Planning my first Mexican vacation the first week in May. I would like to celebrate with the locals. Any cultural items I should be aware of. Am I traveling during an "idea" time? Still looking to avoid the crowds. (except on May 5) Any Help or travel tips?

The crowds should be pretty much gone by mid-April. Are you traveling to Puebla, where the holiday originated? I am sure you can find a party wherever you go.

There is some celebration, but it is a bigger deal in the U.S., imho,driven by companies desire to sell beer. A lot of people think 5/5 is Mexican Independence day. It is actually the celebration of victory against the French in the battle of Puebla. I think you are planning a good time to go, although starting to be really hot in some parts of the country.

I agree with all that has been said so far. I have been in Oaxaca every year for 5 de Mayo since 2000, and the holiday only merits a big flag and a small table, business as usual. However, May 1 is a huge national holiday, "Dia del Trabajo" day of the worker. Schools, banks, govt offices, etc... will be closed. So plan accordingly. Suerte, El Flojo

I was in Cabo San Lucas on Cinco de Mayo a few years ago and the whole town was basically shut down, with no "partying" anywhere that I could find. As others have mentioned, I think us Americans make a bigger deal out of it than the Mexicans in order to sell beer and Mexican food.