Travel destinations in Mexico, Mexico hotels

Mexico

Introduction to Mexico

Mexico is located in the northern region of the American continent between the Gulf of Mexico on the east and the Pacific Ocean on the west. It is bordered by the United States on the north and by Guatemala and Belize on the south. Mexico's land area extends 1,964,375 sq km, which is divided into six tourist regions.

NORTHERN MEXICO
The deserts and dunes of the north extend across the states of Chihuahua, Coahuila, Sonora, Durango, Nuevo Leon, Tamaulipas and Zacatecas, where maximum summer temperatures range between 32° C and 36° C (90° F and 97° F) and winter lows drop below 0° C (32° F). The western and eastern mountain ranges of the Sierra Madre stretch across the region as well.

Ideal for camping and photography, don't miss out on the breathtaking sights of the hot springs in the Cuatro Cienegas desert in Coahuila.

In the state of Zacatecas, you can admire the beautiful colonial buildings of the capital (also called Zacatecas) from high above on a suspended cable car, which departs from city landmark Cerro de La Bufa. There are also interesting archeological zones nearby such as Alta Vista and La Quemada.

In the state of Chihuahua, you can visit the ruins of Paquime, where some of the ancient constructions are five stories high. Also in Chihuahua, you can take an amazing ride on the Chihuahua-Pacific railroad as it passes through the Copper Canyon region. Finally, don't forget to check out the traditional art of the Raramuri Indians, heirs of the Tarahumara culture.

In the state of Sonora, ancient territory of the Yaqui Indians, you'll find the best beach resorts in northern Mexico: Guayamas, San Carlos, Bahia de Kino, and Puerto Penasco. You'll also be able to admire the dunes of El Pinacate biosphere reserve and the adjacent Gran Desierto del Altar (the Altar Desert), recently declared UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Thanks to its barren desert landscape, the state of Durango has become a popular spot for film locations. Also in Durango, you can camp in the mysterious Zona del Silencio (The Zone of Silence), a desert area where the atmosphere purportedly attracts meteorites and blocks radio transmissions. Another state attraction is national park La Sierra de Organos, where you can see some of nature's most peculiar rock formations.

In the state of Nuevo Leon, you can visit business and industrial center Monterrey, home of the famous cabrito (roast goat-kid) dish. The saddle-shaped Cerro de la Silla provides a backdrop to Mexico's third largest city.

Meanwhile, in the state of Tamaulipas, you can discover a wide variety of flora and fauna at El Cielo, a biosphere reserve with four different ecosystems. You can also check out El Complejo Cueva Diablo, one of the nation's oldest archeological zones dating back 8,000 years.

CENTRAL MEXICO
Central Mexico is one of the country's richest regions in culture and natural beauty. Its territory extends from the outer limits of a high plateau in the north to the edge of the Sierra Madre range in the south. Temperatures are moderate throughout most of the year, ranging from '3° C (26° F) in the winter to 30° C (86° F) in the summer. The climate can vary considerably depending on the geographic zone.

In this region, you can visit Mexico City, the nation's capital. There you can appreciate the fascinating architecture of the aging buildings in the city's Historic Center; or you can visit the Basilica of Guadalupe and such popular neighborhoods as San Angel, Coyoacan and Xochimilco. The latter is known for its gondola rides and colorful boats that take you through canals.

Nearby, you can discover intriguing archeological zones: Teotihuacan in the State of Mexico; Xochicalco in Morelos; Cacaxtla in Tlaxcala; and Tula in Hidalgo. Each archeological site is uniquely different as there are the many natural sites in the surrounding areas: volcanoes Iztaccihuatl and Popocatepetl, which lay between the States of Mexico and Puebla; el Nevado de Toluca in the State of Mexico; el Cerro del Tepozteco in Morelos; the Lagoons of Zempoala between the states of Mexico and Morelos; the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary in Michoacan; the Sierra Gorda and la Pena de Bernal in Queretaro; and the Huasteca region in San Luis Potosi, where you can also visit mysterious ghost town Real de Catorce.

The central region offers the tranquility of its numerous forests, waterfalls, lakes, rivers, springs and caverns, all of which provide ideal settings for rafting, rappelling, cave exploring, scuba diving, camping, rock climbing and nature observing.

In the Mexican heartland, you can also visit picturesque towns known for their fairs, convents and haciendas, such as Tlaxcala and Huamantla. Or you can experience the rush of the running of the bulls in Aguascalientes, where you can also see cockfights and visit the San Marcos Fair. Or you can visit colonial city Guanajuato, which hosts the famous Cervantino Festival. And then there's Puebla, the city of angels, with more than 200 churches. Finally, be sure to check out Queretaro's monumental aqueduct and Morelia's baroque cathedral, both declared UNESCO World Heritage sites.

THE YUCATAN PENINSULA
The Yucatan Peninsula, located in southeastern Mexico between the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, has a year-round hot and humid climate, which is ideal for enjoying its Beach Resorts and natural paradises.

The region, which comprises the states of Campeche, Yucatan and Quintana Roo, is well known for its numerous Mayan archeological sites. Many of the ancient traditions of the Mayas persist, for example, many women wear a traditional blouse called a huipil, and some homes are still built with straw rooftops. There are also the regional henequen haciendas, many of which have been converted into posh hotels. And then there are the blue waters of the Caribbean Sea that wash onto white-sand beaches, where you'll find world-class hotels.

You can also visit Mexico's hidden treasure, Campeche, a historic fortified city declared a World Heritage site. Nearby Campeche are archeological zones Edzna and Calakmul, the latter forming part of the biggest biosphere reserve in the country.

Just two hours away from Campeche is Merida, the so-called white city, where the local cuisine is unbeatable and a stroll down Paseo Montejo Avenue allows you to appreciate the city's most important historical buildings. Nearby, in the heart of a cenotes zone (cenotes are sink holes, or fresh water pools connecting to submerged caverns), you'll find the most cherished sites of the Mayan world: Chichen Itza and Uxmal.

Located in the state of Quintana Roo is Cancun, a bustling tourist destination with luxurious hotels and nonstop nightlife. Also in Quintana Roo is the Mayan Riviera, where you'll find nature parks Xcaret, Xel-Ha and biosphere reserve Sian Ka'an. Finally, the state offers the islands of Cozumel and Isla Mujeres, located several kilometers away from the Great Mayan Reef, the second largest reef in the world and an underwater paradise for scuba diving.

SOUTHERN MEXICO AND THE GULF OF MEXICO
This region, which boasts some of the most amazing and diverse ecosystems on the planet, lies between two major bodies of water: the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean. Rich in natural resources, culture and tradition, the states of Veracruz, Chiapas and Tabasco have tropical and semi-tropical climates (temperatures exceed 25° C, or 77° F).

The Olmeca region not only has numerous places to visit, but it 's also home to the manatee, the Atlantic spotted dolphin and the whale shark. The strip of beach resorts in Veracruz, known as la Costa Esmeralda (the Emerald Coast), which stretches from Nautla to Tecolutla, is ideal for scuba diving, sportfishing, rock climbing, rappelling, rafting and kayaking.

In addition to such natural wonders as el Parque Chachalacas (Chachalacas Park) and waterfall la Cascada Salto de Eyipantla, the state of Veracruz offers sites including El Pico de Orizaba, Mexico's highest mountain, and El Tajin, an archeological zone where you can witness the famed Flying Men of Papantla. There's also the port of Veracruz, the nation's busiest commercial seaport.

Southeast of Veracruz lies the state of Tabasco, with such natural attractions as the Parque Museo de la Venta (La Venta Park and Museum), ecological parks Yumka and Kolem Jaa in Tacotalpa, and las Grutas de Cocona (The Cocona Caves). Another main attraction is the Carlos Pellicer Camara Regional Anthropology Museum, which you can visit while in Tabasco's modern capital, Villahermosa.

Heading toward the Pacific coast, the state of Chiapas provides spectacular sights like the Lacandona jungle, the Sumidero Canyon and the Agua Azul waterfalls. Other impressive places in Chiapas include religious center San Juan Chomula, world famous cities San Cristobal de las Casas and Tapachula, and Palenque, where you can discover the magic of Mayan ruins.

THE BAJA CALIFORNIA PENINSULA
Located in the northwest region, the Baja California Peninsula borders the United States on the north, and lies east of the Pacific Ocean and west of the Sea of Cortez. The peninsula has an ideal climate, with sunny days throughout most of the year and average temperatures ranging from 15° C (59° F) in the winter and 30° C (86° F) during the summer.

Its territory, which spans about 1,300 kilometers (806 miles) from north to south, is divided into two states: Baja California and Baja California Sur. In the former, Tijuana stands out as one of the most visited border cities in the world, thanks to its popular bullfights, dog racing, cultural center and its famed contribution to international cuisine: the Caesar salad. Also in the state of Baja California, you can visit Ensenada, a town surrounded by nearby vineyards, which explains why it has become the peninsula's cultural capital in recent years. Or you can do some whale-watching at la Laguna Ojo de Liebre (Scammons Lagoon), where you can spy the Gray Whale. Also nearby is Rosarito, one of Mexico's top destinations for scuba diving and fishing.

In the peninsula's southern state, Baja California Sur, you'll find incredible natural scenery: beach resorts deserts, nature reserves and the mountains of the Sierra de San Francisco, where you can witness magnificent cave murals or visit old missions. What's more, you can enjoy the numerous spas and resorts of Los Cabos, one of Mexico's most popular destinations, which also offers top-notch golf courses. North of Los Cabos, in La Paz and Loreto, you can do some sportfishing, surfing, windsurfing, kayaking, scuba diving and whale-watching on the Sea of Cortez.

For road trips, it's worth noting that you can drive across the region along the Transpeninsular Highway, which stretches from Tijuana to Los Cabos. You can also travel by way of the so-called Escalera Nautica, a nautical route that stops at various ports along the coast.

THE PACIFIC COAST
Located in western Mexico, the Pacific coast region stretches across 1,700 kilometers (1,054 miles) of beaches, mountains and valleys, spanning from the state of Sinaloa to the Isthmus of Tehuantepec in the state of Oaxaca. The climate is hot and tropical (temperatures range from 15° C, or 59° F, to 32° C, or 90° F) along the coast, while the zone that makes up part of the Sierra Madre del Sur mountain range gets much cooler.

In the southern portion of the state of Sinaloa, Mazatlan stands out for its celebrated carnival, one of the country's most important festivals. Just below Sinaloa is the mystical state of Nayarit, where the ancient wisdom and traditions of the Huichol and Cora Indians live on. It's there where you'll find multicolored handicrafts made from wood, cloth or beads.

Further south, in Tapatio territory (the state of Jalisco), four gems stand out: the beautiful city of Guadalajara, resort hotspot Costalegre, beach resort Puerto Vallarta and el Volcan de Fuego (The Volcano of Fire), which lies on the Jalisco-Colima border. In the state of Michoacan, the beach of Maruata is excellent for surfing, while state capital Morelia has fascinating architecture.

Moving southward, in the state of Guerrero you can stroll down the cobblestone streets of picturesque Taxco, where you can buy the finest sliver jewelry. Along Guerrero's coast, you can enjoy the Beach Resorts at Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo, where the calm waters invite you to relax, or you can visit Acapulco, widely considered one of the most famous bays in the world.

Finally, there are numerous options in Oaxaca, a state highly regarded for its regional cuisine and arts, which is home to such famed artists as Rufino Tamayo, Francisco Toledo and Rodolfo Morales. There, you can visit the state capital Oaxaca City and nearby archeological sites Mitla and Monte Alban, a World Heritage site. Or you can bask in the sun at Zipolite, a popular nude beach, or Huatulco, one of Mexico's fastest growing tourist destinations, which offers the unparalleled beauty of its pristine bays.

When to Go to Mexico

Mexico has two principal travel seasons. High season begins around December 20 and continues to Easter; in some places it begins as early as mid-November. Low season is from the day after Easter to mid-December; during low season, prices may drop 20% to 50%. In beach destinations popular with Mexican travelers, such as Veracruz and Acapulco, prices will revert to high season during July and August, the traditional national summer vacation period. Prices in inland cities seldom fluctuate from high to low season, but may rise dramatically during the weeks of Easter and Christmas. Taxco and Pátzcuaro raise prices during their popular Easter-week celebrations. In Isla Mujeres and Playa del Carmen, on the Yucatán Peninsula, high season starts earlier than in the rest of the country and includes the month of August, when many European visitors and Mexican families arrive. The chapters that follow mention all of these exceptions and others.

Mexico has two main climate seasons: rainy (May to mid-Oct) and dry (mid-Oct to Apr). The rainy season can be of little consequence in the dry, northern region of the country. Southern regions typically receive tropical showers, which begin around 4 or 5pm and last a few hours. Though these rains can come on suddenly and be quite strong, they usually end just as quickly and cool off the air for the evening. Hurricane season particularly affects the Yucatán Peninsula and the southern Pacific coast, especially June through October. However, if no hurricanes strike, the light, cooling winds, especially September through November, can make it a perfect time to tackle the pre-Hispanic ruins that dot the interior of the peninsula.

Norte (northern) season runs from late November to mid-January, when the jet stream dips far south and creates northerly winds and showers in many resort areas. These showers usually only last for a couple of days.

June, July, and August are unrelentingly hot on the Yucatán Peninsula and in most coastal areas, though temperatures rise only into the mid-80s to 90°F (mid-20s to 32°C). Most of coastal Mexico experiences temperatures in the 80s°F (20s°C) in the hottest months. The northern states that border the United States experience very high summer temperatures.

Elevation is another important factor. High-elevation cities such as Mexico City and San Cristóbal de las Casas can be surprisingly cold. Temperatures can drop close to freezing at night in winter even in San Miguel de Allende and Guanajuato, which are at lower elevations.