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Mexico

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Mexico's tourist industry accounts for a significant portion of the nation's economy. When it comes to vacation destinations, Mexico is often chosen because of its natural beauty, and timeless historical value. While films like "The Ruins", giving out the "Traveler's Beware!" message, do their best to discourage young tourists, Mexico still attracts a huge amount of spring breakers around Easter. College students from all over the United States, Canada, and sometimes even from countries overseas, come just to lounge in the sun on beautiful beaches, flirt, party, and participate in all sorts of sports, including the traditional bets on who will eat the worm in the tequila bottle. If you prefer to take things a little more slowly, don't worry, there are plenty of things to do in this lovely country that don't require you to be inebriated, and that do not cause hangovers.

Some of the most beautiful sites in Mexico aren't on the beaches, but are hidden further in, in the beautiful green jungles, reminiscent of tropical splendor from ages past. The Meso-American Ruins, consisting of pyramids, temples, one even called a "castle", are ancient windows into the historical culture of the Aztec, Mayan, and Olmec cultures. The most popular locations are on archaeological dig sites still in progress, and there are some open to the public: Malinalco, Chichen-Itzá, Tulum, Monte Albán, Calakmul and Edzná, Palenque, Xochicalco, Teotihuacan. Don't let the historical and antique opportunities for a Mexican vacation consume your whole trip, however. There is still plenty left in Mexico to do! Seek out destinations such as the Palace of Fine Arts, in Mexico City -famous for its opulent construction, and numerous famous murals by artists such as Diego Rivera, and José Clemente Orozco.

If you prefer luxury and ease over the bustle of a city or crowds of tourists, some of the most beautiful beaches in the world are in Mexico, i.e., Cancun, and Playa del Carmen, in Quintana Roo, or the Baja California (Sur) beaches of Cabo San Lucas, Ensenada, among many others.

Quick Facts

Destinations

Playa del Carmen Playa Del Carmen is one of Mexico's best kept secrets, and is attracting more and more attention - more publicity than the town actually wants. Literally Playa, as it's called by the locals and familiar visitors, has been regulated so that it doesn't become over-populated and tourist reliant. Despit...

Puerto Vallarta The western coast of Mexico is dominated by the City of Puerto Vallarta; covering a total area of just over 502 square miles and with a population of 220,368 inhabitants or 'Vallartense'. This extremely well developed and bustling coastal city lies right in the heart of Banderas bay, looking out to ...