AREA INFORMATION ABOUT MEXICO
The following Mexico travel information is provided to help you plan your
Mexico vacation. We have divided Mexico into 5 geographic areas, although each
area itself is very diverse: Yucatan Peninsula,
Western Mexico, Southern Mexico,
Eastern Mexico, and Central Mexico.
After you read the area descriptions, you can access hotels under
Special Places and trips under
On The Move Adventures. Or you can click on the
specific name in the descriptions below.
YUCATAN
 -Of
the many attractions in this once isolated (until the late 60ís) peninsula,
the most outstanding are: the powder white sand beaches next to a crystal,
turquoise, and emerald sea; the mysterious Mayan cities, temples and pyramids
scattered through the jungle; and the traditions and friendliness of the
present-day Maya people. The peninsula is divided into three states: Yucatan,
Campeche and Quintana Roo, the later of which was little explored and only
became a state in 1975. Today, the 160 km. of beach stretching south from
the resort city of Cancun (begun
in 1972) to the ancient Mayan fortress of Tulum are now populated with small
towns and resort communities. For years, the residents of the principal
city in the Yucatan Peninsula, Merida,
related more to Europe, especially France, than to the main part of Mexico
-- evidenced today in the cityís architecture and customs. During the 1800ís,
huge henequen (sisal) haciendas were
established and todayís explorers can actually stay in these renovated plantations,
enjoying jungle elegance while exploring nearby archaeological sites. Solsierraís
Yucatan Self-drive Vacations offer unusual
itineraries throughout the Peninsula including visits to major and lesser-known
Mayan ruins. Active adventurers should take a look at our
Yax-Ha Southern Yucatan Adventure
trip. Diving the worldís second longest barrier reef, snorkeling and other
water sports are as good as they get along the Quintana Roo coast, especially
at Akumal,
Cozumel, and Isla Mujeres.
Solsierra offers many types of lodging. Those seeking a more laid back experience
should check our small resorts on the
Mexican Caribbean, Isla Mujeres,
and Playa del Carmen. Nature lovers
can look at our lodging in Celestun,
Isla Holbox, and the Tulum Peninsula
(Sian Kaían Biosphere Reserve). For families and small groups, we offer
condos and
villas throughout the Mexican Caribbean. |
WESTERN
 -
This huge area comprises the stark desert by
the sea of the 1,280 km.-long (800 mi.) Baja Peninsula, flanked on the east
by the tranquil Sea of Cortez; the inland "Old West" mining area and 11th
century city of Paquime; the deepest Canyon in North America -- the
Copper Canyon; the semi-tropical fishing
port of Mazatlan with its long
swimmable beaches; a series of bays and small coastal fishing towns (Rincon
de Guayabitos, San Francisco, Sayulita)
all surrounded by tall coconut palms; the huge Bahia de Banderas with its
little-known fine light sand beaches on the north end (Punta de Mita,
Punta del Burro and Destiladeras); the
lush palm-fringed beaches of charming Bucerias;
the well-known beach resort city of
Puerto Vallarta -- picturesque
with its red-tiled roofs, cobble-stoned streets, galleries, boutiques, and
bistros; and the pristine and lush tropical coast south of Vallarta, the
Costa Alegre. The Baja Peninsula is known for outdoor sports -- sport fishing,
diving, snorkeling, and sea-kayaking in the calm Sea of Cortez (Bahia
de Palmas)-- as well as world-class golf (Cabo
San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo). Those seeking relaxing beach hideaways
should look at Solsierraís beach homes and villas (for 2 up to 25 people)
in the Banderas Bay area. Or view our exotic small resorts on the
Costa Alegre.
Condos and
Villas in all price ranges are available
through Solsierra for families. From mid December to late March enjoy a
once-in-a-lifetime adventure whale watching
in Banderas Bay via wooden schooner or Zodiac -- or along the Baja coastline
in skiffs and kayaks. |
SOUTHERN
 -
In southern Mexico, even in mid-Winter
when more northerly Mexican cities have cooler days and nights, the climate
is always shirt-sleeve summer. Many Mexicans have long enjoyed the southern
Pacific beaches of Manzanillo, Ixtapa, Zihuatanejo, Acapulco, Puerto Escondido,
and Huatulco -- and all the villages in between. Ixtapa (begun in 1976)
and Huatulco (begun
in 1983) are well-manicured planned tropical resorts. Acapulcoís huge bay,
the playground of the 1940ís and 50ís rich and famous, is mostly lined with
high rise hotels and party-all-night discos. In
Zihuatanejo and
Pto. Escondido, beach
lovers can enjoy the simple pleasures of grilled fish under a ramada or
palapa, stay in comfortable to luxurious accommodations, and wander quaint
cobbled streets lined with boutiques and small cafes. Fishing, a main source
of local income, brings fresh filets and shrimp to every meal. Life in the
small towns is laid back; days seem twice as long. Solsierraís
Condos from budget to luxury
and Villas in this area offer
couples or families privacy and comfort. Inland southern Mexico, including
the colonial cities of Oaxaca and San Cristobal de las Casas, is home to
largely native populations: Zapotec, Mixtec, and Maya. Travelers feel immersed
in another world of colorful weavings, traditions, and native languages
-- all blended with ancient archaeological sites and Spanish colonial architecture.
The lush rain forests and green mountainous areas in Chiapas and Tabasco
states border Guatemala. In these jungles, many long lost Mayan ruins covered
in vines are accessible only by river, long hikes, or small aircraft. The
Lacandona, together with the Peten in Guatemala, forms the largest tract
of tropical rain forest north of the Brazilian Amazon. The diverse flora
and fauna include a pre-historic reptile, the pejelagarto, whose
anatomy consists of the head of a crocodile, body of an armadillo, and tail
of a fish! |
EASTERN
 -
The northeastern states of Mexico, most
bordering the Gulf of Mexico, are home to industrial Monterrey and Tampico,
and also attract bird hunters and fishermen. Until recently, the verdant
state of Veracruz, a 960 km. (600 mile) long, gulf coast state bordered
by Mexicoís highest mountains on the west, was largely unknown to international
travelers. For years, Mexicans have vacationed in fun-loving Veracruz where
Veracruzanos open their doors for all to enjoy whatever festival is going
on -- and there are many! Now nature lovers are beginning to appreciate
the areaís incredible adventures: river-rafting, jungle trekking to unexplored
archaeological sites, diving coral reefs, and climbing 5700 mtr. (18,701
ft.) Pico de Orizaba. With the best rafting from July to December, Class
I to V rivers can be run from the comfort of our comfortable
jungle lodge as a base. Our Rio Filo-Bobos
rafting trip transits a nature reserve with giant prehistoric-looking tropical
vegetation, stops to explore the recently discovered Huasteca site of El
Cuajilote, and camps by a 300 foot waterfall. Besides outdoor adventures,
Veracruz is full of history and unusual traditions. Prehispanic Huastecan
and Totonacan archaeological sites, such as El Tajin near Papantla (see
photo) are found throughout the state. The ancient Olmeca "mother culture"
from which most other native cultures are thought to have descended, started
in southern Veracruz near Los Tuxtlas. Witchcraft (white and black) is still
practiced today around the quaint southern town of Catemaco, situated on
a lake near a nature reserve. The Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortez founded
the port city of Veracruz in 1519; the city has twice been the nationís
capital; in the 1800ís it was bombarded on separate occasions by Spanish,
French and American troops; and today its atmosphere is Caribbean-influenced
carefree and happy, with European-influenced late-night sidewalk cafes.
Veracruz also has uncrowded beaches! |
CENTRAL
 -
Known as "Nueva Espana" until Mexicoís
independence from Spain in 1821, this mountainous areaís towns and cities
resemble those of southern Spain -- geranium-draped balconies overlooking
narrow winding streets, opulent churches, and many small plazas. The Spanish
settlers in this area established agricultural and ranching haciendas. When
rich silver veins were discovered, they built elegant mansions and baroque
style churches.
Guanajuato,
a UNESCO world heritage site, produced 1/3 of the worldís silver in the
late 1700s and was Mexicoís richest city. Old World style buildings stair-step
up the sides of hills and Guanajuatoís labyrinth of narrow, twisting streets
are an artistís or photographerís dream. The Mexicans who began the countryís
struggle for independence have their birthplaces named after them: San Miguel
de Allende (Ignacio Allende), Dolores Hidalgo (Padre Miguel Hidalgo), and
Morelia (Padre Jose Morelos). Historic Queretaro, where Mexicoís constitution
was signed, today produces good wines.
San Miguel
de Allende, just an hourís drive from Queretaro, is an international
Meccas for artists and artisans where English is widely spoken. If Guanajuato
can be compared to Spainís hilly Toledo, then Morelia compares to Sevilla
with its ample plazas filled with orange trees, surrounded by baroque 18th
century buildings. Travelers interested in the fine arts, performing arts,
history and provincial "Old World" culture, can stay in a renovated historic
manor in these picturesque colonial towns. A driving trip can be easily
enjoyed by flying to the Guadalajara or Leon airport, then touring Guanajuato,
Dolores Hidalgo, San Miguel de Allende, Queretaro and Morelia. A longer
trip can include Zacatecas and numerous smaller towns -- many the source
of regional handicrafts from guitars to ceramics. Some travelers combine
a colonial city visit with a beach resort. Central Mexico, with its many
natural thermal springs, has given rise to several state-of-the-art holistic
and full service spa resorts
where guests renew themselves physically and mentally. Although they are
large cities, Guadalajara, with its year-round springtime weather, and Mexico
City, the site of ancient Tenochtitlan, offer travelers endless history
lessons, sightseeing, galleries, museums, and fine dining. |
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