Los Angeles
One of the most famous cities in the world, everyone dreams
of going to Los Angeles at one time or another. A certain romance is attached to
this city, the "city of angels." Even children on remote islands
thousands of miles away can describe Los Angeles to a certain degree. They will
tell you of glorious beaches, beautiful women, fabulous weather all year long,
and how easy it is to meet real life movie stars. The incredible part is that
this kind of lifestyle is true for many of the city's inhabitants. A region of
tremendous size and magnitude, Los Angeles is a marvelous place to visit. The
variety of activities and opportunities for diversity is practically
unparalleled.
Speaking in relative terms, Los Angeles is a remarkably new
city, a cultural center unlike anywhere else. Los Angeles fascinates historians
because its history is so exciting and easy to track, and because its growth has
been so amazing. The Spanish officially founded Los Angeles in 1781. The area
had been inhabited by Native American tribes prior to that, and was under
Spanish rule until 1821, when they relinquished their power, and the Bear Flag
Republic was then proclaimed in 1846. In 1850 California became the 31st
state of this new Republic, The Santa Fe Railroad finally reached Los Angeles in
1875, and from there the expansion began. However, it wasn't until 1911 that
Los Angeles really started to take off; it was at that time when the first
Hollywood studio was established. Just one year later, there were already 16
motion picture companies located in Hollywood. So began the history of the movie
capital of the world. Since then, Los Angeles has been the pioneering force
behind everything in entertainment and film, in particular.
Los Angeles is a region where you can drive to the mountains
and ski in the morning, then travel to the beach and surf in the afternoon. It
is truly an unbelievable city, with miles of glorious beach, gorgeous mountains,
interesting cultural centers and museums, extraordinary amusement parks, and of
course, plenty of movie studios. The Staples Center, just opened to the public
in 1999, is a state-of-the-art sports and entertainment facility, where the Los
Angeles Lakers, Clippers, and Kings play their respective professional sports
games. Concerts and marvelous events are held here as well, and this is only the
beginning of this diverse haven; a city that has been designed with the intent
to entertain.
Cabo San Lucas
At the southernmost tip of the Baja California peninsula,
where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortez, lies the tropical paradise
known as Cabo San Lucas. Excellent weather, miles of magnificent public beaches
with crystal clear water, and championship golf courses set the mood for a
vacation that entices you to unwind and refresh.
Once sought after by migrating pirates for its safe harbors,
the Los Cabos (The Capes) area, and Cabo San Lucas in particular, is one of the
most popular tourist destinations in Mexico. It has grown in recent decades to a
city of over 25,000, with many of its residents drawn to its rugged and
beautiful coastline, water-sports galore, and world-class golf resorts. Cabo is
particularly famous among the sport fishing crowd because of its year round
status as the Mecca of big game trophy fish.
No matter what the season, in Cabo San Lucas you can partake
in the thrill of hooking a blue or black marlin, sailfish, dorado or tuna. There
are also many great surfing opportunities in Cabo San Lucas. To add some
underwater excitement to your stay in this beautiful city, go on a deep-sea
diving adventure, where you can see spectacular gardens of black coral reefs,
gorgeous sea turtles, and sand waterfalls.
The legendary spirited nightlife of Cabo San Lucas, as well
as the wonderful fresh seafood served in its charming restaurants, also
highlights this wonderful city. Shopping for creative Mexican arts and crafts,
or spending the day out on a glittering white sand beach, are other ways that
you can enjoy your peaceful stay here. It is no wonder that visitors return
again and again!
Acapulco
In the 16th century, Spanish explorers came across the Bay of Acapulco and were captivated by its naturally protected shores and beautiful surroundings. Today, Acapulco remains a stunning Mexican hideaway that caters to all the needs of the modern tourist.
Acapulco is by far the largest, most opulent of all the resort cities in Mexico. An endless variety of dining, entertainment, and sporting options are available in town, assuring that you will never run out of things to do while visiting. In addition, it is quite close to the resort cities of Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo; two destinations providing a brief escape from the hustle and bustle of Acapulco.
Acapulco is the ideal location for either a relaxing or an exciting day under the sun. A typical day on the bay will find you spending the majority of your time outdoors. With an average temperature of 80 degrees, Acapulco enjoys some of the finest year-round weather in the world. While spending the day on a beautiful beach, you can either lie peacefully, soaking in the sun's rays, or instead enjoy the many adventurous water sports offered in Acapulco. Some of these water sports include scuba diving, snorkeling, fishing, and water skiing. In addition, you should not miss La Quebrada, where daring cliff divers take a 130 feet plunge into the ocean. Other sites you should see is the beautiful vegetated lagoon of Coyuca, the historical Fuerte de San Diego, built to protect Acapulco from dangerous pirates in 1616, or a glass bottom boat where you can view the submerged Virgin of Guadalupe on the ocean floor off Roqueta Island.
At the end of a tiring, sun-splashed day, head over to Pie de la Cuesta and watch the beautiful sunset. Once the sun is down, Acapulco turns into a city of the night. There are delicious cafes, shops, boutiques, and lively clubs throughout the charming streets of Acapulco.
Huatulco
Bahias de Huatulco is located on the gorgeous coast of Oaxaca in Mexico. This region is beautiful and bursting with activity, and the bays of Huatulco encompass over thirty tropical beaches. The entire community is, in essence, a beach, so you will never be far from the sparkling sea and the warm, shimmering sand. There are a couple of outstanding restaurants in the vicinity, and the shopping here is limited but still enjoyable. The Museo de Artesanias Oxaquenas is an extraordinary museum where you can watch artistic geniuses at work. Huatulco's popularity is increasing, but some tourists remain hesitant to visit because of the unfinished appearance of the area. It is not nearly as built up as Cancun or Mazatlan, but there is a certain allure that is unique to Huatulco. In fact, many seasoned travelers prefer the rustic look of Huatulco to the other more commercialized areas of Mexico.
The bays can be toured by boat, and while viewing the spectacular sunset, you may want to engage in some fishing, followed by dinner consisting of your fresh catch. If you would rather enjoy a meal at one of the local establishments, some excellent choices exist. The crystal clear waters of Huatulco are perfect for swimming, and a wide array of water sports is at your disposal. The coast of Oaxaca is largely uninhabited, and there are trails all around the bays of Huatulco that are ideal for exploration.
Puerto Quetzal
The quetzal is more than just a Guatemalan bird. It's a national symbol and a source of pride. The colorful male quetzal, with his red chest, blue neck, head and wings, and an exceptionally long tail, is so revered in the country that Guatemala's currency bears its name. The new port of Puerto Quetzal also bears its name.
Puerto Quetzal was built to replace the aging port of San Jose. Puerto San Jose used to be a very important port along the Pacific Ocean. Over the years, industry began moving through different areas and San Jose began to show its age. Rather than upgrade San Jose, the Guatemalan government decided to construct a new port right down the coast. Construction began in 1983, but complications delayed completion until 1984.
Puerto Quetzal has become the destination of choice for historians interested in looking at ancient Mayan ruins. The ancient city of Tikal is nearby, and its ruins are remarkably well preserved. Once you've seen the ruins, take it easy along Guatemala's Pacific shore. The beaches here attract Guatemalans from all over the country.
Mazatlan
Exquisite Mazatlan, the "Pearl of the Pacific," is located 674 miles north west of Mexico City, and is truly a tourists dreamland. A city housing nearly 500,000 people, Mazatlan is the single largest port in between the Panama Canal and Los Angeles. Mazatlan is packed with a
myriad of engaging features and activities that make it a fabulous place to
visit.
The tremendous sportfishing, some of the best in the
world, and the spacious, glorious beaches continue to be two of the most
enticing features of Mazatlan. The golf scene is evolving and luring many
tourists, as well. There aren't too many other places where you can tee off on
a lush, sparsely populated course on a seventy-degree December morning. Mazatlan's
elegant yacht harbor is becoming quite the destination for the rich and
powerful. The best news of all is that the tremendous selection of
accommodations and activities have not yet reached the masses, so the majority
of resorts are less expensive in comparison to other Mexican destinations.
Old Mazatlán is known as the "Historic
Zone" because of its culture and fantastic heritage. This region is an
exciting place to do a little exploring. Recent restoration has truly enhanced
the atmosphere of the area, and guided tours highlight the most fascinating
aspects of Old Mazatlan. Sidewalk cafes and shopping make this a quite
pleasurable experience.
Zona Dorada is the hustle and bustle of Mazatlan, and is
fondly translated as "The Golden Zone". This is the location
where you can find the majority of the tourist hotels, most of the upper echelon
restaurants, and a tremendously active nightlife. The Golden Zone is any place
north of Punta Sabalo, and this is where one of Mazatlan's most well known
city attractions is located. This party haven is called Fiesta Land, and it is
certainly "party central" of Mazatlan. Fortunately, almost all of the
attractions, nightlife, hotels, and clubs are within walking distance of one
another.
The first settlers of Mazatlan were the Totorames. Hunters,
gatherers, and fisherman, the Totorames inhabited Mazatlan until 1531, when the
Spaniards settled. During that time, the area was rich in gold and silver, and
the settlers, pirates, and everyone else who passed through tried desperately to
get their hands on some of the precious metal. In 1806, the city was
incorporated, and then, in the 1830?s, a municipal government was established.
It was at that time that Mazatlan started to emerge as an ever-growing seaport.
Since then, the port has grown into one of the largest fishing fleets for shrimp
and tuna in the world. Also a fabulous tourist resort, Mazatlan is opening first
class hotels and premier restaurants all the time.
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