The city is fairly small, with a population around 1.5 million, but you can see most the attractions in a day. One of the things I liked the most were the narrow winding streets and alleys of cobblestone. It’s a look I really like a lot. The energy there is very peaceful and laid back, much like many of the smaller cities in Mexico and something you find more regular as you get closer to the coast.

Old Zacatecas church being restored

Our concert was on the 1st night there, and after the show we had one day free to wonder about the city. This was such a treat for me because many times I visit a new place, I fly in for the concert, then leave the next day, with very little time for sight-seeing.

Outside of a church

We started our day off taking the cable car or Teleferico to the top of the mountain overlooking the city. The city is known for its silver and copper mining, and the area surrounding the city is pretty desolate. After that we walked down the mountain on a road which led us directly to the city center. There we spent the day wondering through the streets and alley ways, visiting art galleries, and hanging in the centro park.

zacatecas centro park

The churches and architecture are really something to see here, as it is in much of Mexico. But here they were exceptionally beautiful. The city has policies about keeping everything historical looking. So, although you will find a Starbucks, on the outside you will not find the typical commercialized logos. Another point that I like very much.

Zacatecas at night

We continued our journey on foot, because everything here is very close, until we ended up at the Quinta Real. Although I did not stay at this hotel, it is the premier hotel in the city. The hotel is a converted bull fighting ring, completely remodeled into a gorgeous hotel, and I mean gorgeous. As we walked through the hotel there was lots of beautiful art and details that really make it a worthwhile visit or stay while there.

Hotel Quinta Real

Zacatecas is at the top of my list for trips this year. I really had a great time and if you are in Mexico, spend a couple days there, it will be worth it.

Happy Travels!

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But check back, because over the next couple weeks I will be digging in, to report back on some of the my favorite picks.

xalapa

We packed it up and headed out, but this time driving. The road to  Xalapa is a beautiful one. I was reminded of my trip to Hawaii as we were driving through crisscrossed, green, tropical, mountain ranges. But put me in the forest, or place me on a beach, and I am a happy man.

We arrived very late in the afternoon, performed that evening, and left early the next day, so I was not able to see to much of this city. But what I did find out is that, Xalapa is in the middle of Mexico’s prime coffee growing area and the capital of the Veracruz State, and to me was similar to Zacatecas in the way of the narrow and winding streets and alley ways that snake throughout the city. The sky was clear and the weather was very nice, and you could even see the peak of Pico de Orizaba, also called Citlalteptl. It’s an in active volcano that is Mexico’s tallest peak(about 18,850 ft.).

The main beauty of Xalapa for me, is the lush green vegetation and surrounding mountain sides. The city is nicknamed “The city of flowers”. With the humid tropical weather and lush vegetation one can understand why. That’s it for this one, just a short one today.

Happy Travels!

After we arrived I had plenty of time to kill before the show that night. So, we all had lunch, enjoyed the sun, and then went to rest. Rest? Well, I didn’t. I went back to my room, put on my shorts and hit the beach. The beach is not your white sand beach that you would find in Cancun, but who’s complaining… I am at the beach and that’s good enough for me. In fact, the beach just reminded me of being in Santa Monica, CA., or further up north in Santa Cruz. The vibe in Mazatlán is very laid back and caters mainly to tourist’s who come for the nice but cheaper Mexico Resorts. Near the hotel there were many restaurants, cafes, and places for shopping. The food was delicious and this is something I will probably repeat much in my blogs, especially if I am blogging about a coastal city. I have found the food near the coast to be extremely fresh(especially the seafood), and is overall pretty incredible. Not to mention that Mexican people take their food very seriously and because of that it is prepared with a lot of love.

Mazatlán is not as expensive as other vacation spots which is why the Mazatlán resorts do very well and are never overcrowded, but Mazatlán is still very beautiful. So if your planning on traveling, your pesos will go further here, without sacrificing quality.

Happy Travels!

1. Coyoacan- Coyoacan is a very artsy, hippy, colonial-era suburb noted for its beautiful town center. It has cobble stone streets, old mansions, and several of the cities most interesting museums. This was also the home of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. Coyoacan has a hippy feel with a very popular market every weekend in the town center(Centro de Coyoacan). At night, during the Christmas season there is an incredible slide show of beautiful Holiday themed art that is projected on the outside wall of the church in the town center.

Coyoacan in December

2. Colonia Condessa-This area of Mexico City is a more upscale area and is very well known for some of the city’s hippest cafe’s, restaurants, nightclubs, and bars. The neighborhood is also well known for its parks and restored Art Deco buildings. From upscale restaurants, off-beat shops, art galleries, fashion shows, and nightclubs, you can pretty much find it all here.

Me(top left) and friends enjoying Mexico City Nightlife

3. Polanco- Similar in some ways to Condessa, Polanco is also a very upscale area of Mexico City. Here in Polanco you have a street named Mazaryk. This street is like the Rodeo Dr. of Beverly Hills, so be prepared to spend some pesos because Mazaryk is home to some of the best designers in the world. Other than shopping, there is also the Hard Rock Cafe, the W Hotel, and the Mexico City Museum located nearby. Most everything is within walking distance, the people are very friendly, and the area is very safe.

I spent much time in all three of these neighborhoods in Mexico and I always felt safe and never had any problems. And I definitely stand out with my blond hair and blue eyes. However, when traveling in a foreign country one should always be aware of his/her environment and take the necessary precautions. In a later post I will talk about the safety and overall do’s and dont’s while traveling in Mexico.

Some other places I would like to mention in passing, only because I did not spend too much time there. They are, San Angel and the Centro Historico. San Angel is very nice and has a great market on the weekends and the Centro Historico has an incredible museum where I saw a wonderful Diego Rivera exhibit, and not to mention the architecture. Oh! I almost forgot.

Mexico City was built on the ruins of the Ancient City Tenochtitlan, which was built on water and was the seat of the Aztec Empire. If you go to the Centro you can view a portion of the ruins and a large-scale model of how the empire looked in the 15th Century. I thought this was VERY cool and was happy I got to see it.

So, that’s about it, feel free to send in any questions or comments, until then…Happy Travels!

Acapulco is located on the Pacific West Coast surrounding a warm water bay. The climate there is tropical, with warm and hot temperatures year round. I was there only one time that it rained heavily… but it was still very warm. I actually rather enjoyed the heat mixed with the cool rain, but then again for me nothing beats tropical weather.

During the day the hot spot is definitely the beach. On the beach you have locals walking up and down the beach selling handcrafted jewelry, henna tattoo’s, and waiters serving food and drinks. Jet skiing and para-sailing is also done right from the beach. But, whatever you do during the day be sure to save energy for the night, because Acapulco night life goes until the sun comes up.

There are many great places to go at night, but the most popular nightclub is the Palladium. The Palladium sits on a cliff with wide windows overlooking the Acapulco Bay, and caters to a 20-30ish crowd. The view is incredible, the music is Dance with some of the best DJ’s from all over the world spinning all night.

Overall, the city caters to the tourist wither your looking to relax or get out and party, Acapulco has it all. If you plan to visit Mexico, put Acapulco on your list, you will be glad you did.

Happy Travels!