players, as you float in and around the city.

One of the stops to travelling by boat includes a floating garden, which they say has been built during the Aztec era.

If a boat ride isn’t your thing, you can still walk around the city and enjoy its authentic culture. The streets of Xochimilco are lined with street food like corn, sweets, tacos, rice, chicken, tortillas, ice cream, whole meals, drinks and candies. The downtown area is also filled with restaurants and pizzerias. Food is surprisingly so affordable too.

If you want to shop for souvernirs head to the market near the Cathedral. You can buy an assortment of handicrafts, as well as embroidered clothing and footwear. The public market is roofed, however, during off season, some of these establishments may be closed earlier than usual.

Things to do in Mexico: Travel to the Silver Capital

Rachel — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 04:01:46 +0000

The silver capital of Mexico is Taxco de Alarcon, which is located in the mountains near Mexico City and Acapulco. Visitors come to this place to get good deals on silver, which includes jewelry, ware, tea sets, candle holders and other made to order pieces. There are literally a hundred places you can buy silver pieces and art in in Taxco.

And if this is you’re first visit, you will find the surrounding really impressive with its white walled house and red tile roofing, as well as its cobblestoned streets. The town looks every inch traditional, picturesque and historical.

Other than looking for silver, you can also see plenty of wonderful sights to take photos of or visit and learn from. Don’t miss going to these places when you’re in Taxco:

The Museo de la Plateria or the Silver Museum. The showcases are to marvel at, but also, you can learn about how silver is crafted and put together.
Santa Prisca Church. This is an iconic structure that was funded and built by Jose de la Borda, one of Mexico’s historical figures and boasts of an impressive Baroque architecture.
Bar Bertha. Enjoy a favorite drink made of lime and tequila at this bar, which is located at Plaza de Borda. The site also offers a lovely view of the city.

Day tours to this city are scheduled regularly for groups of four to six, or even up to 12, depending on the type of vehicle you hire. There are some walking involve in the tours, so be sure to wear comfortable shoes. Taxco has rather small streets, which is why it’s better appreciated when you walk, rather than ride all the way through your visit.

Don’t forget to put on sunblock and bring your cameras!

Puebla: One place, many virtues

Azzi — Mon, 23 May 2011 14:46:13 +0000

Just one view of the magnificent Pico de Orizaba from Puebla gets you a feel of the city you are in. Puebla, being a colonial city and one of the most important of it’s kind, certainly has a lot to offer you in ways more than one, be it the fabulous cuisine, the breathtaking scenery, the industrial setting or the fact that some of the best pottery businesses happen to be in Puebla, this city is comprehensive. For a good reason too, after all, it is the fourth largest metropolitan city of Mexico, and certainly one of the most beautiful.

Puebla is perched high up at an altitude of 7217 ft, and is every bit as historic as it is cultural. The architecture is good enough to make it a World Heritage site. Of the 5000 historical pieces of architecture present in the whole state, you have to take special notice of the Cathedral of Puebla, a Gothic beauty at it’s best. Move along and the various museums, which chronicle the historic value of the city and the country catch your immediate attention of you happen to be a history freak. Take a walk inside the Museo Amparo, and you’d know what we mean. Besides these, the host of libraries, the noble houses etc all exude an aura that is worth experiencing first hand.

Just as you would think that you’d had enough of Puebla, think again. Don’t miss out the cuisine too. It is unique and special and every bit Mexican as you would expect. Relish, for example the savory taste of the Mol Poblano, the chiles en nogada and the cemita, all unique to the place that is Puebla. Wind up the vacation with the Talavera Pottery and the El Cinco de Mayo (the fifth of May) celebration, in honor of the French defeat in 1862. Just a last recommendation: Visit this place. This post alone does not do it justice.

Huatulco Beach

Vic — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 03:55:43 +0000

Planning for a hot summer vacation trip? Check out Huatulco Beach. It is a place whereÂ you could relax and experience pure enjoyment of the beach.

What to expect in Huatulco Beach?

Beauty

Huatulco Beach has white sand. During sunrise, the sand glitters as if they are diamonds if you will be watching the sunrise from the horizon. During sunset, the sand turns to golden yellow, which could astound you by its serenity.

Cleanliness

You will be surprised who locals, hotel managements, and officials take care of the Huatulco Beach. You will notice that someone is always coming around to pick up garbage and glasses that tourists left behind in the seashore.

Fun

You will definitely enjoy Huatulco Beach because there are many sports activities that you could enjoy in your stay. There are services such as ski jets, volleyball, sail boats, scuba diving, even spa in the seashore where you can enjoy your detoxification massage under the warm sun in the beach.

La Puertecita Hotel â€“ Tranquility On The Edge Of Excitement

aclazaro — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 15:06:10 +0000

Located in the colonial city of San Miguel, this boutique hotel is as charming as it can get with its surrounding parks, waterfalls, and gardens. All its guests are welcomed with its relaxing ambiance where you will be assured of a tranquil atmosphere to stay in.

This boutique hotel offers highly elegant rooms and suites with perfect colonial style interior designs to create that luxurious and ancient look. The hotelâ€™s restaurant features a combination of International and local Mexican dishes. Their restaurant was hailed to be the best in the place by the American Express Food and Wine magazine team. They also offer good refreshing drinks with their bar service to chill the night away. They also offer hotel spa services.

Photos via http://travela.priceline.com/travelguides/hotels/La_Puertecita_Boutique_Hotel_Allende_Mexico-138655.html

The Rustic Villages of Costalegre

aclazaro — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 15:52:43 +0000

If you are the type of traveler who wants to stay away from the modern shades of living during your vacation, then you must definitely head on to these three rustic villages of Costalegre. However, you must start by flying off to Manzanillo instead of heading for Puerto Vallarta.

Tenacatita

This is a tiny village which offers limited accommodation but definitely affordable. This is perfect for those who want to luxuriate in the spots of the area without spending much on hotels and resorts. The rustic village also has some restaurants and bars and a clean beach to walk on and relax.

Melaque

This only has a few restos and less of everything thatâ€™s modern. This is perfect for those in search of low-cost base area so that you can still explore other places nearby.

Barra De Natividad

This is the most ideal choice of the three since this village already has a good number of restaurants, well-constructed streets, the Grand Bay Hotel and Resort â€“ and still not lose its local village charm. The famous establishment is popular for its luxurious golf course. It may be quite a bit costly but it still offers some quieter ambiance than those of the saturated tourist areas.

Photos via http://realtravel.com/dh-17980-barra_de_navidad_hotels and http://flickr.com/photos/20068673@N00/748825995

Acapulco Attractions: Fuerte de San Diego

kathy — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 18:13:05 +0000

The city of Acapulco is not only famous for its several beaches whose names relates to historical facts but also because of the many amazing attractions that every tourist would enjoy visiting. One of the is the Fuerte de San Diego which is said to be built to protect the city from pirate attacks. The fort’s trademark is a feature of a unique geometric shape trace of a turtle.

It now serves as a museum for Acapulco’s history located near the zocalo. So when you get the chance to visit Mexico, never forget to pay a visit to one of Acapulco Attractions, Fuerte de San Diego.

El Fuerte: Former Capital of Arizona

sherylem — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 21:00:06 +0000

Considered as one of the most beautiful cities in Mexico, El Fuerte (The Fort) was founded in 1564. In those times, and even until the California Gold Rush of 1848, it served as the gateway to North America. It also became a trading post for gold and silver mining. For the next three centuries, it was the most flourishing commercial center in theÂ north-western Mexico.

For a couple of years from 1824 to 1826, El Fuerte was Arizona’s capital city before it became Sinaloa’s in 1831. Its name was derived from the fortress 100meters by 100 meters thick built in 1610 by Capt. Diego Martinez de Hurdaide to protect the town from Indian uprisings.

At present, El Fuerte is a pleasant town to stroll around. There are also a number of historical sites that could evoke some degree of colonial atmosphere in one who wants to soak in the ambience and charm of the city. You may want to check out the following sights next time you find yourself in this place. There is the City Hall, the Main Plaza (Plaza de Armas) with its Wrought Iron Kiosk, House of Culture, Church of the Sacred Heart (photo shown above), Home of Congress, the Posada Hidalgo Hotel, the Mansion of the Orrantia Family, to name a few.

Enjoy your stay at The Fort!