Sea Side Reservations Blog

More than 6,000 water-filled caves can be found along Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. Known locally as cenotes, these limestone sinkholes are popular scuba diving sites marked by their stunningly beautiful stalagmites and stalactites. Over the past 35 years, avid spelunkers and divers have been exploring the underwater caverns, primarily located on the Riviera Maya between the Tulum ruins and Cancun.

In 2007, while diving the site known as Hoyo Negro (Spanish for black hole), a group of amateur cave divers made a startling discovery that would completely transform the way scientists view the first inhabitants of America. Alejandro Alvarez and his friends stumbled upon a completely intact 12,000-year-old skeleton of an adolescent girl. This landmark discovery was only announced publicly this year in the U.S. magazine Science, following years of meticulous scientific investigations by Mexican authorities.

12,000 year old skeleton found in Yucatan water cavern

Mexican scientists believe that the preserved skeleton of the teenage girl, nicknamed Naia (which is old Greek for water nymph), may shed light on the origin of the American continent’s first inhabitants. Later studies on the skeleton’s facial features and skull shape helped identify Naia as a paleo-American woman. Her DNA can be traced back to hunter-collectors who traveled to the Americas from northern Asia more than 20,000 years ago.

Scientists think that the 16-year-old girl possibly fell into the hole before the caverns filled with water. Over the many thousands of years, as glaciers melted, the girl’s bones along with those of prehistoric mega fauna were sealed off in a watery grave.

Fortunately for scientists, the skeleton was found practically untouched and in pristine condition, providing almost a time capsule. In the watery tomb, divers also found many bones of creatures that were later identified as puma, sabertooth, giant tapir, boar, coyote, bear and gomphothere – a distant elephant relative.

Great Maya Aquifer discoveries

Within months of finding the Naia skeleton, underwater explorers made two other notable discoveries within the Great Maya Aquifer in the state of Quintana Roo. Archeologist Guillermo de Anda Alanis and his team discovered a perfectly preserved Maya altar, along with remains of prehispanic building structures dating to 900-1200 AD. Divers also found the fossilized cranium of a man more than 10,000 years old.

Researchers speculate that these ancient remains found in the cenotes of the Yucatan Peninsula suggest some sort of catastrophic climate event or drought that occurred in the late classic period.

Resources:

1. LA Times, Teen skeleton found by Mexico cave divers has scientists breathless, http://www.latimes.com/world/mexico-americas/la-fg-mexico-skeleton-divers-20140530-story.html
2. MexicoNews Network, TEN THOUSAND YEAR OLD SKULL FOUND IN QUINTANA ROO http://www.mexiconewsnetwork.com/art-culture/ancient-skull-found-quintana-roo/

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Winter is a wondrous time to visit Mexico. Balmy weather aside, there are many merry reasons to consider a trip to Mexico around the Christmas season, which runs from December 12th to January 6th. Gifts are given on the 6th(the day commemorating the three kings’ visit to baby Jesus in the manger), but the real festivities are in the preceding month of processions, religious ceremonies, and family gatherings.

Posadas

Christmas celebrations kick off on December 16 with a ritual that dates back 400 years. “Posadas” represent a nine-day series of processions recreating the Holy Pilgrimage of Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus to Bethlehem.

During the processions, two people dressed as Mary and Joseph lead the way with a candle inside a paper lantern. Certain homes decorated with evergreens and paper lanterns are designated as “the inns.” One home is visited each night for eight nights. At each home, children sing a song, asking to be let in. The residents respond in song, saying there is no room at the inn. On the ninth night, the guests are finally allowed inside for prayer, followed by a party with food and sweet-filled piñatas.

There are many variations on the tradition, depending where you go. San Miguel de Allende is one of the best places in Mexico to partake in posadas, where the community incorporates live donkeys, tremendous bonfires, a Three Kings Market with over 700 vendors, nativity scene building workshops, costumes, classical music concerts, and special treats.

Decorations

Nativity scenes are put up during the Christmas season all across Mexico. Unlike the modest figurines found in people’s homes in America, most of the Mexican scenes are life-sized or encompassing entire rooms of a person’s home. These figurines are often constructed out of clay and passed down through the generations within a family.

Mexican nativity scenes are based around traditional depictions of Jesus, Mary, Joseph, the Shepherds, and the Three Kings, but you may see a few unusual additions. Everyday Mexican people – from tortilla-makers to food vendors – are often included in the manger scenes, as well as exotic wild animals like flamingos.

Red poinsettia flowers adorn every Mexican home. Legend has it, a poor girl picked weeds to bring to Church for baby Jesus one Christmas Eve. The people in her neighborhood mocked her, but she believed that any gift given in love would be appreciated by the infant king. When she arrived at church, the “weeds” blossomed into beautiful red flowers – a true Christmas miracle!

Evergreens have become increasingly popular over the years, just as we celebrate with Christmas trees. Hand-painted ornaments make the ideal keepsake to take back home after spending Christmas in Mexico.

Nochebuena traditions

Nochebuena translates to “the Good Night” – which we call “Christmas Eve” in America. On December 24, Mexican families and friends gather for a big feast, often accompanied by music and small gifts.

Dinner may include:

• Homemade tamales or roast pork with rice and beans as a main entrée
• Bacalao a la Vizcaina, a salt cod stew
• A delicious salad made of dark leafy greens, potatoes and mole sauce called romeritos en revoltijo
• Small donuts, hot chocolate, and circular-shaped rosca de reyes fruit cakes for dessert

Mexicans customarily toast with a punch called coquito made from coconut milk, condensed milk and white rum. Another special drink the Mexicans enjoy at Christmastime is called ponche con piquete – a hot drink made from the pulp of seasonal fruits, spices like cinnamon, and alcohol like rum, brandy, or tequila. Atole is a hot, corn-based beverage flavored with vanilla beans, cinnamon and brown sugar.

The feast is followed by Misa de Gallo (“Mass of Roosters”) — the Midnight Mass, where a baby Jesus figurine is blessed and placed in the nativity scene. The religious service received its name from a legendary rooster who witnessed the birth of Jesus and made his announcement to the world.

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The arch of Cabo San Lucas, locally known as “El Arco,” is a distinctive and beautiful rock formation that juts from the sea, creating a perfect arcing portico. Few images can do justice to this well-known landmark, which represents the southernmost extreme of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula. El Arco also marks the juncture where the mighty Pacific Ocean meets the Cortez Sea – making for plenty of fabulous photo opportunities, especially at dawn and dusk.

There are plenty of ways to visit the arch of Cabo San Lucas (also known as Lands End), including glass bottom boat tours, water taxis, sunset cruises, and snorkeling/diving tours. More intrepid travelers can even rent kayaks and paddle their way around the rock formations, where pelicans and sea lions congregate among the rocky islets and small but very inviting beaches.

El Arco – an Icon of Cabo San Lucas

Frequently rated as one of the best things to do in Cabo, a trip to El Arco is highly recommended for visitors of all ages. You can hire a glass bottom boat or water taxi near the Cabo marina for the short 20-minute jaunt to the arch, or book one of the all-inclusive boat tours that includes swimming around the rock formations, time at Lover’s Beach, lunch, and snorkeling opportunities.

The calm waters around the arch make it a great site for all kinds of sports, including sea kayaking, jet skiing, parasailing, snorkeling and scuba diving.  Los Cabos boat tours that feature a visit to Lands End come in all varieties, but traditionally follow a similar route through Cabo San Lucas Bay, past the rock formations of El Arco into the larger swells of the Pacific Ocean, before heading east along the Corridor. Some boat tour operators feature pirate themes, open bars and more of a party atmosphere, allowing plenty of chances to relax, meet new friends and enjoy the stunning landscapes of the Baja Peninsula.

Snorkeling and diving enthusiasts rave about the crystal clear waters surrounding El Arco, where tropical fish, sea turtles, sea lions and the occasional whale are spotted.

Recommendations for visiting the Arch

If you’re traveling with young children to Cabo San Lucas, consider renting a glass bottom boat to experience the magic of El Arco. Some families love the Pirate Ship tour that includes afternoon snorkeling and an entertaining pirate show that promises to delight the little ones.

Couples may prefer the intimacy afforded by the Jazz and Wine cruise to El Arco – one of the planet’s most beautiful and romantic places to watch the sun set.

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Mexican law states that no spirits can be labeled “tequila” unless they are produced in one of four states, the most notable being Jalisco. Often dubbed the champagne of Mexico, tequila comes in reposados, anejos and blancos — but all varieties are distilled from the sugary juices of the blue weber agave. Unlike fine wines or scotches, tequila doesn’t get better with age. In fact, many of today’s luxury tequilas offer the distinctive, refined flavors of a long-aged brandy or rum, after only a few months of sitting in oak barrels.

Today’s award-winning artisanal tequila offerings are on par with craft beers. There is absolutely something for everyone. Whether you prefer to sip on an amber-hued anejo over ice, or mix up the tastiest margarita this side of Cancun, there’s a tequila made just for you.

Let’s take a look at five contenders that have each garnered accolades at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and have passed muster for an exceptionally smooth finish.

Tequila Trago Reposado

Made in Los Alambiques Distillery in Central Mexico, Trago Reposado is perfect for crafting top-shelf margaritas and has subtle hints of caramel and vanilla flavors. Many attribute the quality of this fine spirit to the soil and weather conditions where the blue agave is grown, in the highlands surrounding Jalisco.

Tequila Siete Leguas

Siete Leguas is an estate grown tequila that is carefully aged in white oak barrels (from 4 months to 7 years) to render its full flavor and unique smoothness. The secret to this clean, rustic taste are the traditional methods used to harvest and process the agave. A mule-drawn millstone crushes the cactus heart and copper stills are used to remove impurities. Enjoy a glass, neat on the rocks, and you might detect notes of spearmint, cinnamon or pine.

Tequila X.Q. Añejo

Renowned for its trademark “X” shaped bottle, X.Q. Anejo is aged for 36 months and is recommended for those who savor the taste of a 100% blue agave, high quality tequila. You may notice aromas of jalapeño, toffee and wood spice.

Tequila Tapatio Blanco

Just like champagne, tequilas come in all varieties and price points. Attractively priced for its sophisticated finish, Tapatio blanco is surprisingly full-bodied and spicy. Enjoy this spirit in Mexico’s most famous cocktail— simply shake with fresh lime juice and a splash of triple sec.

Avion Silver Tequila

This impressive un-aged tequila has won the Gold metal not once but twice at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Tasty all by itself or in your favorite mixed drinks, Avion Silver is praised for its intense herbal notes of rosemary and mint, which is followed up with subtle hints of pineapple and grapefruit.

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Mexico is a land characterized by its sun-drenched beaches, Mayan ruins and adrenaline-filled outdoor pursuits. What many visitors fail to anticipate before their vacation is the smorgasbord of mouthwatering regional cuisine awaiting them, whether exploring the Riviera Nayarit or the Spanish colonial town of  San Jose del Cabo. No matter where you travel, you’ll have no trouble finding at least one gastronomic experience that speaks to the local culture and flavor.

Here are 10 incredible “must try” dishes to add to your Mexico culinary bucket list.

Chiles en nogada

Perfect for lunch or dinner, chiles en nogada is both tasty and colorful. Mild poblano chillies are filled with a mixture of spiced chopped meats and fruit, and topped with a creamy walnut sauce.

Tamales

This ancient snack, dating back to the Aztec era, is especially popular around the Christmas holidays. Most tamales are savory, and prepared with corn dough filled with chopped pork, chicken and vegetables and/or cheese and then wrapped in a banana leaf and steamed.

Mole

This rich, dark sauce is one of the most popular complements to Mexican dishes, and can contain more than 30 ingredients! Chile peppers make up the base of this sauce, which is flavored with spices, nuts, chocolate and fruits. Some of the most classic moles are mole negro and mole poblano, served in the Oaxaca and Central Mexico.

Tostadas

Tostadas are popular appetizers, or make for a great light lunch. Corn tortillas are fried in vegetable oil and then topped with refried beans and cheese, ground chicken or beef, or even ceviche.

Tacos al pastor

This authentic dish remains a best-seller on menus across the country, and is created by placing thin slices of perfectly roasted pork on a corn tortilla. The tacos are topped with coriander, diced onions and a pineapple garnish.

Chilaquiles

For a taste of Mexican comfort food, try this traditional breakfast staple. Chilaquiles feature triangles of lightly fried corn tortillas, piled high with your choice of scrambled eggs, cheese, or pulled chicken and a hearty topping of green or red salsa.

Elote

Almost every street corner in Mexico has a vendor selling perfectly cooked corn on the cob, or elote. Some serve the kernels in a cup, and others serve the cob on a stick, to be eaten like a Popsicle. Elote is usually eaten with a combo of lime, chili powder, or cheese and sour cream.

Pozole

This rich, hearty stew is made with dried large white corn kernels (hominy), pork shoulder, onions, garlic and a mixture of herbs and then simmered for hours.

Enchiladas Verde

Various versions of enchiladas were first made by the Maya, who wrapped fish in corn tortillas. The modern enchiladas “verde” generally use flour tortillas, which are stuffed with cooked chicken and topped with a bright tomatillo sauce augmented with serrano chilies – perfect for lunch or dinner!

Guacamole

Just about everyone is familiar with guacamole, perhaps Mexico’s most famous side dish! Guacamole flavors vary from region to region, but the most traditional is made with ripe avocados, onion, lime juice, tomatoes, chili pepper and garlic.

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Mexico may evoke images of sultry sandy beaches and summer getaways, but do not overlook the richness of a Mexico vacation in mild weather as well. As November gets underway, it is a perfect time to plan a holiday beach vacation in Mexico whether you plan to fly solo, with a small group, or with the whole family.

Holiday travel in Mexico

Christmas and other winter holidays in Mexico tend to meld recognizable holiday festivities with local flavor. Do not be surprised to find cheerfully decorated streets complete with nativity scenes, Christmas trees, and sometimes even synthetic snow, alongside vendors preparing local favorites like tamales and warm tropical punch. In other words, there are some enjoyable benefits to vacationing in Mexico for the holidays.

For those itching to escape the snow, Mexico’s weather is more mild though there are variations – naturally, more northern destinations and spots in the mountains are cooler than the more southern locales. Playa del Carmen, on the Yucatan peninsula, sees its annual low temperatures of about 74 degrees in January. In Cabo San Lucas, farther north, January temperatures only reach about 66 degrees.

Mexican travel destinations also tend to offer plenty of family-friendly events. Playa del Carmen kicks of December with the Riviera Maya Jazz Festival. Mexico City hosts Christmas festivities from early December through early January, even installing an ice rink for skating in the Zocalo. You can find anything from religious feasts to a radish night to patronize during the holiday seasons.

Winter vacation in Mexico

During the holiday season, travel to Mexico picks up during the weeks when children are on school breaks. Hotels can be especially crowded but vacation rentals are a comfortable alternative that are easy on the wallet and promise tons of modern amenities.

Whether you’re a beach bum, a history buff or an adventure junkie, you’re sure to enjoy the wonderful attractions, people, food and landscapes of Mexico!

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Skeletons can be downright spooky unless you’re celebrating Dia de los Muertos in Mexico!

Held just after Halloween, Dia de los Muertos – or Day of the Dead — is akin to an enormous family reunion. This holiday stems from ancient Aztec traditions that celebrate and rejoice the lives of ancestors, and is a joyful time when relatives pay special tribute to the souls of the departed.

Every November 1 and 2 families throughout Mexico enjoy one of the liveliest and most colorful holiday celebrations. Day of the Dead is a time of immense cheerfulness, when families cook together and share humorous anecdotes of grandmothers and great grandfathers. It is a celebration marked with jubilant music, delicious food, life-sized skeletons and vibrant skull masks, graveyard parties and lots of laughter. This traditional holiday – celebrated throughout southern and central Mexico — is a huge family party that brings loved ones together in pueblos big and small to honor the spirits of the dead.

Festivals & celebrations to honor the dead

Dia de los Muertos is rooted in the belief that by celebrating their dead loved ones, families will be afforded protection by the spirits of their ancestors, who can also provide guidance and wisdom. Each family creates an elaborate candlelit alter, known as an ofrenda, which is adorned with fresh marigolds and the favored foods, drinks and trinkets of the deceased. The altars also contain items that were dear to the fallen relative, whether a musical instrument, a special photo or a book.  The ofrendas are also decorated with candied sugar skulls and folk-art skeleton replicas as a final touch.

On November 2, families make a pilgrimage to the local cemeteries where their relatives are buried with lots of food and libations in tow. There, they spend the day together, cleaning the tombstones and gravesite areas while singing songs, making toasts, playing music and speaking to the departed spirits of those who passed on. There are always plenty of homemade delicacies (including corn tortillas, mole, fruit, nuts and candies) at these gravesite parties, where plates of food are offered to ancestral spirits as well. Mexican families often take the opportunity to introduce a newborn child to grandparents or other ancestors who passed on before the birth.

Skeletons and skulls are some of the most ubiquitous symbols during Dia de Los Muertos. These mini cardboard or papier mache creations are usually playing musical instruments, singing, or doing other joyful activities that demonstrate a celebration and love of life.

Typical holiday foods during this Mexican holiday include slightly sweetened egg bread and sugared candies that are formed into the shapes of skulls and gifted to both the living and the dead.

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Sea level on the beaches of Cancun and Playa del Carmen offers clear blue expanses of water but a secret escape lets you swim underground in cool, clear waters of subterranean caves once revered by the Mayans. The Mayans referred to these spots as cenotes, or “sacred wells” and even settled their villages around them to tap into a spirit connection. Even today, the cenotes hold a mystic beauty.

The groundwork of the Yucatan Peninsula is structured a bit like a solidified porous sponge that was created where limestone collapsed or was eroded to reveal giant crevices. In spots where there were especially large holes, groundwater that has been filtered by the ground collects in crystal pools. In some, you can see straight through the purified water to the fish swimming at the bottom. In others, you can dodge stalactites and stalagmites. Some of the holes in the vast underground networks can only be reached by scuba diving.

Plan a cenote escape

Entering a cenote can be as calm or adventure-filled as you wish. Some have stairs that even grandma can traverse. For others, be ready to rappel. The cenotes that are open to the public are privately owned so there will be a fee to enter and life jackets will be provided.

Not far from Cancun, along Riviera Maya, there are several choices for a cenote experience. Some of the nearest include:

• Less than an hour away in Boca del Puma, an eco-park offers zip line tours, ATV rides, and a cenote to explore.
• Cenote Verde Lucero in Puerto Moreles is a smaller cenote so it has less traffic but still offers a lot of extras like a zip line and diving opportunities.
• Sistema Xcaret is located in the Xcaret Eco-Park near Playa del Carmen and after snorkeling in the underground river, take a full menu of attractions including ruins, a dolphin attraction, and a farm.

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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.

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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.

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