Mexico

Tag

Rene Coyoacán

5 Things to Do In Coyoacán, Mexico

Coyoacán is a small town about a 45-minute drive outside Mexico City, where Frida Kahlo lived. As an avid Frida fan who visited her house/museum twice, I spent a lot of time in Coyoacán. It’s a great place, filled with live entertainments, and if I returned to the Mexico City area, I’d stay here. 1. Take a Bike or Walking Tour One day, I took a bike tour of the city and a walking tour another day, so I explored...

Frida's journal with pen drawings

Going Inside Frida Kahlo’s House in Mexico

Frida Kahlo’s house is the brightest medium blue and maroon colors. It is immediately recognizable if you’ve ever read or watched anything about Frida. She was born, lived most of her life, and died in this house. Much of her work was created here, so of course, it’s a mecca for lovers of the artist. People often ask me how I decide where to travel; this is a good example. I knew one thing about Mexico City before I decided...

Temazcal

My Haunting After a Temazcal Sweat Ritual

“Warrior, why are you here?” The echo of those words, spoken by a shaman in the temazcal, lingers. I hear them still in moments of doubt and happiness, too. I think of them when I am alone. I wonder about my purpose. I suspect that to be their intention. They were meant to stay in my mind long after the shaman has gone. They live and permeate everything like the steam of lava rocks in a sacred ritual. It’s jarring...

Puerto Vallarta sign

10 Things to Do in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Fun, free, beachy and beautiful: this is Puerto Vallarta. If you’re considering going, or maybe you’re already there, these are 10 things I did that you might like too. I spent a month in Puerto Vallarta and in that time I was able to participate in several adventures. Below are 10 of the most popular places and activities I found in the city. You’re sure you find at least one you’ll love too. Click on the titles to read individual...

Agave plant
Marietas Islands Hidden Beach
Rene in Yelapa

Finding the Hidden Yelapa Waterfall

In Yelapa, near Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, there are two waterfalls, but one is secret. Everyone will tell you about the Yelapa waterfall, but they’re all talking about the one in town. There’s another bigger, better waterfall if you dare to hike to it. I didn’t learn about the secret waterfall until after I met my Airbnb group at the Malecon pier to tour Yelapa. It was just me, the guide, Carla, and two Americans from Colorado as we made our...

Rene snorkel los arcos

Snorkeling at Los Arcos in Puerto Vallarta

There’s an entire underwater world waiting when you go snorkeling at Los Arcos in Puerto Vallarta. I visit its mysterious depths after a walk, a ride in a Volkswagen bus, and a short hike. Then: transcendence. Los Arcos National Marine Park You can see these rocky outcroppings from downtown Puerto Vallarta, but you need to get close to them to appreciate their size and stunning beauty. They look like massive gray boulders dropped in the sea by Poseidon. Los Arcos...

Sayulita

Day Trip to Sayulita and San Pancho from Puerto Vallarta

In Puerto Vallarta, Sayulita and San Pancho are excellent places to take a day trip. These two beautiful beach towns in the Riviera Nayarit offer old-school culture and new-wave hipster vibes with amazing waves perfect for surfing or a hefty dose of culture for hanging out. The two towns are very close and can be visited on the same day as I did. What you’ll find there that you won’t find in Puerto Vallarta are more bespoke shops and restaurants...

A young charro boy sits astride a brown horse

Celebrate Day of the Dead in Puerto Vallarta

Celebrating Day of the Dead in Puerto Vallarta is a festive, weeks-long celebration of life that changed my perspective of death. In America, we mourn death and curse what it takes from us, but in Mexico, they take a different tack and celebrate the life once lived and practice intentional remembrance. That subtle shift makes a sad occurrence into a happy one, and the same event, an entirely different feeling across borders. Plus, it’s lively and beautiful to see. I...