Mexico
Caribbean Mexico
Beach Resort Guide
On the historic Yucatan peninsula, Caribbean Mexico has some of the region's most modern resorts. The main resorts combine the magic and myths of Mexico, the convenience and luxury of modern hotels and the calming waters of the Caribbean.
The L-shaped island of Cancun, linked to the mainland by a causeway, is 14 miles long and just a quarter of a mile wide. More than 75 hotels line the beach, whose waters are perfect for children and adults learning to swim. Cancun offers a variety of restaurants, entertainment, world-class shopping and sports activities.
Cozumel is a limestone island, nine miles from the mainland, which can be reached by ferry. It boasts a wealth of excellent beaches, palm groves, relics of Mayan settlements dating back to 1,000 AD and nature parks and reserves. On the mainland coast opposite Cozumel is the Riviera Maya, a long stretch of tiny fishing villages and hidden resorts and the modern resort area of Playa del Carmen.
Just south of Cancun is the smaller Isla Mujeres or the Island of Women, named after Mayan terracotta figures found there. Only 5.5 square miles, it is a popular resort for tourists attracted to a quieter atmosphere where excellent coral reefs and superb diving can be found. Other attractions here include a turtle farm and a marine biological station where visitors can see dolphins, sea lions and sea elephants.
These resort islands are never far away from the many Mayan sites of the Yucatan peninsula like Chichen Itza and Tulum, with temples, walled towns, castles and pyramids. Xcaret, 35 miles south of Cancun is Mexicos only eco-archaeological park, where you can swim with dolphins and explore Mayan caves.
Mexico
Backpackers Guide
Mexico is one of the fastest growing industrial powers in the world yet parts of the country seem to have been left behind and resemble an almost forgotten Spanish settlement. The blend of American and Spanish culture makes Mexico such a unique place. There are communities of full-blooded natives and a small number of Mexicans of pure Spanish descent. However, the majority of the population is mestizo, a combination of both traditions with a layer of urban sophistication.
The highlands of Mexico are home to historic colonial towns and a spring like climate all year round. The silver mining towns of Zacatecas and Guanajuato, the historic centres of San Miguel de Allende and Queretaro, and many more with similar colonial architecture can be found here.
Mexico City is the nations capital and is a haven of art, politics and cultural. There is so much to see and do in this great city from the chief relics of the pre-Hispanic cultures of central Mexico, the pyramids at Teotihuacan, the Toltec site at Tula and Tenochtitlan, which was the heart of the Aztec empire. The Plaza de la Tres Culturas celebrates the three major cultures that have shaped Mexico. It includes the Aztec ruins, the 17th-century colonial church of San Diego and several late 20th-century buildings.
Mexicos countryside is wild and wonderful with beautiful mountains, hills and valleys overlooking thick forests, lakes and ancient villages. Oaxaca is a city, south of the capital, with a curious mix of colonial and indigenous life, excellent markets and intriguing archaeological sites.
Mexico is a country brimming with energy and a zest for life. The people are lively and high-spirited, the landscape is strewn with historical gems and the nightlife is jubilant. Fiestas are a common occurrence and allow visitors to get a real flavour of the traditional dance and music.
From history and culture to art and nightlife, Mexico is a country that offers it all. Those looking for a sunny beach holiday should head for Caribbean Mexico, while the enthusiastic traveller should explore all that is on offer further inland.
