| Mexico is a large country with regions which are very | | | | Acapulco and Huatulco. Each of these cities has a |
| different from each other. The interior sections of | | | | flavor distinct and different from each other. (See |
| Mexico are full of beautiful mountain cities with | | | | each of these destinations in our Mexico guide to |
| Spanish Colonial architecture. These cities will range | | | | determine which city suites you best.) |
| from large modern cities like Monterrey and Mexico | | | | The Mayan Riviera hosts Mexico destinations that not |
| City to quaint pueblos like San Luis Potosi and San | | | | only offer some of the most beautiful beaches in the |
| Miguel. Virtually all of the inland destinations from | | | | world, but easy access to a myriad of Mayan ruins, |
| Mexico City and on south offer the addition of ruins | | | | Cenotes and some of the best scuba diving on the |
| from a once mighty civilization which rivaled the | | | | planet. |
| Roman empire 2000 years ago.The country's past | | | | Planning is key to enjoying a great vacation when |
| seems to live at one with its present. | | | | visiting Mexico. Taking the time to plan your trip |
| In Mexico City, the Plaza de las Tres Culturas | | | | ahead of time is the best way to enjoy your |
| celebrates the three major cultures that have shaped | | | | vacation. Planning is not only needed to enjoy your |
| Mexico: there are Aztec ruins, the 17th-century | | | | vacation, but to stay within your budget, have |
| colonial church of San Diego and several late | | | | access to entertainment, and have a backup plan |
| 20th-century buildings. Even the dead are alive here, | | | | should anything go awry. |
| at least once a year; on the Day of the Dead, the | | | | If you are on a budget, stick to the small colonial |
| living bring gifts to their dearly departed and spend | | | | cities where backpackers and the like are able to |
| the night in their company, remembering and | | | | travel for around $600 to $800 USD per month. Live |
| celebrating how things used to be. | | | | like the locals whenever possible. That means that if |
| Mexico is a traveler's paradise, crammed with a | | | | you want to rent a place . . . do as the locals and |
| multitude of opposing identities: desert landscapes, | | | | search the streets for rent signs. It may also help to |
| snow-capped volcanoes, ancient ruins, teeming | | | | hire a local (pay them around $20 USD) to help you |
| industrialized cities, time-warped colonial towns, glitzy | | | | find a place. Once established in affordable housing, |
| resorts, deserted beaches and a world-beating | | | | spend your money in the mercado, visiting the local |
| collection of flora and fauna. | | | | villages, attractions, and partying at the local cantina. |
| This mix of modern and traditional, clichéd | | | | Traditional Mexican food can often be very spicy; if |
| and surreal, is the key to Mexico's charm, whether | | | | you are not used to peppers, always ask if your |
| your passion is throwing back margaritas, listening to | | | | food includes. You can measure the quality of food |
| howler monkeys, surfing the Mexican Pipeline, | | | | by popularity, do not eat on lonely places, even if |
| scrambling over Mayan ruins or expanding your | | | | they are restaurants or hotels. |
| collection of posable Day of the Dead skeletons. | | | | Ask for the "platillo tipico" of the town, this is a local |
| Mexico is enjoyable year-round, but October to May | | | | speciality not found elsewhere, a variation, or the |
| is generally the most pleasant time to visit. The | | | | birthplace of a recipe, also consider that most of the |
| May-September period can be hot and humid, | | | | recipies change from place to place, like tamales, in |
| particularly in the south, and inland temperatures can | | | | the south are made with the banana plant leaves, |
| approach freezing during December-February. Facilities | | | | and in the Huasteca region tamales are very big, one |
| are often heavily booked during Semana Santa (the | | | | is Ok for a complete family. |
| week before Easter) and Christmas/New Year, the | | | | Tap water is generally not recommended for drinking. |
| peak domestic travel periods. | | | | Some people even claim that tap water is not good |
| Mexico's climate has something for everyone: it's hot | | | | for brushing teeth. Hotels usually give guests one |
| and humid along the coastal plains, and drier and more | | | | (large) bottle of drinking water per room per night. |
| temperate at higher elevations inland (Guadalajara or | | | | Bottled water is also readily available in supermarkets |
| Mexico City, for example). Try to avoid the southern | | | | and at tourist attractions. |
| coast between July and September - the resorts are | | | | Plan your main destination as the place you want to |
| decidedly soggy and jam-packed. | | | | spend most of your time, and hit the road for a few |
| The Mexican Riviera hosts destinations including Los | | | | days. |
| Cabos, Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta, Manzanillo, Ixtapa, | | | | |