Taxco, a city just a little over 100 miles from Mexico City, is known as the silver city. This city is nestled in the mountains and offers amazing views. The mines today have little silver left, but much silver is still sold in the town as it’s brought in from mines in surrounding areas. The mines never had much silver in them, but as silver crafting in the town made the town widely known, the town got its nickname.

Taxco is a popular stop for people who are traveling in the Mexico city area due to its close location to Mexico City. Most tourists leave at the end of the day which allow those staying overnight to experience Taxco in a way that most tourists can’t. Many steep and narrow roadways and small plazas make up the city. Unlike many other Mexican cities, there are no suburbs around Taxco, making the area quaint and open for exploration. The colonial feel of the town and the availability of many items made from silver draw many tourists. The Templo de Santa Prisca, a temple located on the main square, also draws many tourists because of it’s pink stonework and gold work around the altar. There is also a cable car in Taxco which will take visitors to the top of the mountain where the hotel, Hotel Monte Taxco, is located. The view from the top is beautiful and makes a great photo opportunity.

There are also museums in Taxco where travelers can learn more about the area. There is an art museum, an archaeology and history museum, and of course, a silver museum. Tourists can also check out Las Grutas de Cacahuamilpa which are limestone caves nearby. Tours of these caves are usually in Spanish, so it’s important for English speaking tourists to check for an English speaking tour ahead of time.

Veracruz, a large city, is located within the state of Veracruz in central Mexico. There is much to do in Veracruz, although it is considered to be off the beaten path to tourists. This city has a strong Cuban influence is prided for having probably the best nightlife in the entire state of Veracruz. In the evening nearly the whole city seems to come alive with music and dancing. Although Spanish is widely spoken here, those speaking English will not have a hard time communicating as a large percentage of the population speaks English as well as Spanish.

Veracruz has a rich history starting with Cortez first landing here. This city also has seen its fair share of pirates as it was sacked by pirates on numerous occasions. It was also bombarded by three different foreign militias. Disease also was rampant in Veracruz when it was a younger city. Many diseases such as cholera, yellow fever, and malaria killed off many citizens of this city. Because of this, Veracruz was not able to grow to its full potential until recently.

There are many sights to be seen in or around Veracruz such as San Juan de Ulúa Castle which is the last fortress of the Spanish Empire. It was also used as a prison. The fortress is located near the downtown area. The downtown area, with its rich Cuban culture, allows tourists to listen to traditional Cuban music and enjoy a mixture of two cultures — Mexican and Cuban. This is the same heavy influence which led to the creation of the song, “La Bamba” which was made popular by Ritchie Valens. The song actually came from this region and visitors can here the song sung here as well as many other songs that give off a similar vibe. Visitors can also check out the Baluarte de Santiago which is the last standing part of the wall that used to surround Veracruz.

Mexico has a deep history which has allowed its to cultivate a rich culture that has survived over several centuries. There are many things that make Mexico’s culture much different than many world cultures as well as cultures of neighboring countries. The culture within Mexico can also differ quite a bit depending on the region.

Because of Spanish control of Mexico, the main language of Mexico is Spanish. Mexican Spanish and Spain Spanish actually differ quite a bit. Those who learn Spanish in high schools in the United States usually learn Mexican Spanish over Spain Spanish. Luckily, the forms of the language are similar enough for people from Spain and Mexico to understand each other. There are also over 100 other languages spoken in Mexico which include Maya and Nahuatl.

The family is very important for Mexicans. Outside of the larger cities, families can get quite large. Extended family is often as important as immediate family, which give families a more communal feel and provides stability. In the case that travelers are invited to a Mexican home, it is important to know proper Mexican etiquette. It is appropriate for visitors to bring a gift, but it’s a good idea to stay away from flowers unless the traveler knows what different flowers mean (marigolds are bad luck, red flowers have negative implications, etc.) It’s considered impolite to arrive at a dinner party less than 30 minutes late. Arriving early or on time is considered rude. The amount of food left on the plate actually is considered a part of etiquette and this differs from country to country. In some countries it’s considered impolite to leave any food on the plate which may signify that the person did not enjoy the meal. In Mexico it is considered impolite for a person to eat all the food on their plate which may signify that the person did not receive enough food.

Acapulco, a major sea port on the Pacific coast of Mexico, is an increasingly popular travel destination. Once a place that has lost major popularity with tourists, Acapulco is climbing back up as a major tourist attraction in Mexico. Major hotels in Acapulco have been updated and much has been done about the pollution and sewer system in Acapulco. Acapulco is a great place for tourists who wish to get off the beaten path as it isn’t as touristy as places like Cancun and Cozumel.

Those who are adventurous can try cliff diving of of La Quebrada. The activity of jumping of this cliff into the swirling water below has been popular since the mid 1930s. Jumpers have to be wary of the strong current and tide below, however. There is a water park called CICI right by the main beach which is a must visit for travelers with children. The area also offers many water sports. Isla de la Roqueta is a small island off of Acapulco that travelers can get to by ferry. Fishing, snorkeling, and diving are popular here as well as swimming as the island is surrounded by shallower water than that of Acapulco.

Acapulco’s town square, Zócalo, allows tourists to see more culture than town squares of most other Mexican tourist cities. The cathedral is located in this area as well as many small shops and restaurants. Those wishing to get away from the tourist scene in Acapulco can visit the nearby town of Puerto Marquez, which is quieter and friendlier. It’s a good idea for travelers here to know some, even if just a little, Spanish as Puerto Marquez isn’t really a tourist area thus far less locals speak English. Puerto Marquez is a great place for travellers to experience Mexican food at its finest. The food and lodging here is also cheaper here than Acapulco.

The Yucatan peninsula is known for its beaches, but known more so for the Mayan ruins which dot the area. These ruins give tourists the chance to touch the same structures that those in an ancient civilization did. They also give visitors the chance to learn how those living in this ancient civilization lived.

At one time, Mayapan, located just 25 miles from Merida, was the political and cultural capital of the Yucatan peninsula for the Mayans. The area, which is approximately two and a half square miles, now contains over 4000 structures. A large part of the archaeological site is surrounded by a large stone wall which was used as a defensive structure by the Mayans.

Chichen Itza, is located in the center of the Yucatan peninsula and was constructed before 600 AD. The area contains beautiful columns, stone walls, temples, and even ball court which was used by the Mayans to play Mesoamerican ballgame. The Great Ball Court, which is located here, is one of the most impressive examples of Mayan ball courts that still exist. There are no above ground rives in the area, but the Yucatan is famous for its underground rivers. The landscape nearby is dotted with ceynotes which are large, natural sinkholes that area caused by these underground rivers. One of the most popular ceynotes of the area is the Seynote Sagrado (or Sacred Ceynote.) The Seynote Segrado was used to make sacrifices to the god of water by the Mayans when there was a drought.

Another great set of Mayan ruins on the Yucatan are the ruins of Tulum. The ruins of Tulum are the only ruins in Mexico which are right on the ocean. The main temple sits on a rock formation over the ocean. The beach below offers swimmers the chance to look up at the ruins of Tulum while enjoying the warm ocean water.

Morelia, which is the capital of the Mexican state of Michoacan, is a colonial style city that is regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in Mexico. This city is not popular with tourists for some reason, giving those few tourists who do travel through it the chance to experience a wonderful place in Mexico without being “another tourist.” Although this isn’t a location on the traditional tourist track, many people here speak both Spanish and English. This is because Morelia is a large college town and many students have learned English as a part of their studies. Morelia is full of parks, cute shops, nice weather, and beautiful architecture. Besides being a large college town, it is also the capital of the State making it a center of governmental importance.

Great sites in Morelia include the baroque style cathedral that dominates the downtown area. The cathedral shows a great example of flying buttresses and tiled cupolas. The “Day of the Dead” celebration takes place here each November, so it’s important for those traveling to note this ahead of time if they wish to take part or to avoid the crowds and go elsewhere. The “Day of the Dead” festival cannot be missed, however. Another architectural feat that cannot be missed is the aqueduct. The aqueduct runs down the Avenida Acueducto. Built in the 17th century, this huge aqueduct brought water to Morelia in the city’s youth. The Santuario de Guadalupe, adorned in pink and white with gold trim work, is considered one of the most beautiful churches in Mexico. It also contains many oil paintings which cannot be missed. Casa de Artesanias, located on the Plaza San Francisco, is a great place for those looking to buy art and any wares. The art here can be purchased cheaper than other more touristy places in Mexico and is usually more authentic.

Merida, the capital city of the Mexican state of Yucatan, is one of many popular Mexican travel destinations. Known as the White City, Merida is constructed of mostly white limestone. Many of the buildings are traditionally painted white as well. Up until recently, it was difficult for travelers to reach Merida due to the road conditions in Mexico. Because of this, those living in Merida became a tightly knit community. They are warm people and there is little crime in Merida.

Merida is a great place to go for those who wish to enjoy the beauty of the Yucatan peninsula, but want to stay away from tourist traps. Because of the aforementioned tightly knit communal feel of Merida, it is a great place for travelers to get a “real” look at Mexico and see how Mexicans really live their daily lives. There is a deep culture in Merida which can be seen in many locales. Many traditional dances and foods can be experienced here.

For those who wish to explore the many ruins of the Yucatan, Merida is the perfect place to be. Because of its central location to many ruins, Merida makes a great hub. Merida is also connected to Cancun via highway, which makes Merida a great place to spend a day trip for those who want to get away from the crowds. Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Campeche and Cozumel are also somewhat close which makes Merida a great place to be for those who wish to explore the Yucatan peninsula as a whole. Another great place for traveler’s to visit is nearby Progreso which is a port where flamingoes can be seen. There are also salt flats in .

Those who have never been to Mexico have little knowledge of how it is a gem hidden in the rough. There are literally thousands of things to see and do in Mexico and these things are enjoyable for people of all ages.

For those who enjoy taking the scenic route to wherever they go, there is a lot to be enjoyed in Mexico. There are the beautiful snow-capped volcanoes of Popocatépetl (first image) and Nevado de Toluca. Those who enjoy snorkeling and scuba diving may be shocked to hear that many actually do so in the craters of these volcanoes. There are also many historic sites to see such as Mitla (second image), which are ancient ruins constructed by the Zapotec civilization around 200 AD. Nearby to the ruins there is a large tree which may well be older than the ruins themselves. There is also the Copper Canyon railway (third image) which is one of the most beautiful and scenic train trips that tourists can take. Those who enjoy scenery such as canyons and rivers will find themselves finding both on this trip. For those with a little bit of cowboy in them, there are ranches that are open for tourists to visit and to enjoy horseback riding. Some ranches also offer tequila tasting as a way to cap off the evening.

Those who enjoy the beach scene will be quickly spoiled in Mexico. Mexico is known for some of the most beautiful beaches in the world including Cabos San Lucas (image to the left) and Cozumel. Beaches are very lively places in Mexico thus thousands of American tourists find themselves at Mexican beaches each year. Mexico is also known for its fine arts. Many people flock to Mexico City’s Palace of fine arts to see many cultural dances and ballets.