MEXICO IN 7 REGIONS

Mexico, Pubela & Oaxaca – The Maya World – Colonial cities of Mexico – Baja California – Pacific region – North – The Golf

Multiple city with many neighborhoods to be discovered:

  • The historical center, classified World Heritage Site. Where you can find the Zocalo, Main Square, historical heart of Mexico, the National Palace with the famous Diego Rivera frescoes, the Cathedral, the Templo Mayor, Tenochtitlan witness, Aztecs ancient capital, the Correo (Post Office), Bellas Artes, imposing theatre and museum.
  • Xochimilco, World Heritage Site, where can be discovered the floating gardens, (Chinampas) built by the Aztecs, evidence of their agriculture that remains active. You can take a boat trip through the canals in very colorful engines (Trajineras) to the sound of Mariachis.
  • Coyoacan and San Angel, old, intellectual and artists neighborhoods, of colorful colonial houses with flowers everywhere. To visit the Casa Azul (Blue House), the Frida Kahlo Museum-House in Coyoacan and the Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo workshop house in San Angel.
  • Condesa and Roma, trendy neighborhoods.
  • Polanco, stylish and business neighborhoods.
  • UNAM (Autonomous National University of Mexico), the Campus is classified World Heritage Site.
  • Santa Fe, new business neighborhood and shopping area.

    TEOTIHUACAN

    This is the most important archaeological site of the whole continent, classified World Heritage Site and only 40 kilometers away from Mexico City. It is a spectacular site called by the Aztecs the City of Gods when they discovered it. During its height, there were approximately 200,000 inhabitants.

    Its influence goes from the North to Central America. It was mysteriously abandoned around the 18th century. A must-see on a trip to Mexico!

    PUEBLA

    Puebla de Los Angeles, the City of Angels, is one of the cities in Mexico that has not been built in a pre-hispanic site.

    The city is colonial, baroque and extremely colorful at the same time.

    A visit of Puebla Historical Centre (classified World Heritage Site) enables to discover remarkable buildings among others: the Cathedral, Santo Domingo Church with the Chapel of the Rosary, Santa Rosa old monastery, Palafoxiana Library, the artist neighborhood (Barrio del Artista), la Casa de los Muñecos (the House of Baby Dolls), la Casa del Alfeñique (House of Barley Sugar), El Parian Market, not to forget the museums.

    Around Puebla, can be found two remarkable sites:

    • Santa Maria Tonantzintla Church
    • Cholula big pyramid and the Nuestra Señora de los Remedios Church (Our Mother of the Great Relief or of the Great Remedy) was built on the top, everything against a backdrop of volcano!

    Puebla is the capital of Mexican gastronomy. A must-see stop on the Mole Road.

    The Mole is a generic dish with pre-Hispanic origins made using many ingredients between 20 and 50 which some are made with different kind of chilis, of condiments and sometimes also of cacao.

    It is the case of Mole Poblano which generally covers poultries. Another traditional regional dish is the Chile en nogada, a variety of stuffed chili covered by a walnut and pomegranate  seeds sauce.

    You also should be tempted by the Quesillo(typical cheese from Oaxaca, wrapped up on a ball shape); Chapulines (cooked grasshoppers), Tlayudas (extra big corn waffles stuffed with many ingredients including the Oaxcaca cheese), Tejate (drink made of corn, white cocoa, mamey core (exotic fruit) and cocoa flower),….

    Around the city, Monte Alban can be found, classified World Heritage Site.

    It is an archaeological site with Zapotec origins built on a mountain which peak has been leveled by men to build the city! Monumental city that dominates the valley!

    The Oaxaca region has many other attractive features:

    • Mitla: Mixtec archaeological site.
    • Teotitlan del Valle (crafts of quality), San Martin Tilcajete (Alebrijes, imaginary animals generally made in wood), San Bartolomeo (black pottery),…
    • Famous gastronomy in the city and the whole region.
    • Pacific beaches: Huatulco, Puerto Escondido, Mazunte.

    Celebrations and Traditions: Guelaguetza, Radish Night,….

      THE MAYA WORLD

      San Cristobal de las Casas

      San Cristobal de las Casas is indisputably a small gem nestled in the mountains.

      This is a magnificent city, both colonial and indigenous and identified as Magic Village by the touristic authorities of Mexico.

      To visit Na Bolom Museum, the Cathedral, Santo Domingo Church, 31 de Marzo Square…

      Nearby San Cristobal can be found very attractive indigenous villages such as San Juan Chamula, Zinacatan and Amatenango del Valle.

      From San Cristobal to Palenque, it takes approximately 6 hour drive but in the middle of splendid landscapes sprinkled by traditional villages where you can find indigenous Mayan communities!

      CAMPECHE

      The region has several attractive points:

      • The capital of the region is also called Campeche, is a fortified colonial city classified World Heritage Site.

      You can stroll the city according to your mood, but do not miss: the city tour of Campeche by tramway (it is a touristic bus that looks like an old tramway), Land Door and Sea Door, Casa 6, the Cathedral, the craft bazaar, the bastions (Baluarte de la Soledad, Baluarte Santiago), traditional neighborhoods San Francisco and San Roman, San Miguel Fort outside of the city with an outstanding collection of pre-Hispanic pieces such as masks of jade and objects discovered in Calakmul.

      • Many archaeological sites which two must-see: Edzna (nearby the city of Campeche) and Calakmul, at the heart of the jungle and classified World Heritage Site for its biosphere reservation.
      • Gastronomy and crafts
      • Haciendas

      Natural reservations (40% of the surface of the state!)

        YUCATAN

        At the heart of Yucatan Peninsula, you can find many impressive Mayan archaeological sites:

        • Uxmal, World Heritage Site: Devin Pyramid, Governor Palace, Nuns Quadrilateral. A splendid sound and light show not to be missed.
        • Chichen Itza, World Heritage Site: Kukulcan Pyramid (the snake with feathers), the Temple of Warriors, Group of Thousand Pillars, Observatory, sacred Cenote, Game of Ball.
        • Many captivating Mayan sites: Puuc Route, Ek Balam,….

        The Yucatan is overflowing with other treasures:

        • Mérida, the White City: music and dances, folklore, gastronomy
        • Izamal: The yellow city identified as Magic Village
        • Haciendas, some have been turned into luxury hotels
        • Cenotes: well or abyss of underground water, a typical geological feature of the whole Yucatan Peninsula.
        • Living Mayan Culture
        • Monastery Road
        • Natural Treasures: Celestun, Rio Lagartos, Loltun, Cuzama,….

          Quintana Roo, must-see sites:

          • Sian Ka’an (World Heritage Site); a reservation with gorgeous lagoons that connects together and also with the sea. Its name in Mayan means “the place where the sky begins”
          • Tulum: an archaeological site that towers over the Caribbean Sea. A genuine postcard not-to-be-missed.
          • Coba: another archaeological site that stretches out to the forest where some temples are spread out.
          • Cozumel: the Island opposite Playa del Carmen, a paradise for diving.
          • Isla Mujeres next to Cancun.
          • Bacalar (seal of approval Magic Village) and Bacalar lagoon, a splendid spot!
          • Xel Ha and X’Caret thematic parks.
          • Holbox, a natural paradise.
          • Cenotes and Lagoons

            COLONIAL CITIES OF CENTRAL MEXICO

            Guanajuato

            The city is built on a very steep hilly area. Traffic is underground, some going through old waterways. Suddenly you end up on a labyrinth of colorful streets, back alleys, and squares where it is good to get lost and wander. Do not miss Juarez Theatre, l’Alhondiga de Granaditas (an old grain market), Guanajuato University, Mummy Museum, Union Garden, Reforma Garden, the Peace Square and Our Lady of Guanajuato Basilica. From the Pipila monument you can come across a splendid scenic view of the city. Guanajuato is the Headquarter of Cervantino Festival, one of the most popular cultural festivals in Latin America.

            San Miguel de Allende

            An authentic gem of colonial art! Do not miss San Miguel Arcangel Church, la Casa del Mayorazgo de la Canal, San Francisco Temple and San Felipe Neri Oratory, Casa Allende Museum, Allende Institute, El Nigromante cultural center, without forgetting Jesus Nazareno de Atotonilco sanctuary which can be found some kilometers away from San Miguel.

            Morelia

            A majestic city with baroque palaces and churches. You can discover crafts of quality made by the Purépecha indigenous communities.

            Nearby Morelia, you can locate the colonial and indigenous city of Patzcuaro by a lake, the pre-Hispanic site of Tzintzuntzan.

            Zacatecas

            This city was built in pink color cut stone and arises from the desert. The cathedral is an exceptional example of Mexican baroque style. Do not hesitate to take the cable car to enjoy the impressive view of the city.

            BAJA CALIFORNIA

            OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES & EXPERIENCES

            Nature – Fishing – Golf – Luxury

            Main highlights :

            Watching whales, diving, hikes in the desert, options for walks and cruises on the Sea of Cortez. Los Cabos, at the end of the peninsula with luxury hotels and mind-blowing golf courses …

            • Missions journeys
            • The route of wines
            • Todos Santos Magic Village
            • Loreto, Mulegé
            • Guerrero Negro
            • San Ignacio
            • La Paz and surroundings, without forgetting the designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites (Sierra de San Francisco rupestrian paintings
            • El Vizcaino whales sanctuary
            • Islands and protected areas of the Sea of Cortez).

            PACIFIC REGION

            JALISCO STATE

            Spirit of Mexico’s soul: tequila, mariachis and Charros (traditional horse trainer).

            • Tequila Road: Blue agave landscapes classified World Heritage Site. Discover the blue agaves plantations of the small town of Tequila, identified as Magic Village, a as well as the tequila factories.
            • Guadalajara: colonial city, cultural center, Cabañas hospice (World Heritage Site), contemporary art galleries.
            • Tlaquepaque: king of crafts
            • Sierra Madre: haciendas, folklore, music and charros.
            • Puerto Vallarta: famous and timeless beach resort, it was initially a fishing village. Cobblestones streets, white houses with tiles roofs. Starting point for many water sport activities in the sea as well as in the forest.
            • Costalegre: exclusive resorts where all the celebrities go.

              NAYARIT STATE

              • Riviera Nayarit, north of Puerto Vallarta, spectacular landscapes and quality touristic services.
              • Punta Mita: Very exclusive hotels in superb surroundings.
              • Typical villages such as Sayulita.
              • Huicholes: indigenous community with ancestral customs and extraordinary vision of the world represented by extremely sophisticated art works.

              COLIMA STATE

              • Beach resorts with spectacular scenic views over the sea.
              • Comala Magic Village.
              • Colima Volcano.

              NORTH OF MEXICO

              Main highlights:

              • Chihuahua
              • Creel Magic Village
              • Bahuichivo Cerocahui
              • Barrancas del Cobre theme park with zip lining and via ferrata!
              • Meeting with the Tarahumaras, millenary indigenous community!
              • El Fuerte Magic Village
              • Topolobampo bay near Los Mochis: start for boats going to La Paz in Baja California.

                THE GOLF OF MEXIQUE

                HUASTECA REGION

                • The jungle and impressive natural sites.