I’m telling you this so that you can see that yes, it can be done. You can actually start off with very little resources, and by working hard. Mexico is in many respects still the land of opportunity, but you have to know your way around.

If you are a person approaching retirement age and are looking for a place outside the US to live so that your pension would give you more purchasing power, I wouldn’t recommend Mexico per se. Yes, the, the cost of living is lower in Mexico, but not that much lower that it would justify leaving the US. Unless you want to while away your time on a beach in the south of Mexico, sleeping in a hammock, enjoying the sun and the sea. But that’s only enjoyable for so long, in fact, it wears off pretty soon.

But if you’re a writer, let’s say, or you are developing an online presence in order to make some profit through your online businesses, then moving to the south of Mexico would definitely cut down on your overhead. You can find simple, clean housing maybe close to the beach. If you can do without cable tv and shopping malls, that would be the right thing to do. Just stay away, or better don’t get even close to holiday resort towns like Acapulco and Cancun, to live there would turn out to be more expensive than anywhere in the US.

There are plenty of undeveloped strips of beach along the west coast, between Acapulco and the Bay of Huatulco, for example. As long as you stay away from the mainstream tourist sections, you should be okay.

I would suggest that you at least try and learn some Spanish. You should manage the basics. You have to be able to go to a grocery store and buy your stuff. Many Mexicans in and around the big holiday destinations speak English, but remember I’m advising against moving to those places. Outside these areas English is not very common, and if you move to a small town or village you won’t find hardly anybody who speaks English. He or she that does will find YOU to practice their English. But you still have to go to the drugstore, pay the electricity bill, hire a taxi, etc.

If you fit the profile of the type of person I am describing here, you’ll find a pretty large expatriate American community in Oaxaca-City, for example. If you are not used to living in a foreign country, and you, at least initially, have problems with the local language, you will find that you soon start yearning for some good old American company. As humans we need to talk to other humans,  like it or not, and there are many people who have returned to their home country because they couldn’t cope with  the loneliness. It’s simply not enough to say ‘Hi’ to a Mexican neighbor every now and again. And if there are two of you it doesn’t really solve the problem, because most likely you’d get on each other’s nerves pretty soon because there is no one else to talk to. So either learn Spanish, get some of your friends to come down with you, or find a place where other Americans live.

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You’ll be awed by the unique civilization they created, which peaked between 250 A.D. and 900 A.D. The Maya invented the America’s most sophisticated written native language, came up with the concept of zero long before the Europeans, and developed a calendar more accurate than the one we used today.  In fact, while Europe languished in the Dark Ages, Maya kings with names like “Smoke Imix” and “Moon Jaguar” presided over grand pyramids and palaces. 

Most are intrigued by the central mystery of the Maya glyphs, stone carvings and murals that adorn the temples and ceremonial cities were left to become enshrouded in jungle, their culture lives on in the customs and language of their descendants.  You’ll hear many different Maya dialects throughout this region. 

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Set inland, about 125 miles from Cancun, the vast park-like site of Chichen Itza is filled with architectural treasures.  Among its highlights are the delicately carved stones mosaics of the Nunnery Annex, the fine acoustics of the grand ball court, and the Temple of the Warriors, bristling with columns.  Peek into the sacred Cenote to see where gold, jade and other offerings were thrown to appease the gods.  As you scale the four-sided Pyramid of Kukulkan (El Castillo), remember that you’re actually climbing a huge solar clock:  Its steps, plus the platform on top, add up to the 365 days of the solar year.  During the spring and fall equinoxes, sun and shadow cast a serpent shape that appears to slither along the steps of this towering temple.

Image by jimg944 via Flickr

The Latin city, Merida, the Yucatan Peninsula’s most charming city, revels in music.  In the limestone-laced Puuc Hills, about 50 miles south of Merida stand some of the most elegant structures of the Maya world.  Intricate geometrical designs of cut and carved stone are the hallmark of the Puuc style that characterizes the Uxmal, Kabah, Sayil, and Labna sites.

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The largest complex, Uxmal, greets you with its imposing Pyramid of the Magician—the oval-shaped Maya pyramid.  Uxmal’s Palace of the Governors, a building as long and lean as the best modern architecture, is crowned by a dazzling geometrical frieze made from 20,000 cut stone.  Within the vicinity are the Loltun Caves, containing Maya pictographs and lovely formations. 

The Maya sites of the Rio Bec region in the southern Yucatan Peninsula include  Becan (known for its moat), Chicanna (featuring massive doorways representing an earth monster’s gaping mouth), and Kohunlich, remarkable for its pyramid decorated with giant masks that portray the sun god.

Known for its fine regional anthropology museum as well as La Venta, a park and museum displaying the giant basalt heads and other sculptures carved by the Olmecs—Mexico’s most ancient civilization – Villahermosa is the closest city to Palenque, which is regarded as one of the most beautiful sites in the Maya world. 

Topped with pierced “roof combs” to make them taller, Palenque’s graceful temples are set against a backdrop of jungle-covered mountains.  Wild bird calls and the splashing of a river hidden in the rain forest add to its beauty.  Follow the tunnel into the Temple of the Inscriptions to see what, in 1952, was the first tomb ever found beneath a pyramid in the Americas.  The jade mask and other adornments found in this royal tomb are displayed at the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City.

One of Mexico’s natural wonders is the Agua Azul, where turquoise cascades tumble out of the rain forest into a series of swirling pools—they’re Mother Nature’s version of a whirlpool bath!

Mexico City is a major tourist attraction for foreigners and Mexicans alike. It is a great vacation spot for anyone. Once you arrive you will find all kinds of activities and attractions just waiting for you.

Pyramids are not built on many cities of the world. Teotihuacan is one city where you will find pyramids and temples which are proud relics of civilizations dating back hundreds of years. It’s just an hour outside of Mexico City and you will find this archaeological treasure one of its kinds.

If you want to view the second most visited Roman Catholic shrine in the world, you should visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Built on a hill, north of Mexico City, this shrine is the most important pilgrimage site in the country and is visited by several million people every year.

The “floating gardens” of Xochimilco are about 23 kilometres from the historic centre of the city and take a little more than an hour to reach there. The gardens grown on rectangular frames anchored to the lake floor on the canals of Xochimilco are awe inspiring. They are one of the biggest tourist attractions of the city.

The night life of this vibrant city has variety to offer. But one must be cautious going out at night. The orchestras, theatres, bars, clubs and endless sources of entertainment are always ready.

If you are interested in seeing museums, graphic art, photo galleries or works of muralists, Mexico City has them all.

These are just a few of Mexico City’s attractions. The city has many more activities for every age, every interest and every budget; offered through out the year. Mexico City is ready to welcome you whenever you want.

Mazatlan’s casual charm and beauty lends itself to being immediately loved by all who see it. And just when you think it couldn’t be anymore charming, Mazatlan surprises you by embracing you for who you are; whether you’re honeymooning, on a family vacation, relaxing or looking for an adventure, Mazatlan is the place you have to be.

A Mazatlan Honeymoon Vacation

Mazatlan is a beautiful and romantic getaway just perfect for honeymooners. Ideal for those new loves is the historic Malecon, one of Mazatlan’s most treasured walkways. Take a romantic stroll along this path and get washed in the soothing sights and sounds of nature in beautiful Mazatlan.

Later in the day, get lost in a romantic visit to Stone Island located just south of Mazatlan. Here you can lie on the beach, go horseback riding, eat tasty food at nearby stands or on the beach if you prefer, sip your drinks and wait for the intoxicating sunset to wrap up a truly memorable day with that special someone in Mazatlan.

Cost for a private taxi for the day to Stone Island ranges from $30-$95 depending on the type of vehicle you choose. You will be picked up and dropped off at your hotel or on the pier of your cruise ship.

A Mazatlan Family Vacation

If you are travelling as a family, the perfect day trips to take in Mazatlan are a tour of the city, or a trip to the aquarium. A Mazatlan City Tour covers the city’s most famous landmarks and vibrant shopping areas. So you can shop for souvenirs, clothing, and arts and crafts or even visit the museum in Mazatlan that is sure to be rich with the history of Mexico.

You can even amaze your family with sharks, seahorses, eels and over 250 exotic animals worldwide at the Mazatlan Aquarium. Entrance fee is $6 for adults and $3 for children aged 3-11. Also, don’t forget the aquatic park right next door. It is perfect for the young or young at heart with its water slides, pools and a wave machine.

You can also choose between touring with a crowd or just make it a private family occasion by customizing your private tour on your Mazatlan vacation. Tours are available daily.

Price: $20 for adults, $14 for children aged 5-11

Prices for customized tours are reasonable and dependent on the number of persons on the tour.

A Mazatlan Adventure Vacation

But if sitting around on tour buses and checking out the sights of Mazatlan isn’t for you, don’t dismay. An adventure awaits you in Mazatlan. Get your adrenalines pumping by zip lining, parasailing, mountain biking, sailing or surfing, though I highly recommended zip lining, a high-altitude adrenaline rush gaining much popularity in many vacation hotspots. A daily offering of a leg-flailing, wire-suspending zip line across two buildings, 200 feet, in the air is just what you need on your next trip to Mazatlan.

Price: $20, children under 8 are not allowed.

So the next time you plan a vacation, be sure to mark Mazatlan on your map and don’t miss out on your opportunity to savour this little slice of parad

When the plant is ripe its core, or pina is dug up and hauled to the distillery. Here they are cut in half and roasted. roasting turns the pinas starches into sugar. From here the plants are shredded and pressed to extract the juices. The juices are then transferred to vats and yeast is added to start fermentation.

The juices are fermented for up to two days and are then distilled twice. The first distillation produces a lower grade alcohol commonly used to make mezcal. The second fermentation produces a better grade alcohol that is blended before being bottled. For the record, tequila and mezcal are not the same thing. Mezcal is made from that first distillation and tequila is made by distilling mezcal into a better grade alcohol.

From here tequila is aged until it fits one of five categories: blanco, oro, reposado, anejo and maduro. Blanco is unaged, clear tequila. Oro is tequila blanco with caramel coloring to simulate the look and flavor of aged tequila. Reposado is aged in oak barrels for 2-12 months. Anejo is aged in oak for 1-3 years. Maduro, or extra aged, is a new category of tequila aged more than 3 years in oak. Aging tequila mellows out its flavor and adds a nice oakiness.

Not all tequila is made to be downed as shots any more than a fine scotch would be. According to some sources, for example, only tourists use the lime and salt method of drinking tequila. As is the case with other quality spirits, tequila has a couple different dedicated drinking glasses. One is a tall, slender shot glass called a cabalito. The other is the small, snifter shaped riedel.

Even though the cabalito is the traditional way to drink tequila, there are no hard and fast rules. However, any liquor is best appreciated on its own merits, especially when its a quality spirit. Try tequila neat, at room temperature without the lime and salt. Take the time to enjoy the aroma and the complexity of flavor. As hard as this may be to believe, quality tequila can be on par with the finest brandies or scotches. And as such, it should be enjoyed and savoured in the same way.