South of the US border, you will find an enchanting land of ancient ruins, misty jungles, great beaches, colourful markets, chilli-rich cuisine, and margaritas! Welcome to Mexico.
Mexico City provides quite some welcome! This bustling metropolis features fantastic architecture in its centro historico, and it’s fun to get around in the local VW taxis (yes, the original VW was manufactured in Mexico right up until 2003!). With so many ancient civilisations and conquests, you may worry you won’t take it all in. A visit to the outstanding Archaeological Museum will provide a richer understanding before hitting the ruins! A great start is to visit the incredible pyramid complex at Teotihuacan on the outskirts of city.
Historic and scenic beauty aside, it may well be the Mexican people who leave the most lasting impression.
Continue this fascinating glimpse into the pre-Columbian cultures of the Maya, Toltecs and Aztecs at the archaeological sites on the Yucatan Peninsula. Chichen Itza is the most famous by far and a must-see, but with fame, comes crowds. A massive pyramid, ball court, observatory and temples grace this impressive site. I also highly recommend Palenque, dating back over 2,000 years, in a lovely setting surrounded by lush tropical jungle populated by troops of spider monkeys swinging through the trees.
Beyond the trees are the beaches of the peninsula’s Caribbean coast. A favourite of the Mayan Riviera resorts is the laidback, almost bohemian resort of Playa del Carmen. Originally a traditional fishing village, Playa del Carmen is less busy than nearby Cancun. Here you’ll find a happy vibe with plenty of little bars and cafés and an out-of-this-world beach. It is also the best gateway to Cozumel Island, a 45-minute ferry ride away and one of the best diving spots in Mexico.
The Spanish colonial era has left a lovely legacy of beautiful towns in the Yucatan Peninsula, my pick of which is Merida, a picture-postcard delight, with cobblestone streets, character-filled hotels and real charm. Staying in one of the Yucatan’s gorgeous haciendas offers an atmospheric and authentic experience. The food in this region is also superb.
The true heart of the Mayan world lies in the highlands of southern Mexico, where I visited the small town of San Cristobal de las Casas. Staying in a five-star hacienda with beautiful open courtyard and historic art on the walls, I explored the town’s main square, the centuries-old cathedral, markets and cafes. Delightful, slow-paced and awash with charming Spanish colonial architecture.
Further west is charming Oaxaca. Pronounced wah-hah-kah, this is the culinary capital of Mexico. Eat your way around this fabulous city enjoying seven varieties of mole! Heading up the coast you’ll come to Puerto Vallarta, where I have fond memories of discovering the grilled marlin, cooked right on the beach and served with chilli sauce and lime. The cobbled streets of the quaint Old Town provide a shady retreat.
Mexico also boasts some incredible natural features such as the Copper Canyon. Seven times as large as the Grand Canyon and almost as deep, it is best experienced aboard the Chihuahua al Pacifico train, one of the most dramatic train rides in the world. Also not to be missed, the Sea of Cortez is famed for its marine life and small-ship cruises.
With so many ancient civilisations, you may worry you won’t take it all in!
Historic and scenic beauty aside, it may well be the Mexican people who leave the most lasting impression. They love colour, fiestas and fun, but are invariably hospitable and are rightly very proud of their traditions and their homeland.
WORDS – Chris Lyons
worldjourneys.co.nz
