What exactly is mariachi music? Just for a moment, let’s put aside the ocean breezes, the picturesque mountains and the warm and vibrant culture. One of the things that make Mexico such a romantic and enchanting destination is that is home to the mariachi. Mariachi is a musical performance group of typically 12 men but there are sometimes groups with fewer or more members. The instruments in a Mariachi ensemble are typically violins, trumpets, a classical guitar, a guitarron (large acoustic bass guitar), a vihuela (high- pitched, five-stringed guitar) and sometimes a harp. The performers dress in charro (Mexican horseman) outfits accented with silver and wear wide-brimmed hats. [click to continue…]

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This post is dedicated to the memory of one of my dearest friends, Jasper Wardman. If you’re here to find emergency pet care numbers on after hours vet services in Puerto Vallarta, scroll down the page to find them.

Gentleman Jasper, as I lovingly referred to him, was a black labrador that came from the United Kingdom to Bermuda, and then on to México to spend his last years. From the day we first met him inside an airline hanger in Bermuda, he couldn’t have been better behaved, more intelligent or a more beloved part of our family. I recall with vivid detail how I first set eyes on him as he stepped out of a travel crate after a grueling 12 hour flight from the UK. He calmly walked out, lazily stretched, looked up at us with a twinkle in his 3 month old eye, and wagged his tail. It was as if someone had torn open a package that said – Instant family pet, just add water. I’d like to make one mention of his training period to illustrate the rarity of this animal.  I trained him how to heel in about 45 seconds, no joking, that’s how in tune he was to wanting to perform his absolute best to conform with our wishes. For the rest of his life, he never needed reminding of where he was supposed to walk on a lead, only a simple hand signal and he’d immediately respond.  [click to continue…]

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The 3rd Annual Punta Sayulita Longboard & Stand-Up Paddle Classic took place this past weekend with a great turnout in terms of competitors, visitors and fans. There was a fairly decent swell predicted from the south, south-west for the weekend, and while it may not have hit perfectly, there were intermittent periods of decent surf for the competitors. For two days, and several days leading up to the event, Sayulita became swamped with professionals from around the globe, some well known with long illustrious careers already proving their mettle, and other young rising stars eager to compete. For those of us on the beaches relegated to spectating as fans, there was no shortage of talent admire or fun to be enjoyed, the event, the weather, the management, the entertainment, were all flawless. Once again, a very hearty thanks for the hard work put in by Punta Sayulita. [click to continue…]

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What is Yelapa? Well, Yelapa is a tranquil fishing village where you can enjoy the quiet beach, visit an impressive waterfall, go horseback riding and sample the famous Yelapa pies. When you visit lovely Puerto Vallarta, you are likely to see vendors selling tickets and tours for Yelapa.  Although Yelapa is not an island, it is most easily accessible by boat. You cannot get there by car because there are no roads that lead to it. You could choose to arrive by mule if you can find one willing to take you through the mountains but most people find that a boat is a better option. [click to continue…]

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Mexican Food Destinations

Mexican Food Destinations: Give me the deal

by cuponismo on February 20, 2012

Mexican food destinations do not come in any shortage to a country with thousands of years of rich cultural history. Not surprisingly, the country has developed some of the most sophisticated flavors in the world, and as such has become a global favorite when it comes to being a destination for foodies, or people that love food with distinct flavours. At Cuponismo, we take our food seriously as well, and try and find the best deals to offer in travel destinations such as Puerto Vallarta and Cancun.

Mexican cuisine, with its incredible assortment of ingredients, spices, colors and flavors, varies greatly according to region. While its staples include corn, beans and chiles, food in Mexico includes a great variety of dishes and cooking techniques that have been influenced by the republic’s history and culture. Each region offers its own special culinary delights. [click to continue…]

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Leatest News

  • When a top travel writer for Frommers and the San Francisco Chronicle calls, and say they want to interview you about surfing in México, you listen. Not being an expert surfer by any stretch myself, I did feel like I’ve come to know the surf spots in my immediate locality, the Riviera Nayarit and Puerto Vallarta.

  • Mexico tourism is having a bit of a PR problem lately. Reports of mass grave sites, daylight shootings and carjackings from the escalating drug war don’t exactly build confidence for a family planning a week’s holiday. And on April 22, the U.S. State Department upgraded its travel warnings to target 14 of Mexico’s 31 states. Read On

  • The Hidden Magic of Puerto Vallarta, written with the intimacy of an insider, a Canadian writer captures life living like a Local. In this informative article, the author writes about some of her favourite markets, galleries, restaurants, places to learn Spanish, and find information. Catch more great tips than you could ever spend time doing for a trip to Puerto Vallarta.

  • A well respected author, Kathleen Peddicord, on finding some of the world’s most intelligent retirement locations names some the best, and the ones she’s selected may surprise you, as none are located in the US, Europe or Canada. Your retirement years could include the sound of the sea lapping gently against the shore from your Read On

  • As featured in National Geographic January, 2011 Photo of the month. In January, when much of the Northern Hemisphere is huddled down in the cold winter, the small bohemian surf town of Sayulita, Mexico, shows off its full colors and is ripe with bone-warming heat. Away from the tourist-trinket masses, the locals and visitors to Read On