Once a year on July 25th, as part of Tastoan tradition in Tonala, Mexico dozens of Tonala’s male residents transform themselves into the legendary Tastoanes to partake in a performance that represents their struggle against Spain’s patron saint Santiago (St. James the Greater).The men wear colorful masks and wigs and undergo a transformation of sorts when they dress for the performance. Often called the dance of the Tastoanes, it is commonly interpreted as the representation of Spanish conquest of Mexico in the 1500s. Natives say the term Tastoan is derived from the Nahuatl word Tlatoani, which means lord or spokesperson. Therefore, the present-day Tastoanes represent the indigenous leaders who resisted the Spaniards during the conquest.

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Located in Mexico City a top of the Chapultepec Hill, El Castillo de Chapultepec (Chapultepec Castle) has played a major part in the country’s history. Constructed in 1785 by order of Viceroy Bernardo de Galvez, the castle began construction with Lieutenant Colonel Francisco Bambitelli as chief engineer in-charge of the blueprint. When Bambitelli left for Cuba, Captain Manuel Agustin Mascaro took over the project. Mascaro proceeded at a rapid pace, but later was accused of building a fortress with the intent of rebelling against the Spanish Crown. He died a year later with speculation of foul play. Without an engineer, Spain ordered the building to be auctioned but found no buyers. In 1806, the Chapultepec Castle was finally bought by the municipal government of Mexico City.

During the Mexican War of Independence the Castle was abandoned from 1810-1821. In 1833, the building was decreed to become Colegio Militar (Military Academy) from which a watchtower known as Caballero Alto (Tall Knight) as added to its modification.

On 1847, the castle was taken by the U.S. Marines from the defensive futile effort of the Ninos Heroes (Boy Heroes) during the Battle of Chapultepec of the Mexican-American War. The Castle started to acquire its current look when Emperor Maximilian I of Mexico established it as their Imperial residence in 1864. The Emperor hired several architects to achieve a neoclassical style of architecture and make the palace a more habitable place. After the fall of Empero Maximilian I in 1867, the castle was abandoned. Ten years later it became the Astronomical, Meteorological and Magnetic Observatory. After 5 years the observatory was moved and the castle was transformed to the presidential palace as which served eight presidents. Finally on February 3, 1939 President Lazaro Cardenas decreed a law that established Chapultepec Castle as the seat of Museo Nacional de Historia (National Museum of History).

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Discover the majestic natural beauty of Manzanillo, a city known for having the busiest port in Mexico and the sail fish capital of the world. Stay in Tesoro Resort Manzanillo, located right on the coast line of the pacific side of Mexico. You will be surrounded by Manzanillo’s natural beauty that will leave you mesmerized. In your stay make sure to enjoy and be charmed by spectacular arrays of the majestic green flash phenomenon during sunsets. Tesoro is a luxury resort with its own secluded private beach in La Audiencia. It features a world class sail fishing,tours and other activities. They also offer professionally trained counselors who oversee the daily schedule of fun activities and games for those with kids. The resort has 331 rooms with 287 Deluxe Suites, 8 Junior Suites and 36 Master Suites. Guest rooms feature spacious bathrooms, cable TV, minibars and other exceptional amenities, as well as the spectacular views of the peninsula. Rates start at $165 per night.

The Spanish Style, 9-story Ritz-Carlton has long been one of Cancún’s most luxurious hotels, with a prime location on a quiet street near the Zona Hotelera beaches. The hotel’s trademarks are the marbled floors, sparkling chandeliers, and rooms in plush, soft-colored fabrics. Five on-site restaurants prepare a variety of fresh seafood, prime gilled meats, and Mediterranean, Mexican and American specialties.
The hotel offers a total of 365 guestrooms that offer breathtaking views of the Caribbean Sea, private balconies or terraces, Italian-marble bathrooms feature rainfall showerheads, separate bathtubs, dual-sink vanities and a wealth of premium amenities. But if ever you get bored inside your room and want some fresh air, this resort boasts 16 private ocean-side cabanas, where evening breezes and a star-strewn sky that you can even have your meal at.
Lowest guaranteed rate is at $198. Visit RitzCarlton.com.

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Right across the Paseo de la Reforma from La Condesa is this turn-of-last-century colonial-style, Hotel La Casona. This small but cozy hotel located at the center of Mexico City was built in the beginning of the last century. The Hotel La Casona is a mansion with elegant facade, a beautiful patio and is devoted in giving guests traditional Mexican hospitality. No wonder it has been listed as an historic monument by the National Institute of Fine Arts in Mexico.

The 29 adorable wood-floored rooms are each designed differently with antiques and a music–commedia dell’arte theme, lutes in spotlit niches, violins and accordions instead of paintings. Each room is equipped with amenities that a modern day businessman needs. There’s also a lounge with a wall of hunting horns, and a restaurant, Piaf, that serves French cuisine. The scant facilities amount to Wi-Fi and a fitness room, but ambience, comfort, and friendliness make up for that.

They have a weekend tourist package for $670 which includes 3day/2nights accommodation, day tours, meals, airport transfers, laundry service and the use of all amenities. Visit HotelLaCasona.com.mx.

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Hotel Las Rosas is just a small but a perfect hideaway, oceanfront hotel that offers stunning views of Ensenada. The idea behind Las Rosas Hotel was to build a “boutique” style Hotel; one which contained a spa, tennis court, gym and offered exquisite cuisine. The Hotel Las Rosas, since its beginning, has been a favorite meeting place among the very important people involved in the culture, art and business of Mexico; and of course, to the American Tourist that we have been proud to have as our guests.

For many years there have been a lot of famous people that have gone to the Hotel. Such personalities include Princess Stephanie of Monaco, Luis Donaldo Colosio, Tennis Stars Stan Smith and Alejandro Olmedo as well as many movies stars. In fact, a movie was once filmed at Las Rosas – Treacherous.

The hotel offers a total of 48 rooms and most of them have fireplaces, whirlpools, or kitchenettes; all have a terrace with an ocean view. Amenities include a shimmering infinity pool and clifftop hot tub. In the excellent spa, try the abalone-and-kelp body wrap, followed by a massage with pearl-and-coral cream.

They have an affordable package of only $200/per room which include 3days/2nights stay in an oceanview room, welcome cocktail and continental breakfast for 2. Visit LasRosas.com

Hotel Hacienda Merida is a colonial historical monument way back in 1840 located in the heart of Merida city. It is an ultimate high-class boutique hotel with an amazing haven of relaxation and great entertainment. The sense of seclusion is in this eight-room hotel, with towering ceilings and two lovely courtyards. Each of the guestrooms are designed with dark-wood furniture is set on red-stained polished-cement floors and abstract paintings adorn the foot-thick walls, painted in a traditional combination of rust and creamy yellow.

You can enjoy local treats like natural honey shampoo and sisal bath scrubs. But the most soothing of all is the massage therapist on call in the back courtyard every evening. Nightly rate for standard room is $129 per night exclusive of taxes. But they are offering a special discounted rate valid until the end of October for only $99. Visit HotelHaciendaMerida.com.

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Casa Rosada is literally right next to the pink, gothic-style “Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel” in San Miguel de Allende. The hotel was a former home of Diego Rivera’s daughter and it has terraces with stunning views of the church’s dome and spires. Casa Rosada offers a total of 16 guestrooms set around verdant terraced gardens and has period touches such as terra-cotta floors and king-size wrought-iron bedsteads, along with more eclectic elements like ’50s French-style sofas, Middle Eastern rugs, and East Indian art. And the hotel’s Mexican restaurant Xapai is a must! So don’t forget to drop by if you are staying elsewhere.

Rate starts at $175 per night. Visit CasaRosadaHotel.com.

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The heavenly Bahia de Loreto (Loreto Bay) is located in the northeastern region in the state of Baja California Sur, 217 miles north of La Paz. It’s warm all year with the average climate at 82 degrees Farenheit. Loreto is a great destination with many eco attractions, such as the Bahia de Loreto Marine Park, which consists of a group of islands that offer ideal conditions for scuba diving, fishing and nature observing. Also of interest is the Sierra la Giganta, an area with mountainous terrain that is optimal for climbing and biking.

In the surrounding areas you can see the most famous cave paintings on the peninsula at the Sierra de San Francisco. In addition, you can visit baroque missions San Javier and Nuestra Señora de Loreto, which are the oldest in the region. As for local festivities, don’t miss out on the annual celebrations to commemorate the city’s founding.

In the bay area you’ll find beaches with calm waters, such as Nopolo and Puerto Escondido, where you can enjoy a wide variety of fish and seafood dishes like almejas chocolatas (clams cooked in their shells), accompanied with a glass of red or white wine. Later, you can go dancing at the nightclubs in the city center, where you can enjoy festive atmospheres and the latest in new music.

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Mexico began the fight for independence in 1810, but that was achieved only in 1821. In the end, when the nation succeeded in that goal, there was little agreement on what form of government the new nation would have. The landed classes mostly favored a continuation of the previous system with new leaders and rulers. Liberals, influenced by masonic ideas, were more interested in a republic and the new principles of liberty and enlightenment where people ruled themselves.

The eight month long First Mexican Empire was created in this atmosphere. The Mexican Congress chose Agustin de Iturbide, a general of the Independence War, as the new emperor, but Iturbide did not prove shrewd, flexible, or authoritarian enough to maintain himself in this role. After being dethroned, he was exiled to Europe. When he came back in 1824, he was first greeted in applause and cheers, then arrested and imprisoned. Finally he was executed by a firing squad.