Year after year, Mexico tops the charts for hot spring break destinations. This year is no different from the past years. Spring break hot spots are sill in Acapulco, Puerto Vallarta, and Cancun. These spots are well known for warm weather and around the clock partying with thousands of college age students. The drinking laws in Mexico are a bit more relaxed than in the United States. Since the majority of students are not of legal US age many underage students are attracted to this area because of an opportunity to consume alcohol unrestricted.

IT is not often a columnist like me truly gets a news scoop. So I was apprehensive when founding out, from what I felt was a reliable source, that Mexico was about to demand Canadians have passports to enter the country.

After considerable thought I went forward with the information in my column, before it was officially announced.

No other media picked up the story after the column ran. I was feeling not at all comfortable with the decision when an industry peer, after contacting the Mexican consulate in Toronto, informed me that the people there laughed at such a possibility.

I stuck with my faith in the source, and I am glad I did. I hope that those who might have been planning to travel to that wonderful country without a passport applied for one immediately, and receive it on time to enjoy a pleasant March or April holiday.

One Saturday morning at our weekly coffee klatch I informed my friend Harry that I was going to Mexico to study Spanish. My pronouncement was met with hoots of derision.

“I’m thinking of going to Yelapa,” I responded, fully expecting that he’d never heard of the place.

“It’s a little flyspeck of a village about an hour’s boat ride from Puerto Vallarta,” I told him. “You can only get there by boat.”

“I’ve been there,” he said casually. “Have they got electricity yet?”

I like small, out-of-the-way places and Yelapa seemed to be perfect. It was relatively close to Puerto Vallarta, yet far enough away from the tourist crowds and the cost for accommodation is reasonable. You can get a fairly nice “villa” for about $300 a week in the low season.

The only way to Yelapa is by water taxi — also sometimes referred to euphemistically as “a boat.”

Puerto Vallarta is a popular sun destination in Mexico — and for good reason. From the slick all-inclusives of Nuevo Vallarta, to the charm of the old part of town, to the gay beach, it seems there’s something for everyone. And that includes people who want to leave the comfort of town for a bit of adventure. Yelapa is a fishing village on the coast on Banderas Bay just south of Puerto Vallarta, and it is the starting point for an easy hike through the jungle to waterfalls on the El Tuito River. Yelapa is not easy to get to. First you take a city bus to Boca de Tomatlan (seven pesos, or about 57 cents, for a 30-minute-or-so trip) and from there you hop a water taxi (about 120 pesos or about $9.75 per person, for another half-hour trip) to Yelapa. Be prepared to jump from the water taxi into the surf! From the beach, the hiking trail starts at the cobblestone path and runs parallel to the river. Count on 90 minutes each way. But get directions before leaving: The trail, though well travelled and easy to follow, is not marked. Alternatively, you can just stay on the beach at Yelapa. In either case, remember to book your water taxi back, otherwise you may be stuck there for the night.

Within the Mexico Real Estate market, one of the favorites for luxury condos and high-end villas is the Puerto Vallarta Real Estate area. In Puerto Vallarta, condo owners enjoy the benefit of being only a few hours away from their home city back in the U.S. or Canada, as well as a large community – currently about 50,000 – of other Americans and Canadians who have already decided to enjoy life in a Mexico Condo in one of the country’s top beachfront cities.

Although the high quality of life, and luxury of the real estate available are probably the main draws to Puerto Vallarta, the easy access back home is also a very important consideration for most condo buyers. Puerta Vallarta residents, as well as those who are considering buying a condo in Mexico, will be interested to know that the group which runs the city’s international airport, GAP (Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico) is planning to invest about 250 million dollars over the next five years in improving the infrastructure of its terminals in Mexico’s Pacific Coast area.

A Grand Forks teenager battling leukemia has postponed her Make-A-Wish Foundation cruise to Mexico because of a medical setback.

Scott Dvorak said his daughter Brittany, 15, recently was notified by the foundation that her wish was granted to take a family cruise and swim with dolphins in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. The weeklong vacation was scheduled to begin on Valentine’s Day.

But she’s been in Altru Hospital since Sunday, and her low blood counts mean she can’t go on the trip, Dvorak said. “We’re not canceling it, we’re just putting it on hold for now,” he said.

How good is the new Bahia Golf Course that opened 90 days ago in Punta Mita, Mexico?

Well, last week, the editors of Golf Odyssey dropped in to play it and they walked away quite impressed with the much-anticipated Jack Nicklaus Signature Design, a sister course to the original, Pacifico course.

Past visitors to Punta Mita, the ultra-luxurious paradise located about an hour north of the Puerto Vallarta airport, probably have fond memories of playing the Pacifico golf course on their Mexico golf vacations.

Pacifico is resort golf course at its finest, with fairways like football fields and enough eye candy to satisfy any golfer’s sweet tooth (including hole 3B, or the “Tail of the Whale,” a par-three whose green is completely separated from land at high tide).

Many folks will be enjoying a three-day weekend for President’s Day and next month area schools dismiss for spring break, so perhaps now is the time to consider a visit to Mexico.

Mexico is close, warm in many areas and has marvelous accommodations for relaxation, food and swimming. Most Americans choose a beach resort that is often all-inclusive – providing lodging, three meals daily and sports activities. The big question is where to go.

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A longtime favorite for travelers seeking to explore lush, tropical scenery and the magical charm of Mexico’s Pacific Coast, the AAA Four Diamond, all-inclusive, all-suite Barceló La Jolla de Mismaloya has recently undergone a multi-million dollar renovation, further enhancing the guest experience. 

Just completed in 2009, the project included full renovation of the resort’s 317 one- and two-bedroom suites, decorated in a soft-contemporary palette of neutral tones, accented with tropical colors.  Each suite opens onto a large balcony with panoramic bay vistas or views of the peaceful, surrounding gardens.  Guests can select the room that most meets their needs, from a family vacation in a spacious family suite to a romantic getaway in the fully-equipped grand master suite.  And for love birds, few other locations could offer such an ideal backdrop for popping the big question, exchanging vows or escaping on a tropical honeymoon.

Additional renovations included an upgrade to the resort’s sparkling swimming pools and contemporary lounge as well as the addition of a new restaurant, Capri.  The hotelier also invested in a comprehensive beach rejuvenation program, enhancing one of Puerto Vallarta’s most enchanting beach coves.