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Backpack or travel in Mexico
Deserts, two oceans, one of the largest cities in the world and the remnants of some of the most impressive ancient civilisations on earth are all crammed into this fascinating, enigmatic country. The Spanish influence can be seen in the small towns and villa buildings of the rural areas and the prevalence of Catholicism throughout the nation, while if you head for the mountains you'll find native Mexicans, living descendants of the Mayas and the Aztecs, still following their traditional lifestyles. Make your way to one of the ancient sites of Chichen Itza or Teotihuacan and you'll see the remnants of these people's ancestors, amazing stepped pyramids and whole cities, lying in ruins overhung with creepers and the foliage of the tropical forest.
It's this sense of exploration, of getting off the beaten track and into the semi-wild that really appeals to people visiting Mexico, yet at the same time Mexico can boast the most modern of tourist resorts. You're never too far away from top class hotels, and especially on the Caribbean coast around Cancun and surroundings you'll find pristine beaches and all the facilities you'd expect from a top coastal resort anywhere in the world.
With most of the country lying in the tropics the weather as you might expect is as hot as a habanero and you'll realise that the wide-brimmed sombrero hat isn't just a symbol of the country; it's eminently practical when the midday sun is high overhead. Slightly less practical you may feel is the spicy local cuisine, all of which contains chilli in high quantities. Washing it down with the local brew is no better either - tequila and mezcal are both strong tasting potent spirits now exported all over the world.
You might already think you know Mexico, from the food, the tequila and endless cowboy movies - but it's time to think again. From the Tijuanan Tex-Mex border to the Cancun coastline there is always something new, or ancient, to discover.
Transport...go there, travel in the country and after
Mexico's transport is a case of the Good (excellent bus system and inexpensive internal flights), the Bad (the trains don't run anymore), and the Ugly (the roads can be dangerous after dark). Ultimately you shouldn't have any problems getting and around and you may enjoy the experience immensely.
Click here for transport possibilities
See & Do
Chichen Itza Ruins, Yucatán Peninsula
One of the most visited ancient sites in Mexico, Chichen Itza was already abandoned by the time the Spanish arrived here. First established in the 6th century, this complex of four-sided pyramids and public buildings from the Mayan and the later Maya-Toltec period is an awe-inspiring site.
Climbing the 91 steps to the top of El Castillo (The Castle) Pyramid is a heady experience. Atop is the Kukulcán Temple, dedicated to the feathered serpent god. It offers a sweeping view of this post-classic Mayan city rising out of the Yucatán's lowlands. Discover the sacred Cenote, dedicated to the rain god Chaac or see the carvings at the Ball Court depicting players getting decapitated, often the fate of losing teams in the sacrificial "games" of Mayan culture.
Open: daily 08h00-17h00. Admission: MXN85.
Beaches of the Riviera Maya
Many a visitor has been seduced by the turquoise waters of the Mexican Caribbean and a few days relaxing on these pristine shores is the perfect way to recharge your batteries after exploring the historical sites of Mexico.
The Riviera Maya is one silky beach starting at the mega-resort of Cancun, continuing south to the funky town of Playa del Carmen all the way to the famous Mayan ruin of Tulum. Running parallel to shore is the Great Maya Coral Reef. It's the perfect place to come to snorkel, scuba dive or simply lie in a hammock and let yourself be seduced by the gentle waves of crystalline water that constantly lap the shore.
Whale Watching in Baja California
Baja California is an isolated peninsula jutting down into the Pacific Ocean, famous for breathtaking desert vistas and clear blue ocean.
Its unique position means it's ideally suited for exploring the marine life of the region, dictated by the infamous El Nino current that keeps the coastal waters along the entire Western coast of Central and Southern America churning with life-giving plankton and krill.
From December to April, hundreds of grey whales and even blue whales come to calve in the warm, food-rich waters of Scammon's and San Ignacio Lagoons on the Pacific coast of the peninsula. Tours take you out where you can see these gentle giants frolic in the waves. Location: Guerrero Negro or San Ignacio. Departures daily. Price: approx. MXN290 per person.
Copper Canyon
The Barranca del Cobre (Copper Canyon) is found in the Sierra Tarahumara, a rugged section of the Sierra Madre Occidental Mountains in Northern Mexico. This series of canyons, corries and defiles covers an amazing 20,000 kilometres, making it larger than the more famous Grand Canyon in Colorado.
The Chihuahua al Pacifico Railroad lets you follow the staggering mountain scenery for over 500km, crossing 39 bridges and going through 86 tunnels. On the way you'll see canyons 1,800 metres deep yawning below you. Get off midway at Divisadero Barrancas Cliff to view the world below.
Near to the town of Creel you can visit a Tarahumara (Rarámuri) Indian settlement. These reclusive natives continue to pursue their traditional ways of life among the mountains. Daily tours: from Los Mochis 06h00, from El Fuerte, 07h30. Price: MXN1300-7600
Crafts of Tlaquepaque
Guadalajara, City of Roses, is Mexico's second largest city, deservedly renowned for its colonial architecture. The famous craft market in nearby Tlaquepaque has an endless variety of glass, textiles, woodcarvings, furniture, paintings, jewellery and metal work.
Most of all though this city is famous for its pottery and ceramics. Not for nothing is the place called Tlaquepaque, the "city built on clay". The Ceramics Museum bears testament to the centuries-old tradition of manufacturing ceramics in the region. Calle Independencia is the pedestrianised street of the old quarter and is replete with shops and stalls. The quality is excellent with bargains galore. This is definitely the place to "shop 'til you drop" for handicrafts from Mexico's heartland. Don't make the mistake of thinking that this is a place just for a cheap bargain though; galleries such as that belonging to world-renowned artist Sergio Bustamante carry items of sculpture that put them only within reach of serious art collectors.
Craft Market open: daily 10h00-14h00 & 16h00-22h00.
Anthropology Museum - Mexico City
While Mexico City is crammed with sights, the Anthropology Museum remains one of the most remarkable attractions. A genuine world class facility since its 1964 opening, the museum is arranged on two floors with a main courtyard leading to salons that contain ancient artefacts and exhibits from each cultural region and major period of archaeological interest.
An excellent introduction to historical Mexico the collection takes several hours to see in its entirety, but you can pick and choose what most interests you from the exhibits devoted to maps, pottery and the fascinating Aztec and Mayan sites of Mexico such as Teotihuacan, Palenque and Chichen Itza.
Paseo de la Reforma at Calle Gandhi. Open: Tue-Sun 09h00-19h00. Admission: MXN38.
Palacio de Bellas Artes - Mexico City
This splendid Art Deco building stands at the end of the Alameda. Commissioned by the then President Porfirio Diaz it was to be completed to celebrate the centenary of Mexican Independence in 1910, but wasn't actually finished until the 1930s.
The ornate façade is somewhat over the top, but the exhibits of fine arts on display inside more than match its exuberance. This is the finest collection of murals and large canvases in the country, with works by notable Mexican artists Diego Rivera and Rufino Tamayo among those taking pride of place on the third floor of the building. The rest of the collection is an impressive number of sculptures and paintings from various periods.
The rest of the building is given over to a fine auditorium, famously with a stage curtain that comprises, so it's said, a million separate pieces of stained glass.
Mexico City's various dance and drama companies perform here from time to time including an opera season and regular performances from the Mexican Folkloric Ballet (Wed 20h00, Sun 09h00 & 20h00). Avenida Juárez. Tel: +52 (01)55-5529-9320.
Ancient City of Teotihuacan
Close to Mexico City, Teotihuacan ("Place where Men Become Gods") is a mysterious and impressive pre-Aztec site dating back to 100BC.
Many artefacts from the site can now be seen in the gallery of the Anthropology Museum that is dedicated to this fascinating collection of ruins. Visitors to the site can climb the remarkable structures that demonstrate the ingenuity and monumental ambition of the early people who built this, what was once the sixth most populous city in the world during its peak period of 300-600AD. The magnificent Pyramid of the Sun has 248 steps to the top and rises 70 metres into the sky. The Aztecs re-inhabited the long-abandoned city briefly in the 1300s. Its twin, Pyramid of the Moon offers an incredible view of the Calzados de los Muertos (Avenue of the Dead) where six major structures are located.
Open: daily 08h00-17h00. Admission to site: MXN35.
La Quebrada Divers
The famous La Quebrada (cliff) divers are an icon of glittery Acapulco on the Pacific Coast. These daring aquatic athletes climb up to the cliff's edge where they kiss a shrine before plunging 39 metres down into a cove.
Timing is everything as there is only enough water to complete a safe dive when a wave comes to shore. Watch these spectacular divers against a glorious Acapulco sunset or at night when they leap holding lit torches.
Dives take place daily at 13h00, 19h30, 20h30, 21h30 & 22h30. Donations of MXN100 recommended.
Main Square, Oaxaca City
An enchanting blend of Spanish colonial and native Indian culture, centrally located Oaxaca City has the quintessential zocalo (main square), a defining feature of any Mexican city.
While in Oaxaca take the opportunity to explore its excellent collection of colonial churches and cathedrals including the famous Iglesia y Ex-Convento de Santo Domingo alongside sidewalk cafés, shops and historical buildings. The Convent was much restored in the late '90s and has become one of the country's most important and impressive cultural centres - the Centro Cultural Santo Domingo, housing, among other things, the Museum of Oaxaca's Cultures. The collection on display here contains the Mixtec gold treasures recovered from Monto Alban's tomb.
Santo Domingo Church open: daily 07h00-13h00 & 17h00-20h00. Admission: free. Museum of Oaxaca's Cultures open: Tue-Sun 10h00-20h00. Admission: MXN38.
Palenque Ruins, Chiapas
With a hillside view of the verdant rainforest of Chiapas, the Mayan ruins of Palenque are among the most alluring ancient sites in Mexico.
King Pacal (603 to 715AD) built most of the city, including his famous carved tomb in the Temple of the Inscriptions. The Palace and Grand Plaza with the Temple of the Foliated Cross should not be missed for their amazing inscribed stone steles. Watching the early morning mist rise above these glorious ruins is a mystical experience that really invokes the spirit of these long disappeared people.
Open: daily 09h00-17h00. Admission to site: approx. MXN35.
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