Mexico: The Warm Giant of the Americas

When tourists think of Mexico, the image of beautiful tropical beaches in Tijuana or Cancun comes to mind. While it is true that those beaches are among the world’s top tourist destinations, Mexico also has other spots you should check out. Archaeological ruins, interesting art, and intense jungles are just among the many things Mexico has to offer for the intrepid vacationers out there.

Tourist Destinations

The Yucatan peninsula is located southeast of Mexico. It houses extensive Mayan ruins, most of which are accessible to the tourists by bus. The Yucatan is the center of the classical Mayan empire, with Chichen Itza voted as one of the modern Seven Wonders of the World in 2007.

Cancun, also located on the Yucatan peninsula, is a very popular vacation spot on the Caribbean coast. With miles of pristine white beaches, turquoise waters, and a beautiful underwater world you can explore, Cancun is definitely primed to be a tourist paradise.

World-class amenities are also present to cater to the average tourist needs. The more discerning ones can also opt to stay on any of Cancun’s more luxurious hotels, especially those in Mérida where tourists can still have the advantages of urban life yet immerse themselves more in the local flavor.

What to Do

Those with a flair for adventure can try hiking or go horseback riding on the awesome trails of Copper Canyon. This canyon is larger and deeper than the Grand Canyon in the United States. Visitors can also take a train ride in either Chihuahua or Los Mochis, which passes by some beautiful and scenic locations while on the way to the canyon.

In Acapulco, no visit should be completed without seeing the cliff divers perform their amazing jumps into the shallow waters that form in the bottom part of La Quebrada. This has been a staple of Acapulco since 1934.

You can also try scuba diving in Cozumel, one of the premiere scuba diving spots of the West. It has a multitude of diving shops that are willing to give you a pseudo-resort certification for dives. (For more information regarding Scuba Diving, read The Guide To Scuba Diving)

What to Remember

Mexico’s currency is the Mexican peso, but the symbol for the peso is the same as the US dollar, so remember this to avoid confusion. In tourist areas though, US dollars are labeled “US$” or have double strokes. Also, the Spanish language spoken in Mexico is slightly different from the Castilian Spanish and those usually spoken in South America.

Mexico is a very beautiful place for tourists, with exotic locales and wonderful relaxation spots. With a rich cultural history, scenery and friendly people, Mexico is a place that is more than worthy to be on any tourist’s destination list. Do you know that Mexico’s Cabo San Lucas is ranked no. 8 in the list of the Top Ten Best Spring break destinations… Now you know!