MEXICO TRAVEL GUIDE
Most people come to Mexico for the beach life, and visitors have a choice of two distinctly different coasts; the western Pacific coast, home to the likes of laid back La Paz and bustling Acapulco, and the more frequently visited eastern Caribbean coast, home to Cancun and Playa del Carmen. In between all of this are the reminders of the Aztec and Mayan people, with their elaborate ruined cities, including the amazing Chichen Itza temple in the Yucatan Peninsula region. If you like big cities, Mexico is home to the world’s biggest – Mexico City. Add sunshine, great food and friendly locals and it’s easy to see the attraction of visiting Mexico.
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MEXICO WEATHER - When to Go
Mexico is generally hot and humid, particularly so along the coastlines, although mountainous inland areas like Mexico City, Monterrey, and Guadalajara are milder and can get cool in the winter. The best time to visit Mexico is from November to March or April, when it’s not as hot and rain falls less often. This is the cool season and northerly winds make the north of the country less hot. Off season bargains can generally be had in the hot and wet season, from May to October.
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MEXICO HIGHLIGHTS - Places to Visit
- Mexico City: situated right in the centre of the country, Mexico’s capital is a chaotic metropolis that has a certain appeal, although it is not for everyone. It has become known as the City of Palaces for good reason and comes with an incredible number of museums, stunning colonial buildings and a thriving nightlife. For a look at some Aztec ruins, head for Templo Mayor, or take a daytrip to Teotihuacán to learn all about the legendary Nahuatl people. Shoppers should do Bazaar Sabado for some souvenirs while Alameda Central Park is ideal for an unwinding session.
- Guadalajara: Mexico’s second-largest city is one for the culture-vulture. It can be found in the centre of the country and is famously home to tequila and loads of interesting buildings, museums and shopping options. One of the star attractions in Guadalajara is the massive Libertad Market, where all sorts of bits and bobs can be found at knock-down prices, while the nearby town of Tequila reveals how this funky spirit is made in the factories there. Guadalajara is also known for its many colourful festivals in September and December where tequila is downed to the max and fireworks are aplenty.
- Monterrey: although nowhere near the coast, the major city of Monterrey in northeast Mexico has a lot going for it. This bustling ‘City of Mountains’ is one for the adventure traveller, with the huge Saddle Mountain (Cerro de la Silla) bang in the centre of town. You can climb to the top of Saddle Mountain and enjoy the fine backdrop of the Sierra Madre Mountains if you have a good fitness level, or take to the trails around the base. Museums and art galleries devoted to Mexican culture abound in Monterrey and cafés and restaurants offer good value for money here.
- Acapulco: lying on Mexico’s southwest Pacific Coast, this hugely popular seaside resort is popular with both highfliers and package tourists. It is all about the beach and nightlife in Acapulco. A long strip of high-rise hotels lines the main beaches (La Costera), of which Hornos (afternoon beach), Tamarindos, Papagayo, and Icacos are the most impressive. Gay-friendly Condesa Beach lies at the east end of the bay. Prices are naturally higher towards the centre of Costera while Zócalo and old Acapulco are more reasonable. Acapulco highlights include the cliff-top divers at La Quebrada and Zócalo (Acapulco's town square) for sightseeing and dining.
- La Paz: lying at the end of the chunk of land that extends down all the way from California, La Paz is another one of Mexico’s popular beach destinations, yet is more laidback than the likes of Cancun and Acapulco. The beaches here are near perfect, along with the scuba diving in the warm Pacific waters and the whale-watching, while the city itself is also worthy of a visit. The Malecon in La Paz is a big attraction - a seaside walkway perfect for strolling – and the town also boasts some good seafood and nightlife. Try the nearby islands of Los Islotes and El Espiritu Santo to get away from it all.
- Cancun: this purpose-built, sun-drenched resort lies at the mouth of the Yucatan Channel on the famed Yucatan Peninsular in eastern Mexico. This stylish destination presides over azure Caribbean seas and white sands and features a huge amount of top quality hotels and resorts. It also has a pumping nightlife and some excellent restaurants and shopping options. Cancun is particularly popular with holidaying Americans therefore it is worth checking ahead to find out when the US school holidays are to avoid the crowds. November to April sees the best weather in Cancun, while May to August is hurricane season. Many flights are available to Cancun.
- Playa del Carmen: is another of Yucatan’s up-and-coming beach resort areas. It lies just below Cancun and boasts the warm and inviting seas of the Caribbean and the allure of the resort’s entertainment scene. The beaches and coral reefs are the big attraction in Playa del Carmen Golfing is very popular here and the area is also big on nature; bird lovers should head for the Xaman Ha aviary, with its sizeable tropical forest and numerous bird species. In addition, there is a massive cave system in the region and the nightlife pumps at all hours. For more beaches, it’s easy to visit the nearby resort island of Cozumel to enjoy the waters of the Caribbean Sea.
- Yucatan Peninsula, Mayan Temples and Chichen Itza: Flying in to Cancun airport, it’s easy to enjoy the beaches in Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Cozumel. However, this area of Mexico - known as the Yucatan Peninsula - is also home to some amazing Mayan temples, including those at Tulum on the coast, and those inland such as Uxmal and the world-famous Chichen Itza temple (which is not be missed under any circumstances if you are in this area.
- Other Mexico highlights: Mazatlan is a Pacific coast resort favoured mostly by hedonistic students while Copper Canyon (Barrancas del Cobre) offers one of the world’s most fabulous mountain train rides going over 8,000 feet on the Chihuahua al Pacifico Railway. The Sea of Cortez, near La Paz, brims with whales and dolphins.
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MEXICO HOSPITALITY - Eat, Drink, Sleep
- Food and Eating Out: Mexico has world renowned cuisine, seen in restaurants the world over, and naturally Mexican food is generally spicier in Mexico. Tacos are ubiquitous but for the real thing, untainted by Western tastes, head for local inns and lunchrooms scattered throughout the country. All-inclusive menus (comida corrida), come with soup, salad or rice and a main course, and are cost effective. You will also find all types of international foods in Mexican cities and resorts, such as Asian, European, Indian, Greek and Arabic, while fast-food burger joints and vegetarian restaurants are also in abundance.
- Entertainment and Nightlife: Bars and clubs open until the wee hours countrywide and it is not too hard to find somewhere offering entertainment. Mexicans generally dine out and drink late and nowhere really gets going until after 10pm. The resorts of Acapulco, Cancun and Playa del Carmen feature no end of bars and mega nightclubs, while the likes of Monterrey and Cabo San Lucas are known for their café culture. Mexico is the home of tequila and Corona beer – enjoy!
- Accommodation: All the touristy areas in Mexico have recognisable hotel chains such as Radissons, Holiday Inns and Sheratons, as well as mid-range options and backpacker hostels. Accommodation here is cheap compared to the UK. The busiest time to be in Mexico is from December to March, particularly the end of March when hotels need to be booked in advance.
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MEXICO FLIGHTS - Flying from the UK
It is possible to fly direct to Mexico City from London with British Airways.
For other flight options from the UK to Mexico, try Expedia.co.uk, Netflights or ebookers.
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