Dream beaches on the Caribbean and Pacific, charming colonial cities, ancient temples of the Aztecs, Toltecs or Maya and a lively indigenous culture - Mexico enchants with 1,001 faces.
The interior is characterized by the wide plateau of the Mesa Central and the cordilleras of the Sierra Madre, by the dust-dry cactus desert in the north and enormous volcanoes such as the active Popocatépetl (5,452 m) in the south. The mega metropolis of Mexico City spreads out at the place where the Aztec metropolis Tenochtitlán once stood. Musts" for visitors are the Zócalo, the Frida Kahlo Museum, the calendar stone of the Aztecs in the Anthropological Museum and the Plaza Garibaldi, meeting point of the Mariachi Chapels.
The Yucatán peninsula with its dream beaches and diving paradises Cozumel or Isla Mujeres is the tourist centre of the country. A visit to the pretty colonial city of Mérida and the numerous Mayan sites, especially the famous Chichén- Itzá as well as Cobá and Tulum, are absolute highlights. In the primeval forest of Chiapas, the Palen que and Yaxchilán complexes attract visitors.
The popular seaside resorts of Puerto Vallarta and Acapulco with miles of sandy beaches are located on the Pacific Ocean. The No. 1 attraction in Acapulco is the Quebrada Rock at Hotel Plazas Las Glorias with its world-famous clavadistas, the rock jumpers who plunge into the depths with daring jumps.
TRAVEL TIPS
Culture:
The center of Mexico City, Puebla, Zacatecas, Morelia, Oaxaca, the ruins of Chichén-Itzá, Palenque, Tulúm, Uxmal (all UNESCO World Heritage), San Cristobal de las Casas, Merida, Queretaro.
Nature:
Waterfalls of Agua Azul.
Sports:
Swimming, water sports, sailing, diving, horse riding, golf, biking, trekking.
Festivals:
Feast of the Dead on 01./02.11., "Grito de Independencia" (Cry of Independence) on 15.09., pilgrimage to the Virgin Guadalupe (Dec.).
Reading:
Carlos Fuentes "The years with Laura Diaz".
Tip:
In splendid historical haciendas from the 17th to 19th centuries you can already feel the history of the country in your sleep. After an eventful day, dive into the luxurious world of traditional Mexican mansions in the evening. All haciendas have been extensively restored and offer pure luxury and relaxation!
DATES AND FACTS
Country and people:
106.7 million inhabitants live on a land area of 1.96 million square kilometres, mainly mestizos and 12 million indigenous people. The capital is Mexico City with over 22 million inhabitants, the highest mountain of the country is the Pico de Orizaba with 5.742 m.
Politics and history:
Since 1917 Mexico is presidential Federal Republic. The land of the Maya, Olmec, Toltecs and Aztecs was conquered in 1521 by Hernán Cortéz, since 1821 Mexico is independent from Spain.
Economy:
Almost 30% of the economy is based on industry. The most important export goods: oil, silver motor vehicles, textiles, coffee, fruit, vegetables, alcohol.
Entry:
If possible, still 6 months, at least for the duration of the planned stay valid passport.
Vaccination:
None required.
Climate and travel time:
Year-round destination. The climate is tropical, warm on the coast, cooler to cold in the mountains depending on altitude. Rainy season: May - November.
Local time
CET and CEST -7 hrs, in the west - 8/- 9 hrs.
