Tijuana is many things: a sprawling city approaching two million in population, a vibrant and prosperous business center with many foreign-owned factories, the main entry to the entire Baja California peninsula, and much more.

Only 18 miles from San Diego, Tijuana is a shopper's paradise. It's in a duty-free zone, so you can buy not only Mexican arts and crafts but also imported goods from around the world. Mostly, visitors go for the day, shopping, having a meal, perhaps playing golf as well. It's not a place for historic buildings or much in the way of museums, but sporting events to watch include jai alai, bullfights, and horse racing. For children, Tijuana Wax Museum and Mundo Divertido (Fun World) are popular. Tijuana used to be known mainly for activities distinctly not for children, but while that aspect of life still exists, it is now just a part of the wide spectrum of what Tijuana is.

The shopping is centered on a street called Revolution Avenue. There are 10 or 12 blocks offering every product imaginable. Credit cards and dollars are widely accepted.

For a more total immersion, stay overnight -- there are some nice Tijuana hotels. Just a few miles south is Rosarito Beach, with resorts, condos, and hotels.

Travel to Tijuana

One of the most enjoyable ways to travel to Tijuana is to catch the inexpensive Tijuana Trolley at the San Diego Train Station. It runs frequently and takes you right to the border. Or you can drive to the border and leave your car in one of several large parking lots, for a few dollars a day. From there you can walk or take a shuttle bus to Revolution Avenue, about a 20 minute walk. Once you cross the border, there are also taxis available too.

You can drive into Tijuana, and may want to if you are planning some large purchases like furniture. One downside to this is that there can be longer lines for leaving Mexico in vehicles than if you are walking. Also, check on your car insurance before entering Mexico.

Tijuana has an international airport, with several flights a day going to other parts of Mexico. The main airlines using the airport are Aerocalifornia, Mexicana, and AeroMexico.

All in all, it's easy to get to Tijuana.

By: Rosana Hart
Rosana Hart has traveled to Mexico many times. Her website, www.mexico-with-heart.com, contains the full text of a book she wrote about traveling in Mexico, as well as information and travel tips on a variety of Mexican cities popular with tourists.

After our visit to the huge government-owned pawnshop, Nacional Monte de Piedad, we saw a side view of Mexico City's and Latin America's biggest cathedral: the Catedral Metropolitana. It is also at the heart of the world's largest Catholic diocese. Due to the fact that Mexico was built on the former Lake Texcoco, the cathedral is slowly sinking and scaffolding in the interior of the building attests to the efforts to try to stabilize it.

In front of the Cathedral are numerous merchants that sell all sorts of handicrafts to the tourists. The wide open public space in front of the church is called the Zócalo and it is said to be the second largest public square in the world, after Red Square in Moscow. An indigenous healer was performing a cleansing ceremony in public with a local couple. He had a variety of herbs and was burning incense for this purification ritual.

To the left side of the cathedral is the Palacio Nacional which today houses the office's of Mexico's president. One of the typical "organiceros" was stationed outside, playing his automated melody, but none of the organ grinders we saw today were willing to have their picture taken and they always conveniently looked away when a camera was pointing at them.

We had to talk our way into this beautiful building since a guard stationed outside demanded that we show identification which we unfortunately did not have on us. However, with Vanessa's feminine charm we were able to obtain a few minutes in this astounding building.

The National Palace was built on the site of Montezuma's Palace and was initially the residence of Hernán Cortés after he conquered Mexico. The building has a beautiful courtyard with arcades and a fountain in the middle. The staircase to the 2nd floor and the walls on the upper floor are adorned with a series of murals by Mexico's most famous muralist, Diego Rivera. The wall paintings illustrate the history of Mexico, from the pre-Columbian peoples, to their subjugation by Spanish conquerors, the fight for independence from Spain, revolutionary leaders, as well as the dictatorship under Porfirio Diaz which was put to an end by Francisco I. Madero.

We then walked around the crafts market just outside the Cathedral and had a look at the Templo Mayor, an imposing complex built by the Aztecs in the 14th and 15th century. It was at the heart of Tenochtitlan, the Aztec city that, like so many others, was destroyed by the Spanish conquistadors. The Spanish invaders had a habit of destroying any preexisting architecture and building their churches and palaces on top of them.

Calle Tacuba took us towards our well-deserved late lunch in the historic Café de Tacuba, a famous restaurant located in a building from the 17th century. The café itself dates back to 1912. I had a very tasty sopa de ajo (garlic soup) with some even tastier quesadillas con guacamole which were even hotter. Vanessa strengthened herself witha tamal (spicy rice cooked in a husk of corn). We needed the strength since our next adventure was a ride in Mexico City's subway.

I always love riding in public transport in other cities, particularly in subways, since they all have their own peculiar atmosphere. Mexico City's subway stations are quite utilitarian (not a lot of spectacular public art in the stations we saw) and the subway cars themselves ride on rubber wheels. This contrasts quite strongly to the metal clanking of our subway cars here in Toronto. Vanessa indicated that you have to be careful in public transit here and during rush hour the subway cars are subdivided in cars for men and for women.

We took several subway routes to the Universidad Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, a former monastery dedicated to the nun of the same name who was an interesting character and lived from 1648-1695. She was colonial Latin America's pre-eminent poet and scholar during the 17th century. Around age 19 she became a nun, declaring that only life in the monastery would give her sufficient opportunity for her studies and intellectual pursuits. Today her monastery is the Universidad del Claustro de Sor Juana and we explored this historic building and were impressed by the inner courtyard that was full of eager students and, interestingly enough, numerous hungry cats waiting to be fed by the staff.

On the subway ride back to Vanessa's parents' apartment I reflected on my first day in Mexico. It is an immense city, and the downtown just swirls with people. One thing I noticed was how ethnically homogeneous Mexico City is: the vast majority of people I saw were of indigenous or mixed indigenous / mestizo background and we both mused about how few tourists / foreigners we saw.

We saw a ton, and Vanessa is certainly a phenomenal tour guide and local expert. I just wish I had more time to explore all the historic buildings with their fascinating inner courtyards. There is just so much to see and so little time...

By: Susanne Pacher
Susanne Pacher is the publisher of http://www.travelandtransitions.com, a web portal for unconventional travel & cross-cultural connections. Check out our brand new FREE ebooks about travel.

Family vacations are quickly approaching and, for most busy parents, quality time with loved ones is long overdue. But amusement parks aren't the only places kids can enjoy vacationing now-a-days.

For those looking for something a little out of the ordinary, various destinations in Mexico offer a wide array of amenities, prices and activities catered to adults and children alike.

PUERTO VALLARTA Velas Vallarta features ideal family-style accommodations. This beach-front resort, located in Marina Vallarta, offers a year-round complimentary children's program including a Kids Club for children 4 to 12 years old. The beautifully landscaped grounds, which include flowered walkways and rustic bridges, make this location a true family paradise. For more information, contact 1-800-VELAS -PV.

For those that enjoy larger family-friendly resorts, La Jolla de Mismaloya in Puerto Vallarta features 303 luxurious suites with private terraces and an exceptional program for kids ages 5 to 11. The program features handicrafts, painting, singing, beach soccer, bingo, piñatas, treasure hunts, a kid's parade, bobbing for apples and more.

What to Do Vallarta Adventure Tours offers an opportunity for families to swim with dolphins at the Nuevo Vallarta Dolphin Center, watch Humpback whales at the Marietas Islands, take a brief flight up to the 16th century mining village of San Sebastian, explore the Sierra Madre foothills or simply relax on the pristine beach of Caletas.

CABO SAN LUCAS, SAN JOSE DEL CABO AND LA PAZ Fiesta Americana Grand offers a program known as Fiesta Kids. Specially designed for children, the activities include arts and crafts, table games and access to an air-conditioned area with television programs playing for kids. The resort also features a game room and arcade and provides babysitting services and cribs upon request.

Families looking for a little diversity can enjoy Hotel Cabo San Lucas where a variety of unique children's activities and programs are available. Families can participate in a marine biology tour of the tide pool, sign up for a day of whale watching, play doubles on the tennis courts, sail, parasail, or even discover hidden trails on horseback.

What to Do Several local excursions are great for families interested in experiencing the rich eco-tourism offerings of the area.

The Baja Adventure Company offers whale watching trips, diving adventures and kayaking expeditions on Mexico's Baja California Peninsula.

Santiago Zoo: This small but well maintained zoo is located in Miraflores (about 30 minutes north of San Jose del Cabo). Residents of Parque Zoologico include petcarts, bears, coyotes, foxes, monkeys, parrots, and ducks, some which are Cape Region natives. The park is open daily 6 a.m. - 6 p.m. in summer and admission is free.

ACAPULCO Fiesta Americana Condesa Acapulco caters to families with on-site children's activities and a Fiesta Kids Club program in the summer. Located right on the beach in the center of downtown Acapulco, families can easily stroll around town visiting many of the dozens of restaurants, stores and arts and craft shops.

At the Radisson Resort Acapulco you'll find a spectacular view of the Acapulco Bay from the private beach, two swimming pools, and a children's wading pool. A tramway takes you from the lobby down to the guestrooms and pool.

What to Do Parque Papagayo - This Pacific port playground is a kid's delight and adults will love it too. It features a 52-acre playing field filled with an aviary, roller skating rink, mini racetrack, bumper boats, and replica of a space ship. Located at Costera Miguel Aleman, the park is open daily from 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Call 011-52-7-485-9623 for more information.

Swim with the dolphins, watch seal shows and glide down water slides at Cici Water Park. It's located along the Costera Miguel Aleman, and open daily from 10-6. Call 011-52-7-484-8210 for more information. CANCUN Hyatt Regency Cancun offers something different and fun for kids: Camp Hyatt. This recreational program is designed exclusively for Hyatt guests 3 - 12 years old and includes a pin, t-shirt, hat, beverages and a special meal created by the Camp Hyatt chef. Activities are offered Tuesday - Sunday, with two sessions daily: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. - 6 p.m. Prices range from $10 per child per session, or $15 for a full day. Other fun activities for kids include a game room, arcade and a private children's pool.

Aquamarina Beach Hotel offers all-inclusive family accommodations with services such as a Children's Club, where kids can play miniature golf right at the hotel. Up to two children aged 11 or younger stay free at the hotel with at least two accompanying adults.

What to Do Yucatan Ecotourism & Adventure Tours: Children can experience an adventure through bird watching, Mayan ruin exploration, jungle trekking, kayaking, scuba diving & snorkeling, swimming with dolphins and wildlife observing.

Xcaret ecological theme park is sure to amaze the entire family. Just a short drive away from the hotel zone, families can participate in a myriad of activities including swimming with dolphins, snorkeling, visiting turtle hatcheries, floating down rivers and watching displays of ancient Mayan dances.

About the Mexico Tourism Board The Mexico Tourism Board (MTB) brings together the resources of federal and state governments, municipalities and private companies to promote Mexico's tourism attractions and destinations internationally. Created in 1999, the MTB is Mexico's tourism promotion agency, and its participants include members of both the private and public sectors. The MTB has offices throughout North America, Europe, Asia and Latin America.

By: Erick Laseca
Erick Laseca works for Burson-Marsteller as public relations liaison for the Mexico Tourism Board in Chicago.
Erick Laseca Mexico Tourism Board 312-228-0517 ext 14 erick.laseca@bm.com http://www.visitmexicopress.com.

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At the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula, the once-sleepy towns of San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas have evolved into vacation playgrounds. This striking landscape attracts fishing enthusiasts, golfers, and anyone looking for sun and fun in an area that's always warm.

At the luxury end of the scale, the Los Cabos region has several world-class resorts that are fixtures on annual best-of lists. Here are the five top resorts where you can't go wrong, according to the upscale review site Luxury Latin America. luxurylatinamerica.com

One and Only Palmilla This resort sits on 250 acres of a 900-acre community, which includes private residences and a 27-hole Jack Nicklaus golf course. Its ten categories of luxury accommodations range from large oceanfront superior rooms to 12 beachfront one-bedroom luxury suites at 1,400 square feet. The beach here is swimmable, which is not always a given on this rocky coast.

Las Ventanas al Paraiso Las Ventanas set the tone for a new standard for Los Cabos when in opened in the nineties. With international billionaires and tabloid celebrities guests among its guests, privacy and specialized service is ingrained into the culture of the staff. With a Robert Trent Jones golf course, a highly acclaimed spa, and a bevy of butlers at the ready, this resort is still hard to top.

The Hotel at Esperanza With only 50 casitas and six luxury suites, this boutique resort is laid out like a private Mexican village. Spread across 17 lushly landscaped acres, the oceanfront hotel is perched on the bluffs of Punta Ballena (Whale Point) above two secluded coves on the Sea of Cortez, creating a natural barrier exclusive to registered guests. Accommodations range from 925 to 4,700 square feet, all facing the sea.

Marquis Los Cabos With a 15,000-square-foot spa, stunning infinity pool complex, and rooms with great views, this is a great spot for taking in the dramatic scenery of Los Cabos. It is also the most Mexican-feeling resort around, with all interior design and décor items sourced locally. Public spaces are filled with an extensive art collection featuring 400 commissioned oil paintings and bronze sculptures featuring many notable Latin American artists.

Hilton Los Cabos Under the same ownership as the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles, this above-average chain hotel is coming off a major renovation, to the tune of $15,000 per room. Rooms range from large to larger and are now equipped with plenty of goodies like flat-screen TVs and marble baths with separate showers and whirlpool tubs. Stunning views are a given from most areas of the hotel and the draped lounge beds and draped palapas by the pool and swimming beach add more drama.

By: Timothy Scott
Timothy Scott is editor of Luxury Latin America, http://www.luxurylatinamerica.com, a guide to the best hotels and tours in Mexico, Central America, and South America. To see full reviews, go to the Mexico Luxury Hotels section. luxurylatinamerica.com/lux_mexico.html.

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I've noticed lately the tourists that make their way to central Mexico (Guanajuato) tend to be either the loosey-goosey backpackers or the tourist elite who tend to have a lot of experience in coming to strange and new places.

The backpackers (and there's nothing wrong with loosey-goosey, I would like to add) seem to be a highly adaptable group that can, more or less, stay almost anywhere, under most conditions, and more easily go with the flow, no matter what the flow throws their way.

The tourist elite group has the money to stay in places that cater to every wish. This group can shell out the bucks to stay at places that cater to every whim and make the accommodations feel safe and secure. Because of this group's vast experience at traveling, these people are not rattled much when they encounter new and strange things within a culture.

What has become apparent to me is there is a missing class of tourists. It is the middle-class income group of Americans and Canadians who, although they've heard of central Mexico, have never visited. They might want to check central Mexico out as a cheaper alternative to the classic resort areas of Mexico, but are terrified to come to a place where Spanish is the predominate language and where they might have a bit of a rough go at managing their trip.

In March 2007, while tooling about the smaller towns looking for article fodder, we met an American woman sitting quietly on a bench reading. She told us she and her husband take the time and effort to come to central Mexico to escape the traditional Mexican resorts with their sky-high prices. She also told us of friends who vacation in the resort areas and would never think of coming to central Mexico because of the language factor.

Whenever I think of the language issue and tourists, I am reminded of the travel writer, Bill Bryson, and his book, Neither Here Nor There. This man went all over Europe despite being devoid of language skills. Yet, he did it and produced a very funny book because of it.

Spanish, though immensely helpful for the central Mexico wannebee monolingual American traveler, is not necessarily a major requirement. Now, admittedly, we've seen some tourist meltdowns in some foreigners who miraculously got to Guanajuato only to discover that "everyone speaks Spanish here." You can read these all-to-frequent comments on many travel forum websites.

The misconception is that English is going to be spoken by the locals involved in the tourist service industry everywhere in Mexico. Unfortunately, it's not so.

My belief is that if central Mexico wants to attract more and more Americans and Canadians, it should begin the process of becoming bilingual in English. I remember being so amazed in the resort areas of Mexico that so many were bilingual. In central Mexico, they've yet to get the vision that English will attract more visitors who want to spend a lot of money in their establishments.

What those who could vacation in central Mexico don't generally know is there are ways of overcoming their fear of the language factor. They don't realize there are places other than the hyper-expensive places that can easily set you back $150.00 to $250.00 USD a night. We saw this American man, who, again I say, miraculously showed up in Guanajuato, have a meltdown. In an act of desperation, he whipped out his cell phone to call home. His conversation went something like, "I'm turning around and leaving this place…no one speaks English." While it is not true that no one speaks English, I can understand his frustration because in the town where I live, English is not widely spoken.

How these tourists end up in central Mexico seems to me to be the greatest miracle!

One way to overcome this sometimes-paralyzing handicap is to, of course, learn some Spanish. There are home study courses that can offer you far more versatility in the language than you might think.

Another way is to stay in one of the high-quality Bed and Breakfasts that are scattered around town. Some of these establishments have Americans who are totally bilingual and bicultural. They will take care of you and alleviate your fears about getting around town where you would be hard pressed to find English speakers. There are also some Mexicans B & B owners who are totally bilingual and bicultural who would offer you the same peace of mind as well as fine accommodations at considerable savings over what you would pay in the resort areas.

I really think this is the way to go. There have been some B & B's in Guanajuato for quite a while that could set you back the equivalent of your children's college tuition. If you can afford to pay resort prices and want to, the uber-rich places are here for you. However, if what you want is a cheaper, high quality place with a home-like atmosphere where not just your sleep and eating needs are met but one in which the owner can set you straight on cultural issues and guide you through the rough spots, then you want the smaller, and in my view far more versatile, Bed and Breakfasts.

And, let's be honest, if you want to venture out and try stretching your vacation muscles by coming to Guanajuato, you need more than three hots and a cot when your vacation legs feel a little rubbery in a place where Spanish is predominately spoken.

More Americans and Canadians could come to central Mexico and take advantage of the mind-expanding experience of visiting the birthplace of the Republic of Mexico. Colonial Mexico exudes history and culture with each step you take. This is the place where it all began. The resort areas, fun as they most certainly are, having seafood to delight your tastes, expenses to break the bank, is not all Mexico has to offer.

There's far more to see and it's right here, in central Mexico.

By: Douglas Bower
Learning a New Language Has Never Been Easier.

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