Alvin Starkman | Uncharted101.com

Alvin Starkman

Alvin writes unique articles about life and cultural traditions in Oaxaca and also elsewhere throughout Mexico (including restaurant and cooking school reviews) for magazines, newspapers and travel websites. He is a paid Contributing Writer for Mexico Today, a program for Marca País — Imagen de México, a project developed to stimulate investment in Mexico and return tourism to its deserved level. more+

Oaxaca Drive to Wineries, Wine & Cheese Tastings...

06/25/2013

It’s a 6.5 hour drive from Oaxaca to a central Mexico region known for its vineyards, wineries, and tastings of boutique wines and locally...

Mexicans Visiting Canada VISA Requirement Hurts...

11/04/2012

The complexity of Canada’s VISA requirement for prospective visitors from Mexico, and the lack of comprehensive no-fee advice hurt the Canadian...

Oaxaca Restaurant Fuses Tradition, Barbecue Ribs

10/03/2012

Oaxaca restaurant El Bichón serves typical Oaxacan, Mexico regional cuisine. But the barbecued pork back ribs draw locals out of downtown to dine...

The Two Best Market Restaurants in Oaxaca, Mexico

07/28/2012

Mercado de la Merced and the 20 de Noviembre market, both in downtown Oaxaca, contain the best market restaurants in the city. Every permanent...

Kickbacks & Commissions on International Tours a...

07/20/2012

Kickbacks to hotels from guides, & commissions to craftspeople & other vendors from tour operators are facts of life in tourism. Learn the...

Alcoholism in Oaxaca, Mexico Mezcal; Not Tequila, Beer...

04/26/2012

Alcoholics Anonymous has a healthy presence in Oaxaca, Mexico. Alcoholism is not due to drinking beer, tequila, wine, whisky, vodka or brandy...

Casa Crespo Restaurant in Oaxaca, Mexico, Shines...

03/30/2012

Casa Crespo Restaurant in Oaxaca, southern Mexico, serves uniquely prepared and presented Oaxacan cuisine in a comfortable, downtown Oaxaca setting...

How to Diet and Lose Weight While Vacationing in...

03/08/2012

You get exercise walking and sightseeing, so forget the morning run. But remember that in Oaxaca, Mexico, rice and beans can be fat-laden and kill...

Booking Hotel, B & B, On Travel Websites...

02/23/2012

Tourists booking hotels using travel websites may be surprised when their chosen accommodation fails to reply; but the hotelor B&B may be...

Safety, Security, Police & Banditos: Driving in...

02/18/2012

Following these guidelines helps ensure safety & security, and avoid banditos & police problems while driving the roads and highways of...

Casa Rubia: Luxury Home, Villa Rental in Puerto...

01/08/2012

Casa Rubia is the ultimate in luxury Oceanfront villa vacation rental in Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, Mexico. The home has 6 bedrooms and a permanent...

Los Huamuches Oaxaca Restaurant Review; En Route to...

12/22/2011

Los Huamuches Oaxaca restaurant serves only traditional, Oaxacan food, in a rustic setting. It’s the polar opposite of nearby restaurant...

Money Saving Tips for Students, Budget Travelers to...

12/22/2011

Oaxaca, Mexico, on a budget is easy, with clean accommodations, eating in good restaurants and seeing the sights, without risking safety, health...

Epicuro Café Bistrot: Organic Mediterranean...

12/20/2011

While Los Danzantes ranks high in ambiance for a restaurant featuring Oaxacan food, Epicuro’s decor attracts those in Oaxaca craving healthy...

Frida Mexican Restaurant in Toronto: Review by a...

12/18/2011

This review of Frida Mexican restaurant in midtown Toronto suggests that the bar has been set high for other Toronto Mexican restaurants wishing to...

San Miguel de Allende Tapas Bar

10/13/2011

Café Ibérico is a Spanish restaurant and tapas bar in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, surprisingly serving good sized tapas dishes, reasonably...