Murmurs of water drops falling down from ancient formations fill the air…

Your heart is beating fast. You are excited because you realized that you are visiting the most sacred place for the Maya: the underworld, or Xibalba.

You don’t need to be an explorer, a caver or a geologist to come here and be amazed by one of the most exciting places on Earth. Here, thousands of natural rock formations, such as stalactites and stalagmites, will accompany you through your journey into the heart of Earth.

A group tour of Rio Secreto

The experience is just about to begin. Put on your helmet, your wetsuit and take a light. Get ready to flow like a river and be prepared for the beautiful secret that you are about to experience. This is Rio Secreto. 

“The greatest finds have not yet been discovered”

An iguana runs through the lush vegetation. Suddenly, it disappears into the darkness of a hole in the ground.

A peasant chases it. Carefully, he gets close to the cavity…

                                   He has no idea what is about to be revealed.

He discovers something far beyond his imagination: an underground river of extraordinary beauty. This exceptional finding took place just 6 years ago!

The Yucatan Peninsula, a geologic, natural and cultural hotspot

This amazing area of the world combines splendorous Maya ruins, a complex jungle, a coral reef and unique geological features.  Maya ruins tell us ancient stories through their stone voices. The jungle is still the home of the largest feline in the Americas and the third largest in the world: the sacred jaguar. This amazing feline with starry skin vanishes into the forest shadows. Under beautiful turquoise waters, the second largest barrier of coral reef booms with a diversity of life and colors. Underneath these amazing sights, the Yucatan Peninsula hides a secret: it is one of the greatest geological adventures in the world.

The Peninsula is a huge limestone plateau that witnessed the impact of a meteorite. According to most scholars, it was the cause of the dinosaurs’ massive extinction.

A father and his daughter enjoy Rio Secreto

Millions of years after that cataclysmic event, during the ice age, the crescent ice caps took billions of tons of water to build massive glaciers. This activity occurred over thousands of years, lowering sea levels around the globe. In the Yucatan Peninsula the level decreased more than 430 feet.

While this limestone, made of coral and many other animal skeletons, remained above the sea, the rain patiently dug caves. Some of these were home to the oldest American humans, camelids, bears and an assembly of strange creatures.

After thousands of years, Maya civilization flourished in the region. They believed caves were sacred places, housing many of their gods.  The Maya entered with torches and performed purification rituals and gave offerings, assuring that the world as they conceived it would continue to function.

With the Maya collapse the underground territory returned to silence and darkness… until now.

The voyage inside

The jungle is part of the secret river as its trees take precious water from it.  Inside, you will see roots hanging from the ceiling and reaching the vital liquid. Also, the secret river belongs to the jungle as the falling rain crosses the soil, washes the limestone, and gives life to marvelous structures resembling natural sculptures.

Your entry into this natural balance will be completely safe. Our staff from Rio Secreto will provide you with professional equipment, assuring full enjoyment of these marvelous wonders that nature has created. You will experience a friendly environment, provided with knowledge shared by our passionate guides.

If you love, if you smile, if you believe in change, you will feel the experience of total peacefulness mingled with the excitement of being under the skin of Earth.

As the secret river flows, you will enter into a personal voyage in crystal clear water. You will experience a life-changing adventure as you cross through decorated rooms where every detail is in harmony with its surroundings. You will discover not only the secret of the cave, you will also discover yourself. It’s up to you.

Moreover, Rio Secreto is a natural reserve, part of the Maya jungle. If your senses are wide open and perceptive, you will also enjoy the surrounding wild life, from the original Maya stingless bees, the “Meliponas”, to the striking blue Morpho butterfly. If you are curious enough, you will see the Mot mot or PájaroToh, a turquoise bird with a racket-like tail that inhabits the cenotes, or sink holes.

It doesn’t end here

Rio Secreto is a journey through your senses, including your taste. Traditional ancient Maya food made of corn, chaya, amaranto, xtabentún flower and the base of chocolate, cacao. These are some of the delightful flavors that you will enjoy at our Culinary Experience.

After your visit into another world, your mind will be busy with many thoughts, but your stomach will be complaining. It’ll be hungry, so you must not disappoint it.  You will find an open hut, waiting to tickle your taste buds and share a flavorful array of dishes made with love. And if you feel tired or want to reflect on your experience, just relax in one of the hammocks hanging just a few steps away.

For a better world…

The life changing experience of Rio Secreto is also a daily experience for the people working there. They share their passion for nature and conservancy to every visitor with a smile on their face: they know they are lucky to live and work in a place like Rio Secreto.

Those who enter the secret river will never be the same: they´ll be aware of the fragility, peace and amazing diversity of our world; our home. They will be conscious that the crystal clear water is our life. The water is ourselves and is the base of life, like the jungle outside the river. They will be aware that water and darkness are our origin.

"We love Rio Secreto."

We can find light in the underworld…and that light becomes real when we come to the surface again.  You will feel reborn, totally renewed and full with the energy to live and help build a better world than the one we find.

Come to Rio Secreto, a life changing experience!

Is Mexico Safe?

That is the question that the media teaches us to ask. But, the real questions are: “Can you afford to miss the beauty, culture and beaches of Mexico because of fear?” or “Will you be safe when you go to Mexico?” While the statistics about crime and security in Mexico are not consistent, there are general guide lines that one can use to predict and plan for safety on a specific trip. They are: purpose, behavior and location.

PURPOSE

Those who go to Mexico for a convention, for (legal) business purposes or for a vacation are unlikely to see the violent crime that we see on news reports. Most resorts, colonial cities, Eco-tours and guided adventures are probably as safe as our own hometown.

So why do we see all of these reports? As a reporter, the first thing that I learned was to report the unusual. Everyday occurrences are not news and are, subsequently, not reported. (The common phrase is that if a dog bites a man it is not news. But, if a man bites a dog that is news.) We are seeing reports because the activity is unusual.

Therefore, we read about crime for several reasons. Firstly, the numbers of victims are horrendous, because a specific drug cartel wipes out an entire contingent of a competing cartel at a specific time creating a significant violent crime. Secondly, because of the efforts of the Mexican Government under the specific efforts of President Felipe Calderon, the cartels are under siege by the government as well as the competing cartels. Subsequently, those who are in the cartels are attacking those who are dedicated to eliminating the cartels.

President Calderon is not only fighting crime, he is willing to travel the country to show that it is safe.  Here he travels with Peter Greenberg:

We can expect that over time the Government will win this war, but the battles are dangerous for the police and the drug cartels. Those who choose to go to Mexico for some illegal activity (rather than those who go for legal business purposes or vacation) are much more likely to experience that violent crime.

BEHAVIOR

It is common sense to use some caution in any unfamiliar environment. Be aware of those who are nearby. Avoid dark alleys when alone at 1:00 AM. Don’t flash $100.00 bills (or $1000 pesos) for everyone to see.

There are many great books on safety while traveling. I read one many years ago, just before my first trip to New York City. At the time NYC was having a significant problem with gang violence. I needed to travel there for a business project and I was insecure. The tips that I read in one of these books eased my concerns and made the trip more pleasant.

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

Do your research. Crime is different in the various regions (states) of Mexico. Know where you are going and the dangers of the area. In my research, Prominix

http://www.prominix.com/sblock/admin/images/Mexico%20Crime%20stats%202011.pdf

is about the best site for statistics on crime in Mexico. Remember, that the percentage of unreported crime in Mexico is about 40% higher than that of the US or Canada. Yet these statistics can give a good synopsis of the crime by state in Mexico.

Finally, a word of caution when using statistics; the state data is a good source of reference. Yet, various areas of each state have different crime experiences. While one location of a given state may encounter a high rate of a specific crime, the rest of the state may have very little experience with that same crime.

TESTIMONIAL

Chicago Journalists at a Jalisco Hacienda - 2011

At this point it should be obvious that this article is based on facts, but is, mostly, my personal opinion. However, even that opinion is based on experience. This past year I have visited Mexico three times. Those visits included three different states: Yucatan (see Cozumel, Chichen Itza,) Jalisco (see Lake Chapala Region, Guadalajara Sculptures) and Mexico City. At no time did I feel unsafe. While I seldom rely solely on feelings, I experienced no crime. Sure I saw what appeared to be some shady characters, but no more often than I see in the Midwest of the United States.

Each person needs to understand his or her comfort level, and create travel plans on that self-knowledge. As for me, I look forward to my next trip to the beaches, culture architecture, and history of Mexico.

San Luis Potosí is the capital of and most populous city in the Mexican state of the same name. The city lies at an elevation of about 6,000 feet. It has an estimated population of over 700,000 inhabitants in the city proper, and a population of over 1 million in its metropolitan area. This makes the metropolitan area  the tenth largest in Mexico.

Buisness in San Luis Potosi

TI Automotive fuel tank systems are produced at the San Luis Potosi plant

The city is one of the main industrial centers in central Mexico, with a prolific manufacturing industry. The city is strategically located halfway between Mexico City and the United States border, as well as in the middle of the triangle formed by Mexico City and the other two largest cities in Mexico, Guadalajara and Monterrey. A number of foreign industries have chosen to invest in San Luis Potosí in the last decades thanks to its strategic location for trade.

San Luis Potosí’s economy owes much of its success to the state’s thriving manufacturing and agriculture industries. Also, some of the richest silver mines in Mexico are located in the northern part of the state. Gold, copper and zinc are also mined there.

Manufacturing accounts for about 26 percent of the economy. General service-based companies represent 18 percent, followed by trade activities at 17 percent, finance and insurance at 15 percent, agriculture and livestock at 9 percent, transportation and communications at 9 percent, construction at 5 percent and mining at 1 percent.

Most of the state’s industrial activities–food processing, automobile manufacturing, mining and textiles–take place in or around the capital city. Many large foreign companies have facilities there, including Bendix (auto parts), Sandoz (pharmaceuticals), Union Carbide (chemicals) and Bimbo (food products). Fruit crops such as oranges, mangoes, bananas and guavas are abundant in this region. Corn and beans are primary crops throughout the state, with goats, sheep and cattle being the chief livestock commodities.

San Luis Potosi Tourism

Besides its industry-based economy, recently the city has been promoted as a touristic destination in central Mexico. San Luis Potosí’s historic downtown displays a great mixture of different artistic styles in many buildings and it’s a major example of colonial architecture in Mexico.

A San Luis Potosi Plaza by Price Travel through Google Images

The 400-year-old capital city is famous for its jardines – beautifully planted plazas – and extraordinary number of baroque churches, surpassed only by those in Guadalajara and Mexico City. The Potosina Cathedral and the Palace of Government are in the city’s central square; the Plaza de Armas, which is also home to many other beautifully preserved and historically significant colonial buildings. The colonial center has since been closed off to traffic to help preserve its architectural treasures.

The city of San Luis Potosí is home to several art and history museums, including the National Mask Museum  (Museo Nacional de La Máscara), which offers permanent and temporary mask exhibits. The Potosí Bullfighting Center Museum (Museo del Centro Taurino Potosino) offers an extensive collection of bullfighting memorabilia, including photographs, posters, clothing and equipment that once belonged to famous matadors. See the video on tourism in San Luis Potosi:

Outside the City

The resort town of Santa María del Río, which is known for its thermal baths and spas, also has an ancient stone aqueduct, El Arquillo that crosses the river and forms a beautiful waterfall.

EcoTourism in Huasteca Potosina by Petr Myska for VivaNatura Through Google Images

The region known as La Huasteca Potosina has some of the most important ecotourism sites in Mexico’s northern region and features attractions such as waterfalls, rapid rivers, caves and camping sites. City Valley (Ciudad Valles) is in the middle of La Huasteca Potosina.

The Basement of the swallows, (El Sótano de las Golondrinas) is a 1234-foot deep cave popular among spelunkers and rock climbers. Every morning thousands of swallows fly out in a synchronized spiral flight, and every afternoon they return.

The town of Xilitla features a surreal castle built in the middle of the jungle. Edward James, an Irish-American millionaire and owner of railroad businesses, built the castle in 1950 and lived with the local residents of the region, practicing alternative medicine for more than a decade.

If you need to get away and have the vacation of your life; think Mexico. Mexico is a prime location for travel and beautiful beaches, food, and weather. What else should you want when traveling?

The sculptures of Guadalajara are diverse and stunning. Although a single article cannot possible cover the vast array of the sculpture in this great city, we are able to show the contrast between the traditional and modern styles.

Traditional Sculpture

Bishop with Orphans - Taken By Scott Fleischmann

One of the most touching sculptures is at the Instituto Cultural Cabañas.  This complex was originally built to house the poor, and then orphans began arriving in 1810.  In the early 1980’s it was repaired and modified to be a cultural center.  The new institute has been honored by UNESCO as World Heritage Site. 

The statue depicts Juan Cruz Ruiz, who was appointed Bishop of Guadalajara in 1795, with two orphans.  It shows his compassion for people who are less fortunate.  Also, Ruiz was the primary sponsor of the original building project.  He commissioned Manuel Tolsa a Spanish neo-classical architect in to design the building in 1803.

In addition to this statue, the architecture, gardens and murals of the complex are outstanding.  The murals by José Clemente Orozco are world renowned.  

Escudo on the Plaza Tapatia- Taken By Scott Fleischmann 5-20-2011

Another great traditional sculpture can be seen in the center of the shops that run along the PlazaTapatia.  Incidentally, while there are some typical shops on the plaza, there are also many unique boutiques that are worth a look.  The sculpture of escudo (coat of arms) of 16^th century Guadalajara is a pine tree (with leaves instead of needles) that is protected by two lions that appear to be climbing the tree.  

Sculpture of General Manuel M. Dieguez - Taken by Scott Fleischmann

The Plaza de la Rotonda is just north of the Cathedral and is home to Rotunda of the Illustrious People of Jalisco.  The architect Vicente Mendiola built the monument in 1951 under the direction of the then current Governor, José Jesús González Gallo.  The seventeen columns support the upper stone ring with words that translate into “To Jalisco’s Distinguished Sons”.  Although appropriate at the time, the only woman, teacher and humanist Irene Obledo Garcia, was added in 2000.

The center of this memorial tribute contains the urns holding the remains of those honored by the monument.  The statues of the 24 honorees surround the Plaza. 

Modern Sculpture

Inmolación de Quetzalcoatl - Taken by Scott Fleischmann

Inmolación de Quetzalcoatl was created by Victor Manuel Contreras in 1981.  The base of the fountain is a cross with a sculpture in the center  surrounded by four other sculptures at the furthest top, bottom and each of the arms of the cross. 

The central sculpture is 82 feet high, making it one of the tallest in the world, while each of the other sculptures are almost 20 feet high. The five sculptures are each made from a bronze casting.   Every casting was then hand carved by Contreras.  This gargantuan sculpture sits in the Plaza Tapatia.

Bronze Sculptures by Colunga - Taken by Scott Fleischmann 05-20-11

Some of the bronze sculptures of Alejandro Colunga are near the opposite end of the Plaza Tapatia.  Each of these four sculptures depicts a magician in the process of transforming his body into a chair or a sofa.  Visitors cans sit on the magician / furniture. 

Colunga was born on December 11, 1948.  Although self-trained as a sculpture, he is considered one of the most important Mexican artists of the 20^th Century.  He admits to being attracted to Mexican folk art, but creates bronze sculpture in the Latin American Surrealistic and Fantasy style.  Much of his work exaggerates the human body.

Swimming and Boating on Lake Chapala - Taken by Scott Fleischmann

The Lake Chapala region of the state of Jalisco, Mexico is diverse – distinguished by the character of each community.  At 405 square miles of surface it is the largest natural lake in Mexico and the 3^rd largest in Latin America.  A relatively shallow lake, the maximum depth is about 35 feet.   (By comparison, the lowest part of Lake Superior is about 1,330 feet deep.)

The Lake Chapala region is composed of twelve communities, eight in the state of Jalisco and four in Michoacan.  Some of the best know, most visited areas include:

Chapala

The town of Chapala is about 30 miles Southeast of Guadalajara.  The population is about 45,000 people, many of them are from the United States or Canada.  In addition to the Lake, the artistic, cultural and architectural amenities abound.  The architecture of the area is mostly Colonial.  The churches are plentiful and beautiful, many with tall towers, extensive stained glass, elaborate statues and decorations.  Those visiting should not miss the murals and the incredible wood statue in the municipal building. 

The Plaza in Chapala on Sunday - By Scott Fleischmann

One of the highlights of Chapala is the Sunday celebration along the lakefront.  While the children swim in Lake Chapala, parents shop the numerous booths, enjoy the food (especially the ice cream) and listen to the music of local, very talented, musicians and vocalists. 

While the various booths include standard tourist souvenirs, many of the booths have unique artistry and relics.  

Artists are known to frequent Chapala.  In fact, Tennessee Williams, the American writer, spent some time in Chapala to take advantage of the delightful solitude to write the play “The Poker Night”.  It ultimately became known as “A Streetcar Named Desire”.

Ajijic

As one of the towns in the Chapala municipality, Ajijic is just three miles from the downtown Chapala.  High (over 5000 feet above sea level) in the Sierra Madre mountains, the temperatures are fairly consistent.  In the coldest month – January the daytime highs are normally about 75 degrees.  In July, the hottest month, temperatures rise to 80 to 90 degrees.

The Mariachi Band at Real de Chapala - Taken by Scott Fleischmann

While Tennessee Williams preferred Chapala, Dane Chandos another American writer, fancied Ajijic.  In fact, two of his books focus on his home in Ajijic.  The first, “Village in the Sun”, was motivated by the building process of the house on the edge of Lake Chapala.  The other, House in the Sun, concentrates on the utilizing the house as a small inn.

While the region is known for Mariachi, we found the most delightful Mariachi band at Real de Chapala in Ajijic.  Their Sunday buffet is extraordinary.

Mezcala

The Church in Mezcala - Taken by Scott Fleischmann

Mezcala is a sleepy little town on the shore of Lake Chapala, about 10 miles Northeast of Chapala.  On Sundays, the locals and tourists congregate in the center of town to attend church, for camaraderie, and to partake of the concessions.  Yet, the crowds are not overwhelming.  There is an easy-going ambiance.

The large church is a focal point for this town.  Their ministry to children is well attended.  The priest does presentations that they can understand, while the children sing songs and put on plays and pageants.

However, the highlight of this area is Isla Mezcala, one of the three Lake Chapala islands. Since pre-colonial times, Isla

The Armory in the Mezcala Fortress - Taken by Scott Fleischmann

Mezcala was the site of a fortress, a prison and a retraining center.  While it is now uninhabited, tours are conducted, when requested, by trained tour guides. The remains of many of the buildings remain standing and the two hour tour is filled with history and photo opportunities. 

It is said that there are more Canadian and US citizens living in Chapala than in any other municipality outside of Canada and the United States.  This is not surprising considering that the Lake Chapala region is beautiful and it is filled with culture, history and art.

Monterrey – a bird’s-eye view

Monterrey's 'Saddle Hill,' Shrouded in Cloud-cover

The city of Monterrey, with a population in excess of 3.4 million, is Mexico’s third largest city and high tech/industrial centerpiece. Monterrey also enjoys the distinction of being one of Latin America’s more enchanting cosmopolitan centers.

Monterrey, capital of the State of Nuevo León, is situated securely in the center of a cluster of scenic northern Mexican territories.  The Mexican state of Nuevo León extends from the extreme northern states of Chihuahua and Coahuila to the north, and borders the neighboring states of Durango, to the west, and Zacatecas and Tamaulipas to the south and southeast.

Though similar to the many of Mexico’s premier metropolitan centers, what makes Monterrey unique as a 21-century city is its location and landscape.

Monterrey’s sprawling, scenic landscape lies in the placid Extremadura Valley, within the peaceful shadow of the 5,700-foot summit of “Cerro de la Silla,” or Saddle Hill.

A brief history

During Mexico’s pre-colonial era, various indigenous peoples inhabited the region of what is known today as Nuevo León. But most modern scholars and history buffs associate these early mesoamerican inhabitants with one predominant group known as the Chichemecas.

In the early 16th century (1577), Spanish explorer Alberto del Canto established the first small village settlement in the region, naming it Santa Lucia. In 1579, King Phillip II or Spain ordered the creation of a new Spanish colony. Two years, in 1582, Luis Caravajal y de la Cueva would cristen the new Spanish colony Nuevo Reino de León. And in 1596, Diego de Montemayor founded the Ciudad Metropoliana de Nuestra Señora de Monterrey, predecssor to Mexico’s modern capital. Finally, in 1824, three years after the end of Mexico’s War of Independence (1810-1821), the entire region was officially designated Nuevo León

In recent history, Monterrey has set the standard throughout Mexico in higher education and technological training. One of the more dramatic proofs of this achievement is the establishment of one of Mexico’s preeminent institutions for education in technology – The renowned Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education (Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, ITESM). The Institute was founded in 1943 by a small group of Mexican business entrepreneurs, and currently supports 31 thriving campuses through all of Mexico.

Monterrey – Mexico’s premier industrial and high-tech capital

As one of Mexico’s chief industrial capitals, Monterrey boasts two international airports, 35 industrial parks, and a host of modern universities and colleges, including Tec de Monterrey, considered by many to one of Latin America’s most prestigious and productive educational institutions. In addition, Monmterrey offers a spectacular, yet modest blend of modern architecture and early 19^th-century colonial splendor. At its historic hub lies a beautifully preserved, vibrant and eclectic colonial complex of museums, cathedrals and diverse cultural icons.

Monterrey – one of Mexico’s more modern cultural and cosmopolitan hubs

The cosmopolitan center of Monterrey offers a virtual potpourri of cultural treats and artistic delights for every particular palate, from the visual arts and theater, to archaeology and ancient history.

The cultural and historical hub of the city is concentrated in a quaint, but colorful six-block complex known locally as the Macroplaza (‘Gran Plaza’). This placid, eclectic cultural hub features a fascinating variety of museums and cultural centers for the performing arts.

Here is just a sample of the unique glimpses into Mexican life and culture that await the informed traveler and connoisseur of history and the arts:

The Museum of Contemporary Art (MARCO) – Opened in 1991, and located in the ‘Gran Plaza,’ this remarkable facility features a permanent collection of modern art, as well as occasional local displays of native work.

The Museum of Mexican History – The Museo de Historia Mexicana offers a rare display of early Mexican artifacts in a family-friendly, modern high tech, interactive environment.

The Museum of Mexican History – The Museo Metropolitano de Monterreyis housed in the original Old Palacio Municipal, built in 1612, and features a grass-roots glimpse of Monterrey’s rich and robust history.

Other cultural attractions include the Alfa Planetarium and IMAX Dome Theater; a Glass Museum for those interested in the ancient art of glass-making; the Museum of Anthropology and Paleontology (for students of ancient Mesoamerican culture, migration and evolution); a cluster of centers for the performing arts, including: the House of Culture (Casa de la Cultura), complete with occasional cultural exhibitions and concerts; the Center of the Arts and the City Theater, both featuring a host of professional performance and popular activities such as concerts, dance and ballet, in addition to local workshops and tourist-friendly festivals.

Monterrey’s artistic and cultural inner city also boasts an Automobile and Transportation Museum and Mexico’s own celebrated equivalent to Cooperstown, U.S., Monterrey’s own Baseball Hall of Fame – Salon de la Fama del Beisbol– featuring nearly 100 of Mexico’s baseball greats who played professional ball with United States Major League teams, beginning with Mexico’s own Baldomero (Mel – “Melo”) Almada , who signed with the Boston Red Sox on September 8, 1933.

It’s your passion. Your call …

Whateveryour passion or interest, most agree that Monterrey, Mexico’s ’Sultan of the North,’ has no contemporary equal as Mexico’s premier Mecca for culture, history and the arts … Unless, of course, you happen to hail from Mexico City, itself, or perhaps Guadalajara, Mazatlan or the Yucatan’s legendary Merida … or any of Mexico’s equally mesmerizing and magnificent 31 states .

You be the judge. You decide.

Mexico’s peerless sultan of celestial ‘Cerro de la Silla’ sits enthroned above Monterrey’s mystic valley, scaning the bright horizon, awaiting a welcomed delegation of foreign dignitaries and wide-eyed suppliants.

He has spent centuries preparing a sumptuous feast. He awaits your arrival.

The music and dancing begin at first light of a new day.

Pre-dawn Monterrey