Mexico is a fasinating country with a range of travel options for prospective vacation makers. The beaches of both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts are undoubtdely one of Mexico's main attractions. Mexico also has some of the finest ancient Aztec and Mayan ruins such as Chitzen Itza, along with some beautiful colonial towns. The landscape is splendid throughout the country - from deserts in the north to tropical rainforest in the south.
Mexico City and around
Mexico City is the capital and it's huge. The old town and zocalo make the best places to book a hotel - try the W hotel for something trendy and a little different. The nearby Aztec ruins of Teotihuacana are some of the most splendid in Central America, and just as drive of less than one hour from Mexico City. The tour to Teotihuacana is essential for any visitor staying in Mexico City. Other nearby towns of vacation interest in this central part of Mexico include Taxco (well known for it's silver), Puebla (with it's pretty colonial quarter) and Cuernavaca (Mexico City's elitist getaway town).
Yucatan and the Maya Riviera Vacations
Many vacations in Mexico are based in the Yucatan as it has a huge range of travel options. The colonial towns of Merida and Campeche are interesting to stay for a few nights. There's splendid ruins at Chitzen Itza pyramids and Uxmal to name just two. The ruins at Chitzen Itza are some of the finest in the country, but are so busy with day trippers during the middle of the day that it's best to overnight in the hotel and get up early to explore the following morning. The coast of the Caribbean Yucatan has been dubbed as the Riviera Maya, as it is scattered with numerous beach resorts, most of them luxury hotels. The principal town on the Riviera Maya is Cancun, a rather tacky large resort specifically designed for package holidays. Nearby Playa del Carmen is of similar style, as is the island of Cozumel. For more information on holidays to and hotels on the Yucatan's beaches see the Maya Riviera page.
Pacific Coast Tours
Mexico's Pacific coast offers a different travel experience from the Caribbean side of the Riviera Maya. The landscape is more rugged and dramatic, and the beaches are more popular with surfing. Baja California to the north has excellent luxury beach resorts just a short flight from USA. More central are the beach resorts of Acapulco and Puerto Vallarta. Further south good hotels are found at the more laidback Zipolite and Puerto Escondido.
Southern Mexico Tours
Southern Mexico has numerous interesting towns to visit. Oaxaca is probably Mexico's most beautiful colonial town and worth visiting for at least three nights. Further south is San Cristobal de Las Casas, a beautiful indigenous town, which is not far from the jungle clad ruins of Palenque. This region of Chiapas is the best area to organise a rainforest tour. From southern Mexico it is easy to travel onwards to Guatemala, or continue East in Mexico to lovely colonial towns such as those of Campeche and Merida.
Northern Mexico Holiday Ideas
Northern Mexico's desert is splendid and vast - the Copper Canyon is geographically marvelous, to travel by train through it is one of the most spectacular train journeys in the world. The highland colonial town of Zacatecas is beautiful and less visited than many of Mexico's other colonial cities.
