Mexico Vacation Travels Pictures, Reviews, & Deals» San Luis Potosi

Campecheâ€™s Hacienda Puerta

kathy — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 07:00:02 +0000

Hacienda Puerta is located in the heart of Campeche, Mexico and marries a 17th century architecture to a new wing designed in a similar colonial-era aesthetic. The 3 guestrooms and 11 suites at The Hacienda Puerta Campeche are sizable and sport elegant, authentic details such as adobe-tiled floors, in-room hammocks, and pale limestone sinks in the even more commodious bathrooms. But it is the swimming pool which is surrounded by blooming gardens that most impresses the guests.

La Guardia, the hotel’s on-site restaurant, serves Mexican-style seafood, and a grand selection of tequilas and rums can be found at the hotel’s Bar la Ballesta. Visit StarWoodHotels.com.

Conquistadores: the founders of European presence in Mexico

Omer — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 17:44:54 +0000

The crusading spirit of the Spanish was seeking new victims and new riches to plunder following the expulsion of the Moors from the Hiberian peninsula. The warring classes of the era were jobless, in the modern sense of the term, once the task of eradicating Muslim presence in Spain was realized. The discovery of the Americas by Columbus could not have come at a better time to fuel and encourage their brutal ardor for wealth and conquest.

Conquistadores, as these warriors and their followers were called, are the main destroyers of mesoamerican culture and the native traditions that were erased through common work of the Catholic church and the Spanish authorities. Their legacy is still alive today in the inequalities, social tensions, and disparities in development seen in many parts of Latin America.

San Luis Potosi: The state of history and dreams

Omer — Wed, 20 May 2009 06:00:41 +0000

Bordered by Nuevo Leon, Veracruz and Tamaulipas, San Luis Potosi is a Mexican state with a mean elevation of about 6000 km, which ensures a temperate climate. The fertile soil of the state enables the cultivation of many different kinds of crops from maize to sugar depending on the location.

The state is especially famous for its mines which were some of the richest in the world prior to independence. Revolts and turmoil have since reduced production. Gold copper zinc and bismuth are the major products of San Luis Potosi mines today.

The population of the state is around 2,5 million. It is one of the less famous locations in Mexico, but the rich history and landscape promise to make the journey a rewarding one for those who give the magic state of gems and precious metals a chance.

Photos from Wikipedia.

Las Pozas: the Brilliant Work of Edward James

nelsonmelle — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 21:15:43 +0000

Virgen de Guadalupe at Las Pozas (photo by Lucy Nieto courtesy of Flickr)

It’s amazing what money can be used for. Las Pozas is an enchanting creation from the mind of Surrealist collector, Edward James, and highlights the intriguing beauty of Mexico’s jungles in the most playful and fantastic ways. James inherited a fortune and used the money to create Las Pozas with the help hard-working locals.

The fantasy architecture and exhibits span 20-acres of emerald green tropical forests connected through a series of stone-covered pathways. Cascading pools offer a gorgeous spot where locals enjoyed swimming and wading in the fairyland-like world. It also provided the name “Las Pozas” for the park.

Enchanting structures (photo by Lucy Nieto courtesy of Flickr)

While most of the beauty of Mexico has the ability to transport you away from the mundane, the work of Edward James offers transportation to another world. The plants of Mexico, so truly exotic, offer the perfect back drop for the surreal structures that seem to mesh perfectly into their surroundings. They seem to have always been a part of the land instead of a recent addition worked on until Eward James died in 1984. Until that time, he had added over 36 concrete structures to the exquisite Mexican Xanadu.

Beautiful greenery (photo by Lucy Nieto courtesy of Flickr)

The living museum was originally an inheritance of plantation to Edward James, a man bred into wealth,Â that he used to plant orchids. After an unrelenting frost took the orchids, he began constructing his surreal wonderland instead. He kept working until his death, and many of the buildings stand unfinished. Many enjoy the possibilities of what may have been added and how the creation would have looked completed. I’m sure this pleased the artist more than having finished his works.

Las Pozas (photo by Lucy Nieto courtesy of Flickr)

In 2007, Fondo Xilitla, one of Mexico’s most renowned charitable organizations, acquired Las Pozas with the idea of conserving the structures and land for future generations to enjoy. The experience is a must when in San Luis Potosi and sure to make the very most of your Mexican travels.

The park is open from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00p.m. and tours cost $200 pesos. The price increases to $250 for English or French presentations. Three major hotels, El Castillo, Hotel Dolores and Hotel Mission Conca, offer luxurious settings close to Las Pozas for the most amazing stay in the area.

Huasteca Potosina in San Luis Potosi: A Beautiful Adventure

nelsonmelle — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 15:33:39 +0000

Cascada de El Meco (photo by Lucy Nieto courtesy of Flickr)

The Huasteca Potosina is a region of the Sierra Madre that is named after the indigenous Huasteca culture and is found east of the capital of San Luis Potosi. The gorgeous area offers an amazing collection of both rapid, wild waters, as well as, calm a serene lagoons. Both ends of the spectrum are equaling facilitating with the stunning backdrop of rich jungle vegetation surrounding you.

Cascada el Salto (photo by Lucy Nieto courtesy of Flickr)

The Cascada el Meco is just one of the many waterfalls you will find through out the area. Smaller waterfalls, like the one above offer a more subdued experience. The falls, like many, lie at the mercy of rains and the Cascada el Salto, above, has dwindled to one of the smallest streams ever.

Gorgeous water (photo by Lucy Nieto courtesy of Flickr)

The colors of clear blue water are absolutely breathtaking and many enjoy snorkeling around the waterfalls and lagoons. The surrounding forests are home toÂ over 2,000 species of plants including orchids and lianas. The area is also home to the endangered Spider monkey, Jaguar and Kinkajou (also known as the Honey Bear). For these creatures, it is hoped that visitors will enjoy the grandeur in the most respectful ways possible.

Tranquil waters (photo by Lucy Nieto courtesy of Flickr)

There is a bounty of recreation available in Huasteca Potosina. Rafting, kayaking, swimming, snorkeling, hiking and camping are just a handful of fun the region holds. The area is a true treasure and photographs of the area are some of the most stunning you will take in Mexico. Huasteca Potosina is a must visit during your stay in Sal Luis Potosi.

VACATIONING IN THE CITY OF ZACATECAS

kiwy49 — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 02:22:11 +0000

The state of Zacatecas is located in the north-western-central high plateau sector of Mexico bounded by the states of Coahuila, San Luis Potosi, Guanajuato and Jalisco. The city of Zacatecas which is the capital and the largest in the state has grown up around rich silver-mining operations, although other minerals are also extracted from the area including gold, mercury, copper and iron ore.

Zacatecas is built in a deep, narrow ravine, with narrow, crooked streets, climbing the steep hillsides, and white, flat-roofed houses. The Colonial Center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and features elaborately decorated buildings, old palaces, residences, colonial fountains and wrought-iron lanterns.

Overlooking the city from an elevation of 150 meters, is the Cerro de la Bufa, a rocky outcropping crowed by a chapel and which is a popular spot for hiking and taking in the view of the city below. The city is also famous for its Teleferico, an aerial tramway which starts at the Cerro del Grillo and flies over downtown Zacatecas giving passengers a breathtaking view of the city. The tramway then climbs up to the Cerro de la Bufa where passengers can enjoy the view of the city.

There are different activities you can do in this city. Among them are shopping for silver and visiting the different colonial style buildings and museums. Eating in Zacatecas is also a really nice experience since they have the best birria (sheep meat cooked with different spices) as well as other traditional dishes.

If you ever get the chance to visit this marvelous city, don’t forget to bring your camera so that you can take some nice pictures of the city from some of the hills that you can hike to.

A FAVORITE MEXICAN MOVIE SET – REAL DE CATORCE

kiwy49 — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 01:17:28 +0000

Real de Catorce is a former Silver-mining community located at an altitude of over 9,000 feet, in the dry mountains of north-western San Luis Potosi. Silence, fresh air, and a spectacular view are some of the things that you can really enjoy here.

Although the town had been there for many years, silver was discovered in the local mountains in 1722 and a few years later in 1779 the village was officially founded. Nowadays, its main income comes from tourism.

It’s Colonial Style Buildings, Picturesque Surroundings, and Remote Location have made Real de Catorce a popular Movie Set. Several Hollywood films like The Mexican with Brad Pitt and Julia Roberts and Las Bandidas with Penelope Cruz and Salma Hayek have been shot here.

Real de Catorce was named a Pueblo Magico (Magical Village) in 2001. This is because it is a place with Symbolism, Legends, History, Important Events, Magic in its Social and Cultural Manifestations, with great opportunities for Tourism.

Access to the town is via a largely cobblestone road which at one point goes through the Ogarrio Tunnel, it is very narrow, permitting only alternating, one way traffic and about 3 kilometers long. So as you can see Real de Catorce is a very unique place.

Coming to this town is like traveling back in time to the days of the Mexican Revolution. Because of the different aspects mentioned above, this town deserves your visit.