Mexico is a country in North America, lying between the United States of America to the north, and Guatemala and Belize to the southeast. Its extensive coastlines include the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. Mexico has nice and warm people, unique food, art and archeology, pyramids, museums, Haciendas, 6,000 miles of shoreline, superb architecture and 21 century cities, weather from snow mountains in the Sierras, to rainy jungles in the Southeast and desert in the Northwest, lots of golf courses throughout the country, excellent fishing, world top destinations like Acapulco, Cancun, Cozumel, Los Cabos, and Patzcuaro. Mexico is ranked 7th major destination for foreigner visitors, according to WTO. Cities
Mexico City - Capital of the Republic, one of the three largest cities in the world, and a sophisticated urban hub with a 700-year history. In Mexico City, you will find everything from parks, Aztec ruins, colonial architecture, museums, to nightlife and shopping.
Acapulco - A sophisticated urban beach setting known for its top-notch nightlife, elegant dining, and nightmarish traffic. Many of the older (pre-1990s) concrete structures have suffered tropical decay.
Cancun - One of the worlds most popular and famous beaches, known for its clear Caribbean waters, its lively party atmosphere, and its wealth of recreational facilities. During Spring Break it is noted for drinking, sunburning, and debauchery.
Guadalajara - A traditional city, capital of Jalisco state, and the home of mariachi music and tequila. Guadalajara is blessed with perpetual spring weather and its colonial downtown is graceful and sophisticated. Try not to inhale the layer of smog too deeply.
Mazatlan - Lively Pacific coast town, Mazatlan is a shipping port, a transportation hub with ferries to Baja California, and a beach resort destination with miles of sandy shore. It is a popular Spring Break destination due to its variety of affordable lodging options.
Monterrey - A large modern city that is the commercial and industrial hub of Northern Mexico. Monterrey enjoys a dry, mountainous setting and is known for its high-quality educational and transportation infrastructure.
San Luis Potosi - Located in central Mexico, a colonial city that was once an important silver producer, but today, relies on manufacturing for its economic base.
Taxco - In central Mexico west of Cuernavaca, this steep mountain town was once a major silver producer, and now has a strong place in the trade of decorative silver, from cheap fittings to the most elegant jewelry and elaborate castings.
Tijuana - Mexico's busiest border crossing for pedestrians and private vehicles, and a long-time bargain Mecca for southern Californians due to its proximity with San Diego.
Other destinations
Copper Canyon (Barrancas del Cobre) - An exotic destination for travellers looking for a unique remote adventure! An awesome mountain rail ride --- one of the greatest in the world --- takes you upwards over 8000 feet on the CHEPE, the Chihuahua al Pacifico Railway. Hiking, horseback riding, birding, & Tarahumara Indians. Copper Canyon, the Sierra Madre and the Chihuahuan desert of Mexico. This area is designed for adventurous individuals who will tolerate some rough travel to get to their point(s) of interest. Copper Canyon, a magnificent remote wilderness is not likely ever to become a mass market destination.
NOTE: If taking the CHEPE train ride, start your trip at El Fuerte (NOT Los Mochis!) on the western side and travel uphill to Creel or Chihuahua. Stand in the few open vestibules with your camera -- the uphill scenery is fairly splendid for at least two of the seven or nine or twelve hours of the journey. On the downhill run, put yourself in the club (bar) car, where you can stretch out in a modicum of comfort. The first-class (express) and second-class (tourist) trains are essentially the same, except that the express stops less and is twice as expensive.

Sea of Cortez - See whale birthings, swim with dolphins, and sea kayak in the warm waters of the Sea of Cortez, along the eastern coast of Baja California, near La Paz.
Monarch Butterfly Breeding Sites - Protected natural areas in the highlands of the state of Michoacan. Millions of butterflys come to the area between November and March of each year, although numbers have declined sharply recently. See them before they're all gone.
Sumidero Canyon - From docks on the Rio Grivalva (the only major river within Mexico) near Tuxtla Guiterrez in Chiapas state, tour launches take you into this steep-walled National Park. You'll likely see vast flocks of flamingos, pelicans, and other waterfowl, as well as crocodiles, impossible caves, and tourists urinating from sheer clifftops a kilometer above you.
Archaeological Sites
Chichen Itza - Majestic Mayan city, declared a UNESCO "World Heritage Site" in 1988 and recently voted as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
Ek Balam - Recently reconstructed Mayan site, famous for its unique decorated stucco and stone carved temples.
El Tajin - In the state of Veracruz near the town of Papantla. A UNESCO "World Heritage Site".
Monte Alban - In the state of Oaxaca, a Zapotec site dating from about 500 B.C. A UNESCO "World Heritage Site".
Palenque - Mayan city in the state of Chiapas, Palenque famous for its elaborate paintings. Also well known for having the largest tract of rainforest in Mexico located in the same area.
Teotihuacan - In the state of Mexico, near Mexico City. Enormous site with several large pyramids.
Tulum - Mayan coastal city with spectacular Caribbean vistas. Dates from late Mayan period.
Uxmal - Impressive Mayan city-state in the Puc Region, declared a UNESCO "World Heritage Site" in 1996.

Get in
By plane
-from Australia- The cheapest way to fly to Mexico from Australia is via Hawaii (i.e. with Jetstar) and then onward to LA Hawaiian Airlines. Direct flights (or via New Zealand) are also available but cost two to four times as much.

By train
There is at least one place where Mexico is accessible via rail and a short walk - south of San Diego. The San Diego Trolley can be taken from downtown San Diego (which Amtrak serves) to the California-Baja California border. (note: El Paso/Juarez is also well served by Amtrak, the station is within a stones throw of the rio grande)

By car
American automobile insurance is not accepted in Mexico, however it is easy to obtain short-term or long-term tourist policies that include the mandatory liability coverage, theft and accident coverage for your vehicle, and often, legal assistance coverage. Should you decide to drive to Mexico, the Transport and Communications Secretariat website has free downloadable road maps.

Foreign-plated vehicles must obtain necessary permits before being allowed into the interior of Mexico. This can be done at the border checkpoints by showing your vehicle title or registration, as well as immigration documents and a valid credit card. It is now possible to apply for your vehicle import permit online.

By bus
The Mexican bus system is reportedly the most efficient in the world. There are many different independent companies but all use a central computerized ticketing system. Rates per mile are generally comparable to those of Greyhound in the U.S., but there are more departures and the system serves much smaller villages than its American counterpart. There are many bus companies based in Mexico with branch offices in major U.S. cities. A ticket to a major Mexican city from the U.S. can be bought for as little as $60 roundtrip (San Antonio TX to Monterrey N.L.). These companies however, do cater to mostly Hispanics or Mexican Nationals living in the U.S. and operate mostly in Spanish.

By boat
Border crossing from Guatemala.
Cruise ships from United States.
[edit] Visa Requirements
According to the Mexican Embassy in Washington, D.C., certain foreign nationals who intend to stay in México fewer than 180 days for the purpose of tourism or business can purchase a tourist card (FMT) at the border or upon landing at an airport for a nominal fee. This service is available to citizens of Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Island, Israel, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, the United States, Uruguay and Venezuela.

Other people must contact a Mexican consulate in order to find out the requirements for citizens of their country, and may have to apply for and obtain a visa in advance of travel. If you are in need of other information, Mexico has consulates in the following US cities:The consulates in the USA are typically open for business to non-citizens (by telephone or in-person) only from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM.

If you do not intend to travel past the "border zone" and your stay does not exceed three days, U.S. and Canadian nationals only require a proof of citizenship. Reentry into the United States, however, may require a passport.

Get around
Travelling in Mexico is most practical by bus, car, or air. Passenger transport by train is almost nonexistent. Except the Chihuahua del Pacifico rail line which pull out every morning at both ends of the line, one from Los Mochis on the Pacific coast, across from Baja California, and the other from Chihuahua in the east (due south of El Paso, Texas). They cross each other roughly midways at Divisadero and Barrancas Copper Canyon stations at 7000 Ft. altitude.

By car
Due to a government scheme in the early 90's to create infrastructure, the best roads are toll roads. Toll roads can be relatively costly, 400-800 pesos is not uncommon on longer trips, but are much faster and better maintained. First-class buses generally travel by toll roads (and the toll is obviously included in the ticket price). US vehicle insurance is not valid in Mexico and while Mexican auto insurance is not required, it is highly recommended, as any minor accident could land you in jail without it. AAA offers Mexican auto insurance even for non-members.

When travelling on Mexican roads, especially near the borders with the United States and Guatemala, one will probably encounter several checkpoints operated by the Mexican Army searching for illegal weapons and drugs. If you are coming from the United States, you may not be used to this, and it can be intimidating. However, these are rarely a problem for honest people. Simply do what the soldiers tell you to do, and treat them with respect. The best way to show respect when entering a checkpoint is to turn your music down, lift sunglasses from your face, and be prepared to roll your window down. They should treat you with respect as well, and they usually do. If you are asked to unpack any part of your vehicle, do so without complaint. It is their right to make you completely unload in order for them to inspect your cargo.

Tourists are often warned about traveling on roads at night. Although banditos are rare in more metropolitan areas, err on the side of caution in more rural areas. The best bet is to only drive during daylight hours. Cattle, dogs, and other animals can also appear on the roadway unexpectedly so if you do have to drive at night, be very cautious. If possible, follow a bus or truck that seems to be driving safely.

The Secretariat of Communication and Transport recently set up a new mapping tool similar to those in the U.S. like Mapquest, its name is Traza Tu Ruta and is very helpful to find how to get to your destination using Mexico's roads. It is in Spanish but can be used with basic knowledge of the language.

Foreign driver's licenses are recognized and recommended. Speeding tickets are common, and to ensure your presence at the hearing, the officer may choose to keep your license. He is within his rights to do so.

At petrol (gas) stations, make sure the pump is zeroed out before the attendant begins pumping your gas so that you don't end up paying more than you should.

Good maps are invaluable and the Mexico maps included in "North American Road Atlas" books are worse than useless. The Guia Roji maps are particularly good.

By plane
Mexico is a large country and the low-cost revolution that started in 2005 means that fares are often ridiculously cheap if you book in advance. The main full-service airlines are Mexicana, Aeromar, Aero Mexico and Aviacsa. The rapidly changing palette of low-cost carriers includes InterJet, Volaris, Alma de Mexico, and Viva Aerobus. Major regional carriers include Aero California, which focuses mainly on Baja Californi (from Tijuana to Los Cabos) and Avolar, which mainly flies between western destinations.

By bus
If traveling by bus, be sure to take the express buses, if available (they are called directo). Other buses often stop at many smaller stations along the way, making the trip a lot longer. If you have experience with Greyhound buses in the US, you're in for a pleasant surprise. First class buses are usually direct routes and are the best option for most. Second class buses may be very similar to 1st class just making more stops or in rural areas they may be essentially chicken buses (polleros). Executive and Luxury lines cost about 60% more than first class, may be faster, usually have larger seats, and they have less frequent departures; they are really only a good option for elderly or business travelers. With the advent of NAFTA, some bus companies are now offering service from US cities. The major bus companies offering these kind of services are Grupo Ado, Estekka de Ori (Estrella de Oro), Enlaces Terrestres Nacionales, White Star Group (Estrella Blanca), Red Star, and Primera Plus.

On the other side if traveling within a city you won't find a pleasant surprise. You will find one of the most chaotic public transport systems full of the popular "peseros". "Peseros" are small buses with varying color codes depending on the city you are. Usually the route taken is written on cardboard attached to the windshield. Unlike many countries you can make a stop wherever you want but it's not recommended as you put in danger your safety and the safety of the nearby drivers who can get suddenly stopped. Try to make stops at the assigned points; you will rarely find a stop button in a pesero, just shout the word "bajan" for it to stop. Fares are cheap and vary from 2 to 7 pesos approximately.

By train
Passenger trains are very limited in Mexico with only a few lines in operation in places like the Copper Canyon in the northern state of Chihuahua, that line is also known as the Chihuahua Pacific Railway since its final destination is the Pacific coastal city of Tobolobampo in the state of Sinaloa. In the state of Jalisco there is also a line which travels from the state capital city Guadalajara to its final destination in the small town of Tequila, this is why this line is called the Tequila Express. In the Yucatan Peninsula there is a line of passenger trains which runs from Villahermosa through Campeche, Merida, Playa del Carmen and its final destination being the city of Cancun, this train also runs through a few Mayan ruins including Chichen-Itza and this gives it its name of the Expreso Maya [24] which is Spanish for Mayan Express. Mexico City and Monterrey have subway service, and it might be possible to hop aboard freight cars in some parts of the country (if you happen to be an adventurer).

By thumb
One upside of the high petroleum prices is that hitching is beginning to be more common in Mexico again, particularly the rural areas. Villagers have always had a hard time affording gas, and nowadays many are turning to picking up paying hitchhikers as a way to afford the next trip into town. Baja, the Sierra Tarahumara and Oaxaca and Chiapas all have good possibilities for the hitchhiker. Hitchhiking possibilities vary according to region. Mexican culture is often accepting of hitchhiking and it's a common practice among Mexican youngsters going to the beach in Easter vacations, though in some cases a money contribution is expected for gas because of its relatively high prices. You should make it clear that you have no money to offer before accepting the ride, if this is the case. Hitchhiking is considered fairly safe and easy in the Yucatan Peninsula. The region near Mexico City should be more difficult to obtain a free hitchhike, as private cars don't stop to help hitchhickers for security reasons and buses that do stop expect a fee for the ride.


Talk
Spanish is the main language. English is largely spoken in border cities with the United States as well as tourist destinations, but much of the country is monolingual. Mexico has one of the richest diversity of languages, more than 60 indigenous languages are spoken within the Mexico territory.

Mexican Spanish is the variant most often taught in the United States of America, so if you learned Spanish there, you should be OK.

In some regions, native languages such as Mayan or Nahuatl are still widely spoken.

There are Spanish languages schools throughout Mexico. The city with the most schools is Cuernavaca, with more than 50 schools. Oaxaca, San Miguel de Allende and Guanajuato also offer a number of schools to choose from. Prices vary, however, most schools are very reasonably priced. Many schools can arrange homestays with local Mexican families.