Mexico's different climates, cuisines and cultures make for an enticingly varied
trip. Visit desert canyons in the north, Spanish colonial towns in the
centre or Mayan jungle cities in the south. In the middle of it all is
frenetic Mexico City, one of the world's largest conurbations.
Background
Before the Spanish conquistadors arrived, Mexico was home to great civilisations.
Mexico City was built straight on top of the Aztec capital,
Tenochtitlán, a city of islands and bridges constructed on Lake Texcoco.
Relive its spirit today in the garden suburb of Xochimilco, where brightly
painted boats shunt along its waterways. Near the city, the pre-Columbian pyramids
at Teotihuacán still stand. The east of Mexico was dominated by the
Mayan empire. Visit the Mayan archaeological site of Palenque in the Chiapas
jungle, or climb the iconic UNESCO-listed Castillo (castle) temple at
Chichén Itzá, near the Gulf coast.
Urban
Given the size of the capital Mexico City overall, the central plaza, the
Zócalo, is appropriately enormous. It's home to the
17th-century Metropolitan Cathedral, the remains of the Aztec Great
Pyramid, and the vast National Palace, decorated with the colourful
murals of Mexican artist, Diego Rivera. Inland Puebla has fine Spanish
colonial architecture, as does Guadalajara, Mexico's second city and
major cultural centre. Indigenous culture is strong in beautiful San
Cristóbál de las Casas, set in a Chiapas region mountain valley in
the south.
Rural
The spectacular pine-coated Sierra Madre mountain range in the north is a draw
for trekkers. If that's too active, relax and enjoy the views from the
Copper Canyon railway, which runs from Chihuahua to the Pacific coast.
The pristine Yucatán coast is dotted with beach resorts such as
Cozumel and Playa del Carmen and edged by rich coral reefs. Its
hinterland, however, is pockmarked by eerie, cool cenotes, underground pools
revered by the Maya and perfect for escaping the heat.
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