Mexico is located in the northern region of the American continent between the United States on the north and Guatemala and Belize on the south. MexicoÕs land is 1,964,375 sq km.
Known for its extreme weather conditions and characterized by its deserts, nature reserves and rugged mountain ranges. Some cities in the region are key industrial and business centers.
The Mexican heartland. Here youÕll find plenty of natural surroundings, picturesque towns full of life and color, and beautiful colonial cities, some of which have been declared World Heritage sites.
Lined with the shores of the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean, this region offers an abundance of marshes, mangrove swamps and forests, all of which are ideal for ecotourism outings and exciting outdoor adventures.
The gateway to the Mayan world. Additionally to the Mayan history and culture, here you can enjoy the white-sand beach resorts and the blue waters of the Caribbean Sea, where you can scuba dive along the worldÕs second largest coral reef. You can also swim in fresh water pools in submerged caverns, known as cenotes (sinkholes) and many attractions more.
In this region, youÕll find cities and towns with rich cultural and culinary traditions, as well as some of the best beaches for water sports like surfing and fishing.
Territory that has been inhabited from time immemorial, in this region you can play golf on world-class courses, discover the underwater treasures of the Sea of Cortez, and witness the amazing migration of the Gray Whale.
MexicoÕs has 32 states and everyone is truly diverse, as each one has countless tourist attractions offering a wide array of activities.
There are 29 places in Mexico which have been declared as world heritage by the UNESCO. This makes Mexico one of the richest countries in terms of the universal treasures found in its territory.
Since 1987, when the first places were ordained by the UNESCO to be considered as World Heritage, Mexico has obtained an important place in the program. It distinguishes as well as obliges the countries involved in it to keep watch over conservation of the places within their territories that are regarded as global treasures.
The historical cities of Campeche, Guanajuato, Morelia, Oaxaca, Puebla, Tlacotalpan, QuerŽtaro and ZacatecasÉ
The archaeological zones of Calakmul in Campeche, Palenque in Chiapas, ChichŽn Itz‡ and Uxmal in Yucat‡n, Monte Alb‡n in Oxaca, PaquimŽ in Chihuahua, El Taj’n in Veracruz, Teotihuac‡n in the state of Mexico and Xochicalco in MorelosÉ
The natural areas of Sian KaÕan in Quintana Roo, El Vizcaino in Baja California and the Islands of Mar de CortŽs stand out in the list, as well as the historical buildings of Hospicio Caba–as in GuadalajaraÉ
The house and studio of the architect Luis Barrag‡n, in Mexico City; las Misiones de la Sierra Gorda, in QuerŽtaro and the 16th century convents which are located right at the foot of PopocatŽpetlÉ
The emblematic volcano in Puebla. Last, but not the least, the list also includes the pre-historical cave paintings of Sierra de San Francisco in Baja California and the most recently incorporated old Tequila industry surrounded by landscapes full of agaves in Jalisco.
OthersÉ
From the city of Guadalajara, in the state of Jalisco, you have the possibility of taking a trip through the neighboring towns of Amatit‡n and Tequila. These are places of grand tradition where the agave plant is cultivated, from which the juice is extracted and fermented and results in the beverage known internationally as tequila. The itinerary will take you from the city of Guadalajara to the town of Amatit‡n, 58 km (36 mi) northeast of the capital of Jalisco, to board the tourist train known as "Tequila Express," which departs on Saturdays. On board this train you will receive pleasant, first class service that includes snacks, beverages and mariachi music. Moreover, there is a narration about the history of the Hacienda de San JosŽ del Refugio, one of the few tequila haciendas (ranch estates) from the end of the 19th century which maintains active equipment, combining distillation methods of that era with technological innovations of our times. When you visit this site you will have the opportunity to tour its museum, where the beverageÕs production is explained step by step and you can try each one of the different types produced here. When you are finished, board the train again for just 15 minutes to arrive at the city of Tequila, 11 km (6.8 mi) northeast of Amatit‡n. Here you will have the opportunity to get to know the fittings of the six oldest tequila factories in the country. Do not miss visiting the Museo Nacional del Tequila (National Tequila Museum) where, through its collections, you will gain understanding regarding the cultural values of the tequila region Ð recently declared a "World Heritage Site" by UNESCO. Before returning to Guadalajara, enter a restaurant in this town and order a bowl of the typical pozole (a broth-based hominy soup with chicken or pork and condiments) or birria de chivo (goat meat soup) along with a cold beer, or of course, a shot of tequila.
Located on the eastern side of the Yucatan Peninsula, Quintana Roo offers the beautiful waters of the Caribbean Sea, top-notch tourist resorts, white-sand beaches, marvelous ecological reserves and ancient Mayan ruins.
Here you can visit Cancun, an important destination for national and international tourists, which has a 30-km (19-mi) stretch of beaches and an impressive hotel zone. Isla Mujeres offers all kinds of tourist attractions, including pre-Hispanic ruins, the remains of an old hacienda and a modern aquatic park where you can go snorkeling among hundreds of colorful fish that inhabit the coral reefs. Nearby lies Cozumel, MexicoÕs largest island, where you can go kayaking through mangroves and scuba diving along the Great Mayan Reef, the second largest reef system in the world. The reef runs through the Parque Marino Nacional de Arrecifes de Cozumel and the Parque Natural de Chankanaab.
Along the Caribbean coast, in the direction of state capital Chetumal, youÕll find numerous tourist attractions in the Mayan Riviera, which is lined with luxurious resorts, exclusive spas and golf courses. In this region you can visit the archaeological zones of Coba and Tulum, a walled city overlooking the sea. At Playa del Carmen, the Mayan RivieraÕs cosmopolitan city, youÕll find excellent tourist facilities at ecotourism parks Xcaret and Xel-Ha, and at the Sian KaÕan Biosphere Reserve, which was declared a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO.
MORE ABOUT CANCUNÉ
ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE
Cancun and the Riviera Maya are located in the northern part of the eastern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula (Mexico) maps, bordering the Caribbean Sea. The climate is subtropical with summer rains. It is blessed by a moderate temperature over 70 degrees F; in the cooler months the temperature hits a low of 64 degrees F. The dominant warm winds flow from the southeast and blow most of the year. Months from November to February are frequently accompanied by the colder winds from the north and occasional heavy rains. Tropical showers, intense but brief, are common in the summer which leave the environment humid and warm.
Hurricane and tropical storm season runs from July until September. Even though its direct has been minor during the last 25 years, in case of a hurricane threat, adequate contingency measures are established. Tourists are the first protected and evacuated. Necessary information is provided around the clock and adequate measures are taken with sufficient anticipation.?
The zone is comprised of secondary jungle, arising after various changes in the original jungle throughout hundreds of years. Trees lose their leaves during the dry season, which is why a distinction is drawn between seasons with very verdant vegetation and others with vegetation that appears dry.
All of the Yucatan Peninsula is of a calcareous geological origin meaning it was formed by calcium carbonate salts. Its white-colored subsoil is very permeable and the rocks are easily dissolved by rainwater, allowing the formation of underground rivers. An extensive underground network has been formed throughout the centuries; it is an aquatic city that can be visited in parts either snorkeling or diving. Swimming in the caverns among stalactite and stalagmite forests is an undeniably unique experience offered in this region rich in natural wonders. "Cenotes" are the entrance to this mysterious world. They appear when the top of a cavern falls in, revealing the subterranean river's crystalline waters. Some say that these natural freshwater pools in the middle of the jungle are fountains of eternal youth.
Regarding the local fauna, placid iguanas are without a doubt the main hosts, since they are found from the doors of the hotels to the gardens and the golf courses, in the archeological zones and all over the Riviera Maya. Always have your camera in hand. The rest of the wildlife is not as easy to observe, nevertheless, crocodiles are commonly seen in Cancun's hotel zone. If you chose to explore the jungle on one of Playa del Carmen's ecological tours, you may be lucky enough to stumble upon a family of raccoons, spider monkeys, wild boar or deer. Likewise, you can visit one of the nurseries, farms or small zoos found in the Riviera Maya.
When you visit an archeological zone, it is preferable not to stray off of the main roads in order to avoid an unfavorable encounter with one of the region's snakes. There are three particularly poisonous species; nevertheless, like all wild animals facing the presence of a human, they will be the first to flee.
Aquatic life is very diverse and abundant and the coral reefs that run the length of a great part of the Caribbean coast are the principal habitat of these marine species. When submerging yourself in the sea or lagoons in Cancun, Cozumel, Isla Mujeres or Sian Ka'an, you will have a chance to discover wonderful worlds, home to colorful tropical fish, rays, dolphins, sea turtles, sharks and many more species.
Cancun, Q. Roo Mexico 77533
Tel. y Fax 998 8808876