Mexico Travel Guide
Information
Where to Go and What to See
Mexico City
A high altitude, high octane city that can be lively and exuberant but also smoggy, crowded and with a faint whiff of menace in the air. Whilst there, visit the Palacio Nacional - the seat of political power in Mexico - and the Great Temple which is the Aztec temple discovered in 1978. The site at the temple is large and includes a museum containing many of the artefacts uncovered there. Also worth a look is the Franz Mayer Museum which contains many fine examples of art from the world over. The National Museum of Anthropology is also of interest for those wishing to find out more about the pre Hispanic civilisations of Mexico.
Guadalajara
Mexico's second city and home to many of those quintessential Mexican experiences. Tequila, the Mexican Hat Dance and the Mariachis (you know the ones? These are the guys with guitars, trumpets and sombreros who serenade you whilst dining) all originate from this area.
An industrial town, Guadalajara is also more relaxed, less smoggy, more musical and less congested than the capital, all of which adds to its appeal. It is also home to many fine museums, galleries and restaurants.
Stuff we've already heard of...
We belong to a culture that has over the years absorbed 'the Western' into part of its mainstream consciousness. This means that Tequila and Tabasco are familiar to us. The towns of Durango, Laredo, El Paso, and Rio Grande all ring with the sound of gunfire and swinging saloon doors. Barbecue is a word derived from Mexico and more recently yet we have heard of people 'Goin Loco down in Acapulco'. These are some of the gifts that Mexico has given the world!
Yucatan Peninsula
Still the land of the Maya. This was the centre of an empire that extended as far south as Honduras. The descendants of these people still live in the area despite many hardhips endured along the way. Geographically the Yucatan is hot, flat and arid, dragging a living from the soil is hard work indeed. Chief amongst the attractions of the Yucatan is the wealth of archaeological sites to visit. The principal site of interest is at Chichen Itza but also worth a visit are Coba, Edzna and Tulum.
For those who prefer to take their holidays lazing by pool or beach, the Mexicans have kindly provided just such a place...
Cancun
Lets not beat around the bush Cancun is a manufactured place. Standing in the Caribbean Sea it was created in the 70's to be the ultimate resort destination. It now has over 20,000 hotel rooms available for 'holidaymakers'. High rise hotels perch on the shores of a formerly deserted sandspit which lies a short distance off the mainland. Access is via a bridge at either end of the sandspit. Over the bridge is the Ciudad Cancun. This is where the resort workers live and hotels are slightly more reasonably priced. As might be expected for a resort designed to attract foreign tourists Cancun lacks nothing. There is intense nightlife, all manner of sporting activities - particularly water sports and golf - luxurious modern hotels and a wide choice of restaurants. Beware, the food can be mediocre and highly priced.
The beaches of Cancun are stunning and are available for use by all.
For those who want to get away from the pool Cancun is excellently placed for visiting many of the sites of interest on the Yucatan Peninsula.
Where to Stay
The tendency has been for developers to build luxury hotels and the prices reflect this. Cheaper hotels are available but there are fewer of them.
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