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What to Do on Vacation in Mexico
Exciting Things To See and Do in Mexico
Seaside Resort Hotels in Mexico
A Quick Look at Mexico
Map of Mexico
When Cortes and the Spaniards arrived in Mexico near Veracruz searching for gold, they found a thriving civilization. In 1521, his forces, with the help of native Tlaxcalan warriors, defeated the Aztecs led by Montezuma and captured the Aztec capital Tenochtitlan, now known as Mexico City. Mexico later declared its independence from Spain.
Mexico has a population of about 100,000,000 people. Everyone speaks Spanish, the language of Mexico, but there are also 66 Indian languages. English is often spoken in border cities and some tourist destinations. Learn a few Spanish words to make friends and get around easier.
Here are some of the favorite cities of tourists who vacation in Mexico: Acapulco, Cancun, Copper Canyon, Cozumel, Guadalajara, Huatulco, Ixtapa, Los Cabos, Manzanillo, Mazatlan, Mexico City, Monterrey, Oaxaca, Patzcuaro, Puerto Vallarta, Riviera Nayarit, and Veracruz.
What To Do on Vacation in Mexico: The Pyramids and Temples
Ancient Mayan Ruins
at Chichen Itza
What To Do on Vacation in Mexico: Six Famous Mayan Cities
Chichen Itza. This majestic Mayan city covering 2.5 sq. mi. on the Yucatan Peninsula was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988 and recently voted as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. You pronounce it Chee-chen eet-zah. It was important from the tenth to the twelfth century. You can schedule a day trip from Cancun or a two-day trip with an overnight stay at Valladolid.
Teotihuacan. One of the best archaeological sites of the world is Teotihuacan, near Mexico City, an enormous ruin with several large pyramids. You'll see palaces, sacrificial altars and painted frescoes. The inhabitants worshipped a female goddess. Everyone left the city about 700 A.D., and vanished without a trace.
Monte Alban. Built on a mountaintop overlooking the valley of Oaxaca, this Zapotec site dates from about 500 B.C. The tombs contain carvings, art and precious objects. You can reach it on a day trip from Oaxaca. Monte Alban is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Palenque. A Mayan city in the state of Chiapas, Palenque is famous for its elaborate paintings, and burial tombs deep inside the pyramids. It is located on the largest tract of rain forest in Mexico, about two hours from Villahermosa. Discoveries are still being made in this group of temples.
Uxmal. An impressive Mayan city-state in the Puc Region where you can see stone carved walls, masks and the Pyramid of the Magician. Built between 700 and 1000 A.D., Uxmal was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.
Tulum. This is a coastal city with spectacular Caribbean vistas built from the late Mayan period. You can visit Tulum on a day trip from Cozumel or Cancun.
What To Do on Vacation in Mexico: Natural Sights and Outdoor Beauty
Whale Watching
on Vacation in Mexico
- You can watch humpback and gray whales near Puerto Vallarta, San Jose del Cabo, Cabo San Lucas, Baja California.
- From June to November sea turtles return home to the beaches along the Yucatan, Baja Sur, Puerto Vallarta and other places to lay their eggs.
- The Million Monarch March is the celebration of millions of migrating monarch butterflies who return to the hills of Michoacan in November.
- Birding is popular at Lago Bacalat on the Yucatan Peninsula, with 130 species identified.
- Many cities offer you a chance to swim with the dolphins.
- Some of the most beautiful coral reefs in the world. For example, the Chinchorro Reef Underwater National Park with 30 at least shipwrecks is 19 miles offshore in the Caribbean, near Majahual and Xcalak. Some coral reefs are close to shore.
What To Do on Vacation in Mexico: Famous Attractions
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Fishing, swimming, scuba diving, hiking and horseback riding, championship golf, surfing, sport fishing and sea kayaking are available in most vacation areas in Mexico.
Beach Fun
on Vacation in Mexico - Enjoy lively Mariachi music played by a band of roaming musicians with guitar, trumpet and violin.
- Take a cable car in Zacatenas to the scenic summit of Cerro de La Bufa. Tour La Mina Eden nearby, a mine dug by Indian slaves.
- Visit the museums for the rich finds from the early Spanish and from the Aztec and Mayan civilizations.
- Enjoy the cathedrals, masterpieces of architecture and decoration.
- Shop the colorful local markets for unique handmade crafts. The outdoor markets are a lot of fun.
- Celebrate during the exuberant local festivals.
- Carnival, similar to Mardi Gras, is a fun festival held just before Lent with extravagant parades, floats, confetti, dancing.
- Cinco de Mayo on May 5 commemorates the Battle of Puebla and the Mexican victory over the invading French army in 1862.
- The Day of the Dead, Dia de Los Muertos, on November 2, is a celebration to welcome the souls of the dead. Once a year, it is thought, the dead have permission to return to earth to visit friends and relatives.
- Visit the early colonial towns, located near the first gold mines. They look like old Spain, with charming haciendas built around an enclosed courtyard, Each has a central town square a called a plaza or zocalo.
- Experience a live Mexican bullfight.
- Cheer for the football team, or call it soccer if you're from the U.S.
- Three famous Mexican artists are Jose Orozco the social realist, Diego Rivera the muralist, and Frida Kahlo painter of fantastical dream worlds. You may remember the 2002 movie "Frida" starring Salma Hayek. The Museo Diego Rivera Anahuacalli, in Mexico City, designed by the artist himself out of lava rock, holds 52,000 of his pieces.
- The best thing to do in Mexico is to get to know the local people with their creativity, friendliness, their strong family and social ties, and their calm relaxing lifestyle.
What To Do on Vacation in Mexico: Handmade Art and Crafts
Mural by Diego Rivera
What To Do on Vacation in Mexico: Important Facts for Tourists
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To enter Mexico, travelers must have a passport. A tourist card is also required, and is available at the border. You will also need your passport to re-enter the United States.
Mexico City - 25 of the world's major airlines serve Mexico.
- The Mexican bus system is extensive and air-conditioned, provided you travel executive class.
- There are no restrictions on your travel to Mexico. The U.S. Department of State lifted its 2009 advisory about travel to Mexico during the H1N1 influenza outbreak. It is suggested to you use only bottled water and avoid uncooked food.
- Telmex is the national telephone company. Because long-distance calls are expensive in Mexico, bring a U.S. phone calling card with you. For local and long distance calls, you can also buy a Ladatel calling card in Mexico.
- The 15% Value Added Tax is supposed to be included in the posted price of items for sale.
- U.S. travelers don't need any converters or adaptor plugs for their electrical appliances. The standard electric voltage in Mexico is 110.
- Do not buy archaeological artifacts. It is illegal to take them out of the country.
- Etiquette and courtesy are important in Mexico, especially when strangers meet. Take time to introduce yourself before doing business.
What To Do on Vacation in Mexico: Traditional Foods
You have probably enjoyed many Mexican foods already, enchiladas, the baked custard called flan, guacamole made with avocados and tomatoes, margaritas, and the alcoholic beverage tequila, distilled from Agave cactus. In Mexico, you'll also be served authentic quesadillas, salsa, tacos, tortillas, tostados, and tamales. All the foods taste better in their native locale.
What To Do on Vacation in Mexico: Money Facts
Mexican Sombrero
The symbol for pesos is the same as for US dollars. Fortunately prices in tourist areas are often labeled US$, and the US dollar is accepted in many places. The US dollar is worth about 13 pesos as of October, 2009. If the shop quotes you 10 pesos to a U.S. dollar, you are being shortchanged. It is easier and thriftier to change your dollars for pesos at the airport, where you get the best rates.
Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, but always ask before you buy. Find out if your local bank has ATM machines at your destination in Mexico.
What Is the Weather Like in Mexico?
The weather in Mexico varies with the seasons. You'll find snow on the northern mountains in the Sierras, rainy jungles in the Southeast and deserts in the Northwest. In northern Mexico daytime winter temperatures range from 39 to 59 degrees Fahrenheit. But southern Mexico has a tropical climate all year round. Summer and winter, tourists flock to the western beaches on the Pacific Coast and to the eastern beaches on the Yucatan Peninsula.
I hope you know more about what to do on vacation in Mexico.
I wish you a very happy day.
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