If you want to get away for a relaxing Mexican vacation, there’s no better place to do it than Valle De Guadalupe.

Known as the “Napa Valley” of Mexico, Valle De Guadalupe is situated in the northern part of Baja California, just a short trip from Tijuana. If you live in Southern California, it’s the perfect place for a weekend trip, but people from all over should consider it as a vacation destination.

Today, we’re going to talk about 5 unforgettable things you need to experience in Valle De Guadalupe. Whether you’re looking to lounge on the beach or visit some world-class wineries, Valle De Guadalupe has got you covered.

1. Let Your Inner Wine Lover Out

The main reason Valle De Guadalupe is such a popular tourist destination is becuase of its nickname – the “Napa Valley” of Mexico. It’s one of the largest producers of world-class wine in the world (the Baja California region produces 70% of Mexico’s wine), so oenophiles flock from all around to visit the amazing wineries in the region, take tours, and even visit museums.

There’s no shortage of wine tours available to keep you busy for your entire stay, if that’s what you’re looking for. The wineries range from small family owned establishments to world-renowned wine brands, so you’ll be able to experience the full breadth of the Mexican wine industry.

2. Try Some World-Class Restaurants

Where there’s wine, there’s usually fine dining, so you won’t be surprised to find some of the best restaurants in Mexico in Valle De Guadalupe. The best thing to do is get some research done ahead of your trip and pick the restaurants you want to try, becuase you won’t be able to visit them all.

If you want to play it by ear, you might benefit from asking some of the locals where they eat. There’s no better way to experience Baja California than by doing as the locals do.

3. Enjoy An Excursion Through the Country Side

Once you’ve got your fill of great food and wine, you might want to see some of the natural beauty that surrounds the area. Fortunately, there are a couple of unforgettable sightseeing options available to you.

Fans of offroading will enjoy both the ATV or Moto Tour of Valle De Guadalupe. These allow you to experience a fun jaunt through the countryside with a trained guide. Just remember to go before you’ve had too much to drink.

Another important aspect to consider when preparing to go on an atv trip is maintenance. Take your atv into an atv repair shop to make sure it is in tip top shape before going out. There’s not much worse than getting out on the trail, sometimes miles out, and having engine trouble.

4. Or Fly Over It

If you’re not an offroad lover, then you’ve still got one amazing sightseeing option. Try out a hot air balloon ride over the valley and you’ll be treated to some truly unbelieveable views of the town and the surrounding country side, which is covered in expansive wineries. This is a serious bucket list experience.

Enjoy Your Trip to Valle De Guadalupe

So, why not make Valle De Guadalupe your next vacation destination. Not only will you be able to cross a few things off your bucket list, like taking a hot air balloon ride or visiting a tiny Mexican winery, but you’ll be able to relax and enjoy the natural beauty as well. There’s enough to do for a longer vacation, but it’s close enough for a weekender as well, which is what makes this Mexican Napa Valley so special.

If you enjoyed this post, come back again for more on travel, food, and wine.

Uh oh, sounds like things in Mexico are heating up just as the spring break season is upon us. Thousands of college students are preparing to head down to Mexico for spring break but some of their destinations have been declared unsafe for Americans by the U.S. State Department. This comes right around the time of President Trumps’ new travel ban but this is more centered on Mexico’s violent drug cartels.

High levels of crime have been reported in certain popular vacation areas and our government has warned against traveling to these areas. The travel warnings couldn’t have come at a worse time, as college students are finishing up mid-term exams and their plans are already booked. Changing plans last minute is never a cheap option and college students are already strapped for cash.  I guess it’s all up to you if you decide that the travel warnings are too much, so check out the evidence.

Which regions are affected and how serious are the warnings?

Recently, U.S. citizens have been targeted by Mexican Cartels in robberies, kidnappings and carjackings. The newest warnings replace ones from last April and now include 14 or Mexico’s 31 states, including popular vacation destination of Baja California Sur, Guerrero and Nayarit.

Guerrero is the most violent state in all of Mexico for the third year in a row and is home to the insanely popular destination of Acapulco.

Acapulco

Acapulco has been hit hardest by the recent violence as band of militias roam around the city setting up roadblocks and extorting cash from tourists. These groups are heavily armed and responsible for recent kidnappings in the area. Acapulco is now the leading murder capital in Mexico and has overtaken Ciudad Juarez as the center of the bloody cartel wars.

Acapulco is strategically located in the center of the Guerreo’s pacific coastal highway drug trafficking network, making it a dangerous place to be. The area is the largest opium producers in all of Mexico and is the most violent city in all of Mexico.

In 2014 there were 43 spring breakers reported missing in a wave of violence and riots. The city has less and less American spring breakers every year.

Cabo San Lucas

Located in the Baja California Sur state of Mexico, Cabo San Lucas has seen it sown recent trend of violent crimes against tourists. The resorts are obviously safe but once you step outside those guarded gates, the city gets dangerous fast. A huge drug cartel area because of its proximity to California and the easy route of boats to cities like San Diego and Los Angeles.

Major drug trafficking routes like the one that runs through Cabo are extremely dangerous and the U.S. State Department warns against travel here. American spring breakers would be worried and might want to change travel plans accordingly.

Cancun and the surrounding Mexican Riviera seem to be the safest vacation destinations in all of Mexico. Try changing your trip to Cancun if the travel warnings scare you as much as they scare me.

I hope you stay safe out there and follow all travel warnings.

The hotel pool certainly has gone through some changes over the year and our current iterations are the most gaudy and fantastic yet. Gone are the simple square pools, lame plastic lounge chairs and corny elevator music. Welcome the age of decadence and opulence at the finer hotels around the globe. If you are searching for the most outlandish and luxury hotel pools, you are in the right place.   Here is our list of the world’s Best Hotel Pools and Spas.

St. Regis Punta Mita Resort, Nayarit, Mexico

The Nayarit Riviera is a beautiful location for a vacation, located on the Western coast. Like most resorts nowadays the St. Regis Punta Mita Resort has multiple world-class pools to choose from. They range from a two level family friendly pool to two separate adult only options. The Beach club pool has an infinity edge and some of the tastiest cocktails in all of Mexico. We recommend ordering a “smoking Champagne”,” a surprising blends of spices, fruit and of course champagne. Pool butlers work off a handy phone app so even the laziest of vacationers can summon a bloody mary and lunch without lifting their heads.

Chileno Bay Resort & Residences, Los Cabos, Mexico

Baja Mexico is cranking out new top-notch resorts every few years and the Chileno Bay Resort & residences are the newest and shiniest one.   This all-inclusive mega resort offers up top shelf alcoholic beverages all day at the pool. Try one of their signatures frozen beverage s to cool you down poolside. A nice treat is their afternoon aloe vera ice cubes to help with any sunburn or to just chill you out.

Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

The world’s most luxurious hotel has to have a top 5 pool as well and the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah in Dubai does just that. They just unveiled their new 100,000 square–foot over water terrace with 32 lavish cabanas with A/C. These luxury cabanas surround two huge pools, one salt-water and the other fresh water.   It wouldn’t be Dubai if there weren’t a few opulent choices for the uber-rich. This resort offers eight “royal” cabanas with bathrooms and all the extras you could imagine. If you can afford it, the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah is the most luxurious choice.

Oil Nut Bay, Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands

The most instagram-able pool in all the world, the Oil Nut Bay in the British Virgin Islands has staff whose only job is to take shots of guests. These staff members don’t only snap pics they also provide fun props like giant inflatable flamingos and funny hats to make your pictures the best. The three-tiered pool is incredible and spacious; you will feel like you are all alone here.

 Faena Hotel Miami Beach, Florida

You know Miami would be on this list with Florida’s year round beach weather and the city’s opulent reputation. The luxurious Miami Beach resort has a first-class staff that does everything for the guests. You will seriously feel like royalty here. Complimentary snacks are passed around like a fancy pool party and they will even clean your sunglasses for you. This resort doesn’t want you to lift a finger and it shows.  

Find your pool paradise with or without our list, everyone’s preferences are different so figure out what your top five hotel pools are.