Yucatan and Chiapas

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Another Cerveza Please, and By The Way, What Is Cinco de Mayo?

May 3, 2010 in Copper Canyon, Yucatan and Chiapas by The California Native International Adventures | No comments

In the United States we honor the Irish on Saint Patrick’s Day, the Italians on Columbus Day, and the Mexicans on Cinco de Mayo. But what the heck is Cinco de Mayo?

California Native founder, Lee Klein, gets into the spirit of Cinco de MayoMost Americans think that Cinco de Mayo (the 5th of May) celebrates Mexican Independence Day. Not so. Mexican Independence Day is September 16. Then what is Cinco de Mayo?

After Mexico won its independence from Spain in 1821, it went through forty years of internal power struggles and rebellions. By 1861 the country’s finances were so bad that the nation owed 80 million pesos in foreign debts. Mexico’s president, Benito Juarez, pledged to pay off these debts eventually but, as an emergency measure, he suspended all payment for two years.

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Campeche: Conquistadors, Commerce and Corsairs

October 9, 2009 in Yucatan and Chiapas by Jason Hall | No comments

Burrowed into the southeast part of the Yucatan Peninsula stands the walled fortress of Campeche—a city born from warfare and piracy.

Before the arrival of the Spanish Conquistadors, Campeche was the principal town of the Mayas, who called it Ah Kin Pech (serpent tick), which the Spanish interpreted as “Campeche.”

Led by Hernandez de Cordova, Spanish explorers set sail from Cuba in 1517 to search for new lands. Cordova is credited with the discovery of the Yucatan Peninsula.

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So, You Wanna Buy a Hammock?

June 12, 2009 in Costa Rica, Peru, Yucatan and Chiapas by Jason Hall | No comments

California Native's Ellen Klein relaxes in a hammock at a jungle resort.Some say the it was the ancient Greeks, some argue that it was indigenous Americans like the Mayans of the Yucatan or the Urarina of the Peruvian Amazon, and while there is some debate over the origins of the hammock and which civilization can claim the rights of ownership, no one can deny the functionality of design. Some of the earliest hammocks developed have been found in the Bahamas. These were made from bark stripped off the hamack tree–the likely origin for the name. Over the years, the bark used in construction was replaced by sisal fibers and today hammocks can be crafted from many materials such as canvas or nylon.

Sisal fiber was instrumental in the fabrication of hammocks giving weavers in the Yucatan an important role. From the mid 19th century all the way to World War I, sisal fiber was considered the major cash crop for this area. In fact, the town of Sisal is located just 53 miles north of the Yucatan’s capital city of Mérida and still contains an abundance of the plants from which the fiber is produced.

The popularity of hammocks spread due to their function in the Royal Navy. Here, hammocks benefited sleeping sailors because they rocked in synchronicity with the pitch and roll of the ship. These sleeping arrangements were preferred because hammocks take up less room than traditional bunk beds and protected sailors from falling out while asleep on rough seas.

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The California Native is Now on Facebook

February 13, 2009 in News About Our Company by Ellen Klein | No comments

Here at the The California Native, we are always looking for new ways to connect with our “fans.” We love to share any information we have about our destinations like Mexico’s Copper Canyon, Costa Rica, Yucatan, Peru, Bhutan, Burma and more. Lately we have noticed that more and more people are joining social networking sites to keep abreast of their friends and interest groups.

We are happy to announce that we now have a California Native Page on Facebook, and you can become a fan on our Facebook page. If you are not yet a member of Facebook, you can also join and connect with old friends and make new ones too. You might learn about a trip some old friend took that you are dying to try yourself! Maybe they even posted some great pictures.

You may also have noticed that all of our stories, and this blog itself, are available for sharing on dozens of social networking sites as well as e-mail. Just click on the “share” icons on our website, www.calnative.com, to share a story, or page.

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Sun and Snow in Mexico

December 12, 2008 in Copper Canyon, Yucatan and Chiapas by Jason Hall | No comments

The question most frequently asked by guests going on trips with The California Native to Mexico’s Copper Canyon or the Yucatan is, “What weather can I can expect?”

Having an idea of what the weather will be makes it much easier to pack. For those going to the Yucatan, packing is easy. Lightweight clothing (preferably from natural fibers), light-colors (they reflect the sun’s rays), and a  wide-brimmed hat (to protect your face and ears from the sun). And, of course, don’t forget your swim-suit!

If you are traveling to Copper Canyon, predicting the weather is a bit more difficult.  Mexico has three climate zones, tropical, temperate and cold, and the Copper Canyon tours traverse all three of them.

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Copper Canyon Meets the Yucatan

September 9, 2008 in Copper Canyon, Yucatan and Chiapas by Jason Hall | No comments

Have the Copper Canyon and the Yucatan both been on your travel list for years? Now you can visit them together on a grand vacation to both of these wonderful Mexico destinations.
Young Tarahumara girl runs to mountain side school on The California Native Copper Canyon Tours
The California Native has been leading small group tours through Mexico’s Copper Canyon for over a quarter of a century. A few years ago we added the Yucatan to our growing list of exciting destinations. Now, at the request of many of our clients we have tied these two destinations together by scheduling tours which explore both Copper Canyon and the Yucatan. Two views of Mexico, both completely different.

Copper Canyon is four times as large as the Grand Canyon and is located in the rugged Sierra Madre Mountains of Northern Mexico. It is the homeland of the cave-dwelling Tarahumara Indians and is accessed by one of the world’s most spectacular rail rides. On our tours of this fascinating area we travel to remote villages and discover the culture and history of these people who are also considered to be the world’s greatest long distance runners.
Mayan Pyramid shaded by jungle growth on The California Native Yucatan Tours
In contrast to this, on the tropical Yucatan Peninsula we visit the ancient ruins of the mighty Mayan civilization, as well as charming colonial cities, forts constructed to fend off the Caribbean pirates, and beautiful white sand beaches. Some of the tours also visit the state of Chiapas, with its lovely colonial mountain towns, jungle-draped ruins, and magnificent Canyon de Sumidero.

The combined trips are scheduled to depart on October 18, November 1, and December 28. Our 2009 departures are scheduled for February 14, March 1, May 11, October 5, and November 1. Each destination can also be booked on its own.

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