Fishing boat in Yucatán Mexico
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An angler’s search for tarpon in the Yucatán 

Fishing boats are fishing boats. Some differences in beam and length, draw and height, construction material, and means of propulsion, but basically, they take you to the fish. However, when it comes to fly fishing, there is a clear-cut difference between a drift boat on a trout river and a tarpon boat in the mangroves….

Man in Tixkokob Yucatán with hammock
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For hammocks, take the Tren Maya from Mérida to Tixkokob in under 30 minutes

Despite being only a 40-minute drive from Mérida, the town of Tixkokob does not attract many tourists, which is a shame as it has plenty to offer—including the nearby archaeological site of Aké.  Tixkokob’s origins can be traced back to the pre-Columbian era when it was part of the province of Ceh-Pech. The town’s name,…

Archaeological site of Kabah in Yucatán
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Guided tours of Mexico for this fall and winter

We are pleased to announce three upcoming tours guided by Carlos Rosado van der Gracht for the fall/winter season. The experiences range from excursions to uncover Mérida’s ancient past to day trips to the most underrated sites in Yucatán; as well as an adventure to Mexico City where we will dive into some of the…

Join us in December for a Mexico City archaeology extravaganza
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Join us in December for a Mexico City archaeology extravaganza

The metropolitan area of Mexico City is a treasure trove of archaeological wonders, but the vast majority of visitors only ever explore the Templo Mayor and the National Museum of Anthropology. In addition to these two unmissable spots, this tour will also be visiting impressive archaeological sites including Tlatelolco, Cuicuilco, Tenayuca, Santa Cecilia Acatitlán, Mixcoac,…

Royal Caribbean cruiseship
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A new cruise terminal in Chetumal could change the fate of Mexico’s most neglected capital city

Royal Caribbean has announced the construction of a Chetumal cruise terminal. Chetumal’s cruise terminal would be the third in Quintana Roo after Mahahual and Cozumel — Mexico’s most prominent cruise destination. Buy why? The reasoning behind the construction of this new terminal has many locals scratching their heads. Despite facing the Caribbean Sea, Chetumal is…

Church with cablle cars in the sky in Zacatecas
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Despite travel warnings in Zacatecas, the sun shines, along with its silver

Government travel warnings tell us that Zacatecas is not a “safe state” like Nayarit or Yucatán, but to discount it completely would be a mistake. After all, Zacatecas can be seen as a microcosm of sorts regarding the ills that afflict Mexico in general.  Zacatecas is known for its baroque architecture, steep alleyways, historical sites,…

Mérida’s Plaza Grande facelift: Old shade trees out, modern benches in
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Mérida’s Plaza Grande facelift: Old shade trees out, modern benches in

Since its start last April, the remodeling of Mérida’s iconic Plaza Grande has raised eyebrows. One of the most surprising aspects of this project was how little it was publicized beforehand. From the air, the changes to the Plaza Grande seem relatively negligible. The main difference is the loss of several mature trees. Former Gov….

San Simón — Beyond Uxmal and Into the Wild
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San Simón — Beyond Uxmal and Into the Wild

Ten miles south of Uxmal’s majestic ancient Puuc capital is San Simón, a tiny community where people live off the land, much like their Maya ancestors. In San Simón, cell phone service and amenities are limited to a small shop selling the basics. The nearest options for anything more than that are Muna or Santa…

Why Durango may just be Mexico’s most underrated city
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Why Durango may just be Mexico’s most underrated city

Even for most Mexicans and the most intrepid explorers, swaths of the country fly under the radar, and this is a shame. Durango de Victoia, the capital of Durango state, is one of these places. Before last spring, if you had asked me what came to mind when I thought of Durango, my answer would…

Maya Balloon festival lights skies over Tahmek
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Maya Balloon festival lights skies over Tahmek

The sky over Tahmek was alight with color as the Globo Maya Festival began, marking the start of a magical celebration in the heart of Yucatan. Dozens of vibrant balloons, each one a testament to the creativity and skill of artisans from Yucatán, EdoMex, Hidalgo, Veracruz, Morelos, Michoacán, and CDMX, soared above the excited crowds….

The collapse of a sacred ceiba tree into a cenote is seen as a sign
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The collapse of a sacred ceiba tree into a cenote is seen as a sign

Last week, the tiny town of Xocén made headlines after a 100-foot-tall ceiba tree collapsed under its massive weight into a sinkhole. However, being located in Yucatán, it soon became apparent that this was not simply a sinkhole but a previously undiscovered cenote.  Speleologists are just now beginning to explore the secrets of Xocén’s cenote…

Maya women at Uxmal
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Maya Women Reclaim Their Heritage and Livelihood Through Uxmal Archaeological Project

In the heart of Yucatán, Mexico, a group of Maya women from the village of San Simón have embarked on a journey to reconnect with their ancestral heritage while securing their financial independence.  Through a community participation project initiated by the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), these women are actively involved in the…

In Chiapas, See Bonampak for its Mesmerizing Frescoes
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In Chiapas, See Bonampak for its Mesmerizing Frescoes

Home of the so-called Sistine Chapel of Mesoamerica, the ruins of Bonampak lay deep in the thick Lacandon jungle in Chiapas. The city was founded in the early 2nd century CE and had grown to be large by the time Yaxchilán invaded in the 5th century and installed Yajaw Chan Muwaan I as lord of…

Poseidon Adventure: Feds Enter Progreso’s Statue Controversy
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Poseidon Adventure: Feds Enter Progreso’s Statue Controversy

Progreso’s City Council in learning how problematic it is to erect a statue representing Greek mythology in the land of the Maya.  And now, Progreso’s Poseidon statue has been “closed” to the public. Progreso authorities have spent years spiffing up the coastline with benches, rides, boardwalks, and artwork. But they may have gone too far…

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