ABOUT MEXICO

Mexico is a country of contrasts, friendly people and endless travel options.

If you think of Mexico as either desert wasteland or balmy seacoast, you're barely scratching the surface! The incredible variety that exists in Mexico's culture is mirrored by its geography! Mexico is located in the northern region of the American continent between the Gulf of Mexico on the east and the Pacific Ocean on the west. It is bordered by the United States on the north and by Guatemala and Belize on the south. Mexico’s land area extends 1,964,375 sq km, which is divided into six tourist regions.

Mexico, with its variety of geographical regions and climate variations, has something for just about anyone. The 31 states (plus Mexico City's federal district), run the gamut from high desert and scrubland to lush tropical jungles and dazzling seacoast regions. There are 6,000 miles of coastline stretching along the Pacific Ocean and Gulf of Mexico, but that's just the beginning!

It's easiest to think of Mexico as split into three main sections.

The northern sector is much like the Desert Southwest in the U.S. It is an area of stunning natural beauty, and the Mexican government has done great work with nature preserves and keeping large tracts unspoiled for hikers, rock climbers and campers. The proximity to the U.S. border means there are also major industrial and business centers here.

Central Mexico is primarily a volcanic plateau, surrounded by vast mountain ranges running north-south. Mexico City is the heart, but the entire region is "Old Mexico" at its finest, with major agriculture operations, picturesque small towns and colonial cities beautiful enough to be made World Heritage sites.

Southern Mexico is an ecotourism haven, with seacoast, jungles and marshes and mangrove forests that offer adventure and beauty for any traveler in search of a reconnection with nature at its most vibrant. The native Mayan culture is still very much alive here, also, with temples and towns to explore and native crafts to purchase.

The seacoast regions deserve mention, as well, since they are the prime destination for most vacationers.

The Yucatan Peninsula is a tropical paradise, with beaches on the Caribbean Sea and stunning coral reefs and submerged caves, known as cenotes, which are major favorites for scuba divers of all skill levels.

The Pacific Coast is the jewel in Mexico's crown, with historic destinations such as Acapulco offering old-world charm along with all the modern conveniences and entertainment. The water is warm and the climate couldn't be better!

The Baja Peninsula, inhabited since time immemorial, is almost totally devoted to making vacations into memorable experiences. With a desert landscape leading up to the verdant seacoast, the Baja is the place to go for active vacations or just for soaking in the sun. World-class golf and whale watching are also favorites here.

FACTS

Area: 1,972,500 sq. km (761,600 sq. mi.)
Capital: Mexico City
Major cities: Guadalajara, Monterrey, Puebla, Ciudad Juarez, Tijuana, Acapulco, Merida, Leon, Veracruz.
Terrain: coastal lowlands, central high plateaus and mountains uo to 5,400 meters (18,000feet).
Climate: tropical to desert.
Mexico’s 32 states are truly diverse, as each one has countless tourist destinations offering a wide array of activities.

Official name: Estados Unidos Mexicanos (United Mexican States)
Capital: Mexico City
Terrain: high, rugged mountains, low coastal plains, high plateaus and desert.
Area: 761,606 square miles
Climate: varies from tropical to desert.
Main rivers: Balsas, Rio Grande, Yaqui
Highest elevation: Volcan Pico de Orizaba at 18,701feet.
Lowest elevation: Laguna Salada at 33 feet below sea level.

If you are looking to find the real México...good luck!  It has been said, over and over, that there are many México's, so the search for the real México ends in many different places.  México is much more than beaches, sunsets and margaritas. México is a country where modern manufacturing plants can be seen from ancient cities, where the next desert dune gives way to a beautiful beach, where  rituals and craft making skills have been passed down for centuries.  The capital city, one of the largest cities in the world, is built directly over an entire ancient city.  Telephone repairmen and construction workers are constantly discovering artifacts from Aztec times under the streets of México City.  Contrasts such as this are the norm in México, not the exception.  

For the tourist, nothing could be better.  The choices available to travelers are as varied as any one country could possibly offer.  México welcomes over twenty million visitors every year, for good reason.  This is a country where you can be snorkeling on a tropical beach in the morning, exploring ancient ruins in the afternoon, sipping coffee in a quaint colonial city in the evening and receiving a massage at a chic spa the same night.  Colonial cities that were being built in the 14th century and glitzy beach resorts, snow-capped volcanoes, incredible sunrises over the islands in the Sea of Cortez, or a rambling train ride through the indescribably beautiful Copper Canyon...take you choice.

The ageless cave paintings of the arid Baja desert and the tranquil shores of the Sea of Cortez are but hours away from the border at San Diego, by way of car.  The white sand beaches of the Caribbean and the incredible Mayan cities of the Yucatán peninsula are just a few hours away from anywhere in the U.S., via air.  All of México is easily accessible to travelers and the many variations of culture, local customs, different climates, arts and crafts and the many varied cuisines are not so far apart from one another in México.

México's cherished archaeological sites are fairly well spread out across the country, which makes them accessible from a number of tourist destinations.  Centuries of mysteries are held within the pyramids, temples, ceremonial palaces and ancient cities.  The huge pyramids of Teotihuacán  near México City, the Mayan city of Tulum, near Cancun and Monte Albán which is just a few miles from Oaxaca are all easily accessible from major tourist areas. Chichén Itzá near Mérida is the most famous, and the best restored Mayan city, and should be included in any vacation itinerary that includes Mérida or Cancun, if at all possible.

Wherever you go in México you will surely see into a lot of contrasts, get a few surprises, probably a few delays and you are sure to find friendly, colorful people that are eager to show off their beautiful country.  Remember, the real México is not that well defined and the further you get into this amazing country the more you will discover that the real México is found in many different places. 

Geography of Mexico.

The incredibly uneven topography of the country is also one of the main reasons that México is such a very interesting country to visit.  Tourists and adventure travelers have their choice of arid deserts, snow-capped volcanoes, mountainous highlands, jungles, tropical rain forests and almost everything in between.  Mountains and highland plateaus make up a large portion of México but in the northern parts of the country and most of the Baja peninsula, deserts dominate the landscape.  While the deserts cry for rain, parts of the gulf coast receive more than 200 inches of rain.

Much of rural México is pretty much cut off from the accelerated pace and the politics of the modern world.  In many of the outlying areas, Spanish is not even the language you will hear being spoken.  Over 50 different dialects are in everyday use by the indigenous people in almost every corner of México.

Weather in Mexico.

México is blessed with a mostly moderate climate that makes for pleasant traveling year round.  Peak tourist season varies  with location but mid November to early May are the months that you may need to make your reservations well in advance for.  The desert areas, especially in mid and southern Baja can get very hot in summer and the mountainous regions tend to be on the cold side the winter.  Most of the beaches to the south of the Tropic of Cancer tend to be pretty humid in the summer and are prone to afternoon rains.  Afternoon and evening rains are a fairly common occurrence during the summer in much of México, including the Guadalajara and México City areas.  Check our Weather page and our Average Temperature Page for some insight as to what the local weather conditions may be at any given time of year.

Best Time To Travel.

Travel to México is an excellent choice at any time of year.  The winter months seem to favor travel to most of the beach resorts, as tourists from colder northern climates seek the warmth of the Mexican sun.  Christmas vacation and the weeks around Easter find all of México's beach resorts in very high demand, sometimes hotels will be booked for a year in advance.  Summer months are favored for visiting the the central plateau because of the mild temperatures that prevail.

Keep in mind when planning a Mexican vacation, that most Mexican people vacation in July and August and the nationally favored vacation destinations such as the colonial cities and the beach resorts that are easily accessible from México's major cities have a tendency to get somewhat crowded in mid summer.

Beaches in Mexico.

México has over 6300 miles of coastline which contain some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.  Over 4000 miles of that  coastline faces the Pacific Ocean and the shores of the Sea of Cortez.  Glitzy resorts such as Cancun were created especially for tourism, while other beaches have slowly progressed from sleepy fishing villages into modern resorts.  Puerto Vallarta is a charming resort city that has managed to retain it's small town atmosphere, while Acapulco is a big city that is somehow able to maintain a resort atmosphere.  Mazatlán is another large city, on the Pacific, that many travelers consider their favorite resort. 

Manzanillo on the Pacific and Veracruz, on the coast of the Gulf of México, are both busy commercial ports that are also popular tourist resorts. Smaller beach resorts like Cabo San Lucas Huatulco and San José del Cabo are progressing rapidly into the realm of world class resorts.  World class sportfishing is one of the magnets that draw visitors from all corners of the globe to try to land a giant marlin or any one of the many other species of game fish that are abundant in Mexican waters.  The small fishing villages that are rapidly disappearing from the earth still manage to exist in México and can prove to be a great alternative to the more popular resorts.  Puerto Angel, Playa Manzunte and Puerto Escondido, all located along the Oaxacan coast, and Mulegé on the Baja peninsula are all perfect examples of fishing villages that have managed to retain the charming atmosphere that is getting difficult to find in this fast paced world.  

Popular Cities of Mexico.

Many travelers get there first glimpse of the country when arriving in México City, one of the most crowded cities in the world and yet one of the most sophisticated.  Many travelers arriving in the capital are on their way to other destinations within the country.  For those who are planning a vacation and must land in México City we offer this suggestion; stay a while.  The capital deserves at least a couple of days of your time, México City gets a lot of bad press but this is one of the world's great cities.

Guadalajara, México's second largest city and another popular entry point for airlines is also a city that deserves a few days of your time.  Guadalajara is a city of monuments, parks and flowers, fountains and tree lined avenues. A city alive with subtle attractions that can keep the first time visitor entertained for weeks.  Guadalajara's history dates to the 16th century and the rich heritage of this colonial gem is evident everywhere you look.  Guadalajara is also one of the country's major distribution points for the arts and crafts that are made all over the country.

Monterrey is a modern, well-planned city that is easy to navigate and full of cultural offerings.  Monterrey is populated by friendly and helpful people, who are eager to present their city as the most advanced city in México.

Oaxaca is blessed with a creative, artistic atmosphere that sets the city apart from any other city in México. There is enough history in the ruins among the  hills and valleys around Oaxaca to keep even the most dedicated archaeologist busy for life, this translates into an incredible visual and cultural experience, which is easily available to any Oaxaca visitor.

México's Colonial Cities

The colonial areas of México City and Guadalajara are fairly well publicized, well known to tourists, and are more than worthy of a visit.

But México has many more colonial cities that are less well known and should be considered by any traveler. The incredible architecture, colorful history and cultural offerings that these less visited colonial cities offer should certainly be considered as a unique destination by vacationers.

The colonial cities of México offer visitors a deep look into México's history, culture and struggle for independence.  Some of these cities date to the 14th century, all have prominent cathedrals or churches, distinctive plazas and, of course, each displays an abundance of phenomenal colonial architecture.

Activities

The quality and the sheer number of activities available to travelers visiting México is almost as diverse as the landscape of the country.  You should be able to find enough interesting activities to keep any member of your family or group entertained, regardless of your destination.   Your destination, of course, will determine the type of activities that are locally available.  Beach resorts offer entirely different options than a city in the mountains. Check our "Activities" page to find out why you should never be bored on your vacation.

Golf and Tennis

México is home to some of the world's most beautiful golf courses.  Many of of the courses were designed by the likes of Jack Nicklaus, Tom Weiskopf, Robert Trent Jones Jr. and various members of the Dye family.  Organized golf tours and the ever increasing numbers of individuals who enjoy traveling to México, mainly to enjoy the variety of available courses, is really just starting to have a positive impact on the nations tourism industry.  There is no doubt that golf is becoming a major tourism attraction for this country.

Shopping - Artisans crafts

From the weekly market in a small colonial village in the countryside outside of Morelia, to the fancy malls of México City, it seems that México was made especially for shopping.  This country has more than it's fair share of artists that produce some of the world's most colorful and imaginative handicrafts.  Many of the handicrafts express the artist's interpretation of life, or even death.  Many of these items are still produced just as they have been for centuries, using special, and often well guarded secrets and techniques that have been handed down from one generation to the next.

Often the local crafts depend on locally available materials.  You will find one-of-a-kind jewelry that has been fashioned from silver, gold and amber alongside beautiful items made of corn, palm leaves, papier-mâché, copper or clay.  Some towns or local areas specialize in a certain item, the guitars for Paracho, wooden toys and furniture from  Michoacán, the majolica pottery from Guanajuato or the unique black pottery and intricately painted alebrijes that originate in the Oaxaca area.  Guadalajara and especially the suburb of Tlaquepaque are well known to shoppers the world over.  Puebla is famous for the Mexican Talavera tile that is made locally.

Rest assured that any shopping expedition will be rewarded with at least one really unique item that will be admired and complimented upon your return.  Be very careful, shopping in México can become habit forming.

Restaurants

The quality and pricing of meals in México, even in the fancier restaurants, when compared to resort prices in most places, is usually pretty reasonable.  Great food is one of the major benefits that this country has to offer to it's visitors.  If your one of those people that thoroughly enjoy a great meal, then you should enjoy your visit to México. There is an incredible variety of restaurants and the choices of cuisine available that should satisfy everyone.

Nightlife

México is a country of music lovers and dancers, there are a lot of places to enjoy the many different types of music, of both Mexican and international flavor.  Generally speaking, nightlife in most of México is lively, plentiful and offers a diversity that should satisfy the desires of everyone, from those who prefer quite conversation around a piano bar to the most seasoned fun seekers who want to dance on tables and party all night long.

Business Travel

México is quickly becoming one of the world's manufacturing giants.  A strategic geographical location and a relatively cost effective labor base are major factors.   Business travelers will likely be visiting México City, Guadalajara or Monterrey, where 90 percent of México's businesses have their headquarters.  México City is the home of México's government and the major power center of the entire country.  We have put together a few pages of information for the business traveler that offer some insight into these three cities and also a special page of links  to even more information for business travelers.