Travel to Mexico
When you travel to Mexico, you'll find an ancient land of gorgeous white sand beaches, diverse archeological treasures, five-star, world-class resorts, and friendly and family-oriented people. Mexico is bordered on the north by the USA, on the south by Guatamala and Belize, on the east by the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean. The lands of Mexico include tropical rainforests, rugged mountains, deserts, and miles upon miles of beautiful beaches.
When you travel to Mexico, activities are as endless as the potential destinations available to you. There is snorkeling, scuba, sport fishing, jet-skiing, wind surfing, hiking, shopping in local bazaars, touring colorful villages, and exploring ancient archeological ruins.
Along Mexico's miles of shoreline, year-round temperatures are fairly constant due to the nearby warm ocean waters. Coastal temperatures can range from a high of 65 degrees F to a high of 95 degrees F. The daily low temperatures, even during winter, rarely fall below 55 degrees F. With these year-round comfortable temperatures, you can travel to Mexico any time you choose.
Mexican people are descendents of Spanish and Native peoples, and the primary language of Mexico is Spanish. Many Mexicans speak a good deal of English, and most Mexican people can assist tourists since they will know at least a few key English phrases. If you want to learn a few key Spanish phrases before you travel to Mexico, you'll be assured of finding your way around with virtually no problems at all.
In Mexican culture, love of family rises above all else. For this reason, it's very normal for a business to close for a couple of hours in the middle of the day, while the proprietor and his employees go home to enjoy lunch and siesta with their families. Almost ninety percent of Mexicans are Catholics, and the culture of Mexico reflects this strong religious underpinning. When you travel to Mexico, you'll want to be respectful of this fundamental cultural principle (for example, topless sunbathing is very much frowned upon).
The native Mexican culture derives from both the Aztec and the Mayan civilizations that existed in Mexico thousands of years ago. These civilizations left behind important archeological treasures that are wonderful attractions for those who travel to Mexico. In Mexico City, the Aztec ruins of a great temple, called Templo Mayor, marks the location of a great Aztec city of Tenochtitlan. On the Yucatan Peninsula, on the east coast of Mexico, a number of important Mayan ruins can be toured to learn about this ancient civilization. These ruins include:
Calakmul: Believed to have been the Mayan's largest city, this site includes 6000 structures within a walled city and includes the tallest pyramid on the peninsula.
Chichén-Itzá: This famous ruin includes the El Castillo Pyramid which may have been used as the Mayan Calendar based on how the sub strikes the structure throughout the year.
Palenque: This ruin offers stories and history carved into the stone in a Mayan form of hieroglyphics.
Tulum: This Mayan city on the coast served as a seaport for traders doing business with the Mayan peoples and offers a breathtaking view of an ancient civilization living in harmony with the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
Mexico's beaches are another primary attraction when you travel to Mexico. Here's a sampling of the various beach destinations that are available all along Mexico's shorelines:
Puerto Vallarta: Banderas Bay is a large, wide bay with over twenty-six miles of white, sandy beaches, bordered by quaint Mexican villages and five-star, world-class resorts.
Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo: These twin resort areas include the beautiful Playa La Ropa for a beach experience of quiet relaxation, the Playa Las Gatas beach for those looking for beachside dining, snorkeling and other activities, and the Ixtapa luxury resort beach at Playa Palmar.
Cancun: The Cancun beaches are known as the most beautiful in Mexico with powdery white sand, turquoise waters, and unparalleled luxury beachfront resorts.
Los Cabos: The beaches at Los Cabos are worth note for their unusual rock formations, crashing waves, and havens of white sand seclusion.
Cozumel Island: This island has been called the "gem of the Mexican Caribbean," sits about 12 miles off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, and includes fabulous coral reefs for scuba diving and snorkeling enthusiasts.