Journey Mexico Blog

In addition to sunny beaches, hidden cenotes and mysterious ruins, Mexico offers an amazing number of traditional culinary food choices that delight even the most adventurous palates. If you’re a dedicated foodie, why not take advantage of one of Journey Mexico’s Culinary Tours in Mexico? These excursions are designed to immerse you in Mexican culture, expose you to the culinary delights of this friendly land, teach you a few new cooking skills and create fond memories that you will cherish for a lifetime!

In honor of the upcoming La Feria De Puebla, we are highlighting Journey Mexico’s “A Taste of Puebla Culinary Trip.” If you schedule your excursion between the dates of April 13 and May 13 of this year, you can attend the Puebla Fair 2012 in addition to experiencing all that our customized itinerary has to offer.

La Feria De Puebla
Every year, more than a million exhibitors and visitors descend on quaint Puebla for this exciting event. During the course of an entire month, attendees enjoy the rich culture of this land including regional food, traditional drinks, arts and crafts exhibits, live performances and more.

A Taste of Puebla Culinary Trip
This organized tour is designed to allow you to fully explore the culinary opportunities of Puebla. In addition to simply enjoying these tasty dishes, you’ll learn traditional cooking methods from local chefs so that you can create your own Mexican masterpieces for friends and family back home.

The Taste of Puebla Culinary Trip is a well-rounded experience that includes visits to some of the most beautiful and historically significant sites surrounding Puebla. This is the perfect vacation choice for anyone who loves food, culture and history!

The highlights of this trip include:

• Take a private tour of the colonial buildings and historic churches located in Puebla’s historic city center.
• See the best that UNESCO has to offer on your guided tour of Puebla’s world heritage city.
• Take the Introduction to Pueblan Cuisine cooking course at Meson Sacristia. This class will teach you how to make salsa verde and roja, chalupas, arroz con leche and more.
• Enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner at some of Puebla’s most interesting traditional venues.

This winning combination is one of the most enjoyable ways to learn more about the culture of friendly Mexico! Best of all, you’ll acquire new culinary skills that you will use for a lifetime.

photo via mexperience.com

Easter in Mexico is a two-week holiday consisting of Semana Santa (The Holy Week, beginning on Palm Sunday and ending Easter Saturday) and Pascua (Starting with Easter Sunday and ending the following Saturday). Semana Santa is undoubtedly the most important holiday in Mexican culture. Schools and often businesses in Mexico close during these two weeks and many Mexican families go on holiday during Semana Santa and Pascua.

Across the country, Mexicans celebrate the last days of Christ during Holy Week with elaborate and much anticipated processions, ceremonies, and rituals. Most of the larger Semana Santa celebrations include a dramatic reenactment of the capture, the trial, and the crucifixion of Jesus. To be a part of these productions is a great honor and the actors are known for delivering inspiring and moving performances. Different regions of Mexico are known for practicing unique traditions during Semana Santa such as acts of physical torture, public displays of political/social ridicule, and displays of resolutions and commitment.

photo via mexperience.com

In some of the more devout regions of Mexico like Taxco, the reenactments include penitentes – men and women who show their penitence and prove their faith by inflicting physical pain on their bodies by whipping themselves or carrying large religious objects on their backs. This is an ancient tradition that dates back to the middle ages and was introduced to Mexico by the Spanish more than 500 years ago. During the reenactments, the actor playing Jesus usually wears a real crown of thorns and carries a massive cross weighing hundreds of pounds over great distances to the scene of crucifixion. Actors prepare both physically and mentally for months before hand with the support of their families and communities.

"Burning of the Judases"

In towns like San Miguel de Allende, another Spanish-influenced tradition is celebrated during the Holy Week called “The Burning (or Firing) of the Judases.” In Spain, carpenters would make wooden dolls representing Judas, which would be hung and burned in town squares to punish Judas for betraying Christ. During the Holy Inquisition, when the Spanish were burning people at the stake for heresy, Mexicans protested by making dolls and dressing them like Spanish inquisitors and burning them instead of Judas. This evolved into the current tradition where giant Judases made from paper mache are dressed and painted to resemble political and public figures not currently in favor of the public. The dolls are then hung and blown up with fireworks, scattering limbs in the street for children to collect as souvenirs. Famous Mexican artists like Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo were strong proponents of the value of art in political commentary and quickly adopted the tradition of creating Judases.

Other traditions focus on different ways to show your dedication and appreciation of Jesus’s sacrifice. In Iztapalapa, people called Nazarenes parade the streets before the procession of Christ, marching in promise to fulfill a manda, or religious promise, as payment for a granted favor from God. In many regions of Mexico, people show their devotion by visiting twelve different churches in a single day – one church for each apostle. In more remote regions like the Copper Canyon, local cultures mix christian celebration with ancient native rituals, paying homage to both their Spanish and Indian heritage.

Once the sacrifice is made and Jesus rises from the dead, Pascua begins and the second week of the Easter celebration carries on with a brighter tone, reflecting the resurrection, the start of Spring, and the promise of new beginnings. Many Mexican families travel to beach destinations like Acapulco and Puerto Vallarta during these Easter celebrations to enjoy the coast as they pay tribute.

Traveling to Mexico for Semana Santa and Pascua is an unforgettable experience, but can be tricky to plan logistically – especially last minute as the traditional areas of celebration and most beach destinations are usually booked in advance. Contact Journey Mexico for assistance with planning travel to Mexico for Semana Santa.

There’s no better way to immerse yourself in Mexican culture than attending one of the longest-running festivals in this friendly country! The San Marcos National Fair 2012 is scheduled to run from April 20th to May 13th in charming Aguascalientes. During this time, you can get to know the locals, sample the best Mexican food you’ve ever tasted, buy some local arts and crafts to take back home, listen to great music by a wide variety of artists and so much more!

The San Marcos National Fair is the best time to visit Aguascalientes. Held in honor of St. Mark, the patron saint of this charming city, this festival has delighted locals and tourists since 1828. Around the globe, La Feria de San Marcos, better known as the “Fair of Mexico,” has a well-earned reputation as the highlight of any spring visit to this sunny nation. While you’re at the fair, don’t miss the following feature attractions:

• Traditional Charreadas and Skirmishes
• Livestock Expo and Thrill rides
• Typical Fair Food and Traditional Mexican Cuisine
• Local Arts and Crafts
• The Colonial-Designed Buildings at The Casino
• A Variety of Shows Including Plays, Musicals and Concerts

During your stay, don’t miss some of the other attractions that Aguascalientes is famous for. The Garden of San Marcos is a peaceful retreat that offers a welcome break from the more bustling areas of the city while La Isla de San Marcos is the best place to view the impromptu art exhibits that line the sidewalks of this cultural complex.

Quinta Real, Aguascalientes

To meet the needs of the thousands of tourists that descend on the San Marcos National Fair, Aguascalientes has an international airport with daily flights and several luxury hotels. If you need help booking your flights, picking the perfect place to stay or scheduling an exciting adventure, give us a call! At Journey Mexico, we have the inside scoop on all the best things to do and see in Aguascalientes and in the rest of Mexico! Take advantage of one of our Mexico Culture Travel Tours or allow one of our travel agents to create a customized experience just for you.

Puerto Vallarta is pulling out all the stops for the 37th annual Tourism Tianguis Mexico travel fair 2012 that is being held in the Puerto Vallarta Convention Center from March 25th through March 28th of 2012. Every year, this event is held to find new ways to strengthen tourism in Mexico.

According to the director of this exciting event, Miguel González González, this year’s travel fair will focus on Mexico’s core attractions including beach destinations, adventure tourism, luxury resorts and business travel. If you’re attending Tianguis 2012, you will also be presented with a wide range of hands-on activities that will make this event the most successful Mexican travel fair to date. Depending on your interests, you can take part in a golf tournament, view a fireworks show and attend numerous cultural events. You can view the site for the Tianguis Turistico here.

To keep everyone organized and make sure they don’t miss a thing, this year’s Tourism Tianguis is going hi-tech. Participants will have access to an interactive website, a new appointment system, streaming information to their mobile devices and a number of other organizational and communication tools.

This year’s event is already demonstrating a heightened level of interest in Mexican tourism. Here are a few numbers that illustrate this increase year over year:

• Buyer participation has increased by 50 percent.
• Business appointments have increased by 25 percent.
• The number of registered countries has increased by 30 percent.
• This year’s venue offers 67 percent more space.

So far, the Mexican government has invested 65 million pesos to this event, but they expect the payoff to local businesses to approach 118 million pesos. Part of this effort includes the new Malecon, improved access roads and a restored historic center. With this preparation, Puerto Vallarta is positioned to impress both the travel industry and visiting tourists.

If you’re planning to attend this travel fair or visit Puerto Vallarta for any reason, give Journey Mexico a call. Both Matteo and Rene will be attending from Journey Mexico. We can help you choose the best accommodations for your stay and give you valuable inside information about the best things to do in this lovely part of Mexico.

This week marks the beginning of Carnival (also known as Mardi Gras in the US), which is celebrated in many regions of the world and was brought to Mexico by the Spaniards. Because celebrations begin the week before Ash Wednesday (the start of Lent), the date of Carnival changes year to year. This year’s festivities will begin this weekend for most of Mexico; however, the nation’s two largest celebrations in Veracruz and Mazatlan have already begun.

The history of Carnival relates to the Biblical 40 days of Lent, which refers to the 40 days Jesus Christ spent in the desert. During lent, participants give up eating rich foods such as meat, dairy, fats and sugar to pay homage to the suffering and self control of Christ. Because all rich foods had to be rid of by Ash Wednesday, people began converging for large feasts leading up to the start of Lent in order to dispose of the food so it wouldn’t just go to waste. These feasts are the origin of the large, colorful parties we celebrate today.

Though Mexico’s most famous carnival festivities are held in Veracruz and Mazatlan (and are considered by many to rival those of Rio de Janeiro and New Orleans), other cities throughout Mexico like Merida, Cozumel, Campeche, Ensendada, La Paz, and Puerto Vallarta throw large Carnvial celebrations that are not be missed.

Day of the Dead, or Dia de los Muertos, is an often misunderstood holiday celebrated in Mexico. While, technically speaking, the actual Day of the Dead is November 2nd, the tradition has evolved to also include October 31st and November 1st as well.

Because the US and Mexico are in such close proximity and a share a common geographical border, many traditions have crossed national lines and become a part of both North American and Mexican cultures. Such is case of the celebrations held in Mexico on October 31st for Halloween, which is a holiday adopted from European cultures via the US.

Much like in the US, Halloween celebrations in Mexico involve costumes, partying with friends, and even trick-or-treating but in Mexico, Halloween is seen as “fun and games” whereas Nov. 1st and 2nd are much more serious of traditions.

November 1st is traditionally referred to as Dia de los Angelitos (Day of the Little Angels) in Mexico and is the day to honor infants and children who have died. November 2nd is the actual Dia de los Muertos when families honor adults whom they have lost. It is believed that on these days, the souls of the deceased return to earth to be with their families and loved ones.

It is important to note that the celebrations for these holidays, especially for Dia de los Angelitos and Dia de los Muertos, vary widely throughout the different regions of Mexico. In some areas, the cemetery plays a larger role in celebrations than in others where the home is the center of celebrations where alters and shrines are built. The favorite food and beverage of the deceased are often taken to graves and alters to honor the dead and in some regions, people celebrate the loss of children by hosting dinners consisting of specific foods and sweets. Costumes, body paint, and imagery of skulls and bones are often important in many areas of Mexico when celebrating these holidays as well.

The mood of these holidays will also vary from grievance to humorous are relatives reminisce about funny events and anecdotes of the deceased. One of Mexico’s most prominent symbols of Dia de los Muertos, the Catrina figures (little statues of skeletons dressed in formal clothing), began from a printed parody poking fun at an upper class Mexican female, and there is another tradition where people write short poems called calaveras (“skulls”), which are mocking epitaphs poking fun at the quirky habits or funny events of the deceased and their past.

Oaxaca and Michoacan are incredible places to visit during Dia de los Muertos as elaborate, traditional celebrations still run strong in these regions. Accommodations become scarce during the time of these holidays, so be sure to contact Journey Mexico to plan a trip for Dia de los Muertos today!

*Update: You can find other great articles on Mexico’s Day of the Dead at Transitions Abroad and Global Voices, and Andrea Arzaba has some awesome Day of the Dead photos at Chunks of Mexico.

November brings two of Mexico’s most cherished food festivals: The International Gourmet Festival in Puerto Vallarta (Nov. 10-20th) and the Taste of Playa in the Riviera Maya (Nov. 20th).

The International Gourmet Festival in Puerto Vallarta is a ten-day, annual event that has been attracting thousands of people from around the world every year since 1995. Founded by master chefs Thierry Blouet, Heinz Reize and Roland Menetrey, the International Gourmet Festival gives food enthusiasts an incredible opportunity to sample cuisine, taste wines from around the world, and watch cooking demonstrations in the finest restaurants of Puerto Vallarta.

The video below gives a nice overview of previous years’ events, and more. The full schedule and pricing for 2011’s Gourmet Festival in Puerto Vallarta can be found here. Be sure to contact one of our expert planners to build a trip around this world-renowned event!

True culinary fanatics can leave the Gourmet Festival a day or two early and hop over to the gorgeous Riviera Maya to savor the flavors of Taste of Playa. Only in its second year, this international event is quickly gaining recognition as reason to visit the Riviera Maya. Last year’s event attracted over 3,200 attendees eager to sample the best of what local chefs from over 25 of the area’s restaurants had to offer. For more information about the even, visit the Taste of Playa’s website and to book a trip for the event, contact one of Journey Mexico’s expert trip planners.

This is a guest submission written by Joel Duncan of Adventure Jo during his travels to the San Marcos Fair in Aguascalientes, Mexico, which is held from the second week in April until the first week in May

AGUASCALIENTES, MEXICO – “Hey bro where are you from? I’m from Chicago and I’m here with my wife and my buddy from college”. “I’m from Canada”, I replied to the sunburnt man dressed in a baseball cap, shorts, sneakers and an oversized t-shirt. His eyes gleamed with excitement as he confessed that I was only the second English speaker he had met in his three days at the San Marcos National Fair in the Colonial Heartland.  He furthered to say that the only reason he knew about the fair was because his wife was born in Aguascalientes. As I scanned the faces of the lively sea of people drinking, dancing and parading through the busy streets, I felt selfishly satisfied, that I had stumbled upon something truly Mexican.

Two days earlier, I checked into La Katharina Hostel, a relatively new hostel only steps away from the iconic Jardin de San Marcos (San Marcos Garden), the gateway to the heart of the fair.  I was the only foreigner in my 6-bed dorm room – no Aussies, Canadians, Israelis or Americans; as a matter of fact, I was the only foreigner in the entire hostel. When I pictured going off the beaten path, I envisioned traveling to an undiscovered village in the foothills of the Sierra Madre Mountains, not to Mexico’s biggest and most important fair.

More than 100 years ago, The San Marcos National Fair (dubbed Dreamland by its organizers) started off as an event to promote livestock and other products from Aguascalientes.  Today, the fair is said to attract an estimated 7 million tourists over a 3-4 week period. Although livestock is still an important part of the fair, it isn’t what continues to lure millions of predominantly Mexican tourists to the small industrial state. The fair’s organizing committee has created a culturally rich program that is aimed at the entire family and showcases the music, theatre, art, dance, and literature of hundreds of Mexico’s artists. Most of the organized events are free and are hosted in museums, galleries, and stages set up around the city, so a good pair of walking shoes and camera is all that’s needed.

Some of the more popular attractions include the bullfights, cockfights, a casino, and of course – the parties. I skipped the cockfights and casino but decided to go to my first bullfight, in hopes of having a real cultural experience.  With a seating capacity of 15,000 people and an incredible construction time of only 48 days, the arena was nothing short of impressive. Passionate screams of ‘Ole’ and continuous whistling could be heard as the animated matadors teased and evaded the infuriated bulls. Although I enjoyed the energetic atmosphere of the arena, I only stayed for a half-hour, as my stomach and conscience could no longer handle the very one-sided and bloody battles.

When the sun went down, the party turned up, and although there are numerous posh nightclubs and bars, the biggest bash happened right in the streets. The sounds of tamboras (drums) and trumpets filled the air as Mariachis and Norteñas competed for the attention of those eager to dance the popular polka-infused banda. A cold cerveza was always in reach since during the festival, drinking in the streets is permitted (or should I say encouraged). Countless small stands lined the streets, serving up 1-litre cups of just about any alcoholic beverage the heart desired.  Second to the popular micelada (spiced up beer), my personal favorite was the appropriately named “Bomba” (bomb) – a tasty but undoubtedly potent concoction of several types of alcohol.

The organized events were spectacular but what I enjoyed more was the abundance of talented artists and performers, who brought the city streets to life. I never had to stray far from my hostel door to find someone preforming magic tricks, dancing, playing a musical instrument or entertaining crowds of onlookers with their own artistic talent. The owner of a small restaurant and 25-year resident of Aguascalientes explained why he loves the fair: “The fair brings families together. People who usually only come into town once a month come in several times – and they get all dressed up. The fair gives children more opportunity to spend quality time to with their fathers. I usually visit my family in other parts of Mexico, but when the fair comes, they make their way to little Aguascalientes.”

Traveling as a foreigner in Aguascalientes was very easy and enjoyable since everyone seemed to be curious about where I was from and how I had heard about Aguascalientes. Although it wasn’t necessary, knowing some Spanish certainly helped me to meet more people and get the inside scoop on what events were taking place. If you’re planning a trip to Mexico with your family, friends or like me – solo, and you want a crash course in the country’s culture, art, food, music and fiestas (parties), consider visiting Aguascalientes for next year’s San Marcos National Fair – you won’t be disappointed.

Today marks the beginning of the 2010 International Gourmet Festival in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. The festival is a ten-day, annual event that has been attracting thousands of people from around the world every year since 1995. Founded by master chefs Thierry Blouet, Heinz Reize and Roland Menetrey, the International Gourmet Festival gives food enthusiasts an incredible opportunity to sample cuisine, taste wines from around the world, and watch cooking demonstrations in the finest restaurants of Puerto Vallarta, which has more signature chefs than any other city in Mexico!

The video below gives a nice overview of previous years’ events, and more. The full schedule and pricing for 2010’s Gourmet Festival in Puerto Vallarta can be found here.

*Culinary Note – Stay tuned for an upcoming video series called Table Talk where Journey Mexico and the 2010 winner of “Puerto Vallarta’s Best Mexican Restaurant,” El Arrayan, bring the flavors of traditional Mexican cuisine to your computer screen!

The International Cervantino Festival – This cultural festival began in 1972 and was born from a tradition of the students of the University of Guanajuato in which the students would gather in the plazas of Guanajuato and perform the plays of Miguel de Cervantes.

Today, the Cervantino Festival is considered a “cultural buffet” where the entire city becomes a living theater and museum. Each year several countries are chosen from around the world to represent their cultures through music, theater, dance, visual arts, street performance and more.

The event attracts thousands of young art and culture lovers from around the world. This year’s festival begins October 13th and will run through November 7th. The schedule of events is truly massive and can be found here (in Spanish but there is an English translation button at the bottom).

Elton John in Leon – Coinciding with the beginning of the Cervantino Festival, Elton John will be playing at the Fox center in the city of Leon (about an hour outside of Guanajuato), making this concert an easy addition to a trip to the Cervantino Festival. All proceeds from the concert are being donated for the benefit of Mexican education.

To book a trip for either or both events, contact Journey Mexico today!