Punta Mita is Mexico's Malibu

Punta Mita was in the spotlight in a recent piece that ran in the Orange County Register. The article highlights how this relaxed tourist destinations grew from a quaint fishing village to become a hotspot for surfers and adventure seekers. Here's just a little of what they had to say about beautiful Punta Mita:

Needing a break from reality, and a relief from the chilly waters in Orange County that were causing near-hypothermia if you didn't put on a full wetsuit, I wanted somewhere warm with a flight close enough to take just a few days away from work. I talked my travel partner Jen into joining the adventure, and we booked our trip to Punta de Mita.

Forget about the bad you've heard about other parts of Mexico.

There are no gun-toting druglords out to get you on this peninsula. There's no swine flu lingering. In all of my travels, this is among the most luxurious places I've ever laid eyes upon.

You can find the complete article here.

Travel Safety in Perspective: USA vs. Mexico

Tim Liffel's Cheapest Destinations Blog recently gathered some statistics of crime rates in Mexico and the U.S. that give a revealing look at tourism in Mexio. Although this is no large shock to those with an intimate knowledge of the country, traveling in Mexico is much safer than you might expect. A spate of bad press will often highlight homicides in border cities, but doesn't shed much light on crime rates in popular tourist destinations.

For example, the murder rate in the Yucatan is on par with Evansville, Indiana or Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Even Mexico City is relatively safe, with a homicide rate equal to Albuquerque, New Mexico.

See Tim Liffel's complete post by clicking here.

Puerto Vallarta Meets Safety Expectations

Recently the US investigative and security firm Thomas Dale & Associates issued a comprehenisve report on the safety of Puerto Vallarta, a resort town on the Pacific coast of Mexico. Here's what they had to say:

The international security company visited the destination between April 6 to April 13 to conduct interviews and a through security and safety risk assessment on the ground. It has now published a comprehensive report in relation to all aspects of tourist security in the destination. In it, the firm concludes that Puerto Vallarta is one of the safest tourist destinations for international and national tourists.

Puerto Vallarta has long been a haven for American expatriots and international tourists, and this new study confirms that the town is among the safest places for a tropical getaway.

To read the full report, click here.

The New York Times travel blog recently posted some great surfers' tips on what to check out while visiting a few of hot spots along Mexico's Pacific coast. Included in this post are some popular hangouts in Sayulita and Punta Mita, as well as some ideas of where to check in if you're looking for surfing lessons.

To check out the complete article, click here.

Bright Spots In Mexico's Desert

Are the beaches not quite your speed? Maybe you're just looking for something a little different in your tropical retreat. GQ recently did a piece on few Mexican hot spots without the waterfront locale, and San Miguel de Allende was their first recommendation. Here's what they had to say about this bustling haven for artists, expats, and those simply looking for a change of pace for their next Mexican getaway:

Wander through the Mercado de Artesanías, packed with jewelry and artwork instead of tourist-baiting trinkets, or Mercado Ignacio Ramírez, with its mountains of produce, and tacos made with the kind of fresh tortillas you won't find in the States. There are also some outstanding imports, like Ristorante da Andrea, an ace Italian joint hidden in a 300-year-old house on the outskirts of town. San Miguel's most famous landmark is La Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel— a pink, whimsical Gothic church. Have a look inside and then take in the striking facade from La Posadita, a nearby rooftop bar that happens to serve the best margaritas in town.

Be sure to check out the full article here.

Why You Should Go to Mexico

Globetrotter and travel expert Robert Reid just wrote a piece for CNN on why you should consider Mexico for your next vacation getaway. Reid debunks the unsavory rumors about tourists' saftey, and outlines a number of great reasons Mexico still offers an unforgettable travel experience. Most notably, he says, is the people:

A couple years ago, I informally polled various innkeepers and tour operators worldwide to find out who are the world's friendliest travelers. Guess who won. "Mexicans are such a joy to have here," one Bulgarian guesthouse owner e-mailed back. "They make everyone feel happier."

And it's often better in Mexico, where locals show particular gusto in love of life. Once I saw fireworks go off in Mexico City, before sunset, and asked a local why. He was surprised I didn't know. "It's Friday," he explained.

Read the entire CNN piece here, and be sure to check out Reid's travel blog where he highlights eight places in Mexico you really need to experience.

Dancers Take to the Streets of Puerto Vallarta

The streets of Puerto Vallarta became a stage when a crew of covert dancers surprised locals and tourists with an impromptu dance number. This flash mod, or large-scale choreographed but unannounced dance number, grabbed unsuspecting onlookers attention, and even got them moving. Take a look at the fun as it unfolds in Puerto Vallarta:


Flash Mob Puerto Vallarta by pvrflashmob