What a sea in mexico. Cancun is a famous resort on the Caribbean Sea

I saw in Mexico both good and bad, and incomprehensible, and beautiful. The wonders of nature here merged with a difficult criminal environment, poverty and a low level of education, but I decided to focus only on the good during the trip. is a very picturesque country, more than half of which is simply dangerous for travel. Nevertheless, the white beaches of Cancun, the colonial architecture of Guanajato, Mexico City is one of the largest cities in the world, the Mayan pyramids and surfing in the Pacific Ocean lure tourists here from year to year.

I would like to say that Mexico is the ideal country for a vacation, but it is not. The disadvantages that are present here drive Mexico to the bottom of the list of resort countries, it is easily inferior to prosperous Turkey, European Spain, atmospheric Italy, vibrant Greece, amazing Australia, but it can still help you expand your horizons.

Still, one should not expect comfort and civilization from Mexico. European country, American service as in Miami or Italian hospitality. Mexico - controversial, dusty and dangerous in places, fantastic in places beautiful country, requiring some caution from tourists.

Beach vacation

It is also worth looking here in the format of a large Mexican tour, because a visa-free stay is given for a whole six months! In addition, if Quintana Roo does not suit you because of the low waves, it is better to go to the Pacific coast.

So, here you can not only relax on the beach, but also ride on high enough waves. It is best to choose a city for a stopover, and then from there, explore the various surfer spots that you may find to your liking. People come here for "wild Mexico" big waves Pacific Ocean or just fleeing from everyday life.

The best time to come here - summer. It is hot, fun, and a lot of tourists this time of year. True, in this part of the country you can find less developed beaches and resort cities with less developed infrastructure than in Quintana Roo.

California is bright and noisy, parties and bars

The peninsula belongs to Mexico and is divided into two parts - in the northern part, right at the border with, there is the city of Tijuana, where Americans come when they plan to drink much more alcohol than usual over the next week.

Alcohol in Mexico is much cheaper than in. People go to Tijuana just for cheap alcohol, noisy fun, nightclubs and bars. The season itself here starts from July 1 and lasts approximately until August 30, since most of the tourists are students.

In the southern part, there is the popular American resort of Cabo (Cabo San Lucas), which is also famous for noisy parties, nightclubs and bars open until the morning.

Weddings are held in expensive hotels in Cape, here you can see Hollywood stars on vacation, couples who came for an anniversary or honeymoon. Compared to Tijuana, Cabo is an elite resort. The season in Southern California begins June 1 and ends around November 1, with the warmest sea waters in August and September.

Historical regions

Mexico also has tourist regions with an emphasis on history and architecture. One of them belongs to the ancient Indian pyramids, the other - to the era of the colonial Spanish state.

Yucatan is the Mayan pyramids

You can climb the pyramid, meet the dawn in a hammock in the camp in front of it, have breakfast with a dish of real Mayan cuisine and immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the ancient world that has come down through the millennia in Yucatan.

The Yucatan Peninsula is famous not only for its beach resorts in the Quintana Roo region, but also for the sights of the Mayan era - pyramids, religious buildings, ancient buildings and cities.

It is in the Yucatan that Chichen Itza, Uxmal, Calakmul, Isamal, Akanseh, Bolonchen de Rejon are located. The Mayan city can also be conditionally attributed to this region. In general, people go to the Yucatan for history and mysticism. The best time to visit this region is in winter, as the heat subsides at this time of the year and long excursions become less tiring.

Guanajato - Colonial Empire

An amazing atmosphere awaits you in the small towns of central Mexico. Here, surprisingly, this country resembles the old quarters of cities in Europe.

But don't be surprised at the romantic narrow streets and traditional, well-preserved buildings in this part of the country. This region has been specially restored for tourists and shows Mexico as it could be, and not what it really is.

The Guanajato region has two very interesting cities- the eponymous Guanajato and San Miguel for those who want to visit Mexico for the sake of the colonial atmosphere, architecture, catholic churches and the special mood of the dark ages.

This area is located 250 km northwest of Mexico City and is not very popular with Europeans. Most of the tourists here are Mexicans and Americans. People come here for the atmosphere of the Middle Ages, narrow streets and authentic culture. The best season to visit the region is winter, also due to the fact that this time of year is not so hot.

Vacation with children

For Europeans, it is preferable to organize a vacation with children in Cancun. Usually there are direct flights here, direct or with one change, for example, in New York. Nevertheless, in general it remains one of the unfavorable places for families with children. Most of the Mexicans themselves, as well as Americans, use these resorts simply because of the lack of the opportunity to fly to Europe for the weekend, to Disneyland Paris, to the beautiful beaches of the Mediterranean or to sunny Turkey.

Despite the presence of a large number of fun places for families with children in the Quintana Roo region (, Tulum,), I would not recommend flying here with children (even with teenagers), because you can always give preference to a more civilized society and cleaner places.

And the beaches in Mexico are dirty enough to, in principle, not allow children to play on the sand, building sand castles, and the number of diseases and incidents of intestinal infections suggests that children are very, very vulnerable here.

Dangerous and non-tourist areas

Certain areas in central Mexico are strongly discouraged by the Ministry of Tourism for visiting foreigners. In this case, mind you, for any purpose, including tourism. Below is a map where these areas are marked in red and orange. First of all, they are famous for the increased drug traffic, there are numerous cases of child abduction, slave trade, clashes of armed gangs and cartels right on the streets, in ordinary areas.

Also, there is no pleasant beach holiday in Veracruz (huge sea ​​port, dirty water), Mazatlane (drug traffic), Puerto Vallarta (drug traffic, gangs, theft) for foreigners. It is worth visiting these regions only at your own peril and risk.

Mexico is an independent country in southern North America, located in the widest part of the isthmus south of the US border connecting two continents: North and South America... Area - 1.97 million km 2 (13th place in the world), population - 121 million people, density - 62 people / km 2. The capital is Mexico City, the major cities are Guadalajara, Puebla, Ecatepec de Morelos.

Geographic characteristics

Mexico is located in the territory east of the Tehuantepec isthmus, it includes part of the Yucatan Peninsula (12% of the country), the country occupies most of Central America. The area of ​​the country is 1.97 million km 2, including 6 thousand km 2 of the Pacific island territories (Guadeloupe and Revilla-Jihedo), islands in the Gulfs of Mexico and California, and the Caribbean Sea. The northern borders with the United States are 3141 km long, Mexico's southern neighbors are Guatemala and Belize (the length of the border is 871 km and 251 km, respectively).

Nature

The northern and central parts of the country lie within the Mexican Highlands, in the north turning into the plateau of the Great Plains in the United States. In the east, from north to south, stretches the Eastern Sierre Madre East mountain range, in the west in the same direction - the Western Sierre Madre, this is an extension of the Rocky Mountains, mostly located in the United States. In the center, from east to west, the ridges of the Trans-Mexican volcanic belt are stretched under common name Sierra Nevada. There are such Mountain peaks as stratovolcanoes Orizaba (5.7 thousand m, the highest point of the country) and Nevado de Toluca (4.6 thousand m), active volcano Popocatepetl (5.4 thousand m). The flat surfaces account for only a third of the country, the largest on the Yucatan Peninsula and the flat lowlands are located mainly in stripes along the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico ...

Rivers and lakes

More than 150 river streams flow through the territory of Mexico, most of them belong to the Pacific Ocean basin, 1/3 flows into the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. The largest river in Mexico, the Rio Bravo del Note (3034 km), originates in the United States and is called the Rio Grande there. It moisturizes the driest Mexican lands, along its bed in the north of the country, the border with the United States passes. Most of the rivers originating in the Western Sierra Madre are lost in the arid zone and disappear. Main river center of Mexico - Lerma, flows into the freshwater lake Chapala (area 1.1 thousand km 2, location - 45 km from the city of Guadalajara in the south-west of the country), carrying from it its waters to the Pacific Ocean under the name of Rio Grande de Santiago. Other large rivers- Balsas, Grihalva, Usumacinta, Conchos (the only tributary of the Rio Bravo del Note) ...

Ocean, bay and sea washing Mexico

The western part of Mexico is washed by the Gulf of California of the Pacific Ocean, the eastern part by the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean the Atlantic Ocean Basin ...

Plants and animals of Mexico

The variety of climatic conditions on the territory of the country determines the diversity of flora and fauna. In northern Mexico, in arid regions, a large number of cacti, agave, yucca, mesquite trees grow, wolves, coyotes, a large number of rattlesnakes and lizards live here. In hot tropical zones, dense tropical vegetation grows, represented by palms, rubber plants, olive trees. Oaks, pines and spruce trees grow on the mountain slopes, bears, cougars, ocelots, and jaguars are found. Seals, turtles, many birds live on the coasts of the oceans ...

Climate of mexico

The territory of Mexico lies in two climatic zones, its northern part is in the subtropical climatic zone, the rest of the country is in the tropical one.

Most of the northern territories on the border with the United States, from the Pacific Ocean to the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, and the central regions of the country are in arid conditions (the amount of precipitation is about 250-300 mm per year), in the south there is more precipitation, their amount reaches 600 in Mexico City mm, sufficient precipitation (up to 2000 mm) is received by the coast of the Gulf of Mexico and the land of Yucatan. The rainy season lasts from May to October; powerful tropical cyclones often occur here.

The climatic conditions of the country largely depend on the height above sea level and vary depending on this factor. The coastal plains 900 meters above sea level have a humid and hot climate (temperatures from +19 ° C to +49 ° C), this is the so-called hot zone. At an altitude of 900 to 1800 m, there is a temperate zone with temperatures of +17 ° C, +21 ° C, a cold region is located above, it is quite cool here - about +16 ° C ...

Resources

Natural resources of Mexico

Mexico has significant reserves of such fuel and energy resources as oil (the fourth largest in the world in the production of crude oil), natural gas, coking coal. Also, large reserves of iron ore, ores of non-ferrous and precious metals are concentrated here, Mexico has the 1st place in the world in the extraction and export of silver, fluorspar, the country is the world's main exporter of mercury, antimony, cadmium, zinc, manganese ...

Mexico is one of the developed industrial-agrarian countries with the most developed economies among the countries of Latin America. The leading branches of its industry are mining, energy, ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy, mechanical engineering, chemistry and oil refining, food and light industries.

Crop production is the leading branch of Mexican agriculture. The main crops grown are wheat, corn, soybeans, rice, beans, coffee, fruits, tomatoes, cotton ...

The culture

Peoples of Mexico

The culture of the Mexican people is a mixture of the Spanish culture and the pre-Columbian culture of the ancient Indian tribes (Aztecs, Mayans). The customs, traditions and beliefs of Catholic Europe peacefully coexist with the culture of the ancient Indian civilization. In the artistic arts of Mexico, frescoes, unique wall paintings, which were greatly influenced by the architecture and art of the Aztecs and Mayans, gained the greatest popularity and fame. Such famous Mexican artists as Diego Rivera and David Siqueiros worked in the fresco technique. The famous surrealist painter Frida Kahlo is originally from Mexico ...

As in any Catholic country, a very large number of religious holidays are celebrated in Mexico, the largest of them are Christmas, Easter, almost every village has its own patron saints, in honor of which local holidays are organized with songs, dances, carnival processions. One of the most amazing Mexican holidays, in which the beliefs and traditions of the ancient peoples of Mexico and their descendants are closely intertwined, is the Day of the Dead (November 1-2). This kind of purely Mexican holiday is dedicated to the memory of deceased people, it shows that death should be treated lightly and without fear. He does without tears and lamentations, on the contrary, this is one of the funniest days of the year, when after the traditional visit to the graves of their ancestors, people forget about their sorrows, wear bright carnival costumes, eat sweet skulls made of sugar glaze and entertain themselves and others with entertaining figures toy skeletons, which are the main characters of this holiday.

In which vacationers are waiting for chic sandy beaches, unusual vibrant cities and mysterious pyramids... Mexican resorts can be chosen for any, the most fastidious taste.

Many, having arrived here for the first time, cannot get rid of the feeling that they have already been here. And this is not surprising. After all, many have seen numerous commercials that were filmed in these heavenly places. Coconut trees, clean and warm sea ​​water, white sand and gentle sun - all this can be found on the coasts of Mexico.

Why do many people choose a vacation in Mexico?

Mexico is paradise A land where first-class resorts, tropical nature and five-star hotels are concentrated on a small part of the planet. Every year a huge number of tourists choose this particular country as their destination.

Mexico is a vacation on best coasts The Riviera Maya and Cancun are monuments of ancient civilizations, diving and fishing, tequila, surfing, disco, Mexican cuisine. This is the whole of Mexico, where smells, tastes, colors - everything is bright, juicy and clean. Just have time to enjoy.

It is a country with a variegated mixture of three cultures: Caribbean, Indian and Spanish. Mexico attracts tourists with interesting culture, history, exotic cuisine, amazing architecture. But most of the tourists come here because of the amazing coastline.

General characteristics of the beaches of Mexico

According to Mexican law, all beaches are state property, therefore, they are public.

Such sights of the country are divided into two large groups: the Caribbean coast and the Pacific coast.

The beaches of the Caribbean are known for their white sands, warm sea... Most of them are protected by reefs. This is Cancun.

The beaches on the Pacific coast are famous for surfing enthusiasts. In addition, they amaze with the beauty of their waters and huge waves.

The flavor of Mexico is the opportunity to combine relaxation on the beach and excursions to the ruins of ancient Indian cities. For example, the Tulum resort combines these unique features. Not far from it is famous resort ny complex which is considered the center of the Mayan Riviera.

Close to the Riviera is the world famous resort of Cancun, which offers nightlife, hotels and beautiful beaches. Near this resort is the island of Women, which is shrouded in romantic legends and stories.

Fans of a secluded relaxing holiday will find the beaches of the Pacific coast: Punta de Mita, Los Cabos, Huatulco, Costa Alegre. There are also places for surf lovers: Puerto Escondido and Oaxaca. And of course, the pearl of the Pacific coast - Acapulco, the most visited resort in the country.

All beaches in Mexico are free, public, sandy. On the territory of any of them there are numerous cafes and restaurants that offer to taste the unique Mexican dishes with an abundance of hot chili peppers and local spices.

The main component of all the coasts of Mexico is the safety of the bathers. Many of them are located in the open sea zone, and this creates the danger of underwater currents. A system for alerting vacationers about weather conditions has been adopted here:

• black or red flag - means danger, you cannot swim with them;
• yellow flag - indicates changing weather conditions, care must be taken;
• green - normal conditions, swimming is allowed;
• white - excellent conditions, you can practice any kind of water entertainment.

According to vacationers and tourists who leave reviews on the Internet, the best beaches in Mexico are: Cancun, Acapulco, Los Cabos, Cozumel, Riviera Maya beaches, Hidden Beach, Puerto Vallarta beaches.

Cancun

The most popular resort in Mexico, which is one of the ten most popular resorts in the world. It is located on the Yucatan Peninsula on a sand spit and is famous for its white sandy beaches, clear sea water and tropical exotic plants.

The resort is dotted with first-class hotels and inns. The recreational season is year-round here, the temperature difference between winter and summer period just a few degrees.

Cancun is divided into two parts: the city center and the hotel area. Local residents live in the center, the hotel area was built only for vacationers and tourists. There are over 50 five-star hotels in this area. Fitness centers and sport complexes, nightclubs and discos, as well as other entertainment facilities in the resort area.

The sand spit, on which Cancun is located, is divided into two components: short and long. The sea in the first part is calm and quiet. The coast of the long part of the spit is not sheltered from the ocean. So here all year round waves.

Acapulco

Another world famous resort in Mexico is Acapulco. It was in this resort that a huge number of beach TV series and romantic commercials were filmed and are being filmed. Acapulco is located near the capital of Mexico. Therefore, this resort is considered purely Mexican. A mild warm climate, sandy beaches, clear waters of lagoons - this is all the resort of Acapulco. The bay is one of the most beautiful bays in the world.

In addition, Acapulco is a city with a long history. In 1530 Spanish ships were built here. Acapulco in the 16th century was the second important port of the newly discovered territory.

Acapulco and Cancun are the oldest resorts in the country. But the Acapulco resort gained world fame only in the early 60s, when Hollywood stars began to visit Mexican beaches. This is the favorite resort of Robert de Niro and Madonna. It was the favorite vacation spot of Marilyn Monroe and other celebrities.

Acapulco is night resort... Carnival and entertainment nights that last until dawn. But apart from this life, the resort is known for a huge number of small beaches, often with isolated coves and hidden shores, where you can swim in solitude in silence, far from the hustle and bustle of large cities.

Los Cabos

Los Cabos is an elite young and expensive resort in the country. Mostly rich Americans come here to rest. Local residents practically none here. Los Cabos is famous for its white hotels, exotic nature, fishing and diving.

Elite golf courses are equipped here, safaris are organized by jeep in the desert, you can do any kind water sports... In addition, there are unique sand and coral reefs here. In any hotel you can buy a tour for first-class sea fishing: sail fish, marlin, black perch. From January to April, you can watch the whales from the shore that come here into the bay.

Cozumel

The biggest coral island Mexico. Almost the entire territory of the island is national reserve... The resort is unique in that the entire island is buried in the jungle, there are a lot of fishing huts on the beach, and the ruins of the Mayan civilization have been preserved.

The resort is also famous for its underwater world. This is one of the largest coral reefs (its length is about 700 kilometers under water), second in size only to the Great Coral Reef of Australia. This resort is loved by divers, both professionals and amateurs. In addition, the best and most dangerous diving sites in the world are located here - the many kilometers of underwater caves of Santa Rosa and Punta Sur.

The underwater world of the resort has about 700 species of reptiles, 220 species of amphibians, 200 species of tropical fish. At depth, divers can fully enjoy the beauty of the landscape and test themselves from a professional point of view.

Riviera Maya beaches

There are 6 beaches on the Riviera Maya coast. Each of them has its own flavor and its own unusual flavor: Maroma, Akumal, Tulum, Sian Caan, Boca Paila, Puerto Morelos.

Maroma is a beach on the Yucatan coast, from the Belize border to Cancun. Turquoise water and sandy white beaches, calm warm sea water, hectares of jungle. This is the most beautiful resort the world.

Akamul is two beaches: one in the Half Muun Bai Bay, the second in the Akumal Bai Bay. Coast with turquoise water, very calm water, but rich underwater world. The resort attracts with the opportunity to swim with turtles.

Tulum - white sand, ruins of Mayan fortifications, turquoise water - one of the best beaches Mexico. Here you can easily combine swimming and sunbathing on the coast with a visit to the ruins of an ancient settlement.

Sian Kaan is the beach of the Biosphere Reserve. They are a continuation of the Tulum resort complex. The coast is separated by mangroves. Suitable for secluded relaxation and communication with nature.

Boca Paila is one of the most romantic beaches in Mexico, where tropical idyll meets the beauty of the sea. Not far from the coast, Boca Paila's cottage is one of the best for fishing. In addition, it provides first-class services and comfortable rooms.

Puerto Morelos is a fishing village. Famous for its secluded beach. It is very wide, not crowded with tourists. Perfect place for relaxation and swimming in clean, transparent, calm water. Favorite place divers. The reefs are 500 meters away from the coast. Lovers of underwater depths are brought to the reefs by local fishermen.

Hidden beach

Off the coast of a small island in the Pacific Ocean is

It is located inside the cliffs of one of the islands of the Marieta archipelago and resembles a large pool, carved into a cave with an open top. It is called "hidden" because the walls of the cliffs block the beach from the outside world.

It is ideal for lovers and was originally called the "Beach of Love" in Mexico. Thanks to the Internet, this unique place has become famous all over the world.

Striking imagination and wealth underwater world... More than a hundred species of fish live here. You can see stingrays, sea turtles, octopuses, dolphins, humpback whales.

The easiest way to get to Marieta Island and Mexico's Hidden Beach is to join a guided tour. it Boat trip along the Marieta archipelago, which includes a visit to the romantic seaside.

The beaches of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Puerto Vallarta is a resort town located on the coast of Banderas Bay. The city was founded in 1851. Today its ancient buildings harmoniously coexist with modern ultra-fashionable hotels.

The resort is very popular with fans of diving, water sports, fishing and windsurfing.

There are about ten beaches on the coast of Puerto Vallarta. The most popular are Destiladeras and La Manzanilla. They are famous for a large number of tourists and a developed tourist infrastructure. But the most popular is Los Muertos Beach. It is the largest in the resort and is located near the old town.

The Internet is replete with numerous reviews about the beaches of Mexico. Tourists who have visited this country note that all places for recreation are very picturesque, the water is clean and transparent. It is also possible to combine a beach holiday with a cultural one. It's also a diving paradise.

All the resorts of Mexico with their history, ancient ruins, gastronomic exotic, turbulent nightlife, as well as the quiet, romantic coasts and lagoons, attract millions of tourists every year. Mexico is ideal for a romantic honeymoon or family vacation, or just for an unforgettable vacation on your own.

Television has shaped the image of Mexico as a very poor country, where drug cartels are constantly at war with each other. But in reality, this is not at all the case. Every year more than 20 million foreign tourists come to this country to see the unique monuments and pyramids of the Maya and Aztec Indians, ancient Spanish forts, colonial palaces, try unforgettable Mexican cuisine, and, of course, relax at the Mexican beach resorts, among which "shine »Acapulco and Cancun.

Geography of Mexico

Mexico is located in the south of North America. Mexico borders the United States in the north, and Guatemala and Belize in the southeast. In the southeast, the country is washed by the Caribbean Sea, in the east - by the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, and in the south and west - by the waters of the Pacific Ocean.

Mexico includes several islands in the Pacific Ocean, including the Revilla-Jihedo group of islands and Guadalupe Island. The total area of ​​this state, including the islands, is 1,972,550 sq. km., and the total length of the state border is 4 353 km.

From north to south through the territory of Mexico stretched mountain ranges Sierra Madre West and Sierra Madre East, they are located between the Mexican Highlands. The south is dominated by mountain system Sierra Madre South. The highest local peak is Mount Orizaba, whose height reaches 5,700 meters.

There is a fairly high seismic activity in Mexico. In addition, there are many volcanoes there, some of which are still active (for example, Colima and Parikutin).

The largest Mexican rivers are Usumacinta (560 km), Grihalva (480 km), Papaloapan (534 km), Coatzacoalcos (282 km).

Capital of mexico

Mexico City is the capital of Mexico. More than 9 million people now live in this city. Historians claim that Mexico City was founded by the Aztecs in 1325.

Official language

In Mexico, one official language is Spanish.

Religion

More than 82% of the inhabitants are Catholics, about 9% are Protestants.

State structure

According to the current Constitution, Mexico is a presidential republic in which the President is the head of state (he is elected by universal suffrage for 6 years).

The bicameral Mexican parliament is called Congress, it consists of the Senate (128 senators, elected for 6 years) and the Chamber of Deputies (500 members, elected for 3 years).

The main political parties are the Institutional Revolutionary Party, the National Action Party, the Democratic Revolution Party, the Green Party and the Labor Party.

Administratively Mexico is divided into 31 states and one federal district with the center in Mexico City.

Climate and weather

The climate is tropical and temperate, depending on the region and altitude in relation to sea level. On the Yucatan Peninsula, the average annual air temperature is + 26-30C.

The rainy season lasts from May to October. During the rest of the year, it also rains, but much less often. In general, you can rest in Mexico all year round, but it depends on the destinations where tourists want to go (some destinations are better to choose in certain months).

Average temperature in Cancun (Caribbean coast):

1. January - + 23C
2. February - + 23C
3. March - + 25C
4. April - + 26C
5. May - + 27C
6. June - + 28C
7. July - + 28C
8. August - + 28C
9. September - + 28C
10. October - + 27C
11. November - + 25C
12. December - + 24C

Seas and oceans of Mexico

In the southeast, the country is washed by the Caribbean Sea, and in the south and west - by the waters of the Pacific Ocean. total length coastline- 9 330 km.

Average sea temperature off the coast of Cancun (Caribbean coast):

1. January - + 26C
2. February - + 26C
3. March - + 26C
4. April - + 27C
5. May - + 28C
6. June - + 29C
7. July - + 29C
8. August - + 29C
9. September - + 29C
10. October - + 29С
11. November - + 28C
12. December - + 27C

Rivers and lakes

Several rather large rivers flow through the territory of Mexico - Usumacinta (560 km), Grihalva (480 km), Papaloapan (534 km), Coatzacoalcos (282 km). In the state of Guadalajara, at an altitude of 1524 meters above sea level, there is a freshwater lake Chapala with an area of ​​1,100 sq. km, the largest in this country.

History of Mexico

On the territory of modern Mexico, people settled several thousand years ago. In the early centuries of our century, several Indian tribes lived there, including the famous Maya, who created hieroglyphic writing, a calendar and grandiose pyramids. Around the 12th century, the Aztecs appeared there.

At the beginning of the 16th century, the Spanish conquistadors arrived in Mexico, led by Hernandez de Cordoba, Juan de Grijalva and Hernan Cortez. After some time, Mexico became part of the Viceroyalty of New Spain, and remained a Spanish colony until 1821.

In 1823, after a long war of independence, the Republic of Mexico was proclaimed. Throughout the 19th century, bloody wars took place on the territory of this country, as a result of which the Mexican states of Texas, New Mexico, and Upper California ceded to the United States.

Not without wars for Mexico and the beginning of the XX century. From 1910 to 1917, the civil war continued there. As a result, the dictatorship of Porfirio Diaz was overthrown and a Constitution was adopted, guaranteeing the separation of church from state, agrarian reform, the creation of trade unions, etc.

Since the 1950s, Mexico, where oil reserves are very large, began an economic recovery. In the mid-1980s, oil prices fell, and an economic and political crisis began in Mexico. Now this country is still experiencing economic problems, but the situation is quite stable.

The culture

The culture of Mexico was formed on the basis of the traditions of the Indians, and then it was strongly influenced by the Spaniards. Every Mexican city or village has its own festival in honor of a saint.

At the end of February, a grandiose Carnival takes place in Mexico City, usually lasting 5 days. All these 5 days, colorful processions with music and dancing take place along the streets of the Mexican capital.

On December 12, Mexico City and some other Mexican cities celebrate the Day of the Virgin Mary of Guadalupe, with a mass various events... On the metropolitan square, Basilica de Guadeloupe, colorful performances take place on this day.

September 16 is the most revered national Mexican holiday - Independence Day.

Kitchen

Mexican cuisine is famous all over the world. The main food items are corn, beans, rice and vegetables. Important ingredients for preparing Mexican dishes are spices and hot chili peppers.

The Mayan diet once consisted mainly of corn and some vegetables, spices, herbs and chili were used in the preparation of dishes. After the Spanish arrived in Mexico, the diet of the Indians was replenished with animal meat and fish. Thanks to the fusion of the culinary traditions of the Indians and the Spaniards, modern Mexican cuisine has been formed.

In the south of the country, the dishes are more spicy than in the north. By the way, in the south, tourists are usually offered chicken from meat dishes, and beef is more common in the north. In general, each region or city has its own special dish - "cochinita pibil" (Yucatan) and "huevos rancheros" (Sonora).

We recommend that tourists first inquire about what this or that dish is prepared from, because some of them may seem very exotic to Europeans. For example, you may be served "Chapulines" (fried grasshoppers) for lunch.

1. "Guacamole" - a sauce with fried tortilla pieces;
2. "Tacos Tortillas" - tortillas with different fillings (most often with meat filling);
3. Pozole - chicken or pork soup with corn and spices;
4. "Carnitas" - fried pork;
5. Chilaquiles - fried potatoes with tomatoes;
6. Sopes - cornmeal pie with chicken, cheese and hot sauce;
7. "Tostados" - tortilla with chicken, beans, tomatoes, onions, cream, cheese and hot sauce;
8. "Huachinango" - perch;
9. "Ceviche" - raw fish with lime juice (added to salad).
10. Pollo Pibil is a charcoal stew, marinated in spices and wrapped in banana leaves.

Traditional alcoholic drinks- beer, tequila, tepache (made from pineapple), tuba (fermented coconut juice) and pulque (fermented agave juice with a strength of 5-8 °).

Sights of mexico

Mexico now has several thousand archaeological, historical and architectural sites. The most famous of them are, of course, the Mayan and Aztec pyramids. But this country also has many medieval Spanish forts, churches and palaces. The top ten Mexican attractions, in our opinion, include the following:

• Pyramid of the sun
• Pyramid of the moon
• Pyramid at Cholula
• Pyramids of Mitle and Monte Alban
• The Mayan city of Chichen Itza
• Cathedral in Mexico City
• Cortés Palace in Mexico City
• National Palace in Mexico City
• Mayan city of Uxmal
• Mayan city of Palenque

Cities and resorts

The largest cities are Tijuana, Puebla, Ecatepec de Morelos, Leon, Ciudad Juarez, Monterrey, Zapopan, and of course Mexico City.

Tourists come to Mexico mainly for the beach holiday, although there are, of course, many historical sites left over from the pre-Columbian era. Most Popular Mexican beach resorts- Acapulco, Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Cozumel, Los Cabos, Mazatlan, Costa Maya and Zihuatanejo. Acapulco and Cancun are very popular among foreigners.

Some of the best Mexican beaches include, in our opinion, the following:

1. Cancun
2. Playa del carmen
3. Puerto Vallarta
4. Los Cabos
5. Tulum
6. Mazatlan
7. Cozumel
8. Huatulco

Souvenirs / shopping

Mexican souvenirs ("reminder") are probably best bought from roadside stalls and rural markets. Tourists buy ceramics in this country, a toy "Pinata" (an old game of the Aztecs), dresses, blouses, blankets and handmade carpets, leather goods (purses, wallets, belts, sandals), silver and coral products, cigars, chocolate, vanilla, various Mexican sauces, and, of course, tequila.

Opening hours of institutions

Banks:
Mon-Fri: 09: 00-17: 00
Some banks are also open on Sundays.

The shops:
Mon-Sat: 09: 30-20: 00
Supermarkets in Mexico City are open 7 days a week, with some of them open 24 hours a day.

Visa

Ukrainians need to apply for a visa to visit Mexico.

Currency

Mexico (Mexican United States) is a country on the North American continent. The Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of California wash the coast of Mexico in the west. The Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico roll their waters to the coast of Mexico in the east of the country. The Gulf of Mexico is the largest gulf on planet Earth with an area of ​​1.540 million square meters. km and a coastline length of more than 500 km. Mexico shares a land border with the United States in the north and east, and with Belize and Guatemala in the southeast. The country's currency is the Mexican Peso (MXN). The official language of Mexico is Spanish. In tourist areas - spoken Spanish and English, and in the hinterland - 59 local dialects of ethnic groups.

Visa for Mexico

Mexico is a federal republic of over 110 million people, made up of 31 states and one federal metropolitan area. The President is the head of the United Mexican States. Since 2017, a visa to Mexico for vacation for Russians is not required, but its analogue is needed - a tourist permit to enter and leave the country in electronic form (only for crossing the Mexican border by air). Electronic Mexican visa for citizens of Russia, Belarus and Ukraine for the purpose of tourist trip Is a form specially prepared for filling out on the website of the National Institute for Migration. The unique code on the printed document should be presented to the airline when buying a ticket to Mexico. The flight time from Moscow to Cancun resorts is more than 13 hours. If you are flying from Russia with a transfer in the Schengen countries, you need to find out whether you need to obtain a transport visa for transferring at the airports of other countries.

The capital of the United Mexican States is the megalopolis Mexico City with 16 boroughs, the highest population density in the world, and 20 million inhabitants. international Airport named after Benito Juarez is the main airport in Mexico City. Mexico is a country of five civilizations. It will be interesting for tourists to get acquainted with the myths, legends and ancient cultures of Mexico before the time of Columbus, which were left to the descendants of the Olmecs, Autecs, Mayans, Theotiucanians, and Toltecs. Mexico is the unspoken capital of silver in the mountain village of Taxco. Puebla is one of the major colonial cities in the country and the culinary capital of Mexico.

Mexico is the legendary port resort city of Acapulco, the Teotiucan eco-archaeological zone, the ancient Mayan Pyramids, swimming in the cenotes of Yucatan, natural and cultural attractions of the Yucatan Peninsula. Mexico is the fiery rhythms of Latin America, huge dance floors in Acapulco clubs and disco bars in the Cancun resort area.

Mexico is the 35-meter cliff of La Quebrada with a narrow deep gorge, as if going into the bowels of the earth, and the picturesque town of Santa Maria del Tula, with the widest tree in the world growing in these places (40 meters) and 2000 years old. A diverse country Mexico has a unique natural phenomenon - Yucatan cenotes. Cenote is a kind of well with transparent blue water, which was formed as a result of the collapse of the vault of the cave. Usually an underground river flows in the vicinity. Deep Cenote Ik-Kil in Mexico with lianas descending to the surface of the water is considered the most beautiful karst lake the Yucatan Peninsula.

The Gulf of Mexico, the warm waves of the Caribbean Sea and the vastness of the Pacific Ocean are the calling card of Mexico.

Resorts of Mexico

The climate of Mexico is different: in the north, the subtropical prevails, in the south of the country - the tropics. In sultry summer, the thermometer rises above +35 C, and in winter tends to +27 C. Mexico has several seasons in terms of precipitation: rainy (from June to September) and dry (November-April). The elements of hurricanes fall in August and September.

The best resorts of the Caribbean coast in Mexico: Riviera Maya, Cozumel Island and Playa del Carmen.

Pacific Ocean Resorts in Mexico: Acapulco, Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos.

All beaches in Mexico are public, free, sandy. For families with children, it is better to choose resorts in Mexico with a large green area in the hotels of the Princess, Iberostar, Riu chain in the Riviera Maya resort or in Playa del Carmen. Hotels in the Cancun resort are more high-rise, but with a small area.

Resorts of Mexico on the Caribbean coast

The resorts of Mexico are on the Gulf Coast, where you can explore the turquoise waters of Rio Lagartos by amphibious boats, which is considered one of the most attractive nature reserves of the Yucatan Peninsula. Mexico is a tour to the former Mayan settlement to the mysteries and antiquities of Ek-Balam. Tourist object the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico is the ancient pyramids of the city of Tulum and the pagan rites of Coba. Tanka Park is the most amazing entertainment program for tourists and the fantastically generous nature of Mexico with exotic exoticism. The Mexican Caribbean is the island of Women (Isla Mujeres) with the ruins of a pirate's estate and pelicans, the protected corners of the island of Contoy and the island of Cozumel with its unusual diving. Resorts of Mexico - this is an acquaintance with whale sharks off the Holbox Island on an ecological excursion (from May to September). Best Resort Mexico on the Caribbean coast presents the Interactive Aquarium of Cancun right in the Hotel Zone on the Spit.

Sultry Cancun on the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula is a young Mexican resort that has matured and attracted numerous tourists from the beaches of Hawaii and Miami. It is important for travelers to the exotic of Mexico to unravel the secret of this success? Tourists are welcomed and loved in Cancun. Comfortable buses with air conditioning and TVs are everywhere here. Cancun International Airport is the first to welcome tourists to travel in Mexico. During the Christmas season in Cancun, the heat is +30 C, and there are snowdrifts in Canada, America and Russia. , which is its 140 kilometer resort area stretched along the Caribbean coast to the town of Tulum. The resort tourist area of ​​the Riviera Maya is extended by the Caribbean coastline south of Cancun with beautiful landscaped beaches and a whole scattering of luxury 5 * and less expensive hotels with a green area. The Playa del Carmen resort is located five kilometers from the entertainment.

Thanks to investments in the Cancun project, one of the most expensive resorts in Mexico was built here on the site of a fishing village from scratch. A hotel room on the first coastline costs from $ 120. The Cancun resort is shocking with its unusual beauty and wide sandy Spit in the form of the number 7. All tourists live in the hotel area on the Spit, washed on both sides by the Caribbean Sea. The entire Cancun Hotel Zone seems to have left the pages of a glossy travel booklet. High-rise snow-white buildings of luxury hotels, luxurious well-groomed beaches, mown lawns, cleanliness and order everywhere - this is how tourists see Cancun. All the charm of Cancun is in the warm Caribbean Sea: your feet themselves carry you to the gentle wave. The sea breathes and lives its resort life like a precious stone aquamarine, which plays in the sun in all shades of blue. The rest of Cancun is poorer, non-touristy areas.

Resorts of Mexico on the Pacific coast

The resorts of Mexico on the Pacific coast are the birth of a majestic melody of relaxation. Here, tourists have a hidden reverence for the mysterious power of the Pacific Ocean.

The seaport resort town of Acapulco is the resort for chic shows and nightlife in Mexico. Acapulco's tourist life is in full swing on the shores of the Pie de la Cuesta lagoon and the sand spit on the northern outskirts of the city, 25 km from the resort center. There are more than 20 wide municipal beaches for every mood.

Los Cabos presents a new prestigious resort on the Pacific coast. It is not as humid here as in Cancun. The Los Cabos resort is young and a little naive.

Capital Mexico City

Mexico City is the second largest metropolis in the world after Tokyo. Mexico City is a metropolitan federal district. Mexico City is a city with a special energy almost in the very center of the country. Mexico City is not located on the coast, but at an altitude of more than 2,200 meters above sea level in a high mountain valley. Mexico City is the capital of a state with an Olympic legacy.

Two centers in Mexico City are World Heritage Sites:

• Historical - with the Square of Three Cultures and the Square of the Constitution;
• Ecological Park Xochimilco on the shores of the lake of the same name with its 170 km strip of canals and floating gardens, 18 km from the center.

The Palace of Fine Arts is a visiting card of Mexico City. The ultra-modern skyscrapers of Mexico City coexist with the ancient pyramids of the Aztecs. Mexico City presents the main tourist centre country.

The main attractions of Mexico City:

• Zocalo square - acquaintance with historic center cities;
• Tenochtitlan - the ruins of an ancient city and ritual center of the Aztecs;
• Museum on the site of the Templo Major pyramid and the site of new archaeological finds;
• National Presidential Palace;
• The main Catholic Cathedral of Mexico;
• Anthropological Museum Mexico City - the largest collection of museum exhibits in Latin America and acquaintance with the Indian past of the country.

Holidays in Mexico give you the opportunity to bow to the time before the Columbian era and try to unravel the mystery of the ghostly flame. Improvise, color your life with new impressions of the country of Mexico and bright colors of the Mexican summer!