What is Semana Santa?

By Melissa A. Bartell Semana Santa. The first time you hear the phrase, there’s a sense of mystery. What exactly is this celebration? Isn’t it just the Mexican version of Easter? Well, yes and no. It’s more accurate to describe Semana Santa as the week...

Christmas in La Paz – From House Guest to Homecoming

By Melissa A. Bartell The first Christmas I spent in La Paz was only a few months after my parents moved here, and I came toting a box nearly as tall as I am. The bottom third was filled with Ghirardelli chocolate chips, Celestial Seasonings...

Noche Buena – Three Very Different Meanings

By Susan Fogel If you have lived in or visited Mexico regularly at the holidays, then you have heard or seen the words Noche Buena. Did you know that these two words, that literally translated, mean The Good Night, have three very different usages. Most...

La Paz’s Annual Day of the Dead Festival

TBC La Paz’s Annual Day of the Dead Festival will take place on Wednesday, November 1st and Thursday, November 2nd at the Teatro de la Ciudad. The Teatro is located on Navarro between Altamirano and Heroes de Independencia. The Festival starts at 6:00 pm or...

Get Ready for May Days In Mexico

TBC May is one of the busier holiday months of the year in Mexico, with a mountain of special days to consider if you either work or study here. Please take into account these dates before making any major plans. Labor Day falls this year...

It is Semana Santa in Mexico

It is Semana Santa in Mexico, which means it’s vacation time! Semana Santa is a big deal in Mexico and a tradition that cannot be ignored or go unnoticed. During the days leading up to Easter Sunday, downtown will be cleared out, beaches will start...

The Extended Holiday Season in Mexico

TBC Isn’t it amazing in Mexico how holidays just stretch out for weeks at a time? No wonder it is the best time of the year! Saturday, December 12th is Dia de Guadalupe, a special day to many Catholics, especially Mexicans, as it is the...

Noche Buena; Three Very Different Meanings

By Susan Klindienst Fogel If you have lived in or visited Mexico regularly at the holidays, then you have heard or seen the words Noche Buena. Did you know that these two words, that literally translated, mean The Good Night, have three very different usages....

The True Spirit of Christmas Shines Through

By Irene Phillips Even before Mexican Revolution Day in late November, we see Christmas decorations in all their glory in every store and restaurant. In December, festival season begins in earnest with the celebration of the Patrona de Mexico, Our Lady of Guadalupe, on December...

Christmas Tianguis Have Taken Over Downtown La Paz

TBC Drive with precaution if you are heading downtown in the next few weeks. The traditional La Paz Christmas Tianguis have taken over several blocks of historic downtown La Paz, making driving and parking a little more hazardous. The Tianguis, or open-air street stands, can...