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7 Mexico Resorts To Celebrate Nochebuena By Correspondent Jennifer Fernández Solano

November 29, 2023

December 24 marks the most significant night in Mexico’s holiday calendar, Nochebuena. Mexican families typically get together for a feast of turkey, bacalao a la vizcaína (a Basque-style codfish stew) and romeritos (seepweed served with patties of dried shrimp, potatoes and mole sauce ). Families may also attend Christmas Eve events where they sing carols, don Santa hats or have baby Jesus figurines blessed by a priest.

If you’re traveling to Mexico during this festive time of year and want to follow in the locals’ footsteps, celebrate seasonal excitement at the following luxury properties.

Chileno Bay Resort & Residences, Auberge Resorts Collection , Cabo San Lucas

Chileno Bay celebrates Nochebuena with several events, including its annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony and Santa’s arrival. Families can immerse themselves in a traditional posada celebration at Chileno’s Colors of Joy Village, where live music and beloved Mexican holiday treats like esquites (street corn salad) and churritos await.

On Christmas Day, children can enjoy an interactive cookie-decorating class in Santa’s North Pole workshop. Guests can also unwind with the resort’s enchanting LED-lit sunrise paddleboard experience, seasonal family movies and a few games of Lotería for adults. And when it’s time for a bite, the Five-Star hotel’s signature restaurants, Comal and Yaya, offer family-style dinners on Nochebuena and Christmas.

Rosewood San Miguel de Allende

San Miguel de Allende ’s regional traditions make it one of the best destinations for commemorating Nochebuena. Guests staying at Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Rosewood San Miguel de Allende on December 23 can join a callejoneada , a small parade led by music groups that’s accompanied by giant papier-mâché puppets called mojigangas.

Afterward, participate in a posada , a type of party held during the Christmas season that re-creates Mary and Joseph’s search for lodging before Christ was born. Singing Mexican carols before hitting the piñata and eating tamales and buñuelos (a fritter-like dessert) is also customary.

On Christmas Eve, Rosewood San Miguel de Allende’s farm-to-table 1826 Restaurant will serve a five-course dinner with dishes like foie gras brioche, duck confit ravioli and prime rib. The restaurant will also host a seasonally inspired brunch over the holiday with various food stations and a build-your-own-bubbles drink cart.

Esperanza, Auberge Resorts Collection , Cabo San Lucas

Five-Star Esperanza provides diverse experiences for food enthusiasts and creative souls in December. The former can join cooking classes or explore their palate through a blind wine tasting featuring Baja California and other varietals. Aspiring artisans can decorate personal guitars with traditional designs or craft unique Baja surfer necklaces. For those seeking an unforgettable adventure, take a lesson on preparing Christmas punch that’s followed by a private beach glamping session with the stunning Baja Peninsula as a backdrop.

Families can participate in a private sea turtle release on Christmas Day and set their intentions for the season. Children can explore their imaginations through Christmas tree string art. A communal three-course dinner will be served at Cocina del Mar on December 25. Along with breathtaking Sea of Cortez views, the restaurant’s curated menu combines Christmas and Baja classics.

Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal

Five-Star Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal presents two distinct Christmas Eve events. The first delicious offering comes via Don Manuel’s, a restaurant inviting patrons to savor classic seasonal dishes infused with a Baja twist alongside an exclusive pastry and dessert station. The Beach Club is also asking families to create new memories with relaxed dining, entertainment and a side of priceless waterfront vistas.

On Christmas Day, the holidays come alive in the lobby as Santa Claus arrives from the North Pole through the resort’s private tunnel. During this merry meet-and-greet, hot chocolate, cookies and even a few presents for children will be passed around. There’s no break in the fun at La Palapa, the beachside pergola where a special holiday piñata will await guests. And later that night, Don Manuel’s once again becomes the most festive spot on the property thanks to its multi-course Christmas dinner.

The St. Regis Mexico City

Its prime location along Reforma Avenue makes Four-Star The St. Regis Mexico City the ideal place to soak up the Mexican capital’s festive ambiance. Each year, this iconic street gets dressed up for the occasion in a red carpet made up of thousands of poinsettias in honor of Christmas.

On December 24, St. Regis guests can gather around Diana Restaurant tables as the hotel’s skilled culinary team crafts a multi-course menu, paired with carefully selected wines, that captures the flavors of the season.

The next day, Diana will host a brunch that combines classic seasonal dishes with inventive Mexican specialties. Between bites, children can share their holiday wishes with Santa Claus, mixing in a pinch of magic with all of the kitchen’s memorable flavors.

JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa

The celebration kicks off at JW Marriott Cancun on December 24 with Santa’s grand arrival at the beach. Later that day, young guests are welcomed to Christmas treats and hot chocolate at the hotel lobby and have a chance to get their portraits taken with Santa and his elves. When you tire of sampling from the Lobby Bar’s roster of 150 margaritas, head to all-day restaurant Bravio, where a buffet of holiday favorites will be served from 5:30 to 11 p.m. on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

One&Only Palmilla, Los Cabos Resort

While the 20-foot-tall locally hand-woven Christmas tree and the illuminated Enchanted Path lined with bright woven baskets likely will be the most popular sights at One&Only Palmilla’s Nochebuena festivities, the Five-Star hotel will furnish you with a treasure map of all the unique holiday installations from area artisans, weavers and craft makers.

Kids can also opt to bake cookies using local recipes in the outdoor kitchen, and all family members will enjoy local mariachi band Sol de Mexico playing Christmas carols. Then gather everyone around the table for a Christmas Eve dinner of family-style dishes at Agua or, for a more intimate meal, sit down at SEARED for a special selection of chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s favorite holiday dishes. The next day, Christmas brunch will spotlight seafood, a bloody mary bar and live entertainment.

Stay tuned for our 2024 Star Awards announcement on February 7, 2024 .

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Rates can vary widely by room type and season. "We Paid" is intended to give a general sense of price, but you might find considerably different rates for your trip.

When we book, we aim for the optimum season for the destination, but we avoid holidays and major public events, when prices are highest. We generally book a room at one category up from the most basic.

We take advantage of promotional rates, when possible. That means the rate you see above might have included other benefits, such as spa or meal credits.

Terma Spa sits at the heart of Villa María Cristina , encircled by the villas comprising this unique Guanajuato hotel. Descending into the spa area, you are embraced by stone and various textures, evoking a cavernous ambiance. The subterranean placement imparts a sense of time travel, with Roman columns framing the pool, while streams of light permeate the space, lending some airiness.

With a pool at the center and wet facilities, the spa creates a setting for a tranquil staycation or weekend getaway. The spa menu primarily focuses on rejuvenating and stress-relieving treatments, including massages, exfoliations, wraps and more, allowing you to detoxify in a serene environment. Prolong your relaxation on chaises dotted alongside the pool or retreat to the outdoor pool and/or mountain-facing Jacuzzi on the property.

• The Guanajuato spa is strategically positioned away from the guests' paths, cleverly concealed within the sloping landscape to evoke a sense of seclusion. You have the option to integrate the experience into your hotel stay or to enjoy it separately.
• The spa's services prioritize wellness and relaxation, specifically emphasizing body therapies and massages.
• A diverse range of facilities include a Jacuzzi, Swiss shower, steam rooms and a sauna, offering a selection of temperatures and ambiance.
• Before your treatment, partake in an array of locally sourced teas and infusions, along with a specially curated menu by the resident chef focused on health and nutrition.
• The lymphatic drainage massage is a gentle therapeutic technique designed to promote the natural flow of lymphatic fluid in the body, supporting detoxification and boosting the immune system after a day of exploring the hilly city.
• Indulge in the Toning Almond Scrub treatment, designed to tone and purify the skin thoroughly, leaving it supple and revitalized.
• A selection of massages, such as the soothing Hawaiian lomi lomi, stretch-focused Thai massage and warm stone option, work to relax body tissues and alleviate muscle tension through targeted pressure.
• The reiki session offers an alternative approach to holistic medicine by using the Japanese practice of healing touch.

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'Shine brighter, love harder': Tributes pour in for the slain surfers killed in Mexico

The parents of two of the surfers who were killed in Mexico gave a tearful tribute at a San Diego beach, saying "the world has become a darker place," since the death of their sons.

Debra and Martin Robinson, the parents of Callum, 33, and Jake Robinson, 30, shared their grief on Tuesday with a crowd of mourners in Ocean Beach, in the San Diego metro area.

“Our hearts are broken,” Debra Robinson said. 

Missing tourists: Found dead in Mexican well were trying to stop carjacking: Officials

The two Australian brothers and their American friend, Jack Carter Rhoad, 30, went missing on April 27 while on a surfing trip in Ensenada, Mexico, less than 100 miles south of the U.S.-Mexico border.

The bodies of the three men were found at the bottom of a 50-foot well. The victims had gunshot wounds on their bodies . It is believed that the trio were killed after intervening in an apparent carjacking, the Baja California State Attorney General’s Office said during a press conference on Sunday. 

“Now it’s time to bring them home to family and friends, and the ocean waves in Australia,” Robinson said. “Please live bigger, shine brighter, and love harder in their memory.” 

Professional Lacrosse League issues a statement about Callum Robinson 

Callum Robinson was a former Atlas LC player for the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL).

“The PLL family and entire lacrosse world are heartbroken by the tragic loss of Callum Robinson, Jake Robinson, and Jack Carter Rhoad,” PLL Co-Founders Paul and Mike Rabil said in a statement . “During these unimaginably difficult times, we offer our hearts, support and prayers to the Robinson and Rhoad Families, as well as all who loved Callum, Jake, and Jack.” 

PLL described Robinson as a great player who uplifted the team with his positivity. 

“From the moment he joined the PLL and Atlas LC, Callum brought an incredible spirit and huge heart to the game – energizing both teammates and opponents, audiences, and every member of our company,” Rabil said. “Callum was a rock for us in the early days of our league and our COVID season – his genuine positivity made every person he spent time with better. A coach for PLL Play and a beacon for growing the sport internationally, Callum’s impact on our game will be felt forever.”

Callum Robinson’s girlfriend shares a voice message from him

In an Instagram story post, Callum Robinson‘s girlfriend, Emily Horwath, shared a touching tribute to him with a picture of them together. 

“This man changed my life in ways I can’t even put into words,” Horwath wrote. “I don’t yet understand a world without him and his energy in it. I feel so grateful to have loved him.” 

In Horwarth’s Instagram highlights, she shared a voice message that Robinson send to her and she captioned the post, “will be playing this on repeat.”

“Happy Tuesday, Good Morning,” Robinson said in the message. “It’s 11:11 and I’m just thinking about you. Just wanted to drop you a quick message and say hello baby. Hope you’re having a phenomenal start to your day. I’m sensing a big grin on your face for some reason today. I hope you’re full of positivity and smiles.” 

Robinson ends the message saying, “Cheers baby. Miss ya.” 

Three people detained in surfers' slayings

Baja chief state prosecutor  María Elena Andrade Ramírez said a warrant was issued for Jesús Gerardo “N”, alias “El Kekas”, charging him with forced disappearance of people in connection to the case. That suspect, Ramírez said, was in custody on Sunday.

Two other people, a man and a woman, had also been detained in connection to the killings,  Ramírez  announced. Officials did not identify the pair the the time of the announcement.

Ramírez   said  officials believed the killers saw the victims' tents and pickup truck and wanted to steal their tires, but when the victims  "came up and caught them, surely, they resisted.”

Suspects' girlfriend appears in court and reveals a confession

During her court appearance on Wednesday, Jesús Gerardo's girlfriend recalled telling investigators that Gerardo referenced the victims when when he came to her house on April 28, the BBC report said.

The girlfriend, who has only been identified by her first name Ari, told investigators that Jesús Gerardo said he did something to, "three gringos."

Ari testified that she then asked him to clarify what he meant and he replied, "I killed them," the BBC reported.

Ari has not been charged with the disappearance of the three men, but was named as a witness in the case, the BBC said.

Contributing: Natalie Neysa Alund and Krystal Nurse , USA TODAY.

Ahjané Forbes is a reporter on the National Trending Team at USA TODAY. Ahjané covers breaking news, car recalls, crime, health, lottery and public policy stories. Email her at  [email protected] . Follow her on  Instagram ,  Threads  and  X (Twitter) @forbesfineest.