Xibalba, the Mayan underworld, is described in the Popul Vuh as a place of fear where the dead had to traverse an obstacle course of bats, jaguars, rivers of blood and rooms of sharp knives. Cenotes, the deep limestone sinkholes scattered throughout the Mexican Maya world, were the gateways to this hellish underworld. But the [...]

It’s been a couple weeks since I’ve returned from my surf camp in Mexico. Since then, I’ve been eyeing surfboards nearly everywhere I go, looking for the one that will allow me more practice time at my local surf break. The water’s a little colder here than in the Riviera Nayarit, but there’s so such [...]

Years ago, when I ran across the promotional materials for Las Olas, a surf safari for women on Mexico’s Pacific coast, the power of one sentence not only grabbed me, but knocked me over the head and nearly dragged me to Mexico. “We make girls out of women.” I often joke with close friends that [...]

Celebrated in the United States as a day of Mexican heritage as well as a festive drinking holiday, Cinco de Mayo (May 5) is also confused by many as Mexico’s Independence Day (Sept. 16). I’ve heard some explain the difference while saying that Cinco de Mayo isn’t observed at all in Mexico. But the anniversary [...]

I’m not particularly into gyms, but I can spend hours in a spa. Even if I’m visiting for the occasional massage, I’ll carve out time to sample the sauna, read a magazine in the lounge and extend my stay for a little longer. Spas aren’t a huge part of my lifestyle, but they fascinate me [...]