Mexico travel guide

Find out what to see and do when travelling or backpacking around Mexico in South America.

Mexico highlights

	Destination	Make a reservation
	Mexico City The Zócalo, Museum of Anthropology, pyramids of Teotihuacan, floating gardens" of Xochimilco, Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe.	Flights Hotels Hostels Tours
	Mayan Riviera Popular tourist destination with beautiful beaches and stunning coral reefs. Cancun and Playa del Carmen are very developed, but go south to escape the crowds.	Flights Hotels Hostels Tours
	Palenque Ancient Mayan city hidden in the jungle close to the Guatemalan border.	Flights Hotels Hostels Tours
	San Cristobal de las Casas The heart of Indian Mayan culture, located in highlands of Chiapas, popular place to learn Spanish	Flights Hotels Hostels Tours
	Chichen Itza Another Mayan ruin in the middle of Yucatan peninsula, easy to get to on a day tour from the coast.	Flights Hotels Hostels Tours
	Puebla Colonial town close to Mexico City known for its' amazing culture and arts scene. Many festivals go on here.	Flights Hotels Hostels Tours
	Baja California Amazing wildlife and beautiful nature.	Flights Hotels Hostels Tours
	Holbox Island Just north of Cancun this car free island is the best place to go snorkelling with whale sharks	Flights Hotels Hostels Tours
	Oaxaca City Lovely colonial town with many markets and great day tours to places like Monte Alban ruins, Mitla, el Tule and Tlacolula.	Flights Hotels Hostels Tours
	Paricutin volcano Located just outside the city of Michoacan, about 200 miles west of Mexico City, Paricutin Volcano erupted out of a cornfield on February 20, 1943. The volcano derives its famous name from the village of Paricutin, which now lies buried under its lava. Visit the hustle and bustle of Mexico City and make a trip to the ferocious Paricutin volcano.	Flights Hotels Hostels Tours

Main travellers routes

• Mexico City overland to Cancun. This is a very well travelled route which can take from two weeks to many months depending on where you stop, but don't miss Oaxaca, San Cristobal de las Casas, Palenque Merida and Chichen Itza on the way.
• The Mayan Route starting in Northern Yucatan on to Palenque and San Cristobal de las Cases. Then into Guatemala to visit Lake Atitlan, Antigua and Tikal, and finish in Belize with San Ignacio and Caye Caulker before you go back to the Mayan Riviera.

Capital and main cities

• Mexico City, one of the biggest and most populated cities in the world with an estimated almost 20 million people in greater Mexico City. It's located at an altitude of 2200m in the Valley of Mexico surrounded by mountains and volcanoes.

Languages

• Spanish is the main language in Mexico, but over 60 indigenous Amerindian languages are officially recognized.

Currency

• Mexican Pesos
• Currency converter

Visas (always check with your embassy)

• Most visitors receive a tourist visa on entry, between 30 and 90 days.

Foreign Office Advice

• Mexico foreign office advice

Flights and accommodation

• Check flight prices to Mexico
• Check hotel and hostel prices

Tours and day trips in Mexico

• Mexico Travel Plan - Create your own trip with independent travel by bus or rental car, and learn even more about this wonderful country.
• Responsible Travel in Mexico - Trips and accommodation from the Yucatan peninsula to off-the-beaten track places.

This guide to travelling in Mexico was contributed by Mexico Travel Plan

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