Aluxes: Mischievous Mexican Dwarfs?

During your last visit to Cancun, Playa del Carmen or the Riviera Maya, did you lose anything? An Alux may have been responsible!

Aluxes (pronounced “alooshays”) are Mayan mythological spirits who are responsible for a lot of mischief. You may not be able to see them, as they are believed to be invisible, however they can take physical form if they chose. When they do, they appear as knee high beings resembling and dressed in the manner of the ancient Maya. They live in the jungle, caves or cenotes and near towns and maize fields or “milpas”.

Native residents of the Yucatan peninsula blame Aluxes for all kinds of things, most often a failed project or lost item. However, shhhh, they try to be quiet about it because to name the Alux aloud is to summon them from their home.

The most important thing to remember about Aluxes is that if your treat them with the respect they deserve, they can be very helpful, however if you make the mistake of defying the Alux, they will wreak havoc on your life.

The most famous story about Aluxes has to do with a bridge that was built to connect the Cancun Hotel Zone to the airport. While the bridge was being constructed it collapsed over and over. The workers were notified by a Mayan man that the Aluxes had been angered and unless the workers built them a shelter, they would continue to wreak havoc on the project. If you drive under that bridge today, the Aluxes’ house is still there. However, we don’t know if the workers eventually sealed the doors and windows of the house, sealing the Aluxes inside, so that they will not run wild and continue playing tricks on humans. Maybe we’d better think twice about driving over that bridge until we find out for sure.

The next time you visit the Yucatan Peninsula (Cancun, Playa del Carmen and the Riviera Maya are all located on the Yucatan) ask a hotel employee where they Alux house is and leave them a little treat. Maybe you won’t lose your sunglasses during you’re vacation!

Have Aluxes ever played a trick on you?

Photos courtesy of:

http://www.productions.caffix.org.mx/

http://ldfieldjournal.wordpress.com/

http://aclarando.wordpress.com/

About the Author

Kristin Busse is an American expat who has been living in Cancun, Mexico since 2001. A wife, mother, singer, salsa dancer and now writer, she has worked in many different industries but is currently enjoying exploring the Yucatan Peninsula and sharing her expertise and experience with readers around the world. Follow Kristin on Twitter.

Off the Beaten Path through Yucatan (Part 2)

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El Corchito

What it is: Near Progreso City, El Corchito is an ecological preserve that has been around for the last 10 years. The reserve is operated by local fishermen who work to nurture the mangrove swamp. A 5-minute boat ride will take you into the cool shadows of the mangroves. The fishermen who tend to El Corchito have build palapas and picnic tables. There are designated fresh-water pools where you can swim or explore the well-kept paths, or simply sling your hammock in the shade and relax. Pack your own lunch and camera.

How to get there: Located just 2 KM east of the entrance to Progreso, turn east toward Chicxulub at the entrance to Progreso (where the Pemex station is). Travel 2 KM to the second roundabout (known as glorieta in Mexico). You will see a sign to El Corchito. Veer right, continue on for a few meters until you see a dirt road on your right until you find the boat landing area. Boat rides begin at 8:30 a.m. daily.

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Celestun

What is it: This quaint fishing village with lovely beaches and no crowds is located 60 miles southwest of Merida. Celestun is famous for its seafood restaurants served on the beach. But mostly for the beautiful flamingo colonies, fresh water springs, and 36 foot tall lighthouse and salt fields. The main reason to visit Celestun is to travel the ria (river) and see the flamingos. The flamingos form part of a fragile ecosystem and we highly encourage you to respect their surroundings. Celestun is the main wintering area for the greater pink flamingo. You can also visit fresh water springs and “petrified forests”.

How to get there: By car, take the Periferico out of Merida to Uman and continue on to Kinchil and then Celestun. There are signs along the way. To reach Celestun by bus, go to the terminal on Calle 67 between 50 and 52 in Merida. The trip takes approximately two hours.

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Loltun Cave

What it is: Loltun Cave is located in the Yucatan. The cave contains paintings attributed to the Mayan civilization from the Late Pre-Classic period. Lol-Tun is Mayan and means “Flower Stone.” According to prolonged examinations of over two kilometers, the cave is one of the most extensive in all Mexico. Recovered bones from mammoth, bison, cats, and horses confirm human occupation. Pottery, marine shells, stone artifacts, bas-relief carvings, petroglyphs and mural paintings have also been found inside the cave. The occupation in Loltun Cave goes back more than 10,000 years. Mammoth bones and extinct vegetation have also been found inside the cave. The Lol-Tun cave network, at its lowest levels, holds secrets that literally rewrite history.

How to get there:

This cave is located 110 km from Merida via federal highway 31 in the state of Yucatan. The two-hour tour is guided and venturing on your own without a guide is not allowed or recommended.

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Balankanche Cave

What is it: The Maya believe caves and caverns to be links with the underworld, or “inframundo. The Balankanche caves should be visited for their natural beauty and stone formations. Because of the humidity, stunning stalagmites and stalactites continue to form in this cave system. The most impressive one is located 200 meters from the entrance of Balankanche, next to the Balam Throne, a religious altar. The ceiba-looking formation is referred to as the sacred tree inside the earth. The cave also has archaeological importance as they once served as a ceremonial site for the Mayans. Caves are ceremonially important to the Mayans as they believed that sacredness of life is especially concentrated at unique geographic points such as mountains and caves. Ceremonial objects can be seen throughout the walk as well as reproductions of the original artifacts discovered in the cave.

How to get there:

Balankanche is located only 6 kilometers from Chichen Itza, via federal highway 180 in the state of Yucatan.

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Labna

What it is: Labna means “Old or abandoned house”.  The Mesoamerican archeological site is located in the Puuc Hills region of the Yucatan Peninsula. The Mayan ruins dates back to pre-Columbian Maya civilization. The site was incorporated with Uxmal as a UNESCO World Heritage in 1996. Although small, one of its notable structures is a large two-story palace. It is one of the longest contiguous structures in the Puuc route at approximately 120 m (393.7 ft) in length. A ceremonial road (sacbe) extends from the palace to an elaborately decorated gateway arch known as “El Arco.” The archway is believed to have been a passageway between public areas rather than an entrance to the city. Next to the gateway is “El Mirador” – a pyramid-like structure surmounted y a temple. The site was built in AD 862 as inscribed in the palace.

How to get there: Labna is located 42 kilometers southeast of Uxmal along freeway 261, detour to the left at km 30 by interstate 31. It is approximately 122 km.of Merida.

In case you missed it, take a look at the Off the Beaten Path through Yucatan – Part One.

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About the Author

Pamela Acosta is a travel photographer, beer drinker and writer for Yucatan Holidays. She is seeking to travel throughout the Yucatan Peninsula, Riviera Maya & Cancun in an attempt to capture beauty and wonder in words & pixels. Follow Pamela on Twitter.

Off the Beaten Path through Yucatan (Part One)

Isla Contoy

What it is: It is a small island in the Yucatan, approximately 30 kilometers north of Isla Mujeres. The small island was declared a National Park by the Mexican government in 1998. Only a few tour companies are allowed to bring people into the island and only a maximum of 200 daily visitors are allowed. The reserve—supervised by eco-tourism—is a safe haven for sea turtles and a sanctuary to more than 152 birds.

How to get there: This tiny hidden treasure is located 15 miles north of Isla Mujeres and just over a 2 hour boat ride from Cancun. Since the island only accepts 200 visitors a day, it must be done through a tour operator.

Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve

What it is: It is a non-profit and non-governmental organization biosphere reserve in the municipality of Tulum. The organization’s mission is the conservation of the biodiversity. It was named a national park in 1986 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. The biosphere covers 652,000 hectares or 1.3 million acres, making it the largest protected area in the Mexican Caribbean and the largest coastal protected area in Mexico. Sian Ka’an is also the third largest protected area in Mexico.

How to get there: If you choose not to do a tour and explore on your own, you first must travel to Punta Allen. The ride is tough. Renting a 4 wheel drive is your best option. You can also take a bus to Tulum and get a cab or combi (colectivo). The combi leaves every day around 11 a.m. fairly regularly with return trips leaving Punta Allen at around 5 a.m.

Dzibilchaltun

What it is: This Mayan archeological site sits approximately 30 minutes or 10 miles north of Merida. The site is supposedly where the meteorite that killed the dinosaurs impacted Earth. The archeological site’s most famous structure is the Temple of the Seven Dolls, named as such because of the seven small effigies found there. The temple is connected to the rest of the site by a sacbe. A Sacbe is a white road named as such because sacbes where originally coated with white limestone. The other major feature of the Dzibilchaltun Mayan ruins is its cenote. The Mayan ruins also contain the ruin of a 16th century Spanish church built at the site after the conquest.

How to get there: To get to Dzibilchaltún, take the Mérida-Progreso highway north. After 11 km. you will see the sign to turn right. Drive for about 3 more km. You will see signs directing you to turn right after you pass the village. If you don’t have a car, you can hire a combi (collective taxi) on Calle 69 between 62 and 64 in Merida to take you there. This is in San Juan Park where they go directly to Dzibilchaltún.

Rio Lagartos

What it is: It is a river formation in the Yucatan famous for its enormous flamingo colony and large variety of other species. It is also a picturesque fishing village with colorfully painted wooden and cement homes. Declared a “Biosphere Reserve,” with 60,000 hectares, Río Lagartos hosts the largest American flamingo population in México, with approximately 44,000 birds and with an actual record of 388 different bird species in the area.

How to get there: You can get to Río Lagartos via a travel agency, in a rented car or by bus. By car drive east to Tizimín and then go north to Río Lagartos.

Progreso

What it is: Only 30 minutes away from the gorgeous city of Merida, Progreso city offers a laid-back ambiance with all the comforts of a bustling city with the added touch of the blue Caribbean Sea and white sand beaches. This port city houses 54,000 habitants plus visitors from North America, Europe and Merida who search out the city for its tranquil beaches. This quiet Mexican town houses a lighthouse that measures 36 meters with a 700 mm diameter inaugurated in 1893. Visitors can climb the lighthouse (El Faro) and shop for trinkets and souvenirs from the shops set up right outside the lighthouse.

How to get there: Driving from Merida, go north on Calle 60 or Paseo de Montejo until you reach Progreso. Public transportation is provided by Autoprogreso and operates several times an hour from their terminal on Calle 62 between 65 and 67.

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About the Author

Pamela Acosta is a Mexican travel photographer and writer for Yucatan Holidays. She is seeking to travel throughout the Yucatan Peninsula, Riviera Maya & Cancun in an attempt to capture beauty and wonder in words & pixels. Follow Pamela on Twitter.

The 3 Best Cenotes to Visit in the Mexican Caribbean

A cenote is a natural phenomenon, a sinkhole in the Earth’s surface. The Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico has an estimated 7,000 cenotes because it is primarily made up of porous limestone. For millions of years, rainfall slowly ate away at the limestone and a huge system of underground caves and caverns was formed. Many filled with water from rain or from the underground water table. When the roof of a water filled cave collapses, a cenote is born. The water found in a cenote may be fresh water, salt water, or both. Structurally it may be completely open, like a lake, almost completely closed with just a small opening at the top, or somewhere in between.

The Mayan Connection

Cenote comes from the Mayan word “dzonot” or “ts’onot” which means sacred well. Cenotes were the main source of fresh water for the ancient Mayan civilization. Mayans believed the cenotes contained curative elements and considered many of them to be sacred. They also believed cenotes to be portals to the underworld and a way to communicate with the gods. The Sacred Cenote (Cenote Sagrado) at Chichen Itza was used to perform human sacrifices!

Some of these beautiful natural sinkholes are open to the public. Here are the best cenotes to visit in the Yucatan Peninsula state of Quintana Roo. They are all located relatively close to Cancun and Playa del Carmen.

Ik-Kil

Called the “Sacred Blue Cenote”, Ik-Kil is a crystal clear, round, well-type cenote. Located on the highway between Chichen Itza (it’s only a couple of miles away from the archeological site) and Valladolid, this cenote is about 130 feet deep! It is about 85 feet from the surface so you will need to walk down a wooden stairway to reach it. Ik-Kil is more popular with swimmers and snorkelers than divers. There is a restaurant and small palapa homes for overnight stays. Look for the waterfalls and the lush green vegetation hanging all the way down to the water!

CLICK HERE to find Cenote Ik Kil in a map.

Dos Ojos

Cenote Dos Ojos or “two eyes” is located a little over 9 miles south of Tulum on highway 307 on the right. This cenote was named Dos Ojos because it is actually two circular cenotes. There are areas for swimmers, snorkelers and scuba divers. This is a world famous cenote and there is a large cave system below where divers can explore almost 500 meters of the underwater world in the immediate area. IMAX filmed part of their film “Journey into Amazing Caves” here. There are bathroom facilities and snacks available. Look for the “Bat Cave”!

CLICK HERE to find Cenote Dos Ojos in a map.

Gran Cenote (Sac Aktun)

This cenote lives up to its name (gran = grand or large) and is a must see. Located just outside of Tulum, it is easy to find. Take a right off of highway 307 at the second stop light in Tulum. After traveling almost 2 miles you will see a sign for the cenote on your right. There are changing and bathroom facilities and a restaurant. There are areas for swimmers, snorkelers and scuba divers. Look for the fish and turtles and be careful not to hit your head on the impressive stalactites! Many people say this is their very favorite cenote.

CLICK HERE to find Gran Cenote in a map

Mexicans, expats and tourists all love to visit the beautiful cenotes of the Mexican Caribbean. They may spend the day swimming, snorkeling, diving, sunbathing or simply relaxing. Visit a cenote and you may even connect with the ancient Mayan civilization.

Have you been to a cenote? Which one was your favorite? Any tips? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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About the Author

Kristin Busse is currently a travel writer but has worked in many different industries. She lives in Cancun, Mexico and plans to use her diverse experiences to write about the Yucatan Peninsula from her unique perspective.

A Day in Merida | Visit Tips

Merry Merida, Mexico tis merry indeed. Just a hop, skip and short-bus ride away from Mexico’s main tourist regions of Cancun and the Riviera Maya, Merida captures the tried-and-true Mexican spirit of colonialism, extremely warm and welcoming people, a thriving culture and regional cuisine that can easily be found on one of many of the city’s street corners.

Merida is not for travelers seeking a beach-resort getaway. To travel to Merida and stay indoors would be an absolute shame. There are just too many beautiful sites to see! From the city’s heart and soul, ‘el zocalo’, walk in any direction to take in the brightly colored-colonial architecture, stop in an antique shop, have a coffee in one of many boutique cafes or restaurants or simply sit and watch as Merida’s culturally-enriched society goes about its day. Fortunately, Merida is located close enough to the Mexico Caribbean that those vacationing there can plan Merida as an overnight trip. So what is there to do in a day in Merida? Lots

Traveler Recommendations

1) Have a seat in one of the cafes that line ‘el zocalo’ and have a traditional tea, hibiscus tea, or as its known in Latin America tea de Jamaica. It’s a great way to take in the local flavor while observing the city surroundings.

2) Brush up on Mexican history and visit the top floor of the municipal building. There is no need to know Spanish; here Mexico’s major historical events are depicted in paintings.

3) Go to an antique store. Mexico’s history dates long before the existence of the United States and Canada. Imagine the historical significance of some of the country’s antiques.

4) Support sustainability and buy a jipijapa (pronounced Hippy Hoppa) hat directly from Mayan vendors. If jipijapa isn’t your thing, there are many other purchasing options such as jewelry and hammocks.

5) Just walk or hop on a bike…you’re bound to find something that sparks your interest and people that will help you find your way.

Some of the things you’ll see

Have you been to Merida? What do you like most of the “White City”? Please share your thoughts below!

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About the Author

Kristin McCollum is a travel writer that has spent the past year traveling and working throughout Europe and Mexico. Now settled on the Yucatan Peninsula, she finds inspiration in every person she meets and in the natural beauty which surrounds her.

The History Behind Paradise: How Cancun was Born

It’s hard to imagine, but there are still many people who haven’t experienced what a fantastic resort town Cancun is. Part of the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico, Cancun is rich in cultural influence and ripe with tropical nature.

Cancun before Cancun
Before Cancun became a tourist town and before the Spanish occupation, the Yucatan Peninsula was inhabited and dominated by Mayan civilizations until most of the local sites were abandoned by the15th century. For centuries, this region was mostly wetlands, mangroves, jungles, and virgin beaches. The Maya originally called the area “Kan Kun” meaning den of snakes, golden serpent, and abundant low-lying areas, which later evolved into “Can Cun” by the Spanish.

Cancun − Tourist Resort Town
It wasn’t until 1968 when the Mexican government recognized the potential of this strip of land or peninsula − known as Cancun island − between Nichupte Lagoon and the Caribbean Sea to grow into a popular tourist destination. Development began immediately, establishing a connection between Cancun island and the Cancun mainland.
The Cancun resort project began on April 20, 1970, with the construction of many hotels and tourist establishments that would extend across 150 kilometers (93 miles) along the turquoise-blue Caribbean Sea, through Tulum, Playa del Carmen, and beyond. The wider region included lush tropical rainforests, cenotes, underground cave systems, white sand beaches, and archaeological sites of ancient Mayan ruins.

Cancun Centro (Downtown Cancun)
Cancun was designed in two sections: Cancun city or El Centro (downtown) to the west and the hotel zone or tourist area to the east. Cancun Centro is the part of the city where most residents live and consists of the normal institutions of daily life, such as banks, schools, churches, hospitals, markets, restaurants, foreign consulates, and homes.

Cancun Island (the Hotel Zone)
The tourist area or hotel zone is east of Cancun Centro on a peninsula that runs between the Caribbean Sea and Nichupte Lagoon. This area consists of tours, attractions, and water activities, handicraft shops, classy shopping malls, gourmet restaurants, trendy cafes, fun bars, and popular nightclubs, such as Coco Bongo, among others.
Cancun was first introduced in 1974, the same year that Quintana Roo became an official Mexican state, and welcomed travelers from all over the world. Known as the Mexico Caribbean, Cancun has become one of the most popular tourist destinations with thousands of visitors arriving from the USA, UK, Europe, Canada, and of course, Mexico.

Hidden Treasures of the Yucatan Peninsula

 

The Yucatan Peninsula is filled with extraordinary natural wonders, such as Mayan ruins hidden in tropical jungles, white sand beaches, clear blue seas, enchanting cenotes, underground river and cave systems, and endangered plant and animal species. Beyond the resort towns where the Maya Indians once flourished, a tropical world of hidden natural attractions and cultural sites is waiting to be explored. While many are difficult to find, these three hidden treasures of the Yucatan Peninsula are more accessible and worth a visit.

Isla Blanca Beach, Cancun

A delightful escape from the tourist zone, Isla Blanca‘s section of white sand beach and turquoise blue Caribbean Sea is a hidden getaway on the outskirts of Cancun city. If a natural beach without tourist shops and commercial eateries sounds appealing, then Isla Blanca is the perfect getaway. A narrow peninsula with long, white beaches bordering the big blue ocean extends between the Caribbean Sea on one side and Chakmochuk Lagoon on the other.

Although frequented on Sundays, this beach is quite remote and can only be reached by car or taxi. Since no stores or services are available except for a snack shack, bringing a picnic basket with food and drinks is recommended. Located 20 kilometers (12.5 miles) north of Cancun Centro and south of Holbox Island, Isla Blanca beach has ideal wind conditions for kiteboarding and is a favorite place to go boat fishing or fly fishing for Barracuda, Tarpon, Bonefish, Snook, and Permit.

Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, Tulum

The Riviera Maya has many nature parks, eco parks, and nature reserves, such as Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987 after being established in 1986, it is the largest protected area in the Mexican Caribbean and the largest protected coastal area in Mexico at 1.3 million acres (or 652,000 hectares). This remote jungle area consists primarily of tropical rainforests, wetlands, the Caribbean Sea, and coral reefs, which make it ideal for fly fishing, snorkeling, and nature tours.

Sian Ka’an is overflowing with biodiversity, including 1,200 plant species, 230 tree species, 345 bird species, 318 butterfly species; and puma, jaguar, manatee, crocodiles, tapir, spider and howler monkeys; hawksbill, loggerhead, and green sea turtles; and even 23 Mayan archaeological sites. Located 230 kilometers (143 miles) south of Cancun in the Mayan Zone (Zona Maya) of Tulum, Sian Ka’an is a 2-3 hour drive from Cancun along coastal Highway 307 through the Costa Maya and the jungle.

Cenote Yokdzonot, Yucatan

Thousands of cenotes (natural sinkholes or cavernous wells) exist in the Yucatan Peninsula, containing fascinating stalactites, stalagmites, and crystalline or clear blue water. Once part of underground rivers and caves whose roofs collapsed, cenotes evolved after thousands of years of geological changes in the earth and are one of four different types: (1) completely below ground, (2) partially below ground, (3) at ground level, or (4) open but below ground level. Ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and diving, most cenotes reach depths of 5 to 15 meters (16-20 feet).

Yokdzonot Mayan village contains a cenote said to reach depths of 35 meters (115 feet) at its edges, possibly connecting to an underground network of caves and rivers, and is estimated to reach depths of 45 meters (148 feet) at its center. As a sustainable tourism project, Yokdzonot cenote and ecological park were opened by local Mayan women in 2007. Located 300 meters off of old Highway 181, Yokdzonot is about 100 kilometers (62 miles) east of Merida, 220 kilometers (137 miles) west of Cancun, and 18 kilometers (11 miles) west of Chichen Itza Mayan ruins.

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About the Author

Christina Famiglietti is a professional writer and editor and with experience in various industries. Her most recent passion is the Mexican Caribbean, where she lives and is inspired to write about her beloved Mexico — its nature, culture, travel, and tourism.

Food Creations of the Yucatan: Top 3 Mexican Recipes

The Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico is Mayan country and that means all kinds of fascinating surprises, from ancient Mayan pyramids and tropical jungles to sacred cenotes and succulent food. Consisting of three Mexican states − Yucatan, Campeche, and Quintana Roo (home to Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and the Riviera Maya) − the peninsula has a colorful history with an impressive cultural mix making it an extraordinary place to visit.

Mayan Roots

For about 2,000 years, the Maya dominated an expansive region, including the Yucatan Peninsula, with their influential empire until the Spanish invasion of 1519. After Mexican independence from Spain in 1821, the Mayan territories were divided between various countries. Mexico retained the Republic of Yucatan, which comprised the Mexican states of Yucatan (achieving statehood in 1824), Campeche (in 1863), and Quintana Roo (in 1974).

As a primarily agricultural society supplemented by hunting and fishing, the Maya cultivated such foods as corn, beans, avocados, chile peppers, squash, guava, papaya, tomatoes, other fruits and seeds. They also discovered cacao and created a drink called "xocolatl" (chocolate). Their significant contributions clearly extend beyond mathematics, astronomy, architecture, language, and art to include the culinary arts.

Multicultural Influences

The multicultural presence of today’s Yucatan Peninsula has considerably influenced Mayan food, which was initially simple, peasant cooking with a diet consisting of mostly corn, eggs, fish, shellfish, and black beans. Evolving from foods and spices introduced to the Maya through trade and migration, Yucatecan cuisine is an exotic blend of Spanish, French, Lebanese, Cuban, Caribbean, and of course, Mexican and Mayan flavors.

Many traditional Mexican foods originated from the Maya, such as tamales and tortillas, but the following Yucatecan recipes have that extra special touch. Instead of just cooking, consider the Mayan way: Their sacred book, Popol Vuh, says that man was created from white and yellow corn cobs, which is why they believe ‘creating’ with food honors the gods.

Top 3 Mexican Recipes

  #1. Tikin Xic (pronounced "teekin sheek") − Grilled Fish

Ingredients:

White fish fillets (6)
Achiote* paste, 18 ounces

Epazote** herb stems (6) or 1 teaspoon dried, chopped epazote

Sour orange juice, 1 cup
Whole white onions (2), sliced
Whole green peppers (2), sliced
Tomatoes (3), sliced

Banana leaves (6)

Instructions:

Marinate fish in achiote and orange juice with tomato, onion, and green pepper slices for 1-3 hours. Then lay each fillet on a banana leaf, baste with olive oil, season with epazote, and cover with tomato, onions, and peppers. Wrap each fillet in a banana leaf and grill on both sides for 5 minutes, or bake wrapped in foil at 350° Fahrenheit (177° Celsius) for 40 minutes. Serve with rice and purple onion slices marinated in olive oil, vinegar, salt, pepper, and thyme.

* Achiote paste: a marinade of slightly bitter, earthy flavored red annatto seeds, spices, and tomato.

** Epazote (Skunkweed): a pungent, slightly bitter herb with a hint of lemon flavor.

Both can be obtained at Mexican grocery stores.

#2. Sikil Pa’ak − Toasted Pumpkin Seed Dip

Ingredients:

Roasted tomatoes (3)
Roasted pepitas (shelled pumpkin seeds), 1 cup
Roasted large white onion, 1/2 sliced
Roasted, seeded habanero chile (1), may substitute jalapeno or Serrano chiles for less heat
Fresh cilantro leaves, 1 handful
Salt to taste

Instructions:

Roast the tomatoes, onion, and chile on the grill or griddle. Roast the pumpkin seeds in a heavy skillet, stirring often to prevent burning, and remove when brown. Place the pumpkin seeds in a blender or food processor, and grind until fine. Add the roasted tomatoes, onion, chile, and cilantro, and blend into a smooth, thick paste. Salt to taste. Serve with corn chips and fried or toasted tortillas, or use as a sauce on chicken and tacos.

#3. Mayan Hot Chocolate

Ingredients:

Milk, 4 cups

Unsweetened cocoa powder, 1/2 cup

Flour, 1 teaspoon

Brown sugar, 1/4 cup

Crushed cloves (3)

Nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon

Cinnamon stick (1), broken in small pieces

Dried, crushed chile peppers, 1/4 teaspoon

Powdered confectioner’s sugar, 2 teaspoons

Vanilla extract, 1 & 1/2 teaspoons

Corn starch (optional)

Instructions:

In a double boiler, heat milk on medium-to-low heat. Sift the cocoa powder and flour together, and add only enough milk to make a paste. Add the brown sugar, cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, and dried chile to the paste. Mix paste with the hot milk, stirring frequently to prevent burning. For a thicker consistency, gradually add corn starch. Once smoothly blended, remove the floating spices with a slotted spoon. Then add vanilla and powdered sugar. Stir and sip.

After creating these delicious recipes, tell us how you liked them.

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About the Author

Christina Famiglietti is a professional writer and editor and with experience in various industries. Her most recent passion is the Mexican Caribbean, where she lives and is inspired to write about her beloved Mexico — its nature, culture, travel, and tourism.

Mexican Food | Beyond Tacos, Burritos & Nachos

With its magnificent Yucatan jungles, white-sand Riviera Maya beaches, and the surrounding mystery of the Mayan Ruins, there’s no doubt of the grandeur of Mexico as a top travel destination. But there’s one thing that besides the above mentioned is the golden seal to a truly unique visit: Mexican food.
With its blends of spices, odors, varieties, and coloring, Mexican food holds a true fascination. This delightful cuisine is the fastest growing ethnic food category in the U.S., second only to Asian food. Mexico introduced the world to corn, tomato, cocoa (chocolate), and Chile—spices. What most people have come to know as Mexican food outside of Mexico can be boiled down to tacos, burritos, nachos, and quesadillas.
But there is a wider range of dishes that are staples in traditional Mexican cuisine and of course a must when you visit Mexico.
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Pozole

This soup-like or stew Mexican dish comes in many varieties depending on the region that it comes from, but the basic ingredients include corn kernels and pork or chicken simmered in a tasty broth. The peculiarity and secret of the dish can be found in the type of corn. This large corn called Cacahuacintle is pre-cooked in a light mixture of water and calcium oxide. Once the pre-cook corn is ready, they are washed and cooked in a broth-water solution once again. Once the corn has “exploded,” the meat is added to the pot. Here is where the variations come in. In some parts of the country, a red chili sauce is added along with the meat. Some other recipes add the sauce later, once it is on the plate. Once it is served, some condiments that are placed on the table to add to the dish include: lettuce, onion, oregano, lime juice, and chili powder or sauce. Corn was considered to be a sacred plant; therefore Pozole was served in special or religious occasions. In pre-Columbian times, the recipe consisted of dog meat. This dog called Xoloitzcuintle was bred only as a source of meat and during religious ceremonies, the dog meat was replaced by human meat. Fortunately, some traditions are left behind and now the tasty dish is just made with either pork or chicken.
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Cochinita Pibil

The Yucatan Peninsula is traditionally credited with being the originators of this next traditional Mexican food. However, scholars have claimed that this delicious dish originated from the mestizo Maya. Pibil is a method of cooking meat. The word pib in Mayan means buried. The traditional way to cook Cochinita Pibil was to bury the meat in a pit with a fire at the bottom to roast it. This method of cooking is hardly ever used, even though the name remains. The meat is marinated in strongly acidic citrus juice, coloring it with annatto seeds. The meat is wrapped in banana leafs and slow-roasted. The slow cooking time tenderizes the meat. The key to the recipe is the use of juices of Seville or bitter oranges. The annatto gives the meat its distinctive color and adds to the flavor. The most common Chile used as seasoning is Chile habanero which is very common in the Yucatan Peninsula. It is traditionally accompanied with white rice, black beans and corn tortillas or bread.
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Mole

With more than 10 varieties, this traditional Mexican dish comes in a variety of colors and taste. Despite the differences in the making, the mole dish is one of the most traditional Mexican dishes in the country. Its bases are a chili powder (Chile) and chocolate sauce served over meat. The exquisite blend of spice and sweet makes for a truly unique sensation. The most common and better-known mole is mole poblano, originating in the city of Puebla. With an average of 20 ingredients, it can include dry chili peppers, almonds, chocolate, and spices to taste. This mix of unique flavors produces a sweet sauce with a very subtle touch of spice. Also very common and known is the mole from the state of Oaxaca, mole negro, or black mole that includes over 30 ingredients. There is also red mole, yellow mole, and green mole. The ingredients are roasted, grounded into a fine powder and mixed with water—resulting in a thick sauce. The word “mole” comes from the Nahuatl mulli or molli meaning sauce or concoction. Although the mixes have evolved over time from the original Mesoamerican mulli, one thing has remained the same: the consistency and the use of chili powder.
With 32 states extending from the Mexico-U.S. border to the tip of the Yucatan Peninsula, the diversity in Mexico’s culinary experience is often difficult to pin-point in a few words. And even though we invite you to try these three new Mexican dishes, when visiting Mexico don’t forget to eat a hefty plate of delicious Mexican tacos.
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About the Author

Pamela Acosta is a Mexican travel photographer and writer for Yucatan Holidays. She is seeking to travel (and eat) throughout the Yucatan Peninsula, Riviera Maya & Cancun in an attempt to capture beauty and wonder in words & pixels. Follow Pamela on Twitter.

Cancun – The Pleasure’s All Mayan

 by Sharon Drechsler

CEO and president of Cancun-based tour and excursion-providers, Yucatán Holidays, Erika Garcia is pretty excited: “We just learned that Orbitz has listed Cancun as the number one, top global destination!” she exclaims.

“Earlier in May, Cancun had already been listed in the Orbitz Index as second of ‘Top 10 Summer Travel Destinations for 2010,” adds Jesus Almaguer, director of the city’s visitors bureau. This comes as no surprise to Cancun’s Secretariat of Tourism Dario Flota. “We survey the 6 million visitors per year here all the time who say they’ve had unforgettable vacations,” he says. “Visitors from all over the world return to Cancun year after year. And they tell us they feel 100 percent confident about security throughout their stay.”

I know Flota feels the need to mention security due to recent negative press concerning border unrest. But with the tender care afforded us by a special security unit assigned solely to assist tourists, I felt more comfortable than at home! Plus, where else in the world can you find such perfect ingredients for an ideal holiday? Unspoiled, white-sand beaches; warm, Caribbean climate; exceptional hospitality…. Check. But wait. There’s more! “Sure, most of Yucatán Holidays’ guests are coming for a beach vacation,” says Garcia. “But with our vacations, they have so many additional options! You should see a kid snorkeling over the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the longest reef on the continent. Or talk to a couple after they’ve gotten out into the community, learned about the history of the Mayan people and viewed how we live today.”

“I can’t tell you how many people have told me this trip has changed their lives! One couple called me the other day and said, ‘Erika, we can’t go home yet!’” laughs Garcia. “I told them to relax; we can help them.” “Yucatán Holidays makes it easy to add on days to their stay. We do what it takes to protect our resort clients’ interests. With us, their special guests never need to go online, call another resort provider or a travel agent.” The Yucatán Peninsula has supported a sophisticated level of civilization since as early as 1,000 B.C. “We’ve found that visitors want to explore the local history, culture and heritage,” she adds. “Yucatán Holidays is the first local tour provider to incorporate our rich heritage into a sustainable tourism portfolio.”

One of their steps in meeting this commitment is to partner with an alternative tourism agency called Kanché. “Visitors interested in science and nature can take a Kanché tour through protected jungles and mangrove forests and learn about the fascinating history and culture of the region,” adds Garcia. “We are a major supporter of this non-profit, non-governmental group.”

But this is just one layer of the Yucatán Holidays onion I peeled back on a recent trip there. Fresh off the plane, my first stop is to Ocean Spa Hotel in the heart of Cancun.

Day 1: Sensations massage, sensational meal
After checking in, I am treated to an 80-minute-long Sensations massage that turns me into pliable puddles of joy. Lia at Ocean Spa Hotel’s Ya’ax Ché spa uses four different techniques including acupressure, reflexology, lymphatic drainage and body stretching – decidedly therapeutic – to send me to a different plane. Soon I’m humming a restful “Om.”

The next morning I visit the buffet table of the all-inclusive Ocean Spa Hotel’s indoor/outdoor restaurant, where I make the day’s toughest decision: Should I go native with Mexican-styled refried beans, huevos rancheros and tortillas or stick to a made-to-order omelet? Instead, I opt to sample one of the Ocean Spa’s juice therapy concoctions. Wellness is a common theme at Ocean Spa, from activities promoting exercise to restorative spa treatments and healthy food choices. The menu promises that my choice, the ‘Purify,’ an elixir of pineapple, lime, pear, kiwi and even a touch of cactus and parsley leaves, will rid me of unwanted toxins. It sounds perfect.

Thus detoxed, I believe I’m ready for the resort’s morning Latin dance class. Along with several other women and one brave fellow, we all cha-cha, hip-swivel and shimmy through an hour of salsa, bachata, merengue and mambo. (Relax. It isn’t as hard as it sounds.)

Later in the evening, my Yucatán Holidays pals and I attend an impressive evening show at the Hacienda Andalucía. An old-time hacienda that’s been converted into an equestrian venue is a weekly draw for locals and tourists alike. While we enjoy a truly sumptuous buffet, we are entertained by Mexican folk singers and dancers. After we’re suitably fortified, we watch the show as horseback riders demonstrate their skills, balancing precariously on their galloping steeds while performing intricately choreographed feats.

Hacienda Tres Ríos, Riviera Maya, Mexico
“What is your favorite resort in Mexico?” the couple from Pennsylvania asks when they hear how much I travel. There is no hesitation on my part, “This one!” By my second day, I am checked into the five-star Hacienda Tres Ríos, an all-inclusive, luxury hotel located on the edge of 326 acres of jungle and mangrove forest and bordering a strand of beach on the Gulf of Mexico in the Riviera Maya.

I dare any top-rated hotel, anywhere, to beat Tres Ríos for luxury. It would be tough. Plush bedding, tastefully decorated suites, fine amenities, extraordinary service and haute cuisine – Tres Ríos is ready for royalty, Mayan or simply mine. Not to mention, the property was the first-ever purpose-built green resort in all of Mexico and is held to be the model of sustainability, earning top awards from Green Globe, the World Travel Awards and others. (Based in Los Angeles, Green Globe sponsors independently-audited certification that supports Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria, an agreed upon international standard for the sustainable operation and management of travel and tourism businesses.)

Maybe Hacienda Tres Ríos means endless luxury in Mayan?
On a tour of the hotel’s kitchen, award-winning Chef Oscar Orbe shows us how he keeps his seven operations (plus room service) running at top efficiency. We tour through a sparklingly clean, climate-controlled, glass paneled facility as Orbe points out the prodigious division of pastry, salads, sides, meat, poultry and fish. Preparation of each of these is compartmentalized in rooms that surround and pump completed masterpieces into a final plating area that fairly hums with activity. (And, speaking of humming, Norah Jones’ gentle tones are piping throughout the hundreds of square feet of kitchen. Happy people/happy food.)

As in all things ‘Tres Ríos,’ careful planning has contributed to a health-oriented kitchen that’s won notice from the likes of Travel Weekly and Travel Age West. The resulting menus and buffets present diners with an endless variety of healthy choices. Guests are encouraged to experiment with their food selections, much like early hunters and gatherers – ‘molecular gourmet’ cuisine, if you will. Endless luxury is taking time to relish each bite. My friend and I are seated in the kitchen, Italian style, for our reserved private service at the Chef’s Table. While the eating establishments throughout Hacienda Tres Ríos are part of an all-inclusive system, you can reserve a special VIP seating here through the concierge.

Mentally, we gird our loins as three elegantly-dressed starters to a nine-course spread begin to appear in rapid-fire succession. First is a crispy shrimp cake, followed by tender filets of venison and tuna sashimi. Main courses follow: lobster, lamb and beef tenderloin carbonara. Like we could handle it by this time, the piece de resistance is a molten chocolate, phyllo dough basket filled with mamey (similar to passion fruit) sorbet and topped with caramel and chocolate-covered raspberries.

A Mayan view of nature
The next day finds me on the eco-friendly Jaguar Tour exploring the philosophy of Tres Ríos Nature Park – an immense nature preserve supporting 90 species of animals and 120 plant species. The resort has made ecological history by successfully reforesting mangroves, palms and other flora. We get a close-up look at how it’s done at the property’s own nursery where they plant palm trees, mangroves, herbs for the kitchen and other plants and flowers to repopulate the grounds. During planting season, a personal concierge can schedule an opportunity for you to learn how to replant one of these incredible trees and earn a certificate for your contribution.

There are 10 cenotes, or sinkholes, and three rivers. (Oh, as in tres ríos, do you think?) After being assured this one is crocodile-free, we take a plunge in its brackish water and later kayak down one of the rivers. Next, Yucatán Holidays has me signed up for the Sub See Explorer & Snorkel adventure at Aquaworld. Located on the main drag in Cancun, the venue offers everything from scuba diving, snorkeling and fishing, to swimming in Isla Mujeres. I am dutifully garbed in a bathing suit with a light pair of shorts and t-shirt, plus plenty of sun block. First from a glass-bottomed boat and later while snorkeling, we feel truly privileged to spend a day exploring the massive Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. We pass coral garden after garden and see schools of angelfish, damsels, parrotfish, rabbitfish, wrasse and the occasional sea turtle. After swimming, sun and surf, the next day’s itinerary is distinctly inland…I mean, truly “in” land. Four years ago, a landowner was chasing an armadillo, which led him to unearth a rocky entrance to an underground cavern. His discovery, Río Secreto, turned out to be the longest partially flooded cave in the Yucatan Peninsula. While most caves in the region are completely submerged and only accessible by scuba diving, this one is only partially filled by water.

Garbed in ‘shorty’ wetsuits, helmets and reef shoes, we follow as our guide Pablo explains how ancient Mayan priests and leaders would take hallucinogens, enter the darkest parts of the cavern and meditate in the watery dark. As we haltingly tread its Stygian depths, it’s like a mausoleum of those ancients. You can visualize a warrior donning the skin of a jaguar to become invisible, over here. Over there, a priest with a headdress of Quetzal feathers is placing offerings before a shrine.

The spiritual side of Mexico
Our trip west from the state of Quintana Roo to Yucatán’s capital city, Mérida, over featureless jungle-filled flatlands, induces us to snooze in the back seat. We apparently pass through a time warp and awaken several hundred years in the past to find ourselves in the region’s colonial period; only three hours later and we’re in the early 1900s! As we drive down the main boulevard, Avenida Montejo, we ogle dozens of elaborate turn-of-the-century mansions. We visit the city hall – Mérida Palacio Municipal – to view impressive murals relating the Mayan struggle for freedom.

Finally, it’s time for dinner at La Chaya Maya, just before being famished turns into really being famished. Fortunately, we arrive on the early side – 8 o’clock. Very soon waiters are scrambling to bring us lime soup, roast chicken-topped tostados called panuchos and the Mayan version of a corndog, joroches. By the time we finish, the line is almost out the door.

We’re pretty proud of ourselves for having beaten the crowd and head back to our abode for the night – a  contemporary, boutique hotel housed in a beautifully renovated hacienda, the Hacienda Sacnicte just outside Mérida. Hipsters of the ilk of Sting, The Police and others have rented this exclusive hideaway. Owned by an Italian architect and his wife, the two have remodeled the 17th century stone manse into an unforgettably serene vacation home to which Yucatan Holidays has access.

Here, they have restored the massive, centuries-old stone remnants of the home and outbuildings of landed Spanish gentry, reverently intermixing antiquities with the contemporary. We ogled all six of the boutique hotel’s suites with their 20-plus-foot-high ceilings, admiring the eclectic décor and noting the designer’s acute attention to detail. Bathrooms are enormous caverns with stonecrafted spigots and huge, sunken stone tubs under open sky. Bedrooms are quiet temples of muted colors with beds swathed in fine linen and walls adorned with unique contemporary art.

A continuous theme of spirituality threads throughout my visit to this part of Paradise and is tied into a bow (or maybe a love knot) in Izamal. Pope John Paul II paid a visit here in 1993 to beg forgiveness for the Church’s wrong doings throughout Latin America. In his honor, Izamal’s buildings are painted Vatican-yellow. Bicycle driven pedicabs and horse-drawn buggies trace streets encircling the Convent de San Antonio de Padua, the first church to have been completed in Mexico in 1549.

Yucatán Holidays’ slogan, “The Power of Paradise,” is appropriate in a multitude of ways, not the least of which is signified by hundreds of ancient Mayan ruins dating from the years 300 to 900 AD. We decide to save the most famous, Chichen Itza, for another day. Instead, we visit Tulum, a collection of lofty stone remains cresting a craggy, 39-foot-high cliff that has shot up out of the Caribbean Sea. Looking down at turquoise and azure waters from this promontory puts me in a worshipful mood.

I’m reminded of all the ways my Yucatán Holidays adventure has touched me. Yes, they’ve all been powerful…uplifting spiritually, engaging experientially. But visitors may need to hurry! According to experts, the Mayan calendar ends in 2012. I pay a parting visit to the ever-gracious Erika Garcia who embraces me and tells me, “Mi casa es su casa. Bring your husband next time and stay longer!”

Original Article: Perspective Magazine

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About the Author

Sharon Drechsler (DrechslerCommunications.com), lives aboard a Catalina 470 sailboat, S/V Last Resort, which is currently moored in Los Angeles, California. In addition to operating a public relations firm, Drechsler has recently co-launched SocialMediaServicing.com, content-providers for clients engaged in online networking.