Travel to Mexico with travel insurance from Essential Travel

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Information on Mexico with travel insurance from Essential Travel

Travel to Mexico

Here, visitors are amazed by the ancient ruins, exotic desert landscapes, snow-capped volcanoes and lush rainforests. The cities are no less impressive, serving up a blend of traditional and modern Mexico where siestas, tortillas, margaritas and festive dancing meet high-rises and cosmopolitan lifestyles.

A key entry point to the country for many, Mexico City is a thriving metropolis of colonial palaces and skyscrapers scattered in among world-famous museums, parks and canals. The citys historic centre, the Zócalo, is the former site of many great Aztec palaces, including the now crumbling Templo Mayor. The colonial charm of the Coyoacan and San Angel suburbs is undeniable, while the most popular nightlife district, Zona Rosa, is the place to go for pulsating night-time action.

The second largest city in Mexico is Guadalajara. This clean and modern city is full of culture, and adorned with beautiful galleries and historic architecture. The massive, twin-towered cathedral with its lovely plazas and the Instituto Cultural de Cabañas are a couple of the major attractions. Additionally, Guadalajara is famous as the birthplace of mariachi music, the Mexican Hat Dance, tequila and rodeos.

Acapulco, a dazzling resort town with high-rise hotels on the white-sand beaches, shopping plazas, and a throbbing night scene, is on the west coast. The main highlights of the area are the Underwater Shrine, south of the Peninsula de las Playas, and the famous cliff divers of La Quebrada. Pie de la Cuesta is one of the least crowded beaches and lies eight kilometres northwest of the city centre.

The spectacular coastal stretch, Quintana Roo, attracts hordes of sun-worshipping tourists to its islands and white-sand Caribbean beaches, particularly Cozumel, Playa del Carmen and party central, Cancún. Cliff-top ruins at Tulum offer a palm-fringed view of the turquoise bay below.

Many visitors to Mexico come here for the ruins. Nestled in the pristine Valle de Jovel, San Cristóbal de las Casas is a delightful colonial town surrounded by the classic Mayan villages of the Chiapas highlands. In the northeast of Chiapas state, Palenque inspires visitors with postcard images of romantic Mayan ruins. A treasure site of Mayan architecture, most of the 500 ancient buildings – including the elaborate Temple of Inscriptions – are un-excavated.

The southern peninsular of Baja is best known for its beaches and towering cliffs, sharply contrasting with the arid and undeveloped interior. Here, there is some seasonal whale watching and excellent surfing spots. Loretos offshore national park and the amazing pre-Columbian rock-art sites of Sierra de San Francisco are main attractions. The relaxed capital La Paz has excellent beaches, while Sierra de la Laguna offers superb hiking.

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