Mexico
mexico Chichen Itza
“Mexico is a mosaic of different realities and beauties.”
– Enrique Pena Nieto
Mexico is a country with a rich history, tradition and culture. Known for its tequila, Mexico is the third largest country in Latin America (after Brazil and Argentina) and it is comprised of 31 states and one federal district. Travel to Mexico, the place is paradise for travelers as it offers everything – rocking nightlife, coastal beaches, a walking tour of ancient architecture, lip smacking Mexican dishes and much more.
Although there have been shifts in society and politics over hundreds of years, there remains evidence of early civilizations throughout Mexico. Indigenous people whose lifestyles reflect their ancestors still inhabit Mexico’s rural areas. Likewise, Mexico‘s many pre-Columbian ruins still exist including the ancient city of Teotihuacán and the Mayan pyramids at Chichén Itzá and Tulum.
Today, reflections of Mexico‘s colonial past can be seen in the architecture of towns like Taxco and Querétaro. Today, Mexico is a tourism economy with many people flocking to coastal cities.
Travel to Mexico and relax on its wonderful beaches. Sample the flavor of Mexico (also known as “El ombligo de la luna” – the navel of the moon) and discover the civilizations that have formed today’s Mexico state from the Toltec and Olmecs civilizations to the Aztecs and Mayans.
Mexico’s southernmost state of Chiapas boasts steamy tropical rainforest jungles, fertile and pine-forested mountains, and standout colonial cities and towns. Known for its cobblestone streets, baroque buildings, and elegant plazas, San Cristóbal de las Casas is on many a traveler’s radar. The ruins of Palenque and Yaxchilán are two of the most spectacular archeological sites in the Mayan world. The surrounding jungle remains unscathed, home to cacophonous howler monkeys, brightly colored toucans, and various cats, including jaguars and ocelots.
“Watch us come back with a dog,” I joked to my partner as we packed our things for four months on Mexico’s Pacific coast. As it turned out, it was less of a joke than I thought. When you think of Mexico, street dogs probably aren’t the first thing that comes to mind. But outside of the resorts and villas that most tourists associate with Mexico, things are different. The country has the largest number of Mexican street dogs in Latin America. The National Institute of Statistics and Geography estimates that about 70 percent of the 18 million dogs in Mexico live on the street, born as strays or simply abandoned. It’s a statistic that becomes overwhelmingly evident as you walk around.
A short flight southeast of Mexico City, the state of Oaxaca holds a mysterious allure for those who travel Latin America. Its culturally rich tapestry may be little more than a blip on the radar of those seeking glitzy beach resorts in Cancun, Los Cabos, and Puerto Vallarta. However, for those seeking authenticity, Oaxaca has no rival. Twenty distinct ethnic groups reside in the state. And, a full third of the population speaks an indigenous dialect.
Mexico is comprised of 31 states. One of them, Oaxaca, is known for its indigenous culture and its enormous impact on Mexican cuisine and culture. Quintana Roo, another state on the Yucatán Peninsula, boasts a 206-acre Caribbean-seaside resort, the jungle-surrounded Grand Velas Riviera Maya, which celebrates all of Mexico’s charms with the luxury-VIP vibe turned all the way up.
Swimming with whale sharks was something I had never contemplated until visiting La Paz, Mexico, a few hours north of Cabo San Lucas in southern Baja California Sur. My immediate response was “no way” until I learned the name “whale shark” is quite misleading. Whale sharks are the world’s largest fish and are not known to nibble on humans. These gentle giants filter plankton and fish from the top of the ocean like a baleen whale and eat eight percent of their body weight per week. After extensive online research, I soon realized that I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to swim with this misunderstood creature that scientists just started studying in the 1950s. Donning a wetsuit with some sort of swimmable life jacket plus a mask, snorkel, and fins, I dangled off the side of our small boat that comfortably carried about six. Our crew of ladies already [...]
All roads seem to intertwine here in San Cristobal, making this destination a booming town for emerging artists from all over the world. It's the type of place where you can sit back and stay awhile taking in the sights, sounds, and colors passing through the bustling Andador Real de Guadalupe – perhaps over tapas and a cheap glass of Malbec at La Viña de Bacco, a long-time favorite.
Because Chichen Itza is one of the new 7 world wonders according to UNESCO, this place represents the most-visited archaeological site in Mexico.
Tequila is Mexico’s national drink, and a symbol of citizens’ pride and culture.
Suddenly, below several work emails and app notifications, a Whatsapp message from your mother catches your eye: “Well... I just had the longest shower...ate breakfast and drinking 3 cups of coffee... I just spent my first night ‘ever’ in jail."
Although I usually have a hard time ranking landscape destinations, there is one specific beach I would easily consider the most beautiful in the Baja California area, if not even in all Mexico: Playa Balandra, a spectacular, crescent-shaped bay with crystal clear and shallow water.
Famed for its artistic traditions in weaving, pottery and painted wooden animal carvings known as alebrijes, the Mexican city of Oaxaca is also brimming with contemporary art.
Cinco de Mayo ("5th of May") is more than an excuse to drink margaritas. The festival actually commemorates the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862 - a victory of Mexican forces led by General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín over the French. The date is observed as a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride around the world. The Battle of Puebla delayed the French invasion of Mexico City. Five years later, Mexican forces defeated the French and expelled them from Mexico. Cinco de Mayo is a holiday that commemorates a battle fought in Mexico on the fifth of May in 1862—a battle that became an unexpected victory for the Mexican army over the French forces. Mexico was attacked by foreign troops because President Benito Juárez defaulted on his payments to European nations after war had depleted the country’s ability to pay. Mexico had endured three wars that put their country [...]
