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.

It’s important for anyone traveling Mexico to try “real” Mexican food. Oddly enough, the Mexican food that is common in the US is not quite an accurate representation of true Mexican food. The kind of Mexican food that Americans often eat actually originates from New Mexico, which was once a part of Mexico, and it often gets mistaken for Mexican food as a whole. Most Americans are unaware that most of the food served at their local restaurant is more American and less Mexican than they think. Also, in some “authentic” Mexican restaurants, many key sauces such as mole are replaces with tomato based sauces. Many who have tried much of the cuisine that really exists in Mexico say that American Mexican food and real Mexican food differ as much as American Chinese food and real Chinese food. Many Mexicans who have tried the American version of Mexican food have described it as unfamiliar. Sure, travelers can get burritos, tacos, and salsa in Mexico, but this is not what Mexican food is all about.

Mexican food varies by region because of the variance of flora and fauna in the different regions and because of different influences and cultures. Many regions have Spanish influence and some regions even have some middle eastern influence in the food. The northern areas of Mexico are known for dishes containing ostrich, beef, and goat. In Southeastern Mexico, many of the dishes are spicy and often contain chicken. Because of its geographical location fish and other seafood are also highly popular here. In the west of Mexico and the Oaxacan region, many dishes are very spicy. The Yucatan area is known for using less hot spices in their food and, instead, using more sweet spices such as sugar in their food. Central Mexico, because of its geographic location, has a mixture of the types of foods from other areas in Mexico.

Anyone traveling to Mexico will likely have some tequila at one point on their trip as this is the national drink of Mexico. However, many people do not know much about tequila — where it comes from or how it’s made. Tequila, made from the agave plant, was first developed by the Spanish near Tequila, Mexico. The Toltec Indians would make candy from the plants’ sugars. The Spanish saw this and decided to use the plants’ sugars to make alcohol. This led to the creation of the drink. The first tequila factory was opened in 1600. For many years, the Toltec Indians tried to get the town of Tequila back in many uprisings which started in 1541, but they didn’t succeed until 1810 about 270 years later.

Tourists who visit this region are greeting by an expanse of blue agave leaves. Many distilleries in the area give tours and allow tourists to try the drink. Those tourists who are lucky enough to visit during harvest season may catch a glimpse of the agave plants being harvested and prepared for tequila making. To do this, workers remove the leaves from the plant to leave behind the large agave pinas which are then processed. The juice from the creamy, white core of the agave plant is the juice used to make tequila. The average worker can only harvest about 200 plants a day as the process is tedious and the weather is often hot. One plant can make about five bottles of tequila. Because most agave is grown in this area and because of the agave plant’s size, not as much tequila is made as one would think. The supply of tequila is limited leading to the high cost of tequila on the international market. The amount of tequila actually made doesn’t meet the demand which makes the drink even more special.

Mexicans are proud people with a rich heritage. They are also a very friendly and warm people, but as with any culture, care should be taken to prevent offending anyone. There are many Mexican rules of etiquette that are very similar to American etiquette and many that differ.

Unlike most countries, it is actually considered impolite to come early or on time when visiting a Mexican in their home. It is considered polite to arrive 15 minutes to half an hour late. It is polite for those entering a church to take of their hat and sunglasses. While many tourists may get caught up in the touring and photography of different churches, it is important for them to realize these are actually place where people still worship and this must be respected.

Mexico has its share of problems, like any country. Many of these issues are tender subjects to Mexicans. While many may be willing to complain about a political issue, travelers must be aware that it’s similar to the idea of one complaining about a relative of the theirs to another relative which is fine until a non-relative starts complaining. It’s okay to talk about politics, but care must be taken not to offend those living in Mexico.

America is a melting pot so different people going to Mexico will experience different “words” to describe them. Many of these terms are actually just words and do not mean offense. For example, a Caucasian person may be referred to as a gringo which is not an insult. An Asian person may be referred to as a chino and those from African descent may be referred to as negro or negra. These are simply words and aren’t used as an insult or are hateful words… just description words.

Many of those who have learned Spanish may have heard the word “estúpido.” This doesn’t just mean “stupid,” it is actually an insult. Although many estúpido jokes may have been made in high school Spanish class along with many other choice words, it is generally not acceptable to use it in Mexico.

Thousands of travelers each year find themselves in the beautiful Riviera Maya region. There are many things to do here and there is something for almost anyone. Riviera Maya, located in the Yucatan, has a myriad of activities for the young and old alike.

For those interested in seeing historical sites, the Tulum ruins are nearby. These ruins are the only ruins by the sea in Mexico and is considered one of the most beautiful things about Riviera Maya. At Tulum, one can see more than sixty structures. By the main temple, there is a small beach where travelers can swim and look up at the ruins. Cobá is a great place for visiters walk among many Mayan architectural wonders such as temples and other structures reaching up from the jungle floor.

Riviera Maya is also a great place for those who enjoy water sports. Snorkeling and scuba diving is highly popular here as the region has a sprawling underwater ecosystem. Xel-Ha is the best place in the area to explore underwater life. The area is surrounded by underwater caves, rocky coastlines, and thick jungles. The beaches at Akumal offer silky white beaches perfect for swimming.

For those who enjoy a little excitement, there is much to be done at Xcaret, which is a theme park that allows visitors to swim with dolphins, walk jungle trails, learn about Yucatan ecology, and swim at the beach. The park also allows visitors to floats down one of two rivers in the area. Akun Chen gives visitors the chance to explore caves and subterranean rivers flow through many of the area’s caves.

Travelers who prefer to just relax often enjoy many of the areas spas. Many of these spas give personalized treatments in a relaxing environment. This is a treat for not only the sense of touch, but the sense of smell as well. Many of the area spas offer treatments such as clay massages, crystal therapy, and even henna tattoos.

Playa Del Carmen, or Playa as many call it, is a beautiful beachside city located in Yucatan. It is best reached by flying into Cancun and taking the short drive to Playa. Playa Del Carmen, once a small Mexican fishing village, has been growing at the rate of 25%+ per year. This account for many of the tourist attractions and lively activities that the area now offers.

5th Avenue, which runs along the ocean in Playa Del Carmen, has a myriad of hotels, restaurants, and rentals. There are also many stores along 5th avenue where tourists can find clothing, local crafts, rum, and even Cuban cigars. The many bars and clubs along 5th also give Play its party atmosphere which brings tourists in droves.

Playa Del Carmen is also known, obviously, for its beaches. The sand here is white and clean and the water is blue. The local beach crew also cleans any seaweed or garbage out of the water to keep the area nice for tourists. Water sports such as diving and snorkeling are popular here as there is a small coral reef nearby. Fishing is also highly popular in the area. There are many boating companies that will take tourists out for the water activities.

Those who wish to enjoy Playa Del Carmen, but wish to stay off the beaten path, there are many unique non-touristy stores as travelers get further inland away from the beach scene. The prices of things also get much cheaper as many tourists tend to stay near their resorts. By leaving the tourist areas, travelers can save a lot of money when purchasing things like clothing an souvenirs. The crafts made away from the tourist locales give visitors a look at things made more from the heart and less mass-produced. Also, travelers also get a better look at “real” Mexico as they get further away from the tourist attractions.

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 wish to travel to a historical, fun, beautiful, and large city should consider Mexico City. Mexico City has just about everything for just about anyone. The Zócalo (main square) is the largest main square in Latin America. Another thing that makes it special is that is the location where Montezuma’s palace once stood. Mexico City is filled with monuments, fountains, plane trees, and friendly people.

Chapultepec Park should not be missed as it is a 2000 acre park containing many different types of entertainment including three museums one of which is the National Museum of Anthropology. The National Museum of Anthropology, which was built in the 1960s, has one of the best collections of ancient Mexican crafts, jewelery, sculptures, and more. This is truly a place where tourists can get a look into the lives of those who lived hundreds of years ago before the Spanish even came to Mexico. For those with children, it’s a good idea to take them to the Papalote which is a children’s museum filled with educational and fun experiences. Papalote is also located in Chapultepac Park. There are also many different beautiful historic neighborhoods in the area for those who wish to see some of Mexico’s finest architecture. There are also many zoos in Mexico City as well as amusement parks for those who don’t really care much for history. Mexico City houses both Six Flags Mexico, which includes Batman the Ride and the Medusa Roller Coaster, and La Feria de Chapultepec, which has Mexico’s first roller coaster and many other attractions.

Mexico City is very much unlike American cities as there is no distinct downtown. American cities such as Chicago have the largest high rises in the center of the city whereas Mexico City has high rises all over the place making for many different places a tourist can explore. The Ciudadela crafts market is a great place to buy crafts made by different cultural groups. This is great for those who wish to see “real” Mexican crafts.

For those who are looking for a luxurious vacation, there is no need to look any further than Cancun, Mexico. Those who’ve never been to Cancun may wonder what there is to do in Cancun besides bake in the sun. There is actually a lot to do in Cancun. Those traveling to Cancun should have an idea of what they’re looking for in a vacation. Those looking for a romantic setting may want to plan on some more romantic types of activities and those looking to party may want to do something different. Luckily, Cancun is a great destination for vacationers of all shapes and sizes.

Those looking to enjoy water sports such as snorkeling, kayaking, fishing, swimming, etc, may want to consider the lagoon side as these types of water sports are more popular on this side. Those looking to surf are urged to head over the the Caribbean side of Cancun where the waves are higher.

Many people honeymoon in Cancun and there are many romantic getaways here. Many honeymooners stay in the beach side villas so they can get an ocean breeze and a romantic setting. There are many all-inclusive resorts in the area that have great packages for honeymooners.

Those who are vacationing with children may want to plan on some activities that would be fun for the whole family. There are many water parks and activities that many different types of people enjoy. Many resorts also have activities on the premises that children enjoy. Some even offer babysitting so adults have time to enjoy their own activities.

Cancun has a nightlife like no other. With bars and nightclubs nearly everywhere, the party seems to never end in Cancun. Different clubs offer different types of atmospheres and music, so no-one is left out. There are many different clubs that offer salsa music, world music, techno, etc. The music varieties are almost limitless, so any one wanting to party can do so in Cancun.