Destination wedding are on the rise, and brides and grooms (and their familiies0 look for ways to combine a special destination with their special event, and often roll their honeymoon into that same destination as well.  Mexico, despite going through some troubling times, still remains popular for destination weddings, probably because of its beautiful weather and resort.

Regulations may vary between the Mexican states, so be certain to get current information from the place where you would like to have your ceremony.  And, as with any large and expensive travel plans, you should strongly consider travel insurance.

Here are some general things to know if you’d like to get married in Mexico.

First off, decide if you want an official, legal wedding or merely a ceremonial one.  A ceremonial one is every bit as lovely as a legal one, just requires that you make the union official at home (either before or after).  If you choose the ceremonial option, no one need know that what they’re attending isn’t the real deal.

Next you’ll need to decide if you wish a civil ceremony or a religious one.  The information here will apply to civil ceremonies as the various religious denominations can vary widely.  If you wish to get married in a religious ceremony, you should check with your priest, minister, or rabbi at home.

Many resorts offer full service destination weddings that can take care of many of the details.  You can find one through a reputable travel agent, doing web research, and getting referrals.  You can also opt for the do it yourself route.

The bride, groom, and four witnesses need to arrive in Mexico at least 1-3 business days prior to the ceremony.  The specific time varies based on the state in Mexico where you’ll be, so you’ll need to check before making your plans.  This is the time necessary to take care of all the administrative tasks that you’ll need to do.

One of the administrative tasks on your list will be filling out at application at the civil registry office.  You’ll need to specify if you wish separate or “joint” (community) property.  When you come to fill out the application, you’ll need to bring with you blood test results from a Mexico doctor.  You can arrange for the blood tests on your own or check with your hotel – many have a doctor on property or on call.

You’ll need your passport, of course, but bring along some copies as well.  You’ll also need your tourist permit (you probably will have filled that out on the plane coming into Mexico), and your birth certificates.  Your birth certificate must be authenticated, not merely a copy, and must be translated into Spanish.

If you’ve been married before, you will need bring along proof that the earlier marriage was terminated.  This can be a divorce decree or death certificate, and again must be authenticated and translated into Spanish.  If the marriage ended in divorce, Mexico requires a one year period of time between the divorce and remarriage.  There may be additional fees if this is your situation.

Marriages are performed at the Civil Registry Office.  You can make arrangements for another location, but again, an additional fee will likely apply.  Think of it as if instead of getting married at the local courthouse, you asked the judge to come to a different location.  After the ceremony you’ll receive a certificated copy of the marriage and have it authenticated by Mexican authorities.

Parties who are under 18 years of age will need parental consent.

Only civil marriages are recognized as legal in Mexico.  Many couples also opt for a religious ceremony, but it is ceremonial rather than legal.  A civil wedding is Mexico is recognized in the United States, although you may want to obtain an English translation.

Less than a third of the foreign weddings in Mexico are civil ones – the vast majority are symbolic ceremonies with a priest, rabbi, minister, etc.  The process is pretty much the same as the civil ceremony, with the addition of the inclusion of typical personal touches, but these are symbolic and not legal marriages.

Photo credit:  author’s personal collection

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We’ve been featuring Central and South America over on The Travelers Way this month, and it’s gotten me thinking about the warm weather south of the border.  I’ve enjoyed my visits to Central and South America and count Costa Rica, Panama, and Cartagena, Columbia as some of my most memorable trips.

But I know that language differences, combined with a different culture, cuisine, and lifestyle, can make Central and South America a bit intimidating to travelers.  If you can’t go it alone, don’t write off the destination, just find a tour that takes care of all the details while still leaving you independent enough to enjoy what you want to see and do.

For some time now I’ve been following information about tours offered by Friendly Planet Travel.  While I have not taken one of their tours. . . yet. . . I’ve been impressed with the high quality, affordable vacation packages they offer to some of the most exotic destinations around the world.  Some destinations that you might think aren’t affordable may be well within your budget with these tours.

Friendly Planet Travel is offering three new tours to South America that give you an opportunity to see the best of the sites, sample some great food, and enjoy an exotic part of the world.  Take a look at what’s in store and see if any might be just what you’re interested in.

Marvelous Rio de Janeiro – With the famous Christ the Redeemer statue over looking the city from atop Corcovado Mountain, Rio embraces visitors with its joyous culture.  This tour includes a visit to Corcovado, a tour of Rio, and an excursion to the Hippie Fair and Craft Market in Ipanema.  Optional tours are available, including a jeep tour of the Tijuca Forest, the largest urban forest in the world, and a tour of Sugarloaf Mountain.  While you’re in Rio, be sure to check out a churrasco, a traditional all-you-can-eat Brazilian barbecue.  Seven day tours start at $1,399 per person, double occupancy, and include round trip air far from Miami to Rio, arrival and departure transfers, guided touring, accommodations in a first class hotel, and daily breakfast.

Spectacular Rio & Iguazu Falls – This tours continues from where the previous one left off.  From Rio, this tour heads to Iguaza Falls, the world’s largest waterfall, that straddles the border of Brazil and Argentina.  The falls can be visited from both countries, and great debate goes on about which country’s view is the best.  Nine day tours start at $1,899 per person, double occupancy, and include round trip air far from Miami to Rio, arrival and departure transfers, guided touring, accommodations in a first class hotel, and daily breakfast.

Best of South America – If neither of the previous tours give you enough time in country,extend your stay with this tour that includes a visit to Buenos Aires, Argentina.  Often called the “Paris of the south,” you’ll have a chance to soak up the French influence on this South American city.  In addition to what the previous two tours include, this one also includes a tour of Buenos Aires. 11 day tours start at $2,599 per person, double occupancy, and include round trip air far from Miami to Rio, all land transportation and transfers, intra-South America flights, guided touring, accommodations in a first class hotel, and daily breakfast.

There are a few things that the tour price doesn’t include – taxes and security fees (approximately $95) and a required visa for Brazil ($160 from a consulate, approximately $250 from visa service agency).

If you’ve been nervous about visiting South America independently, these value-priced tours may be just what you’re looking for.  And if you price out the airfare, you’ll realize how really great these prices are.

OK now, who wants to go?

Photo credit:  bellman via wikimedia

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I’m always impressed with promotions that Four Seasons Seattle offers, so I went looking to see what some of their sister properties were cooking up for the remaining days of summer.  Just up I-5 a few hours, the Spa at Four Seasons Resort Whistler is offering kid-perfect spa treatments.

OK, at first I thought this was kind of creepy, with visions of overly made up little girls parading around in those inappropriate way that you see on television.  But then I followed some tweets from Kara Williams of The Vacation Gals talking about the wonderful bonding experience she had with her daughter as a result of a stop off at the local mall for a manicure and pedicure.  Hmmmmm, perhaps I need to check my preconceptions at the door and take a closer look.

The Spa is offering ice cream-themed manicure and pedicure packages designed to create a perfect mom-daughter experience.  Especially if your daughter is a girly-girl type who would adore strawberry shortcake ice cream flavored treatments.

Doesn’t this sound both delicious and relaxing:

Princess Dreams Ice Cream Pedicure featuring yummy flavors like lavender, strawberry, kiwi , marshmallow, and vanilla (products from the ME! product line of bath and body products), with an Ice Cream Sandwich Pumice Stone for mom.  Prices start at $45 for a 30-minute pedicure and $55 for a 30-minute manicure.  (All prices CAD.)

Why not let the staff at the Spa, recently rated as one of the Top 10 spas in the Americas and Caribbean, work their magic on you, creating a very special mom-daughter experience.

Location:  Four Seasons Resort Whistler is located at 4591 Blackcomb Way, Whistler, British Columbia

Photo credit:  Courtesy of Four Seasons, Robert Leon photographer

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When it comes to Pre-Columbian artifacts, Peru is awash in them, and probably nowhere more so than Chan Chan, the largest Pre-Columbian city in South America.  The archaeological site, locate near Trujillo, dates back to the 9th century when it was built by the Chimu as the imperial capital.  At one time over 30,000 people lived in the adobe city of Chan Chan, before being conquered by the Incas. Later, Spanish conquistadors, including Francisco Pizarro, took over.

Today the adobe city of Chan Chan is a UNESCO world heritage site, added to the list in 1986. Although much is being done to preserve the area, it is still threatened by the occasional tornadoes, earthquakes, rain and erosion, as well as the odd looter that thinks stealing precious artifacts is a good idea. There are also several other ruin sites in the area around Trujillo.

The triangular city is surrounded by walls, the tallest of which shelter from the winds from Peru’s coast, and houses 10 walled citadels which include ceremonial rooms, burial chambers, temples, and homes.  Each citadel is an independent urban unit, complete with everything needed for daily life. The interior walls of the city create maze-like passage ways throughout.  Although it might seem like you could get lost in Chan Chan said lab around, it is a superb architectural example of good use of urban space.  One of the impressive features of Chan Chan are the carvings on the adobe walls. The walls are made of adobe brick, then covered with a surface into which designs were carved. The carvings are both realistic and stylized, and included design elements as well as portrayals of birds fish and other animals.

While any visit to Peru will naturally include a sampling of city life, delicious food, and a chance to interact with local residents, cultural tourism represents a substantial reason why people travel to the country. The archaeological and cultural impact of ruins such as Chan Chan shaped the future of the country. Preserving and protecting this world heritage site will ensure generations to come learn about the history of Peru.

Photo credit: Public domain via wikipedia

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Note: this post was sponsored by travelsphere; the opinions expressed are those of the author.

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It’s hard not to fall in love with a tropical island.  Even more so when that tropical island has the kind of energy that makes you want to stay on your Caribbean holidays indefinitely.  Try Curacao; it’s the perfect Caribbean island (a part of the Netherland Antilles) about 40 miles off the coast of Venezuela and it’s Dutch, still Dutch after all these years.  The island is also part of what is commonly referred to as the ABC islands: Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao.  Another plus, Curacao is out of the hurricane belt, which means no hurricanes during hurricane season translating into the fact that your vacation won’t be ruined if you visit from June to October.

Curacao is not your typical island in the Caribbean either since it feels very European and, for lack of a better word, magical.  A good stop that really does feel magical is called Dinah’s Botanic and Historic Herb Garden and Dinah Veeris, the owner, offers tours.  Have a digestive problem, there’s a plant to cure it.  An ear ache and she can fix that too.  Local herbs are all grown on the property and Veeris can tell you how to use each one. She actually decided to plant the garden in the 90s when she realized all the herbal knowledge from her ancestors was being forgotten (not anymore).  You’ll also enjoy a reconstructed rural settlement set throughout the grounds complete with life-size rag dolls depicting life when folk medicine was the norm.

While heading to the west side of the island, stop in and visit a local artist.  Her name is Nena Sanchez and her gallery is not only colorful (think pinks and blues, orange and yellows), but the house is also in the perfect location for just the right breeze and just the right views.  An old plantation house that was established on the island in the early eighteenth century, you can visit and browse or buy one of Sanchez’ paintings (and it is said to be one of the most haunted plantation homes on the island).

For a good idea of what Curacao is all about take a tour of the town of Willemstaad, the only fortified capital city in the Caribbean that is built in typical Dutch architectural style.  Think tiled roofs, narrow buildings and lots of colorful paint adorning the homes and shops.  There are actually several distinct areas and districts in Willemstaad, you will want to take particular note of both Punda and Otrobanda – on each side of the Bay with a bridge connecting.  These two districts and two others (Pietermaai and Scharloo) are all a part of UNESCO’s World Heritage List since 1997.

A walking tour of the town is the best way to see it (perhaps with a guide), but either way must stops are the synagogue consecrated in 1732 and remaining in use with no interruption since that time; the Floating Market, an open air food market found on the Waaigat where Venezuelan merchants offer their wares daily from fruit to vegetables to fish; Fort Amsterdam, the islands oldest and most prominent monument built in 1635 and still housing the governor’s palace.  You might also consider a ride on the Trolley Train Tour downtown – it’s a great way to discover this historic landmark.

Outside of Willemstaad there are a number of amazing hotels and things to do.  Beginning with the beaches – head up to the West side for a real relaxing experience.  Klein Knip is a small beach (translate: oasis) and the smaller of the two coves that make up Knip Bay.  White sand, crystal clear water and an abundance of sea life make this the perfect place to spend the day either snorkeling or diving.

A tour of the Blue Curacao Liquor Distillery is also in order since this is the home of the original “Curacao” liquor processed with the peels of the Laraha.  The distillery offer tours and the entrance is free (and you can try some of the various types of liqueurs while you’re at it).

There are a variety of museums on the island, but let me recommend three; the Maritime Museum with exhibits explaining history dating back as far as the first inhabitant on the island in 600 BC. The Curacao Sea Aquarium is another must with animal encounters and a chance to snorkel or dive.  One of the finest museums on the island, however is located at Kura Hulanda in Willemstaad.  The owner has bought up a small area much like a village that he has turned it into, not only the museum, but also a luxury boutique hotel.  As for the museum it’s a place to discover African history including the slave trade and other important West African themes and cultures.  If you only make it to one museum while visiting – this is the one.

Other musts; you have to eat, right?  Suggestions include Jaanchie’s (on the west end of the island and the owner sits down with you to discuss what you want to eat) or the Moon Beach Club, Lounge & Restaurant offering the ultimate laidback luxury in the picturesque Pi­etermaai area of Willemstad.  Fine cuisine will definitely round everything out during your stay — that coupled with good beaches, sunshine and smiling faces  and you have the perfect Curacao vibe.  Or, you could always just spend your holidays in Florida.

Photo credit: Rodry1 via wikimedia

NOTE:  This post is sponsored by Low Cost Holidays; the opinions expressed here are those of the guest blogger, Rita Cook.

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Current events can lead us into thinking that the world is not a safe place to travel, and whenever that happens, it makes me very sad.  For some time now, holidays in Mexico have been on the wane.  For awhile it was fear of the swine flu, then fear of rampant drug activity, and now fear of the potential for violence.  If you think about all of that superficially, instead of burrowing a little deeper into the information, you may be tempted to stay home.  And that would be a big mistake.

Let’s look a little deeper into the issue of visiting Mexico:

There are problems EVERYWHERE in the world.  Of course you’re going to hear about crime in Mexico.  You’re also going to hear about it in Manhattan, Los Angeles, Washington DC – some of the most frequently visited cities in the United States – and chances are there’s crime in your very own city.  People still travel to these destinations.  Unfortunately, crime can occur anywhere, so rather than hole up and never leave your home, do a little research about the places that you are best avoiding and enjoy the rest of the country.

Mexico is a very big country.  While it’s tempting to lump problem areas all together, the reality is that although there have been some problems in Guadalajara (in the state of Jalisco), on the opposite side of that same state, Puerto Vallarta is popular, sunny, and safe.  There are warnings about visiting Acapulco, but Cancun holidays – 900 miles away from Acapulco – would be just fine.  To give you a little additional perspective, 900 miles is just a little less than the distance between Seattle and Los Angeles.  Would you not visit Seattle because of a problem in LA?!

Bad stories travel faster than good ones.  It’s a sad truth, but one isolated situation can go viral, casting a pall over an entire tourism destination.  Visitors to a country look through a narrow lens when viewing the activities in a country, and that means it is not always an accurate reflection of what’s going on in a country.  I’m not suggesting that you ignore what you read.  I’m merely suggesting that you don’t accept everything as the truth without a little further investigation.

Things change.  Problems are real, but not a constant, so make sure you’re decisions are made with real-time information.  This map of Mexico trouble spots can help you learn about how many cities and areas are really very safe.  Check often.

Feel the personal connection.  I was traveling in Cancun during the swine flu hysteria, and had the chance to talk with some of the workers at the resort where I was staying.  They feared for their jobs, being able to feed their families, and all the associated problems that we all worry about.  Everyone I talked to was eager to get the word out about how they were just as concerned about the things that we were, and urged us to pass the word along that they cared about visitors having a good time in their country.  The same holds true today.

With Mexico visitor and occupancy numbers at very low levels, there are some great bargains on everything from flights to accommodations.  Use accurate information, and some common sense, and you can scoop up some great rates for a sunny holiday south of the border.

Photo credit:  personal collection of Mary Jo Manzanares

NOTE:  This post is sponsored by Low Cost Holidays; the love of Mexico and the opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author.

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Museum lovers who visit Toronto will want to get their history and culture fix at the Royal Ontario Museum with its engaging galleries of art, archaeology, and natural science from around the world.  With over 40 galleries spread out over four floors, the museums is just one more reasons that a visit to Ontario will be both educational, culturally enriching, and fun.

The Royal Ontario Museum is a great destination for families, with lots of kid friendly exhibits.  Some exhibits that kids might enjoy include:

• The current exhibit, Water! The Exhibition, has been a big hit with 17 interactive hands-on activities.  Where there’s water there’s usually fun, and this exhibit uses real water along with immersive displays, natural artifacts, videos and animals to explain why water is important to Canada and the world.
• ROM Live! has been a big hit with kids as it takes them on a journey back in time to take a look at ancient civilizations, the medieval era, and to learn about the ever popular dinosaurs.
• Nature loving kids might enjoy the Bring Back the Wild program that combines live animals with a natural history lesson.  Kids will have the opportunity to learn how they, too, can become animal ambassadors and help to keep nature in its delicate balance.

The museum offers organized lessons and self-guided tours of the exhibits and collection, and they make it fun too.  You can download a scavenger hunt plan for use at the museum and have fun discovering just what’s inside those walls.  With these educational activities as well as curriculum-based programming, a visit to the museum is a popular home schooling activity, school field trip, or fun vacation stop.

After a busy day at the museum, you’ll be up for a break and some sustenance, and Toronto delivers in the food department as well.  The city has a burgeoning restaurant scene, and whether you opt for fine dining, one of the many ethnic choices, or family friendly dining, there’s plenty to choose from.  Plan a simple brunch and a day exploring, or start off early and finish up with a simple dinner, either way the Royal Ontario Museum and the surrounding neighborhood provide great family fun.

Location:  100 Queen’s Park, Toronto

Hours:  Sunday-Thursday 10 am-5:30 pm; Friday till 8:30 pm

Admission:  $24 adults; $21 seniors and students; $16 children, infants are FREE.  There is a supplement charge for Water! The Exhibit.  The Royal Ontario Museum is also part of the CityPass ticket.

Photo credit:  Exterior (via flickr); dinosaur (via flickr)

NOTE: This post is sponsored by My Destination Info; the opinions expressed are those of the author.

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It might seem like just a summer long party, but the Barbados Crop Over summer festival has serious roots dating back to the 1700’s.  The festival was originally a celebration of the end of the sugar cane harvest — at a time when Barbados was the world’s largest producer of sugar.  Gradually, as the sugar production declined on the island so, too, did the Crop Over festival, but was then revived in the 1970’s as a summer long festival.  Visitors from around the world head off to Bridgeport for a Barbados holiday to celebrate and enjoy the second largest party in the Caribbean.  The main festivities occur in July, but are bookended by other activities, making it a festive island to be on all summer long.

Here are a few activities that may tempt you:

• Ceremonial Delivery of the Last Canes – The official kick off of the festival symbolizes the last sugar cane to be harvested.  The King and Queen of the Festival are crowned and traditionally were the most productive cane cutters of the ending season.  This year the event will be held on July 2.
• The Grand Kadooment – This raucous parade is the main event of Crop Over and, for some, the parade may seem reminiscent of Trinidad’s Carnival.  The Grand Kadooment, however, has a distinctly Bajan flavor, with colorful local costumes, soca music, crazy dancing, and plenty of local food at stalls along the parade route through Bridgetown.  Macaroni pie, anyone?  This grand event is the conclusion to the summer festivities and this year will be held on August 1. A junior Kadooment (in photo above) will be held on July 23.
• Cohobblopot – The best of the best in calypso stage a battle of the bands performance/competition.  If you think is just music, think again; there has long been a strong link between music and politics in Barbados so listen closely to the lyric and the message of each song.  This high energy competition will be held on July 31.  Get your tickets early as this is a very popular event.
• Bridgetown Market – Wander through the food, art, and craft stalls as you bob along to calypso music and live tuk bands with traditions dating back to time Barbados was colonized by the British.  The market is scheduled for various dates throughout Crop Over.

Additional summer long events and activities include folk concerts, art exhibits, and displays representing Bajan history and culture.  Calypso tents will be located around the city for both enjoyment and the staging of various calypso competitions leading up to the Pic-O-De-Crop Finals on July 29.  There is are junior calypso tents and competitions that start in June.

If you’ve been thinking about spending your holidays in the Caribbean, Crop Over might be that little extra incentive to make the decisions to visit Barbados.

Photo credit: Meg Stewart via flickr

NOTE:  This post is sponsored by Low Cost Holidays; the love of the islands and the opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author.

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Food, glorious food — It’s one of the many things that I enjoy about traveling!  Visiting a new country or region often means discovering a new food, spice, or other dish.  Sometimes those discoveries are not something I’d want to try again, but fortunately, more often it’s a tasty delight that I long for once I’ve returned home.

If you’ve discovered food that you love while on your Peru holidays, take some time to look around your neighborhood – you may be surprised to find a Peruvian restaurant or store located nearby.  While you may not be able to re-create the Machu Picchu experience at home, you can rekindle your love affair with the cuisine of this South American country.  Fair warning – If you fell in love with the food while visiting Peru, this post may have you drooling to go back!

What is Peruvian cuisine?  Like the culture roots of the country, Peruvian cuisine is rooted in Spanish flavors and influenced by flavors from the immigrants of China, Italy, West Africa, and Japan.  At the root of most Peruvian dishes are one or more of three staple foods — corn, potatoes, and beans – that are readily available throughout the country.  But don’t make the mistake of thinking that this means bland dishes.  To these staples are added a wonderful array of native fruits, vegetables (delicious chili peppers), spices, and other ingredients to make dishes as rich in flavor as in their history.

Some traditional Peruvian dishes include:  anticuchos (a skewer of marinated and grilled meat that you’ll often find available in street carts, in photo above), ceviche (raw fish marinated in lime juice and then spiced up with chili peppers), pachamanca (meats and vegetables roasted in a hot stone “oven”).  Now if that doesn’t make you hungry to go back to Peru, I don’t know what will!

While you were in Peru you were able to wash down that delicious food with a Chicha Morada (a clove flavored drink that I think is sort of like iced tea), Inca Kola (a sweet lemon soda), and Kola Inglesa (cherry flavored soda).  These are a bit harder to find back at home, so you may have to content yourself with memories of these Peruvian flavors.

Visiting your local Peruvian restaurant or store is not a substitute for visiting the country.  But after your experiences in Lima and Cusco are only memories, your photos of the Inca Trail and Tambopata National Park are saved on your computer as your wall paper, and your longing for a return visit – savoring the tastes of the country are the next best thing to being there.

NOTE:  This post was sponsored by Travelsphere.

Photo credit: wikipedia

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Tonalá is a city of around 350,000 located near Guadalajara, in central Mexico.  The city is well known for its ceramics, glass, and other native arts and crafts, and you can see them all and the city’s open air markets held on Thursday and Sunday.

Market days will find the neighborhoods full of goods displayed on the sidewalks, and often spilling out into the streets.  Ceramics, pottery, glassware, and papier mâché items are all good buys.  Bring cash for your shopping in the market.  Bring pesos, as most stalls will not take US currency.

If you know a little Spanish it will come in handy.  Although many locals do speak a little English, there is some bargaining involved at the market, and it may very well take a combination of  Spanish, English, and some gestures, to make yourself understood.  If you know none, don’t let that put you off market days, just give it a try and you’ll find you won’t have many problems.

On market days, start your exploration from the main plaza at Juarez and Hidalgo.  Pick a direction and start wandering.  You’ll find plenty to catch your eye, although after awhile a lot of the products will look the same, and you’ll discover there’s not a lot of variation in price. Many of the shops also serve as the family home, with the entire family involved in the business, so find someone who’s a pleasure to do business with and enjoy the transaction.

The plaza area also has lots of shops that feature more elaborate and decorative pieces, including wall hangings, furniture, and large ceramic and glass pieces.  These would be the fine art shops, and although there is still some price negotiation involved, it is not quite the haggling experience that you’ll find at the market stalls.   Some of these shops take credit cards and will assist in arranging for shipping your goods back to the U.S.

Even if you’re not there on market day, a visit to Tonalá is enjoyable and can still yield great shopping.  Visit the ceramic and glass factories to get better prices than you’ll see most anywhere else.  These factories supply the shops in nearby Tlaquepaque, and a trip to the source will mean better prices and substantial savings.

Many of the factories are located on the main thoroughfare of Avenida de Los Tonaltecas on the edge of the downtown area.  The shops will be dusty and cluttered, the shelves rickety and crudely put together, and the products poorly displayed.  But here you’ll find good bargains.  Just remember, prettier displays and dusting equals higher prices!  The selections will vary slightly from place to place, although pricing is reasonably consistent.  Generally, items are priced so low at the factories that there is no bargaining.  Some of the factories accept credit cards and will arrange for shipping a large order, but plan to have cash on hand just in case.

One of the more popular purchases in Tonalá is the recognizable clear glasses with the blue rims.  While this color is the traditional one, and seen at many restaurants, bars, and upscale stores here in the United States, other colors are also becoming quite popular.  You’ll also find frosted glasses, as well as colorfully painted and decorated ones.

This video provides a nice sample display of some of the items you’ll find in Tonalá:

Here are some prices, listed in dollars, from a recent visit.  Variations will occur based on color, size, quantity purchased, your bargaining skills, and, of course, the exchange rate.  These are hand blown items, and each piece is one-of-a-kind.  Variations are to be expected — and enjoyed!

• Glass margarita pitcher and set of six margarita glasses – around $10-12, depending on size
• Iced tea pitcher with six glasses – around $8 for clear glass, around $10 for frosted
• Small pitchers (for cream, syrup, etc.) – around $1, depending on size
• Large pitchers (for lemonade, sangria, etc.) – $3-6, depending on size
• Glass hanging wall masks with candle holder – around $6
• Wine glasses – $1-3, depending on size and style
• Bowls (for fruit, decorations, serving) – starting at around $3 and up, depending on size and style

Tonalá is about 20 minutes from Guadalajara by taxi (about $13), and about 45 minutes by local bus (about $1).  Taking the bus is easy and a lot of fun.  If you’re planning on making a lot of purchases, take the bus there and plan on a taxi for the return when you’re juggling packages.

Photo credit:  Shutterstock

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