Sports fishing may really sound quite new for any traveler but it is a sure reason why many visitors find mexico an attracting place to visit. Mazatlan is not just an in demand coastal area resort for locals and tourists, but it is also considered as a leading fishing venue that it was even recognized to be the Billfish Capital of the World.

Similarly with Los Cabos, Mazatlan is the place where you can fish anytime of the year. Its waters are full of different fish types from Tuna, Sea Bass and even Grouper. If you are a fan of Bass fishing, then this is definitely the most ideal place for you to head on in Mexico. It also near two popular lakes, El Salto and Comedero, natural waters that are packed with Bass.

You can search for amazing package trips for Bass fishing in Mazatlan when you search the net.

Photos via http://www.vikingsfleet.com/ and http://www.fishinginternational.com/location/mexiriviera.htm.

mexico is a bird watcher’s paradise and is the home to over 1000 of the world’s 8000 species.  These are incredible numbers, and not lost on bird watching travelers around the world.

Bird’s have long held a prestigious position in mexican mythology.  For instance, it was believed when a soldier died he became a hummingbird and went to live in paradise in the sun.  Birds were used to depict time and some were even considered to be bad omens.  On ancient Aztec and Mayan pieces of art, birds were always present and symbolic of many things in their day to day life and beliefs.

There are many vacation tours designed especially for bird watching.  For example, Puerto Vallarta is the home for over 300 of the 1000 species.  In this area, you will be able to see birds that live by the ocean, in the mountains, and in the valley.  Daily tours can be arranged at most of the larger hotels and resorts.  In La Huerta a tour is available to view a wide range of tropical birds from inside a canoe.  Tours in Villas Buena Vida and Rincon de Guayabitos are walking adventures where you can set your own pace.

This is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon, a day, or an entire vacation.  There are many books available to help you plan any type of session you want, and it is recommended that you always have a plan!  Enjoy and learn, there are so many exotic and native birds just awaiting you and your binoculars.

An Old World Shopping Experience

The origin of the mexican Mercado can be traced back to a group of people who arrived in North America some 12,000 years ago.  The Clovis People as they were known, were initially big game hunters but when the glaciers began to retreat in North America and the woolly mammoths and giant elk disappeared they were forced to look elsewhere for survival.  Around 2000 BC they learned how to work the land and grew things like maize, beans and squash.  Now that they had become farmers, they gave up the nomad lifestyle of chasing wild game, to stay in one place to tend their crops.  This brought about a complete cultural change.  Now, as a community, they had wares to buy and sell.  Thus the mercado is born.

Chiles, Chiles, and More Chiles

Around 1500BC the Olmec Culture was the first major culture to be born in mexico.  They were responsible for building massive temples and enormous structures of stone.  They had a calendar and a writing system that helped them to keep track of their inventories.  The temple cities were generally for religious ceremonies, but when this many people come together a form of commercial commerce was bound to evolve.  In these days, goods traded would include things like jade, marine shells and pottery.  At these trade centers, people exchanged goods and services but the mercados also provided a place for people to meet and communicate.

As time passed, Mexico became a place of great action and growth.  Villages became towns and cities and the mercado also grew in complexity and size.  As civilization evolved so did the mercado, and people became more and more dependent on them to peddle

there goods and services.

Over time, the markets have become more sophisticated but they still hold all their Old World charm.  A visit to a mercado is definitely a cultural experience.  To smell the smells, see the wares and watch the people is an energizing experience.  An adventure back in time awaits you.

Carnival in Ensenada (CC photo by E.Aviles courtesy of Flickr)

Around the world, the days before Lent are a time to celebrate and enjoy life to the fullest. Also known as Mardi Gras, in mexico however, Carnival is what is celebrated in the week before Ash Wednesday. While festivities differ from city to city, the overall theme is universal and the fun to be had is bountiful.

Carnival in Merida (CC photo by Xispo courtesy of Flickr)

If you are looking for culinary delights, then a trip to Mazatlan is sure to please. Two open-air festivals offer a grand collection of Mazatlan’s best food. Among the traditional favorites are mango shrimp and various smoked fish. Many cities have food carts selling all the familiar street fare that is easy to eat while walking along enjoying the exhibits and parades.

Carnival in Puebla (CC photo by Shanonala courtesy of Flickr)

If a more subdued celebration is your cup of tea, Merida is the place to enjoy the Carnival season. While not  as flashy as other mexican celebrations, it is still quite beautiful in a traditional and humble way. Men wear the traditional, and quite stunning, guayaberas while women don some of the most gorgeous hand embroidered dresses.

Possibly the King and Queen (CC photo by E.Aviles courtesy of Flickr)

The celebrations offer some of the very best food, music and entertainment available in each town. This is the time for indulging before going without during Lent. While many celebrations around the world lack much of the religious ties, Mexico maintains a high number of practicing Catholics who take the practice of Lent very seriously. Until Ash Wesdnesday, however, there is much fun to be had.

One of my favorite places in mexico is Cozumel. When visiting, it’s great to stay at one of the hotels or resorts right on the beach. El Cid La Ceiba Beach is a beautiful resort hotel in Cozumel that features a wonderful oceanfront location.

They offer all-inclusive plans that include hotel accommodations, all meals and drinks (house brands) from their restaurant and bar La Chopa, unlimited use of fitness center, sauna, tennis courts, kayaks and more. Gratuities and taxes are also included in one set price.

Additonally, they offer special scuba packages, golf packages and other custom packages.

The hotel is about a 10 minute drive from the airport and 5 minutes from downtown. It’s located in the southern hotel zone of Cozumel and just minutes away from shopping and dining in San Miguel. They offer studio rooms or one bedroom suites. The studios have a kitchenette, refrigerator, bath tub, cable TV and other amenities. The suites feature a separate living room area with a queen murphy bed, plus a king sized bed in the bedroom. These suites also have a kitchenette and all other necessities.

To learn more about the hotel and to book reservations, visit their website at ElCid.com. El Cid also has resorts in Mazatlan and Riviera Maya.

More Pictures…

My first vacation to mexico was to Mazatlán, many years ago and it remains one of my favorite destinations in Mexico. Mazatlán is located on the Pacific Ocean at the mouth of the Sea of Cortez, across from the tip of the Baja Peninsula.

You will find that resorts, shopping, dining and other activities in Mazatlán are slightly lower than the other major resort cities in Mexico.

Mazatlán consists of the city region dubbed “Old Mazatlán” and the resort region termed “Zona Dorada” – The Golden Zone.

Zona Dorada is the northern part of Mazatlán and features wonderul beaches, shopping and resorts. One of my favorite activities in Mazatlán (and all of Mexico) is fishing. Mazatlán is a big fishing port known for it’s tuna and shrimp. However sportfishing for sailfish and marlin is ever popular.

Whether you like fishing, water sports, tennis, golf, horseback riding, shopping, eating or just relaxing at the beach, you can do it all in Mazatlán.

Pueblo Bonito Mazatlán is a wonderful resort in Mazatlán that offers luxury accommodations. Each suite has a breathtaking ocean view, a kitchenette and top-notch amenities. It’s a great resort for families. Visit their website to learn more about Pueblo Bonito Mazatlán.

Photo credit: Flickr