The state of Morelia

Morelia is located in the central of Mexico in the state of Michoacan and was founded in 1541.  It is a beautiful city and was declared a world heritage site in 1991 because of the historic center which has 150 blocks of Spanish colonial architecture.  It is truly a remarkable city and one would be lucky to spend time here, it is a beautiful city and great place to explore, wandering on the historical streets.  Contact us today to plan your trip to Morelia!

Things to do in Morelia:
The Cathedral  - Is said to be one of the most beautiful in all of Mexico because it is constructed out of pink volcanic stone.  It has a 4600 pipe organ, carved choir stalls as well as amazing architecture and a beautiful façade.

Aqueduct –Built in 1785, it provided local jobs while in construction and afterwards provided drinking water to the city.  It is an amazing piece of engineering and architecture as it is still standing very well preserved

Governors Palace – Also a beautiful and colonial ancient building

College of San Nicolas de Hodalgo – Dates back to 1580

Iglesia de la Compania de Jesus – Is now a library and the attached convent is now government offices.

The Convent of El Carmen – Was built in 1597 and is now home to exhibits, concerts, a gallery and book store.

Museo Regional Michoacano – Built in 1775 and explains Morelia’s history from pre-Spanish conquest to the 1900’s.

Parque Zoologico Benito Juarez – This is the largest zoo in Mexico!  Enjoy it with your whole family.

Casa de la Artesanias del Estado de Michoacan – Government run store and museum that sells handicrafts from the indigenous population of Michoacan.

Near Morelia:
Patzcuaro - A beautiful city with cobblestone streets and adobe architecture set on a lake near Morelia.
Santa Clara del Cobre - Another colonial town with adobe buildings and lots of beautiful copper items for sale and adorning the stunning architecture of the city.

Monarch Butterfly Reserve - Morelia is near the famous monarch butterfly reserve in the state of Michoacán.  It is a must see if you are in the area during the season.

Spanish Immersion

Living in another culture is something that everyone should experience once in their life.  It gives you a broader view of the world and you learn more about yourself as well as people and life in general.  If you chose a country that speaks a different language the experience can be even more rewarding although a bit humbling too.

When I first arrived in Mexico, and even now, I find myself struggling with language.  But how wonderful I feel when I have a successful conversation in Spanish!  I still learn new words everyday and Mexican people are so kind and helpful when you try to speak their language that I do not feel intimidated to practice.


Immersion trips in Mexico range from the obvious language training to more obscure journeys such as science and geology, music, art or volunteer and service learning.  The Yucatan is full of cave systems so science teachers find plenty to talk about in the geology of the area.  History lovers will not be bored either due to the former Mayan civilization, the Spanish conquest as well as the Caste War in which Yucatan temporarily became its own country.  If you’re the adventurous type Mexico offers remote jungle hiking or biking, rappelling into cenotes, spelunking, scuba diving, beach camping, fishing and much more.  Imagine waking up in a cabana in the jungle steps from ancient ruins, now that is an adventure!


Spanish immersion is one of the most popular reasons for students visiting the Yucatan.  It is very safe here, the weather is pleasant, it is affordable and activities are plentiful.  After Spanish class, there are ruins, beaches, cenotes, caves and quaint Mexican begging to be explored.  And of course no one can resist wonderful Yucatecan food.
Home stays are a popular and economic way to visit Mexico as a student.  You are truly absorbed in culture by eating, breathing and living the Mexican way of life with a family.  They will be able to teach you all about the customs, traditions and the philosophy of Mexico, things you can’t learn from a textbook or school.


Global competition is increasing and if you want to be viable in a global marketplace in the future, immersion trips can help you see the world from an international perspective.  This will give you an edge in the future as well as enrich your present life.  I learned to love and appreciate my own culture and home once I lived abroad the first time, I became more aware of life and living to its fullest potential.  It is something everyone should experience at least once!

Adventures in Mexico: Daily adventures in Mexico as an american

Adventures in Mexico: Daily adventures in Mexico as an american

Daily adventures in Mexico as an american

As an American who recently moved to Mexico, I encounter small adventures on a daily basis.  Tasks that were once mundane in my hometown are now full of newness.  Each day when I drive to work, I learn rules and norms about driving in Mexico.  For instance, topes are everywhere.  They are basically speed bumps.  Small towns have them to prohibit cars from speeding through their village and  I’ve learned from experience to keep it slow on highways that have lots of small towns.  Trust me, its much better to have plenty of time to reduce speed when approaching a tope than to be surprised by it, your suspension will thank you.  There are many topes throughout large cities as well, used to keep traffic speeds at a minimum and to slow velocity when approaching a glorietta. 

Which moves us to our next topic, gloriettas are basically roundabouts.  These took some getting used to as we have none in my hometown.  From trial and error I learned that you always yield to cars in the roundabout, the inside lane is for going around and the outside lane is for exiting.  I have to admit they are probably more efficient than stoplights but much more nerve-wracking and intimidating. 

Visiting the supermarket is another treat.  For the most part the same foods are available here and at a reduced price to boot.  However, there are some conveniences I’ve had to live without such as canned diced tomatoes, velveta cheese and fresh milk.  One can make due as there are a myriad of wonderful cuisines here that are unavailable in the states. 

One surprising realization was the costliness of various items.  Once my husband and I arrived, we planned on buying a car.  Little did we know that vehicles, particularly SUV’s, are around a third more expensive here than in the US.  The same goes for electronics.  The saying “everything is cheaper in Mexico” does not apply to mass produced goods such as electronics, vehicles, furniture and even clothing.  I buy a lot of these products online and even though there is the added cost of shipping, it is still usually cheaper than buying these goods locally. 

   

Although I love living in Mexico, there are a few things that I just don’t understand that drive me crazy.  One of these is the dialing of cellular phones.  Depending on if you’re calling on the same network, i.e Telcel phone to Telcel phone, you do not need the area code.  Unless you’re calling a number in a different state, in that case you DO need the area code.  However if you call from Nextel to Telcel, you need the area code no matter what.   I’m pretty sure something else happens when you call Nextel to Telmext and you’re in a different state.  Rules change for Nextel to Nextel, home phone to cellular and so on.  I’ve been here over two months and I still don’t understand which labyrinth of numbers to use when dialing.  I recently found a spreadsheet over a page long with instructions 

for each configuration possible which has helped.

Overall, my husband and I love living in Mexico.  The people are truly amazing here, always willing to help and most importantly they love to have a good time!  We live in the Yucatan which is very safe; the murder rate here is comparable with Montana and Wyoming and is 15 times lower than Washington, D.C.  There are a plethora of things to do such as museums, beaches and wonderful ruins.  If you avoid large tourist areas, food and accommodations are very reasonable making weekend trips easy and cheap.  Although I get homesick sometimes, I feel like I belong here and that Mexico is my home for now.

Magic Village in Mexico, Taxco

Taxco is a small but beautiful city located in Guerrero in southwest Mexico. It is a small city located in the mountains and is well known for silver, both mining and crafting. Tourism is one of the main activity due to the silver mine and picturesque views of this small town. There are small, winding, coble stone streets which give the city part of its beauty. You also will find murals as well as beautiful, colonial architecture around every turn. Holy week in Taxco has become an international sensation and there are processions up to two and a half kilometers long. We know you will enjoy a visit to this historic town, and we know just the tips to help plan your trip!


What to see and do in Taxco:

The Santa Prisca Cathedral – Built in the 1700s and has stunning views of Taxco and the surrounding areas from the top.

Silver Mines – There are various silver mines open to the public which are very interesting.
Silver Museum – Here you’ll see amazing silver objects and works of art.
Buy Silver – Yes, it is everywhere here and you are in a great position to purchase a lot of wonderful silver!

Jumiles – Stinkbugs that are collected for making various salsa or sauces in Mexico and are also used as taco filling. Some people even eat them alive!

Grutas de Cacahuamilpa – Cacahuamilpa caverns are ideal for cave diving and adventure.

Alejandro Huimboldt National Park – Wonderful forest for hiking and nature.

Mexican Cuisine... Cultural treasure

Since Mexican food was recently declared a cultural treasure by the UN and given UNESCO status

http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/11/17/1930893/un-agency-designates-mexican-food.html

I thought I would list some of my favorite and not so favorite things to eat in The Yucatan.  While Yucatecan food is of course Mexican food, there are many differences in ingredients and preparation here in the Yucatan in comparison to central Mexico.  One of the reasons Mexican food was chosen as a cultural treasure is the diversity.  Contrary to what is served in Mexican restaurants in other countries, Mexican food is very different depending on the region.  In the states we eat a lot of Mexican food with flour tortillas.   Here, corn is the leader. Most of my American friends scoff at the idea of corn tortillas but they have never had handmade, fresh corn tortillas which are truly delicious. They don’t break or crack, they’re soft and they have great flavor. I could go on all day about various foods found in the Yucatan, but I’ve complied a list below with highlights:

Cochinita Pibil – Very popular Yucatan dish of slow roasted pork with citrus and herbs.  Traditionally cooked in the ground but now just slow roasted in the oven while covered in banana leaves.  Served as a sandwich or taco.

Salbutes – Fried, crisp little handheld corn tortillas topped with shredded turkey, avocado, pickled onions, and cabbage or lettuce.  Served in the Yucatan as a snack or small meal.

Panucho – The same thing as Salbutes but Panuchos have refried beans inside the tortilla.

Chaya – Delicious blended drink with Chaya (mayan spinach) Jugo de Naranja (orange juice) and Jugo de Pina (pineapple juice). 

Potage de frijol blanco - Soup with lentils, vegetables, beans and pork. 

Frijol con Puerco - Cubed pork in black bean sauce.  Served with rice and corn tortillas. 

Mondongo – Dish of low-cooked shredded or diced tripe (the cleaned stomach of a cow).  Not my favorite dish but it is popular with locals in the Yucatan.

Pechugas de Pollo a la Plancha - Marinated and grilled chicken breast served with rice, beans and tortillas. Not too traditional but I love the Mexican take on grilled chicken by putting it in a corn tortilla with rice and dipping it in black bean sauce.  Delicious.

Sopa de Albondigas - Yucatecan dish of meatball soup with rice or pasta and vegetables.

Most people think that Mexican food is full of unhealthy, greasy, fried foods when in reality it is very healthy.  There are a lot of vegetables and sauces with herbs that are very good for you and have a ton of flavor.  Now that I have experienced true Mexican and Yucatecan dishes I realized how beneficial and delicious Mexican food can be!  I’ve already learned to make a few of these dishes myself because I know I will be missing them very much when we leave this great country. 


I invite you to check out our cooking tour and learn some delicious Yucatan recipes! 


Also leave you the Yucatan cook book!

A Practical Guide to Mayan Ruins of the Yucatan

Since I have visited a number of Mayan ruins, I would like to explain each of them helping the novice traveler decide which ones to visit.  The first four are accessible from the Riviera Maya in a day trip:  Chichen Itza, Tulum, Coba and Ek Balam.

Chichen Itza:  Probably the most well known ruins in the peninsula.  It is a full day trip from the Riviera Maya, but these are spectacular and worth the time.  In terms of ruins, I give it a 10 however so everyone else does and it shows.  You will most likely be surrounded by people the entire time.  You must get a guide for these ruins, the history and story is so amazing that I don’t know why anyone would go without a proper tour.  The experience becomes more personal and you will remember so much more about the experience.  This site is for the history buff who is very interested in learning about Mayan culture.

Tulum:  Very popular, beautiful ruins located right on the coast.  This is a relatively small site however it is striking against the bright Caribbean Sea.   It will not take long to view the ruins (around an hour or less) and there is a beautiful beach to enjoy afterwards.  Please note that there is not much shade on the coast so bring adequate sunscreen and a hat.  The two times I have been there were no vendors either, so bring a small cooler if you want refreshments.  What’s better than enjoying a few cervesas on the beach after traipsing around ruins?  I recommend this excursion for people that are interested in learning a little about Mayan culture but only want to sacrifice half a day. 

Coba:  Located in the jungle, Coba boasts the tallest pyramid in the Yucatan.  Coba is unique because of the jungle surroundings; you may see spider monkeys and all manner of indigenous birds.  Be sure to bring lots of bug spray.  This site is not as popular as Tulum or Chichen Itza, so you will be able to hire a guide inexpensively or wander on your own in relative privacy.

          

Ek Balam:  Although recently renovated, these ruins still have many large un-restored structures.  The crowning jewel of Ek Balam is located about 3/4ths up the main pyramid and contains almost perfectly intact stucco carvings of winged figures, which are not found in any other Mayan site.  This is a great way to view Mayan architecture at the micro level with more detail.  For me, the rest of the site fairly boring compared to Chichen or Uxmal, but the carvings are worth it.  After the ruins, an eco company run by locals has set up a bicycle route to a cenote.  It costs extra but the open air cenote is perfect after a hot day at the ruins so don’t forget your swimsuit.

Uxmal:  One of the most spectacular and historical sites in the Yucatan.  Since it is further from Cancun you do not get as many tourists, although with it’s proximity to Merida it does get some action.  It boasts one large pyramid, an interesting quadrangle formerly thought to be a school, a governor’s palace and many other smaller structures.  Currently you are unable to climb the large pyramid but everything else is open.  The views are stunning and if you are in Merida it is a must see.

Ruta Puuc including Kabah, Sayil and Labna:  These three small sites can be done in one day from Merida.  Each location has at least one well excavated structure and many looming in the jungle untouched.  They only cost a few dollars to get in and each one takes around 30 minutes or an hour to tour.  Bring a good guide book to learn more about the ruins as these sites might not have guides available to give tours.

Mayapan:  Close to Merida, Mayapan is in fact a smaller replica of Chichen Itza and is also the reason archeologists started using the names “Maya” and “Mayan” to refer to the indigenous people of the area.  There are some Impressive frescos and original paint on a few of the structures and we were able to hire a guide in Spanish for 50 pesos.  Mayapan is a well manicured site and easily accessible.  You can see the majority of the structures in about 1 hour.  It does not have large scale constructions such as Uxmal, Chichen or Edza, but it is worthwhile If you have  a free afternoon.  These ruins can also be coupled with the centoes at Cuzama for a day trip from Merida.

Dzibilchaltun:  Only 10 minutes from Merida, Dzibilchaltunis just off the highway that goes to Progresso.  Apparently there is an impressive museum but it was closed for renovations at the time of our visit.  Several small structures make up this site but the most interesting is the “house of the dolls” named due to the dolls found within at the time of excavation.  An interesting and somewhat sad feature of these ruins is the Catholic Church that was constructed from dismantling Mayan structures.  Also on the property there is a cenote open for swimming if you want to cool off.  We chose to drive up to Progresso after the ruins and have some ceviche and beer on the beach.  It made for a lovely afternoon outside of Merida.

Edzna:  Located near Campeche, this makes for a pleasant weekend visit to the city and ruins.  We left on a Saturday, toured the ruins, had a nice seafood lunch on the coast and the next day proceeded to tour the forts and town of Campeche before heading back to Merida.  I recommend this educational overnight trip since it includes Spanish and Mayan history.  As for the ruins of Edzna, there are several large structures and one eye-catching pyramid containing interesting architecture compared to Chichen Itza or Uxmal as the pyramid is one side of a large plaza.  We were unable to hire a guide so our guide book helped explain a lot of the structures.  I believe you could do this in a day trip from Merida but Campeche is worth the overnight.

Becan:  One of my favorite sites due to a number of factors including its unique architecture, jungle surroundings and secluded location.  It is not easy to get to and I drove about 2.5 hours from the Mahajual/Chetumal area to view these ruins.  My friends and I were literally the only people there the majority of our visit, we saw one other small group as we left.  Becan is nestled in the jungle (need bug spray) but I saw a multitude of interesting birds, flowers and plants.  The architecture and scale was amazing and you can literally crawl and climb over any structure which leads to fantastic views and photo opportunities.  There are multiple pyramids and a literal maze of structures to get lost in.  A gem of a site.


I invite you to see some Yucatan maya ruins here