Insider Update February 1, 2018

February 1, 2018

Dear BajaInsider Subscribers:

We’re bringing back our Insider Updates with this, the first edition of 2018. There is plenty happening in the week ahead and we take a look at the upcoming holidays and the beginning of Carnaval La Paz and Carnaval Ensenada.

The US Travel Warning for all of Mexico has been reduced to a Travel Advisory, which can only be a benefit to Baja tourism. The new system introduced in January by the Department of Homeland Security now uses 4 colors and threat levels, of which Mexico is a Level 2, Level 4 being the most dangerous.

The first week of February has Dia de Candelaria and Monday is Constitution Day.

Please check out the articles from our sponsors as well.

So, without further ado… here are the latest stories on the BajaInsider!

Articles on the BajaInsider.com

Current Articles on the BajaInsider.com

The tiger strips on the abdomen of the Aedes aegypti identifies them as the threat

The Zika Virus in Mexico – Handful of Cases Nationwide

Updated January 31, 2018 This posting of January 29 shows the first cases of the Zika virus in Mexico and none of them within the Baja California peninsula.

Carnaval La Paz – February 8-13. 2018

In 2018 Carnaval La Paz will run from February 08 to February 13, 2018, and the theme will be “Tierra de Encanto y Fantasía” or “The Land of Charm and Fantasy”.

Carnaval Ensenada – February 8-13, 2018

Carnaval Ensenada will struggle to be held February 8-13, 2018 and the theme this year is “Celebrating the Cultures”. As rough as it has been for Carnaval La Paz, Carnaval Ensenada appears even closer to the edge of extinction.

How to Know a Good Tequila

Other than sombreros, few things are more ‘Mexican’ than te

The Mexican Presidential Election of 2018

The 2018 Presidential Electoral Process in Mexico

This year, 2018 is an election year in Mexico in which the country will choose a new president for a six-year term. On the Federal level, the country will also choose 64 senators and all 500 Deputies. The presidency, along with many other political positions in Mexico has a one-term limit.

The famous Land's End arch in Cabo San Lucas

Mexico Travel Advisory in Perspective

Updated January 22, 2018 The latest Travel statement for Mexico was updated by the US Department of State on January 10, 2018 with a reduction of the “Mexico Travel warning” to a “Mexico Travel Advisory”.

Could Los Cabos become Mexico's Tourist Pot Spot?

Legalization could make Cabo a Travel “Pot Spot”

The discussion began with an off the cuff remark by the Federal Secretario de Turismo, Enrique de la Madrid Cordero and now has been put forward by the governor of the state of Baja California Sur, to make the recreational use and sale of marijuana legal in Quintana Roo and Baja California Sur.

The manufacture, distribution and sale of Crystal Meth is the product driving the drug war in BCS. The competitors are going head to head for total vertical market integration from vial to vein.

The Drug War in Baja California Sur

Updated January 22, 2018, For many years the southern portion of the Baja peninsula, the state of Baja California Sur, seemed immune to the drug-related violence that has plagued other parts of Mexico.

Candles lit for Dia de la Candelaria in Mexico

Dia de la Candelaria – Candle Mass Day in Mexico

I was first introduced to it while I was involved with a local expat organization where we celebrated King’s Day on January 6th when someone brought a Rosca de Reyes into the festivities to share with the group.

FEbruary 5 – Celebrating the current constitution of Mexico adopted in 1917

Dia de la Constitucion – Constitution Day, February 5

This year Constitution Day falls on Monday, February 5, 2018 and like many nations, Mexico adjusts this holiday to the Monday or “Puente” or “bridge” day to make a three

Know Your Mexican Peso – Mexican Paper Currency in Circulation

Brightly colored and adorned with strange faces, we used to call it ‘Monopoly Money’ when ours was just plain green. North Americans can avoid getting short changed and overpaying by becoming familiar with the different denominations of the Mexican Peso.

Whale sharks are the ocean's largest fish and frequent a number of locations in the Sea of Cortez

The Whale Sharks of the Sea of Cortez

Whale sharks – the largest fish in the ocean and return every winter to the waters of the Bay of La Paz. Swimming with these gentle giants can be the perfect end to a dive trip or island outing.