Cozumel Pictures

Things to do in Cozumel

When staying at an all-inclusive resort in Cozumel, they typically offer snorkeling, scuba diving, sport-fishing, windsurfing, and all other exciting water activities. The main town and most dive operations are located on the west side of the island, which is much more developed than the east side. A few fun things to do include a dune buggy tour, a personal mini submarine tour, swimming with the dolphins,and a glass bottom boat tour. Aside from great things to do on the water, golf, tennis, and horseback riding are also available in Cozumel. In addition, you can see fascinating Mayan archeological sites located a bit inland at San Gervasio, El Cedral, and Parque Punta Sur.

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Nightlife in Cozumel

Every Sunday evening at Plaza del Sol, town residents get together for live concerts, dancing, and authentic food, so this is a great way to bond with the locals! If you are looking for wild nightlife, head to downtown San Miguel, where there are more than one hundred restaurants, nightclubs, bars, and discos. A few popular places worth checking out include Senor Frog’s, La Pura Vida, and Neptuno. The Havana Club is known for live and local Cuban bands.

Dining in Cozumel

You can find many good restaurants located around the downtown, main square area of Cozumel. The theme of most restaurants is informal and relaxed, so prepare to be comfortable and casual. Some specialties of the region include seafood and Yucatecan cuisine, so these are worth tasting. Often, meals come with habanero-pepper sauce on the side, which is made from the hottest pepper in the world- so be careful. Some noteworthy restaurants include Casa Mission, with a great Mexican setting, La Choza, El Capi Navigante, and Senor Frog’s, which is a laid back dining area, bar, and lounge.

Shopping in Cozumel

A very popular place to shop, Cozumel is a great place to purchase nearly anything, but especially jewelry and alcohol. Head to the Avenida Melgar, a great shopping spot, where you can buy hammocks, ceramics, jewelry, and handcrafted Mexican commodities. Silver is cheaper in Cozumel than the U.S., but make sure that it is actually genuine silver. Almost all stores accept U.S. dollars in addition to pesos. Keep in mind that bargaining is expected in most markets, so never settle for the price that something is marked.

Cozumel travel tips

• Be careful that you are not getting scammed when paying to rent cars or scooters to travel around the island.
• A scooter is a great way of exploring the island, but it is important to be very careful when riding them.
• If you have the time for it, venture out of the tourist areas and explore the colorful back streets of San Miguel.

Guadalajara Pictures

Things to do in Guadalajara

Districts separate the various sections and essences here. Each one contains its own culture. Centro Historico is where you will most likely spend the majority of your time. José Clemente Orozco’s important mural paintings are still preserved here along with many old buildings. Spend your time walking around and taking in the sights. Guadalajara Cathedral, finished in 1618 is a mix of Gothic, neoclassical and palladian architecture. Plaza of the Crosses are four Plazas shaped like a cross with the Cathedral at the center. Palacio de Gobierno, or Governer’s place, is directly to the left of the cathedral. This building houses those famous paintings by José Clemente Orozco. Looking for those famous mariahci bands? Plaza de los Mariachis has a wealth of restaurants where mariachi players will serenade you for as little as $7 – 10. Jose Cuervo has a distillery here as well and the tour is always a nice activity while in Guadalajara. It includes the tour of the facility and factory, tastings, and a free margarita. Lots of fun for all college students. Why not go as a group and then stop by their own restaurant?

Nightlife in Guadalajara

Keep your eyes peeled for blanca, reposada, and añejo when venturing out at night. They are the types of tequila you will want to try while here. College students, especially when on spring break, love to bar hop and this city definitely facilitates it. There are multiple “pub crawls” and college nights and local bars. Make sure you look for those bars with a large selection of tequila. And also you will want to double check that the tequilas being served are the local authentic stuff, you will be able to tell the difference from the stuff you drink at home right away. This tequila is so much better. Zapopan’s center is an all time favorite for bar hopping. There are over 12 bars right in the center!

Dining in Guadalajara

The traditional dishes of Guadalajara are Birria, pozole, and tortas ahogadas if you are looking for the real authentic experience. Birria is a stew made with roast chiles, spices, and traditionally goat. Pozole is another stew made with pork, and is finished off with fresh cabbage, radish, onion and cilantro. Tortas ahogadas are sandwiches stuffed with carnitas and beans and served on a french style roll. They are usually topped with chile and hot sauce. You will definitely want to grab some of this at any of the local food vendor carts here. La Rinconada is an excellent example of fine Mexican cuisine and a college student favorite.

Shopping in Guadalajara

Shopping here is a lot of fun. There are so many street sellers pushing anything from knick-knacks to fine products at ridiculously low prices. In general Mexico has a reputation for bootlegged items and inexpensive trinkets and Guadalajara is no exception. Just be wary of the fact that these goods may be stolen or illegally produced. For the most part however this will not be an issue. You will in fact get great deals on movies, DVDs, electronics, fine good, and local crafts. For people on a budget it makes a nice stop to pick up something to take back with you after your trip. While you can technically go shopping anywhere in the city, Tlaquepaque’s Old Town District is a known and reputable shopping market. Fine glass and pottery products are sold here as well.

Guadalajara travel tips

• The 275-diagonal bus route is the only real public transportation offered.
• The currency is the peso.
• The official language in Guadalajara is Spanish.

Puerto Vallarta Pictures

Things to do in Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta’s beaches are situated in between the mountains and ocean. The Blue Chairs is a section of beach and is the focal point to the entire city. You can stretch out on the half a mile of golden sand to catch the rays. Also, you can visit papaya and mango plantations. They are surrounded by local villages. Take a short trip over to the local fishing villages and watch how the locals live here. There are many water sports to keep any college kid happy. Although Puerto Vallarta is known for its serenity and calm beaches, there are plenty of activities to keep you busy. Golfing is a lot of fun and there is are great courses here. There are five distinct golf courses and all cater to a different crowd and level. You can take a boat and go whale watching or visit some sea lions with a guide. Ever zip-lined from tree to tree? You can also do that here. You can also join a group going fishing, turtle watching, horseback riding, and parasailing. A trip here will whiz by you and you will almost feel like you didn’t get to spend enough doing everything. But that is the beauty of Puerto Vallarta.

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Nightlife in Puerto Vallarta

Downtown and Old Town are decent nightlife spots. This is where you will find the majority of the spring break crowd as well. The beachfront walk includes places such as El Dorado, which has good live Music, La Cave, which is a piano bar, La Dolce Vita, Le Carrousel, and Planet Hollywood. Steve’s Sports Bar in Old Town serves the best margaritas. Senor Frogs and the Roxy are also fun and worth taking a look at. Most bars and clubs stay open until 2 or 3 am. You should always carry ID on you when going out, especially at night. Malecon is another area of the city that is a lot of fun. Christine’s is a huge nightclub with lots of music and good drinks. El Zoo and Hilo are smaller clubs but just as much fun as at the bigger clubs. Collage has world famous foam parties that is definitely worth checking out.

Dining in Puerto Vallarta

There is a rich diversity with the food in Puerto Vallarta. You can get everything from a taco at a cart to an elegant 6 course dinner on the beach front. There are some safety precautions to keep in mind when dining here, as with any other city in Mexico. Stay away from tap water and mixed drinks; bottled beers and canned sodas are a much safer option. Also don’t eat the shelled fish unless it is being served in a reputable restaurant. Finally, stick to restaurants that have been marked as safe within travel guides. Here is a list of places that will serve you excellent meals in friendly atmospheres that won’t make you sick afterward. Chez Elena has world famous cuisine and has been visited by the likes of Playboy and Elizabeth Taylor. You will be sure to get an excellent, yet pricey, meal here. Epoca has reasonably priced food for decent portions. Planeta Vegetariano serves a buffet style meal. Here you can load up on breakfast, lunch, and dinner with fruits, vegetables, breads, traditional dishes, and vegetarian plates. Carlos O’Brians and the Blue Shrimp are a little more upscale and draw an older crowd. Tourists love these places because they serve local dishes as well as home favorites. College students visiting here also like the change of pace they offer.

Shopping in Puerto Vallarta

La Playa sells liquor at outlet store prices. If you are a college student on a budget it may be fun to go here and stock up for your pregaming before going out at night. You can buy traditional tequilas here as well as souvenir items. Arte Mágico Huichol sells traditional style crafts and bead-work. Galeria Indigena is an old Mexican indigenous shop selling a variety of handmade goods and some of the local favorites. Here you can stock up on gifts to bring back with you or even use while here. Manta Maya is a good place to get some traditional Mexican clothing. You can dawn the attire and look like a local.

Puerto Vallarta travel tips

• Many downtown businesses in Puerto Vallarta tend to close from 2pm-4pm for lunch.
• The language here is Spanish, however many locals speak English.
• The official currency in Puerto Vallarta is the peso.

Mexico City Pictures

Things to do in Mexico City

Ever since the 12th century, Mexico City has been an urban hub of culture and ethnic pride. Many of the buildings here are very old. It makes for a nice scenic walk around the city. Some other things you should do while here include a visit to the Plaza de la Constitucion. This square is one of the largest in the world and is surrounded by historic buildings. City Hall is located here as well. Basilica de Guadalupe is considered by most to be the holiest place in the Americas for the Catholics. People from all over the world make annual pilgrimages to this site. Ciudadela crafts market is a large craft market that mass produces crafts that are distributed all over the world. The museums here are very lovely. San Ildefonso Museum boasts some of Orozco’s best frescoes. Dolores Olmedo Museum has works by Diego Rivera. Plaza de las Tres Culturas has modern, colonial, and pre-Columbian architecture. San Carlos Museum holds the most beautiful and well known paintings and works of art of the 15th and 16th centuries.

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Nightlife in Mexico City

Mexico City nightlife is some of the wildest nightlife in the Americas. In Mexico, the drinking age is 18 and is enforced. Not all places card, but it is a good idea to carry ID on you. Also make sure you are always going out in pairs or groups since the city can get a little wild at night. Bars and clubs are usually open until 3 or 4 in the morning. Some of the best clubs you have to see before you leave are Bar Fly, La Casa de las Sirenas, Rexo, Zinco, Bengala, Rioma, and AREA Bar and Terrace, at the Habita. Take note that open containers are strictly forbidden and illegal. If you are caught with an open container you could be detained for 24 hours.

Dining in Mexico City

Mexican food is absolutely delicious. Mexico City really knows how to spice it up and make some great traditional Mexican favorites. If you are on a budget, the Mexican fast food chains are a good way to go. These include Vips, Toks, and Sanborns, and they are all safe and friendly. Not all restaurants are necessarily the cleanest, so if you are planning to go to a local ethnic restaurant, you might want to look up the place first. The higher the price range, the more likely you will be to have a great meal. There are also the typical American chain restaurants like McDonalds, TGIFridays, and Dominos. If you aren’t familiar with Mexican food or want to try something new, make sure you try huevos rancheros, arrachera, enchiladas suizas, or quesadillas while here.

Shopping in Mexico City

The shopping districts here are Altavista, Condesa, Polanco, and Centro Historico. Condesa is trendy and fun. Centro Historico has the most diverse and universal shopping. American and European styles have come in to Mexico City and have been popular since around the 1960’s. Many shopping districts now cater to these fashions. There is central, north, south, and west shopping districts in the city. All have a unique vibe. The Flea Markets have always attracted tourists. This is where you will find more of the “traditional” Mexican chatchkas. Sombreros, knick-knacks, potteries, crafts, and artwork are sold here. This makes for perfect small gifts to bring back with you after your trip.

Mexico City travel tips

• The currency here is pesos.
• The main language spoken in Mexico City is Spanish.
• Stay safe in the central square, it can be very crowded.

Acapulco Pictures

Things to do in Acapulco

Acapulco is well known for its wondrous beaches. Caleta Beach, the most well known, is also fairly calm. One of Acapulco’s main attractions is the world famous divers of La Quebrada. Tourists can watch these expert divers execute well-timed dives into the water. Veladero National Park is the best place for hiking and nature trails. The sights from this Park onto the city and ocean are one of a kind. Fuerta de San Diego is a restored fort and history museum. The fort on site is the original outlook point of the pirates of the sea. Like deep-sea fishing? Acapulco is one of the best spots in the world to do this. The best times to go are between November and May. Bay of Puerto Marques, Tecomate and Chautengo Lagoon are the ideal places for fishing and you will see amazing coral and tropical fishes.

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Nightlife in Acapulco

The nightlife here is awesome. Friday and Saturday nights are the best nights to go out and you will see the clubs packed. During spring break it is every night! Some of the coolest places to hit up are Palladium, Mandara, El Alebrije, Baby’O, and Ninas. You won’t be disappointed at any of these hot spots. A lot of clubs have cover charges anywhere between $30 – $35. The good news is that most of these cover charges cover all you can drink at the bars…nice. Also a good thing to note is that clubs are open until 6:00 am, so get plenty of sleep the night before!

Dining in Acapulco

Señor Frog’s is a tourist favorite. It could be because of the ‘drunken crossing’ signs that adorn the walls or the incredible food….or the huge cocktails. But we’re guessing it’s all of the above. Casanova and Kookaburra offer excellent views of the city beautifully lit up at night. You will find several eateries throughout the city and located right on the beach. It is a Mexican chain of mainly natural ingredients restaurants. They offer great, health Mexican food. Since Acapulco has the most restaurants of any Mexican resort city, there are so many endless options for awesome food and a good time.

Shopping in Acapulco

There isn’t a whole lot of shopping to do here. This city is much more about the touristy chachkas and little trinkets. So if you’re looking for a little something to bring home with you, head over to the beaches. There are sure to be plenty of carts and street merchants. Other than that there is a mall outside of the city and you will be able to find small local shops scattered throughout Acapulco.

Acapulco travel tips

• Bring a couple swimsuits, the water is always warm.
• Remember to convert your currency to pesos.
• Don’t go out alone at night in the city.

Cancun Pictures

Things to do in Cancun

Adventurous types-start getting excited, Cancun is the place for you! In the middle of the hotel zone lies the Interactive Aquarium. There, you can pet exotic marine life such as Sting Rays, nurse sharks, starfish, and others. It’s also possible to swim with dolphins in the large pool. Cancun is probably best known for it’s spectacular beaches and crystal clear water. The sand stays cool in Cancun while the water is always warm. For more advanced and adventurous swimmers the edge of the ocean can be challenging and fun. For the less advanced swimmers head over to a resort facing Isla Mujeres for a relaxing swim. Hanging out at beaches can be extremely fun and relaxing and can provide a great shopping opportunity as well. Many locals make a living by selling items to tourists on the beach like sarongs, jewelry, sea shells, and others. For a romantic night out hit up the Lobster Dinner Cruise. This trip features a clam lagoon and a beautiful boat. The staff prepares steak and lobster for the guests while you relax and watch the sunset. It’s a winner among men and women alike. You can also bring back great college spring break memories by hitting up a market and negotiating a sweet price. Don’t back down to get the price you want.

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Nightlife in Cancun

Cancun has some of the best nightlife in the world. For a safe club that will have you dancing for sure go to Carlos and Charlie’s, Coronaville, or Coco Bongo, located in the Hotel Zone. In this fun atmosphere you can have a few drink, meet people, and dance in a conga line! Another cool club to check out is Senor Frog’s, a very popular spot for vacationers. For $5 you can get in to party after 8 pm. There you can take their famous water slide from the club out to the lagoon! However, know that as the night goes on waiters can become very hands on and try to touch, hug, or kiss female party members. For some local flavor go where they go, to Yaxchilan Avenue. There you can find many different clubs that stay open until the last person leaves. And go ahead and have a drink- the legal drinking age in Mexico is 18.

Dining in Cancun

Cancun has many tourist-type restaurants featuring many different types of food. Most are located in the Zona Hotelera. If you like Japanese and Thai food try Mikado in the Zona Hotelera. Steakhouse and Mediterranean? Hit up La Capilla Argentina. For seafood try Simply Seafood. If you’re looking for a meal by the sea go chill at The Cove Cancun where you can find one of the prettiest and calmest beaches of Hotel zone. They offer normal fare with special Caribbean entrees and serve you by the water. It’s sure to make some spring break memories!

Shopping in Cancun

To shop in Cancun you need only visit your hotel or other gift shoppes by the beach. You can also buy craft and souvenir type items from vendors on the beach. To get to a mall or similar type shopping you have to go outside the tourist section of the city.

Cancun travel tips

• Avoid traveling to Cancun during the summer and early fall, during the hurricane season.
• Beware of “free” items like Tequila shots, everything costs money (Compensate with a cheap flight!).
• Only use ATM’s in banks and your hotel.