A trip to Mexico means discovering an intense cultural life, thousand-year-old traditions, white sand beaches like those of Puerto Vallarta or Tulum, tropical forests with emerald-colored rivers, mountain ranges, active volcanoes and incredible cities like Cancún and Mexico City... This incredible diversity of climates and landscapes serves as a refuge for many animal species, such as the toucan, the jaguar or the quetzal. Mexico is also a country with a very rich history, the result of the mixture of very different civilizations, starting with the Spanish and pre-Columbian civilizations. From this singular past, Mexico has inherited several major archaeological sites such as Teotihuacan or Chichen Itza, magnificent colonial cities and small villages, each more exotic than the last. Finally, to discover the natural and cultural treasures of Mexico, a tourist guide on Mexico will be very useful because it is a huge country that requires a minimum of orientation.

When to go Mexico ?

The year in Mexico can be divided into three periods. The best time to go to Mexico, ideal for taking advantage of preferential rates, is from April to June and from September to November. The intermediate period is due to the school vacations in July and August. The tourist "boom" period extends from December to March or April, depending on the dates of Holy Week. The boom means higher prices and reservations, but also a wider range of activities for tourists. Mexico is a very festive country. Many religious and popular festivities take place every month. Among the most important ones, not to be missed if you visit Mexico during this period, are The Guelaguetza festival in Oaxaca in mid-July. The city of Oaxaca hosts the representative communities of the 7 surrounding regions (Sierra Juárez, Tuxtepec, la Cañada, La Costa, La Mixteca, Los Valles Centrales, Istmo de Tehuantepec). They come to present a glimpse of their culture, through dance and music performances. The National Independence Day, September 15-16, is another major event where the scene where Miguel Hidalgo called for the uprising in 1810 is reenacted throughout the country. Also not to be missed is the International Cervantino Festival in the city of Guanajuato in mid-October with concerts, dance and theater performances by internationally renowned speakers. And, of course, the Festival of the Dead on November1 and 2. All over the country, families celebrate their dead and unite with their departed loved ones; nothing to do with All Saints Day... Here, the Day of the Dead is a colorful celebration.

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Practical information for travel Mexico

Large, extraordinarily varied, rich in every respect, Mexico can be approached in many ways, depending on the tastes, interests and budget of each traveller. There are many ways to get there, and there is no shortage of ideas when it comes to planning your trip. If you are looking for the pleasures of the sea, you are sure to be satisfied. Those who are more interested in art and architecture will prefer colonial cities and archaeological sites. The country will also delight those who are interested in fauna and flora, and love beautiful natural areas. Please note that the sample itineraries below are comprehensive and rather "tiring", as they offer a maximum of possible activities. You can adapt your itinerary to your own wishes and capacities, or contact specialized agencies.

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How to go Mexico

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How to go alone

Well served, Mexico is a generally safe country for solo travellers. The wave of violence linked to drug cartels and social repression generally spares tourists; neither criminals nor the state want to attract too much publicity. However, tourists can be easy prey, especially in the subway, taxi or street at nightfall. The ordinary rules of caution should be observed: do not display your camera, "banana" or wallet

How to go on a tour

Mexico is a huge country and it is impossible to discover it in a single trip. The tour operators mainly propose stays of about ten days around a theme (the Mayan culture, the Aztec sites...) or a region (the Pacific, the Yucatan, Chiapas, the capital and its surroundings).

How to get around

It is very easy to travel by plane in the country, as most cities have an airport. There is also a very good network of long distance buses with cheap fares. However, depending on the route, to save time and avoid long hours in the bus, the plane is often more interesting. Please note: with the emergence of low cost airlines on certain routes, air and bus fares are sometimes identical.

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Discover Mexico

Mexico is a country as complex as it is fascinating. Divided into 32 administrative states covering an area of 1,964,375 km², with deeply rooted indigenous traditions and a well-preserved colonial heritage, this immense country is not the easiest to get to grips with. Immerse yourself in the following files to familiarize yourself with Mexico, its singular past, its gastronomy, its way of life, its cultural heritage, its architecture or even its art and those who are the most emblematic representatives of what is sometimes called "Mexicanness". There are also books to read to discover this multifaceted country in depth and better understand its inhabitants... The curious traveler, who seeks to go beyond postcard scenery, intoxicating evenings and the contagious warmth of Mexicans, will not regret taking this step.

Pictures and images Mexico

Dans les rues de Progreso. Marko Razpotnik Sest - Shutterstock.com
Habitations traditionnelles des Chiapas. Eric Martin - Iconotec
Tropique du Cancer. Sylvie LIGON
Cenote de Dzitnup. Author's Image

The 12 keywords Mexico

1. #Agave

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It is from this plant that the two most emblematic drinks of Mexico are made: tequila, which is indisputable, and mezcal, which is becoming increasingly popular. The latter is distinguished by its distinctive smoky aroma. Agave thrives in arid regions, so much so that it is often mistaken for what it is not: a cactus!

2. #Aztecs

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At the origin of one of the greatest civilizations of the American continent, the Aztecs dominated the territory until the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century. It was on the ruins of the Aztec city of Tenochtitlán that the Spaniards founded their new capital, Mexico City, after having caused the fall of the Aztec Empire.

3. #Biodiversity

Mexico is a megadiverse country, containing up to 12% of the world's species. Large biosphere reserves have been created to preserve this incredible biodiversity. However, overexploitation of natural resources, rapid growth and tourism are increasingly threatening these fragile ecosystems.

4. #Cenote

This geological curiosity is found almost exclusively in the Yucatán Peninsula, which is home to thousands of them. The cenotes are natural wells created by the collapse of the limestone plate. Considered sacred places in Mayan times, today they are a delight for tourists, who flock from all over the world to bathe in them.

5. #Día de los Muertos

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It is the most important holiday in the country, taking place on November1 and 2 (although the date varies by region and community). Mexicans celebrate their dead by making altars with offerings of fruit and objects around photos of their deceased. Music, dances and shared meals punctuate the return of the dead among the living.

6. #Frida Kahlo

Frida Kahlo is not only known for her paintings that document her life and assert a certain Mexicanness, she is also a pop culture icon. Ahead of her time, this mixed-race woman with her flowery hair became the most important woman in Mexico, and a true feminist inspiration in the world.

7. #Lucha Libre

Typical of Mexico, Lucha Libre is a type of wrestling that is halfway between a sport and a show. As tradition dictates, the luchadors wear masks when they fight in the ring. They play legendary characters and perform spectacular acrobatics. The fight is scripted but no less impressive.

8. #Métissage

The vast majority of the Mexican population has both European and indigenous blood. Spanish and indigenous populations rapidly mixed, giving rise to a great mosaic of populations. As most Mexicans are Mestizos, the concept of miscegenation is now at the heart of the Mexican national identity.

9. #Playa

For many, Mexico means white sandy beaches bordered by translucent turquoise water... The country is bathed in the waters of the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of California to the west, and the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico to the east. Climate, sunshine, palm trees and palomas do the rest...

10. #Ruins

Mexico has a considerable cultural heritage, and much of it is in the form of pre-Hispanic ruins. Pyramids are often the centerpiece of these ancient cities that flourished hundreds, even thousands of years ago, from Chichén Itzá to Palenque to Monte Albán to Teotihuacán.

11. #Marine Life

The waters off the coast of Mexico are home to a wide variety of marine life. In both east and west, diving sites are legion, and travelers have the chance to observe whales, dolphins, turtles, sharks, manta rays, sea lions and a multitude of colorful fish evolving within exceptional coral reefs.

12. #Volcanoes

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Mexico's landscape is punctuated by numerous volcanoes, 48 of which are still active. Most of them reach an altitude of more than 4,500 metres. This is the case of Popocatépetl, in the agglomeration of Mexico City and Puebla, which has been erupting since 2004. Volcanic tremors are a constant threat to the country.

You are from here, if...

Catholic images are everywhere in your home and sometimes even in your car: crucifixes, rosaries and portraits of the Virgin of Guadalupe make up a decoration that's all too familiar to you.

You can reproduce el grito, the famous cry of the revolution, and sometimes hold competitions with members of your family.

At the table and in the car, "donde caben dos caben tres "There's always room for one more!

You've never used a caterer : weddings, quinceañeras, christenings... you always have a cousin to bring a pot of frijoles, a grandmother to prepare a delicious birria or an uncle who has mastered the art of carne asada to perfection.

You know that coger is a misleading verb. While it translates as "to take" in Spain, it can create quite a few misunderstandings in Mexico when used by a foreigner who hasn't mastered all the subtleties of your language!

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