Cuatro quests in Mexico
Representing a nation loaded with diverse destinations, the Mexico
Tourism Board offers four suggestions for NTA tour operators:
Puerto Vallarta offers artistic beauty, one-of-a-kind food tastings, boats and
Tarahumara athletes run
long distances in sandals and togas.
Ready to run?
Centrally located San Luis Potosi was founded in 1592 and packs power-
ful history lessons in its colonial center. Other highlights include the Temple
of the Carmen, built in remarkable Mexican baroque style, and the National
Museum of the Mask, with a permanent collection from all parts of the coun-
try. North of the city is Real de Catorce, a former mining town with a histori-
cal—and spiritual—attraction.
Los Cabos , on the
southern tip of the Baja
A Closer Look Tours is in the home stretch of final-
Peninsula, encompasses
izing a new package to Mexico’s Copper Canyon.
the towns of Cabo San
“Running with the Tarahumara is a twist on our
Lucas and San Jose del
usual Copper Canyon tour,” says Colin Caparrós,
Cabo. The area attracts
A-list celebrities, but even
director of operations of the Arizona-based com-
regular folk are star-struck
pany. “It’s focused on the local Indian tribe known
by its incredible variety of
worldwide for their running prowess.”
activities. The destination
A 2010 book about the Tarahumara, “Born to
has 11 swimmable beaches,
Run,” brought to light the stunning athleticism
world-class fishing,
of the sandal-clad natives, and a number of
water sports and luxury
ultramarathons attracted long-distance runners
cruises. An international
to the canyons. This tour is less demanding. “We
film festival is held each
are taking a more accessible approach to it,”
November, and the area’s
Caparrós says. “Our itinerary includes three runs
cuisine scene features
Whale watching off the coast of Los Cabos
that, in total, make up a half marathon, which
fresh seafood.
opens it up to casual runners who want to share
Groups that spend a week in the central highlands city of San Miguel de
the experience and explore the culture.”
Allende can find a new focus each day, including art, gastronomy, wellness,
The first tour is set to take off this fall,
adventure and history. An itinerary can include visits to churches and muse-
Oct. 11–19. Groups can fly into Hermosillo
ums, a tour of local wineries and a brewery, a day at a hot springs and spa,
International Airport or take a motorcoach from
perusing art galleries, taking a cooking class, and going on a horseback or all-
Phoenix. After enjoying Hermosillo for a day,
terrain vehicle tour of the countryside.
participants go for their first run: 3.5 miles on
For more ideas and information, go to visitmexico.com or contact Ivan
the beach along the Sea of Cortez. Two days
Martinez-Vega at [email protected].
of exploring other towns and attractions are
followed by a four-mile morning run
alongside the Tarahumara runners in
the Sierra Madre Mountains. That after-
noon, the group will share a meal with
the athletes and their families.
The tour includes another run, a visit
to the new Copper Canyon Adventure
Park, with a ride on one of the world’s
longest zip lines—hey, at least every-
JOIN US ON THE PREMIER TOUR EXPERIENCE THE ONCE A YEAR
body’s off their feet—and a final stop in
MONARCH BUTTERFLY TOUR
TO MEXICO’S COPPER CANYON
the historical city of Chihuahua.
For this program, A Closer Look Tours
is partnering with Free Spirit Vacations.
For more information, contact Caparrós
at [email protected] or
visit acloserlooktours.com.
beaches. Visitors stroll down cobblestone streets to reach arts and crafts mar-
kets and designer boutiques. A cruise on Acalli, a classic Hatteras 58-foot yacht,
provides options for snorkeling, parties and coastal sightseeing. And groups can
embark on an evening taco adventure or learn about tequila making.
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