Seniors Visit Santiago de Querétaro

Santiago de Querétaro, known simply as Querétaro, population 1.6 million, is the capital city of the Free and Sovereign State of Querétaro, Mexico. Senior travelers will find the city in the central area of Mexico, connecting the wetter climes of the south with the drier deserts of the north.

Querétaro has an interesting ethnic and cultural heritage that has developed from the integration of pre-Hispanic and European customs. Called the “ Pearl of the Bajio ”, the splendor of the city has helped to make it a very attractive place for domestic and international tourism.

Most of the state’s manufacturing companies are located in or around the city of Santiago de Querétaro. Rich mineral deposits run through the state’s mountains and valleys, yielding silver, iron, copper and mercury. Opal mining is another lucrative state resource.

Senior Travelers Discover A Most Livable City

A recent ‘Quality of Life’ study revealed that Querétaro is the most livable city in Mexico in terms of quality of housing, schools, transportation, cultural and recreational options, as well as its natural beauty.

Senior visitors will find plenty to see and do in and around Querétaro. The city is an excellent place to begin your colonial Mexico visit. The city has preserved its historic downtown and taken steps to beautify many areas.

The Historic Monuments Zone of Querétaro was named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1996. The narrow streets and hot spring spas of Tequisquiapan gives the city a distinct colonial flavor. I have been to Mexico many times and now Querétaro is on my travel bucket list.  Put it on yours as well.

City Is Known For Aqueduct And Colonial History

Querétaro is known for its 74-arched aqueduct built in the early 1700s. The aqueduct rises 23 meters (75 feet) above street level and conveyed drinking water to the city from regional springs until 1970.

Among the many “must visits” for senior travelers are the famed Arches, the Church of San Francisco, the Aqueduct, the Cathedral, the House of the Corregidora, the Zenea Garden, the Church and former Convent of the Holy Cross and the Casa Zacatecana Museum.

Historically, Mexicans first declared their independence in Querétaro, one of Mexico’s smallest states. Querétaro’s Historic Center encompasses magnificent colonial buildings, squares, fountains and churches that were once backdrops for many dramatic events from the state’s past.

La Casa de la Zacatecana and La Casa de Don Bartolo are two buildings enshrouded in mysterious legends. Mexico is presently considering building a high-speed rail line between Mexico City and Querétaro, and that says a lot about the importance of the city.

Senior visitors can see it all in this exciting city. jeb

Seniors Visit “The Shoe Capital of the World”

León is a city in the Mexican state of Guanajuato and is the sixth largest city  in the country with a population of just over 100,000. Officially founded in 1577, León is just one of many historically and culturally rich destinations in the Bajío region.

The city is on the main rail line between El Paso, Texas and Mexico City, is a commercial, agricultural, and mining center and one of Mexico’s leading shoe manufacturers. The city’s mines yield gold, copper, silver, lead, and tin.

Senior visitors will not be wanting for things to see and do in León. The Museo de Arte e Historia de Guanajuato provides a colorful insight into the history of the city, with expositions ranging from 13th Century Chichimecas, to the massacre of 1946 within the Plaza of Martyrs.

Seniors Find Leather Industry In León

The city is full of history and fun things to take in. It has a strong leather industry, offering shoes, boots, belts, jackets, and other leather accessories both to national and international markets. Shoe City is thriving owing to its leather industry of over 200 years and is home to some big outsourced brands produced locally, including Nike and Madden.

Senior visitors will not want to miss the Arco Triunfal that was constructed in 1893 and today remains a symbol of the city and the independence of Mexico. Created for the 83rd independence anniversary, it is still highly regarded as an important monument in the city.

León has a long history of supplying goods: in the 16th century it was the center of Mexico’s ranching district, providing meat for the mining towns and processing hides. The world famous León Fair is one of the most important in the country and yearly draws thousands of Mexicans and world visitors alike.

Millions flock to the city for the fair with agricultural displays, music, dancing, carnival rides and bullfights. Naturally, hundreds of shoemakers have displays that invite you to take home a few pairs of quality shoes as wearable souvenirs. Another major draw in Léon is the Casa de Cultura Diego Rivera.

Seniors Taste Old Mexico in León

León is a fun place to get a taste of Old Mexico with its flavors and city sites. León is an industrial colonial-era city with a lovely historic heart that centers on the tree-lined Plaza Principal (main plaza). Furthermore the city is known for its impressive baroque- and neoclassical-style architecture, cultural venues, shopping and attractions.

The pedestrian area surrounding the main plaza and the adjoining Plaza de los Fundadores is where senior tourists will find many shops, restaurants and interesting cafés. Sights of interest in the historic center of León include a cultural center, theater, contemporary art museum and the twin-towered cathedral with its lovely baroque facade.

Senior travelers, put León on your itinerary for your next visit to Mexico . jeb

Seniors Head South of the Border

Manzanillo (pop. 25,000+), a city in the Mexican state of Colima, is located on the Pacific Ocean. Mexico’s busiest port and the third port created by the Spanish in the Pacific, Manzanillo is responsible for handling cargo for the Mexico City area.

The city is known as the “Sailfish Capital of the World”. Since 1957, it has hosted important national and international fishing competitions, such as the Dorsey Tournament, making it a very attractive fishing destination. Manzanillo has become one of the country’s most important tourist resorts, and its excellent hotels and restaurants continue to meet the demands of both national and international tourism.

Senior visitors will see lots of ships in and around the Manzanillo harbor. In addition, it is home to the Navy’s Pacific Naval Force. There is a host of things to see and do including the Isla Navidad Golf Course, the famed Playa Miramar and the Barra Navidad that lays at the end of the Bay from the town of Melaque.

Historical and Magical Attract Senior Visitors

“Magical, Historic, Cultural and Intimate” are but a few of the words that best describe the balmy and magical escape senior citizens will experience in Manzanillo. The twin bays, the Bahia de Santiago (Santiago Bay) and Bahia de Manzanillo (Manzanillo Bay) both stretch for five miles along the Pacific Coast and are separated by the Santiago Peninsula.

The centro historico (historic downtown) of Manzanillo is located on the far eastern end of Manzanillo Bay, whereas the majority of the luxury resorts in Manzanillo are located in the area between the bays that surround the Santiago Peninsula. The beaches line the five-mile stretch of golden sand that curves around the Santiago Bay.

The weather in Manzanillo is pleasant year-round, and the beach sees an average of 350 days of sunshine each year. That matches the sun here in Arizona. Manzanillo’s close proximity to the Sierra Madre Mountains helps to keep temperatures slightly cooler than many of the other well-known resort destinations located up and down the Pacific Coast.

The best time to visit Manzanillo is during the winter months from November to April. Perhaps some of you senior citizens will remember the famous slow-motion scene of Bo Derek running along the beach in Blake Edwards’ 10. This scene was filmed here.

I’d like to share with you a new discovery I’ve made, TomZap … filled with a lot of information. So, senior travelers, consider spending some quality time in Manzanillo and bring along lots of sunscreen. jeb

Seniors Love La Cuidad de Mexico

Mexico is unlike any other country this senior citizen has visited, and I love Mexico City ! The friendly people, the cultural and historical sites, the weather, the prices, the countryside and just hanging out where the locals hang out add to my many fond memories.

As Mexico’s capital it is one of the liveliest and largest cities in the world, with a renowned arts-and-culture scene, an entire district that has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site,  and some of the best cuisine in the world.

The city was originally built on an island of Lake Texcoco by the Aztecs in 1325. Spanish conquistadors founded Mexico City in 1521 atop the razed island-capital, that was the cultural and political center of the Aztec ( Mexica ) empire.  Subsequently it was redesigned and rebuilt in accordance with the Spanish urban standards.

Seniors Visit Biggest City

La Cuidad de Mexico is an awesome city and like any great metropolis, it presents a wide mosaic of scenes. One moment you’re enjoying tequila at a grand old cantina, the next you’re listening to world-class DJs on a rooftop terrace. Senior travelers, on your first trip to Mexico City, I’d suggest a Hop On-Hop Off Bus Tour to get you acquainted with the city.

It’s called the “ Biggest City in the World .”  Others say Tokyo, Jakarta, Seoul, Delhi or Shanghai. Daily Mexicans are pouring in, however, just as many are pouring out. Mexico City is one of the most polluted cities in the world. Entrapped in a large valley, the automobile exhaust, industrial smoke and other ozone depleting causes leave many with breathing difficulties.

History abounds everywhere with at least a dozen major working archaeological sites within the city limits. Our guide said that her family dug up Aztec ruins doing some remodeling in their basement.

Seniors Visit Historic Center

This fascinating capital beguiles senior visitors with endless options. Many of the most visited tourist attractions in Mexico City are concentrated in the historic center, including the Plaza de la Constitucion or Zócalo that is an absolute “must see.”

Visit the National Palace located on the same square and and view several of Diego Rivera’s restored frescos.  Also on the Zócalo is the Metropolitan Cathedral. It is huge and due to earthquakes, is filled with scaffolding supporting the arches and the main roof.

Close by is the Templo Mayor, a large stone pyramid with the familiar wide staircases and temples seen throughout Mexico. The Palace of Fine Arts is beautiful and has sunk several feet into the ground having been built on soft soil.

One of the most important museums in Mexico, Museo Nacional de Antropologia, contains one of the world’s largest collections of archaeological and anthropological artifacts from pre-hispanic Mayan civilizations to the Spanish conquest. A visit to this museum was a highlight for me and my students.

Senior travelers will find Mexico City to be one of the most fascinating, fun and exciting cities you have ever visited. jeb

Seniors Descend to the Baja and Loreto

About three quarters of the way down the Baja Peninsula from the US border is Loreto . I discovered that Loreto, pop. 10,000+,  is one of the oldest settlements in the Baja California peninsula.

Loreto carries senior travelers deep into a Mexico of legends and colonial splendor, whether you’re wandering its winding streets, exploring caves and admiring prehistoric cave paintings, or enjoying a dip in the Sea of Cortez.

I was surprised to learn that there were pre-historic caves in the area. Fishing is Loreto’s main tourist attraction. Senior visitors can hire a “panga”, a small flat-bottomed boat, with a guide and set out into the Sea of Cortez for “Mahi-Mahi”, also called “Dorado” and “Dolphin Fish”.

Pleasant weather year-round and less crowded than some resort towns, Loreto is a great base for snorkeling, sport fishing or just relaxing on the beach. Loreto remains a quiet seaside gem.

There are no cruise ships. Instead, there is the Loreto Bay National Marine Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site made up of five islands accessible only by boat. In Nopoló, just few miles to the south, golfers will find an 18-hole, par-72 course, and tennis enthusiasts can enjoy a first-rate facility with 8 tennis courts.

Seniors Discover Rich History

Senior visitors will enjoy unsurpassable natural surroundings including beautiful beaches, breathtaking cliffs, impressive rock formations and, of course, a closer look at where the colonization of Baja California all began.

Loreto is rich in culture, as you’ll see when you witness its colorful traditions and festivities. The most important celebration in this picturesque city, the Feast of Our Lady of Loreto, is held on September 8th in honor of its beloved patron saint.

As the first capital of the Californias, Loreto’s culture runs as deep as its rich history. Loreto was the first Spanish colony on the Baja Peninsula, founded by Jesuits in 1697.

Visitors can learn about Loreto’s historic past at the Jesuit Missions Museum, next to the old and still well-preserved parish church, Our Lady of Loreto.

Senior Sport Fishing

Enjoy world-class sport fishing and play golf and tennis at the Nopolo recreational sports complex. With year round temperatures averaging in the 80′s, outdoor activities are always available.

The Loreto Bay National Marine Park, the Mission San Javier and the Marina Park Bahia de Loreto are three major attractions that seniors find fun and interesting.

The Malecon, a surfside avenue, is Loreto’s center for people-watching, by day and night. Whale watching is another possibility if you have never done this before. Then try sailing, kayaking, diving, horseback riding, mountain biking and beach combing or take a tour to the beautifully restored Mission of San Javier high up in the mountains behind the city of Loreto.

This is a town real with authentic Mexican charm that attracts travelers to its gracious hotels and slow-going lifestyle. jeb

A Great Island Visit For Seniors

It seems like all of a sudden senior travelers have discovered Isla Mujeres, a tiny island off the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico. It’s been there a long long time, as in March of the year 1517 when Francisco Hernandez Cordova discovered the island.

Today MSNBC invites travelers to move to islands and notes that Isla Mujeres, Spanish for Island of Women, is a laid back oasis. Isla, as the locals call it, blends the soul of Mexico with the beaches of the Caribbean and is a hammock-swinging lifestyle, peppered with Mayan legends.

I’ve been there with students and loved every moment on the island. Senior visitors will find the friendly atmosphere perfect for a relaxing vacation. Huffington Post called Isla a Tropical Paradise. I am sure that it has changed a lot since my visits a few years back, but it still remains so memorable.

Small Fishing Village Still

Once a small fishing village, colorful Isla Mujeres with 65 hotels has become a favorite for senior travelers seeking natural beauty, island serenity, and a slower pace of life and all without compromising its cultural traditions.

One can easily walk from the east side of the island to the west, catching sunrise in the morning and later, watching the sun set as the local fishing boats return with their day’s catch. Senior visitors will find the typical items available for purchase (blankets, jewelry, stone carvings, masks, hats) all along main street.

Silver is the item to look for and good prices can be found. The majority of shops and restaurants accept the US dollar but may give you your change back in pesos. Like most everything in Mexico, you can usually bargain for a better price.

It’s small but seniors will find plenty to see and do on Isla: a stunning ocean full of colorful coral reefs, teeming with friendly tropical fish, a paradise for both snorkelers, which I did with my students, and scuba divers .  And senior birders, on Isla you can spot dozens of more than 150 species of birds.

Seniors Visit Underwater Museum

The Island was a Mayan sanctuary to goddess Ixchel for about a thousand years. Statues of women were discovered by the first Spanish visitors and this where the name “Island of Women” originated.

The National Park West Coast of Isla Mujeres, Punta Cancun and Punta Nizuc, which receives approximately 750,000 tourists annually, features more than 400 concrete sculpture figurines comprising the world’s largest underwater museum, right in the waters in front of Cancun and the island.

The 400 life-size sculptures are called La Evolución Silenciosa, The Silent Evolution . Senior divers and snorkelers will have the opportunity to admire the original sculptures in depths ranging from 9 to 20 feet.

I think that you will enjoy every day on Isla. I found it to be very special. jeb

Been to Guadalajara? If Not, Say “NOT YET”

I’ve been all over Mexico but not to Guadalajara , the City of Roses. For me, Not Yet! The second city of the Mexican Republic, Guadalajara has a reputation as a slower, more conservative and traditional place than Mexico City, somewhere seniors can stop and catch your breath.

Guadalajara is located 335 miles northwest of Mexico City.  The word Guadalajara comes from the Arab word “Wadi-al-Hajara”, which means “Valley of Stones”. The city is named after the Spanish city of the same name.

Many claim that it is the most “Mexican” of the country’s big cities, having evolved as a regional center of trade and commerce, without the imbalances of Monterrey’s industrial giants or Mexico City’s chaotic scale. This city is a great place to appreciate traditional Mexican culture, and senior visitors will soon note that it is also one of Mexico’s most important industrial and business centers.

Seniors Find a Beautiful, Bustling City

Guadalajara is one of the most beautiful cities in all of Mexico. Endowed with an extraordinary climate it is called the Land of Mariachi, Tequila. The birth of the Tequila happened a few kilometers from Guadalajara, precisely in the town of Tequila.

Senior travelers will find it to be a busy and bustling city but it also has many surrounding towns and villages that you can also explore if you are interested in really getting a feel for all that the State of Jalisco has to offer. There is nearby Chapala with Mexico’s largest lake as well as small and quaint shopping towns such as Tlaquepaque.

Guadalajara is huge, sprawling, and energetic. Still, it remains a great place to see something of traditional and modern Mexico.  The city offers everything from museums, galleries and colonial architecture to magnificent revolutionary murals by José Clemente Orozco to a nightlife scene enlivened by a large student population.

Guadalajara’s twin-towered cathedral is the city’s most beloved and conspicuous landmark. TripAdvisor has lined up 108 things see and do while you are in town, including the Instituto Cultural Cabañas, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Seniors Enjoy Strolling in Guadalajara

A stroll through Guadalajara will give you an appreciation for the green spaces and public art in the city’s parks and plazas. All About Guadalajara is a one great site that will provide first time senior visitors with just about all they will need to know to make this visit a positive and memorable one.

Guadalajara is big, 3 million, some say 4 million. And shoppers, Zapopan has some interesting colonial sites, but is better known as Guadalajara’s Beverly Hills. So why wait? The city is awaiting your arrival. It is a fun and exciting city to visit. jeb

Seniors Discover the Isle of Yelapa

I would like to think that this senior knows Mexico fairly well, having been there several times. Nevertheless I had never heard of Yelapa, called “A Hidden Gem” or by others…”A State of Mind.”

Tiny Yelapa’s charm is that the best things are free and is presently highly recommend by travel magazines as a place to seek refuge on your next trip to Mexico.

Nestled in the southernmost cove of the world’s 7th largest bay, lies the peaceful village of Yelapa in the State of Jalisco . Although there is a road which leads to the pueblo, the isle is most easily accessible by boat. You will discover that it is “somewhat isolated” and hemmed in between jungle and ocean.

This might be neat…Yelapa has no roads or cars and very few phones. Could you handle that? Plus there are no street names or maps but no need to worry. Yelapa is the kind of place where someone will just point you in the right direction.

If you’ve been to Puerto Vallarta you can easily locate Yelapa 30 miles to the south. It’s a sleepy little find that many call the “Stuff of Fairy Tails”.

Set in a cove at the foot of mountains that tumble down into the sea and at the end of a bone-rattling road followed by a bit of a hike through Chacala (Huichol) Indian land, that’s Yelapa.

Yelapa, Hot Senior Destination

These days, Yelapa is hot. Why? It is a perfect destination for senior travelers who wants to get away from it all. In the last couple of years, it has emerged as one of the must-visit destinations in Mexico, or anywhere. Hilary Swank vacations here and so does Peter Coyote.

This peaceful little village, surrounded by over 50,000 acres of the second most bio-diverse jungle and waters of the world, focuses on artistic ventures, nature and outdoor recreation. Lounging on the beach, swimming, snorkeling, hiking to one of the island’s jungle waterfalls or mountain biking are popular pastimes. Yoga retreat spas are highly sought after.

From one end of Banderas Bay to the other takes only about 45 minutes. Behind the beach where boats land is a village of steep paths, randomly laid out. The atmosphere in Yelapa is very laid back, which is what drew bohemians, artists, and hippies in the 1960s and 1970s.

Senior Citizens Visit This “Getaway”

Just so you comprehend what you can expect, Yelapa is straight out of Daniel Dafoe’s famous castaway novel ‘Robinson Crusoe’. It is an artist/hippie retreat.

The island’s charm beckons adventurous senior visitors and folks wishing to enjoy these untouched shores. Yelapa hotels provide a spectacular level of privacy and tranquility, tucked into this tiny little village that has been largely undisturbed by the tourism industry.

You adventure loving seniors, pack your carry-on, swimming gear and plenty of sun tan oil and head to Yelapa for some “true peace and calm.” jeb

Seniors Visit Tecate

What do you think of when you see or hear the name Tecate?  Beer naturally, but there is much more than beer in Tecate, so together let’s check out this neat Mexican village. This senior always figured that Tecate was somewhere down in the middle of Mexico. Wrong. It’s next door to southern California and as a major port of entry between the two countries, it is said to be The Most Visited City in the World with more than two million visitors monthly.

Long Beer History

Beer in Mexico has a long history. While Mesoamerican cultures knew of fermented alcoholic beverages, including a corn beer, long before the Spanish conquest, European style beer brewed with barley was introduced with the Spanish soon after Hernan Cortes’ arrival in 1519. Production of this beer here was limited during the colonial period due to the lack of materials and severe restrictions and taxes placed on the product by Spanish authorities.

The Cuauhtemoc Brewery where Tecate is produced offers guided tours and is what put the city of Tecate on the map.  Tecate beer is one of the most popular beers in Mexico and California and is typically drunk pouring lime and salt on top of the red can rather than a bottle.

Tecate (El Corazón de Baja California) was founded in 1892 and has a population of around 65,000.  It is located on the border with Tecate, California, so there are two cities with the same name. What’s especially cool about the town is that it is a border town that does not have the look or feel of a border town, but rather resembles a small village in the central part of Mexico. There is a small port of entry between the sister cities that serves as a calmer alternative to the bustling port of Tijuana. I found this link to be helpful as it has a colorful map showing precisely where Tecate is located.

Seniors Drawn To The Spa

Rancho La Puerta, a wellness center and all inclusive spa is said to be Northern America’s first and longest running health spa. Rancho La Puerta is total class and offers an amazing array of fitness activities, luxury spa amenities, superb accommodations, and entertainment. Their 3,000-acre property offers world-class landscaped gardens, an organic farm, and mountainsides or meadows of great hiking and walking experiences. Close behind that attraction is the Museo Comunitario Kumiai that is dedicated to fostering greater understanding of the cultural, historical and natural heritage of Tecate.

Seniors who know the area call it a “charming village” that is bustling with Things to Do and See . Let’s not forget the wineries in Tecate. Northern Baja, and especially the area south of Tecate, are the center of Mexico’s wine production. Enjoy the great country of Mexico, just south of the border. jeb

Seniors Adventurers Explore Chiapas

Seniors, do you know where Chiapas is located? In south Mexico, boarding Guatemala to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the south. Chiapas is unique and it’s on my “travel bucket list.” Senior explorers are discovering that Mexico’s southernmost state is a  fascinating visit.

The city of San Cristóbal de las Casas is a natural base — not only an endlessly appealing city with everything from centuries-old churches to hip wine bars, but perfectly located for exploring the rest of the state. The capital of Chiapas, Tuxtla Gutierrez, has a population of approximately half a million inhabitants.

W hy Would Seniors Travel to Chiapas?

The state is a compact area that packs in plenty for the adventure loving senior traveler, from pristine lakes, rivers and national parks, to fascinating and friendly Mexican pueblos. Chiapas is home to several famous ancient Mayan ruins: Palenque, Yaxchilán, Bonampak, Chinkultic, and Toniná. Getting around the state is fast and hassle-free with places of interest conveniently close to each other.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Palenque is the state’s most important archeological attraction with buildings from the Classic Mayan time, hosting the famous Inscriptions Temple. Originally called La Kam Ha (the place of much water) before the Spanish renamed it Palenque “The Palace”, it is one of the largest and most beautiful buildings in Mayan architecture.

Seniors Encounter a Colonial Domain

San Cristóbal de las Casas is a colonial city with narrow streets and colorful one-story houses with tiled roofs that enclose lovely courtyards. It offers senior visitors not only a journey back in time with its many churches and museums but also a contemporary bohemian ambiance of art galleries, bars and sophisticated restaurants catering to an international crowd of travelers and expats.

Relatively isolated until tourism began to influence its economy in the 1970′s, visitors find San Cristóbal to be one of the most attractive towns in Chiapas . A stronghold of Mayan culture, San Cristóbal contrasts with the surrounding villages, which remain home to a wide array of Mayan-descendant Indians.

The State of Chiapas is one with the most biodiversity in the country, hosting part of the Lacandona Jungle with more than 20% of the Mexican fauna. Chiapas is a state of extremes: stunning colonial cities, important archaeological sites, scenic beaches, tropical rainforest, lakes and high mountains with an active volcano as well as a large indigenous population where no fewer than 10 different dialects are spoken.

Seniors Explore Palenque Up Close

Palenque is a “must.”  The site is famous for the ruins of a Mayan city dating from 600 AD to 800 AD, containing  some of the finest architecture, sculpture, roof comb and bas-relief carvings the Maya produced. Set amidst thick trees, Palenque still evokes some of the wonder that the early Spanish visitors must have felt when they first came across the ruins.

So you may have visited Mexico; now come and see “The Real Mexico” in Chiapas. jeb