Read about Mexico's important historical events that have occurred during the month of March. read more

Everything about Joaquin Murrieta is disputed. He was either the Mexican Robin Hood or the El Dorado Robin Hood. He was either an infamous bandito or a Mexican patriot. He was born in either Alamos or Trincheras, in either Sonora Mexico or Quillota Chile. He was either descended from Cherokee ancestors who migrated to Chile in the late 18th century, or a noble Spanish landowner. He either sympathized with Native Americans or with Mexicans.
An undisputed truth about Joaquin Murrieta is... read more

It is advisable to have international health insurance while traveling or living as an expatriate. Having an international health plan gives a person, family or group a variety of choices when it comes... read more

Mexico’s mass tourism industry in the past forty years has been dominated by large-scale, purpose-built developments partially funded by federal funds. In 1967, responding to bullish predictions of US demand for beach vacations, Mexico’s central bank identified the five best places for completely new, purpose-built tourist resorts. Top of the list, as part of a 30-year plan, was the uninhabited barrier island now known as Cancún. read more

When U.S. executives are sent to Mexico, they soon hear that Mexicans are "indirect" and "will not give you a straight answer, "especially if what needs to be communicated is unpleasant." Thus, the gen... read more

Question: What is a Mexican roof dog?

Answer: Glad you asked. It is a low-budget form of homeland security, a four-legged alarm placed on flat roofs of homes and businesses to look down on and discourage intruders, door-to-door salesmen and other nuisances.

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A water connection is jury-rigged to bypass the meter. Does it work? Mas o menos.... © Julia Taylor, 2007 Here in Mexico, there's one term I hate to hear on a job site. No, it isn't "oops." It's t... read more

A drink and dessert in one, this is perfect for informal summer entertaining. It is attractive scooped into margarita glasses and garnished with sprigs of mint or paper thin slices of lime. read more

his is a classic recipe from the Sierra Norte, adapted from Patricia Quintana's Cocina de los Angeles. Blueberries are nearly as abundant as apples in the Sierra, and the two make a wonderful combination. read more

Today, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries and strawberries are grown commercially during most of the year in Mexico, especially in Jalisco and Michoacan, with the exception of the summer rainy season. Berries are low in fat, cholesterol and sodium, and high in Vitamin C and fiber. The United States still imports 80% of its blueberries from Chile, but Mexican growers are hoping to change this and to increase both blueberry and raspberry exports. read more

© Daniel Wheeler, 2010 This recipe is adapted from the Hacienda de los Morales, one of Mexico City's oldest and most beloved restaurants. Use thawed frozen berries if fresh ones are unavailable. I... read more

© Daniel Wheeler, 2010 This can be used as a glaze or a barbeque sauce. Try serving it spooned over cream cheese as a dip or spread for crackers, or with small meatballs for hors d'oeuvres. It can ... read more

Ingredients © Daniel Wheeler, 2010 A traditional early morning or late night favorite in the Sierra de Puebla, this atole makes a warming, nutritious breakfast drink. Kids love the purple color. ... read more

Insurance can seem quite complicated. What is best for you and why? If you're spending time in Mexico, can you take your medical policy with you? Or should you purchase travel insurance? Are there othe... read more

Life in the mountains may be the secret of longevity. It is not uncommon for mountain folks to live past their nineties and complete more than a century on this earth. Country folks usually eat what they grow on their ranches. Corn plays such a fundamental role in the Mexican diet, as well as beans, chilies, tomatoes and onions. read more

In 1996, I attended the Fiesta de las Plantas Medicinales held that year in San Martin de los Piramides not far from the famous archaeological site of Teotihuacan with its pyramids of the Sun and the Moon. There was a feeling of great spiritual power in the air that day. read more

Magic-filled stories abound in Mexico: curanderos claiming to cure illness with herbs and special oils and sorcerers insisting they can bring back straying spouses or cast evil spells on enemies. A Mex... read more

The reasons to learn a foreign language are many. "For those of us traveling or living in Mexico, there is no doubt that learning Spanish enriches our lives," says Ohio native Anne Meyer, a social stud... read more

It was a chance thing, really. We were heading for Patzcuaro, almost due south of Guanajuato where we had spent the past several days on a photography and business junket. While we were checking out of... read more

The term Costa Esmeralda covers a stretch of highway about fifteen miles long from Hotel Riachuelos to Casitas. Five tiny beach towns, occasionally broken by cattle farms and small rivers running down to the sea, enliven the stretch. These Mexican Gulf beaches are veritable tropical gardens. The location is 259 kilometers south of Tampico and 205 kilometers north of Veracruz on Highway 180. read more

The north shore of Lake Chapala is alive with the arts in all their manifestations. Music and dance -- from folk to classical, theater in English at the Lakeside Little Theatre, book clubs and creative writing groups complement the offering of galleries. Here are some suggestions to get you started. read more

Did you ever wonder why rain usually falls in the late afternoon or night during the summer in western Mexico? Can you figure out why the death rate for Mexicans is four times higher than for US-born workers in the southeastern USA? Do you know why "harmless" organic fertilizers washed into a lake can eventually kill every living thing in it? If you find these questions intriguing, you're going to want to own a copy of Geo-Mexico by Richard Rhoda and Tony Burton. read more