culture
lovers
Pick me,
pick me!
A colourful
dance in
Mexico City
Did someone say
oompah?
turtle: ulrike Stein/iStock; band: reuben reynoSo/ alamy; dance: leopoldo Smith/con/getty imageS
Go to turtle caMp
Though they are among earth’s
oldest creatures—predating
even some dinosaur species—
sea turtles are also some of the
most endangered. It’s estimated
that only one in 1,000 turtle
hatchlings survives to adulthood. Along the Pacific coast,
Mexican hatcheries closely
monitor egg-laden beaches to
safely deliver tiny turtles to the
sea. Ecotours Vallarta’s turtle
camp lets animal lovers aid in
conservation efforts. Children
(age eight and up) and adults
help biologists scour the beach
for nests, collecting eggs and
delivering to them to the turtle
“nursery,” where they can be
hatched, safe from potential
predators. During the hatching season, campers can even
release hatchlings into the sea
as they begin their arduous
journey to turtle adulthood.
STAY: CasaMagna Marriott
Puerto Vallarta Resort ($$)
the beach at this family-friendly
resort is home to many nests
of the olive ridley species of sea
turtle. at the property’s private
turtle nursery, guests of all ages
can attend nightly releases, where
they name their four-flippered
friend before sending it into the
surf (weather permitting).
Watch a 500-year-old dance
listen to Mexican ooMpah
Mazatlan enjoys hundreds of
sunny days each year—maybe
that’s what attracted the influx
of German immigrants who
settled here in the 19th century. Sun-seeking Bavarians
brought with them two of their
best-loved traditions: beer and
music. Today, the local brew is
German-founded Pacifico and
the regional sound is banda,
an oddly pleasing marriage of
oompah and mariachi music.
Concerts can fill stadiums with
thousands, though you’re just
as likely to find busking bandas
on any given night in Mazatlan’s
main square.
There’s more to Mexico’s
rhythmic traditions than hat
dances. Troupes across the
country are working to preserve
folk dances, many of which date
to pre-Columbian civilizations.
One of the oldest and most
celebrated is Mexico City-based
Ballet Folklórico de México
de Amalia Hernández. The
75-person cast stages colourful
performances of historic dances
several times a week at the
Palacio de Bellas Artes (Palace
of Fine Arts). The stunning art
deco dance hall also houses a
mural by Mexico’s prodigal son,
Diego Rivera.
STAY: Krystal Grand Reforma
Uno, Mexico City ($$)
this plush design hotel is walking
distance from the palacio and
other cultural hot spots, like the
museo mural diego rivera and
teatro metropólitan. the hotel
boasts some museum-worthy
qualities, including a gleaming
atrium and luxe spa.
STAY: Costa de Oro Beach Hotel,
Mazatlan ($)
after a banda-filled night, this
traditional-style hotel is the perfect
place to lay your head. Well-suited
for families, most rooms are mere
steps to the beach and many
suites boast panoramic views of
the pacific.
($)
Cost-saving stay |
($ $)
affordable luxury |
($ $ $)
no expense spared
AMA InsIder
WInTer 2016
37