Fredrick Catherwood’s Lasting Legacy
In the early 1840’s, two haggard men on mules emerged from Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula telling stories of a lost civilization discovered and unknown cities explored, long before the days when Nikon cameras and National Geographic magazine told us of these things. Between the years of 1839-1842, American John Lloyd Stephens and Englishman Frederick Catherwood, spent...
New Money Commemorates 2010
Commemorating the centenary of the Revolution and the bicentennial of the Independence of Mexico there are new banknotes of 100 and 200 pesos. The Bank of Mexico Governor, Guillermo Ortiz, said that the new paper money will have the dual mission of serving as circulating money and collectors’ items. To reinforce the latter, he made...
Q & A
Getting Married in Paradise
My fiancé and I are getting married in Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo. We have heard that it can get hot. Do you have any suggestions regarding clothing? It can be quite warm, especially during the summer months of July, August, September and October. In the winter months of November, December, January, February, and into March it is slightly...
World Class Roosterfish
Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo is almost centered in an area on the West Coast of Mexico known as the Costa Grande… This approximate 200 mile stretch of coast is renowned as a world class fishery. Many tourists come here to sample it, because Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo is a great family destination, where the casual angler can fish with world class...
Holiday Projects
Zihuatanejo Toy Drives and Baby Bundles
Captain’s Daughter Christmas Project Initiated by Zihua business owners Tanya and Kenneth Jones, the project was set up to collect new and used, non-battery operated toys and to distribute them within economically disadvantaged communities and schools. In 2008 about 120 children received toys and gifts in Colonia El Embalse. Last year 130 children received gifts at...
Celebrating the Holidays
Mexican traditions and festivities
Mexico is predominantly a Catholic country, although every possible religion is very likely represented here… Mexico has many of the same Christmas traditions found the world over in Judeo-Christian countries, but like all places they have their own versions and regional differences, with unique customs particular to Mexico. Independent of religious celebration, the holidays in...
Top 10 Mexican Holiday Dishes
The holidays are different for everyone. Some like to make their home the center of the festivities and some like to be a guest. Many of our readers visit Zihuatanejo to get away from it all and enjoy the Mexican ways of celebrating amongst the sun and the sand. As for me, I have spent...
Recipe: Pierna (Pork Leg)
By Rosa Arizmendi, chef at El Manglar
Ingredients: 8 to 10 kilos of pork leg (or you can use rib eye if preferred) 3 tablespoons onion powder 3 tablespoons garlic powder 1 tablespoon black pepper A dash of oregano juice of 1 orange 1 cup brandy 5 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 3 tablespoons maggy sauce (you can find this at your local Mexican...
December 2009
Dec – Jan, Christmas Festival, Mexico City. Stages fun events and entertainment in the capital every December and January. Past attractions include an ice rink in the Zócalo (town square) with ballets, musical concerts and festive nativity scenes on the ice. Dec 4-6, Rucco Surfer Reunion 2009, Playa Linda, Ixtapa. The annual Rucco reunion is...
Zacatecas Travelogue
The gorgeous colonial architecture invites inspection, and the baroque cathedral downtown is perhaps the single finest example of the ornate Churrigueresque style to be found in Mexico… Zacatecas had never been particularly high on our list of cities to visit in Mexico, but not long ago it was on our way to somewhere else, so...
Opening a Mexican Bank Account
Most of us extranjeros (foreigners) want to make our lifestyle in Mexico more convenient. One of the first steps towards doing so is opening a Mexican bank account… The ability to pay bills and have easy access to cash makes a big difference when you are residing in a foreign country. A local bank...
Property Taxes
On your vacation home
Just as in any other country, Mexico depends upon income from the annual tax on property to keep local governments functioning and provide important local services for the region… The good part is that the annual tax assessed on Mexican properties is often less than it might be for property in many other countries! And,...
