A guide to Mexico
A guide to Mexico There is no shortage of things to do in Mexico; from the lively capital to ancient Mayan and
Read moreMexico has a vast and varied terrain, rich history and an extraordinary pre-Columbian legacy.
It offers stunning Mayan and Aztec ruins, and beautifully preserved colonial towns, while the spectacular natural scenery encompasses snow-capped volcanoes, dramatic mountain canyons, desert coastlines, tropical rainforests, waterfalls and beautiful beaches.
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Once the centre of the Mixtec and Zapotec civilisations, the city of Oaxaca is one of the country’s most beautiful colonial towns. Famous for its cuisine, Oaxacan specialities range from delicious, rich and spicy sauces such as mole, to fried grasshoppers seasoned with onion and garlic. An excellent way to learn more is to take a cookery class. Visit a local market, where ingredients are tasted and bought, receive an informal lecture and then put on an apron and create a delicious five-course meal.
Around San Cristóbal lie fascinating Tzotzil Mayan villages such as Zinacantan and San Juan Chamula. The Mayans here proudly wear distinctive traditional outfits with elaborate decorations and ribboned hats. Spanish is often the second language and Catholicism is mixed with older pre-Hispanic customs, with images of patron saints venerated in numerous rituals and festivals.
Explore the desert landscape of the Baja peninsula and discover pristine bays surrounded by calm turquoise waters, teeming with marine life. The unspoilt Espiritu Santo island, situated close to La Paz on the Sea of Cortez, is the ideal place to camp in luxury and spot sea lions and blue whales. Further north lies sleepy, historic Loreto, while Bahia Magdalena and Laguna San Ignacio are renowned whale-watching sites (Dec-March).
The beautiful Mayan Riviera runs south along the Caribbean coast from Cancun, past fishing villages and the lively town of Playa del Carmen. The coast is blessed with white sandy beaches and turquoise seas, while offshore lies the world’s second largest coral reef. Relax at an intimate beachside resort property and visit the clifftop ruins of Tulum, snorkel the reefs or search for wildlife by boat in the Sian Ka’an Reserve.
Chichen Itza is the best restored of the Yucatan’s Mayan sites, with a superb ceremonial ball court, El Caracol observatory, a sacred cenote, and the reclining figure of Chac Mool. On the spring and autumn equinoxes, the afternoon sun casts a shadow resembling the downward gliding of a snake on the side of El Castillo pyramid, also known as the Temple of Kukulkan, or the temple of ‘the plumed serpent’.
A guide to Mexico There is no shortage of things to do in Mexico; from the lively capital to ancient Mayan and
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Whether it be the colossal mausoleums and elaborate graves of the great and the good or eerie cemeteries and labyrinthine catacombs holding
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Cox & Kings travel consultant Ian Jordan guides us around the best of Mexico’s many historical sites.
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Find out more about what you can expect from travelling in Central America – from internal flights to accommodation standards and local transport.
Learn more about the airlines we use to fly to Central America, chosen for reliability and good service; as well as any available upgrade facilities.
Before travelling to Central America, please read more about the entry requirements for each country, as well as any general health advice.
Discover the temperatures and rainfall you can expect when visiting the main areas of Mexico, along with the best time to travel.
Order your copy of the brochure to see the world come to life in print.
© Cox & Kings 2021