Tourist Attractions in Mexico
Tourist attractions in Mexico: Mexico is a diverse country and not only does it have a rich historic past with many significant ancient monuments and structures, but it is also one of the fastest developing modern nations in the world with high tech, cutting edge buildings and many luxury hotels and resorts. There is no dearth of attractions in Mexico the country being a colourful and exuberant nation with many festivals and celebrations embraced joyfully throughout the year, so wherever you choose to visit in country, there will always be plenty to see and do.
Mexico City is the capital, and stands beneath two impressive snow capped volcanoes, Popocatépetl and Ixtaccíhuatl. The city is well above sea level, 2240m to be precise, and is full of beautiful rambling buildings that are a patchwork of all the colonial influences over the cities vibrant history. Although Mexico City is vast and hectic it does have a very spacious and open feel, with many quiet back streets and green parks where you can stop for a minute and take a breather. For visitors there is the Cathedral Metropolitana, which is an attractive mix of a number of different styles including Gothic, Baroque and Neo-Classical, with its famously ornate gilded interior chapel and altar. Nearby to the cathedral is the excavated site of one of the great Aztec temples, which can be viewed from various raised walkways. Adjoining this is a museum, which has more information on the temple and displays some of the wonderful artefacts that were excavated from the site. There is also a beautiful concert hall and arts centre in the city, the Palacio de Bellas Artes, which is carved from white Carrara marble and has housed many classic performances for renowned artists over the years such as Maria Callas, Plácido Domingo, Pavarotti, and Dame Kiri Te Kanawa.
There are some excellent day excursions from Mexico City as well, including the beautiful floating Aztec gardens of Xochimilco, where you can hire gondolas to take serene trips around the many tree-lined canals. Also you can visit the pretty colonial village of Coyoacán, which is popular with many artisans and has lovely market stalls where you can buy high quality arts and crafts.
If you are visiting central Mexico then there are many wonderful examples of Spanish colonial architecture and culture throughout the area, and the milder climate and good local cooking can make for some lovely day trips in and around the pretty towns and villages. The capital of the Jalisco region, Guadalajara, has a lively Spanish atmosphere, with some beautiful parks and architecture, such as the central cathedral which boasts 11 altars and an extensive art collection. There is also a bustling market with lots of fresh local produce, and an annual rodeo show during the October festival where feats of horsemanship and bull fighting are on display. Just a few miles from Guadalajara is San Miguel de Allende, which has some famous hot baths and spas and is classed among Mexico’s national monuments. The town is also acclaimed for its nine-day festival at Christmas, the Posadas, which symbolises the Christian tradition of the journey Joseph and Mary undertook in Bethlehem leading up to the birth of Christ.
Wherever you are visiting in Mexico make sure you research
your destination first, to ensure you do not miss out on any of the diverse attractions on offer, and as with any trip remember to keep your travel documents and currency safe and secure as you make your way about the country.