My beach vacation to Mexico felt like a disaster until I realized the bad weather changed my itinerary for the better
When I visited Tulum, Mexico, for the first time, I planned to lounge on sunny beaches.
I didn't realize my trip was on the heels of rainy season, and I thought bad weather would ruin it.
Instead, I found great local experiences and indoor activities that made my trip more meaningful.
I planned to spend most of my three-night trip to Tulum, Mexico, lounging on sunny beaches with friends. When I wasn't there, I'd be enjoying the views from my beachfront hotel room at the stunning Nômade Tulum.
However, these plans went out the window the second I arrived in Mexico.
I didn't realize I'd planned my trip right on the heels of Tulum's rainy season, which is typically June to October.
Rain quickly derailed my plans to lounge on the beach, and heavy winds prevented me from dining outdoors and taking part in a beachside bonfire. One morning, the tide came in so far that the hotel's lounge-chair cushions washed out to sea.
My trip could've been ruined, but I ended up making it memorable in a better way.
I pivoted my plans because I knew the worst thing I could do was let rain ruin my trip
Although the weather was disappointing, I was determined to still enjoy my getaway.
So, I filled my time by looking for indoor activities and stores near the hotel. Soon, my friends and I were walking around local shops and making new plans.
We even scored reservations at Kuu Jū, an intimate omakase restaurant that only offers two seatings a night. It was a bucket-list dining experience we may not have sought out if it had been sunny.
The weather pushed us to check out the programming available where we were staying, too. Our group spent a lot of time at our resort, which has on-site breathwork workshops, sound baths, yoga, and ice baths.
My friends and I went to a few of these sessions and set up a Human Design reading, a practice that's similar to astrology but goes deeper, with a local guide.
One highlight of the trip was the cacao ceremony, a traditional local ritual that uses the creation of the cacao drink to symbolize transformation and foster connection.
During it, we got to grind cacao beans and learn more about Mayan culture — by the time it ended, I felt reflective and open-minded.
I also took part in the temazcal, a traditional sweat-lodge ceremony meant to promote spiritual healing and cleansing.
During it, participants sat in a closed dome where heated lava rocks filled the air with heat and steam. I ended up enjoying the process, especially the part where we set intentions.
After the temazcal, I felt calm, strong, and relaxed, even though I was hot and sweating. Plus, stepping out of the heated dome into pouring rain was the one time of the trip that I actually appreciated the weather.
I may not have had a relaxed beach vacation, but I learned a lot about the local culture and myself
Looking back, I wish I'd researched the best time to visit so I could better avoid the rainy season. I would've loved to spend more time on Tulum's beautiful beaches.
However, my booking misstep didn't ruin my trip — in some ways, it made it better.
I didn't come home from Tulum with an enviable tan, but my trip helped me disconnect, which was exactly what I needed. Plus, I had many opportunities for self-reflection and I left feeling like I'd gained a new perspective.
I learned how important it can be to do more than sunbathe on a beach vacation — and that there's a lot of value in learning about the local culture and practices in any place you visit.
Next time I travel to a tropical destination, I hope to create an itinerary that combines relaxation, education, and exploration regardless of the weather.
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Business Insider
a day ago
- Business Insider
My beach vacation to Mexico felt like a disaster until I realized the bad weather changed my itinerary for the better
When I visited Tulum, Mexico, for the first time, I planned to lounge on sunny beaches. I didn't realize my trip was on the heels of rainy season, and I thought bad weather would ruin it. Instead, I found great local experiences and indoor activities that made my trip more meaningful. I planned to spend most of my three-night trip to Tulum, Mexico, lounging on sunny beaches with friends. When I wasn't there, I'd be enjoying the views from my beachfront hotel room at the stunning Nômade Tulum. However, these plans went out the window the second I arrived in Mexico. I didn't realize I'd planned my trip right on the heels of Tulum's rainy season, which is typically June to October. Rain quickly derailed my plans to lounge on the beach, and heavy winds prevented me from dining outdoors and taking part in a beachside bonfire. One morning, the tide came in so far that the hotel's lounge-chair cushions washed out to sea. My trip could've been ruined, but I ended up making it memorable in a better way. I pivoted my plans because I knew the worst thing I could do was let rain ruin my trip Although the weather was disappointing, I was determined to still enjoy my getaway. So, I filled my time by looking for indoor activities and stores near the hotel. Soon, my friends and I were walking around local shops and making new plans. We even scored reservations at Kuu Jū, an intimate omakase restaurant that only offers two seatings a night. It was a bucket-list dining experience we may not have sought out if it had been sunny. The weather pushed us to check out the programming available where we were staying, too. Our group spent a lot of time at our resort, which has on-site breathwork workshops, sound baths, yoga, and ice baths. My friends and I went to a few of these sessions and set up a Human Design reading, a practice that's similar to astrology but goes deeper, with a local guide. One highlight of the trip was the cacao ceremony, a traditional local ritual that uses the creation of the cacao drink to symbolize transformation and foster connection. During it, we got to grind cacao beans and learn more about Mayan culture — by the time it ended, I felt reflective and open-minded. I also took part in the temazcal, a traditional sweat-lodge ceremony meant to promote spiritual healing and cleansing. During it, participants sat in a closed dome where heated lava rocks filled the air with heat and steam. I ended up enjoying the process, especially the part where we set intentions. After the temazcal, I felt calm, strong, and relaxed, even though I was hot and sweating. Plus, stepping out of the heated dome into pouring rain was the one time of the trip that I actually appreciated the weather. I may not have had a relaxed beach vacation, but I learned a lot about the local culture and myself Looking back, I wish I'd researched the best time to visit so I could better avoid the rainy season. I would've loved to spend more time on Tulum's beautiful beaches. However, my booking misstep didn't ruin my trip — in some ways, it made it better. I didn't come home from Tulum with an enviable tan, but my trip helped me disconnect, which was exactly what I needed. Plus, I had many opportunities for self-reflection and I left feeling like I'd gained a new perspective. I learned how important it can be to do more than sunbathe on a beach vacation — and that there's a lot of value in learning about the local culture and practices in any place you visit. Next time I travel to a tropical destination, I hope to create an itinerary that combines relaxation, education, and exploration regardless of the weather.
Eater
04-06-2025
- Eater
This Taco Omakase in Stillwater Is Unlike Anything You'll Find in Minnesota
When chef Cristian De Leon came to the United States from Guatemala 23 years ago, he got a job cooking at an iconic restaurant that lives in the hearts and minds of Millennial Midwesterners, the Mall of America's mist-filled, tropical-themed Rainforest Cafe. He worked his way through a handful of other restaurants after that, including other Mall of America locales — one of which is where he met his wife, fellow restaurant veteran and immigrant by way of Mexico City, Karen De Leon. His resume also included a stint at Minneapolis's Icehouse, which is where he discovered the creativity that chef's tables allow. Years later, the De Leons established their own unassuming yet totally standout taco shop El Sazon Tacos & More in a suburban gas station, followed by a brick-and-mortar restaurant in south Minneapolis El Sazon Cocina & Tragos, all while raising three children. So when their real estate broker asked if they wanted to open yet another restaurant — this time in Stillwater, a small riverside tourist town some 30 minutes from Minneapolis — they didn't hesitate. The opportunity for the creativity of a chef's table had finally arrived. Despite being fresh off the opening of El Sazon Cocina y Tragos in Minneapolis, 'we took the risk and said let's do it,' Cristian De Leon says. 'I always had in my mind to do something from my roots ... to do something similar to what we're doing in Minneapolis but a little bit more cultural.' The result is Xelas by El Sazon, which opened early this year. Nestled in yet another unassuming location (a frontage road far from Stillwater's touristy downtown), not only is Xelas a blend of Cristian and Karen's shared Mayan ancestry, but it also offers what's likely the first taco omakase in Minnesota. It's part of a growing trend in taco tasting menus cropping up across the Midwest that speaks to a deeper exploration of Latin American culture and cuisine mirrored in the movement to raise awareness about traditions like nixtamalization. 'All of the dishes are like what we eat at home — food that's a mix of our two cultures,' Cristian says. 'We eat between Guatemala, Mexico, and Minnesota.' Just a month or so out from Xelas's opening, the restaurant was shiny and fresh in its newness but already busy and buzzing with a mix of patrons, some speaking Spanish, some speaking English. You know when a restaurant makes you forget where you are? Xelas does that despite the irrepressible chaos of what it means to be in the United States today. The space: What's now Xelas was previously a Thai restaurant until the De Leons and their contractor got a hold of it. They wanted a bright and airy space with plenty of natural light, and that's exactly what they got. From the host stand, diners walk into a wide-open dining room where wooden tabletops flanked with white chairs are warmly illuminated by rattan lighting. To the right lies a bar that sits in front of a cavernous back bar with cutouts that shine under recessed lighting and, to the left, the chef's table where Cristian serves up taco omakase. Throughout the space, the walls display colorful paintings from artists with roots in Latin America from Venezuela to Chile. The food: Xelas is doing something entirely its own. While the dishes may be Mayan by way of Guatemala and Mexico, they're not exactly the traditional dishes that Latine communities might expect. Minnesotans with an affinity for burritos and ground beef tacos won't find that here either. 'Our challenge right now is to try to educate people and send the right message about what it is we're doing,' the chef says. Luckily, the dishes speak for themselves. The hilachas are a traditional Guatemalan beef, carrot, and potato stew that Cristian grew up eating and the last dish his mom made for him during her final trip to Minnesota before she died. At Xelas, Cristian and his sous chef, Jose Cortes, have transformed it into short rib with a chile guaque demi-glace served with a root vegetable pavé. 'If you go to my house, my mom's hilachas are going to be different from your mom's hilachas,' Cristian says of the variation. The pepián, too, takes a different route here — rather than making this traditional chicken stew with pepitoria (roasted and ground squash seeds), it's crafted with the pepitas (pumpkin seeds) that are plentiful in Minnesota. The star of the show, though, is the taco omakase — an eight-course delight for $80 per person — comprising seven savory dishes and one sweet (currently a choco taco made with a cocoa tortilla that encases a chocolate mousse paired with popcorn and a passionfruit gel). As of early this spring, the omakase included an al pastor made with pork belly and grilled pineapple, the quesabirria that made the gas station spot a success, and an infladita carrying poached lobster floating in aguachile sauce, to name a few. 'We're using a lot of dry chiles. We're using quinoa, squash, and grains,' Cristian says of what drives the Mayan flavors home. The drinks: Dare I say the best part of the taco omakase was the drink pairings? If you're worried about overdoing it, fear not — the eight pairings for $35 a person are just the right size for sampling and feature two nonalcoholic courses. Bar director Zoilo Ruacho-Marquez and bar manager Daniel Torres serve creative cocktails that include white wine blends paired with pink flowers, a take on Mexico City's Batanga with yuzu, and a michelada made with the tomato water that drains off of pico de gallo. The final pairing is the Tal Vez Un Carajillo, a zero-proof version of the popular espresso drink made with rum and cacao bitters. The vibe: What comes brightly shining through the omakase experience is the glimmering pride the team takes in each and every one of the dishes and drinks they present. Through short and sweet yet nuanced and informative insights into the cultural and culinary traditions that inspire the chef's table offerings, as well as creative and unique flourishes, the taco omakase becomes a true experience. When you dine at a shared table at that price, you might get seated with a coterie of golf-loving, Louis Vuitton-toting landlords unaware of the basic civic discourse taking place in their own communities, which can be horrifying or endlessly entertaining depending on how you see it. The verdict: De Leon puts it this way: 'Xelas is more than a restaurant — it's an invitation to experience a deeper flavor of Latin America.' In a metro area swimming in James Beard nominations every year and a city teeming with modern takes on traditional foods, the heart, soul, individuality, and originality that Xelas pulls off is no small feat. It's simply a fact that what you encounter at Xelas just can't be found anywhere else — it's a glimpse into the beautiful Guatemalan and Mexican family that Cristian and Karen have created right here in Minnesota and the dishes that have come from it. And that's what makes Xelas the destination dining spot that it is. When an occasion worthy of a tasting menu comes around or an itch to exit the Twin Cities strikes, the drive to Xelas is a fun adventure. For those local to or visiting Stillwater, Xelas stands far out from and above the largely American dining that otherwise abounds — go omakase if you want a dining experience or stick to the a la carte menu for creative dishes at a range of price points for a more in-and-out affair. Xelas by El Sazon is located at 1180 W Frontage Rd. in Stillwater; open 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday; reservations are available on Tock.
USA Today
30-05-2025
- USA Today
Nearly 3,000 year-old Maya city unearthed. Why it's named \
Nearly 3,000 year-old Maya city unearthed. Why it's named "The Grandparents" Show Caption Hide Caption Tourist climbs sacred Mayan pyramid in Mexico A German tourist was escorted from an archaeological complex when he climbed and attempted to evade security at a Mayan pyramid in Mexico. An international team of archaeologists announced the discovery of a nearly 3,000-year-old ancient Maya city in a northeastern area of Guatemala known for its tropical forests and ruins. The site "Los Abuelos," Spanish for 'The Grandparents," was a ritual center for the entire region, the country's culture ministry said in a statement on Thursday, May 29, and home to one of the oldest and most prominent Maya shrines yet discovered. It takes its name from the discovery of two human-like sculptures found at the site, called an "ancestral couple" by researchers. The city, along with two other nearby sites of Petnal and Cambrayal, constitute an urban triangle researchers say are key discoveries in "the study of the origins of Maya society" in the Petén region of northern Guatemala, which borders Mexico and Belize. "The discovery of the city called Los Abuelos stands out for its ancient characteristics and its exceptional features of historical value, which contribute significantly to the understanding of the Mayan civilization," the ministry said in the statement. The Maya civilization lived in modern day Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, and Honduras, with origins dating back 4,000 years, around 2,000 B.C, with the heart of its empire based in Guatemala's tropical lowlands. Northern Guatemala's Petén Province, where the ruins were found, is a large forest region with thousands of architectural and artistic remains of the Maya civilization. They date from the Preclassic Period of 600 B.C. to the decline and eventual collapse of the empire's urban centers around 900 A.D., according to UNESCO. More: Lasers reveal Mayan civilization of 'unimaginable scale' More archaeological news: Iron Age find: British 'bling' from 2,000 years ago included horse harnesses Archaeologists found Los Abuelos was occupied as early as 800 B.C., Guatemala's culture ministry said, making the city more than 2,800 years old. In a palace in the nearby settlement of Cambrayal, archaeologists found what they call a sophisticated system of canals, the statement said, and in the other site of Petnal, they found a 108-foot pyramid with murals. The excavation was funded in part by the Comenius University of Bratislava, Slovakia, under the direction of Dr. Milan Kovác, and aided by an international consortium of researchers and supporters. The discoveries are part of the wider Uaxactún Archaeological Project, a 17-year effort to expand archaeological research across a 460 square-mile area surrounding the original Uaxactun archaeological site. The ancient city of Los Abuelos is roughly 13 miles northeast of Uaxactún. Uaxactun is one of the earliest Maya archaeological sites in the Maya lowlands, according to the World Monuments Fund, becoming a foundation for modern Mesoamerican studies when formal research into the site began in 1924. It lies within the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Maya Biosphere Reserve in Tikal National Park, though it does not get nearly as many visitors as the nearby Tikal site. It was included on the 2014 World Monuments Watch, a list curated by the non-profit organization to highlight monuments facing urgent challenges and timely preservation opportunities. Kathryn Palmer is a national trending news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at kapalmer@ and on X @KathrynPlmr.
