The Sol, providing news and information to the Jaltemba communities since 2003

The Sol, the English Language source of News for the Riviera Nayarit Mexico, including La Penita de Jaltemba, Rincon de Guayabitos, Lo de Marcos. Los Ayala, Lo de Marcos, and San Poncho

Learn Spanish Today See up to date postings on your Favorite Mexican Holiday spot

Become a Friend on the Riviera Nayarit Click Here

Debra Triplett's Famous Cooking Classes

Debra Triplett is pleased with her newly released schedule of cooking classes for the upcoming 2012 -2013 season. (Click here to see the exciting new schedule)

This year features new menus using the freshest local foods. Learn about ingredients, utensils and techniques that make the difference.

Each cooking class includes the authentic Mexican meal featuring the day’s entre’ and side dishes, plus a popular Casa Margarita*. The bar seating arrangement and central demonstration areas get you close to the action and encourage participation. Plus the poolside venue with sounds of the beach, waves and palm breezes make this a perfect afternoon of food and friends!

As a bonus you are given a complimentary gift and delicious, traditional recipes!

This year Casa Cooking will also emphasize buying. Sign up for the Monday Market Overview and go shopping for the freshest local ingredients you can find from the bounty of Jaltemba Bay! Finish with a snack and Casa Margarita* back at Casa de Los Pelicanos.

Great Fun. Professionally planned and prepared.

BUY RV OR CAR INSURANCE FROM US AND 200 PESOS GOES TO A MEXICAN CHARITY OR NON PROFIT OF YOUR CHOICE

A message from Bill and Dorothy Bell - Giving back to THE Mexican Community that we all love.

For the next two months, buy a two month or longer Mexican RV or Car Insurance policy from Ontheroadin.com and Jaltembasol.com and 200 pesos will be donated to a registered charity or non profit organization in Mexico of your choice and in your name. That's right for every insurance policy of two months or longer purchased from Mexpro Insurance through the Jaltemba Sol or On the Road in Mexico, 200 pesos will be given to your favorite charity, food bank or service club.

This offer is only available until October 31 2012 so get on line now and order your insurance. (You can set the start date for your insurance) Once you have ordered your insurance ensure that you write us editor@ontheroadin.com to tell us what charity you wish to donate.

You must order your insurance through this link CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR ONLINE INSURANCE QUOTE

All donations will be published in the Jaltemba Sol

Mexpro� is the leading provider of insurance coverage for driving your car into Mexico for visiting US and Canadian citizens. Some of the advantages of buying Mexican Auto insurance online today include:

Click here to read more

Classic Tropical Beauty: Gardenia

It's easy to fall in love with the gardenia, the queen of fragrant flowers. The gardenia flower’s elegant form, brilliant white color, and exotic fragrance have made this plant treasured for centuries. This beautiful perennial shrub produces a plethora of heavily scented white rose-shape flowers throughout the year in southern latitudes making it an excellent choice for a Riviera Nayarit garden. Even when it's not blooming, the glossy green foliage is attractive. The dense leaves make it a great choice for privacy hedges or as an edging for a patio or deck. Because gardenias like warm days and cool nights, it will bloom throughout the year providing one of the most easily recognized and treasured fragrances- a fragrance that becomes spicier as the gardenia blossoms age.

Prized for Centuries: The gorgeous gardenia has been cultivated for more than a 1,000 years in China, where it originated. In the mid 1700s the genus was named by horticulturist Carl Linaeus after Dr. Alexander Garden, a Scottish born American naturalist. Its 142 subspecies are part of the flowering plants in the coffee family Rubiaceae, which are native to the humid tropical and subtropical regions around the world. During the colonial period when explorers brought Asian finds to Europe and North American, the exotic gardenia became hugely popular. In the 1920s, due to its unique wax-like beauty and poignant fragrance, gardenias became highly sought after as a cut flower for corsages and arrangements.

Sometimes Difficult: The lovely gardenia has a bad reputation for being finicky when gardeners try to grow it as a house plant outside of the plant’s natural distribution area. When I lived in northern latitudes I grew gardenia as an indoor plant during the winter months-yes, it was a lot of work due to the conditions of a typical centrally heated home and the type of weakened sunlight of that growing zone. The gardenia plant demands high humidity and bright light with 70 degrees (23C) daytime temperatures and nighttime above 60 degrees. (16C) It absolutely cannot tolerate cold. However, when growing gardenias in zone 10 or farther south, it is no more difficult than any other plant when planted in a spot that has acidic soil, good ventilation, correct sunlight, and humidity-all of which is readily available in Mexico.

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Cliff the Wine guy on Chianti

Note: La Bodega summer hours are 10am to 4 pm Thurs, Fri, Sat.

Need something when we are closed ?? email us at labodegawine@hotmail.com

We gladly will take care of you. Thanks.

Chianti, More than any other variety of wine, congers up visions in our minds. Terraced hillside Vineyards over looking the Azure Mediterranean Sea, a small tratoria on a winding cobbled street, complete with red and white checkered tablecloth and the aromas of roasted garlic and fresh baked bread.

The Sangiovese grape that makes up 75 to 100 % of this fine wine is the predominant grape of Tuscany. With the best examples coming from the Chianti district.

There are 2 classifications of Chianti: Chianti - from all regions in the district

Chianti Classico - only from the area between Florence and Siena, which is only approx 100 sq miles.

Most Chianti wines are medium bodied, with moderate tannins. They display higher acidity than most reds and the flavor and aroma is predominantly of tart or ripe cherry. Most producers in the Chianti Classico district also produce a limited ?Reserva?. Reserva Chianti must be aged a minimum of 27 months and must be of at least 12.5 %

alcohol vs only 12 % for non-Reserva. They are typically made from the prime grapes of the harvest.

Basic Chianti?s are usually acidic, tannic, lighter bodied, and tart. They do not age well and are meant to be consumed within 1-3 years.

Chianti Classico will be more medium bodied, normally less acidic with more mellow tannins and a more pronounced cherry ? like flavor and aroma. Classico is at its best between 2 to 10 years.

Reserva Chianti?s are the cr?span style="letter-spacing:-.1pt">me of the crop. Their required ageing prior to release ensures a more mellow rounded wine. Usually a bit heavier in body with milder acidic and tannic attributes. Reserva?s higher alcohol content makes it possible to enjoy even up to 15 years in age.

Due to limited production area in Italy and very modest demand here in Mexico, Chianti here tends to be expensive and somewhat limited in availability. However, being one of our favorite varieties, we at La Bodega make the effort to have a few choices in stock.

MEXICO NEWS HEADLINES This WEEK

Walmart money laundering exposed

Deputies splurge on voting system

Democrats say the retailer is blocking investigation

Representatives from the Democratic minority in the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform in the U.S. House of Representatives Elijah Cummings and Henry Waxman have revealed details of a legislative investigation into retail giant Walmart, which could prove tax evasion and money laundering.

In a letter to the company on August 14, Elijah Cummings gave the latest details of the investigation.

“We have obtained internal company documents, including internal audit reports … suggesting that Walmart could have had problems ... not only of bribery, but also of ‘questionable financial behavior,’ including tax evasion and money laundering,” said the legislators in a letter addressed to Michael Duke, the Executive Chairman of Walmart….go to original article

Google offers virtual visits to Mexican archaeological sites

Netizens will be able to take virtual strolls through 30 Mexican archaeological sites using Google Mexico's Street View platform, Mexican cultural authorities said.

The 360-degree virtual view of these archaeological sites, which include Teotihuacan, Xochicalco, Monte Alban, Chichen Itza, Tulum, Palenque, Tula and Paquime, allows them to be explored down to the last corner.

This is the first time a gallery featuring such sites has been uploaded onto Street View, and the purpose of the project is to encourage cultural tourism, Mexico's National Anthropology and History Institute, or INAH, said in a communique.,,,go to original article

Mexican Farmers Battle Canadian Mine for Control of Their Land

Civil disobedience has halted production at Mexico’s “top grade producer of silver.” Farmers of the La Sierrita village, a close knit community of about 50 families, located 40 minutes north of the city of Gomez Palacio, Durango, have shut down the La Platosa mine owned by Canadian firm Excellon Resources for over a month.

This comes in response to the company’s refusal to negotiate with the community over its requests for the preferential hiring of local people on whose land the company operates, as well as pay the rental rates for its use. Labor conditions within the underground mine where many local residents work is also an issue. Dozens of community members have maintained a nonviolent blockade of the one road into the mine, allowing only essential maintenance workers to pass, resulting in extraction grinding to a halt…go to original article

DIF hands out 2,000 backpacks

Granier praises private investment

Quintana Roo Family Development Agency (DIF) President Mariana Zorrilla de Borge presented the DIF in the municipality of Othón P. Blanco with 2,000 backpacks as part of the 2012 Big Backpacks campaign on Wednesday.

Zorrilla de Borge also handed out 4,620 school vouchers that can be used at bookstores and local school supply shops. She handed over the backpacks to local DIF President Odette Villafaña de Villanueva. The backpacks are for students in 84 rural communities of the main municipality.

She said that the Quintana Roo 2011-2016 Plan includes comprehensive attention to all residents, adding that Governor Roberto Borge Angulo’s administration has placed families at the center of his public policies.

Each backpack contained five notebooks, two pencils, two pens, a pencil sharpener, geometry games, an eraser, glue, a highlighter and a compass….go to original article

Tropical storm hits Mexico coast, quickly weakens

Tropical Storm Helene quickly weakened into a tropical depression Saturday after moving ashore on Mexico's Gulf Coast, bringing strong rains but few reports of damage.

Forecasters said Helene still posed a threat to areas where thousands of people are recovering from flooding spawned last week by Hurricane Ernesto, although the Veracruz state civil defense office said none of the region's numerous rivers had overflowed. Some streets flooded in low-lying neighborhoods of the port city of Veracruz….go to original article

Mexico Investigates Reports of Missing Journalist

The government of the Mexican border state of Tamaulipas says it is investigating the reported disappearance of the editor of a small regional weekly newspaper, almost a week after he was last seen.

Tamaulipas Interior Secretary Morelos Canseco says no formal missing person report has been filed in the case of Mario Segura, director of the Sol del Sur newspaper. But Canseco said Saturday investigators are looking into the Segura's whereabouts….go to original article

Advocates for peace in Mexico: US needs to help

Cheers and applause greeted the two buses filled with victims of the ongoing drug war in Mexico.

Each member walked off the bus carrying a poster with a photo of a loved one who was lost in Mexico.

Every photo is a face of the pain and suffering from the violent war.

"This fight is not just about numbers, statistics or what you see on TV or in the movies. It's about the real pain and suffering, death. The cries for justice, for peace," Javier Sicilia, Mexican activist and leader of this peace movement, told ABC-7….go to original article

Mexico's big oil problem

Mexico, one of the largest suppliers of oil to the United States, has a big problem: Its production of crude is falling fast.

In 2008, the country's production peaked at 3.2 million barrels a day, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Last year, it didn't even produce 3 million a day. The reason: aging oil fields and years of underinvestment.

Industry experts say Mexico could revive production if it allowed more investment from international oil companies. But under current policy, EIA says Mexico will have to start importing oil by 2020….go to original article

Book Review: A courageous voice emerges in 'The Distance Between Us'

Reyna Grande's umbilical cord is buried under the ground of her grandmother's home in Iguala, Mexico.

We learn this fact early in Grande's unforgettable new memoir, "The Distance Between Us." Grande is a girl of about 6 when her big sister shows her the spot. Their mother, the woman once linked to Reyna by that cord, has set off for the U.S. to join their father, leaving three kids behind with their severe and cruel grandmother.

"My umbilical cord was like a ribbon that connected me to Mami," Reyna's sister tells her. "She said, 'It doesn't matter that there's a distance between us now. That cord is there forever.'"

Immigration has opened a divide between the members of the Grande family that's 2,000 miles wide. But even when Reyna crosses this divide to live with her father in California, the metaphorical link binding her to a tragically poor corner of Mexico will not die. Iguala and its unpaved streets, its rural superstitions and its hunger never let go of either young Reyna, her parents or any of her siblings in "The Distance Between Us," a heart-wrenching account of her impoverished childhood and violence-tinged adolescence….go to original article

Success Reported in Safeguarding a Butterfly Habitat

Illegal logging has been practically eliminated in the western Mexico wintering grounds of the monarch butterfly, according to a research report released Wednesday, and Mexican officials now hope to use the successful program of antilogging patrols and payments to rural residents to resolve other forestry conflicts.

The government, environmental groups and private donors have spent millions to get forest communities in the butterfly reserve to plant trees and start ecotourism businesses to benefit from the interest in the monarchs’ yearly multigenerational migration through Canada, the United States and Mexico. They hope a similar solution can work in areas where illegal logging has caused deadly armed conflicts….go to original article

MEXICO NEWS HEADLINES Last WEEK

Mexico Achieves Universal Health Coverage

Banderas News Team

The biggest change in Mexico's health policy came in 2003, when Congress approved 'Seguro Popular,' a government-funded scheme aimed to ensure that all citizens could have access to health care.

Mexico City, Mexico - Despite periods of economic downturns and crisis, Mexico recently achieved a significant milestone – enrolling 52.6 million previously uninsured Mexicans in public medical insurance programs and thereby achieving universal health coverage in less than a decade.

This effort began in 2003 and occurred in a country of approximately 100 million people.

A paper published online August 16th in The Lancet by a group of public health officials - including Harvard School of Public Health Dean, Julio Frenk, Director of the Harvard Global Equity Initiative, Felicia Knaul, and current Minister of Health of Mexico Salomón Chertorivski - notes that while significant progress has been made, challenges remain as the country seeks to minimize disparities in healthcare quality and ensure that there is effective access to health care services in rural areas that are traditionally underserved.

Dean Frenk was Minister of Health in Mexico from 2000-2006 and architect of the reforms approved by the Mexican Congress which enabled the introduction of "Seguro Popular" (popular health insurance,) an ambitious, government-funded program.

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Caravan for Peace: Mexican Victims of Violence Take Aim Against US Firearms

The United States should stop producing so many weapons, which cause us so much harm. That country also suffers from so much violence, as billions of dollars go into manufacturing guns.?

That is the message that anti-crime activist Fernando Ocegueda will take to the public in the United States, during a one-month visit to that country by the Caravan for Peace with Justice and Dignity, made up of 70 family members of victims of violence in Mexico.

We are feeling hopeless because we are ignored, said Ocegueda, who sells electronic goods. Our mission is to raise awareness about the indiscriminate sales of (assault) weapons, which flow over the border into our country, where they generate so much violence.

Ocegueda, the founder of the human rights group Unidos por los Desaparecidos de Baja California (United for the Disappeared of Baja California), is still searching for his son Fernando Ocegueda, who was taken from his home in the Mexican border city of Tijuana in February 2007 by men wearing uniforms of the Agencia Federal de Investigaciones, a federal police agency....go to original article

Tropical Storm Ernesto Kills 7 In Mexico

Ernesto weakened to a tropical depression as it moved inland Friday, killing seven people and dumping rains in the mountains of Mexico's flood-prone southern Gulf region.

In Veracruz state, two people were killed early Friday, including a teenage girl who was inside a car dragged by a river current and a 62-year-old man who was struck by lightning, the state's civil protection department said in a statement.

It said three members of a family died Thursday night when strong winds knocked down a tree that fell on their car, the state's civil protection department said in a statement....go to original article

Beloved Lucha Libre Goes to Mexico's poorest neighborhoods, orphanages and prisons

?Lucha Libre? comes to poor Mexico city districts

Their images may strike fear but when Crazy Clown, Black Fury and Big Mama step into the ring their cause is just: bringing Mexico?s beloved lucha libre wrestling to the capital?s poorest neighborhoods, orphanages and prisons.

In front of shacks or jammed onto the staircases of crumbling buildings, men, women and children who don?t have the money to buy a 300 pesos ($22) ticket to see a professional wrestling event at one of Mexico City?s big arenas can cheer the Caravan Super Tarin traveling wrestling show, which on weekends gives free performances filled with kitschy glitz, masked avengers and snarling ?rudos.?...go to original article

Mexico?s Economy Anticipated to Triumph Over Brazil?s Economy in the Future

Mexico?s economy is growing at a rate never seen before, placing it in the position to rival leading countries in East Asia economically. Mexico could also pass Brazil as the top Latin American economy by 2022 if the country keeps moving along the same path. Mexico?s economy is expected to grow 4.25 percent to 4.75 percent over the next decade, surpassing Brazil?s expected growth of 2.75 percent to 3.25 percent.

The co-manager of Federated InterContinental Fund, Geoffrey Pazzanese stated, ?Mexico is the place to be for companies and investors.? Countless companies from all over the world are choosing to invest in Mexico in many different spheres of the economy because of the country?s location as a neighbor to the United States, their low prices and low inflation rates, and their strong and skilled work-force. Mexico, a rising Latin American economy, is also anticipated to excel in its export-economy in the years to come because of strong diplomatic relations with neighboring countries...go to original article

Is Latin America the Next Biking Paradise

From Buenos Aires, to Mexico City, to Bogota, cities across Latin America are embracing the bicycle. Across Central and South America, bike lane miles and the numbers of bicycles on the streets are on the rise.

Following what appears to be a global trend of increasing numbers of cities courting bike riders, Latin America's municipalities are beefing up their support of pedalists. The Wall Street Journal's Shane Romig reports, "[a]cross Latin America, a region known for its aggressive drivers, growing numbers of commuters are doing the unthinkable: Ditching their cars for bicycles."

For example, the capital of Argentina, Buenos Aires, home of excessively aggressive drivers, is promoting it's "Mejor en Bici" program, or "Better on Bike." "Buenos Aires has built 48 miles of bike lanes, from virtually zero in 2009, when the program began. The city plans to have 81 miles of lanes by the end of 2013. Already, 2% of daily commuters are getting to their jobs on bikes, an estimated 36,000 people, say city officials." The capital hopes to copy the successes of bicycle programs in cities such as Bogota and Santiago de Chile....go to original article

US Consular Agency: Mexico Pet Importation Policy Update

Earlier this summer many US and Canadian travelers were up-in-arms over the news that many airlines were banning pets in-cabin on flights to/from Mexico. The "no pets in cabin" policy was reportedly due to a Mexican government regulation (DGAC article CO VA-07.8_07) that was put into law in 2007, but never before enforced.

Due to the public outcry, on June 21, 2012, Lic. Jos?Armando Garcia Nu? of SECTUR (Secretaria de Turismo) met with Mexico's aeronautic authority (Direcci? General de Aeron?tica Civil) and reported that changes were being made to the regulation....go to original article

Mexico One of World's Most Attractive Emerging Markets
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - With Enrique Pe? Nieto as the newly elected president of Mexico, the country waits to see how his promises of change will affect their country. But it's not what you'd describe as a dream job. Especially since the widely publicized concerns over the ongoing drug war are making foreign investors think twice about investing in Mexico.

What they may not know is that behind the gory headlines lies a country to be reckoned with when it comes to economic growth. Currently Mexico is enjoying a manufacturing boom (manufacturing accounted for 2% of GDP in the 1980s, now it?s at 24%,) that, when combined with its formidable export power, makes it one of the world's most attractive emerging markets....go to original article

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New Highway between Jala and Banderas Bay continues at fast pace.

The guitars, violins, harps and vihuelas (a five-string guitar of 16th-century origin) originally used by the Mariachi were introduced by the Spaniards. Intended for the celebration of Mass, the instruments were appropriated for popular music that spread satirical and anti-clerical messages.

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Being Outside the US Doesn't Mean You Can't Vote in 2012

Democrats Abroad Mexico

Democrats Abroad and VoteFromAbroad.org make it easy for US citizens to register & vote from Mexico.

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Are you an American citizen, a citizen of both the USA and Mexico, or do you have relatives in the USA who are eligible to vote in the US election? All of these votes are important. Register now to be sure your vote is counted. The election is November 6, 2012, but deadlines to register or re-register may be as early as August, 2012.

Register & Vote from Mexico - It is easy!

Just go to VoteFromAbroad.org, where absentee ballots for Americans are available in both English and Spanish.

If you want your ballot sent to you here in Mexico, use the following address at Mailboxes, Etc., Blvd. Fco Medina Ascencio 2180, just south of Plaza Caracol in the Puerto Vallarta Hotel Zone:

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TO BE HELD IN LANGLEY BC IN SEPTEMBER

4 Hour Course on Driving and RVing Safely Throughout Mexico

Want to go to Mexico but would rather avoid being beheaded? You long for those long warm Mexican winters but wonder if you are gambling with your life?. And what about those crooked cops and Moctezuma 's revenge? No worries. Mexperts Bill and Dorothy Bell are returning to the Vancouver area to teach you the tips on driving and RVing south of the US border.

Thousands of Canadian snowbirds continue to drive south to Mexico every year - many to RV and camp in a "tropical paradise" despite the well publicized safety concerns over reports of violence. The reason? Canadian winters.

"It's the weather, the people and the affordability," says Dorothy Bell who along with her husband Bill Bell are the creators of the web site www.ontheroadin.com, the largest and best known website on road travel and safety in Mexico. Considered experts in the field, they have visited every Mexican state a dozen times and know the great spots to snowbird or retire.

"Travelling in Mexico by road has always had a sense of adventure to it; before it was the banditos, now it is the drug wars, but it has never stopped the thousands of snowbirds who call Mexico home for six months of the year," says Dorothy. "We are not discounting that the drug war in Mexico is a reality but we are saying that if you follow some very simple rules, as a visitor to Mexico you can be safer than travelling through many big American cities."

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Mexico Monday: San Sebastian del Oeste, Mexico

Julie Schwietert Collazo - collazoprojects.com
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Founded as a mining town in 1605 during the Spanish colonial period, San Sebastian is a quaint little town, nestled in a narrow mountain valley less than a two hour drive from Puerto Vallarta.

San Sebastian del Oeste, Mexico - You can smell San Sebastian del Oeste before you can see it. Even if the windows are rolled up, the smell of San Sebastian works its way into the car as you turn off the two lane highway that runs through the mountains, over a canyon, and past–in the distance–agave fields.

No matter the time of day, that smell of warm roasted beans would make me stop. I’d be rewarded not only with a large thimble-size shot of just-made coffee, but also the story of the Sanchez family, which has been involved in coffee production for five generations.

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We only need $9,448.25 more pesos !

To Change a woman's life forever

We nearly have enough for the second hip replacement. Only $10,086.25 more pesos. It's not that much when you are talking about changing a life forever. Please help.

Email money transfer, bank deposit or by mail. Contact: linchimes@hotmail.com

Sex Survey: Mexicans 2nd Most Satisfied

Nkechi Opurum - Daily Times Nigeria
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A survey conducted by condom manufacturer, Durex, in which 26,000 people in 26 countries were interviewed has ranked Mexicans as the second most sexually satisfied in the world

Mexico - Nigerians have been ranked as among the most sexually satisfied in the world, according to a global survey conducted by condom manufacturer, Durex.

According to Durex, the online study questioned more than 26,000 respondents across 26 countries about every aspect of their sex lives in a bid to chart comprehensively "what constitutes intimate well-being."

The survey put Nigeria in pole position at 67 percent, followed by Mexico at 63 percent, India at 61 percent, and Poland at 54 percent.

The least sexually satisfied people in the world, according to the survey, are the Japanese, with only 15 percent of respondents there giving their love lives a stamp of approval.

"On average, South Africans have sex 120 times a year ? considerably more than the global average of 103," the statement read. "It is the sexed-up Greeks who have the most sex, at 164 times a year; with Brazil next at 145, followed by Poland and Russia both 143. The Japanese are the least sexually active nation, being intimate just 48 times a year."

The survey also measured average time of sexual intercourse among respondents. "The Nigerians take the longest time over sex at 24 minutes per session, while Indians have the quickest sex at 13 minutes," Durex stated.

Durex had also carried out a survey last year which revealed that Nigerian women are the most unfaithful.

Achiote Pork Ribs with Ancho Chilie Sauce and Avocado Relish

Ribs:

4 lbs Pork ribs (trimmed – membrane removed)

2 tsp salt and 2 tsp pepper

½ cup chopped fresh oregano leaves

2 tbsp. achiote paste (available in most Mexican Markets)

Zest of juice of 2 limes

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New Highway to be finished by the end of 2013

The Maya Said What? Read Jeanine Kitchel 's Book

David Simmonds - Mexico Today
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Chichen-Itza is considered to have been one of the greatest Mayan centers of the Yucatan peninsula, and today is one of the largest and most impressive archaeological sites in Mexico.

Quintana Roo, Mexico - If you 're like me, you may have been wondering what all the Maya "it 's-the-end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it" controversy is all about. As has been widely reported, on December 21, 2012 there will be a rare alignment in the skies when the sun will be positioned exactly on the crossroads between the galactic equinox (huh?) and the Milky Way, my favorite candy bar. Apparently, this is a big deal, so we better all take note.

One thing we know for sure about the ancient Maya is that they were excellent astronomers, and they saw this day coming many centuries ago, naming it the "Sacred Tree." So if the Maya really believed this, one would be well advised to pay attention. You never want to be caught with your pants down when cataclysmic events are on the horizon (I refer to Hannibal and the Romans at the Battle of the Trebia, or when the guy jumps out of the trunk in The Hangover.)

There appear to be several interpretations as to exactly what will happen on that fateful day. One camp (and we know who you are) is predicting total annihilation of Mother Earth and you darn well better make peace with your maker, if not the IRS and your ex-spouse.

Another more scholarly group points out that for the Maya all events are circular - there are no endings. So December 21 will be a reset day , a new beginning for mankind. That doesn 't sound like such a bad idea given the cost of a college education these days.

And, of course, there are the New Age acolytes, fully prepared to experience the Age of Aquarius, sung with such passion on stage in the Hair production four decades ago. Love and Peace forever, brother.

Maya 2012 Revealed, Demystifying the Prophecy, Jeanine Kitchel, 2012, Amazon, itunes, Nook.

Fortunately, Jeanine Kitchel has written an engaging and scholarly book just in time to clear up the confusion. I first met the author about 13 years ago as I passed through Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, Mexico, where she was living and running an English-language bookstore with her husband, Paul.

It was there that she became enthralled with the Maya, reading all that she could about that great civilization, and like everyone else, trying to figure out what happened to cause the abandonment of the thousands of cities and villages, many of which have since been dug out of the dense jungles of Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Honduras and the southern Mexico states of Chiapas, Tabasco, Campeche, Yucatán and Quintana Roo. In her book, Jeanine painstakingly cites all of the Maya-phile works, from John Lloyd Stephens to Michael Coe to David Stuart.

"It was something I loved to read about," she says. "I was fascinated by the Maya culture and the fact that, at the time, no one could break the code. It was this incredible mystery and a very exciting time in the Yucatan and I was at the source. As each new Maya title was published -about the civilization, the code, the pyramids - I ordered it. I read everything I could get my hands on. I was seriously addicted."

Jeanine had a lot of ground to cover, as the Maya have been around a long time, dating back to the Pre-Classic period of c. 2000 BC to AD 250. And, of course, they are still with us about seven million at last count. The advanced, lost civilizations may have mysteriously disappeared, but the people have always remained.

There are still many different dialects spoken and in many settlements, way back in the bush, daily life and rituals have been maintained in close accordance with their ancestors of long ago. Many settlements have both secular and religious leaders, and offerings are made in the manner of the ancient Maya.

They have a distinctive dress, with the women wearing colorful huipiles (blouses) and the men still working the corn fields of their forefathers. They are truly a fascinating and enduring people , a culture that has survived and adapted, and one that we may all be wise to learn from.

Kitchel has written an essential book for anyone who would like to learn about the Maya. She has condensed volumes of information into an easy-to-read and understand page-turner. So what is her conclusion about what will happen on December 21? Well, just pick up an ebook copy for a cheap price to find out, and you 'll also be helping out some Mayan kids. With each book sold, a portion of the profits will go to edúcaTE Yucatán, an educational non-profit organization in Yucatán that helps send poor Mayan children to school. To get a copy of Maya 2012 Revealed, Demystifying the Prophecy, check Kitchel 's website or Amazon.com, iTunes and Nook.

Author's Disclosure: I am being compensated for my work in creating and managing content as a Contributor for the México Today Program. All stories, opinions and passion for all things México shared here are completely my own. Mexico Today is a joint public and private sector initiative designed to help promote Mexico as a global business partner and an unrivaled tourist destination.

A San Diego State University graduate, David lives with his wife, Felice, and his kids, Tanner and Nicolette, in San Diego when he 's not beating around Mexico. You can contact David by email at dave(at)mexicopremiere.com.

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Guelaguetza ! Parade of Communities in Oaxaca

CNN PRODUCER NOTE While enjoying a cup of coffee in the square of Oaxaca, mexicobill says he was in sheer wonder when the parade started." I don't usually get excited, but seeing all the wonderful costumes, the smiles and action, my adrenaline was pumped," he says. "Just before this picture was taken, one of the parade participants pulled me out into the street to dance and another handed me a small thimble of mescal. I drank it and when I turned around, the picture was in front of me. Everyone was so proud and happy."

Guelaguetza ! A celebration of local indigenous culture takes place in Oaxaca, Oaxaca Mexico every year on the last two Thursday's in July. Bill Bell Photograph

Welcome to Sol Mexico Headline News
That’s right you are reading the Jaltemba Sol, and the affiliate ezine , the Mexico Headline News. For the Summer months we are producing the two ezines together. Now, our two readerships have an opportunity to get all the local and national news in one spot.

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New La Cruz to Punta Mita Highway Close to Completion

Lorena Sonrisas - BanderasNews.com

Punta de Mita, Mexico - The town of La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, often called the "Crown Jewel" of Riviera Nayarit, is considered a model town at the national level based on its economic and tourism standards. And, when the new highway to Punta Mita is completed, La Cruz's infrastructure is expected to develop even more.

According to State Government and construction company documents, the new four-lane highway is scheduled to open within the next three months, after a dispute with the La Cruz de Huanacaxtle Ejido, which halted construction one kilometer from the major highway, has been settled.

Considered one of the most important public infrastructure projects of the former administration's six-year term in the State of Nayarit, the four-lane highway that goes from La Cruz de Huanacaxtle to Punta de Mita serves the state's vision of improving communication and accessibility between these two tourist development areas.

The $250 million pesos state-funded project was initiated by former Nayarit Governor Ney González Sánchez, but was not completed during his term in office. So it was left to his successor, Roberto Sandoval, to see to the completion of the 7 kilometer stretch of concrete and asphalt that will link La Cruz de Huanacaxtle to Punta Mita.

Today the long-awaited highway is almost a reality, much to the relief of the area's inhabitants, including its hotel and tourism sectors, as it will convenience the many daily commuters between La Cruz de Huanacaxtle and Punta Mita, as well as the locals and tourists who come to this area for business and leisure.

Source: Vallarta Opina

Idyllic Mexican Village: Lo de Marco

As the Riviera Nayarit is gaining in popularity with international and national tourists, one of its coastal treasures is Lo de Marcos - a perfect beachside vacation for those who truly want to get away from it all. This diminutive community, with a population of less than 3,000 inhabitants, enables the visitor to partake of a traditional Mexican lifestyle that includes verdant mountains with tropical vegetation, a fresh water estuary, and a stunning unspoiled natural Pacific Ocean beach. You won 't find high-rise chain hotels, the entire village is composed of single level homes with only a few 2-story residences and bungalows. Lo de Marcos provides charm and basic shopping along its two main streets, but easy access to larger communities via highway 200 is just a 15 minute ride by Mexican taxi.

The Journey from Coco Farm to Tourism:

Major village improvements, including a vibrant town square, have been realized in the last five years through the combined efforts of local townspeople and dynamic international seasonal residents via the active Amigos Lo de Marcos civic group. (Visit their website, amigosdelodemarcos.org, to find out upcoming events and various civic projects underway.) Also on their website is an interesting history of the pueblo written by Jim Heinrich. In Lo de Marco, as with all of Mexico, the 20^th century was the scene of dramatic political and economic shifts that altered the lifestyle of village residents.

According to historian Jesús de Avila, a local resident, 84 year-old Victorino Salazar Mariscal, explained that the founders of the town were the brothers Oliverio and Pedro Palomera and their three sons, who arrived in the region already known as Lo de Marcos in 1918. There were only a handful of families living there. When the Palomeras settled, Lo de Marcos formed only a small part of the vast holdings of the Camarena family from Guadalajara. These managers could never have envisioned the changes that would occur over the next half-century to this bucolic outpost.

Click here to read the entire story on Lo de Marcos

Dr. Adriana Flores:

Personality and Talent

?Tara A. Spears

It 's always exciting when a small town gal makes good, and even more admirable when she returns to give back to her hometown. Adrianna Flores is a fine example for other young people in our rural area: she is more than just an excellent dentist, she is a dedicated, charming individual. Adrianna exemplifies the best of her generation: open to the newest trends, kind, and infused with hope for the future for her town.

Although Adriana was born in Chappala, Jalisco, her parents returned to their home town after living and working for five years in southern California, where she learned English in school. “La Penita was a great place for a child growing up,” said Dr. Adriana. “Twenty years ago it was just a slow paced, little fishing village.” Her family encouraged her to study hard and dream big, especially her father. “I always loved animals, and I was constantly rescuing injured animals. I knew from a young age that I wanted to help people for a career.” By the time Addy graduated from the Universidad de Nayarit, Tepic, with her premed Bachelor 's degree, she had worked part-time in a variety of doctors and dentists offices to get a glimpse of the profession. She decided to pursue dentistry. Dr. Adriana graduated four years ago from the Universidad de Guadalajara School of Dentistry. Immediately after graduating, Addy began her professional career by joining an established dental practice in Guadalajara to gain experience and to save up to open her own practice. A year ago she was able to achieve that goal by returning to La Penita and opening her dentistry office on the lateral street (Oceano Pacifico three corners south of the bank.)

Click here read the entire story

The following story was first published in Mexico Today

Tips to Plan a Road Trip to Mexico

by Susie Albin-Najera

For many tourists, the thought of driving to Mexico is a big question mark. Will it be safe? What will I do if my car breaks down? What happens if I get a flat tire? Is Mexican fuel comparable to what I put in my car back home? There may be dozens of questions that potential visitors to Mexico will have.

More than forty million people cross the border each year between San Diego and Tijuana, making the region the busiest land-border crossing in the world.

Not long ago, I published an article on ‘10 Tips for Ensuring a Safe Road Trip Across the Border ' including precautions you can take to ensure a safe trip in Mexico. Certainly all 10 tips are important, but one of the most important pieces of information to be aware of is the contact for the Green Angels.

The Mexican government has a free service called The Green Angels. Mechanics patrol the main highways everyday in white and green pick-up trucks and provide free 24/7 road side assistance to visitors with mechanical problems. They have a communication network via radio with various government agencies and provide tourist information and additional visitor assistance. For Tijuana, Ensenada and El Hongo toll roads, call 01-800-990-3900 or for Tijuana to Tecate toll roads, call 1-800-888-0911. Most Mexican Insurance also offers a road side assistance plan.

Thanks to the power of social media, I recently met Mexico travel experts, Bill and Dorothy Bell, a dynamic Canadian couple who now live in the town of La Peñita de Jaltemba, Nayarit, Mexico where they operate an English online newspaper called the “Jaltemba Sol.” They have been instrumental in numerous charitable activities that raise hundreds of thousands of pesos annually for good causes.

Fifteen years ago, they created a website focused on their road travels to Mexico called On the Road In. The site is a comprehensive travel guide to RV 'ing, camping and safe travel in Mexico and is considered one of the best sources out there today. The site is a platform for trip planning, safety issues and entice readers with a plethora of stories and photographs of the benefits of Mexico travel. “We wanted to share with others the joy of traveling in Mexico,” said Bell. “While many people have traveled to a resort destination, we found a vacuum in terms of awareness in other locations.”

Additionally both of the Bells operate their corresponding On Road in Mexico Facebook page with the purpose of helping would-be road travelers and by providing up-to-date information in a fun and enthusiastic manner. Their Facebook page was started a year ago and was built in response to hundreds of email questions they were receiving on road travel safety in Mexico.

Their page offers a “Travel Buddy” service; a matchmaking system that marries travelers who wish to travel together for safety and confidence. It also gives traveler recommendations on routes, sites to see, pet friendly hotels, highway construction and much needed “real traveler” assurances driving in Mexico.

“Many people are intimidated and in some cases scared to drive in Mexico,” he said. “We try to give them the tools, the advice and knowledge to be able to explore this wonderful country by road.”

When I asked Bill for his top recommendations for road travel in Mexico he suggested:

1. When you can, stick to the toll roads in Mexico. They are usually in good condition and are well marked and patrolled on a regular basis.

2. Avoid driving at night. As road conditions are different in Mexico, you will need light to see topes (speed bumps) animals and rocks on the road.

3. Plan out your trip so as to leave early and arrive at your destination early. If you have a breakdown you have an opportunity to get help before darkness.

4. In Mexico a left turn signal on the highway is usually an invitation to pass the vehicle; but be careful, it could mean they are turning left.

5. Drive defensively. Mexicans are generally very laid back people who have a flexible attitude towards arriving on time. Put behind the wheel of a car, the situation changes drastically. Expect impatient drivers, passing on solid lines other dangerous stunt car driver tactics.

Bill also addressed some frequently asked questions relating to driving in Mexico:

What type of permits does a vehicle need?

If you drive in Mexico (other than the Baja, Northern Sonora and border towns) you will need a six month importation permit (Recreational vehicles can get 10 year permits) which you can obtain on line and at most border crossings.

What should you do if you get pulled over?

If you get pulled over by the police, be prepared and have all your documentation; drivers ' license, vehicle permit, your FMM tourist visa or FM3 and registration. In Mexico it is common for the driver to get out of the car to greet the police officer. The police will be most concerned with seeing your driver 's license. They will tell you if you have committed an offense and what the offense is. Unlike in United States and Canada, if you do it nicely, you can often dispute the ticket with the police officer. If they end up giving you a ticket, they will confiscate your driver 's license. It will be returned to you once you pay the ticket. We recommend being friendly and paying the ticket.

What type of auto insurance do you need?

American and Canadian vehicle insurance is not accepted in Mexico. We recommend that road travelers get quotes online so they understand the language in the policy. We advise people to get a legal component and liability in case they get into an accident.

How long can travelers by car stay on the road in Mexico?

The vehicle permit is issued for no longer than six months. If you apply and receive an extended visitor 's permit (an FM3) then the vehicle permit extends to the life of your tourist visa.

Can you tell me about the maps (on your website)?

We made friends with the operators of a Mexican RV Park who wanted to get more customers. We started a free caravan service that led thirty rigs down the Pacific Coast to La Penita de Jaltemba Nayarit. The problem was that we lost three different RV 's. Knowing that we were going to do another free caravan, we decided that we would write visual instructions that would ensure that they couldn 't get lost. The Road Log is a visual diagram of the highway giving details such as whether the road is two or four lanes, has shoulders. It tells where to turn, which side of the highway has a Pemex. Every Pemex is numbered and says whether they sell diesel. The road logs also give other landmarks to give confidence to the driver that they are indeed on the right road. We have also added small commentary in our road logs. For example we explain why Benjamin Hill is named Benjamin Hill. Who is this Juarez person? Tidbits about currency, customs etc.

Top recommended road itineraries?

Beach Lovers? Solitude in Nature

You cannot beat the diversity and mystery of the Baja. The beaches are magnificent and the deserts are intense. Bahia Conception is a dream. You can pet the whales in Guerrero Negro, Camp on the isolated beaches on the Sea of Cortes and be dancing with the stars in Cabo a few days later. Diversity, beach, desert, scenery.

Culture, Colonial and Charm

A circular route of Guadalajara, Guanajuato, San Miguel de Allende, Querétaro, Morelia and Patsquaro will give you an appetite for more colonial city exploration. This circle route will charm you with history, cuisine, music and more. This is the colonial heart of the country.

Yucatan Peninsula

Take the complete circle route and explore the ancient Maya. From Cancun, (or Isla Muljeres if you don 't want the party) drive slowly down the coast to Chetumal around to Palenque and onward to Campeche and Merida. Enjoy the powder white beaches but also discover the mystical cenotes and ancient sites along the way. The flamingoes on the Gulf coast are magnificent. Campeche and Merida are beautiful and diverse cities to discover. You would be rushed to do this in 10 days. You would also be rushed to do this in a year. There is simply too much to see, climb, discover, taste and touch.

Indigenous Cultures

Oaxaca to San Christobal to Palenque

The drive through small towns and larger cities gives you a glimpse of the lives of indigenous peoples in Mexico. You will experience the ancient cities and sites, the handicrafts and customs of rural peoples and well as the gorgeous natural elements in the countryside such as waterfalls, rivers, mountain passes and cloud forests.

Why Mexico?

Mexico always excited us; its natural beauty, its rich history and the friendliness of its people. The light and colors make photographs very special. Mexico is exotic , different than the day to day life in Toronto, Vancouver, Chicago or LA.

When you drive in Mexico, around every corner you can expect to be delightfully surprised; a beautiful church, an ancient pyramid, villagers in native costumes, a farmer plowing his fields with oxen…it never ceases to amaze.

Bill is a reporter and photographer by trade and Dorothy has received awards for her work in hazardous waste management and recycling. Together the Bells have a his ', her 's and ours ' family of four children. The eldest daughter is married to Mexican Artist. The two youngest are attending University in Canada. They are bilingual and in their own words proud to be bicultural.

Having fully embraced the Mexican culture, both Bill and Dorothy Bell are working towards becoming Mexican citizens.

La Venta, Tabasco

"The Sale"

La Venta is one of the cradels of the ancient Mexican civilizations. The settlement was populated by the Olmecs, the culture that predates both the Mayan and Aztec and influenced both regarding religion, health and medicine, astrology, city planning and mathamatics.

Click here to view more La Venta photography

Fast Facts

Culture - Olmec

Dates of Occupation , Tribes occupied the site as early as 1600 BCE. for hundreds of years, however the Olmecs and the city of La Venta reached its zenith between 1000 BC and declined by 400 BC.

Click here to read more about La Venta

View Ancient Sites in Mexico in a larger map

La Mandarina

El Monteon Beach Development promotion

Unique combination of natural assets Master Planned Resort Community

259 hectares with the option of increasing up to 301 hectares. It has aprox 4 kilometers of ocean front, included one long beach and 1 sandy cove, in Riviera Nayarit.

Located 45 minutes north of the Puerto Vallarta airport and 25 minutes from the Hotel/Golf Four Seasons in Punta Mita.

La Mandarina will benefit from the Government 's infrastructure spending which contemplates the construction of the highway between Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara which will reduce the distance between these two cities from 4 hours to 2.5 hours. This in turn will facilitate the access for about 18 million people.

Click here to read more about this new proposed development

Mexico Maligned - The Media's Myopia

Terry Denton - Travel by Terry
go to original

If you look up "myopia" in TheFreeDictionary.com you will find it defined as "...a visual defect in which distant objects appear blurred because their images are focused in front of the retina rather than on it; nearsightedness." What you won't find there, but probably should, are pictures of almost every major U.S. cable and broadcast news network.

Most of us have long since figured out that the 24-hour news cycle demands a relentless stream of drama-dripping, nerve-jangling "Breaking News" alerts every half-hour. God forbid eyeballs should be allowed to wander. That reality is unfortunate on a number of levels but nowhere more so than here, where an entire noble nation is callously maligned.

Just to be clear, I am not suggesting that the media "has it in for Mexico." Not at all. This is not another rant against media bias. What I do maintain, however, is that in their insatiable thirst for the salacious, Mexico and its 112 million proud people are in the minds of the media , assuming they bother to think about such things at all , unfortunate collateral damage.

Just like the definition above, the media's image of Mexico is blurred precisely because their focus is on one relatively small, admittedly ugly reality and thus falls woefully short of the retina of responsible reportage.

As an unrepentant lover of Mexico, I confess it is hard not to take this personally. What if day after day you had to read gross exaggerations, half-truths and outright, and often outrageous, lies about someone you cherished?

You don't need to respond to my rhetorical question because we both know that it would make your blood boil. So imagine how I feel, laboring away in the vineyards of travel and being subjected to a flood of negative news reports about Mexico, a country of incredible beauty, rich history and some of the finest people God ever planted on this planet.

The Three Metrics That Matter

Let's turn our attention to three practical metrics you can use for measuring the safety of Mexico.

Metric One: Geography

Allow me to share a couple of realities that seldom get mentioned by the media. The first is the fact that the vast majority of the security problems in Mexico are restricted to towns along the border and a few other scattered sites. It is worth noting that Mexico has over 2500 municipalities and security problems have been concentrated in just 18 of them. You probably won't run across this embarrassing little jewel either, embarrassing to the US that is. It almost makes you question the wisdom of staying at home!

Click image to enlarge

The second fact rarely discussed is the immense size of Mexico (roughly the size of Western Europe) and the distances between historical hot spots and resort cities. Take a look at the map. You may be surprised to discover that it is roughly 1000 miles from Juarez to Cancun and almost 800 miles from Tijuana to Cabo San Lucas. The white line is meant to suggest how head-scratchingly strange we here in the US would find it if a potential visitor from a foreign country shared with us that he was apprehensive about visiting San Diego because he had heard of a recent ugly incident in New Orleans.

Metric Two: Statistics

Here are a few interesting facts you probably have not heard in the media:

• The Mexican Ministry of Tourism revealed that 2011 was a record-breaking year for tourism with. 23.4 million international travelers visiting Mexico in 2011.

• The Mexican Ministry of Tourism announced that 4.99 million international tourists visited Mexico between January-April 2012, representing an increase of 5.3 percent compared to the same period in 2011.

• Mexico is currently rated 10th in the world rankings for most international visitors and has publicly set a goal to be in the top 5 by 2018.

• There are currently no US travel advisories in place for popular tourist destinations like Cancun, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya and Tulum, the Riviera Nayarit, Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara and San Miguel de Allende, Leon or even Mexico City.

Metric Three: Experience

If you were to ask me the number one reason I believe Mexico is safe I would say it is based on my own personal experience. I have been traveling there for over 25 years, multiple times many years, without ever once being threatened or harassed. My story is but one of millions as the statistics above corroborate.

If you would like to hear some real stories from real people talking about the real Mexico, just visit the Mexico Taxi Project. These are unscripted comments from consumers just like you on their way home from the airport upon returning to the US. OK, there may be a couple of folks in those clips still feeling the negative effects of over-indulgence but hey, hangovers don't reach the threat threshold set for this blog post.

Summary

I hope I have demonstrated that striking Mexico off your list of vacation destinations based solely on money driven media reports is, dare I say it, illogical, irrational and well... myopic. The real shame is that you are depriving yourself of one of the most value centered travel experiences available anywhere in the world. Mexico has world-class hotels, incredible dining, exciting activities and rich traditions all tendered to the world by humble masters of unparalleled service.

Unfortunately, this humble blogger doesn't have a prayer by himself of making the least dint in the news coverage of Mexico. Unbowed and undeterred, however, I shall keep on lending my own voice to many others crying in the wilderness. I shall attend Mexico, I shall defend Mexico, I shall recommend Mexico!

My only hope is that your decision, fellow traveler, when it is made, will be based on a basic grasp of geography, a familiarity with a few simple statistics and a confident reliance on the consistent testimony of a legion of travelers to Mexico with irrefutable firsthand knowledge. Whatever you eventually decide, I will fully respect your decision. But please, and again I say please, don't let a myopic media's thirst for mayhem rob you of experiencing one of the world's great treasures. Take if from one who knows, you will be the poorer for it.

Learn more at: MagicOfMexico.com, VisitMexico.com, MexicoToday.com

Terry Denton is, in his own words, 'an inveterate traveler, proficient writer, avid golfer, unremarkable person.' He is also the Co-owner of Travel Leaders / Main Street Travel of Fort Worth, Texas.

Yaxchilán, Chiapas

Fast Facts

Culture - Mayan

Dates of Occupation ,

Location - Located in Chiapas in the jungle basin of the Usumacita River which separates Guatemala from Mexico. It is approximately 148 kms from Palenque and is accessable only by boat.

Click here to view Yaxhilan photograph album

First Discovered , Mentioned by Juan Galindo (Soldier, Explorer, Son of the Governor of Costa Rica) in 1833. Explored by Edwin Rockstoh in 1881.

Click here to read the entire story

El Chiflón Waterfalls, Chiapas

El Chiflón

"The Whistle"

Named after the whistling sounds of the water spray from the lower falls

Tzimol Municipality Chiapas

Click here to view more great pictures of El Chiflon

Open daily from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Tel: (963) 596 97 09 or (963) 126 81 65

www.chiflon.com.mx/

chiflont@gmail.com

An eco tourism gem in the jungle, El Chiflón Waterfalls is a series of cascades formed by the San Vicente River and a wonderful example of how community ingenuity, love of nature and desire to build for future generations has worked. The waterfall in the jungle provides employment opportunities while giving visitor and guests an authentic nature experience at a very reasonable price.

In 1996, residents of Ejido San Cristobalito (a community cooperative) petitioned and were granted rights to the waterfall and have since designed and developed a fun experience for both tourist and locals.

From Comitán the road exits just to the south of the city with well ,marked signs. The 38 km road is 2 lane no shoulder, but well paved with only a few potholes. There are very few topes too which makes the drive only half an hour or so.

After paying the entrance fee, you drive past the tour bus parking right to the reception area of the park. Here you can explore the Museum, make accommodation reservations, go to a restaurant. Washrooms and snack/beverage areas are available here and at other stops along the hiking path.

The hiking path is well defined approximately 1.5 meters in width. The path is also an interpretive center with plaques giving information about various trees, plants, orchids and flowers along the park 's trail. Stairs lead you upward with hand rails on one side. As you climb upward there are various places to view, take pictures and get a good look at the different waterfalls. Visitors rest along the way on rocks as the steep incline is not for the timid and gives a great workout for the 2.5 km hike upward to the clouds. Some wade in the shallow pools of clear blue waters.

Near the top visitors can elect to try the zip line (150 pesos in 2012) and fly with the Gods over the gorge and then zip back. Here you can get close up to the falls called Velo de Novia or Bridal Veil which falls straight down a dramatic 150 meters.

Click here to view more great pictures of El Chiflon

We were very impressed with the eco-Tourist Development and strongly recommend the experience. The facilities are spotless, inviting and inexpensive. (Entrance fee was 30 pesos in 2012 and includes parking, museum, washrooms, bathing pools, access to picnic areas.) While tours devote only an hour or two to the Chiflón, it would be difficult to complete the hike in that period of time as well as enjoy all the other features this place offers. Better to take your bathing suit end enjoy the natural pools. Stop in and eat in one of the restaurants or bring a lunch to enjoy at the many picnic tables along the trail. Next time we plan to stay the night at one of the many cabins.

Getting There:

Drive Mexico 190 South of Comitán to the Walmart intersection. Turn to the West signed for El Chiflón. Drive 38 KMs and turn as signed to the Park. Parking for cars is beyond the admission gate and the bus parking.

There are bus tours available from Tuxtla Guerrero, San Christobal and Comitán.

Mexican Auto Insurance

Get a Quote online. Click Here:

Mexico operates on Napoleonic law. You are guilty until proven innocent. If you are in a motor vehicle accident you are taken into custody and assumed guilty until it is proven otherwise. Unless you have Mexican Auto Insurance!.

Canadian and American Vehicle insurance doesn't work in Mexico. While insurance is not mandatory - you would be crazy to risk going without. Mexican insurance can be purchased before you leave or at the border.

Mexican insurance is expensive for short periods of time. Get different time quotes. Sometimes monthly is just slightly more expensive than 2 weeks. Six months rates can rival 2 or 3 months. We now purchase annual insurance because it is only a $100 or so more expensive than 6 months and we seem to be popping down a lot lately.

Buying An Insurance Policy At The Border? - Why?

Savvy travelers don't wait in line to buy a more expensive policy with less coverage at a roadside stand?

Some drivers purchase insurance for the time it takes to get to their destination campsite and then purchases a return portion for the way home. This makes sense for those who know exactly where they are going and know that they don't require a vehicle once they are there.

When negotiation your insurance, remember to buy only that which you need. If you have AAA don't get a 'towing option." AAA or Good Sam will reimburse you for your expenses.

Don't get medical if you are already covered (They often "throw medical in" on standard packages. We are well covered so we remove that option) Additionally we don't require evacuation insurance. We saved over $300 by carefully buying only what we needed and eliminated overlapping options.

We are currently insured by Mexpro and we love them. Click here to find out more or read an informative article comparing US and Mexican Insurance.

If you want to save time and money...as well as get quality; Get your Mexican insurance before you cross the border.

Highway 200 North of Ixtapa

Travel Safe With Quality Mexico auto insurance Coverage! We Offer The Best Car Insurance for Mexico Online.

Quote, Buy And Print An A+ Rated Policy in Minutes!

QUICK FACTS

Mexico Vehicle Import Permit

If you plan to drive a vehicle beyond the Mexico "Free Zone" you will need to purchase a Mexico Vehicle Import Permit. The Mexico Free Zone, also known as the the Liberated Zone, or Perimeter Zone or Free Trade Zone is a customs designation only for that area located along the Mexican international land borders and which run inward up to the point at which the Mexican Customs authorities have their first "interior" check point (this is usually about 20 to 26 kilometers in from the border towns - exceptions are on the peninsula of Baja California and places like Puerto Peñasco where it runs to the ocean front along the main highways.)

NOTE: YOU DO NOT NEED A VEHICLE IMPORT PERMIT FOR DRIVING IN ANY PART OF THE BAJA PENINSULA OR THE SONORA FREE ZONE (In Sonora, you are only required to obtain a permit if driving further than kilometer 98 of Mexican Federal Highway No. 15.)

NOTE: YOU CAN OBTAIN A "SONORA ONLY" VEHICLE IMPORT PERMIT IF YOU ONLY PLAN TO TRAVEL IN THE MEXICAN STATE OF SONORA.

The temporary vehicle import permit can be obtained from Banjercito, the official Mexican issuing agency. It is valid for any type of vehicle, weighing less than three tons, for up to six months (180 days). The permit may be purchased online at the Banjercito website, at the border or at a Mexican consulate in the following cities: Phoenix, Albuquerque, Dallas, Houston, Austin, Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Bernardino, Denver and Chicago. One can purchase the permit up to six months prior to travel into Mexico.

Despite any advice, official or unofficial, to the contrary, vehicle permits cannot be obtained at checkpoints in the interior of Mexico.

Important Documents Needed to Apply for a Mexico Vehicle Import Permit

It is recommended that one carry three copies of each of these documents.

Click here to read the entire document

lick the

Click here to visit our site

QUICK FACTS ON:

Mexico Vehicle Import Permit for RV or Travel Trailer

If you plan to drive your RV or travel trailer beyond the Mexico "Free Zone" you will need to purchase a Mexico Vehicle Import Permit. The Mexico Free Zone is a customs designation only for that area located along the Mexican international land borders and which run inward up to the point at which the Mexican Customs authorities have their first "interior" check point (this is usually about 20 to 26 kilometers in from the border towns - exceptions are on the peninsula of Baja California and places like Puerto Peñasco where it runs to the ocean front along the main highways.)

NOTE: YOU DO NOT NEED A VEHICLE IMPORT PERMIT FOR DRIVING YOUR RV IN ANY PART OF THE BAJA PENINSULA OR THE SONORA FREE ZONE (In Sonora, you are only required to obtain a permit if driving further than kilometer 98 of Mexican Federal Highway No. 15.)

NOTE: YOU CAN OBTAIN A "SONORA ONLY" VEHICLE IMPORT PERMIT IF YOU ONLY PLAN TO DRIVE YOUR RV IN THE MEXICAN STATE OF SONORA.

The temporary vehicle import permit can be obtained from Banjercito, the official Mexican issuing agency. The permit may be purchased online at the Banjercito website, at the border or at a Mexican consulate in the following cities: Phoenix, Albuquerque, Dallas, Houston, Austin, Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Bernardino, Denver and Chicago. One can purchase the permit up to six months prior to travel into Mexico.

Despite any advice, official or unofficial, to the contrary, vehicle permits cannot be obtained at checkpoints in the interior of Mexico.

Important Documents Needed to Apply for a Mexico RV or travel trailer Import Permit

It is recommended that one carry three copies of each of these documents.

Evidence of Citizenship, i.e. A Government Issued Passport
If you are not a Mexican citizen, a Mexican immigration permit-such as a tourist, business or immigrant permit.
RV Title and registration certificate.
A Valid Driver's License with photo.
Certificate of canceled import permit for any prior temporary import permits.
If the RV or travel trailer is financed, rented, leased, or belongs to someone other than yourself you must have a notarized letter of permission from the lien holder, lending institution or owner.
An International Credit Card (American Express, Mastercard, Visa) in the name fo the driver of the RV. (importer).
If the title of the RV is in the name of a spouse, child, or parents - a birth certificate must be presented or a marriage license.

These documents are needed when you travel to Mexico whether or not you purchase your RV or travel trailer import permit online or not.

Click here to read the entire RV Permit document

Now you can view Bill and Dot Bell's Mexico Photography in one place!

New this Week!

Bill and Dot Bell's Excellent Photography Adventures

This week's featured Gallery

A journey down the Usumacinta River ride to Yaxchilan Mayan ruins in Chiapas

Click here to visit the Photography site

RV Insurance Provider Announces New Specialty RV Coverage

RV Insurance Professionals, a division of International Insurance Group, Inc, reminds RV'ers that many traditional auto insurers do not offer some very important Specialty RV Coverage options that have recently become available including for visitors to Mexico.

Flagstaff, AZ (PRWEB)

RV Insurance Professionals reminds RV and Travel Trailer owners to review their current RV policies to ensure that they have the best coverage available in the marketplace. Many RV Owners still buy their RV Insurance policies with traditional Auto Insurance companies, many of whom do not provide specialized RV coverage , stated Derek Kartchner, with specialty insurance provider RV Insurance Professionals, a division of International Insurance Group, Inc.

Some of the specialty RV Insurance coverage options now provided by http://www.iigins.com include:

Agreed value coverage: removes the questions that may occur at the time of a loss by locking in the value of the RV or Travel trailer at the time of insurance purchase. To qualify an appraisal of the unit must be provided.

Attached Accessories coverage: protects accessories that may be attached to the RV or travel trailer. This may include items such as awnings, satellite dishes, and television antennas.

Diminishing Deductibles coverage: decreases the deductible year over year until it reaches zero. This coverage is an excellent option for those with safe driving records.

Full Timers coverage: works much like personal liability coverage on a homeowner's policy and provides broad liability coverage for those who are full time RVers. In addition, on the property side, coverage for stored personal contents, and additional living expense coverage is available with full-timers RV insurance coverage.

Guaranteed loss replacement coverage: an important coverage that protects against depreciation. If the RV is older than 5 years, and has a total loss, then the purchase price of the unit will be paid.

Mexico physical damage coverage: extends the territory on an RV or Travel Trailer policy to include coverage in Mexico for comprehensive and collision.

Purchase Price Protection coverage: guarantees reimbursement of the entire purchase price of the RV or travel trailer in the event of a total loss.

Personal Property Replacement Cost coverage: provides for replacement without regard to depreciation for personal effects in the RV .

Towing and Labor coverage: provides assistance in the event of an RV breakdown. Services such as battery jumpstarts, fuel delivery, flat tire change, locksmith service, winching and towing for mechanical or electrical breakdown are available.

The RV Insurance Professionals encourage RV and Travel Trailer owners to review their current policies to determine if these coverage options are included.

For more information, or to obtain a quote, consumers can visit http://www.iigins.com.

Beautiful Coastal Gardens: The Best Salt-Tolerant Plants

A friend was recently venting her frustration with gardening, These plants were just gorgeous when I bought them at the Thursday market, but a week after I planted them in the ground, the plants were shriveled and ugly. I am just not a gardener! I encouraged her to not give up gardening but to remember the cardinal rule for selecting plants: always consider the big four' growing needs of the plant: the preferred soil composition, the amount of sun required, nighttime temperature tolerance, and the amount of water needed. Match the plant with its preferred conditions and it will thrive.

In training to become a master gardener, the course begins with learning about soil composition. In fact, all US county master gardener centers offer free soil testing. Knowing the makeup of your soil guides your plant selection and leads to how to amend the soil to make it more suitable for growing healthy plants and trees. Soil composition is one reason why a particular geographic area has native grass as opposed to pine forests, etc. It is also why there is such a variance in the types of commercial potted soil sold. The chemical makeup of a given soil is often the most important determining factor of whether a plant will flourish or struggle, or even of if it will grow at all. Salt content in soil is one consideration that can significantly affect plant growth, as salt primarily affects the way plants absorb moisture from soil. In excessively saline soils (such as in our coastal region,) it takes more energy for the plant to absorb the same amount of water than moisture uptake would require in non-saline soils. Because the energy the plant uses to absorb the water is diverted away from building new growth on the plant, soil salinity often becomes apparent as stunted new growth, leaf wilting and similar symptoms. Some plants that have a particular sensitivity can suffer a toxic reaction in saline soils.

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New! UPDATED! and Hot off the digital presses

Pacific Coast Road, Nogales to Puerto Vallarta Driving and Travel Guide only $9.99 by Bill and Dot Bell

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For those who want to drive safely in Mexico

"For years, our clients have asked us for updated road logs of Mexico. The On The Road Logs are updated, simple to read, easy to use, and offer the perfect solution that our clients have been asking for. As we insure over 100,000 vehicles crossing into Mexico each year, we believe that the On The Road logs provide our customers with additional peace of mind, and will allow them to have a more enjoyable Mexico travel experience. They may even prevent U-turns and collisions! By using the On The Road Logs, our clients will experience less stress and have a more relaxed driving experience, which should also help MexPro with reduced claims that in the past have resulted from customers getting lost or losing their composure"

Jim Labelle

President of Mexpro Insurance, the leading provider of Auto Insurance for USA and Canadian vehicles entering Mexico

Other road Logs Updated this month

Baja Road Log and Guide for $12.99 Pacific Coast to Salinas Cruz Now only $14.99

What Options are Needed on your RV Insurance Policy for Mexico?

At Mexpro.com, coverage options are offered that are generally not available on a standard auto policy. The following are descriptions of their specialty coverage

Vacation Liability: Provides general liability coverage while the RV is used as a vacation residence. This coverage will follow you on your travels, from one campsite to the next RV lot. It will also cover the perimeter of your campsite to protect you against any kind of incident you may be legally responsible for. If you are a Full-Timer, we would replace this Vacation Liability with Full-Timer Liability.

Emergency Expense: Pays for temporary living facilities, transportation, and cost of returning the RV in the event of covered loss more than 50 miles from home.

Diminishing (or Disappearing) Deductible: By adding this optional coverage, your deductible is reduced by 25% following each claim-free policy term.
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Bonampak, Chiapas

"Painted Walls"

Bonampak is a small site with Medium sized pryamids and temples. It 's claim to fame is the Temple of Murals with three rooms that house world famous murals. The turquoise, rust and yellows are bright and clear as you duck into the 3 chambers ontop of the temple.

Click here to view more Bonampak Photography by Bill Dot Bell

Fast Facts

Culture - Mayan

Dates of Occupation , 650 to 850 AD

Location - In the Lacandon jungle in Chiapas Mexico. It is 30 KMs south of Yaxchilan or 148KMs from Palenque.

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Learn Spanish Online

Get the most of out of your experience in Mexico - by learning some Spanish...

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These online Spanish lessons will enable you to start speaking and understanding basic Spanish now, and they'll also provide a solid foundation for you to progress onto higher levels later on.

The course is excellent, and because of the way it's presented and structured, you'll begin to speak and understand basic Spanish right away.

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