According to the World Tourism Organisation (WTO), Mexico ranks as the seventh major tourist destination in the world, and for good reason. It offers spectacular palm fringed beaches, snowy mountains in the Sierras, steamy rainforests in the southeast, dry deserts in the northwest, and friendly and welcoming haciendas and Mexico hotels throughout. There are also pyramids, museums and archaeological heritage sites and Mayan ruins for those interested in history.
Some of the world's most popular tourist destinations such as Cancun, Acapulco, Los Cabos, and Cozumel are found in Mexico.
Mexico provides a huge variety of options and there is simply so much to see and do in Mexico. From a 1300 year old Mayan palace in Palenque to the vibrant nightclubs of Guadalajara, from a variety of parrots and monkeys in the emerald green tropical forests to kayak rides at dawn alongside a family of sea lions in Baja California, Mexico offers some unique experiences. There are palm fringed pristine white beaches along both the Pacific Coast and Caribbean Sea that provide both tranquillity and adventure, while fusion restaurants in Mexico City offer unusual gastronomic experiences from salmon enchiladas to chrysanthemum salad.
Mexico is situated in North America and lies sandwiched between the United States of America in the north and Belize and Guatemala in the southeast. The Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico define the country's coastline in the east and the western coast of Mexico is defined by the Pacific Ocean. It straddles the tropical as well as the temperate zone and has a coastline that stretches over 10000 kilometres. Numerous tiny villages (pueblos) all over the country along with over 19 million people in the capital, Mexico City, make up a sizeable population. Take a look at our Mexico map to get your bearings and choose a hotel in Mexico based on its location.
Haciendas and hotels in mexico, along with other symbols of fine architecture stand alongside 21st century cities. A coastline of 6000 miles offers adventure sports and fishing opportunities. Golf courses all over the country, art galleries, fusion restaurants and warm people also help make Mexico an attractive destination. Taking a tour in Mexico is a great way of exploring this vibrant country and getting the most out of your holiday.
There is an interesting story behind how Mexico got its name. It is said that Mexico gets its name from Mĕxihtli which is the secret name for Huitzilopochtli, the God of War and the patron of the Aztecs. Mĕxihco then means "Place where Mĕxihtli lives". There is also another story behind the name Mexico which believes that the word Mĕxihco is derived from mĕtztli which means ‘moon', xictli which means ‘son, centre or navel' and co which means place. Mexico is the "Place at the centre of the moon" or "Place at the centre of the Lake Moon"; the Lake in question being Lake Texcoco.
Mexico is very popular with tourists and the previous year had over 20 million tourists visiting the country. Most of the tourist activity is concentrated around the beach resorts and luxury Mexico hotels and the highlands (altiplano) of central Mexico. Tourists who want to experience the less travelled road venture into the interiors of North Mexico. The modern beach resorts of Puerto Vallarta and Cancun and the Baja peninsula are more popular with the Americans while the Europeans prefer small resort and Mexico hotel areas in the south like San Cristobal de las Casas and Playa del Carmen.
The multi billion dollar tourism industry caters not only to the comfort loving tourist but also to the adventurer who is willing to rough it out. Community tourism, ecotourism and activity based tours in Mexico are developing rapidly in rural Mexico. Today, tourists can experience the wild beauty of Mexico and even interact with indigenous communities on a locally run Mexico tour. They can go canoeing near Monterrey, trek in the cloud forests of Oaxaca, go snorkelling in the coral reefs of Yucatán or pick up a few culinary tips from the locals in Veracruz.
Mexico has a very vibrant and bohemian student community which is reviving Mexican art, music, design and films. There is a renewed and well deserved interest and acclaim for Mexican style, design and art from the international community. Mexican hotels boast of a tasteful and appealing decor which combines traditional and contemporary elements with that dash of vibrant colours, which Mexico has always been famous for.
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