The United Nations Tourism Organization has released its 2016 list of top ten countries receiving tourists and Mexico makes the list. International tourism to the country has been steadily increasing over the past decade as more and more visitors are drawn to the beaches, climate, and Meso-American culture.

International tourism grows in Mexico

The Tourism Highlights 2016 Edition lists the top ten nations by numbers of tourists received and Mexico checks in at #9. The country welcomed 32.1 million international visitors in 2015, up from the 29.3 million international tourists who visited in 2014.

Popular Mexico beach vacations

There is no shortage of attractions in Mexico to draw tourists – beaches, of course, often top the list, but there are also fascinating displays of Mayan history, traditional Mexican culture, wildlife preservation, and no shortage of shopping and dining. Thanks to the temperate climate, tourism peaks during December and throughout the summer and also picks up during spring break.

If you are looking for Mexico destinations for your next trip, consider some of the sites that made it into the US News Best Places to Visit in Mexico.

Some of the notables include:

* Playa del Carmen, a quaint fishing locale turned popular beach getaway offering a relaxed atmosphere but not shortage of activities. Try snorkeling in the reef, swimming with dolphins, or taking in a round of golf.

* Puerto Vallarta, a colonial village that has grown into a lush resort that experiences beautiful weather all year long. In addition to soaking up the sun on the golden beaches, you can escape with a horseback ride through the forest or go zip-lining across the jungle.

* Cancn, the epitome of fun in the sun. Surrounded by picturesque water – the Caribbean and the Nichupte Lagoon – on either side, there is no shortage of water activities. Nearby are the ancient Mayan ruins of Tulum and an underwater museum makes for a unique swimming excusion.

As more than 30 million international visitors last year discovered, each corner of Mexico offers something that can make your next vacation unique.

If you’re looking for a great vacation in Mexico, consider booking a vacation rental. Vacation rentals offer a unique way to see all that Mexico has to offer, from sun-drenched beaches to Mayan ruins.

Here are four reasons why a vacation rental is the best way to vacation in Mexico

1. Financial savings. Vacation rentals are less expensive than the large resorts. They are especially reasonable if you’re bringing the whole family. Yet our vacation rentals are often steps from the well-known resorts, so our guests enjoy the same pristine beaches, beautiful surf, elegant restaurants, and world-class shopping. Financial savings are also ensured with the flexibility of a vacation rental. If you want to eat fabulous Mexican cuisine, it’s all on offer. But if you’d rather eat a relaxed breakfast with your family in the morning, your vacation rental kitchen provides a wonderful place to relax and make yourself at home.
2. Family friendly. With a vacation rental, you have all the comforts of home. It’s your space for the vacation period. You can stretch out and relax however and whenever you want. In fact, many families like to drive to Mexico and stay at our vacation rentals. That way, they can bring everything they want, including the family pet. Do your children want to play favorite games? Read comic books? You can have all the comforts of home in your own luxurious space.
3. Get a taste of local living.  Immerse yourself in the local culture in a way that a conventional resort can match. Mexico is a fascinating country with a unique history, great charm, and a rich tradition of hospitality. Talk, shop, and interact with the local residents as though they are your neighbors. Enjoy the local landscape, its history, and its architecture like a member of the community.
4. Flexibility, flexibility, flexibility. Whether you want to sunbathe or see the Mayan ruins (or split your vacation among both), a vacation rental will fit your needs.

Choose your ideal Mexico destination

It’s not only the geography that’s varied, it’s also the rentals themselves. We rent beautiful villas, gorgeous furnished homes, convenient beachfront condos, and elegant seaside resorts.

Sea Side  Mexico offers vacation rentals in:

• Rivera Nayait
• San Carlos
• Puerto Vallarta
• Cancun,
• Playa del Carmen
• San Jose del Cabo
• Puerto Aventuras
• Rocky Point

For the best in Mexico’s vacation rentals, contact Sea Side Reservations at 1-888-262-4508 today. We will be more than happy to answer your questions and connect you with the vacation destination of your dreams.

 

Carribean Parrot seems to be Mark Mulligan’s new home when in Rocky Point. Located on Sinaloa Blvd. on the way to the Mirador area (a little way past Capone’s), Carribean Parrot is a spacious place to have lunch, dinner, or an adult beverage.

With walls covered in tropical nick-nacks (palm trees, parrots, sharks etc.) and a good sized stage, it is the perfect setting to listen to Mark sing his tales of life and love south of the border.

This Saturday, November 29th, Mark Mulligan returns, just him and his guitar. This will be his third visit in recent months. His previous shows played to nearly full houses of enthusiastic fans. This time, the music gets started at 4pm with an opening set from local singer/song writer Jessie Gerardo. Then at 5pm, Mark takes the stage.

If you haven’t heard his songs that talk about the charm of living on the coast of Mexico, come and be prepared to be won over. Get there early, as those who already love Mark Mulligan’s music should be out in force.

Saturday, November 29th, at the Carribean Parrot. Call 388 0660 for reservations. Show starts at 4pm with Jessie Gerardo. Mark Mulligan begins at 5pm.

Coming to Rocky Point this Holiday Season? Let Seaside Reservations help you find just the right place to stay!

One of the biggest holidays celebrated in Mexico is Revolution Day (Dia de la Revolucion). The year 1920 saw the start of 10 years of conflict stemming from a desire for a more equiltable society. Every year on the third Monday in November, Mexicans commemorate the start of the Mexican Revolution.

All across the country in towns big and small, there are parades. School children make up most of the participants. Dressed as figures from the Revoution, they also compete to present the best drum and bugle corps and flag details.

Rocky Point celebrates with a parade as well. Families line the streets as wave after wave of revolutionaries pass by.

For the last few years, folks in the Las Conchas neighborhood have honored the memory of resident artist Patti Springer with an annual art event. The call is out for artists to participate. Some go the extra mile and give a demonstration of how they create their work.

People drop by to do some Holiday shopping, enjoy the live music, have a glass of wine, and eat crispy carnitas tacos. A sunny afternoon of good times, kids dance barefoot and old friends catch up on things. All of it helps the charities that the residents of Las Conchas support through events like this, sponsored by the Las Conchas Community Relations Committee.

Come see the metal artists, painters, grafts sellers and more at the Patti Springer Art in the Park. It happens at the Las Conchas Fiesta Park. Ask at the gate for easy directions.

The event is on Saturday, November 29th, from 11am to 4pm. Artists set up begins at 9am. The cost to display your art is $20.00 US. Free and open to the public. For more information, or to reserve a space contact Lori at 382 0139, or Maria at 382 0050 por Espaniol./

 

Rocky Point regulars know – every once in a while, a strong wind will blow into town and stay for a few days. A famous film from the Mexican Cinema is set in one of these storms, out in the dunes of the Pinacate Biosphere reserve.

‘Viento Negro’, or Black Wind, was made in 1964 and tells it’s story around true events that happened during the construction of the railway that connected the State of Baja California with the rest of Mexico.

As part of National Conservation Week (October 27th through 31st), the Cine Club of Puerto Penasco presents the film during  its’ regular Tuesday night event, CineMartes. Every week, the patio of Puerto Viejo Coffee shop finds a gathering of film buffs, as well as those who like to enjoy a pleasant outside event while the weather is so nice.

Admission is free, and the film starts at 8:30pm. Puerto Viejo is located in the Old Port, one block off of the Malecon on Calle Zaragoza, across from the main church.

This one just in. The band Ruca is playing Saturday, October 25th for two shows at two different bars, right on Rocky Point’s Malecon.

Ruca is built around the songs of Haley GrigItis, as well as her great voice. She and the band normally perform in Phoenix, but were in Rocky Point this past July playing at the Summer Beach Party. Ruca’s music is mix of pop and reggae.

This time, they are at Beach Bum Restaurant and Bar from 2pm till 5pm, then across the street at Boo Bar from 8pm till 11pm. Yikes, maybe they need some help carrying there equipment?

Ruca’s music is fun. If you are in town, come check them out. Get a sample and find out more at casaruca.com or http://www.reverbnation.com/rucamusic

Most people know Jerry Canez from all of the catering he does for local weddings. Or from teaching culinary courses at the local university. His real home base though is Players Sports Bar. Yes, he finds time to offer a place for local sports fans to unwind with a cold beer and some good food.

On a recent night, some of us went to check out Players. As expected, there were plenty of big screen T.V.’s on the wall so you could be immersed in the game of your choice. Not being a particularly big sports fan, I came to check out the food!

Specifically, we went to try the wings. Wings seem to be universal, and Rocky Point has a lot of places claiming to offer the best. Knowing Jerry’s cooking from events he has catered, I figured his were a good bet.

We started with a hamburger, just because. What’s nice about the hamburgers here is that Jerry’s makes their own buns,l

and it shows. Flavored with herbs and spices, they really make the burger special. The wings come in a variety of flavors – barbeque, atomic, etc. We decided to try two of the unusual ones. First was the Tamarindo.

Tamarindo, if you haven’t tried it, is a citrusy – brown sugary syrup that is used in a lot of Mexican cooking. Sweet and tart, here it is mixed with tiny crushed chiltepin chiles. These can be super hot, so we asked for medium. Good choice. A nice mix of flavors, but not too spicey.

Next up was the habanero chile with pineapple. The pineapple is pureed till it is like an apple sauce. To this sweetness is added the famously fiery habanero. This one we for sure wanted to back off the heat. No problem, as it turned out. In fact I could have used a little more. But what a great combination of flavors! For those who like ‘hot’, This could be your new favorite.

If you thought there was nothing new to satisfy a chicken wing craving, try Player’s Sports Bar.

Players is located on Blvd. Benito Juarez, the main street. It is on the right coming into town, just past the Plaza de la Madre and a block before Burger King. You can contact them at 638 115 0983.

Rocky Point Rally number fourteen is just around the corner (Nov. 6 – 9). Will there be a big turn out? Last years Rally topped seven thousand, which is pretty darned good. But you never know.

One thing for sure is that there are people in Rocky Point who always play a big part in the show, no matter what. As a Gold Sponsor for this years Rally, Seaside Reservations wants to take the time to recognise those who are always in the thick of it.

While you may see Jill Michell on her bike during the Rocky Point Rally, you are just as likely to see her behind a bar. Working.

“They asked us at the last minute if the band Mogollon could be in front of my bar a few years ago. Which was great, my little place on the Mirador was packed. Except we didn’t have time to stock up, so after a while we were full of people just sorta hanging out” says Jill.

This year, that won’t be the case. South Side Jillz, her new place, opens this month in time for the Rally. “This building was on the original Playa Hermosa, then they built the land out around it. It is a real piece of Rocky Point history, and I’d like to give back and get the place up and running” she says.

Located at the top of Calle 13, bright blue, can’t-miss-it South Side Jillz is a natural turn around point for bikers cruising the bars and other entertainment options the street has to offer. Count on finding pool tables and maybe the longest bar in town.

While we talk, we hear another bike roaring up the street. Max Fu stops in. He is part of the Rocky Point Riders, the towns own motorcycle club. Time to get some bike photos.

“Hey c’mon Tony, we wannna dance!” Sun setting on the back patio of Colin’s Cantina, someone calls out from one of the tables. Tony Jimenez is just finishing setting up the equipment and lights for his regular Thursday evening set. “O.K., ready” he says, and strums the first chord on his guitar.

Definitely ´un-plugged’, the mood is just right for hanging out with friends, watching the stars come out, maybe dancing with your honey. More people arrive as a waiter brings guacamole, chips, and mugs of beer frosted over with ice.

¨We are owners here. We love that we can just walk over to Colin´s.¨ the lady tells me. She takes a seat as the song ends, even though her grand kids try to pull her back up for more dancing. Colin´s Cantina is by the entrance to the Princesa Resort, and is open to the public. ¨Wanna dance?¨ she says, and nods her head towards the kids, ¨with them!¨

A slow country song from Tony saves me. Tony plays Thursdays at Colin´s, from 6pm until 8pm. On weekends you can find him playing and singing at Boobar on the Malecon with his group, The BooBoys.

Colin´s Cantina really is the local corner bar-restaurant. Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Colin´s is also the place to show up to watch the game, have a burger, and something cold on tap. They are open seven days a week, with Happy Hour from 4pm till 6pm.

Taking a bite of my shrimp taco, I look up to see the two grand daughters staring at me, arms crossed. At that very moment, Tony hits the first notes of ¨Brown Eyed Girl¨. Ah, who could say no.

Tony Jimenez sings and plays guitar Thursday nights from 6pm until 8pm at Colin´s Cantina, located at the entrance to the Princesa de Penasco Resort. Colin´s hours are Monday and Tuesday, 12pm til 8pm, and Wednesday through Sunday 8am til 10pm. You can contact them at 638 382 8020 or on Facebook.                                                                                                                                                 by Richard Scott