Recommend January 2012 - (Page 62)

Cozumel Just east of the Yucatan Peninsula, Cozumel is not just a Caribbean paradise—it’s also an important Mayan sanctuary rich in history. The island is home to major archaeological sites such as San Gervasio, where the love and fertility goddess Ix Chel would be worshipped; El Caracol, used by the Maya to signal the approach of hurricanes and now part of Parque Punta Sur; and El Cedral, discovered by the Spanish in 1518. Cozumel is still so relevant to the Maya, in fact, that each spring a large group reenacts their descendants’ pilgrimage from Playa del Carmen to San Gervasio,—complete with traditional dress and canoes— in a popular event dubbed the Mayan Sacred Journey. Cozumel is located along the Mesoamerica Reef, the largest reef network in the Americas and the second largest in the world, for which it’s become one of the world’s favorite diving spots. Its gorgeous coral reefs, featuring limestone caves, black coral trees and tunnels ﬂush with sea life, is one of the most colorful landscapes in the region: imagine roughly 250 species of tropical ﬁsh, as well as assorted turtles and anemone, swimming around you. Many resorts in the island, including Blue Angel Resort, provide guests with quick access to a glorious diving experience. The Palancar Reef, on the southwest side of Cozumel, is one of divers’ “must” spots. Snorkelers and swimmers are not short-changed, as they also have the chance to discover beautiful marine life in swimmable beaches and in the Chankanaab National Park, which also offers natural trails and a dolphinarium for up-close encounters with the friendly mammals. On land, visitors can also explore Cozumel’s downtown area on foot or on moped, enjoying freshly caught seafood, stopping for souvenirs and strolling the garden areas that have sprouted in recent years. Cozumel is located along one of the Americas’ largest reef networks. Guadalajara Fresh off a successful hosting of the XVI Pan American Games, the capital of Jalisco is one of Mexico’s most tradition-ﬁlled destinations. Its home state is the birthplace of mariachi music, which started out as street tunes and is now as emblematic as the beautifully outﬁtted trajes and hats its performers wear. Guadalajara’s historic center, heavy with colonial-era structures, is the best place in which to get acquainted with local offerings, perhaps while aboard a local trolley. There’s the Governor’s Palace, rich in murals from local artist Jose Clemente Orozco, and the Rotunda of Illustrious Jaliscans, with bronze sculptures of some of Jalisco’s most famous. Here, also, you’ll ﬁnd the Guadalajara Cathedral, famous for its mix of architectural styles, and the Plaza de los Mariachis where strolling bands provide local tunes for a small fee and where the Mexican Hat Dance or Jarabe Tapatio was born. The area has quite a few parks and plazas constantly bustling with activity, with food vendors at the ready. Another necessary stop is the Degollado Theater, inaugurated in 1866, which features beautiful frescoes and Corinthian-order columns. The city has been dubbed “Mexico’s Silicon Valley” for its proliferation of high-tech industries, but because of its rich cultural roots, it’s also a great place for shopping for sombreros, tequila, handcrafted apparel and souvenirs. When not stopping at the huge Mercado Libertad, visitors often head to Tlaquepaque’s old-town district for great ﬁnds in ceramics, home furnishings, glass items and more. Guadalajara also has its share of accommodations. An enchanting stay at La Perla, for instance, lets visitors stay in rooms that honor the stars of Mexican cinema. The city is also as literary as it is beautiful—its famous International Book Fair, now in its 26th run, begins on Nov. 24. recommend.com Guadalajara’s historic center is chock-full of colonial-era structures. D42 january 2012 http://www.recommend.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend January 2012

Editor's Note
Hotel Desk: Hard Rock Hotels and Resorts
Tour Talk: Lindblad Expeditions
Holland America's Veendam
Delta Air Lines' 2012 Caribbean, Mexico and Latin America Travel Guide
The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes
Las Vegas' 2012 Offerings
Hot European Tours for 2012
Hokkaido, Japan
Egypt's Antiquity Attractions are Eternal

Recommend January 2012