Puerto Vallarta Beaches will Host Beach Volleyball Tournament for PanAmerican Games

During the Pan American Games being held in Guadalajara, Mexico this October 2011, Puerto Vallarta's stunning beaches will hold a volleyball tournament this October 16-22.

In a newly-built Pan American Beach Volleyball Stadium created solely for the tournament, will host Mexico, who finished fifth last year at the Rio de Janeiro tournament, as well as Brazil, Cuba, Ecuador, United States, Argentina, El Salvador, Puerto Rico and Nicaragua.

Rio Secreto in Playa del Carmen: Underground Wonder

Take a look at these amazing pictures I found on Bald Hiker, an amazing blog that shares beautiful pictures of world adventures. This picture is of a system of caves in the Yucatan Peninsula, near Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Rio Secreto was formed from an underground river of pure water that has been active for centuries beneath the surface.

Mariachi and the Worldwide Mariachi Festival In Guadalajara, Mexico

A huge part of the Guadalajara's culture includes traditional dance and music. Dance in Guadalajara is very famous and popular worldwide...Ballet Folklorico is performed all over Mexico, but only the "Mexican Hat Dance" or "Jarabe Tapatio" in Spanish is honored as being Mexico's National Dance.

Mariachi usually involves men in their elaborate costumes and sombreros singing lovely ballads to beautiful senoritas. Jalisco is home to the Mariachi and Guadalajara and even hosts a worldwide Mariachi festival every year in September.

"What makes the Mariachi so special is that not only did they originate from Jalisco, but it can only be considered a true "Mariachi" if they dress and use the same song style as that of Jalisco."

Basilica de Nuestra Señora Guadalupe: Top Travel Destination

Did you know that Mexico is "a top travel destination for members of the Catholic faith?" It just so happens that the Basilica de Nuestra Señora Guadalupe is the number one religious tourism destination of the world for Catholics and believers, the number of visitors exceeding that of the Vatican, Fatima in Portugal and Lourdes in France.

It turns out that Mexico has also been chosen as the latest host of the VII World Congress on the Pastoral Care of Tourism. The Mexican Ambassador to the Holy See, Hector Frederick Ling Altamirano, said, regarding the VII World Congress, “It is no doubt an important event, which recognizes the importance of Mexico in this field, particularly in the so-called religious tourism.”

Go to Mexicotoday.org for the full details on this exciting event for Mexico and the catholic faith.

Interactive Map of the State of Nayarit

This interactive map of Riviera Nayarit will give you a greater perspective on what the Riviera Nayarit region is like. Especially if you want to get to know those cities less traveled, click on the cities and towns in blue and you'll be taken to an informative article with all the history, culture and practical information you'd ever want to know.

New Trend: Chocolate Travel

Downtown landmarks of Oaxaca include the Ex Convento de Santo Domingo, a spectacular historical church, Museo Regional de Oaxaca, showcasing the Zapotec, Mixtec, and Olmec civilizations and Catedral Metropolitana, the largest church in the city, among other amazing places to visit. But lately, not only can you tour the city, but you can tour the chocolate.

Click here to read about Chocolate tasting tours in Oaxaca...anything from informal dégustation to taking a chocolate cruise and get a taste of the most authentic chocolate, straight from it's homeland.

"How and Why We Moved to Mexico"

If you're looking for an in-depth article with tons of great information on moving to Mexico, this is it. This article recounts the real-life experience of one couple that moved to Mexico and found happiness. But first, they did their homework. Take advantage of what they've learned and share with us, by reading this insightful, accurate blog post.

U.S. Expats Unite to Promote Baja

U.S. expatriates living in Baja are giving their beautiful region a makeover. The Baja Image Committee has been created by local residents and plans to dispel the misconceptions of Mexican drug cartel violence in Baja and "set the record straight". Since the media has started to focus on violence and unrest on the U.S.-Mexico border, most of which doesn't affect the Baja area at all, businesses have closed and houses have gone on the market.

Read the rest of the article to see how the Baja Image Committee is changing perceptions.