Many people don’t realize that the beaches of Mexico offer many of the same great luxuries as the Caribbean islands, but for only a fraction of the price. People looking for cheap Caribbean holidays should seriously consider Mexico’s Baja California.

If you’re an American, you’ve probably heard about the idyllic weather of San Diego. Well, Baja is just a few miles south of San Diego and has just slightly warmer weather. As a Mexican state, your lodging options in Baja run the gambit from hostels to timeshares to all-inclusive resorts. When considering a Baja vacation, many people are initially hesitant to go to Baja because of the problem of Mexican crime. But just like any other Caribbean vacation, your safety depends fully on your choice of location and lodging.

For maximum rest, relaxation and safety, you should consider the many all inclusive holidays that Baja California provides. Just as nice as your average Caribbean vacation, but with less rain and humidity, your stay at an all-inclusive resort can be both affordable and pristine. Plus Baja is only minutes from San Diego California, allowing you to break away and see one of the great American cities during your trip. No other Caribbean vacation provides this option.

So if your looking for a brand new vacation experience and have tried all the Caribbean islands and find yourself looking for something similar but new, why not try a resort in Baja California. Great beaches. Great weather. Great cost.

Gray whales are 52 feet long and weigh 36 tons, yet are gentle enough to touch… and Baja California’s Pacific coast is the perfect place to experience the thrill!

Every year in November, more than 10 thousand gray whales trade the freezing waters of Alaska’s Bering Sea for the warmth of Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula. Traveling along the Pacific coastline at top speeds of five mph and with pregnant females in the lead, the whales take about four months to make the 10 thousand miles roundtrip.

Once the whales reach the Mexican coast, they mate, bask in soothing lagoons and give birth, making January through early April the peak time to whale watch. During these months, boat excursions are available all along Baja California, giving tourists the chance to observe these magnificent creatures in their natural environment, see the newborn calves and enjoy the blowhole water shows.

Gray whales are so friendly that on many occasions they swim right up to the boats and even allow human contact. In early spring, the calves and their mothers are the last to head back up north, and without the presence of the males, mothers are less protective, often allowing their young to approach tour boats more freely.

Where to watch
Although a small percentage of whales, particularly those that are not giving birth, make it as far south as Cabo San Lucas and the East Cape on the southern tip of the Baja, most whale-watching takes place in three major lagoons all the coastline of the Baja Peninsula.

Laguna Ojo de Liebre: Also known as Scammon’s Lagoon, this body of water is located half-way down the peninsula on the Pacific side in Guerrero Negro, about 440 miles south of the border. It was the principal hunting lagoon used by commercial whale hunters in the 19th century. Today tourists arrive to the lagoon by car, but a national airport is also available for tourists flying in from other destinations in Mexico.

Laguna San Ignacio: Located 100 miles south of Laguna Ojo de Liebre, access to this site is mostly through charter air service from international airports such as San Diego and Tijuana.

Bahia Magdalena (Magdalena Bay): This bay in becoming increasingly popular for whale-watching due to its proximity to the La Paz and Loreto International airports.

How to get there
Tourists can arrive by charter plane and/or ground to the lagoons. Loreto’s International airport is the closest international airport to the lagoons, with limited service provided by Aeromexico and Aero California. Baja California’s capital, La Paz, is located approximately halfway between Loreto and Cabo and its larger airport offers more flight options.

Whale-watching options
Gray whale excursions comprise half-day or day trips, packages based out of whale-watching camps, and cruise programs that allow tourists to sleep onboard ships. There are various tour operators that specialize in whale-watching, including some major ones below.

Baja Expeditions: Based in La Paz and one of the oldest and largest whale-watching outfitters, Baja Expeditions service both the Magdalena Bay and San Ignacio lagoons. It offers charter flights directly from San Diego to San Ignacio and five-day, all-inclusive packages, including accommodations at the camps. It also offers seven-day combined kayaking and whale-watching programs to Magdalena Bay, meeting at the La Paz International Airport. Programs run from February to end of March.

Baja Discovery Tours: Boasting more than 20 years experience, Baja Discovery Tours it offers all-inclusive service from the San Diego International airport, including ground service to Tijuana, charter service to San Ignacio and accommodations at the San Ignacio camp. Five-day programs run from February to end of March.

Lindblad’s Special Expeditions: This provider offers nine-day cruises featuring whale-watching at Magdalena Bay along with other destinations and activities. Groups meet in Los Cabos.

Miramar Adventures: Offers three-day excursions to the Ojo de Liebre lagoon. Tourists arrive by car.

For those not interested in signing up for a whale-watching package, Puerto Lopez Mateos or Puerto San Carlos at Magdalena Bay are quaint sleepy villages where boats can be rented for US$50 a day, skipper included, and are located two hours by car from the Loreto International Airport.

Gray whales aren’t the only species to see while in Baja. Sea Kayak Adventures: also offers kayaking/camping adventures out of Loreto on the Sea of Cortez, located on the eastern side of the Baja Peninsula. Tourists can watch finback and blue whales, along with dolphins, sea lions and exotic fish. Apart from paddling among islands, additional activities include snorkeling and hiking up scenic canyons offering breathtaking panoramas.

More on gray whales
Hunted for their oils, blubber and other valuable products, gray whales were once victims of massive slaughters in the 1800s and early 20th century. The hunting continued until the numbers were reduced to only a few hundred, and the whales were subsequently placed on the endangered species list.

Thanks to an international protection agreement made among several countries in the 1940s, the whales’ numbers have grown at an incredible rate. Today, more than 20,000 gray whales exist and although still protected, they were removed from the endangered species list in 1975. Gray whales are among the oldest species of mammals, inhabiting the Earth for about 30 million years.

Related Link: Maui Whale Watching Pride of Maui offers exclusive whale watching and snorkel adventure tours to Molokini Crater and other popular Maui whale watch destinations.

When you are going to an area that you are not familiar with, you might not know how to find vacation rentals there. In reality, it’s quite simple to find vacation rentals in just about any area of the world if you know where to look and when to employ help. The Internet proves to be a great resource in finding vacation rentals for your trips because you can really see what you are getting for your money, and it also helps you feel more confident about where you’ll be staying for the duration of your trip.

As stated above, the Internet is one of the best resources when looking for vacation rentals. There are web sites out there that make it their business to hook up those who have vacation properties to rent and those who are looking for vacation rentals. Nearly all the sites are free for vacationers; others have a membership cost that may be worth the expense if you are looking for a luxury rental or rentals in a very remote area. The Internet can put you in touch with many people who have vacation rentals available all year round, so you know that there is a beautiful place for you to stay when you are on your trip. These web sites are a great way to do some searching for rentals on your own, and can even allow you to figure out how to save money if you are traveling on a budget.

Speaking of saving money, booking your vacation rental direct from the owner can save you money since there isn’t a management company acting as a middleman. This is in addition to savings that vacation rentals present since they are usually larger than hotel rooms, and include kitchens so you can prepare your meals and reduce dining out expense.

Realtors are often a great source for finding vacation rentals. Call your local realtor, if you have one, and ask them to see if they can’t help to find you a vacation rental in the area of your travels. You’ll be surprised how many realtors actually handle vacation rentals, or know someone who does. Dealing with a realtor will often give you a large variety of rentals to choose from in any given area, to get ready to choose the one that is best for your family or vacation needs.

Finding vacation rentals does not have to be hard or stressful. But remember to check into vacation rental availability before you make travel arrangements just to be sure you’ll have somewhere to stay when you get to your destination. Once you are sure there are plenty of quality vacation rentals in the area you plan to stay that also fit into your budget, it’s time to make all of your travel arrangements and get ready to enjoy yourself as much as possible! A great vacation rental can make any vacation one to remember, so find yours today!

People who rent property in Mexico far outweigh the number who buy. This is because property prices are much higher than average incomes will allow people to afford, and although mortgages are now being proffered by Mexican banks (a few years ago they were virtually unheard of), at an average of 15% a year, they are expensive by current US and European standards.

As access to long-term credit secured by real-estate is becoming more widespread, this is slowly beginning to fuel demand for land and house sales, but on the whole, the majority of the population still rent.

As a result of this rental properties are plentiful, commonplace and varied - and there is something to suit every need, and every budget.

I’ll never forget the first time that Rich Beckman and I ordered smart drugs in Tijuana. It was November, 2006, and we walked into the Medicine Man Farmacia in Tijuana, armed with our new copy of Smart Drugs & Nutrients. We told them what we wanted and they didn’t understand. We showed them the book with the names of the drugs, and they still didn’t understand. After 30 minutes of this, we were ready to leave when one of the clerks pulled out Ross Pelton’s Mind Food & Smart Pills. We knew we had made our connection!

We’ve been doing business with Medicine Man ever since. Several of the clerks speak very good English and a couple of them are very savvy about the drugs, even to the point of giving us advice. I can even call them during the week, put in an order, and have it waiting for me by the time I arrive on the weekend. This can be very useful. During the weekend, the smart-drug inventory tends to disappear off the shelves. Individuals are not required to have a prescription to buy these drugs, or to take them back into the U.S. I am continually surprised at the number of people who don’t know this. That is my reason for writing this article. Having had bad luck ordering drugs from overseas, I would like to make people aware of the sources for drugs in Mexico. When we schedule our trip to Tijuana, we let our friends know. Several of them will forward their smart drug orders to us. We ask for the cost of the drugs, plus gas/parking money. This works out nicely for us and we’ll make a day of it in San Diego and Tijuana.

The best direct route to Tijuana is Interstate 5 South through San Diego, getting off at the last off-ramp (Camino de la Plaza—Last U.S. Exit—Parking) before the border. From this point, I’m 5 minutes walking distance from the border. Arriving at the border between 9 and 10 AM improves my chances of getting a choice (free!) parking spot along the streets bordering the factory-outlet stores. If you’re feeling sneaky, you can park in the factory-outlet parking lot and browse the stores before starting your walk to the border. Although I’ve never seen it happen, a sign warns that the parking lot is for customers only, and illegally parked cars will be towed. If money is not a concern, you can pay $5 to $10 to park in a parking lot next to the border. Walking at a determined pace, I can get from my parking spot to the Mexican pharmacy and back in about half an hour.

I highly recommend walking across the border rather than driving for the following reasons: 1) American car insurance is not valid on Mexican soil (you can purchase Mexican car insurance in San Diego for about $15/day), 2) In the event of a car accident in which both parties cannot agree who is at fault, then both parties will be taken to the police station until an agreement about fault can be reached (Americans almost always lose in this situation), 3) the car lines coming back into the U.S. will take you 30 minutes to four hours on a typical weekend, 4) Most people walk anyway, and you can follow the foot traffic as they walk past the best pharmacies on their way to the most popular tourist street in Tijuana — Avenida Revolucion [Revolution Avenue].

Walking, we enter the Mexican border by passing through 2 sets of metal revolving gates that continually belch out an irritating metal clang as people make their way through to Tijuana. Taxi drivers and street vendors eagerly await your entry. Your walk will expose you to the typical and atypical assortment of tourist goods and native Mexican foods and drink (for the squeamish, traditional American restaurants can be found on Ave. Revolucion). Tijuana invites the tourist to explore and sample all it has to offer, it’s a festive atmosphere….so enjoy.

Rich and I casually check each pharmacy on the way for inventory and pricing of smart drugs. Every pharmacy may not offer all the same types of smart drugs, but we usually find the staples: Hydergine and piracetam. Prices can also fluctuate. A store may want to clear their inventory for the purposes of refreshing their stock. Sometimes, bargains can be found. Even if I don’t buy the bargain product, I will use the bargain-priced item to negotiate a better price at a competing pharmacy. A savings of 10-30% can be achieved this way. I can also negotiate the price down by buying in quantity. Even if Rich is standing right next to me, we will buy as one person to give the impression of a large order. I will take advantage of any reason I can think of to justify the lowering of the prices. It doesn’t always work, but you’d be surprised at what has worked in the past. Negotiating a price, whether it be for goods or services, is an art that requires practice and diplomacy — be willing to walk away, but also be willing to return. Our negotiating has put us on a personal basis with most of the pharmacies and we have definitely found this to be a point in our favor.

I advise people to keep a personal three-month smart-drug inventory — there have been times when I was not able to find a particular drug for periods of up to a month and a half. Having an inventory allows me to survive these lean times. When I do find bargains, I stock up. Going back to the U.S. requires a little bit of thinking and planning (as Rich mentioned in his last article). Splitting up the drug purchases so that we can justify the three-month limit is important. Do not give Customs agents any reason to single you out!! We even split up into different walk-in re-entry lines into the U.S. so that if one of us is stopped and questioned, the other will get through quickly. My contacts within Customs tell me that their policy of servicing the public has changed. More demands are being put on them to justify their existence. As a result, they are questioning and scrutinizing everyone more closely. Anyone out of the ordinary will be asked to go to a separate area for closer inspection. In my case, they brought out a notebook with the names of drugs that are not allowed. Smart drugs are not on that list and I have never been hassled, but I have many friends who have been verbally warned and harassed by Customs agents. So far, none has been denied his smart drugs.

After determining the drugs are legal, the agents will ask you three more questions: 1) “Are these drugs for your personal use?“ (answer “yes“), 2) “Does the drug quantity fall within the 90-day usage?“ (also answer “yes“), and 3) “What do you use these drugs for?“ (answer, “improve blood circulation“ or some similar simplistic response. We have noticed that “cognitive enhancement“ tends to anger the Customs agents).

Editor’s note:

The buying of smart drugs for friends and relatives is problematic. Because federal authorities could construe the passing of drugs from one person to another to be an economic transaction taking place within US borders (believe it or not, there is legal precedent for this interpretation), they could accuse you of violating Food Drug and Cosmetic Act regulations. In other words, if you are not buying the drugs for your personal use but are buying them for another person, the act of handing them to the other person might legally be considered to be the “selling“ of an unapproved drug. Bottom line: be careful! There are several strategies you can employ to minimize your risks. First, don’t offer to buy drugs for somebody you don’t know well (keep it to close friends and family members). Second, always accept the money for the purchase in advance. That way you can assert that you were only acting as their agent, and money does not change hands with the delivery of the drugs. Third, do not accept money from that person for anything but the drugs themselves. If you accept money for gas, parking, automotive wear-and-tear, hotel accommodations, etc. you could be considered to be engaging in a profit-making enterprise, even if you don’t make a profit. If you cover all of the ancillary expenses, it would be hard for a prosecutor to convince a jury that you were doing it for reasons of avarice. Fourth, if possible, establish a good reason why the other person can’t go to get the drugs personally. No prosecutor in their right mind would try to prosecute you for buying drugs for your “sick grandmother“ or “father with Alzheimer’s disease.“ Remember, the FDA has openly permitted AIDS activists to buy and import drugs for their sick friends for the last ten years.

When you think about Tijuana, what do you think of first? Which aspects of Tijuana are important, which are essential, and which ones can you take or leave? You be the judge.

Many visitors to San Diego decide to take a brief trip south into Baja California. The international border crossing at Tijuana is the busiest border in the world and the difference between American and Mexican ways of life is noticiably marked. Thousands of Americans, who come to Tijuana every year to enjoy its inexpensive shopping and exuberant nightlife, often affectionally refer to the city as “TJ”. The city Tijuana is hardly representative of the fabled Mexico of Mayan art and Spanish colonial architecture, but it is interesting as a hybrid frontier town devoted to extracting dollars from its wealthy neighbor.

The city’s futuristic Centro Cultural Tijuana was built on the banks of the Tijuana River in 1982. The cultural center has an OMNIMAX theater, where films about Mexico are shown on an enormous stilting screen. Changing exhibitions on various Mexican themes are also held here. The open-air Mexitlan rooftop exhibitions re-creates the country’s architectural treasures in miniature.

You can see that there’s practical value in learning more about Tijuana. Can you think of ways to apply what’s been covered so far?

Many visitors come to shop and party. Tijuana has long been popular with young Americans taking advantage over 18 to drink alcohol.

The best shopping is in the quiet bazaar situated to the sides of the lively Avenida Revolucion. Painted pottery, leather boots, silver jewelry ad tequila are some favorite buys. Tourists are encouraged to barter with the merchants.

English speaking staff at the Tijuana Tourist Office can provide maps and free advice on visiting the city.

So now you know a little bit about Tijuana. Even if you don’t know everything, you’ve done something worthwhile: you’ve expanded your knowledge.

One of the most enjoyable ways to travel to Tijuana is to catch the inexpensive Tijuana Trolley at the San Diego Train Station. It runs frequently and takes you right to the border. Or you can drive to the border and leave your car in one of several large parking lots, for a few dollars a day. From there you can walk or take a shuttle bus to Revolution Avenue, about a 20 minute walk. Once you cross the border, there are also taxis available too.

You can drive into Tijuana, and may want to if you are planning some large purchases like furniture. One downside to this is that there can be longer lines for leaving Mexico in vehicles than if you are walking. Also, check on your car insurance before entering Mexico.

The best time to learn about Tijuana is before you’re in the thick of things. Wise readers will keep reading to earn some valuable Tijuana experience while it’s still free.

Tijuana has an international airport, with several flights a day going to other parts of Mexico. The main airlines using the airport are Aerocalifornia, Mexicana, and AeroMexico.

All in all, it’s easy to get to Tijuana.

It never hurts to be well-informed with the latest on Tijuana. Compare what you’ve learned here to future articles so that you can stay alert to changes in the area of Tijuana.

Things to Learn About Ensenada

The more you understand about any subject, the more interesting it becomes. As you read this article you’ll find that the subject of ensenada is certainly no exception.

With shores on two oceans, Mexico is a beach lover’s paradise. Here’s a primer on two of the beach areas, Puerto Vallarta and Ensenada

Puerto Vallarta

Considered a poor man’s Acapulco, Puerto Vallarta lies in the middle of the Bahia de Banderas, a huge bay. The beach is long and nice while the two lies at the foot of the Sierra Madre Mountains. The last ten years have seen a lot of development with condos, hotels and tourist support areas going up like mad. This isn’t particularly surprising since tourism seems to be the hub of the entire economy in Puerto Vallarta.

For beaches, you really can’t go wrong in Puerto Vallarta. The northern beaches tend to be the most popular, which also means more people. Personally, I’ve headed to the south to find a little more breathing room. For gay travelers, Puerto Vallarta is considered the most accommodating beach location in an otherwise conservative Mexico.

It seems like new information is discovered about something every day. And the topic of ensenada is no exception. Keep reading to get more fresh news about ensenada.

Ensenada

Located a few hours south of the border with San Diego, Ensenada is a popular weekend trip. Sitting on the bay of Todos Santos, Ensenada is famous for a vibrant nightlife, nice beaches and being the location where much of the movie “Titanic” was shot.

Historically, Ensenada used to be a secret location known to San Diegans. Then the Mexican government built a smooth highway from Tijuana through Ensenada. So much for the secret!

Today, Ensenada is a good place to go if you want to experience Mexico, but want to avoid the packed, edgy Tijuana scene. In Ensenada, you can ride horses on the beach, do some surfing and visit world famous bars. The most famous, of course, is Hussongs. Hussongs is the place where you can “sample” tequila and sing with Mariachi bands. The two have nothing to do with each other. Honest.

Everyone has a favorite beach spot in Mexico. Ensenada and Puerto Vallarta aren’t bad places to sample.

The day will come when you can use something you read about here to have a beneficial impact. Then you’ll be glad you took the time to learn more about Ensenada.

Would you like to find out what those-in-the-know have to say about Tijuana? The information in the article below comes straight from well-informed experts with special knowledge about Tijuana.

Tijuana is many things: a sprawling city approaching two million in population, a vibrant and prosperous business center with many foreign-owned factories, the main entry to the entire Baja California peninsula, and much more.

Only 18 miles from San Diego, Tijuana is a shopper’s paradise. It’s in a duty-free zone, so you can buy not only Mexican arts and crafts but also imported goods from around the world. Mostly, visitors go for the day, shopping, having a meal, perhaps playing golf as well. It’s not a place for historic buildings or much in the way of museums, but sporting events to watch include jai alai, bullfights, and horse racing. For children, Tijuana Wax Museum and Mundo Divertido (Fun World) are popular. Tijuana used to be known mainly for activities distinctly not for children, but while that aspect of life still exists, it is now just a part of the wide spectrum of what Tijuana is.

The shopping is centered on a street called Revolution Avenue. There are 10 or 12 blocks offering every product imaginable. Credit cards and dollars are widely accepted.

For a more total immersion, stay overnight — there are some nice Tijuana hotels. Just a few miles south is Rosarito Beach, with resorts, condos, and hotels.

If you find yourself confused by what you’ve read to this point, don’t despair. Everything should be crystal clear by the time you finish.

Travel to Tijuana

One of the most enjoyable ways to travel to Tijuana is to catch the inexpensive Tijuana Trolley at the San Diego Train Station. It runs frequently and takes you right to the border. Or you can drive to the border and leave your car in one of several large parking lots, for a few dollars a day. From there you can walk or take a shuttle bus to Revolution Avenue, about a 20 minute walk. Once you cross the border, there are also taxis available too.

You can drive into Tijuana, and may want to if you are planning some large purchases like furniture. One downside to this is that there can be longer lines for leaving Mexico in vehicles than if you are walking. Also, check on your car insurance before entering Mexico.

Tijuana has an international airport, with several flights a day going to other parts of Mexico. The main airlines using the airport are Aerocalifornia, Mexicana, and AeroMexico.

All in all, it’s easy to get to Tijuana.

Is there really any information about Tijuana that is nonessential? We all see things from different angles, so something relatively insignificant to one may be crucial to another.

Our beach is loacted just north of the city of Rosarito Beach, on Baja’s Pacific Gold Coast. We enjoy the acclaimed year-round Southern California coastal climate and are just 30 miles south of San Diego, California. Rosarito Beach has long been a vacation spot for people from all over the world who enjoy Baja’s relaxed, easy ambience as well as the exciting nightlife of Rosarito and nearby Tijuana.

Enjoy the wide open view of the Coronado Islands, dolphins, whales, pelicans,boats and cruise ships from your spacious patio, the beautiful sandy beach or inside your house on a blustery coastal day.

You will never tire of the spectacular Baja sunsets, the sounds of the waves breaking outside your door or our “million dollar view”.
We rent the lower (on the sand) level of our 2 bedroom, 2 bath duplex. Both bedrooms have queen beds. There is an adjoining master suite bedroom and bath available.
The kitchen is fully equipped and ready for tacos or a gourmet dinner. All linens are furnished. You need only bring your shorts, bathing suit, toothbrush, surf fishing gear and golf clubs. Oh, and food for the times you don’t enjoy the wonderful restaurants or street-side tacos and burritos of Rosarito Beach or nearby Tijuana and Ensenada.
There are miles of beach for walking, surfing, swimming or just relaxing, on the sand or on your patio just steps from the sand. We have digital satellite TV, for those old (and new) movies, with more than 30 music stations.

We are 5 miles south of Real Del Mar, a beautiful country club golf course and 20 miles north of BajaMar Golf Course with 27 desert and ocean front holes. Tijuana Country Club is 15 miles to the north. It is not difficult to get a starting time of your choice at any of these three exceptional golf courses.

Just 30 miles north you can enjoy San Diego’s harbor, marinas, its many tourist attractions, including their world famous zoo, major league sports, museums, art galleries or be “wined and dined” and entertained in the renowned Gaslamp District, savoring cuisines of North and South America, Europe and Asia.

_______________________________________________

We limit our 2 bedroom, 2 bath to 4 persons, no pets please. Smoking on the patios only.

Rates:
2 Bedroom, 2 Bath Weekly:$900 USD

Contact:
Bob & Barbara Revels
P.O. Box 1626
Chula Vista, CA 91912
E-mail: barbararevels@hotmail.com
Telephone direct: 011-52 (661) 613-0495

Mexico is distinguished as a country of parallel realities, countless contradictions and staggering disparities. It is a country where ancient cultural tradition meets spring break debauchery and mass consumer industry collides with indigenous craft. Mexico’s extraordinarily long and tumultuous history can account for such modern juxtapositions, as highly developed civilizations have inhabited the region for nearly 3,000 years. The rise and fall of great societies, particularly before Spanish arrival, has enriched the country with fantastic legends and lore that infiltrate every aspect of Mexico’s art, design and architecture. Hernán Cortés’ Spanish conquest of the Aztec (Mexica) capital in the 16th century resulted in a unique superimposition of Spanish culture over indigenous heritage and beliefs that can be identified everywhere in mexico today.

Mexico’s Advanced Ancient Age

The Yucatán Peninsula is an archeological goldmine. Situated on the Gulf of Mexico’s southern shore, the region was the center of Mayan civilization throughout their rule. The extensive ruins at Calakmul (”The City of Two Adjacent Pyramids”) are some of the most spectacular, embedded in the thick tropical forest of the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve and best viewed from atop one of the ancient city’s pyramids. Just east of the peninsula, Teotihuacán is the archeological site of ancient Mexico’s largest city and most unifying empire. By 200 A.D. this metropolis was home to the third largest pyramid in the world, the Pyramid of the Sun, with a total of 248 steps. The remains of the Olmec, Teotihuacan, Mayan and Aztec Empires, along with their surviving descendents, expose an intriguing ancient history of advanced mathematics, astronomy, farming and technology unknown to the rest of the world and largely obliterated by European conquest and disease in the 16th century.

Solace in the Sand and Sun

travel to mexico to experience one of North America’s most popular vacation destinations, particularly during the winter. A majority of mexico is situated in the tropics, making weather somewhat reliable and the months of July and August necessarily avoidable, when temperatures may not drop below 90F at night. Visit the year-round resort towns of Acapulco and Puerto Vallarta along Mexico’s Pacific coast and Cancun and Veracruz along the warmer waters of the Gulf coast. The is land of Cozumel, just off the coast of Cancun, boasts some of the world’s best scuba diving and the surrounding sea is completely protected as an underwater national park. Baja California, which borders the Sea of Cortes and the Pacific, is an extremely popular destination for surfers, sea kayakers and loungers alike. Great waves, sea caves and the proximity of many interesting locales intensifies the lure of this western peninsula.

Time-Out Tijuana

Mexico’s majesty lies south of the border. Move past the mental images of Tijuana stereotypes and explore Mexico’s grand urban centers like mexico City and Guadalajara. Put on a sombrero, dance to a Mariachi band and sip the finest tequila on Earth while exploring nearly 20,000 years of human history!

The Zona Rio is a fashionable middle class Tijuana neighborhood known for its shopping, night clubs, and restaurants.

It is dominated by Paseo de los Heroes, a wide, divided and usually very busy street. The major intersections of Paseo de los Heroes are circuses, each with a large statue of a hero. Lesser heroes appear as busts along the grassy center of the avenue.

As circular intersections are almost unheard of in the US, the Zona Rio has a distinctly foreign look to the American eye, despite the fact that it is only a mile or so from the border. That you seldom see tourists in this zone adds to the sense of being truly abroad.

A visit to the Zona Rio presents a sharp, mostly favorable, contrast to the touristy Zona Centro. Knowing Spanish will be very helpful here, but non-Spanish speakers need not be deterred.

Destinations include the Mercado Hidalgo, a large open farmer’s market, the Plaza Rio, a popular shopping mall, and countless restaurants, many of them with excellent reputations.

One can walk to the Zona Rio from the border in about 30 minutes, without passing through any bad neighborhoods. However, it is not obvious how to do this without experience or a good map. A cab ride should not cost more than $5.

Tijuana’s Zona Norte is adjacent to the tourist zone in the Zona Centro, to the north, and just south of the border. This zone is primarily residential and also includes the local red light district. Prostitution is legal in this zone and very visible.

A police station in the middle of the red light district and the presence of numerous police on foot make the area reasonably safe, though if you wander into one of the many secluded pedestrian alleys you might never wander out again. Acting touristy in this zone will attract predators.

There are many very cheap hotels in the Zona Norte, with rooms for $15-$20 a night not unheard of, though these places are as seedy as you would expect. Do not assume anything left in your room will be there when you return. Bringing your own bedsheets is probably a wise move.

For about 8 blocks, Revolucion is lined with shops, bars, and restaurants, many aimed at tourists. This is what most day-trippers to Tijuana experience, and it should go without saying that Revolucion is not representative of Tijuana and certainly not of Mexico.

Constitucion Avenue, one block west of Revolucion, is a busy downtown street but with none of the touristy nonsense. It is probably worth walking along here just to get a more authentic picture of Tijuana. Visitors should be careful in walking too far north on this street, as it will abruptly lead you into the red light district.

There are some good shops along Revolucion but mostly they are little more than cheesy souvenir shops.

The exception to the above paragraph is shopping at El Dorado at Revolution & 7th across from the Mexicoach building.

~ El Dorado offers Blankets, Leather Jackets, Sling shots, Fire Opals, T-shirts (TJ humor), Watches, Changes Purses, Leather Key Chains, Sunglasses, Fire Agates, Chess Sets, Piggy Banks (clay), Leather Wallets, Turquoise, Clay Pots, Ponchos (sarapes), Watch Bands, 14 Kt Gold & 18 Kt Gold Clay Statues, Mexican Pullovers, Watch Batteries, 925 Silver (Plata) & 958 Silver(Plata) and more.

~ The El Dorado website also offers several maps of Tijuana and detailed directions to get to El Dorado by taxi, bus & car as well as walking. First time visitors will receive a huarache key chain and/or a complimentary shot of tequila with Romulo.

Restaurants vary in quality. Tourist traps are usually easy to spot. These will be overpriced, but may serve good food.

* La Costa
* Caesar’s Restaurant
* Chiki Jai
* La Cafe Especial
* El Torito

The bars on Revolucion are often packed with Americans. The drinking age in Tijuana is 18, compared to 21 in the US, so many young people visit Tijuana to party. Revolucion is also lined with strips bars, and it is not always obvious from the outside if it is a regular bar or a strip bar, so enter with caution.

* Las Pulgas, (between 7th and 8th street on Revolucion). One of the few Zona Centro dance bars that caters mainly to locals.

16 Bedroom Estate rents for ONLY 1700 a Month. Fully furnished and accomdated in the Playas De Tijuana only 1.5 Miles to the Police Station. Safe and Gated Community with a good reputation.

Beautiful Colonial Home/s (one next to one the other) in Playas De Tijuana, An address of Distinction, Value and Location (*dream-home/s are materialized, we are home builder’s INMOBILIARIA MONTE CARLO SA DE CV).

Tastefully furnished the 1.300 to 1.700/FT home/s offer 2/3/4 bedroom/s,,,with 2/3 bathroom/s,,,It is spacious and full of details.

A nice well-maintained garden with WHIRLPOOL (for six/6), fountain/s and koi-fish-pond,,,enhance a truly homey,pleasant atmosphere.

The mild year round climate,,,fresh ocean breeze/s,,,and warm sunshine,,,You may want to chose private walks (park, beach, shopping dining,etc,,,famous Oasis of Hope Hospital and Aquarios health and spa center Caliete Casino,,,(la Comercial,Ley and Calimax shopping malls/centers),,,are all 3 to 5 blocks walking distance).

Or enjoy the vicinities of downtown Tijuana and Rio Tijuana only 3.4 and 4 miles,,,famous Rosarito beach 10 miles downtown San Diego 14.2 miles or the San Ysidro (U.S.A.)international border 4 miles.

Some people are really concerned about safety!,,,so let me make it clear that we wold not be in business if the property is not safe,,,police station is 1.2 miles away.

*One of Mexico’s nicest freeway,Tijuana to Ensenada scenic coastline freeway #1 you can see from here, immediate freeway access.

*Listen to your favorite artist on AOL Radio music.

*Have assistant 9am to 9pm for guest/customer service,,,to care for your needs.

*Well behaved pets okay.

*The home/s are meticulously kept up - to insure credibility here thus stated.

*Complimentary airport (San Diego & Tijuana) arrival/departure transport service.

*As/like any good Hotel,,,you’ll find that everything work/s,,,is very clean! home/s is near/new condition.

*Local phone is free of charge and/or for long distance calling,,, just download “talk parade” PC/phone for $20US a month with 1,200 minutes to World Wide calling.

*Internet DSl & Cable+ Centrino/M/T and P.C.,,,in every home

*Included in the welcome package are map/s and brochures complementary chocolates.

*If there is anything you are concerned about please let us know.

Contact

1 Bedroom House in Ensenada
Fully furnished, Direct TV, 24 hrs security, ½ mile from ocean $325.00 month. Living Assistance Available.

Contact:
Ensenada: 011 52 646 174 72 43 (P) P

2 bedroom, 2 bath condo directly on the beach, an oasis of tranquility and calm just steps from downtown Cabo. This unit has been recently remodeled. All the amenities of a grand hotel without the crowd. Swimming pools, palapa, concierge, gym. In the heart of Cabo San Lucas.

Contact For More Info

Lovely Vacation Home On Golf Course

Rent It For: $1,500 - $2,000 USD per week

Looking for a relaxing vacation in the eternal spring city? What better, that a beautiful Mexican home, located in Tabachines, the most exclusive Golf Club of Cuernavaca. This 3 bedroom, property, is built in an open air Cuernavaca style. There is a large terrace, where the main living area, dinning room and kitchen are all overlooking a beautiful mature garden and pool. Wonderful views throughout. Walking distance from the clubhouse where you can find a lovely restaurant, gym and pool. Come and enjoy the best that Cuernavaca has to offer!

Maximum Capacity 6 adults and 2 children.

Rates:
Off-season: $350 dollars a night, $1500 dollars a week or $3000 dollars a month.
High season: $400 dollars a night, $2000 dollars a week and $3,500/ month.
Maid service available for additional cost.

Contact:
More Info

Fonatur Golf Area Full Ownership Condominiums

Asking Price: $115,000 - $625,000 USD (Financing Available)
Rent It For: $115 - $625 USD per night

One, two and three bedrooms
• Spectacular views of San Jose del Cabo Bay
• Panoramic Infinity Pool • Golf / Tennis just steps away
Fully equipped • Beach club just steps away

Please Contact Via Email At David (at) HelloCowboy.com

2 bedrooms apartments located in Lomas de Rosarito, in Rosarito, Baja California, Mex., 30 minutes driving distance to the borders, and 10 minutes driving distance to the beaches and Downtown Rosarito. The utilities are paid separate. You will get a monthly bill for water, and a bill for power every two months. If you wish to rent for vacation, the rates change to 75.00 dlls per night. That includes the utilities. Rates change depending on time of stay.
For holidays, you need to make a reservation in advance. The rate is 85.00 a night.

Rates:
$450 month $300 week $75 day

Contact The Owner

Vacation Rental Description

Gorgeous view of ocean and Coronado Islands! Located on second row
with unobstructed view. Two bedrooms each have queen sized bed.
Sleeper sofa in living room.
Fully equipped kitchen including all dishes, pots and pans, coffee
pot, blender, microwave, stove, fridge and purified water. Small,
quiet community.
New carpet and paint and lovely, new deck overlooking the ocean.
Please, no pets.

Vacation Rental Amenities

Great sandy no bank beach. Look for shells and fossils. Super
surfing area,
but very private! Watch the dolphins and sunsets from your deck.
Horseback riding on beach.

Activities and Attractions

Just 4 miles north of Rosarito which has great shopping, restaurants
and entertainment. Horseback riding on the beach. Quads for rent in
town. Puerto Nuevo just south of town for the best lobster. Real Del
Mar golf course just three miles north. Bajamar golf course just 30
minutes south of town.

Vacation Rental Rates

$95 per night - two night minimum. Three night minimum on holidays.
$550 per week.
$200 security deposit - fully refunded less any damage.
$30 cleaning fee

Contact:
Name: A. Mitchell
Phone: Mex. 664 631-3099

IDEAL FOR ONE OR TWO PERSONS, TOTALLY FURNISHED, SECURE, ALL UTILITIES, CABLE INCLUDED FOR $500 DLLS MONTH IN ROSARITO,

Contact:
(0152) 661-616-9133

Tijuana mayor Jorge Hank-Rhon held a press conference in San Diego on Monday to address concerns about the level of violence in his city.Urging people to continue to visit Tijuana, he laid out the steps he’s taken to curb the violence including addressing corruption in his police force, installing hundreds of surveillance cameras and putting 700 police on the streets.

Hank-Rhon points out that the numbers of violent incidents are down and accuses the media of sensationalizing several recent brutal killings giving the impression that Tijuana is dangerous.

While Hank-Rhon states that Tijuana is no more dangerous than San Diego, officials still suggest that visitors stay in designated safe zones such as those around Avenida Revolucion, prominent businesses, parks and malls.

via

What he is trying to do is stop the downfall of the legal economy. Which is something I really noticed down there. The economy of Tijuana is based largely on illegality. Illegal Prescription Drugs, Illegal Drugs, Illegal Prostitution, and Legalized Prostitution.

Jorge Hank-Rhon tries to make the claim that Tijuana is just as safe as San Diego. But Tijuana is not even close. I would walk around San Diego, any part of it at night and feel safe. Even downtown. But I wouldn’t dare do that in Tijuana.

So who is Jorge Hank-Rhon the man who runs one of North America’s fastest growing cities?

The dirty truth about the man who became the most powerful man at the busiest border in the world

The Island of Jorge Hank-Rhon

The Family Tree of Jorge Hank-Rhon

The best part is the Clinton administration knew the guy was scum and yet protected him, even empowered him.

In fact the biggest threat to the border isn’t illegal immigrants. It’s Jorge Hank Rhon.

Add to Stumble Upon | submit to reddit

Read More About Me

Beachfront home with DSL, US Phone, Satellite TV, Bose stereo, professional karaoke, kayaks, surfboards, etc. Three bedrooms, two fireplaces, Washer/Dryer, two full baths, all lines, dishes, etc. provided - you don’t need to bring a thing. Dogs welcome! Beautiful, quiet and very clean. Surfboard, kayak, boogie board, windsurfer included. Private, gated courtyard in back for children and pets. Gated, American community. Gas grill, patio furniture, built in fire pit. This is a Sunset Magazine kinda home! Has 1 King size bed, 2 full beds, 2 sets of bundbeds, two full futons, one sleeper sofa and one large sofa.

Contact:
Carmen McKay
619 819 5012

One American a day dies in Tijuana. - Strong Words Go Along With This Story.

I couldn’t sleep tonight for some reason. I got up to read Google News and catch up with what’s going on in Tijuana. Last night an American was kidnapped. Tonight I read this sad story.

…

Craig,
I never knew you. Yet I believe you. I doubt you would have committed suicide although I don’t know your circumstances. It’s a dangerous world down their and I only wish peace upon your family.

Rest in Peace…

Add to Stumble Upon | submit to reddit

Read More About Me

by Gloria Munoz

Tijuana is the bustling city of immigrant passage. It represents the exploitation of the worker in more than 800 maquiladoras (sweatshops), the trafficking of women and children destined for the sex trade, the impunity with which the drug traffickers move, the displacement of Indian communities from their ancestral lands, and a myriad of other violations perpetrated against a population that is in constant movement. But Tijuana is also a place of social struggle and resistance.

In Tijuana, Mexican Independence Day was the point from which to begin conversations about displacement and exploitation and, above all, to discuss the social organizing taking place on this and the other side of the border. The invasions of the lands of the Kumiai, Kiliwa, Pai Pai, Cucapas, Mayos and Series of northeastern Mexico; the resistance to the creation of gas plants along the coast of Baja California; the struggle against the toxic waste plant in Siobac, Sonora; the Yaquis’ organized rejection of the “Escalera Nautica” project [the “Nautical Stairway,” a multibillion-dollar series of marinas intended to attract vacationers]; the extreme marginalization in which the Triqui and Mixtec people (of Oaxacan origin) survive in this zone, and the tireless defense of the precious Tiburon Island, were just a few of the topics that initiated the first Across-Borders Meeting of the Other Campaign.

At the intersection of 2nd St. and Constitution, in the centre of the city, on one side of the red-light district known as La Coahuila, the voice of more than 30 men and women of San Salvador Atenco, who have been unjustly held in prison for more than three months, could be heard. Men and women from Mexicali, Ensenada, Tijuana, Sonora, San Diego, Los Angeles, Oxnard, Oakland and San Francisco gathered here to demand the liberty of these prisoners and the punishment of the authorities responsible for the violations and many abuses committed against the population of San Salvador Atenco during the police operations that occurred on the 3rd and 4th of May.

The testimony of Josefina, the representative of the Peoples’ Front in Defense of the Land, reminded us that the resistance of Atenco has been persecuted by the government. The Mexican state holds political prisoners, has forced some to become fugitives and has raped women. This community today still suffers harassment at the hands of the state and continued persecution in its subjection to daily police rounds.

A convention of “women with rebel faces” was held beside one of the hundreds of “table-dance” venues that proliferate in the city. In the Sotano de Rita, work in the maquiladoras and the mistreatment of women was discussed, poetry was recited, prehispanic and Arab dances performed, painting and photography shown, and an eclectic variety of stage performances was presented. Upstairs, a half-naked woman pleased a handful of customers. Outside, thousands of youths, some of them having had a few too many drinks, from this and the other side of the border, filled the streets, dressed in national colors and riding in vehicles that – I swear – appeared to dance on their tires. This is Tijuana.

Voices of the indigenous resistance could be heard in an old cinema that is today known as the Multikulti. Here, a Kumiai woman, an indigenous leader of the Pena Blanca community, spoke of the constant invasions into her territory and of the unceasing struggle in defense of these lands. “They invade us, but we do not abandon our lands,” she said.

Interestingly enough many Mexicans even in Tijuana, although its less frequent here get irritated by Americans who come to Mexico with large bills and don’t bring change. Here in Tijuana I’ve been learning some customs the hard way at times. Even though I was here 7 years ago. Shit the city has doubled since then. And I’m not kidding.

Mexicans tend to be offended when you only have large bills. It’s a sign of arrogance and non humility. Even in Mexico the poor are respected more than anywhere else I have ever been. So if you are in Mexico make sure you have change. The local store owners would much rather you pull out a pocket full of pesos, or quarters than be bombarded with a twenty dollar bill every few time you showed up in town.

Add to Stumble Upon | submit to reddit

Read More About Me

Warning The Following Videos are Not Suitable for Hypersensitive Assholes

More Videos After the Leap

Add to Stumble Upon | submit to reddit

Read More About Me