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Mexico
Mexico is a vast country which encompasses everything from arid deserts to lush tropical rainforest, and its culture is equally diverse, influenced by the ancient Mayan and Aztec civilisations, the Spanish conquistadors and modern globalisation. The Yucatán Peninsula is home to idyllic white-sand beaches and a turquoise sea, picturesque haciendas and impressive Mayan ruins, the most famous of which has to be Chichén Itzá. The central highlands are dotted with colonial towns, indigenous churches and relics from the country's silver mining past. The sprawling metropolis of Mexico City is a chaotic, lively and colourful city, built by the Spanish on the site of the Aztec capital and still a city of contrasts.
Tijuana
Mexico Travel Tips
USA
Hermosillo Chihuahua Baja California
Copper Canyon
MEXICO
Los Mochis Torreón Culiacán Monterrey
Los Paz
Gulf of Mexico
Los Cabos Zacatecas
Ciudad Victoria
Mérida Puerto Vallarta Manzanillo Guadalajara Mexico City Taxco Acapulco
Chichèn Itzá
Cancún Tulum
Campeche Yucatán Peninsula Villahermosa Palenque San Cristobal Chiapas de la Casas
Oaxaca
BELIZE
Puerto Escondido
GUATEMALA
* Time: GMT 6. * Flying Time from UK: Approx. 11.5 hours. * Language: The official language is Spanish. English is spoken in most of the larger hotels and tourist areas. 66 regional Indian languages are still spoken. * Currency: Mexican Peso (MXN) £1 = MXN 20.29. * Visa Requirements: Visa not required by UK Citizens for tourist stays of up to 180 days. A blue tourist card needs to be filled in when flying in. * Festivals, Events & Busy Times: The Dia de los Muertos, celebrated after All Saints Day on 02Nov, is Mexico's most traditional festival. Christmas, New Year's, Carnival, Easter and the national holiday period Jul-Aug are very busy for domestic travel. * Departure Tax: Approximately US$40 for international flights, subject to change. This tax is often prepaid as part of an international ticket. * Tourist Office: Contact the Mexico Tourism Board for more details: Wakefield House, 41 Trinity Square, London EC3N 4DJ. Tel: 00800 1111 2266 or www.visitmexico.com. For more useful information, see pages 96-97. Caribbean Coast Stretching from Cancún to the border with Belize, the Yucatán's Caribbean coast offers an amazing variety of accommodation and activities, with white sand, palmfringed beaches, beautiful coral reefs and great watersports. Acapulco Iconic Acapulco, the original Mexican resort with its stunning bay side setting and mountain backdrop, has long been a favourite holiday destination. The Acapulco of today offers sophisticated accommodation, gourmet restaurants, endless entertainment, world class scuba diving, snorkelling and sports fishing.
Mexico City Mexico City is truly massive, but the city is a fun, fascinating and rewarding place to visit. Founded by Spanish conquistadors, the city was literally built on top of the conquered Aztec capital of Tenochtitlán. The enormous Constitution Square or El Zócalo' is the city's focal point with its giant national flag, beautiful baroque cathedral, ruined Aztec temple and impressive Diego Rivera murals in the Royal Palace. Other attractions include the colourful floating gardens' of Xochimilco, the massed mariachi bands of Plaza Garibaldi and the impressive preAztec site of Teotihuacan, famous for its giant Sun and Moon Pyramids.
Yucatán Peninsula Once the centre of the powerful Mayan Empire that dominated much of Central America, the Yucatán Peninsula is famous for its fabulous beaches and impressive ruined cities and temples. The best known Mayan sites include Chichén Itzá, Uxmal and Tulum, which can all be visited from Cancun, as well as the jungle-cloaked ruins of Palenque in the misty hills of Chiapas. Other highlights are the historic and well preserved colonial cities of Mérida, Campeche and San Cristóbal de Las Casas, with San Cristóbal and the wider Chiapas state also a centre for indigenous culture and language. .
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