Mexico

Mexico Flag

Why visit Mexico?

Often sought after as an affordable destination; best known for their ancient culture, archaeological ruins, bird watching, bull fighting, colonial cities, coral, crystal-white beaches, dancing, ecotourism, fishing, golf, hiking, historical sites, jungles, landscapes, mountain biking, mountains, museums, music, river rafting, scuba diving, shopping, snorkeling, surfing, temples, volcanoes, water sports, whale-watching, and wildlife. 

Photo Credit: Alan de la Cruz/Pixabay

A popular destination for:

• Amateur & Professional Photographers
• Conventions, Meetings & Reunions
• Destination Wedding
• Ocean Cruises Embarkation/Disembarkation
• Groups: Family, Friends and Multigenerational 
• LGBTQ Friendly
• Milestones: Anniversary, Bachelor Party, Bachelorette Party, Birthday, Honeymoon, Retirement and Vow Renewal

Cancun Beach, Cancun, Mexico. Photo Credit: Michelle Raponi/Pixabay

At a Glance

• Souvenirs to Buy: Baskets, embroidered dresses, folk art, hammered copper, hammocks, hand-loomed rugs, handmade guitars, hand-painted wooden animal figures, panama hats, pottery, semi-precious stones, silver, straw figures, tableware, wood carvings, and woven fabrics.
• Local Cuisine to Try: Alambres (beef dish). Al Pastor (grilled pork). Birria (fried fish). Carne a la Tampiqueña (meat dish). Chiles en Nogada (stuffed chilies). Huachinango a la Veracruzana (fish dish). Huevos Rancheros (breakfast dish). Huaraches (bean dish). Pambazos (fried bread). Pan de Muerto (dessert). Panucho (tortilla dish). Quesadillas. Sonoran Hot Dog. Tacos. Tamales. Torta Ahogada (meat sandwich).
• Local Drink to Try: Aguas Frescas (fruity). Atole (hot flavored corn). Café de olla (coffee). Margarita (cocktail). Pozol (chocolate). Pulque (fermented sap). Rompope (eggnog). Sangria Señorial (soft drink). Tejuino (cold fermented corn). Tequila.

Guanajuato City (central), Mexico. Photo Credit: Juan Manuel Cortes/Pixabay

Fun Facts

• Oldest artifacts found (10,000 years ago) are chips of stone tools near campfire remains (Valley of Mexico).
• During the Colonial Era (1607–1776), it was called New Spain.
• In 1968, the first Latin American country to host the Olympics (XIX Olympic Games).
• In 2018, ranked sixth most-visited country in the world.
  
• Sierra Madre Occidental (west) and the Sierra Madre Oriental (east) extend across the country. An extension of the Rocky Mountains. 
• Second fastest rate of deforestation in the world.
  
• Taxco ("Silver Capital") offers high-grade silver.
  
• San Miguel de Allende and Zacatecas are at a higher altitude than Denver (Colorado).
  
• Second largest Catholic Community in the world.
  
• A two hour high-speed train from Mexico City, Mexico to Guadalajara, Jalisco is projected to cost $25 USD billion. Partially privately paid by Carlos Slim Helú, Mexican Iinvestor and Philanthropist.
  
• Some geographers consider east of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec as Central America.
• Plaza México (Mexico City), seats 45,000 spectators and is the largest bullring in the world.
  
• French is the second most widely taught foreign language.
  
• Acapulco (Pacific Coast) was the destination amongst the famous and rich travelers.
• Second-largest exporter of electronics to our nation.
  
• Highly ranked first in the Americas and seventh in the world for the number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
  
• Ranks first in the world with reptiles; 707 known species.
• Their military does not participate in politics and is under civilian control.
  
• The University of Guadalajara (public) has agreements with our nation to receive and train American students in medicine.
  
• Mexico City International Airport (MEX) is one of the busiest amongst Latin America countries.
  
• Compared to any other North America country produces the most automobiles.
  
• Ranks second in the world with mammals; 438 species.
  
• Home to renowned cliff divers (Acapulco).
  
• Second ranked country in the world with their ecosystems.

San Juan Teotihuacán, Teotihuacán, Mexico. Photo Credit: jjnanni/Pixabay

Most Visited Places...

• Cabo San Lucas is a popular destination well known for dramatic desert landscapes, fine beaches, golf courses, nightlife, romantic sunsets, and world-class restaurants. Also, considered to offer some of the best sport fishing in the world.
• Cancún along the Yucatán Peninsula bordering the Caribbean Sea, is best known for its beaches, nightlife, restaurants, resorts, and shops. Composed of two distinct areas: El Centro (traditional downtown area) and Zona Hotelera (strip of high-rise hotels). Popular amongst college students during Spring Break.
• Cozumel an undeveloped island in the Caribbean Sea, popular cruise ship port of call famed for its lagoon, national park, scuba diving, submerged sculptures, underwater caverns, and wildlife.
• Mexico City is a densely populated city that offers Aztec history, culture, gardens, gastronomy, historic murals, museums, nightlife, parks,  
• Nayarit is known for beaches and surfing.
• Playa del Carmen is a small city in Mexico along the Yucatan Coast. Boasts in boutiques, beachfront luxury hotels, and restaurants. 
• Puerto Vallarta along the Pacific Coast is considered a resort town known for its beaches, boutique shops, contemporary sculptures, nightlife, restaurants, water sports.
• Tulum situated along the Caribbean coastline of  Yucatán Peninsula is best known for its ancient port city (Mayan), beaches, castle, caverns, cenotes, lagoons, mangroves, and natural limestone sinkholes. 

The Arch of Cabo San Lucas, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Photo Credit: Salvador Navarro Maldonado/Pixabay

Special Holidays/Occasions

• Annual Events: (January) Festival Internacional Cervantino, Regional Fair, (February)
  Carnaval, Día de la Candelaria, Sombrero Festival, (March) Ambulante Film Festival, Annual Witches Conference, Festival de México en el Centro Histórico, (April) International Jazz Festival, San Marcos National Fair, Semana Santa, Vive Latino - Festival Iberoamericano de Cultura Musical (May) Cancún Jazz Festival, Cinco de Mayo, Feast of San Isidro, International Gay Festival, (June) Día de la Marina, National Ceramics Fair & Fiesta, (July) Guelaguetza Dance Festival, (August) Escénica Festival, Fiestas de la Vendimia, International Chamber Music Festival, Independent Film Festival, Mexico City Marathon, Parade of Monumental Alebrijes, Zona Maco Fair, (September) International Mariachi Festival, (October) Feria Nacional del Mole, Festival Internacional Cervantino, Fiestas de Octubre, Formula One Racing, Morelia Film Fest, (November) Annual Hot Air Balloon Festival, Annual Yucatán Bird Festival, Day of the Dead, Fiestas de Noviembre, Gourmet Festival, National Silver Fair, Oaxaca FilmFest, Puerto Vallarta International Gourmet Festival, (December) Annual Hot Air Balloon Festival, Christmas Posadas, and Fiesta de los Rábanos.
• Holidays: New Year’s Day, Dia de la Constitucion, Cumpleaños de Benito Juarez, Semana de Pascua, Dia del Trabajo, Dia de la Independencia, Dia de los Fieles Difuntos, Dia de la Revolucion, Transmision del Poder Ejecutivo Federal, and Dia de Navidad.

Tulum Ruins, Tulum, Mexico. Photo Credit: chambly1236/Pixabay

Good to Know

• Do not consume ice or tap water.
• Air pollution is a known problem amongst major cities.
  
• If you've ever been convicted of a serious crime, the local law permits Mexican Immigration Authorities to deny foreigners entry.
  
• Prevalent Diseases: Chikungunya, Chronic Respiratory Disease, Dengue Fever, Hepatitis, Malaria, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Travelers' Diarrhea, Typhoid Fever, and Zika.
• Government checkpoints are common.
  
• Cave paintings exist in Baja California Peninsula. 
• Restaurants are usually empty by 8PM.
  
• Poverty is visible.
• Sonora (northern) has a “hassle-free” zone allowing for travel without an entry permit or car registration within the zone.
  
• Only use a reputable taxi company, through your hotel or travel agent.
  
• By local law, you're presumed guilty until proven innocent.
  
• Beaches by popular location: Cabo San Lucas, Cancún (Spring Breakers), Playa del Carmen, and Tulum.  
• Rape and sexual assault are known problems in resort areas. 
• Marlin fishing is best in Cabo San Lucas.
  
• If you drive your vehicle into Mexico beyond the immediate border area (approximately 12 miles into Mexico), you must apply for a temporary vehicle import permit with Mexican customs.
  
• Fraudulent charges or withdrawals from “skimmed” cards occurs.
  
• Sport fishing along the Sea of Cortés (north) is the Bahía de La Concepción.
• Spotty cell phone coverage is common.
• Demonstrations are common, best to avoid them.
  
• Travelers have reported blacking out or illness after consuming unregulated alcohol. 

Nayarit, Mexico. Photo Credit: Arturo Garcia Segura/Pixabay

This international destination requires:

• A valid passport and one blank page for entry stamp.
• Tourist VISA not required for visits under 12 months.
• Currency Restrictions for Entry/Exit: $10,000USD.

Pyramid of Quetzalcoatl (Toltec Warriors), Tula, Mexico. Photo Credit: Pixabay

Subject to earthquakes, high humidity, hurricanes, and tsunamis.

• Best Time to Visit: September - May
• Coolest Month: December - March
• Hottest Months: April - September
• Peak Season: November - April & July - August

Jalisco (western) Mexico. Photo Credit: Julian Yanez Navarro/Pixabay

Your Must-See & Do

• UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Historic Center of Mexico City and Xochimilco, Historic Centre of Oaxaca and Archaeological site of Monte Albán, Historic Centre of Puebla, Pre-Hispanic City and National Park of Palenque, Pre-Hispanic City of Teotihuacán, Sian Ka'an, Historic Town of Guanajuato and Adjacent Mines, Pre-Hispanic City of Chichen-Itza, Historic Centre of Morelia, El Tajin Pre-Hispanic City, Rock Paintings of the Sierra de San Francisco, Whale Sanctuary of El Vizcaino, Historic Centre of Zacatecas, Earliest 16th-Century Monasteries on the Slopes of Popocatepetl, Historic Monuments Zone of Querétaro, Pre-Hispanic Town of Uxmal, Hospicio Cabañas Guadalajara, Historic Monuments Zone of Tlacotalpan, Archaeological Zone of Paquimé Casas Grandes, Historic Fortified Town of Campeche, Archaeological Monuments Zone of Xochicalco, Franciscan Missions in the Sierra Gorda of Querétaro, Luis Barragán House and Studio, Agave Landscape and Ancient Industrial Facilities of Tequila, Central University City Campus of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, Protective town of San Miguel de Allende and the Sanctuary of Jesús Nazareno de Atotonilco, Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, Prehistoric Caves of Yagul and Mitla in the Central Valley of Oaxaca, El Pinacate and Gran Desierto de Altar Biosphere Reserve, Ancient Maya City and Protected Tropical Forests of Calakmul Campeche, Aqueduct of Padre Tembleque Hydraulic System, Revillagigedo Archipelago, and Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley: originary habitat of Mesoamerica.     

 

Photo Credit: Pixabay

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                                                 All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Subject to change without notice.