Hailed as the crown jewel of Latin America, Mexico City, the capital of Mexico, is a traveler's paradise that never fails to enthrall visitors. The city was the seat of Aztec seat of power and has one of the oldest urban settlements in the Western Hemisphere. In terms of size Mexico City is ranked as the world's second largest city, just next to Tokyo.

To help you learn about Mexico City’s past, you will need to visit the Zocalo, Mexico City’s central plaza. Zocalo boasts the Templo Mayor, a monument of the Aztecs and a haunting reminder of the past. You will also need to visit the Historic Center, a four-square-mile area that includes the ruins of the Aztec capital, Tenochtitlan, and remnants from the colonial era. UNESCO declared the Historic Center a World Heritage Site in 1988. Interesting places to visit in the Historic Center are the Zocalo and its vicinity, the metropolitan cathedral, the National Palace, the Templo Mayor, Mexico City Museum, San Ildefonso Museum, Alameda Park and Vicinity, Madero and Vicinity, Iturbide Palace, National Art Museum and San Carlos Museum, amongst several other interesting places.

Mexico City has mild weather. Winters are not chilly, while rains characterize the summer season. The top tourist attractions in the city are located in distinct areas, and exploring each area could take of about a day or more. This means that traveling to Mexico City can be done year-round. However, some seasons offer you a better deal in hotel prices, the details for which can be provided by your travel agent.

Mexico City offers a wide array of facilities for the traveler. Regardless of the time of the year you visit Mexico City, you can witness endless cultural activities. The nightlife also provides activities like ballet, opera, folkloric shows, rock concerts, and bars and nightclubs featuring live music. Live Cuban music and tropical salsa clubs appears to be a big favorite for most visitors. One of the best places to look for local activities in the city is the Friday or Saturday edition of local newspapers. While there are many cities across the world, Mexico City is a class apart. As they say, “You haven’t seen cities, if you haven’t visited Mexico City.”

By: Eric Morris
Mexico provides detailed information on Mexico, Travel Mexico, Mexico Vacations, Mexico City and more. Mexico is affiliated with Acapulco Spring Breaks.

Mexico is a huge country with interesting locales. Tourists to Mexico will not get bored as the country has a lot to offer in terms of tourism, which in fact is a very large industry. Major tourist attractions in Mexico range from the ancient Meso-American ruins to the attractive beach resorts. What attracts tourists to Mexico is its climate and unique culture.

Crowds flock to Mexico during mid-summer and December considered peak months for tourists. Sun bathers are frequent visitors to Mexico harbor coastlines where there are numerous stretches of beaches. The most popular beach destination is on the Yucatan peninsula. Located here is the resort town of Cancun, very famous amongst university students during spring recess. Be sure not to miss out the historic port of Tulum on a day tour of the south of Cancun. Apart from the beaches in Tulum, you can also visit the cliff-side Mayan ruins. Isla Mujeres and Isla Holbox are beach islands which figure prominently on a Mexico tour.

Tourists will be impressed with the enthusiasm with which fetes and festivals are celebrated in Mexico. As a tourist you are in for a treat as each region in Mexico has a special dish of its own. Mexico hotels in major cities serve national specialties as well as international cuisines. Nightlife in Mexico is a visual treat for the eyes for its exciting vibrancy. Avenida Insurgentes, the longest avenue in Mexico City is one of the main nightspots. The Mexican nightlife will impress you with its top entertainers, international shows, jazz groups and Mexican music. Coffee aficionados can stop by at the Condessa district to sip some coffee at its nice coffee shops and restaurants. The best for youngsters is Acapulco known as the ‘the city that never sleeps’ filled with bars and discos.

By: Sumit Sharma
http://www.stayresmexico.com

Tijuana is many things: a sprawling city approaching two million in population, a vibrant and prosperous business center with many foreign-owned factories, the main entry to the entire Baja California peninsula, and much more.

Only 18 miles from San Diego, Tijuana is a shopper's paradise. It's in a duty-free zone, so you can buy not only Mexican arts and crafts but also imported goods from around the world. Mostly, visitors go for the day, shopping, having a meal, perhaps playing golf as well. It's not a place for historic buildings or much in the way of museums, but sporting events to watch include jai alai, bullfights, and horse racing. For children, Tijuana Wax Museum and Mundo Divertido (Fun World) are popular. Tijuana used to be known mainly for activities distinctly not for children, but while that aspect of life still exists, it is now just a part of the wide spectrum of what Tijuana is.

The shopping is centered on a street called Revolution Avenue. There are 10 or 12 blocks offering every product imaginable. Credit cards and dollars are widely accepted.

For a more total immersion, stay overnight -- there are some nice Tijuana hotels. Just a few miles south is Rosarito Beach, with resorts, condos, and hotels.

Travel to Tijuana

One of the most enjoyable ways to travel to Tijuana is to catch the inexpensive Tijuana Trolley at the San Diego Train Station. It runs frequently and takes you right to the border. Or you can drive to the border and leave your car in one of several large parking lots, for a few dollars a day. From there you can walk or take a shuttle bus to Revolution Avenue, about a 20 minute walk. Once you cross the border, there are also taxis available too.

You can drive into Tijuana, and may want to if you are planning some large purchases like furniture. One downside to this is that there can be longer lines for leaving Mexico in vehicles than if you are walking. Also, check on your car insurance before entering Mexico.

Tijuana has an international airport, with several flights a day going to other parts of Mexico. The main airlines using the airport are Aerocalifornia, Mexicana, and AeroMexico.

All in all, it's easy to get to Tijuana.

By: Rosana Hart
Rosana Hart has traveled to Mexico many times. Her website, www.mexico-with-heart.com, contains the full text of a book she wrote about traveling in Mexico, as well as information and travel tips on a variety of Mexican cities popular with tourists.

After our visit to the huge government-owned pawnshop, Nacional Monte de Piedad, we saw a side view of Mexico City's and Latin America's biggest cathedral: the Catedral Metropolitana. It is also at the heart of the world's largest Catholic diocese. Due to the fact that Mexico was built on the former Lake Texcoco, the cathedral is slowly sinking and scaffolding in the interior of the building attests to the efforts to try to stabilize it.

In front of the Cathedral are numerous merchants that sell all sorts of handicrafts to the tourists. The wide open public space in front of the church is called the Zócalo and it is said to be the second largest public square in the world, after Red Square in Moscow. An indigenous healer was performing a cleansing ceremony in public with a local couple. He had a variety of herbs and was burning incense for this purification ritual.

To the left side of the cathedral is the Palacio Nacional which today houses the office's of Mexico's president. One of the typical "organiceros" was stationed outside, playing his automated melody, but none of the organ grinders we saw today were willing to have their picture taken and they always conveniently looked away when a camera was pointing at them.

We had to talk our way into this beautiful building since a guard stationed outside demanded that we show identification which we unfortunately did not have on us. However, with Vanessa's feminine charm we were able to obtain a few minutes in this astounding building.

The National Palace was built on the site of Montezuma's Palace and was initially the residence of Hernán Cortés after he conquered Mexico. The building has a beautiful courtyard with arcades and a fountain in the middle. The staircase to the 2nd floor and the walls on the upper floor are adorned with a series of murals by Mexico's most famous muralist, Diego Rivera. The wall paintings illustrate the history of Mexico, from the pre-Columbian peoples, to their subjugation by Spanish conquerors, the fight for independence from Spain, revolutionary leaders, as well as the dictatorship under Porfirio Diaz which was put to an end by Francisco I. Madero.

We then walked around the crafts market just outside the Cathedral and had a look at the Templo Mayor, an imposing complex built by the Aztecs in the 14th and 15th century. It was at the heart of Tenochtitlan, the Aztec city that, like so many others, was destroyed by the Spanish conquistadors. The Spanish invaders had a habit of destroying any preexisting architecture and building their churches and palaces on top of them.

Calle Tacuba took us towards our well-deserved late lunch in the historic Café de Tacuba, a famous restaurant located in a building from the 17th century. The café itself dates back to 1912. I had a very tasty sopa de ajo (garlic soup) with some even tastier quesadillas con guacamole which were even hotter. Vanessa strengthened herself witha tamal (spicy rice cooked in a husk of corn). We needed the strength since our next adventure was a ride in Mexico City's subway.

I always love riding in public transport in other cities, particularly in subways, since they all have their own peculiar atmosphere. Mexico City's subway stations are quite utilitarian (not a lot of spectacular public art in the stations we saw) and the subway cars themselves ride on rubber wheels. This contrasts quite strongly to the metal clanking of our subway cars here in Toronto. Vanessa indicated that you have to be careful in public transit here and during rush hour the subway cars are subdivided in cars for men and for women.

We took several subway routes to the Universidad Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, a former monastery dedicated to the nun of the same name who was an interesting character and lived from 1648-1695. She was colonial Latin America's pre-eminent poet and scholar during the 17th century. Around age 19 she became a nun, declaring that only life in the monastery would give her sufficient opportunity for her studies and intellectual pursuits. Today her monastery is the Universidad del Claustro de Sor Juana and we explored this historic building and were impressed by the inner courtyard that was full of eager students and, interestingly enough, numerous hungry cats waiting to be fed by the staff.

On the subway ride back to Vanessa's parents' apartment I reflected on my first day in Mexico. It is an immense city, and the downtown just swirls with people. One thing I noticed was how ethnically homogeneous Mexico City is: the vast majority of people I saw were of indigenous or mixed indigenous / mestizo background and we both mused about how few tourists / foreigners we saw.

We saw a ton, and Vanessa is certainly a phenomenal tour guide and local expert. I just wish I had more time to explore all the historic buildings with their fascinating inner courtyards. There is just so much to see and so little time...

By: Susanne Pacher
Susanne Pacher is the publisher of http://www.travelandtransitions.com, a web portal for unconventional travel & cross-cultural connections. Check out our brand new FREE ebooks about travel.

Family vacations are quickly approaching and, for most busy parents, quality time with loved ones is long overdue. But amusement parks aren't the only places kids can enjoy vacationing now-a-days.

For those looking for something a little out of the ordinary, various destinations in Mexico offer a wide array of amenities, prices and activities catered to adults and children alike.

PUERTO VALLARTA Velas Vallarta features ideal family-style accommodations. This beach-front resort, located in Marina Vallarta, offers a year-round complimentary children's program including a Kids Club for children 4 to 12 years old. The beautifully landscaped grounds, which include flowered walkways and rustic bridges, make this location a true family paradise. For more information, contact 1-800-VELAS -PV.

For those that enjoy larger family-friendly resorts, La Jolla de Mismaloya in Puerto Vallarta features 303 luxurious suites with private terraces and an exceptional program for kids ages 5 to 11. The program features handicrafts, painting, singing, beach soccer, bingo, piñatas, treasure hunts, a kid's parade, bobbing for apples and more.

What to Do Vallarta Adventure Tours offers an opportunity for families to swim with dolphins at the Nuevo Vallarta Dolphin Center, watch Humpback whales at the Marietas Islands, take a brief flight up to the 16th century mining village of San Sebastian, explore the Sierra Madre foothills or simply relax on the pristine beach of Caletas.

CABO SAN LUCAS, SAN JOSE DEL CABO AND LA PAZ Fiesta Americana Grand offers a program known as Fiesta Kids. Specially designed for children, the activities include arts and crafts, table games and access to an air-conditioned area with television programs playing for kids. The resort also features a game room and arcade and provides babysitting services and cribs upon request.

Families looking for a little diversity can enjoy Hotel Cabo San Lucas where a variety of unique children's activities and programs are available. Families can participate in a marine biology tour of the tide pool, sign up for a day of whale watching, play doubles on the tennis courts, sail, parasail, or even discover hidden trails on horseback.

What to Do Several local excursions are great for families interested in experiencing the rich eco-tourism offerings of the area.

The Baja Adventure Company offers whale watching trips, diving adventures and kayaking expeditions on Mexico's Baja California Peninsula.

Santiago Zoo: This small but well maintained zoo is located in Miraflores (about 30 minutes north of San Jose del Cabo). Residents of Parque Zoologico include petcarts, bears, coyotes, foxes, monkeys, parrots, and ducks, some which are Cape Region natives. The park is open daily 6 a.m. - 6 p.m. in summer and admission is free.

ACAPULCO Fiesta Americana Condesa Acapulco caters to families with on-site children's activities and a Fiesta Kids Club program in the summer. Located right on the beach in the center of downtown Acapulco, families can easily stroll around town visiting many of the dozens of restaurants, stores and arts and craft shops.

At the Radisson Resort Acapulco you'll find a spectacular view of the Acapulco Bay from the private beach, two swimming pools, and a children's wading pool. A tramway takes you from the lobby down to the guestrooms and pool.

What to Do Parque Papagayo - This Pacific port playground is a kid's delight and adults will love it too. It features a 52-acre playing field filled with an aviary, roller skating rink, mini racetrack, bumper boats, and replica of a space ship. Located at Costera Miguel Aleman, the park is open daily from 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Call 011-52-7-485-9623 for more information.

Swim with the dolphins, watch seal shows and glide down water slides at Cici Water Park. It's located along the Costera Miguel Aleman, and open daily from 10-6. Call 011-52-7-484-8210 for more information. CANCUN Hyatt Regency Cancun offers something different and fun for kids: Camp Hyatt. This recreational program is designed exclusively for Hyatt guests 3 - 12 years old and includes a pin, t-shirt, hat, beverages and a special meal created by the Camp Hyatt chef. Activities are offered Tuesday - Sunday, with two sessions daily: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. - 6 p.m. Prices range from $10 per child per session, or $15 for a full day. Other fun activities for kids include a game room, arcade and a private children's pool.

Aquamarina Beach Hotel offers all-inclusive family accommodations with services such as a Children's Club, where kids can play miniature golf right at the hotel. Up to two children aged 11 or younger stay free at the hotel with at least two accompanying adults.

What to Do Yucatan Ecotourism & Adventure Tours: Children can experience an adventure through bird watching, Mayan ruin exploration, jungle trekking, kayaking, scuba diving & snorkeling, swimming with dolphins and wildlife observing.

Xcaret ecological theme park is sure to amaze the entire family. Just a short drive away from the hotel zone, families can participate in a myriad of activities including swimming with dolphins, snorkeling, visiting turtle hatcheries, floating down rivers and watching displays of ancient Mayan dances.

About the Mexico Tourism Board The Mexico Tourism Board (MTB) brings together the resources of federal and state governments, municipalities and private companies to promote Mexico's tourism attractions and destinations internationally. Created in 1999, the MTB is Mexico's tourism promotion agency, and its participants include members of both the private and public sectors. The MTB has offices throughout North America, Europe, Asia and Latin America.

By: Erick Laseca
Erick Laseca works for Burson-Marsteller as public relations liaison for the Mexico Tourism Board in Chicago.
Erick Laseca Mexico Tourism Board 312-228-0517 ext 14 erick.laseca@bm.com http://www.visitmexicopress.com.

Featured by Resourcesforattorneys.com, a Legal Resources and Lifestyle Resources portal.

Visit our Discount Travel Directory.

For travel jokes, humor and satire see Travel Jokes from Resources For Attorneys. For jokes on other subjects see the Jokes Index.

For articles about travel within the United States visit Travel America - Travel Blog, a Travel Destinations resource provided by USA City Directories.

For travel destination information worldwide see World Travel Destinations.