Oaxaca is a haven in many rights… beautiful valleys, delicious food, exciting tours, ancient Zapotec ruins, colorful traditions and warm, friendly people… but eventually you’re gonna need to go to the bathroom!

Now if you are in places that cater to international tourism, there is no culture shock involved when you 1 and 2. You go to the bathroom like you would in any other place in the states, the only difference being the little figures usually used to distinguish between the men’s room and the ladies room are a sombrero and a traditional dress, (not always in that order). Yet, if you’re in Oaxaca, then you are most likely looking to experience the real Mexico. If it weren’t so, you would go to a place like Cancun or Acapulco where everyone speaks English and you can pay in dollars. But if you’re going to be here in Oaxaca, you gotta accept the “trabas“, (the obstacles), here. Let me tell you a little story:

A few years ago I was sitting in the ADO bus station in Oaxaca on my way to the airport in Mexico City where I needed to catch a flight to Miami to visit my dad. (Flying out of Mexico city instead of flying out of Oaxaca is a good idea if you’re on a budget and want to save money.) Anyways… I was sitting in the terminal munching on a Twix bar, when I saw a tall, thin, blond-haired woman rush by me towards the bathrooms – obviously in a hurry to get there. Completely blowing off the woman who was sitting behind a desk in front of the bathrooms, she hurried into the women’s room. Caught off guard, the short, chubby, dark complexioned woman behind the desk stood up and yelled out to the foreigner, “Señorita! Señorita! SEÑOOORRRIIITTTAAA!!!!”

Half scared out of her wits, the blond haired woman peeked her head out of the bathroom door, but before she could say anything, the attendant firmly said, “5 pesos por favor!”. Stepping completely out of the bathroom now, the foreign woman approached the desk where the attendant then sat down and pointed to a sign over her right shoulder that said, in English, “YOU MUST PAY 5 PESOS TO USE THESE FACILITIES”. Reading that sign, obviously not seen due to the urgency of the situation, the foreign woman got angry, she said something not very complimentary to the bathroom attendant and went back to her seat in the terminal. I watched her as she threw herself into her chair and started to mumble, with tight lips, to a gentleman next to her that could have been her brother because he looked like the male version of her.

I just sat observing the spectacle because I had forgotten to bring a book or to buy a magazine and was horribly bored. After about 20 grueling minutes where I could observe the foreign lady’s face getting progressively redder and redder, she stood up, unwillingly, and stomped towards the bathroom. Arriving at the attendant’s desk where the attendant, obviously privy to the situation the foreign woman was in, cracked a half smile triumphantly as she slammed down the 5 pesos on the desk and stormed in the bathroom without even receiving the toilet paper that the attendant hands out at the door.

I just kind of shook my head and acknowledged the difficulties that many foreigners encounter when they come and partake in the Mexican culture for a while. I know that it’s not always easy but you CANNOT come down here and be inflexible in situations like this. Patience, understanding and then more patience is needed if you want to enjoy Oaxaca or Mexico in general. You must accept these cultural differences if you want to enjoy the culture at all and believe me, the pros outweigh the cons 100 to 1. Now let me make you privy to other “inconsistencies” when going to the bathroom in Oaxaca just to save you the trauma:

Aside from the fact that you might have to pay between 2 to 5 pesos for entrance into a “public” bathroom, you may also be given a moderate quantity of toilet paper as you enter because there are no toilet paper rolls in the stalls themselves, in most cases. Now let me tell you, they do this to save money, so sometimes they give you a very, very small quantity of toilet paper that is of no real help if Montezuma is paying you a visit. So please learn from my not-so-pleasant experiences… Always take extra toilet paper with you wherever you go. You might notice that many bus and taxi drivers in Oaxaca have toilet paper nudged between the dashboard and the windshield. Well… this is why!

Now upon entering a bathroom stall and closing the door behind you, (that may or may not have a lock), you may notice that there isn’t a bathroom seat. That’s right! You gonna have to sit directly on the porcelain if you’re gonna sit at all. If you do, you have to hurry up because the edge of the toilet is going to cut off your circulation pretty fast which makes it hard to walk when you finish, believe me. Ohhhh… and when you do finish and try to flush the bowl, there may not be any water. In these cases, the bathroom attendants leave buckets outside the stalls and provide a place for you to dip your bucket in and get water to dump into the toilet.

When you are finished using the necessities and go to wash your hands and… oooopppssss…. forgot… no water! That’s when you get the “jicara“, (plastic bowl), and go back to where you got the water to dump into the toilet. Fill your jicara and go back to the sink and wash your hands the old fashion way.

Now I don’t want to scare you. If you are just coming to Oaxaca to tourist around for a week or two, you won’t come across too much of this. But if you are coming down for more than a month or to live, like I did, you will definitely have to deal with this at one point or another. After a while, believe it or not, it all becomes quite natural. So natural in fact that when I do go back to the states, I’m sure I`ll be sitting on the porcelain, leaving 5 pesos outside the bathroom door, washing my hands with a bowl of water and filling up my bucket in the shower:)

“Bien Viaje” is a useful expression for you to know when travelling and backpacking around Mexico. It is very likely that you will encounter many native Mexicans and their children when backpacking Mexico according to the excellent travel book The People’s Guide to Mexico (by Carl Franz and Lorena Havens, Avalon Travel, 2007). When doing so and departing from them, they may wish you Bien Viaje (Safe Journey). You may pick up such phrases from the “Useful Expressions” section of Knopf Guides Mexico (2006) and other travel guides. It might be a good idea for the traveler to know some of these basic phrases and expressions and other points of interest for their trip. It is also a good idea to read up and do some research on this beautiful country.

Basic People Info

Some very basic backpacking and traveling Mexico information for one to know is that the traveler (from outside of Mexico) will likely be noticed by the locals wherever they may travel and camp. Remember that the traveler will look and be different and the locals will likely marvel at this. Children can be particularly invasive. But, these folks will mostly remain friendly. This means that if the traveler desires privacy, planning and scouting for privacy will be of necessity. If privacy is not a necessity, it is also important to remember that the people can be a great source of information and creature comforts.

Getting Around

How one gets around Mexico while backpacking and traveling seems like a very basic question. Besides getting around on foot the travelers can get around a variety of ways; RV, RV Caravan, Motorhomes, Trailers, Vans, Pickups, Cars and Rent-A-Cars (of course). RV Caravans can be the largest and most noticeable of ways to get around. But their special appeal is in the number of goods and foodstuffs these fellow travelers may be able to offer in trade in barter. That can be a good thing to know when the backpacker is running short on supplies and/or funds.

Another good and economical thing to know is that it is equally acceptable to camp through Mexico via one’s car. Many backpackers and travelers have noted that this can be a very inexpensive way to shelter overnight. However, it has been infamously stated that if one’s car or vehicle has USA license plates that it will be stolen. This may be a shameful thing to say but notoriously represented in such movies as Traffic (2000). For this reason, some folks prefer to go Rent-A-Car camping.

Security and Safety

While most places are safe and friendly to camp and backpack in Mexico, this lovely country has sometimes had some security issues appear in the international news. As was just mentioned, it is sometimes seen as best to rent a car than to bring in one with USA license plates. It is a good idea to check for travel warnings to any foreign country through TravelState (dotGov) before traveling there. For example, the site posted a travel warning to Mexico as recently as 8/27/2010. Please note that the site does state that millions of Americans travel safely to Mexico each year.

If it is journey variety and culture that you just look for in preparing for your next dream vacation, then Mexico might just be the ideal spot for you to travel to. From the crystalline oceans of the Caribbean plus the Pacific, on the Mesoamerican ruins, along with the colonial cities – this nation provides a wide variety of destinations that would undoubtedly capture your interest.

Mexico boasts of having a huge tourism industry, and is recognized throughout the entire world. Its temperate climate, attractive seashore resorts in addition to it distinctive culture draws a lot of visitors from different countries particularly during the peak months of December, July and August.

In spite of what kind of travel you most take pleasure in, this area has something to offer you. Divers would definitely marvel at the beauty of the Caribbean coasts that harbor the Mayan reef. Other than the common diving spots in Cancún and Cozumel, the Pacific coast also invites diving enthusiast to visit Puerto Vallarta and Los Cabos.

If your idea of an ideal getaway involves radiant beaches and a lot of fun, then Acapulco is really a should on your itinerary. Make sure you catch the awesome diving exhibition in the La Quebrada cliff divers, who jump removed from outrageously higher cliffs leaving you in awe.

Mexico Town, in spite of the hustle and bustle of getting the world’s third biggest town, cradles the historic center Plaza de la Constitucion. Guadalajara, the second biggest city, provides an environment totally different from the country’s capital. Fine music, fine tequila, lively Mexican hat dance | these are just a few of the things this fine city has to brag about. Eco-friendly pursuits inside rural locations also draw increasing attention from travelers who have appreciation for nature.

Becoming a large country, there’s an array of destinations that you might choose to fit your decision. Whichever you decide to travel to, traveling right here will for sure create memories for you to cherish. So brush up on your Spanish and get ready to have a blast!

Summer’s just around the corner, and it will be the perfect time to go on a holiday to Mexico. Mexico is known for its eclectic beaches such as Cancun and Puerto Vallerta, where thousands of tourists go every year. If you would like to go to the beach but still go off the beaten path that travelers frequent, we have some tips for you.

Here’s how you can make the most out of your Mexico vacation:

o Convert your dollars into pesos and set this aside for your travel funds. In Mexico, they do accept US dollars, but the conversion rate will be low. It is still best to have the money exchanged before you go on vacation.

o Pack light and carry only the essentials. You won’t need heavy shirts and pants as Mexico has fairly good weather throughout the year. Leave the valuables such as electronic gadgets and jewelry at home.

o When looking for a place to stay, the city of Mazatlan is a good, affordable option. The El Cid Marina Beach Hotel along the central Pacific coast is one of the best yet non-pricey accommodations you can find in the area. Making a quick search online will provide you with the best hotel for your budget.

o If you’re into fishing and boating, the Big California Sur area in Mexico is the best place to do it. Journey to the city of La Paz and visit the marina as they have fishing and diving trips for locals and tourists alike. The Tortuga Sport Fishing is one such outfit that can bring you to the nicest spots.

o Drive to Tulum, which is located on Mexico’s Atlantic beach, if you want to avoid big crowds of travelers. Aside from gaining some semblance of privacy, you will visit an ancient city that has a colorful history and truly unique attractions.

o For a cultural experience, journey to Yucatan. Aside from having a beautiful beach, you can learn Mexico’s history by joining a tour group and visiting places like the ruins of Uxmal. Iluminado Tours can take you these ancient spots, as well as take you on a trip along the Atlantic Coast.

You’ve probably heard of the ever so popular beach town of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and the growing metropolis that is Guadalajara, Mexico. These two destinations are surprisingly very close to each other… so close in fact, that you might consider visiting them both on your vacation to either one!

“What’s that you say? Visit two vacation spots?” Yes… the choice is certainly a hard one for you..

However, it would be a real shame to go to one spot and totally ignore the other!

This is one of those decisions you just have to make.

If you plan to venture into Mexico’s Pacific side, you might debate over visiting the wonderful beach resorts and villas of Puerto Vallarta or whether to visit the “most Mexican of all Mexican cities,” Guadalajara, with all its cultural attractions and hot shopping spots.

If you have the time, I highly recommend doing both. They are roughly 3 hours away from each other by car. What….don’t want to drive?

Relax, you can catch the bus and make a fun trip out of it, which will only be a few more hours. The drive to and from the beach is scenic and quite beautiful so get your camera ready!

Whether you decide to make Guadalajara or Puerto Vallarta your primary vacation spot will determine what you have time for at each destination.

Here are just a few of the recommended top spots and things to do if you choose to visit both places.

Take into consideration that Guadalajara is such a large city and there are heaps of attractions, restaurants and fun activities to do spread all over this metropolis, so you might need more time in Guadalajara.

Remember that Puerto Vallarta is more “fun in the sun” focused, due to the beach and resort hotels. While Guadalajara (from this tourist’s point of view) is more culture focused with its many museums, art exhibits, theatres and well preserved historic district.

Guadalajara

• El Instituto Cultural Cabañas (Cabañas Cultural Institute)

A UNESCO World Heritage site that used to be an orphanage, it now serves as the city’s cultural institute and offers classes in the arts, special exhibits and is home to outstanding murals by Jose Clemente Orozco. If you think that you need to be an art lover to view these pieces then think again! Even somebody who dislikes art will be able to appreciate the thoughts and emotion that some of these large scale murals invoke. If not for that reason but to say, “Hey… I saw a World Heritage Site in Mexico!”

• El Panteon de Belen (Bethlehem Cemetery)

This is an old and beautiful cemetery that allows you to explore the grounds and ponder the many spooky legends that leave many people to believe this place is haunted! You should be able to understand some Spanish, as the tours are given in Spanish.

• Catedral de Guadalajara (The Guadalajara Cathedral)

A spectacular site you just can’t miss mainly because it dominates the skyline of downtown Guadalajara. The beautiful towers once crashed to the ground during an earthquake and were painstakingly rebuilt.

• Rotonda de Los Jaliscienses Ilustres (Rotunda of Illustrious Men and Women)

A wonderful memorial to the distinguished men and women of Jalisco, their contributions to society went above and beyond the norm. This is also a great place to sit and observe all the action of the city because it’s right in the heart of downtown and right next to the Cathedral!

Puerto Vallarta

If you’re in the mood for sandy beaches, strong surf and fun in the sun then you’ll certainly feel at home in Puerto Vallarta! Some of the top sites to see and things to do in P.V. are as follows:

• El Malecón

Also known as the boardwalk, this is a top “must do.” I write this, mainly because this is what many tourists do! This is where you’ll find many artists and artisans selling their treasures by the sea. There are also many lovely sculptures dotting the boardwalk to view and snap your perfect vacation photo.

• Sunset Cruise

Don’t forget to purchase your tickets for a cruise to view the sun setting over the ocean. It’ll last about 2 hours (give or take) and is also incredibly romantic! You can ask your hotel for more information on where to go.

• Taxi tour

We met up with a nice gentleman who took us on a taxi tour of Puerto Vallarta. I was a little skeptical at first, but this was a real treat and I’d do it again in a heartbeat. Your taxi driver can take you around the cobblestoned town and show you beautiful villas and even the old houses of the stars, including Elizabeth Taylor’s old villa that she shared with Richard Burton. Currently the owner of the home also uses it as a bed and breakfast and offers tours as well.

Eco Friendly Mexico Destinations

Ecotourism – “The union between the Natural Beauties and Tourism”

Mexico, Mexico and Mexico…

How many times you hear people talking about Mexico? But why they talk so much about this Country? Because is wonderful and full of everything you have in mind.

All the states of Mexico differ greatly from each other, and not; Mexico is unimaginable places, secular trees, lush jungle, plants and flowers, thousand of animals of every kind and biodiversity, immense beaches, red hot sunsets, volcanoes, mountains, lowlands, islands and paradisiacal spots, music, history, colors, perfumes, flavors and tastes that you just can’t easily forget.

Biologists call Mexico a “mega-diversity country” because of its incredible variety and abundance of flora and fauna. The country is home to almost every kind of ecological habitat on Earth, making it the perfect destination for travelers interested in nature and the environment.

That’s why it’s so famous and so important for the world tourism.

As Mexico is one of only seven countries with mega diversity, nowadays Mexico is trying to develop in some of its travel destinations a new concept…the Ecotourism. Mexico offers plenty of options for travelers looking for adventure or eager to experience nature.

Over the last few years, the ecotourism concept’s popularity has blossomed and travelers that want to enjoy an Eco Mexico Vacation have different options to choose from.

Ecotourism means different things to different people. Sometimes, the word “Ecotourism” looses its true meaning because of misinterpretation and/or abuse of it.

Ecotourism is about conserving the environment and improving the well-being of local people. Eco tourism is generally understood to be responsible and sustainable travel to natural areas.

An ecotourism travel should mean minimizes negative environmental impacts and, where possible, makes positive contributions to the conservation of biodiversity, wilderness, natural and human heritage. It also means to respects culture and traditions.

TIPS – Remembers that small actions will help the nature to grow, not to decrease!

If you are concerned with the conservation of natural landscapes, you should consider the impact your activities will have on them.

The nature of Mexico offers the responsible traveler, a world of adventure and personal discovery.

For those who love nature, we have multiple options to immerse into a fantastic adventure full of new experiences, hear the sounds of the jungle, explore ancient sites, watch wild birds and colorful fishes and discover the many faces of nature, experiencing at the same time responsible travel.

Booking an ecotourism hotel in Mexico is one of the most direct and personal ways you can make a difference to some of the biggest issues affecting our world!

Mexico Eco Tourism Destinations

Tulum Riviera Maya

In the extreme south of the Riviera Maya, curled up between the white sand that draws the crystalline beaches of the Caribbean Sea and the exuberant tropical forest laysthe enigmatic Tulum. Eco tourism is hot and many travelers experience the novelty of these rustic hotels in Tulum Mexico. When a person thinks about ecotourism hotels in Mexico, associates the idea of something uncomfortable, sacrificing and unclean but this is not the truth. The small Tulum hotels found here focus mainly on ecotourism and sustainable development, and promote nature. Most of the hotels in Tulum use Aeolian and solar energy, cisterns for rain-water and most of them are involved in the beaches’ conservation and in the animals protection.

Tulum is one bastion against overdevelopment, a glimpse of the Yucatan as it once was.

The spectacular Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve offers a great chance to enjoy the real wildlife of the Yucatan Peninsula.

Isla Hol Box Mexico

Nature, comfort and style is the perfect combination for your stay in Holbox Island.
Beneath blue skies and palm trees, lulled by the sound of the waves and the scent of hibiscus, discover Mexican paradise at Hol Box Island. HolBox is full of nature and unexplored areas with colorful birds, wild dolphins and whale sharks, and it is where the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico meet. Holbox Island is still a paradise waiting to be discovered. It’s a very picturesque island with a typical fishermen village and several miles of white sand beaches that disappear into mangroves.

Each year the harmless whale sharks mammals come to the Yum Balam ecological reserve near Holbox Island to feed and mate in the months of May through October.

Places like Hol Box Island make us understand why we have to take care about the environment and respect nature!

Mexico Eco Tours and other destinations

Wildlife viewing is a part of the ecotourism travel philosophy; in fact, in some Mexican destinations you will experience some eco tours throughout Mexico. Some of these activities include Mexico rain forest tours, bird watching, river tours, jungle treks, nature walks, sightseeing, and much more.

The ecotourism attractions means watching the flora and the fauna in their habitat without modifying the natural balance, or visiting Eco parks involved in environment protection and regeneration programs.

Ecotours are daily activities and excursions for exploring the different sight of this amazing Country, and are all focused on nature watching.

The following is a list of eco activities and Mexico Eco Tours in different Mexican Spots:

Los Cabos Eco Tours

• Monster Zips
• Outdoor Adventures

Puerto Vallarta Eco Adventures

• Marietas Snorkeling
• Wonderful Waterfall Ride
• Yelapa and Majahuitas

Riviera Maya Ecotours

• Coba – Mayan Encounter
• Contoy Island Kolumbus Tours
• Nohoch Jungle Crossing
• Xcaret
• Xel Ha

Other important Mexican Ecotourism Destinations are:

Chiapas Mexico

Chiapas is a magical Mexican state with outstanding natural resources and abundant biodiversity…

Oaxaca Mexico

Oaxaca, known as “Tierra del Sol” or “Land of the Sun,” is a large, rambling state blessed with mountains, lakes, and miles of beautiful Pacific coastline.

Copper Canyon

In the Chihuahua State, Copper Canyon is ideal Eco and Cultural Tourism, it is an isolated area that pay respect to Mother Nature. The Land of the Tarahumara Indians

Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo

Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo, on the “Mexican Riviera” are considered two resorts in one. Enjoy a fun-filled day exploring the wonders of nature that abound in Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo tropical paradise.