MEXICO

Mexico is a dazzling land with an extensive cultural heritage that spans many centuries – an urban miracle where native markets thrive amidst a backdrop of colonial churches and sophisticated buildings. The vibrant synthesis of ancient relics and modern towns that bustle with activity and balmy beach resorts, invites you to a seaside rendezvous.

Mexico beckons with a truly astounding range of travel alternatives, from the cultural and historic to the adventurous and scenic. The intrepid traveler is well advised to try a little of each. Soak in sun and sand, dance through a Mexican fiesta, drool over turkey mole. Or simply float through Gothic churches and marvel at the splendors of Indian architecture that has survived the ravages of centuries. Whether rambling through ancient Mayan ruins or musing through Spanish churches, you are infused with the charm of this land, its native Indian culture and its glorious colonial heritage.

Capital: Mexico City

Best time to visit:

  1. Visit Mexico at just about any time of the year, but do plan your holiday sensibly, taking in beaches in winter (November to April) and inland destinations in summer (May to October).
  2. Mexico’s splendid beach resorts are best visited in winter; the summers can be uncomfortably hot and humid. Inland cities tend to remain cool and sometimes cold in winter.
  3. The holiday season – Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter is tourist time in Mexico, especially for the beaches. So you need to plan well to avoid getting caught in the holiday rush.
  4. The ideal time to travel is early December or early January when you can juggle between great weather and smaller crowds on the beaches.

Minimum days required: 5 days

Places of Interest:

  1. Mexico City – Six Flags, The Palacio de Bellas Arte, MuseoNacional de Antropología
  2. Acapulco-  Capilla De La Paz,Mural Diego Rivera,PuntaDiamante,ElFuerte De San Diego, La quebarda
  3. Cancun- Chichen Itza, Coba, Cancun underwater  museum, Isla Contoy
  4. Cozumel –  Palancar Reef, Santa Rosa wall,  Columbia Reef
  5. Guadalajara- Guadalajara zoo, Guadalajara Cathedral, AuditorioTelmex
  6. Los Cabos – CaboWabo, Querencia, El Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve, El Arco de Cabo San Lucas
  7. Mazatlan – HuanaCoa Canopy Adventure, Plaza Muchado,Malecon, Immaculate Conception Cathedral
  8. Merida- – Merida Cathedral, Estadio Carlos Iturralde, Gran Museo del Mundo Maya, Monumento a la Patria
  9. Puerto Vallarta–Punta Mita, Sayulita, The Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Climate:

  1. The climate of Mexico is as varied as its terrain. There is a distinct rainy season, followed by a dry season. June to October are the hot, rainy months, while November through May tends to be more temperate and dry.
  2. The climate differences are amplified in tropical Mexico, south of the Tropic of Cancer, where the altitudes vary immensely to create three distinct climate zones. The Tierra Templada is a temperate zone with temperatures between 50 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit (10 to 27 degrees Celsius). The Tierra Caliente is hot land with long, hot summers and mild winters without frost. The Tierra Fria or cold zone is high altitude area with frost in the higher ranges and snow-capped peaks.
  3. Summer rainfall washes tropical Mexico with short, heavy afternoon showers. The south has a longer rainy season, while the north is usually dry desert land. The coastal lowlands are hot but the Pacific coast of Lower California remains cool.

Currency:  Peso

Things to carry:

  1. Pack your swim wear and some casual attire for beaches and smaller resorts; formal attire for evening dining at larger resorts.
  2. Bring along your prescription medication which even though easily available in Mexico even without a prescription, the medication may be unfamiliar
  3. Sunglasses and strong suntan lotion and insect repellent would be useful.

How to get there:

Air

  1. Entering Mexico by air has become considerably simpler than it used to be. The international service has been streamlined by the introduction of three new air services. The U.S and Canada have increased their charter services into the country.