Mexico is intriguing — from its modern beach resorts to its ancient Mayan and Aztec ruins. It captures the interest of both novice and discriminating world travelers.
Within Mexico’s boundaries are opportunities to bask on the beaches of three coastlines, hike the trails of inland forests, walk along cobblestone streets past ancient architecture, glimpse the relics of life in Mexico during the Mayan and Aztec empire period, see snow on some of its mountains and volcanic peaks and haggle with vendors in the bustle of its capital’s 22 million-plus metropolitan population.
“Travelers Guide to Mexico” cites Mexico as one of the world’s five richest countries in terms of biological diversity, with only Brazil, Colombia and Thailand boasting a greater variety of plants and animals. Among Mexico’s wildlife treasures are the jaguar, quetzal bird and Kemp’s ridley sea turtle.
Mexico offers the thrill of whitewater rafting or the solitude of bird- watching. One can see millions of monarch butterflies like carpet in a forest, gray whales or spider monkeys, according to the Mexican Association of Ecological and Adventure Tourism.
Along the country’s edges glisten 6,000 miles of coastline stretching along the Pacific Ocean, Gulf of California, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico.
Mexico has several coastal resorts including Cancun, Puerto Vallarta and Acapulco.
Cancun offers 100 luxury hotels along 12 miles of beaches on the Caribbean Sea, from which visitors can squish across beaches and splash into its turquoise-colored waters.
If visitors tire of seeing turtles and manta rays as they dive or snorkel, they might want to try a trip to Mayan archaeological sites like Tulum, Coba, Chichen Itza or Uxmal. Among the ruins they may glimpse monkeys, which are often visible through the trees between the Mayan ruins.
Some of the ruins of ancient Indian civilizations have become tourist attractions within themselves.
The Maya forged a civilization thousands of years ago building sprawling cities, creating an extensive trade network and making advancements in the arts and sciences that put them far ahead of their contemporaries. But mysteriously, their culture went into decline and their cities were abandoned.
“The areas the Maya ruled — Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, El Salvador and the five Mexican states of Chiapas, Tabasco, Yucatan, Quintana Roo and Campeche — are collectively referred to as the Mundo Maya in Spanish, or Maya World,” the “Travel Guide to Mexico” states.
To learn more about Cancun, visit the Web site of Cancun Convention and Visitors Bureau at www.gocancun.com.
On the Pacific coast lies Puerto Vallarta, offering cobblestone streets overlooking Banderas Bay, which is Mexico’s largest bay, according to Alaska Airlines Vacations (AAV).
The resort has “all the ingredients for a warm and wonderful getaway; Puerto Vallarta lets you do it all, or simply do nothing, in a paradise you’ll never forget,” AAV states.
Film director John Huston brought notoriety to Puerto Vallarta by filming Tennessee Williams’ play “The Night of the Iguana” on the outskirts of the village in 1963.
It remained a village until 1918, when it was made a municipality by the state of Jalisco. It was named for a governor of that state — Ignacio L. Vallarta.
A little-known hideaway for the rich in the 1950s, the city now has more than 300,000 residents.
Fortunately, all of the old charm of Puerto Vallarta hasn’t been lost due to modernization and tourism. Cobblestone streets dominate, oftentimes being clopped on by pack mules in certain places. Any house that is built in town must be painted white — it’s the law — and most houses have red tile roofs. There are rushing rivers, placid coves and mountain roads that twist and turn in jungles of pine and palm trees.
The Puerto Vallarta Conventions and Visitors Bureau at www.ocvpuertovallarta.com offers a listing of many things to do, complete with contact information.
Acapulco is a vibrant port city, popular with honeymooning couples. Relaxing seems to be the order of the day at this resort, which is 268 miles south of Mexico City.
But even relaxation at this Pacific resort has its variety. Here, one may find swimming, shopping, waterskiing, snorkeling, diving, parasailing, motorboat rides and fishing trips. Other possibilities are championship golf courses, tennis courts and the foods and crafts markets.
Everything takes place against what the “Travel Guide to Mexico” describes as the “staggeringly beautiful backdrop” that is Acapulco. The backdrop is a deep blue Pacific Ocean in the day that transforms into a pool of light reflection at night.
A historic fort is open with exhibits that chronicle Acapulco from prehistory through Mexico’s independence from Spain in 1821. The fort, El Fuerte de San Diego, built in 1616, was a vital port of the Spanish trade with Asian countries and protected the town from pirates. Destroyed in 1776 by an earthquake, a replica was built 1778–1783.
Visitors may want to watch bullfights in Acapulco at the Plaza de Toros, but Fodor.com suggests “tickets in the shade.” They said that bullfighting takes place there from Christmas to Easter.
Cliff divers, jumping from 130 feet, are visible at La Quebrada (literally “gorge”). These shows occur during afternoons and evenings.
The Acapulco Convention and Visitors Bureau Web site is www.acapulco-cvb.org.
Located in south-central Mexico is Mexico City, the largest city in the world. Recent population figures set Mexico’s capital with a metro population at 24 million.
“Glossy magazine ads usually tout Mexico’s paradisiacal beach resorts and ancient ruins, but cosmopolitan, historic Mexico City is a vital destination in itself — more foreign and fascinating than many major capitals on faraway continents,” writes Fodor.com.
Mexico City, at 675 years old, is the oldest city in North America. Very modern in many respects, it has made its entry into the new millennium with a hand reaching back to pull its Aztec heritage along. It is built on the ruins of the Aztec civilization.
Mexico City is a cosmopolitan business, art, and culinary center. There is Alameda, a center of activity since Aztec times and the Zona Rosa, a chic shopping neighborhood.
Mexico City’s elevation of 7,556 feet means chilly mornings for waking, mild daytimes for seeing the sights and cool evenings for enjoying restaurants and shows.
The Mexico City Virtual Guide at www.mexicocity.com.mx/view gives lots of practical information about health, money exchange and security while visiting Mexico City.
“It is quite amazing that, in spite of the city’s size, many attractive areas can be toured on foot, affording pleasant and rewarding moments,” says the guide. “Colorful markets emerge from the gray urban backdrop, and ethereal monuments and stately mansions loom above street corner taco stands and dirty streets. Be prepared for a city that has brought together native Indian hustle and bustle and European nostalgia, garnished with highly spiced local dishes, mariachis and a pulsating tropical beat.”
Tourists and locals alike should be very cautious in Mexico City, since urban crimes such as assaults, carjackings, taxijackings, kidnappings and bank robberies are wide widespread, according to the MacNeil/Lehrer On-Line News Hour.
About two hours from Mexico City is Cholula, where the world’s largest pyramid, covering 46 acres, sits proudly. It is a reminder of the spiritual practices of ancient civilizations that were active in the country at the time of the Spanish conquest in 1521.
Chiapas, in extreme southern Mexico, is home to a royal burial ground at the ancient city of Palenque; Bonampak, famous for murals that show 2000-years-ago court life, battles and religious ceremonies; and Yaxchilan, overlooking the Usumacinta River, deep in the Lacandon rain forest.
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