Mexico
From Travel Information and Popular Attractions: TravelName.com
Mexico a beautiful country in North America continent, bordering United States. It's the 14th largest country in the world with a population of about 104 million and is among the top tourist destinations of people from United States and Canada. Its famous for tourism due to many reasons including cruises, crystal-white beaches, blue seas swarming with fish and coral, mountains and volcanoes, striking wildlife, collectible folk art and the wonderful remains of ancient cultures also called Meso-American ruins. It is truly a remarkable travel and tourism destination. Mexico borders United States in the north; Guatemala in the south; Pacific ocean in the west and Gulf of Mexico (sea) in the west.
Popular Attractions and Activities
CANCUN - Beach paradise:
Cancun is among the most popular tourist attractions in Mexico and is shaped like an island located by the Caribbean sea on the Yucatan peninsula (South East Mexico). The economy is based on tourism and the people go out of their way to show tourists a good time. It has year round mild climate, white sandy beaches and excellent tourist services. You will find one of the finest hotels of Mexico here, offering relaxing spas, luxury rooms and service . These waters are ideal for water sports including surfing, under water diving, sailing and boating. Cancun is populated with mega resorts and over 20,000 hotel rooms. Cancun also offers activities like Golf, Ecological Parks, Fishing and Charters, Horseback Riding, Jungle Tours, Mayan Ruins, Nature Reserves, Scuba Diving, Snorkeling and Swim with Dolphins. Cancun is the most popular travel and tourism attraction of Mexico.
MEXICO CITY - Palaces:
It is the capital of Mexico and the most important industrial and cultural center of the country. It is the 2nd largest metropolitan area in the world with about 9 million inhabitants. Its a modern, cosmopolitan city situated in an old lake basin that is surrounded by volcanic mountains and sits at an elevation of 7400 ft. It is also very famous for its pre-Hispanic remains of the civilizations which lived here before the 3 decade Spanish rule. It was founded in 1325 by the Aztecs who settled in this area with a population of around 100,000 people and later built temples, pyramids, and buildings. You will also see the murals of Diego Rivera and the paintings of Frida Kahlo.
ACAPULCO - Romantic Resorts:
Acapulco, a C-shaped bay is one of the most beautiful and popular tourist attractions in the Mexican Pacific. It is also a major seaport and a popular resort for tourists taking long holiday weekends and cruises from the United States, the Mexican interior and countries in South America. With stunning beaches, exuberant natural surroundings and wonderful climate, this port has been dubbed the Pearl of the Pacific. The modern infrastructure has had very little impact on its original beauty or attractions. Acapulco offers an enormous range of attractions and activities. Calm, sunny beaches and major hotel complexes, superb restaurants and wonderful nightclubs. The Nahua Indians, the Aztecs predecessors, lived in Acapulco around 3000 BC. Even though it's an upscale tourist location, Acapulco is still more reasonably priced than Cancun.
TIJUANA - Gateway to Mexico:
Tijuana is the largest city in the Mexican state of Baja California and the world's most-visited border town. This US-Mexico border city is just south of San Diego, California, in fact you can make a round trip from San Diego in just 1 day. Many foreigners travel here to drink and dance, buy prescription drugs, bootleg brand-name clothing and accessories. There are many night clubs, including several gay clubs. You will find a lot of handicrafts, leather goods, cigars and souvenirs. Bargaining is common. Its always recommended to keep an ID with you.
ENSENADA:
It's located some 120 kilometers (68 miles) south of the border with the United States in Baja Peninsula and often tourists go there by car. Ensenada is very famous for short cruise ship trips from the Los Angeles area. Activities include wine tasting, shopping, surfing, sea kayaking, horseback riding and mountain biking and Whale watching (seasonal). Read the Ensenada Cruise Experience of a reader here.
CABO SAN LUCAS:
It is a popular tourist attraction in Baja California. Cabo was earlier a small fishing community, now famous for sport-fishing and white-sand beaches.
COZUMEL ISLAND is very famous tourism destination in the Caribbean Sea located 20 km (12 miles) from mainland in the Yucatan Peninsula.
Travel Tips
SAFETY:
Apart from the material written here, please visit US Department of State website for Travelers to Mexico
http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/regional/regional_1174.html
• Its always advisable to have a cell phone, check with your mobile phone company if they have a coverage in the city you are planning to visit Otherwise..
The prepaid SIM card along with an unlocked international cell phone is the easiest and most economical solution for staying in touch. You may visit http://www.telestial.com to buy a SIM Card before you visit.
• If you plan to take your car into Mexico, you must purchase Mexican automobile insurance prior to crossing the border. Most U.S. policies are not valid in Mexico. In the unfortunate event of an accident, only a Mexican insurance policy will be recognized as valid.
• Drink bottled water be careful about the food you eat, keep cookies and chocolates in case.
• Do not to buy food from street vendors.
• Always carry an ID like Drivers License
• Do not wear expensive jewellery.
• Wear comfortable attire.
• Carry cash - also helps in bargaining.
• Be ware of Pick Pockets.
• Medicine should be kept to ward off the malarial infection.
MEXICO TOURIST VISA:
Citizens of U.S., Canada, Australia, Japan and most western European countries do not need tourist visa when the stay is within certain number of days but are required to have a passport and must fill out a tourist card at customs. The customs agents are known to be easy going. Citizens of most other countries need visa, please go to http://www.consulmexny.org/eng/visas_fmt.htm to know more about most current requirements for citizens of each country.
BRIEF HISTORY:
In the year 1519 Mexico was invaded by Spain and it set up a three-century colonial rule in Mexico. That also explains why Spanish is the most popular language in Mexico and is spoken by 97% of the population. In 1810, Miguel Hidalgo declared independence in the small town of Dolores, causing a long war that eventually led to its independence in 1821, creating First Mexican Empire with Agustín de Iturbide as first and only emperor. States of California, Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico and parts of Utah and Wyoming were once a part of Mexico. Texas which was also a part of Mexico was the cause of Mexican-American War in 1846 to 1848. After that Mexico went through some political unrest including Mexican Revolution of 1910 mainly caused because of social inequality. Mexico has been rising steadily in the last 4 decades.
CURRENCY:
Mexican Peso -MXN ( 1 US Dollar = 11 MXN apx)
You can use Yahoo finance for latest conversion rate
http://finance.yahoo.com/currency/convert?from=USD&to=MXN
Popular Mexico tourism destinations also accept United States Dollars and most credit cards.
RELIGION:
Roman Catholic, Protestant
FOOD AND WATER:
Mexico tourism offers authentic Mexican food, the list starts from Burritos, Tamales, Tacos, beans, rice, Enchiladas, and goes on. Unlike the Mexican food that you get in most western countries, in real its quite spicy. Therefore its recommended that you do not jump too soon eating too much authentic food and give your stomach time to get use to. You can stick to Beans and Rice, Quesadillas and plain fish dishes initially as they are usually less spicy. Margarita is very famous alcoholic beverage and is usually mixed with tequila. Try to drink bottled water as much as possible. You can find some western food like burgers and pizza in most cities famous for tourism.
TIME ZONE:
-6 hrs GMT ( -5 hrs during daylight savings April to October)
LANGUAGE:
Spanish. In most popular tourist places, shops and restaurants owners know English but overall few people know English. You are advised to keep a small Spanish translation booklet with you if staying for more than 2-3 weeks and if your trip might need interaction with local people.
