Chichen Itza: A Blast From The Past

The next couple of blog entries I publish are going to be my favorite places in Mexico. I have personally traveled to these places and would highly recommend them.

The first I am going to talk about is Chichen Itza.

(Photo by Christina Stymfal)

Chichen Itza is the ancient capital of the Mayan Empire. The name Chich’en Itza actually means “at the mouth of the well of the Itza.” Many of the different translations of the name revolves around the topics of water and magic.

Located just 100 miles from Canucn, Chichen Itza is one of the most important archaeological zones in Mexico. Within Chichen Itza is an observatory, sacred cenote, ball court and castle.

The Mayan communities surrounding Chichen Itza have developed specific sited for travelers to experience the true Mayan culture. Everything you ought to see during your visit will definitely take at least a weekend to see so you might as well enjoy and see as much as possible.

Here are some of the landmarks I visited to I thought were quite interesting and spectacular to see:

The number one thing to see is the Pyramid of Kukulan that is pictured above. It is the most famous landmark in Chichen Itza. The pyramid/temple was made in honor of the Feathered Serpent God. As of 2006, no one is able to climb up the pyramid.

Since I went in 2004, I was one of the lucky ones that got to do so. However, I am afraid of heights so I really couldn’t enjoy it that much – there is absolutely NO hand-railing.

Along the pyramid, Feathered Serpents run down the sides of the staircase. In the 1980’s, this feature became extremely popular during the Spring and Fall equinox. At this time, there is a light and shadow effect that causes the temple to look like the serpents along the staircases are slithering down the pyramid.

The second thing I suggest everyone see is the Great Ballcourt. This is the largest out of seven at Chichen Itza. The Great Ballcourt is extremely breathtaking. It is a gigantic area of grass with two tall stone walls on each side.

At the very top of these walls are two small hoops, which a ball is supposed to go through. This entire structure was built to play a game, nothing more. Even though the purpose is simple, the view is amazing. You won’t regret walking through this area.

The third thing to see is El Caracol. It is a circular temple that was built as an astronomical observatory. Sadly, people are not allowed within the building so you have to look at a distance.

If you plan on staying in Cancun and then making a small trip down to Chichen Itza, then the following information is just for you.

There are many tours available at each of the hotels in Canucn. They offer about four hours of time to spend at Chichen Itza. At the site is when there are tour guides available for everyone.

During my visit to Chichen Itza, my family and I spent half of the time on the guided tour and the other half on our own, exploring at our own pace.

The tours that take you the 100 miles from Cancun to Chichen Itza will pick you up directly from your hotel in the early morning and drop you back off at your hotel that night.

Don’t worry, the buses you travel on are fully air conditioned and the guides speak English!

Mexican Border Towns

Recently, security along the border has become stricter. Since last June, all United States citizens have to prove citizenship before crossing into Mexico. In past years, Americans only needed to provide proof when entering back into the U.S. And even then it was a glance at your face or your hair color and you were let back in.

Nowadays, even if you’re traveling in a car, Border Patrol requires proof that the driver actually owns the vehicle and that you have Mexican auto insurance.

Don’t be discouraged by the heightened security along the border. Mexican border towns still have tons to offer their guests and should not be missed.

Here is a list of the most popular border towns to visit:

Douglas, Ariz. and Agua Prieta, Sonora Mexico – Open 24 hrs for pedestrians and non-commercial vehicles.

Naco, Ariz. and Naco, Sonora Mexico – Open 24 hrs for pedestrians and non-commercial vehicles.

Nogales, Ariz. and Nogales, Sonora Mexico – Open 24 hrs at the Deconcini Gate for non-commercial vehicles. Shopping is just within walking distance from the parking lots located on the U.S. side of the border.

Sasabe Ariz. and Sasabe, Sonora Mexico – Open 8am-8pm for pedestrians and non-commercial vehicles.

Lukeville, Ariz. and Sonoyta, Sonora Mexico – Open 6am-midnight for pedestrians and non-commercial vehicles.

San Luis, Ariz. and San Luis Rio Colorado, Sonora Mexico – Open 24 hrs for pedestrians and non-commercial vehicles.

Andrade, Calif. and Algodones, Baja California Mexico – Open 6am – 10pm for pedestrians and non-commercial vehicles.

The most popular thing to do after crossing the border is shopping!

Open markets in Mexico sell products such as pottery, sombreros, leather, and even hand embroidered clothing. The most popular time to visit the various border towns is usually during the winter and spring months.

Remember when doing your shopping, the Mexican laws about prescription drugs differs greatly from the U.S. Most of the drugs you need a prescription for in the U.S. is over-the-counter medication in Mexico. Just remember that even if you purchase medication legally in Mexico, it probably isn’t legal for you to possess the drugs in the U.S. without a prescription. Buyer beware!

When shopping along the border in Mexico, I have found that the funnest part of the whole experience is the bartering.

Here is some advice on how to properly barter in Mexico.

The Beauty of the Sonoran Desert

The Sonoran Desert is known for its beautiful landscape and diverse wildlife. The Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument is a must see when exploring this vast desert.

Just a 168-mile drive from Tucson and you could witness what makes this monument so popular. Its cactus! Southern Arizona is only place that is home to the rare organ pipe cacti.

On your way to this monument, you will pass by Kitt Peak and the Tohono O’odham reservation. What is get about the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument is that you don’t have to be an outdoor kind of person in order to enjoy it. The park can be experienced by either hiking it or simply driving through it.

Look below for a video of the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument on Ajo Mountain:

There is a $4 charge per vehicle and a $8 fee for overnight camping if you feel like spending more than just the day out there. For all of you extreme campers, camping is free at different campground designed for backpackers.

The organ pipe cactus is actually the second largest ing the United States at about 23 feet tall. What makes the cactus different from the rest is it actually has a cluster of branches that grow from the ground and curve upwards. The trunks store water and are approximately six inches in diameter.

The organ pipe cacti also have lavender-white flowers on their stems that bloom only at night from May to July.

Besides the organ pipe cacti, there are many other cacti throughout the park. The first is called Hedgehog. This blooms from March to April and actually grows edible fruit as well. The Hedgehog grows clusters of green cylindrical arms that grow up to 20 inches.

The Saguaro is second on the list. This is of course the Arizona state flower and the tallest cactus in the world. Saguaros grow as high as 50 feet.

There are two types of cholla at the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. The first is the Chain Fruit Cholla. This plant can either resemble a shrub or a tree. They are usually seen on hillsides or in the flats. The second type of cholla is the Teddy Bear Cholla. This plant is usually about five feet high and looks more like a shrub. The spines change colors throughout the cholla’s lifecycle. During the early years, the spines will change from silver to gold. And when the cholla grows older, the spines turn black.

The last cactus in the park is known as the Prickly Pear. This cactus has a circular shape with circular pads along it. The Prickly Pear has a green-blue color and typically blooms from April to June.

Besides taking in the scenery, you can have a day or weekend packed with fun activities for everyone in your family. The park offers multiple programs to its guests. The first is the guided hikes. For those of you that are interested in hiking but aren’t too sure of the terrain or what there is to see, then the guided hike is perfect.

The guided hikes usually take place from January to March. The rangers will take you bird watching, through an abandoned copper mine and on a search for wildlife around the river bed. This is a great way to start off the morning and still have time for other activities.

At the Kris Eggle Visitor Center there are 30 minute presentations given to further inform guests of the park.

Just in case you don’t want to take your car through the desert, the Ajo Mountain van tours are a good way to see the desert without having to be the one driving. In three hours time, a ranger will show you the park’s most beautiful spots.

To finish off the day, try the evening program. This allows you to sit back and relax in the Twin Peaks Campground amphitheater, while you are shown a hour long slideshow of what the monument has to offer.

Going Green on Vacation

(Photo by Christina Stymfal)

Everyone is concerned with helping the environment. Not only can you go green at home, but on vacation as well. When crossing the border into Mexico it is easier to help the environment when your hotel is green conscious too.

Hotels everywhere are making an effort to lower their energy and water usage, and reduce solid wastes. Many hotels are installing energy-efficient lighting, low flow showers and toilets, participating in recycling programs, and even contributing to their nearby communities. If you want the finer things in life at a cheap price, then there’s no need to worry. These green hotels are luxurious, even with a modest budget in-mind.

Many websites concerned about the environment are posting green scores for hotels all across the world.

See how RezHub scores these hotels on their own green rating scale.

(Photo by Christina Stymfal)

In the city of Chihuahua in Mexico, the Wingate By Wyndham Chihuahua received a one out of five green branches.

This hotel was awarded this score because it offers an earth friendly housekeeping service regarding the sheets and towels in the hotel. The Wingate By Wyndham Chihuahua also participates in green programs and educates the public about their various green programs.

The average price per night at this hotel is about seventy to seventy-five dollars.

In Ixtapa, the Barcelo Ixtapa All Inclusive a little more expensive at about a hundred dollars a night. This hotel also received a one out of five green branches on the green scale. The Barecelo Ixtapa offers a fresh-air exchange system, and also participates in green programs and educates the public about the programs.

Monterrey has a higher green scale rating of two out of five green branches for the Hilton Garden Inn Monterrey. For approximately seventy-five dollars a night, you can stay at this green conscious hotel.  This Hilton hotel received its green awards because of its earth friendly housekeeping with the sheets and towels, is involved in an energy conservation program, recycles several different items, has a fresh-air exchange system, conserves water, and also participates in green programs and educates their community about going green.

San Jose Del Cabo is home of The Grand Mayan Los Cabos Wyndham Resort. This hotel may be a little out of everyone’s price range at about six-hundred and sixty dollars per night. This hotel would be worth going to, but unfortunately it only received a score of one out of five green branches. The Grand Mayan may be worth the money for the luxurious hotel accommodations, but not for their ability to switch over to green.

In San Miguel De Allende, the La Puertecita Boutique Hotel out ranks all the others. For a hundred and sixty dollars, you can stay the night at an extremely environmentally friendly hotel in Mexico. This hotel was awarded four out of five green branches!

The La Puertecita Boutique Hotel had the same green features as the other hotels listed above such as the earth friendly housekeeping, taking part in an energy conservation program, recycling various items, participating in green programs as well as educating others, and implementing a fresh-air exchange system.

This hotel has set up native plant gardens, uses non-toxic earth friendly cleaning agents throughout the hotel, set forth different ways to conserve water, uses reusable service items, and donates to non-profit organizations.

If you can’t seem to find a green hotel at your vacation destination, then follow the steps below to make sure that you as an individual do your part.

• Try to spread the word to the hotel or local businesses about going green.
• To reduce energy and water usage, make sure you inform housekeeping not to replace your towels every single day.
• When you are out of the room, turn off all electricity.
• Don’t take forever in the shower and turn off the water while you brush your teeth.

Hot Spots for Spring Break

It’s Spring Break time already! If you’re sitting around at home don’t worry, there is still time. Get in the car and starting driving because I am going to tell you about a few great Spring Break spots in Mexico that you are going to want to visit.

(Photo by Daniel Bowen)

The first is Cabo San Lucas. Cabo is known by many students as being a hot spot for Spring Break. There are tons of activities and adventures to be had during your stay.

Cabo has multiple beaches for their Spring Break guests. The first is the main beach called Playa Medano and just a short boat ride away is Playa del Amor, also known as Lover’s Beach. Along the Sea of Cortez are miles of deserted beaches, perfect for a quick little getaway.

(Photo by Kali Thompson)

If you want to walk along a beach at Cabo and feel the need to snorkel, then the bays of Santa Maria and Chileno are the perfect destinations.

Since Spring Break is all about partying, then the Cabo nightlife should be your main concern. B Lounge is Casa Dorada’s night club located right on the beach. Cabo Wabo is a more famous nightclub in Cabo. This club is named after Sammy Hagar’s Tequila, so this place obviously offers great tequila with a night of dancing.

Caborey Dinner Cruiser is perfect for those spring breakers that want the finer things during their vacation. This cruiser offers a Cabaret style night of entertainment. The Hard Rock Cafe is an American favorite and a great time for the younger crowd.

If you are a margarita lover than Mango Deck is the place for you. However, if you have a little Irish in you, then Pub de la Chapu is bar for you.

The most famous bar in Cabo is definitely Squid Roe, with a full bar, food and even dancing.

If Cabo San Lucas is sounding good to you, then you might want to look at the fun class packages offered during Spring Break. The package includes

(Photo by Daniel Bowen)

roundtrip flights, hotel accommodations, food and events where you can get at least $250 worth of free drinks.

Mazatlan is another great spot in Mexico to spend your Spring Break. Mundo Banana’s is a club with great latin music and dancing. Senor Frog’s is a popular techno club on Fridays in Mazatlan.

For the top ten things to do in Mazatlan click here.

Flying or driving down to Mexico may not be your style. In that case, a cruise to Mexico might be the best option. The Carnival cruise line offers two different cruises into Mexico.

The Baja Mexico cruises are a fun way to experience different areas of Mexico in just 3 days.

This cruise sails out of Southern California and stops on both Ensenada and Catalina Island. While spending the day on Catalina Island, you can get a bird’s eye view of the island from inside a helicopter. If you’re afraid of heights and just want to relax on land, then visit the beaches of Catalina or shop throughout the town.

Ensenada offers many different activities for its guests. Feel the need for speed, then an ATV adventure of the inland is a good choice.

Interested in the Ensenada nightlife? Click here.

Arizona’s Wine Country

(Photo by David Tegtmeier)

Instead of traveling all the way to California, did you know you could simply travel down to Southern Arizona to visit wine country? If you are interested in a romantic getaway, then look no further. Elgin, Ariz. has a handful of wineries and vineyards to choose from.

Canelo Hills Vineyard and Winery was established in 2003 by Tim and Joan Mueller. Their family owns ten acres of grapes that gets turned into award-winning wine. Currently, Canelo Hills is already sold out of Malvasia 2008.

(Photo by Danielle Dugan)

This wine was given the best white wine award in 2009 in the Arizona Wine Growers Association Grower’s Cup category. This particular white wine has a peach and nectarine flavor with a hint of mint. Malvasia 2008 is just one of many award-winning wines produced at Canelo Hills.

Besides just simply producing and distributing wine, Canelo Hills also offers wine making and wine tasting classes.

The next class offered is March 13 from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tim Mueller will lead this workshop for all those who want to learn the winemaking process and even tour the winery. Afterwards, Joan Mueller will lead the wine tasting segment of the workshop. She will explain to everyone the five simple steps to wine-tasting.

And for all you dog lovers out there, Canelo Hills also has a dog-friendly vineyard party on April 24 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Your dog will eat treats, enjoy ball-tossing and kiddie pool splashing. At the same time you can tour the vineyard, participate in a wine tasting and even purchase your own wine at a discounted price.

Below is a video of the wine making process at the Canelo Hills Vineyard and Winery:

Callaghan Vineyards is also located in Elgin, with about twenty-five acres. This vineyard prides itself on its Spanish variety of wines. Some of their most famous wines are Tempranillo, Monastrell, Mourvedre and Garnacha/Grenache.

However, Callaghan Vineyards also offers a white wine, Lisa’s. This particular wine is a blend of Viognier and Riesling. With every wine produced, this vineyards primary concern is the complexity and depth of the wine’s flavor.

This coming Fall the vineyard will be holding wine tastings for the 2005 and 2006 vintage wines. These two years received high amounts of rainfall, so the wine taste is deep and full of flavor.

Kief-Joshua Vineyards has a couple events going on in the month of May. The New Arizona Wine Release Festival this year is happening May 1 and 2. This is a great chance to get a peek at some new Arizona wines including a 2008 Estate Viognier, 2008 Estate Tempranillo and a 2008 Arizona Chenin Blanc.

Interested in seeing more of what wine country has to offer? There are a few other cities in Arizona that have events this Spring and Summer.

• Tempe Wine and Art Festival, March 26-28
• Wilcox Wine and Art Festival, May 15 & 16
• Sierra Vista Historical Society, May 22
• Sierra Vista Habitat for Humanity, June 5

Here is a map of different restaurants and lodging located in Elgin:

Here a list of vineyards and wineries in Elgin:

Spelunking the Kartchner Caverns

Have you ever wanted to discover new and exciting things? If you find yourself traveling through Benson, Ariz., then make sure to visit Kartchner Caverns. Be a spelunker for a day or two.

Kartchner Caverns is so rare and beautiful because it is a “live” cave. This means that the cave itself continues to grow over time. However, very slowly, the formations such as stalactites and stalagmites that hang from the ceiling are constantly growing.

Kartchner Caverns was discovered by two spelunkers, Gary Tenen and Randy Tufts, back in November  of 1974. While exploring the limestone hills in the Whetstone Mountains, they discovered a sinkhole that led to the cave.

What made this discovery even more exciting was the pristine condition of the cave. In 1978, the two spelunkers confided to the property owners of the cave, James and Lois Kartchner.

In 1988, the cave was purchased by Arizona State Parks. Even though Kartchner Caverns has been open to the public for tours, many precautions are taken on a daily basis to insure the cave’s pristine condition.

There are many interesting formations throughout the caverns. In the Throne Room, there is one of the world’s longest stalactites (21 feet 3 inches), and the tallest and most massive column in Arizona, Kubla Khan (58 feet tall).

In the Big Room, there is the world’s most detailed formation of brushite moonmilk and the first recorded occurrence of turnip shields. Also, there is the first recorded occurrence of birdsnest needle quartz formations.

While visiting the Kartchner Caverns, there are two different tours available. The Rotunda, or Throne tour, offers half a mile (1.5 hours) of exploring the original trail made by the first spelunkers, bat guano, formations and the Kubla Khan. The Kubla Khan is the largest formation in the entire state of Arizona. The second tour is of the Big Room. This is half a mile (1.5 hours) and just opened up to the public in 2003. Kids six and under are not allowed on this tour. The Big Room tour teaches the public about the cave and ongoing scientific research of the caverns.

Unfortunately, if you are an extreme adventure seeker and want to go out spelunking on your own, you can’t. All tours of the Kartchner Caverns are led by a trained guide. And for all you photographers out there, there are no cameras allowed inside the cave.

Also, remember to make reservations and buy your tickets in advance. Keep in mind that the Big Room Tour is only available October 15 through April 15.

Beautiful Beaches of Rocky Point

Sunset view from a beach in Mexico. (Photo by Christina Stymfal)

Rocky Point, also known as Puerto Penasco in Spanish, is a popular destination for many Arizonans. The appeal mainly comes from its beautiful beaches and resorts. Rocky Point has the closest beaches to Arizona and is just over 60 miles from the Arizona-Mexican border at Lukeville. Being from Tucson, it is about 200 miles to the Rocky Point coastline (4 hours). Many prefer Rocky Point over the beaches of California mostly because of the distance. Rocky Point used to be primarily visited for its excellent fishing opportunities. Now, the town is full of hotels and resorts for U.S. travelers that want to visit the warm, clear beaches.

Since the tides are quite large it creates the perfect conditions for swimming, snorkeling and other water activities. One business in particular is Santiagos Ocean Services. Santiagos has boats that are used for fishing trips, Bird Island eco tours, snorkeling excursions, whale and dolphin watching tours, sunset cruises, and parasailing. For fishing, Santiagos provides its customers with everything from bait to tackle. The fishing excursions take you about 15 miles out in the ocean to catch fish such as the Rock Bass and Cochis. Catch all the fish you want without the mess afterwards. Santiagos will clean, fillet and bag your fish. This way you can enjoy the fishing experience to the max.

Just southeast of the Rocky Point coastline is Bird Island. With 4 and half hours touring the island, you will be able to see all sorts of marine life and over 20 species of exotic birds. The tour of the island includes 2 hours swimming and snorkeling in an ocean full of playful sea lions. But if adventurous isn’t in your vocabulary, then maybe a sunset cruise is for you.

See the spectacular Mexico sunset from a yacht. On this dinner cruise you can relax while you sip your margarita and watch the dolphins swim by. On the cruise you can also enjoy a shrimp or Mexican food dinner. This cruise has the option of being secluded for a romantic getaway or a big family gathering.

With a 9 year safety record, you can feel safe when get the bird’s eye view of Rocky Point. Parasailing offers you an excellent way to get some great pictures of the beautiful landscape.

Shopping in the streets of Mexico. (Photo by Christina Stymfal)

Manta Rae is another business in Rocky Point that adheres to fishermen. Instead of having several different water activities, Manta Rae specializes is sport-fishing charters and whale watching. Synergy Tours offers visitors a complete guided tour of the city, as well as a ecology tour.

There are many different activities that Rocky Point has to offer. A simple online guide may give a traveler a better idea of where to start first.

One thing is for sure, if you spend the weekend in Rocky Point you are going to have to eat. There are many fancy places to eat at all the different resorts located in the town. But some tourists might before to eat at the local restaurants in order to better grasp the Mexican culture.

From El Sombrero to Sunset Cantina, there is an experience you will never forget. The majority of good local restaurants are located along Calle 13. The restaurants are hard to miss, especially El Sombrero with its gigantic sombrero on the front of the building.

If you do end up staying the weekend in Rocky Point, there are some great resorts and hotels located along the beach. Playa Bonita Hotel and Penasco Del Sol are just two places to stay that are located right on the sand. The resorts such as the Mayan Palace Puerto Penasco offer water activity tours, as well as guided tours of the town.

Here is a link to the locations of some of the hotels and resorts located in Rocky Point.

ATV Adventures

Sand rail and ATV tours out in the desert. (Photo by Christina Stymfal)

The only way to truly experience the border is to see it first hand. Instead of walking around trying to absorb your surroundings, why not turn sightseeing into a fast paced adventure?

When I visited Mexico I wanted to see the true culture of the country. Instead of shopping at the tourist traps, I decided to sign up for an extreme ATV tour. This involved going into the heart of Mexico and seeing the countryside.

There is nothing more exciting than riding around in a sand rail out in the desert. The bonus was that at the same time I got to see the local town as well as some beautiful farm land.

You walk away from the ride with an excellent sense of the Mexican culture and landscape, and of course a little bit of dirt on your face.

There are several all-terrain vehicle tours across the Arizona-Mexico border. The majority of the tours in Arizona are located in Yuma. Silver Bullet Motorsports, Inc. offers trail rides to several different places. There are tours going to locations such as Fortuna Mines, Picacho and even Martinez Lake. Besides the exciting ride, Silver Bullet Motorsports also takes its riders to many petroglyphs and mines.

For those that are more experienced with all-terrain vehicles, there are many different rental shops in Yuma. If you are interested in renting an ATV, Rhino or a Dune Buggy for the weekend to race around the dunes or see the border, then Dune Visitors is a great place to check out.

Jet Rent is another business that rents quality ATVs and Rhinos. Both of these businesses are located in Yuma near the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area. This is the hotspot for all-terrain vehicle enthusiasts. From personal experience, Buttercup is the best place for having a great vacation at the dunes.

With an ATV or sand rail it’s not just a way to get around town. It’s a way to see the heart of the west. The border is full of interesting places once you get away from the tourist spots. The real culture is found where perfectly paved streets aren’t going to take you.

For a weekend, an ATV is a fun and exciting activity whether you are at the dunes or you want to scope out the local towns along the border. Why not have an adventure and see the heart and soul of the wild west at the same time?

View of Mexico from a sand rail. (Photo by Christina Stymfal)

An Introduction to My Blog

In “Weekend Warriors on the Border” I plan to post entries on a weekly basis about what there is to do on the border. Since I live in Southern Arizona I will discuss what I know, which is the Arizona-Mexico border. Throughout my many entries I will update you on mainly the entertainment aspect of the border. I will be giving you weekly information on what to do along the border. Whether you live along the border or you are just visiting, my blog is for you.

I plan to give you the inside scoop on fun events and concerts going on. I will offer details on popular clubs, parks, art galleries and museums along the border. Leave a comment asking about a certain attraction and ill be sure to give you all the information you need.

My blog is your weekend guide to the border. If you live out-of-town, I will be sure to let you know great places to stay. Experience the wild west culture at a ranch or spend a relaxing romantic weekend at a local bed and breakfast. No matter who you are, I will be sure to help you have the best weekend on the border possible!