Mexico

Thirty million visitors each year cannot be wrong: this is a country filled with many wonders. Heavenly beaches, pre-Columbian ruins, colonial towns and cultural celebrations are all easily found across Mexico. This is the third largest Latin-American country (behind Brazil and Argentina), the second in terms of population and economic power (behind Brazil) and the most visited country in the whole region - it ranks tenth worldwide!

The main touristic season in the country are the months of July and August, the second half of December and the Holy Week (which falls somewhere between late March and early April), besides Spring Break, when young American students invade Mexico's most popular beaches. Rainy season varies according to the region you are in country, lasting from May to October in the Valley of Mexico, where the capital is located, and until January further south on Yucatan's coast. Temperatures are usually warmer in coastal areas and considerably cooler in the interior, mainly due to the difference in altitude between these areas.

Zócalo - Palácio Nacional

Mexico City International Airport, which has direct connections to several places in the Americas, Europe and Asia, is the main gateway to the country. The airports in Cancun, Guadalajara and Monterrey are also well connected internationally. Thanks to its dimensions, Mexico hosts a well developed air transportation network. Its main domestic carriers, like Aeromexico, Interjet and Viva serve the main cities throughout the country, almost inevitably connecting their flights in the capital city. Besides air, it is also possible to enter the country crossing the land borders by bus coming from the United States, to the north, or from Guatemala or Belize, to the south. Mexico's road network is widespread and pretty well maintained in the segments connecting its main cities, although driving on most of them means you will have to pay your toll. Several bus companies offer high quality transportation on long haul itineraries. Some recommended ones are ETN, PrimeraPlus, ADO and CostaLine.

Teotihuacán

This set of articles is focused on promoting the beauties of central Mexico. Starting from its capital, perhaps chaotic but surely friendly, take your time to assimilate some of the local culture. Visit some museums, have a coffee or two, take a walk at one of the largest urban parks in the country. Once you feel prepared, begin your journey through the interior of the country, stopping, for example, in Taxco, a mining town where the best silver handcraft is to be found. Head up to the north to find the birthplace of the Mexican independence movement in the cities of San Miguel de Allende and Guanajuato, and wrap it up with a visit to the state of Jalisco, passing through Guadalajara, one the greatest cities in the country, just to find yourself "lost" in Tequila, where the most famous Mexican spirit is made. If you haven't run out of breath yet, don't miss out Oaxaca: one of the best cuisines in the entire country will be there to reward you.

Paisaje Agavero

Rest assured that Mexico has far more attractions than those mentioned here. After this appetizer, however, you will be ready to plunge into the wonders of the Maya world in the Yucatan Peninsula (in Tulum and Chichen Itza), and the marvelous beaches of the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, in Cancun, Cozumel and Puerto Vallarta. Going further, you could even find yourself exploring the Mexican "far west" in the Copper Canyon, in Chihuahua, or be delighted by the magnificent landscapes of Baja California. Do yourself a favor and do not try to take it all in on a single trip. The spell over Mexico is most likely going to make you want to return.