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TOLL FREE 877 278 2142 USA
TOLL FREE 844 776 3727 USA & CAN
Every year Gray, blue and humpback Whales migrate away from the cold, to the warmer waters near Mexico to breed and bear their calves… They begin arriving in November and from December to the end of March each year, there’s an opportunity to catch glimpses of the amazing Whales …
Whale is the common name for marine mammals which belong to the Cetacean order, which also includes Dolphins and porpoises. Whales collectively inhabit all the world’s oceans and number in the millions, with annual population growth rate estimates for various species ranging from 3-13%.
This bay is nestled between the states of Jalisco and Nayarit, so Puerto Vallarta is a good point of departure. As these mighty whales reach 14 meters in length, it is possible to see them from the beach while they’re jumping in the sea, but there’s nothing compared to getting a closer view. A tour is advisable since the agencies are constantly monitoring the whale sighting spots and know exactly where to go. You will see dolphins along the way, so get on board and enjoy a photo safari.
From December to March, it is possible to see 11 different species of these enormous whales. The Mazatlan-Teacapan zone carries out activities for humpback whales. During boat tours, it’s possible to observe dolphins, sea lions, and even killer whales. Mazatlan also has a stunning beach, so take a few days to soak up the sun and visit the “Old Mazatlan,” the Malecon and Isla de la Piedra.
Looking for the right conditions for mating, the gray whales swim along Los Cabos in Baja California from January to April. There are different options of transportation, from a standard boat to a luxury trimaran. For a better view, a boat with a glass bottom will help you get a fuller view of these animals. Relax during the ride by watching the stunning views of the Pacific Ocean, and photograph the sea lions and exotic birds along the way.
To help you prepare for your whale watching excursion, we have some tips that will improve your experience.
You need to be in the selected spot in Mexico between December and March, which is when the whales can be found in Mexican waters.
Eat a good, wholesome, breakfast; porridge or cereals and fruits are ideal. Don’t go whale watching on an empty stomach; also, you are less likely to suffer from motion sickness if you have eaten than not. Avoid too much greasy food and avoid alcohol before and during your excursion.
If you are experienced with binoculars, bring them along. Most people will not find them much use: it’s an art using binoculars on a moving boat and the field of vision is quite restricted.
A good camera with a zoom or telephoto lens is ideal. If your camera needs batteries, bring additional ones.
Bring rubber-soled shoes that will support your feet and your ankles as the boat moves and the waves hit up against the side of the vessel causing shudders or sudden movements. Flip-flops and heels are not appropriate on a whale cruise boat.
If you have never been on a long boat trip before, you might like to take some motion sickness medicine with you. You could purchase this at home or from any pharmacy in Mexico. You will need to take the medications before you board the vessel; it’s no use taking it once you are on the water.
Be sure you pack a high-factor sunblock and a hat as there is little protection from the sun once you are out on the open waters of the Pacific (besides the boat canopy which may only provide partial cover). Over 50% of the suns rays bounce off the ocean’s surface and hit you – so you can burn even in shade. You can also sunburn under overcast skies as the sun’s UV rays can penetrate cloud. If you are traveling with children, be sure they are well protected from the sun with sunblock a hat.
Most Whale Cruise boats have two decks; an upper deck, which offers better distance visibility and a lower deck, which is closer to the water (and thus the whales, when they appear) but with restricted visibility at distances. It’s impossible to predict when or how the Whales will appear. There are very strict maritime guidelines about how a boat should approach and be maneuver around whales and the skipper may not be able to go in the direction that you think will offer you the best view.
A lot of time on a whale watching excursion can be taken up with waiting for the whales to appear. Children, especially young children, can get bored quickly with nothing to see or do. Bring crayons, coloring pads, books, and small games to keep your children entertained during the day. Also, pack a picnic lunch and bring plenty of bottled water.
A vacation is an escape from the routine and a great opportunity to try new things. You’re visiting a whole other country with an ancient and rich culinary history. Traditional Mexican cuisine was added to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2010, so try something new at every meal, and as we say here, “Buen provecho!” (Enjoy your meal!)
1.Sopa de Lima
A very tasty kind of chicken soup with a twist! It is based on a light chicken broth and served with shredded chicken, deep-fried tortilla chips, and what in the Yucatan Peninsula is known as lima. Not to be confused with limes or lemons, the limes a less acidic citrus fruit similar to lime but sweeter like an orange. Intriguing? Wait till you try it!
2.Panuchos
Small, handmade corn tortillas, stuffed with beans and then fried in oil or lard. They are served with shredded lettuce, some meat such as chicken, turkey or pork, tomato, and onion, previously seasoned with sour orange and salt. You should also try them with avocado, carrot, and colorado (a paste of pipian, chile, and achiote, also known as annato seeds). The panucho is said to have originated in Merida by a street vendor out of his typical ingredients but wanting to serve his hungry customers. That, however, is a story for another post.
3.Salbutes
Corn flour tortillas, deep fried in oil until they inflate and get crispy. They can be served with ground beef, chicken, or shredded turkey and are seasoned with tomato and lettuce, avocado slices, and chopped red onion. Ask for some refried black beans as a side dish. In fact, ask for panuchos and salbutes so that you can savor the flavor of both of these staples of Yucatecan cuisine.
4.Papadzules
These delicacies consist of corn tortillas soaked in a sauce made with pumpkin seeds, stuffed with eggs, and then bathed in a sauce of tomato with some habanero chili and onion. They are often garnished with chopped red onion and habanero chili, as well. Be careful with the habanero, it can be quite hot! Remember, if you’re not out for a spicy adventure, make sure to tell the vendor: sin picante, por favor! (Hold the spicy, please!)
5. Cochinita Pibil
A real feast for your senses, this dish is basically pork meat marinated in achiote, wrapped in a banana leaf, and cooked in an earth oven. According to some recipes from the early 1900’s, the entire pork (after some preparations, mind you) was baked in the earth oven. The cochinita pibil is accompanied with red onion in a sauce made with sour orange juice and habanero. It is usually eaten in tortas (a kind of sandwich) and tacos. This dish is also made with chicken; the famous Pollo Pibil. However you eat it and whatever meat you choose, Cochinita Pibil is definitely pulled pork paradise!
6. Kibis
Of course, we cannot forget the picturesque kibis. You can find people walking around the beaches with a glass box perched on their heads and shouting their singsong proclamation of “kibis… kibis!” Kibis are made with mashed wheat and ground beef or pork and seasoned with some spearmint, garlic, and onion. They are oval or round in shape and deeply fried. You should always eat them with some chopped red onions and, if you dare, habanero chili. These delicious darlings of Yucatan cuisine were actually brought to the region at the beginning of the 19th century by Lebanese immigrants. Today, they are a staple of the culinary heritage of the Yucatan Peninsula.
Don´t miss the chance to delve into Yucatan food and travel to the Riviera Maya check our Travel deals and BOOK NOW your beach getaway!
Source:
Yucatan Cuisine: Yet Another Reason to Visit the Mexican Caribbean
Ah, vacation. It’s a beautiful thing, whether your definition of it is traveling to some exotic locale or staying put and exploring spots in your hometown. It doesn’t matter if you prefer to stay at home, going abroad, or taking a road trip complete with a tent and camping gear.
Breaking from work and taking a breather can be done in a variety of ways. It’s no surprise then that what people state as their reasons for going on vacation vary, but with a similar common theme. Time away from work—and everything that goes with it, from emails to to-do lists to drafting proposals and attending meetings—is essential to your well-being.
Although it may seem like I’m stating the obvious—after all, who doesn’t love a little R&R?—the fact that many people don’t take vacations from work, instead of leaving precious unused time on the table tells me one thing: It’s necessary for a healthy reminder about why you should absolutely take time to recharge.
The following stories ought to be enough to convince you to put in a request for time off stat.
I’m at my most creative when I’m exploring, so vacation gives me a chance to think big, outrageous thoughts and play around with my most experimental ideas. When I come back, not only do I feel refreshed, but I’ve often made some sort of breakthrough in the rest of my work or life.
Kathryn Minshew, Founder & CEO
I take a vacation for many reasons. I worry about burning out—not just in terms of declining in productivity, but in terms of enjoying my job and the people around me. If I catch myself sniping at someone because I’m in a bad mood, or feeling exhausted on a regular basis, or not looking forward to going to work (even though I do enjoy my work), I know it’s time to unplug.
Alyse Kalish, Editor
I enjoy vacation to recalibrate. It’s easy to get plugged into the daily routine and forget about all the life that exists outside of it. By traveling, exploring, and adventuring I refresh my understanding that there’s a lot of ‘right ways’ to live and feel charged knowing that there’s not one way to do it. Oh, I also like to have a good tan, too.
Dan Ratner, Account Executive
I take vacation for a few different reasons. 1) To spend more time with family and other loved ones, 2) to de-stress (hard for me to do actually) and stop thinking about work, and 3) for short vacations (e.g., one day here or there) where I’m attending to family or personal responsibilities. For longer vacations—I want the experience (via travel) to go to places I have not been and that I believe will ideally both enrich my life and strengthen my family bonds and friendship bonds (depending on whom I go with). Sometimes, I’m just worn out and want to sleep in for a day or feel like I can go to the gym anytime I want and not have to get there before 6 AM.
Adi Dehejia, CFO
Life’s short, so I think it’s necessary to put aside time to have fun and see the world! Plus, I enjoy having something to look forward to.
Jimmy Okuszka, Content Associate
There’s nothing quite like traveling alone in a new country. You’re responsible for having fun. You’re responsible for meeting new people. You’re responsible for making it memorable. It shocks the system into creating new friends, connecting with other people, and expanding your horizons. Most importantly, I feel like it really helps create inner peace of mind/confidence in yourself.
Dan Kelske, Enterprise Account Manager
Now, what are you waiting for? Look at your calendar, choose the SQN Getaway Package that best fits your needs and book your flight to our marvelous destinations to enjoy the vacation that you deserve.
Source: 6 Really Good Reasons You Should Stop What You're Doing and Plan a Vacation
From the moment visitors arrive in Puerto Vallarta in Western Mexico, their travel radar picks up the signal that this destination is different from other big cities in the country. It’s a matter of the history, geography, culture, food and the very people who live in Puerto Vallarta that contribute to the differentiation.
The U.S. accounts for 75% of North American visitors to Puerto Vallarta. Overall American travel to Mexico increased by about 12% in 2016; for Canadians, Mexico ranks as the second most visited destination, after the United States, and before the UK and France.
While just about every visitor to Mexico has a favorite destination that resonates with their particular lifestyle, travel needs and safety concerns, here are some basic tips to tantalize your clients when it comes to getting the most out of a visit to Mexico and in particular, Puerto Vallarta.
1. Revealing the Magic
2. Iconic Experiences
With the emphasis on visitors wanting to connect with the destination, it’s important to know the bounties of not only what the towns or cities hold but also what each of the 31 states may offer visitors. In Jalisco, for example, Puerto Vallarta does not qualify as a Magical Town (due to the fact that it’s a city), but there are seven Magical Towns in the state and there’s a joint promotional program to enhance the Vallarta visitor experience with trips to nearby Guadalajara and Tequila. A new highway, scheduled to open in late 2018, will significantly reduce travel times to the towns. And the state itself promotes three icons: Tequila (the national drink, based in the area around the town of Tequila), Charro (the horsemen, and in fact there are Charro festivals/rodeos in Gauadelajara and Puerto Vallarta) and Mariachi (the music of Western Mexico) that can be found at festivals throughout the state (and the country).
3. Cruising into the Future
Construction has already begun on the Puerto Magico, a complex that will enhance Terminal One and turn it into a customer experience-based Hacienda Tequila with interactive opportunities related to the production of Tequila, Mining and Gastronomy, as well as shopping and the largest aquarium in Latin America. Unlike most Port facilities, the new terminal will be open to both the public and cruise passengers. All the major cruise lines stop in Puerto Vallarta as part of an itinerary that usually includes Mazatlán and Cabo san Lucas and according to Port Agent, Carlos Gerard, the number of cruise ships visiting Puerto Vallarta has increased steadily since 2013. In 2017 145-150 cruise ships will dock for the usual 12-hour visit.
4. Take a Walk in My Shoes
Puerto Vallarta is a very walkable destination. We stayed at the Villa Premiere, which was roughly 20 minutes from the Malecon, the downtown ocean-side boardwalk that’s a hive of activity both day and night. And once in the city, many of the streets are lined with shops, side-walk restaurants, bars and hotels. The Romantic Zone or Old Town, near the pier at Los Muertos has a beach, popular with ex-pats, tourists and pelicans. And “walking in my shoes” implies the friendly reception that visitors receive and the conversations that ensue, whether it’s an explanation of native Huichol beading techniques at Colectiva, an indigenous gallery, or the server at La Cerveceria Union explaining the ingredients of Aguachile, one of their star ceviche dishes, or the bartender at Los Muertos Brewing advising that the seven four-ounce glasses in the artisanal beer sampler may be a bit much to quaff without ordering food to absorb the alcohol.
5. Garden of Delight
Puerto Vallarta is chock-full of special (niche) travel interests. I spent a morning at the Botanical Gardens along with the Vallarta Birders who gather every Thursday morning to spot golden-cheeked woodpeckers, black-chinned hummingbirds, yellow-winged caciques and about 200 other species. The Gardens themselves include Orchids, Cypress, Bursara, Gondo Berries and more. It’s both a gardener’s and a photographer’s dream! Other special interests in the area include snorkeling, scuba, beach activities, zip line, horseback riding, motorcycling, Jeep safari, hiking, trekking, history, culture, architecture, art, and more.
6. Food Electricity
Award-winning chef Mikel Alonso explained that enjoyment of food stimulates an electrical charge in the brain that produces endorphins that are “the drugs of happiness.” Visitors to Puerto Vallarta tend to be pretty happy and star chefs such as Tintoque’s Joel Ornelas reinforce a searing passion for creative dishes made with the freshest ingredients. Even at Mike’s Beach Club on Playa Las Animas, we are told that we will “feel the flavor” of the dishes before we taste them. And they are right!
7. Smiling and Speaking English
Puerto Vallarta was not created to be a tourism hub. In fact some say that the customer service ethos of the city is in the blood of generations of Vallartenese who traditionally looked after the needs of the area’s industries: fishing, mining and agriculture. When the Mayor, Arturo Davalos Pena told me that ‘people smile in your face,” he was serious about the welcoming nature of the city. And North Americans can relax in a destination where most of the people they meet will be able to communicate with them in English.
Puerto Vallarta is a comfortable destination. There’s lots of connectivity with major centres in both the United States and Canada, there’s a great variety of accommodation in the city’s 22,000 rooms from luxury to budget, and it’s a destination where visitors can be as busy or as relaxed as they wish. It’s a place where clients can get the most out of their holiday, on their own terms.
