| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 26/06/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 38 |
| Copyright: Other |
1. SCENERY AND WILDLIFE
Baja California provides sanctuary for a wide variety of marine mammals. There are an estimated 20,000 migratory grey whales off the west coast of the peninsula which attract about 25,000 visitors each year. Located a few miles south of Tulum, Sian Ka’an is a 526,000-hectare ecological park of forests, lagoons, wetlands, ruins and exotic marine habitats.
Mexico’s terrain varies from desert to mountains; jungle to beach. One of the best ways to enjoy the scenery is by train through the Copper Canyon.
Mundi Color has a four-night Copper Canyon trip for £468 designed as an add-on to a tour or beach holiday. Price is based on room-only accommodation.
All at sea: Cabo San Lucas, Baja, Mexico
2. ARCHAEOLOGY
What a view: Chac Mool Statue, Tulun
Mexico boasts six or seven major ruins and hundreds of smaller, lesser known ones. Most impressive are the site of Teotihuacan outside Mexico city, the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza in the Yucatan and Palenque situated in a spectacular jungle setting. The modest-sized coastal ruins of Tulum – the only Mayan port city ever discovered – are less impressive but their setting on a cliff overlooking the azure Caribbean is stunning. Kuoni’s seven-night Yucatan Discovery tour visits Chichen Itza for three nights, Merida for one night and Uxmal, another Maya ruin, for three nights. The price of £1,038 includes flights, transfers, full-board accommodation and English-speaking guide.
Six things to do in Mexico by Lois Jones
Region bids to be centre of attention
Country flags its stunning diversity
Almost every destination claims to offer a diverse product range with plenty to do beyond the beach. But Mexico has more right than many countries to make this bold claim.Visitors who venture beyond Cancun will find a fascinating culture, especially in areas where the indigenous Indians still follow traditional lifestyles. There are 124 different indigenous groups – around 50 of which are concentrated in Chiapas in the south.
Activities on offer include deep-sea fishing off the Pacific coast or trekking through the spectacular Copper Canyon.
The ancient ruins of the Mayan, Aztec and other empires are arguably Mexico’s best attraction. Tourists who do not visit at least one of these mighty sites are missing out.
3. BEACHES
As a playground for the rich and famous, Acapulco is probably Mexico’s most famous beach resort but the Pacific coast boasts many more resorts be they unspoilt fishing villages or cosmopolitan towns such as Puerto Vallarta. Most tourists head to Cancun lured by its turquoise waters and white beaches. The stretch of coast south of Cancun is also opening up for tourism and many operators now feature properties along the Riviera Maya. Cosmos’ lead-in price for Barcelo Las Perlas in Cancun is £824 for an all-inclusive seven-night break in December. Cosmos also features the Riu Yucatan and the Club Viva Maya in Playacar.
The best diving is concentrated in two areas: the Sea of Cortes in the northwest and the Yucatan Peninsula’s East Coast. Both offer clear waters, tremendous biodiversity and top quality dive shops, and incredible underwater clarity. Hayes and Jarvis offers seven nights at the all-inclusive Reef Club Cozumel on the island of Cozumel for £825. The cost includes BA flights to Cancun and a connnecting flight on Mexicana. A Professional Association of Diving Instructors open-water course is £199 and five days’ boat diving £169 including all tanks and weights. Equipment is about US$25 per day.
4. SCUBA DIVING
5. CULTURE AND HISTORY
The legacies of Mexico’s past, from its indigenous roots to Spanish rule and independence to revolution, make this a fascinating country. Mexico City with its National Museum of Anthropology, state buildings and art galleries is an ideal starting point. The country’s colonial cities, including Guanajuato, San Miguel del Allende and Oaxaca, also offer a fascinating insight into life under Spanish rule. Moreover, these cities, with their baroque churches and Spanish-style buildings, are great spots for soaking up Mexican culture. Visitors are likely to come across fiestas, especially during Semana Santa (Easter Week), the country’s biggest holiday. Journey Latin America’s 14-night Eagle tour from Mexico City to Cancun via Oaxaca, Merida and Tulum costs £1,782 this year including hotel stays, flights and transport.
6. FISHING
ger towns around Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo have many operators offering deep-sea fishing. Mundi Color has eight nights’ room-only at the Melia San Lucas in Cabo San Lucas for £1,347 with flights and a one-night stopover in Mexico City.
The Sea of Cortes is teeming with sea life, with over 800 species of fish and more than twice as many shellfish. The bigger towns around Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo have many operators offering deep-sea fishing. Mundi Color has eight nights’ room-only at the Melia San Lucas in Cabo San Lucas for £1,347 with flights and a one-night stopover in Mexico City.