Holidays, Festivals, and Celebrations

Mexican Holidays and Traditions

Story by Jim Foreman

As one travels internationally, one of the first things to become apparent is that holidays are different from country to country.

Mexico is no exception. Many holidays are the same across North America such as New Year’s Day, Valentine’s Day, Easter, and Christmas. Other celebrations can catch a visitor by surprise with unexpected crowds, higher lodging costs, and festive celebrations well into the early morning.

Mexicans love to party and hardly need an excuse to bring family and friends together. Keep these days in mind when traveling in Mexico.

Christmas

For most people living in the USA or Canada, These two holidays are the biggest of the year.  Mexico is no exception.  Homes, pueblos, and cities are all decorated in a festive spirit.

For Mexico, it goes far beyond the commercialized version of Christmas we celebrate in the USA.  In Mexico, the Catholic faith and tradition play a key role in Christmas celebrations.  

Mexico’s Christmas or Navidad celebrations naturally has origins in Spain.  Because of Mexico’s cultural diversity many of those traditions evolved in a uniquely Mexican way.  Mirroring Mexico's regional diversity, the flavors of those celebrations also take on a regional tradition.

Mexicans celebrate Christmas from December 12th to Christmas Eve, December 24th.  Starting on the 12th, public and private nativity scenes are displayed.  Finding a home without one is nearly impossible.  Though many are small, some are life-sized.  The most extravagant include live animals. 

Starting December 12th, children do the Posada Procession. Posada is Inn or Hotel in Spanish.  The children carry a candle and clay figurines of Mary and Joseph from home to home while singing songs. 

Tradition holds that the children are told,  "There is no room!" at each home.  That is until the last one, where they are invited to stay to enjoy food, games, and often fireworks.  Piñatas are one of the most common games played.

On Christmas Eve (Noche Buena),  a feast soon ensues at the final 'posada.'  Afterwards, Mexicans go to a midnight mass and usually celebrate with more fireworks.

As a visitor, enjoy watching the celebrations from any town's centro.  That's usually the focal point of  holiday celebrations.  Always ask locals wherever you're staying.  They will welcome your participation.

Though American-style Christmas is making inroads in Mexico, there is plenty of tradition to enjoy. 

New Year's Day

Like Christmas, New Year's day is incredibly festive in Mexico.  So much more so than in the USA where people just watch a ball in New York City.

Many traditions come from Spain, and elsewhere in the world.  Others are uniquely Mexican.

A fun tradition is wearing a particular color of underwear.  Tradition dictates you can influence your good fortune, for the coming year, based on what color underwear (calzoncillos) or panties (calzones or bragas) you choose. 

Wear red to be blessed with love in the new year.  For money and happiness, wear yellow.  Curiously,  it’s either love OR money and happiness.  White undies signify peace and tranquility (paz y tranquilidad) while blue is for health.  Mexicans have a wonderful sense of humor.  It's no wonder red and yellow are the two dominant colors worn during New Year Celebrations.

Other traditions include leaving lentil beans on your doorstep for good luck and prosperity.  

Another one comes across from the Catalan region of Spain.   Eat twelve grapes and make twelve wishes in the last 60 seconds of the exiting year.  It's harder than you think.

Burn the bad by writing down all the negative stuff of the ending year and burn it.

There are others, too such as putting money in your shoe.  The higher the value, the greater reward.

Again, look to the centro plaza for New Year's Celebrations and ask locals for information.

Carnaval in Mazatlan

Carnival (Week leading up to Ash Wednesday)

Most North Americans associate Carnaval or Mardi Gras as a drunk-fest with women cheerfully exposing themselves for a bead necklace in the New Orleans French Quarter.

The week of Carnaval changes from year to year as it is dependent on Ash Wednesday, the day of atonement.

Carnaval is celebrated through most of the Catholic-influenced world in one fashion or another. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil is known for having the largest celebration followed by New Orleans, better known as Mardi Gras. Not surprisingly, Mazatlan has the third-largest Carnaval celebration worldwide. Mazatlan features parades down the Malecon, Fireworks, dance parties, Carnaval Queen and El Rey Feo (Ugly King) coronations, and other vibrant festivities.

The celebration of Carnaval happens all throughout Mexico with grand celebrations going on in Ensenada, Vera Cruz, Cozumel and elsewhere. For the rest of the world, Carnaval, as it's mostly called, is a great party celebrated before the Catholic period of Lent. A majority of the festivities happen Friday through Sunday. It ends abruptly during the final minutes on Tuesday just before Ash Wednesday.

Semana Santa/Pasqua (Palm Sunday to Easter and one week after Easter)

Perhaps one of the most important holidays to most Mexicans is Semana Santa.

While Norte Americanos are busy planning which Mexican beach resort to settle in for Spring Break, Mexicans are making travel plans to be with family.

Semana Santa is the common name for two back-to-back holiday weeks beginning on Palm Sunday. Semana Santa lasts through Easter Saturday. Immediately after, Pascua Begins. Pascua is far more joyous as it is a celebration of the Resurrection.

A large number Mexican-Americans travel to Mexico to be with family during this time. For visitors to Mexico, most cities are crowded, and available hotels are quite difficult to find.

Many savvy overland travelers know to avoid making reservations ahead of time in Mexico except during Semana Santa.

Semana Santa is Mexico's busiest travel week, much like Thanksgiving in the United States. Do plan accordingly.

Septiembre 16 Dia de la Independencia (September 16th)

Ask most Americans what day is Mexican Independence Day, and they’ll tell you, Cinco de Mayo (May 5th). This answer couldn’t be more wrong. September 16th is Mexican Independence Day. It commemorates the day in 1810, Miguel Hidalgo, a parish priest, rang the church bells in the town of Delores to call his parishioners to fight for independence.

Presently, the day features parades, fairs, dancing, and fireworks. Think of it the way Americans celebrate July 4th. Many Mexicans use the holiday to gather family and friends together to feast and celebrate. A week prior, streets filled with vendors selling Mexican flags, and other patriotic noisemakers and flashy attire appear everywhere. Traditional dresses and outfits are worn by children.

Dia de Todos los Santos/ Dia del la Muerte (November 1st-2nd)

In Mexico, November 1-2 are both celebrated as Dia de Los Muertos or Day of the Dead.

Originating in Spain, Dia de Los Muertos is not a day of sadness or mourning. Instead, Dia de Los Muertos celebrates the lives of the deceased with food, drink, parties, and activities the dead enjoyed while living. During the celebration, the dead are also a part of the community, awakened from their rest to participate in the celebrations with their family.

Men and women will often elaborately paint their faces, either entirely or half-way during the festival.

The most familiar symbol of Dia de Los Muertos is the calacas and calaveras (skeletons and skulls), which are seen everywhere during the celebration and nearly always portrayed as enjoying life.

Sugar skulls, candy, parade masks, and dolls are all part of celebrating and remembering the dead.

More and more, Dia de Los Muertos is being celebrated in the US just as the Halloween is beginning to take hold in Latin America. While their origins are the same, they are very different holidays.

Two similar, yet fantastic animated films based on the celebration of Dia de Los Muertos are ‘Book of Life and Coco.’

Dia de La Raza - October 12th

Coinciding with Columbus Day, Dia De La Raza celebrates the heritage, colonization, and cultural diversity of Latin America. It’s not a major holiday, but it’s not a minor one either. Family get-togethers are common on this day. The day typically features a parade, dances, and feasting.

Bank Holidays:

Expect government offices and banks to be closed on these days.

New Years Day (January 1st)

Dia de la Constitucion (First Monday in February)

Benito Juarez’s Birthday (March 21st)

Maundy Thursday (Thursday before Easter Sunday)

Good Friday (Friday before Easter Sunday)

Dia del Trabajo - Labor Day (May 1st)

Dia de la Independencia (September 16th)

Aniversario de la Revolución Mexicana (Third Monday of November)

Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe (December 12th)

Christmas (December 25th)

Other Minor Holidays:

Dia de la Bandera - Flag Day (February 24th)

Dia International de la Mujer - International Women's Day (March 8th)

Dia del Niño - Day of the Children (April 30th)

Dia del Madre – Mother’s Day (May 10th)

Dia del Padre – Father’s Day (3rd Sunday in June)

Day of the Innocents (December 28th)

Whether visiting Mexico for one of these holidays or making your own holiday, getting to your destination is a huge part of the fun.  Wondering how much does insurance for Mexico cost? Whether you're looking for Baja Mexican insurance or for the whole country, the best place to Shop, Buy and Print top rated auto insurance is Mexican Insurance Store.  Insurance is mandatory and not having it can instantly turn a great holiday into a nightmare.  Be smart and get quality insurance at a great price.

©2016-2021 Jim Foreman All Rights Reserved.

The Baja Ferries

Traveling Across the Sea of Cortez

Story and Photos by Jim Foreman
Sponsored by Mexican Insurance Store.com

When looking at any map of Mexico, one’s eyes are immediately drawn to the Baja California Peninsula.

This unique region of Mexico is known for phenomenal weather, excellent wines, playful resorts, and a diverse topography featuring mountains, deserts, sea, and ocean.

By this time one begins to wonder, “Now I’ve explored Baja, Now What?” Alternatively, a traveler may decide it’s more interesting to travel north back to the US or Canada via Baja California.

How does one easily get across with a vehicle?  The answer is, “Take the ferry across.”

Now, a typical Norte Americano will think, “I’ll just go online and book passage.” Quickly, if not immediately, one will become quite confused and frustrated.

Booking passage on the ferry is not terribly complicated or confusing, as long as you do it like a Mexican.

Mazatlan office of Baja Ferries

Ferry Options

Ferry Routes by Martin McGowan

Two companies operate ferry service between Baja California and mainland Mexico. The primary and biggest company is Baja Ferries. Baja Ferries operates several ships between Topolobampo (Los Mochis) and La Paz and Mazatlán and La Paz.

Alternatively, a much smaller and more infrequent ferry, Ferry Santa Rosalía operates between Guaymas, Sonora and Santa Rosalía, BCS.

Ferry Basics

It’s easy to book passage on a ferry. That said, when traveling by car, you should not book it too far in advance unless you plan on sailing during one of Mexico’s holiday celebrations.

The best and most reliable way to book passage by ferry is to go, in person, to one of the many ticket offices in the vehicle you wish to transport. If you are traveling in anything other than a standard car, the complexity skyrockets. Additionally, if you want to book a cabin, that is also fraught with confusion. Go in person. The website is helpful to know the addresses of the ticket offices and the hours and days of operation. Nine out of ten travelers who try to book passage online get it wrong and end up in a much more complicated situation.

The ferry can accommodate any vehicle that is roadworthy. Bicycles, motorcycles, cars, light trucks, box vans, recreational vehicles (RVs), trailers, and semi-trucks with trailers are all welcome. If you are taking any vehicle other than a standard car, light pickup, SUV, or motorcycle, it will need to be measured. The tariff or fee is calculated based on its length, and possibly it’s width.

The ferries DO NOT run every day.  Check their respective websites to learn what days they travel from your embarkation point.

Fees

Here is where gets very confusing, very quickly. There are up to four different costs you will need to pay. The first one is for yourself. Each person traveling on the ferry must pay for transit. In most cases, the vehicle fee will include the driver, but only the driver. Any additional passengers will have to pay separately. The second fee is for the vehicle. The third fee is optional, and that is for a private cabin. The fourth and final expense is the La Paz Port Fee which ranges from $76MN to $254MN depending on the type and size of your vehicle. Motorcycles pay $76MN each. Cars pay $153MN. This fee is collected separately when arriving or departing La Paz.

Current Baja Ferries rates and Santa Rosalia Ferries rates are available on their respective websites. Again, it’s confusing.

What’s Included In Your Fare?

The standard fare includes passage, use of a comfortable airline type seat with lots of legroom, and a meal. The seats often have movies playing. It’s wise to bring earplugs if you intend to sleep.

An included meal is served at the beginning of the trip and is basic, at best.  There is also breakfast meal served on the run between Mazatlan and La Paz. Do not expect gourmet. It’s not hospital food, but it’s not awesome either.

A la carte items and snacks are available at vending machines, the lounge, and shops, on the ferry. They are priced only slightly higher than an Oxxo. They will have bottled water, sodas, candy, and snacks.

Baja Ferries California Star

What to Expect

The Baja Ferries (both Baja Ferries and Santa Rosalia Ferry) are NOT Princess Cruises. It’s best to not act like a princess with your expectations or demands. The ferries are clean and comfortable but mostly utilitarian. Most have a lounge, often with live entertainment. Usually, one or two bars are also available up until around midnight.

Baja Ferries operates mostly larger ships that once served European ferry companies. Most were built in the 1990s and 2000s.

The Santa Rosalia Ferry is rather small. Availability is quite limited. This is particularly the case for larger vehicles. It’s an older ship with much fewer amenities, also.

The voyage duration between Santa Rosalia and Guaymas is approximately 10 hours. Expect around 7 hours from Topolobampo to La Paz and 13 hours between Mazatlan and La Paz.  These are the actual voyage times and do not factor loading and unloading.

Many of the electrical outlets will be 240v and use the standard European plug. Most computer and phone chargers will work at 120v or 240v. Having a European to North American adapter will enable you to stay fully juiced while others look helplessly for North American power sockets. Use this as a great opportunity to make friends by offering use of your adapter.

Many passengers will set up bunks or mats with sleeping bags in the open passenger compartment. On warmer days, they may also set these up outside. Unless the ferry is at capacity, there is plenty of seating room. They are comfortable seats. Restrooms are a different story. It’s best to use them early. You would be wise to bring baby wipes for both the toilet and your personal needs. If you have to go, and it’s late (or early in the morning), it's ok to utilize the family or disabled restroom for a cleaner and more comfortable experience.

Earplugs and something to cover your eyes are a great idea. The movies play at loud volumes. Often, one can be a hero by turning the volume down a little, on the TV.

Are Cabins Worth the Extra Money?

This is a much more subjective question. Generally speaking, yes.  Cabins range in price from $860MN to $1560MN (as of January 2017) ranging from Estandar (Standard pictured) to Master Suite VIP.  The cabins will be quieter. You’ll have your own restroom, shower, and a comfortable bunk. Don’t expect towels folded into animal shapes. The cabin offerings may vary from ship to ship. The earlier you go and book your passage the more likely you are to get a cabin. If you don’t get a cabin, it’s not the end of the world. Just keep a sense of humor and your expectations in check.

What You Need to Do and Bring to Book a Reservation

-Bring your state driver’s license and passport of all the people who will travel.

-Vehicle registration may be asked for, so have it available.

-Temporary Vehicle Import Permit, especially if going to the mainland. You WILL be asked for this when departing La Paz. Make sure you have one.

-Bring your license plate number of your vehicle. Just write it down.

-Payment, in cash or credit card.

If you don’t speak Spanish, there is often someone available who is reasonably good at English. Ask 'Habla Ingles?' kindly. They are professional and work hard to help you out. Do not be a jerk if you don’t get your way or if cabins are not available. Whining about it will only make you look pathetic and make them less likely to help you.

Forming the line to board the ferry

How it Works On the Day of Travel

Have your ticket(s) with you at all times. They will be checked and marked several times.

You will be told to arrive a couple of hours early. You will be directed through several inspection points. Be patient and courteous. One of those checkpoints will be to confirm you have a TVIP. Make sure your sticker or paperwork is readily visible.

Trucks are loaded first. The first vehicles boarding will be the last ones off. Motorcycles can go to the front as they are usually tucked into a corner or under a staircase.

Let the staff guide you as to where to wait with your vehicle. Again, be patient.

Special Instructions for Motorcycles

If you are on a motorcycle, they often have straps there, but it’s best to have a couple of your own, especially if there are a lot of bikes traveling. Strapping points may not be ideal. Remember it’s only a gentle swaying and not the harshness of being on a trailer or pickup.

It’s advisable to center-stand your bike if you have one. Only two straps are needed. One at the front and one at the back to keep your bike from moving. You can also secure your bike with only one strap across the seat or a sturdy part of the frame. Remember, it’s a ship. There are no sudden stops or starts. Expect only gentle swaying.

Special Instructions for RVs

The ferry loading team will probably have you gather with the trucks. You will be backing your rig in. It’s best not to be distracted by family or devices during this process. You will not be allowed on your RV or to stay in your RV during the voyage.

Special Instructions for Non-Driving Passengers

Baggage will be x-rayed and checked into a cargo hold. You will not have access to any of these items during your voyage.

Bring anything you need during the voyage as carry-on.

Transporting Pets

Any pets must be in their own carrier and are taken to a special pet section. They will be kept in their carrier the entire time. While you wait to board, it’s best to give them every opportunity to run, play, and potty before boarding the ferry. No, they can’t go with you or stay in your vehicle.

Outside Food and Drink

The rules state you cannot bring alcohol or outside food. This rule is only lightly enforced. If you pack some quesadillas or burritos in your carry on bag, no biggie. Be discrete. Do not bring plates or boxes of food. They will not be allowed, and the ferry loading staff will enjoy dining on your disallowed meal.

Alcohol is another gray area. Discretion is the most important rule here. If you bring a flask or transfer your beverage into a nondescript container like a reusable water bottle, there is no problem. Do not bring bottles of alcohol. Also, do not get inebriated or become the idiot borracho.

If you need to smoke, do so on deck, at the rear of the ship.

Disembarking

Leaving the ferry is usually quite orderly. When you reach port, drivers will be allowed back to their vehicles. Personal vehicles disembark first.

Once off the ship, there is a series of checkpoints by the Military, Federal Police, and Port Authority. Be calm and patient.

That’s it. It’s simple and easy so long as you keep your expectations reasonable. Do not go out of your way to read the reviews of the Ferry. Curiously, all the negative comments are written by whiny Gringos. They clearly expected everything to be to their vaulted fantasy standards. Reading them after the voyage can be quite entertaining as it’s easy to see how they were acting like princesses.

Santa Rosalia Ferry Ticket Office at the Santa Rosalia Port

Where to Book Tickets

Ticket offices are at the ports and in some of the city centers. Again, unless you are doing a simple standard package of a car and one person only, don’t book online.

Go to a ticket office. You can’t book passage for Mazatlan to La Paz at the Topolobampo ticket office. Book the trip at the city or port you intend to embark. For example, if you are staying in La Paz, Los Mochis or Mazatlan for a few days, go to the port as soon as possible, to book your tickets. This will give you your best opportunity to get a cabin.

A list of Baja Ferries offices are found on their website.

Santa Rosalia Ferries offices are at their respective ports.

Driving in Mexico and especially taking the ferry across the Sea of Cortez is an adventure. Before you cross the border into Mexico make sure you have your Mexican Auto Insurance. Not only is it the law, but the coverage includes roadside assistance and many other valuable benefits.

It’s easy to shop, buy, and print your top rated coverage at MexicanInsuranceStore.com. Policies are available for any duration from one day to one year.
©2017 Jim Foreman  All Rights Reserved.

Family Vacations in Mexico

Story and Photos by Jim Foreman

Mexico is a fantastic vacation destination. Every day, over 100,000 people are presently visiting Mexico.

Mexico is a draw for many reasons. With the current exchange rate, the value for the US or Canadian family is, by far, the best in North America. Mexico’s beaches are warm and sunny when it’s cold and raining back home. Mexico’s cultural and natural history far predates the US and Canadian history with many spectacular sites throughout the country. Finally, Mexico caters beautifully to all age groups and has something for everyone.

Ok, most people reading this far probably already know most of this. 

For couples and newlyweds, few can argue with the luxury and amenities of the resorts near Cancun, all the way down the coast to Tulum, if a resort is desired.

For families wishing to travel together, airfare and ground transportation costs along with tourist priced meals can restrict many budgets.

Alternatively, a family can opt to jump into the family car and drive to their destination. A significant portion of the US population is within one day's drive to Mexico.

For many travelers to Mexico, the thought of driving within Mexico is completely foreign. The reality is that it’s easy, fun and as long as good sense and simple safety precautions are observed, quite safe.

Cabo San Lucas

One idea to consider for a family road trip is Cabo San Lucas on the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula. All along the southward journey, there are interesting sites and destinations worth enjoying. 

For example, a half-day spent in Guerrero Negro during the whale migration season can provide a very close encounter with these magnificent beings. Small skiffs can take you right out to touch the whales. The official whale watching season is December 15 to April 15. Book your whale-watching reservations in advance from a reputable operator.

Further south is Santa Rosalia which features a steel church thought to be created by Gustav Eiffel. Yes, the same Gustav Eiffel who built the Eiffel Tower in Paris. From Santa Rosalia, Mulegé and Loreto are excellent stopping points. 

Loreto has the distinction of being a Pueblo Magico. A designation for towns that are culturally preserved and significant, historically.
From Loreto, it’s about six hours drive to Cabo San Lucas. At Cabo San Lucas, one can enjoy a day of sportfishing or tanning on the beach, while kids can take surfing lessons. If planned with minimal thought, one can enjoy one set of sights going, and others returning making it a fabulous trip for everyone, both ways.

Mazatlán and Puerto Vallarta

Both Mazatlán and Puerto Vallarta make excellent family holiday destinations. Arguably, Puerto Vallarta has a wider variety of activities and attractions.  Fortunately, by car you can easily do both.
Mazatlán is approximately 11 hours driving from Laredo, TX or 14 hours from Tucson, AZ. If leaving from Laredo, TX, an overnight in Durango is not a bad choice. 

Durango features a very walkable colonial city center with many culinary options unique to the area. From Durango, the new highway takes you through a dozen tunnels and over the world’s tallest cable-stayed bridge on your way to Mazatlán. You’ll fell like you were transported to Austria while driving this road. 

From Tucson, Arizona, plan an overnight in San Carlos. It’s about an hour south of Sonora’s Capitol, Hermosillo. San Carlos features breathtaking terrain, in a tranquil setting. The water is shallow and warm in the Sea of Cortez. 

Malecón in Mazatlán

Once in Mazatlán, a cost conscious traveler will book a stay along the Malecón rather than the resorts along the Zona Dorado. The resorts are a bit crowded though they often feature some beautiful pools. On the Malecón, the beaches are typically less noisy. The smaller hotels offer the incredible views at a significantly lower price.

Mazatlán is known for fresh and tasty seafood.

Puerto Vallarta Malecón at night (Photo:Alejandro Cartagena)

Puerto Vallarta is about half-a-day south of Mazatlán. One can drive the main highway all the way down, but a wise traveler will veer off the main road before Tepic onto Highway 74 to San Blas. From San Blas, enjoy a scenic stroll southbound to Puerto Vallarta. Several stretches along the Riviera Nayarít feature small intimate resorts many Latin American celebrities frequent when on holiday. Typical sights of beaches all to oneself are common here.

Puerto Vallarta has two distinct sections. On the north end are the airport, cruise ship terminals, and luxury resorts. Further south, you find the charming old-town which features a great malecón or boardwalk and beach along with the charm of a real old-town. Walking about the streets is full of wonderful surprises.
Besides the beaches, mesmerizing nightlife on the malecón, and warm weather, Puerto Vallarta has some of the best canopy zip-line tours in all of Mexico. Just 45 minutes south of town is the Los Veranos Canopy Tour. It’s legendary and also features a natural river with waterslides you can jump into and swim in along with a charming restaurant.

Another tour one can book independently is a trip to Islas Marietas. Islas Marietas is a series of islands about an hour away by boat. One of these uninhabited islands features a hidden or secret beach. One has to swim through a cave to find this beach with the top of the cave open to the sun. Tours to Islas Marietas was recently halted due to damage caused by too many visitors. It’s since re-opened, but with a limited number of people who can visit on Saturdays only. This is one tour you must book well ahead of time.

There are considerably more destinations in Mexico that are family friendly.  They will be covered in future stories including Barrancas del Cobre (Copper Canyon).

To travel safely in Mexico, only drive during daylight hours. Don't be tempted to push further into the night, as you can in the US. Road hazards and livestock are impossible to see at night. Don't do it. Also, unless otherwise directed, stay on the main highways. Most of the are toll roads. For further information about Safety in Mexico, please read this informative article.

Family road trips don’t have to be arduous or stressful. There is plenty to see and do along the way. The shared overland experience, along with the discovery and understanding of a warm and vibrant culture make for lifelong memories.

To travel by car into Mexico, each member of your party must have a passport or passcard. Passports are not an option. Also, make sure to get appropriate visas and if traveling outside of Baja California or the Hassle-Free Zone in Sonora, your Temporary Vehicle Import Permit (TVIP). Get your TVIP at the same place you get your visa.

Lastly, you must have quality Mexican auto insurance. The best place to shop, buy, and print your policy is Mexican Insurance Store.
©2016 Jim Foreman All Rights Reserved