Mexico - An Ideal Holiday Destination

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 32 states, which are truly diverse, as each one has countless tourist destinations offering a wide array of activities.

Mexico can be divided into six tourist regions.

Northern Mexico is known for its extreme weather conditions and characterized by its deserts, nature reserves and rugged mountain ranges.

In Central Mexico, you'll find plenty of natural surroundings, picturesque towns full of life and color, and beautiful colonial cities, some of which have been declared World Heritage sites.

Southern Mexico and the Gulf of Mexico is lined with the shores of the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean. The region offers an abundance of marshes, mangrove swamps and forests, all of which are ideal for ecotourism outings and exciting outdoor adventures.

The Yucatan Peninsula is the gateway to the Mayan world. Here you can enjoy the white-sand beach resorts and the blue waters of the Caribbean Sea, where you can scuba dive along the world's second largest coral reef. You can also swim in fresh water pools in submerged caverns, known as cenotes.

In the Pacific Coast region, you'll find cities and towns with rich cultural and culinary traditions, as well as some of the best beaches for water sports like surfing and fishing.

The Baja California Peninsula territory has been inhabited from time immemorial, in this region you can play golf on world-class courses, discover the underwater treasures of the Sea of Cortez, and witness the amazing migration of the Gray Whale.

Probably one of Mexico's most well-known beach resorts is Acapulco, located on the Pacific coast, 395 kilometers (245 miles) from Mexico City and 133 kilometers (83 miles) from Chilpancingo, the state capital of Guerrero. It has a warm, humid climate with temperatures ranging from 22º C (72º F) to 33º C (91º F) with sunny days throughout the year.

Among the port city's many enticing qualities are: its beautiful bay, one of the best in the world; the calm waters of its beaches; the amenities offered by its well established hotel industry, which in recent years has undergone a major revamping, especially in the Punta Diamante neighborhood; and finally, the city's unbeatable nightlife, which offers one of the hottest playgrounds among Mexican vacation destinations.

For those who have never visited Acapulco, we recommend that you visit la Isla de la Roqueta (Roqueta Island), an ideal island setting where you can either relax or enjoy some scuba diving. You'll also want to check out the infamous La Quebrada, where fearless cliff divers plunge into the ocean below. If you're looking for a little excitement of your own, Acapulco offers bungee jumping and parasailing, where from high above you can admire the stunning panoramic views of the bay, the hotel zone and the surrounding mountains, in their utmost splendor.

Nearby Acapulco, you can visit the beach of Pie de la Cuesta, known for its spectacular sunsets, or Puerto Marques, with it beautiful bay and calm waters. Finally, don't miss out on Barra Vieja, where you are sure to enjoy delicious seafood dishes prepared in traditional Mexican restaurants.

The capital of Mexico is Mexico City, the oldest metropolis on the American continent. The city is perched atop a highland valley at about 2,240 meters (7,392 feet) above sea level. Towering high above the city's southeast side are two volcanoes: Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl. The nation's capital has some of the best weather in the world with an average temperature of 22º C (72º F).

Once known as the City of Palaces, Mexico City has two areas that were declared World Heritage Sites by the UNESCO. The first, the Centro Historico (Historic Center), has beautiful historic and religious buildings, such as the Catedral Metropolitano (Metropolitan Cathedral), one of the most important architectural structures in the Western Hemisphere.

The Palacio Nacional (National Palace) has spectacular Diego Rivera murals that chronicle Mexico's history. And Palacio de Bellas Artes (Palace of Fine Arts), which hosts the city's most important cultural events, is a beautiful construction that blends art nouveau and art deco styles. The other World Heritage Site, Xochimilco Ecological Park, is often called the Venice of Mexico due to its beautiful canals. Flower-painted boats offer tours of the canals and floating gardens.

If you're interested in cultural events, Mexico City offers a wide variety of museums, such as the Museo Nacional de Antropologia (a world-class anthropology museum), the Museo Nacional de Arte (The National Art Museum) and the Museo Nacional de Historia (a history museum in Chapultepec Castle where you can see an amazing exhibit that chronicles the nation's history and art, from the pre-Hispanic era to present day).

In north Mexico City, you can visit the Basilica de Guadalupe, one of the most visited basilicas in the world; in fact, it is second only to Saint Peter's Basilica, in Vatican City, in the number of visitors it receives each year. This is a must-see for those who want to learn more about the city's customs and traditions.

What's more, Mexico City is a cosmopolitan metropolis, where new and old traditions coexist side by side. Here you can go shopping at bazaars and crafts markets in the Coyoacan and San Angel neighborhoods. Or you can go to exclusive boutiques and shopping centers in the posh communities of Santa Fe and Polanco, where you'll be surrounded by the comfort of top-notch hotels and restaurants.

Mexico is well recognized in the world for its rich gastronomic tradition which offers a great variety of dishes and beverages prepared with innumerable ingredients. The taste, aroma and texture of these ingredients can charm even the most demanding palate and thus turn Mexico into one of the most important destinations in the sphere of international cuisines.

Mexico is becoming a more popular tourist destination, especially for wedding parties and honeymooners, touring, its world heritage sites and its gastronomy.