This large country whose capital, Mexico City, is one of the largest countries in the world and also boasts of a lot of wonders. If you are a nature-tripper who would love to spend your time on the beach or on the green, Mexico will appeal to your taste. If you fancy ancient architecture, you would be pleased to know that Mexico is just the right place for you.

1.) Rio Grande Rivers

Rivers are abundant in Mexico. The biggest of the Mexican rivers and of all the rivers in the world is the Rio Grande. It serves as a separator between Mexico and the USA, and it is also known as Rio Bravo in Mexico, a river that is popular for thrill-seeking tourists.

2.) Sierra Madre Occidental and Sierra Madre Oriental

There are two mountain ranges that run across Mexico, and these are Sierra Madre Occidental and Sierra Madre Oriental. Both are known for their majestic height and beauty. While here, make sure that you take a visit to this place for you to see these mountain ranges.

3.) Oaxaca Plateau

Situated in Oaxaca in Southwest Mexico, the Oaxaca Plateau is more than just a wonder of nature. It is also where the early Zapotecs, one of the predecessors of the Mexicans, built an ancient city. As such, Oaxaca Plateua remains to be one of Mexico's greatest treasures.

4.) Isla Mujeres

You will be excited to know that the Caribbean Sea is actually a nearby neighbor of Mexico. Isla Mujeres is one of those beautiful islands whose beauty is partly thanks to the Caribbean seas. Aside from a perfect place to sunbathe, Isla Mujeres was also actually part of the Mayan civilization.

5.) Internationally recognized beaches

Beaches are aplenty in Mexico. You will definitely want to visit at least one of the Mexican beaches - prided by the Mexicans for its pristine waters and precious sand. These beaches are good places for you to hang out, sunbathe or swim in.

6.) Bull fighting

The Mexicans have this rich cultural heritage that has been remarkably well preserved. Until now, traditional practices such as the bull fighting are still being exercised. You will do well to witness at least one of these cultural events.

7.) Day of the Dead or El Dia de los Muertos

Mexicans love to celebrate, and one of their most cherished celebrations is the El Dia de los Muertos, a day meant to commemorate the people who have passed over. The celebration is marked with a festive mood. Colorful costumes, food and flowers mark this event.

8.) Nuestra Señora del Carmen

The cathedrals in Mexico are of high value, just as much as religion is a big part of a Mexican's life. Your visit to Nuestra Señora del Carmen will grant you witness to the "Doorway of the Archangels." This is a world-famous altarpiece that is alluded to as the doorway of the angels.

9.) Maya City of Tulum

Marvel at the beauty and glory of Mayan civilization through the ruins of their city. You can find this in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. Aside from ancient and well-preserved structures, the Maya City of Tulum is also where you can find preserved objects and tools used by the ancient people of Maya.

10.) Pyramids of Teotihuacan

A few minutes drive away from Mexico City will bring you to the Pyramids of Teotihuacan, one of the ancient ruins of early Aztec civilization in the place. In here are some of the largest buildings and pyramids built by the ancient Aztec people. Some of the most noteworthy parts of Teotihuacan, aside from the pyramids, include the Avenue of the Dead and the Pyramid of the Moon.

By: Jonathan Williams
Jonathan Williams is the travel writer for Destination Guide TV - the place to share travel videos. Visit http://www.DestinationGuide.tv/Mexico to view or share Mexico travel videos.

Driving your own vehicle through Mexico or renting one to drive while on vacation can provide a wonderful, go-at-your-own-pace type of experience. That being said there are several things you should be aware off if you drive while on vacation in Mexico.
It is advisable to avoid driving at night in Mexico. Many of the smaller two-lane roads will have livestock issues that could be dangerous and most assaults that would happen on the roads would certainly happen at night. Be aware that most tourist deaths that happen in Mexico involve automobile accidents.

Some good health tips

Before you even leave for your vacation in Mexico be sure to hydrate yourself by drinking lots of fluids. Once you arrive at your destination be sure to drink only distilled or bottled water. Climate and altitude changes can have an effect on your body. Give your body time to acclimatize to its new environment and don't go overboard your first day in Mexico. Eat sparingly the first day and only what your body is fairly familiar with. Make sure that any fruits or vegetables that you purchase get washed in distilled or bottled water and peel them if possible.

Try to avoid over-indulgences of alcohol while in Mexico, as this will lower your body's resistance to disease and raise the risk that you may become ill. If you do feel like you are coming down with something seek medical attention immediately and avoid contact with the general population. This is especially true if you are on a cruise ship or staying at a resort that has buffet dining. Besides, you want to be able to remember the great times that you had on vacation, so drinking in moderation would be a good way to keep your senses keen.

The things you should have with you

It is advisable for you to take your driver's license with you into Mexico, especially if you plan on driving or renting a car. Many times a driver's license is required when chartering a boat or renting water sports equipment. A copy of your birth certificate should also be one of the important documents that travel with you. If any unfortunate circumstance comes up, these documents will be essential.

Don't forget to take any medications that you may need while you are on vacation and if you have a prescribed medication, be sure that the prescription medication labels are legible and that they have your name on them. Sunscreen is also an essential item to pack because the sunshine down south in Mexico is more intense than in most places in the United States and you may sunburn easier than you think.

As you plan and make lists on what to pack for your trip, remember that it pays to be prepared. This way, when you begin to pack for your vacation to Mexico you will remember to pack the essentials first and then you can include your assortment of cabana wear, your rhinestone flip flops and those loud Hawaiian shirts.

By: Sammy Maseko
Let's access more information from this online travel guide by visiting this link: Travel Information Guide.

Submitted by:
Rebecca Thornton
Law - USA

Travelers to the state of Oaxaca frequently inquire about the drive from the City of Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido and other coastal destinations, expressing concerns about the length of the trip, quality of the highways, and the overall advisability of driving versus flying or bussing. This essay speaks to the doubts tourists might have regarding the journey using their own or a rental vehicle.

We've driven the three main routes on a number of occasions over the past several years, at different times of the year. I've written elsewhere about highway 190 to Huatulco. That road, the easiest to navigate, takes you at least a couple of hours out of your way, south, and is therefore not the most advisable unless of course you plan to visit Salina Cruz or Huatulco anyway. By contrast, highway 175 through Pochutla, and then north on highway 200 to Oaxaca, takes about 6 hours (I tend to drive fast, and stop about 3 times during a trip) and is the most interesting and a relatively easy drive. Highway 131 is the most direct and quickest route, albeit with its downsides.

I will provide details of the 175 route driving to Puerto, and 131 by way of return route, in terms of what to expect regarding landscapes, towns and villages, and highway characteristics. A schedule of times and distances between particular towns appears as an appendix, providing a quick-and-easy summary of road conditions for each segment of the journey. However, for this trip we stopped more than usual along 131, so keep in mind that without any lengthy stops it should take about an hour less.

PREMIMINARY ADVICE

Sixteen years of traveling these routes have been incident free, attributable in part to following four simple rules:

1) Drive only during daytime. While the roads are paved and generally good, and in fact many of the bridges are freshly painted white, lighting is an issue. More importantly, there's much more of a risk when driving at night of encountering inebriated drivers and pedestrians, and animals.

2) Start out with a full tank of gas. While there are gas stations en route, and signs advertising mechanics and gasoline along the roadways, by not having to make a stop to fill up, you have an opportunity to make other stops along the way, more productive than stopping to simply top up. The trip to the coast takes well less than a tank of gas.

3) While stating the obvious, make sure you've had the mechanical fitness, and oil and water levels of the car checked before leaving. Brakes, tires and steering are the most important for negotiating the portions of highway with mountain switchbacks.

4) Regardless of time of year, take a jacket, sweater or sweatshirt since you'll be climbing to about 9,000 feet on route 175. If you tend to be susceptible to motion sickness, take along anti-nausea medication.

ROUTE 175

Oaxaca to Ocotlan: Takes about 40 minutes, initially with urban sprawl out of the city, and then gently rolling hills with a few strong curves, vegetation predominantly agave and corn under cultivation. Passes by the villages producing black pottery (San Bartolo Coyotepec), alebrijes (San Martin Tilcajete), and cotton textiles (Santo Tomas Jalieza). In Ocotlan, noted for its Friday market, you'll find clay painted figures of the Aguilar sisters, the workshop of knife maker Angel Aguilar, and tributes to artist Rodolfo Morales...his home and foundation, mural at the municipal offices, and museum featuring his and earlier works.

Ocotlan to Ejutla: Takes about 25 minutes, with long easy straight-aways and occasional curves and gentle hills. Once again agave and some corn, with a number of outcrops of carriso (river reed used for making ceilings, roofs and fences). Known for its Thursday market, with sale of animal skins. You can easily avoid going into Ejutla by taking the well-marked bypass.

Ejutla to Mihuatlan: Takes about 35 minutes, with more pronounced curves and hills, and easy-to-navigate peaks and valleys through similar vegetation and some mixed brush. Good idea to take your Dramamine or Gravol about 15 minutes into this portion of the trip. While there is no specific bypass, it's not necessary to enter the main downtown section of town. Just keep going straight and the highway takes you out of the city.

Mihuatlan to San Jose del Pacífico: Takes about 50 minutes. Leaving Mihuatlan you'll see the impressive mountain range in front of you, which you quickly begin to climb. You'll note the temperature change quite readily, as you witness the dramatic change in vegetation. In addition to deciduous trees including scrub oak, you'll see an abundance of conifers, mainly pine. The agave changes from espadín under cultivation, to very different and impressive wild varieties along the side of the road, growing from rock outcrops, some reaching an immense size, with stock (chiote) shooting up from its core dwarfing many of the surrounding trees. This segment of the trip, and the next with descent to Pochutla, are characterized predominantly by significant mountain switchbacks. You'll see roadside eateries, booths with alebrijes for sale, and small cottage-industry lumber and firewood producers. San Jose del Pacífico is noted for the sale of locally harvested hallucinogenic mushrooms, in particular during the rainy season, and therefore you'll come across roadside workshops selling hand-made wooden mushrooms as well as other hand-crafted products. You can rent a cabin if you wish to break up the trip and spend the night. Clean accommodations, with private bath, start at about 300 pesos. There's well-marked signage alongside the highway. Some are more modern and advertise satellite TV and other facilities. There are a few restaurants, grocery stores, bakery, etc. It's a relaxing way to spend a few hours, perhaps hiking up the dirt roads where most residents tend to live.

San Jose del Pacífico to Pochutla: You'll continue to climb for about another 10 minutes until you reach El Manzanal, then begin the descent. This portion of the trip takes about two hours and 25 minutes. The ride down is initially quite gradual, and then more pronounced once you reach San Miguel Suchixtepec, a picturesque village with large impressive church, and homes strung out along a few hilly mountain roads. You'll begin to detect another significant temperature change, depending on the facing of the portion of mountain you are descending relative to the sun. At different portions of the stretch you'll pass by a couple of waterfalls and three or four smaller rivulets spilling across the highway, goats and donkeys, home construction of wood, pine cones on the roadway, brilliant orange flowered bromeliads, wild orchids, large expanses of boston-like ferns, and perhaps one or two patches of fog. For several kilometers you'll encounter a sweet smell similar to that of maple syrup. Because of the steep descent, you may even detect the smell of burning rubber, but don't worry, it's likely a truck up ahead having brake problems. At about four hours into the trip you'll begin to hear tropical insect and bird sounds and calls, and see bananas and sugar cane under cultivation and for sale, with coffee and honey also offered at roadside stands. On the approach to Pochutla the roadway will then gradually straighten out, with curves much easier to navigate. Tropical grasses predominate the roadside landscapes. An indication that you're getting closer with be blown sand encroaching part of the roadway, and finally a sign stating "Iguana Hunting Prohibited." A short while later you'll see the sign pointing to the right for the Puerto Escondido bypass.

Pochutla to Puerto Escondido: Takes about an hour. Highway 175 ends at a "Y", so veer to the right and you're on highway 200, following along the Pacific. However, you won't be able to see the ocean for about 40 minutes. You'll pass by the exit to Puerto Ángel, Mazunte and Zipolite. The entire final leg of the trip is basically straight and flat. For the last half hour or so you'll see mango, papaya and coconut under cultivation.

ROUTE 131

Aside from the fact that this route should be quicker than 175, and is about 50 km shorter, there are other differences to note, in addition to similarities:

1) While 175 is predominantly a single ascent, and then descent, 131 consists of several hills and valleys which must be negotiated, on a couple of occasions arriving in a town at the bottom of a valley, and then again beginning to climb. This may contribute to the roller-coaster effect on your stomach.

2) The road quality is inferior on 131, in particular for about an hour in the approach to San Gabriel Mixtepec and thereafter, with potholes, poor attempts to repave, etc. However, until around the end of 2006 it was far worse. Now there are long stretches of fresh, new tar, and improvements continue.

3) Immediately upon leaving Puerto you begin an ascent, so there is no gradual departure from the tropical climate.

4) Much of the vegetation found on 175 is the same along 131, although it is less defined, in part because you do not climb to same altitude as on 175, and there are really no significant micro-climates which manifest in extremes of vegetation and particular commercial enterprise. Waterfalls are abundant, and landscapes are impressive, perhaps less so than on the other highway. There is much more livestock along the sides of the roadway than on route 175, predominantly donkeys and mules, so be a bit more vigilant.

Puerto Escondido to San Gabriel Mixtepec: Takes about an hour, with switchbacks and the climb commencing almost immediately. Take your meds as you leave the coast. As suggested earlier, there are peaks and valleys along this portion of the route. The patchwork of road repairs becomes apparent rather readily. Roadside coconut stands predominate initially. You'll then begin to welcome the maple essence, in fact off and on for three or four hours as your journey continues. The village is quaint, with grocery stores, a major pharmacy and several restaurants.

San Gabriel Mixtepec to Cerro del Vidrio: This portion of the trip, just over an hour, is a net incline, not without several ascents and descents of mountain passes. At km 55 you'll pass the exit to a well-known coffee plantation, Finca Las Nieves. Just before arriving at Cerro del Vidrio you'll start a gradual descent, arriving in the town after about 10 minutes. This is where traffic turns off to go to Juquila (about a 45 minute detour), famous for the appearance of the Virgin of Juquila. Cerro del Vidrio developed much more rapidly once Oaxacans began making pilgrimages to Juquila. In fact along the entire 131 route you'll see vehicles with gladioli tacked onto the front on either side of the license plate, along with a framed image of the virgin. Right at the turn-off you'll encounter several vendors of fruit and memelitas filled with beans.

Cerro del Vidrio to San Pedro Juchatengo: Takes about 40 minutes, and terminates at the bottom of the largest valley you'll encounter. Switchbacks. Upon arrival you'll begin to see corn under cultivation, as well as some agave. The town boasts swimming in El Rio de Las Flores, as well as an ecological preserve.

San Pedro Juchatengo to Sola de Vega: You'll continue negotiating strong switchbacks, initially following along the banks of the river, then deviating, and finally climbing until the pinnacle, "El Mirador," where a small restaurant, rest stop and mezcal outlet are situate. You will have already begun to notice three different types of agave under cultivation, for mezcal production. You'll then descend to Sola de Vega, arriving after about an hour and twenty minutes, now encountering some corn, and even banana trees. Sola de Vega is noted for its mezcal, and historically for its occupation by the French during colonial times.

Sola de Vega to Oaxaca: This final leg of the trip takes just under two hours, initially marked by climbing, albeit much easier to navigate, and then again peaks and valleys, much softer than during the first couple of hours of the return route. At km 181 you'll see the cutoff to San Sebastián de Las Grutas, 13 km off to the left, where there are a series of caves you can hike. By km 190 the road will have straightened out, and for the balance of the trip, another 60 kilometers, there will be rolling straight-aways, the agave fields diminishing in number as corn becomes the predominate crop, with outcrops of carriso, some cactus under cultivation, and roadside stands selling sugar cane. By now the temperature will have risen and stabilized at typical Oaxaca valley climate. Your approach to the city will be marked by the same urban sprawl as when you left.

CONCLUSION

I highly recommend driving these routes. Consider taking an extra day so you can stop at some of the sites and villages, perhaps at a couple of mezcal operations, or just to get out of the car and take a stroll. Spending one overnight will help you to get a feel for rural Oaxaca, and add immeasurably to the totality of your vacation. San Jose del Pacífico gets my vote since it's seemingly a bit more geared to ecotourism than the other towns and villages en route, although there are other quaint, interesting stopovers, where tourists don't normally stop for the night, which might lead to even a more interesting sojourn. .

APPENDIX

ROUTE 175

Oaxaca to Octotlán, 40 min and 33 km; Ocotlán to Ejutla, 25 min and 25 km; Ejutla to Mihuatlán, 38 min and 40 km; Mihuatlán to San Jose del Pacífico, 50 min and 36 km; San Jose del Pacífico to Pochutla, 145 min and 100 km; Pochutla to Puerto Escondido, 55 min and 69 km.

ROUTE 131

Segment

Puerto Escondido to San Gabriel Mixtepec, 60 min and 42 km; San Gabriel Mixtepec to Cerro del Vidrio, 70 min and 38 km; Cerro del Vidrio to San Pedro Juchatengo, 40 min and 24 km; San Pedro Juchatengo to Sola de Vega, 80 min and 50 km; Sola de Vega to Oaxaca, 120 min and 93 km.

By: Alvin Starkman
Alvin Starkman together with wife Arlene operates Casa Machaya Oaxaca Bed & Breakfast http://www.oaxacadream.com. Alvin received his masters in social anthropology in 1978, and his law degree in 1984. Thereafter he was a litigator in Toronto until taking early retirement. He and his family were frequent visitors to Oaxaca between 1991 and when they became permanent residents in 2004. Alvin reviews restaurants, writes about life and cultural traditions in Oaxaca, and tours couples and families to the villages.

Submitted by:
George Snedrow
Free Reverse People Search Directories

Mexico is a country that has always occupied a special place among the world's most popular tourist destinations. Its many treasures are of course known and loved by the countless thousands of people who have already experienced them, but Mexico has a way of enticing even those who have not had the opportunity to visit the country yet.

There are several places in Mexico that have contributed to the charm and allure of the country, among them: Acapulco, Puerto Vallarta and Mexico City. All of these have done their share in building the "Mexico mystique" and are definitely some of the more worthwhile places to visit in the country. There is however another area that somehow stands apart from all the rest and that is the area known as Baja California.

Baja California is a peninsula that juts out into the Pacific Ocean from the southern end of California. As you may well imagine given this location, Baja California is gifted with spectacular seascapes, making it an ideal destination for myriad different water based leisure activities. In fact, the area has attracted thousands of surfers and sailing enthusiasts over the years, in addition to the hordes of college students from the U.S. who have made Baja California their unofficial home away from home during spring break.

The water is by no means the only place to have fun in Baja California. In fact, with the sheer number of things to do and places to see, you may find yourself overwhelmed if you try to take them all in! The best thing to do is to plan your visit around one or two major activities-diving or whale watching for example-and plan for smaller, shorter deviations throughout your stay. Of course, if you are up to the challenge you may just decide to see as much of the area as you possibly can!

We've already mentioned the water and how much fun you can have in or around it: there's scuba diving, fishing, wind surfing, snorkeling, kayaking, swimming, and even just lounging around in the sun and sand. There are other things to do in Baja California without even having to get wet however. For starters, there is cycling or even mountain biking. The highway that stretches from Tijuana to Cabo San Lucas is a particularly popular route and attracts many cyclists every year. If you are interested in traveling the less beaten path, there are numerous dirt road trails all over La Paz, Loreto, San Jose del Cabo and Todos Santos that will test the limits of both you and your bike! Of course if you want to get around at a slower pace, you can always go for a hike on the many trails in the San Pedro Martir National Park or in the Sierra Lagunas.

We've only just begun to scratch the surface of all the treasures that lie in wait for you in Baja California. Visiting this naturally rich and diverse spot will surely unearth a lot more for you to discover.

Baja California Mexico real estate, 45 luxury beachfront condominiums in Real del Mar just 18 miles from the San Diego border.

By: Mikhail Tuknov
Baja California Mexico real estate, 45 luxury beachfront condominiums in Real del Mar just 18 miles from the San Diego border.

Submitted by:
Paul Shad
Travel Destinations from Knowledge Is Power

Mexico; formerly known as Estados Unidos Mexicanos (United Mexican State) has 1500 mile long border with the US, and is situated in North America. The total area of Mexico country is 750,000 sq. miles. It is said that Mexico is the ‘Paradise for Tourists’.

Deserts, snow-capped volcanoes of Popocatépetl and Ixtaccíhuatl, crowded modernized cities, ostentatious resorts, lovely white-sand beaches and a marvelous collection of flora and fauna are the attractions for the tourists. Each year about 4-5 million tourists visit Mexico. A journey to Mexico might not be expensive, unlike other countries of the world. There are hotels, transportation and food available at variable rates. Mexico City, Acapulco, Cancun, Guadalajara, Playa Del Carmen, Merida are the cities, towns and villages of Mexico.

Mexico City
Mexico City is the world’s largest city, located at Tenochtitlan-The Capital City built by Aztecs. This international city has got sight-seeing places like parks, museums, huge colonial buildings, an Aztec pyramid, restaurants, resorts and lovely nights. If you do not like to enjoy these places, then you can roam about on the roads, face polluted air, traffic jams and a large Mexican population, 24 hours a day.

In Mexico City, there are many places to visit like, Zocalo Chapultepec Museum, Guadalupe Shrine, Tulancingo, Pyramid of Niches, you can also take a boat ride at Xochimilco.

ACAPULCO
Nahua Indians-The Predecessor of the Aztecs, discovered Acapulco. It’s a favorite place with wide-spread warm water beaches with a sun shine. Acapulco is an ideal sight for the beach lovers. If sun does not shine then it becomes as dark as night.

Cancun
Cancun is basically a costal city of Mexico, and is the hottest tourist preference. The city is situated along a beautiful coast. For beach lovers, it’s a perfect place for vacations. You can enjoy the white sand along with the contrast of blue waters. It is a great opportunity to enjoy the world under water. You can go deep in the water for a swim, or take sunbath. Cancun has got 150 luxurious hotels. These hotels are equipped with international standards and are expensive ones. But you can also find some low cost hotels also. At Cancun, you can have a chance to swim with dolphins, sharks and manatees.

Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen is located at Mexicana Caribbean coast, 60 km South from Cancun. It is also known as Xaman Ha (waters of the North) and is the exciting part of Maya World. Playa del Carmen is gifted with perfect white sand and crystal-clear Caribbean waters. It is a place where you can really get the natural beauty.

Guadalajara
Guadalajara is the second most populated city of Mexico, and is also the capital city of the State of Jalisco. This place has got an ideal climate. Days are hot and shiny, while nights are cool and clear. Guadalajara-The City of Roses contains parks, fountains, plazas, and wide tree-lined boulevards are sprinkled about the city.

Merida
Merida is also known as ‘White City’ because there are white limestone and white paints all over the city. Merida is the capital city of State of Yucatan. The people of Merida are warm-hearted and friendly. There is no concept of crimes and thefts. The biggest problem you will face is finding a hotel appropriate to your budget. Merida is a place to enjoy Mexican culture.

Mexico is a tremendous destination to explore either with family or along with friends. There exist blue waters, bars, restaurants, parks and museums where you can have fun filled days and nights. One hasn’t seen this wonderful place must come once and enjoy this sight-seeing place.

By: Maaz Iqbal
Maaz Iqbal is a copywriter and an SEO-based content writer. He maintains a blog which is, http://advertisinginnovations.blogspot.com.