A QUICK OVERVIEW OF MEXICO

A country of great diversity, Mexico is theCancun is the Tres Rios, which boasts snorkelling
traveller's paradise. A unique mix of culturesin its section of the Great Mayan Reef.
means that Mexico can cater for all tastes. FromFor those who want a more relaxed experience,
deserts to volcanoes, ancient ruins to modernGuadalajara is noted for its cultural arts, such as
resorts, Mexico has something for every tourist.the Degallado Theater, and the mural by Jose
Mexico is full of history, as befits a country thatClemente Orozco (part of the 1920's Mexican
was once ruled by the passionate and warlikemural movement) which is at the Cabanas Cultural
Aztecs, one of the most advanced civilizations inInstitute. The city has many interesting museums,
the western hemisphere. Their capital, inas well as a fantastic selection of resorts, all part
Modern-day Mexico City, was full of massiveof a city which has become more business
stone pyramids and temples, the remnants oforientated
which lay under the modern city. The colonizationIf you are looking for beaches, Mexico boasts
of Mexico by the Spaniards provided a great dealsome world-class white sands, with surfing, fishing
of colonial architecture, and the violent centuriesand clear waters, plus parts of the Great Mayan
that followed provided the continent with one ofReef just a few feet from the shore. Some of
it's strongest independence movements, whichPuerto Vallarta's beaches are only accessible via
can be found by visiting the Centro Historico andboat trips, and the Isla Contoy (reached by boat
Coyoacan..from Isla Mujeres) has a fantastic, almost
Although the Aztecs were wiped out as a politicaluninhabited beach, and Los Cabos' rocky beaches
group, their descendents still live in Mexico City,are great for laying back and catching the sun. If
and the ancient culture exists in events such asyou want beaches with exclusivity, there are
the Day of the Dead, feast-day of dead soulssome private beaches at the Costa Alegre, which
which falls at the beginning of November. Manyalso boasts exclusive resorts; while Punta Allen's
people are fascinated by this festival, and anyonelow-cost hotels are some of the best getaway
with an interest in the native culture shouldlocations in the country.
certainly visit Mexico in time for this celebration.Of course, Mexico is not just about history and
As well as ancient history, Mexico also providesbeaches. Mexico City has a fantastic nightlife, as
some of the most interesting modern resorts.you might imagine from the mix of Latin, Cuban
Mexico City itself provides many modernand alternative music clubs in the city. It also
entertainments, which considering its size (it is theboasts trendy nightclubs and an area nicknamed
third largest city in the world, with a population ofthe 'Soho of Mexico City'. Other places, such as
22 million), including art galleries and restaurants.Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta, also have
Baja California can offer some of the mostsophisticated nightlife. Son Cristobal has a music
exciting holidays in Mexico, with kayaking, diving,scene that is fun and exciting, while not taking too
and whale watching in the Sea of Cortez, as wellmuch out of your budget. It is the ideal place for
as the possibility of guided RV tours of the area,people who want to spend their nights barhopping,
aerial tours of the Copper Canyon (a canyon fourand everything is in walking - or staggering -
times larger than the Grand Canyon), which candistance). It would not be fair to talk about
also be accessed by the famous 'train ride in theMexico's nightlife without mentioning Cabo San
sky', a mysterious and inspiring place. Even if youLucas; the capital of Baja California for an
wish to do nothing besides go sailing or fishingafter-dark scene, casual bars line the main
Baja California can cater for your desires.streets, as well as the beach front. A rowdy,
Cancun, as well as offering kayaking and diving,lawless feel makes this the nightlife for the
also has facilities for golfing. It is here that youadventurous.
can see the famous bullfights once a week, andMexico is so full of different aspects that at times
cockfighting and dancing can also be found at theit can seem surreal; you can walk the paths of
Plaza de Toros Cancun. Anyone interested inthe ancient Americans in the morning, surf or laze
adventure holidays will like to know that Actunon the beach in the afternoons, and go out
Chen, the famous cave system full of stalactitesclubbing at night, and usually all these things are
and stalagmites and natural stone formations.within the same city. Lively and fascinating, this
Beyond the caves is jungle, 988 acres of wildlifecountry is a must-see for both the adventurer
trails and tropical vegetation. Not too far fromand the sun worshipper alike.