Mexican Music

The music of Mexico is diverse, full of cultural contrasts influenced mainly by Indigenous music, with many different musical styles and influences. Many traditional Mexican songs are well-known worldwide.

Today, there are many popular modern Mexican musical genres. Widely popular country music includes norteño, banda, and duranguense bands, rancheras, a type of song that was literally sung on a Mexican ranch, corridos, and sometimes cumbia.

Jose David Alfaro Siqueiros

Jose David Alfaro Siqueiros (December 29, 1896 in Camargo, Chihuahua, Mexico - January 6, 1974 in Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico) was a social realist painter (muralist), and also a Stalinist, known for large murals in fresco that established the "Mexican Mural Renaissance" together with work by Diego Rivera, Orozco, and others.

Guanajuato, Mexico

Guanajuato is the Capital of the state of Guanajuato. The name of the city means "Place of Frogs" in the local Tarascan indigenous language and therefore the frog is the city's official pet. Guanajuato is a beautiful mountain colonial town.

Many tourists and locals consider this city to be the most beautiful in Mexico. It once was a major silver mining town, and many of the mines are still active. The city has a network of underground tunnels that serve as roads making this place really unique in the world.

The historic town of Guanajuato and adjacent mines were granted World Heritage status by UNESCO in 1987 and has been ranked by several travel magazines as one of the top travel destinations in the world.

Mummies of Guanajuato
The city's most famous tourist attraction is the Mummies of Guanajuato, which are located in their own museum located on the side of the municipal cemetery in the Tepetapa neighborhood. The Mummy Museum contains a collection of specimens that mummified naturally in the adjoining cemetery.

Mexican Art

Mexico is known worldwide for its folk art traditions, mostly derived from a combination of the indigenous and Spanish crafts. Particularly notable among handicrafts are the clay pottery made in the valley of Oaxaca and the bird and animal figures made in the village of Tonala. Colorfully embroidered cotton garments, cotton or wool shawls and outer garments, and colorful baskets and rugs are seen everywhere. Between the Spanish conquest and the early Twentieth Century, Mexican fine arts were largely in imitation of European traditions. After the Mexican Revolution, a new generation of Mexican artists led a vibrant national movement that incorporated political, historic, and folk themes in their work. The painters Diego Rivera, Jose Clemente Orozco, and David Alfaro Siqueiros became world famous for their grand scale murals, often displaying clear social messages. Rufino Tamayo and Frida Kahlo produced more personal works with abstract elements. Mexican art photography was largely fostered by the work of Manuel Alvarez Bravo.

Lake Texcoco

Lake Texcoco was a natural lake formation within the Valley of Mexico, a basin located in the southern highlands of Mexico's central altiplano. It formerly extended over a large portion in the southern half of the basin, where it was the largest of an interconnected chain of five major and several smaller lakes.

Lake Texcoco was the lowest-lying of all the lakes, and occupied the minimum elevation in the valley so that water ultimately drained towards it. During periods of high water levels, typically after the May-October rainy seasons, the lakes were often joined as a single body of water. In the drier winter months the lake system tended to separate into individual bodies of water.

The term "Texcoco Lake" now refers only to a small area surrounded by salt marshes east of Mexico City, which covers the ancient lake bed.

Volcanoes of Mexico

There are three major glaciated Mexican Volcanoes:

Pico de Orizaba (Citlateptl) - The Pico de Orizaba (5,636 m) is a stratovolcano, the highest mountain in Mexico and the third highest in North America. The Pico overlooks the valley and city of Orizaba, from which it gets its name. Popocatepetl - Popocatepetl (commonly referred to as Popo, El Popo or Don Goyo) is an active volcano and, at (5,426 m), the second highest peak in Mexico after the Pico de Orizaba. Iztaccihuatl - Iztaccihuatl (5,230 m) is the third highest mountain in Mexico, after the Pico de Orizaba (5,636 m) and Popocatepetl (5,426 m). Its name is Nahuatl for "white woman".

Zacatecas, Mexico

Nearly all of the city center buildings are nineteenth century or older; the topography and irregular street pattern (most streets are too steep and narrow for vehicles; many have steps in them) almost make one think of a medieval city like Toledo, Spain. The city, built on the site where silver was discovered in the 1530s, is crammed into a narrow canyon, with houses and churches perched on its nearly vertical walls.

"Zacatecas" is the Nahuatl name for the indigenous people who inhabited the area before the arrival of the Spanish. The name ultimately derives from the Nahuatl word for a type of grass common in the region, zacatl. The region where this grass grew was originally called Zacatlan, and its inhabitants, Zacatecas.

Sights of Interest in Zacatecas

• Cathedral: It is one of the most beautiful examples of churrigueresque arquitecture in Mexico. It is an elaborately carved red-stone (cantera) structure that was built between 1730 and 1760. It is flanked by two towers with an exuberant ornamentation and has a notable facade that was richly sculpted but its once decorated interior was looted during the civil wars of the 19th and 20th centuries. Its cupola was reconstructed in 1836 and imitates that one of the church of Nuestra Señora de Loreto in Mexico City.
• Church of Santo Domingo: Almost in front of the cathedral, on one of the corners of the Plaza de Armas, lies Veyna Alley, leading to the church of Santo Domingo that was built by the Jesuits between 1746 and 1749 and has a beautiful baroque facade. Splendid gold wood-carved altarpieces, all of them churrigueresque, and Francisco Antonio Vallejo paintings (XVIII) that represent scenes of The Passion can be found inside.
• College of La Compañía de Jesus: It shows a richly sculpted facade; the cloister is surrounded by halls whose vaults are decorated with cherubim.
• Church of San Agustin: It has a plateresque facade decorated with a bas-relief.
• Parish of La Virgen del Patrocinio: It lies at the summit of a hill, Cerro de la Bufa. It was built in 1728.
• Del Cubo aqueduct: It runs through the city. It was constructed more than 250 years ago.

Food of Mexico

Most of today's Mexican food is based on ancient traditions, such as the Aztecs and Maya, combined with culinary trends introduced by Spanish colonists. When Spanish conquistadores arrived in the Aztec capital Tenochtitlan (Mexico City) they found that the people's diet consisted largely of corn-based dishes with chilies and herbs, usually complemented with beans and tomatoes. The conquistadores eventually combined their imported diet of rice, beef, pork, chicken, wine, garlic and onions with the native indigenous foods of pre-Columbian Mexico.

The French occupation of Mexico influenced Mexican cuisine with baked goods such as sweet breads and the bolillo, a Mexican take on the French roll. There is also a minor Asian influence due to the Manila-Acapulco galleon trade, which lasted from 1565 to 1815.

Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico

The city of Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico population 1,425,000, is the fifth most populous city in Mexico and the largest city in the state of Guanajuato. Leon is known as "the shoe capital of the world," and features large factories that not only produce shoes, but also wallets, purses, boots, belts, jackets and other leather accessories, serving both national and international markets.

Visit the historical center and shop for leather. Leon is a great place for discounted shoes.

Del Bajio International Airport is located in Silao just 20 minutes from Leon.

Things to do and see in Leon

• Our Lady of Angeles Church - This church was built at the end of the 18th Century and is churrigueresque in design.
• House of Culture - This house was built during the middle of the 19th Century and has a beautiful neoclassic quarry stone facade.
• Triumphal Arch - Built in 1893 to commemorate the 83rd anniversary of the Mexican Independence.
• Botanical Gardens - The gardens contain a variety of plants, orchid garden, greenhouse and orchards.
• Leon Zoo - Over 2,000 animals are on display in this attractive park, such as polar bears, panthers, pumas, tigers and lions.
• Metropolitan Park - Over 260 hectares for recreation, sports and enjoying nature.

Best Beaches of Mexico

Mexico has some of the best beaches anywhere, particularly on the Pacific Coast and on the Caribbean sea.

With nearly 6000 miles (9330 km) of coastline, and some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, Mexico entices all those who enjoy sea and sand.

The best beaches of Mexico offer a real panorama of options.

Puerto Vallarta is one of Mexico's most famous beachside towns on the Pacific.
Mazatlan is the young Mexican party town of the Pacific coast.
Cozumel is Mexico's original "Caribbean" destination; an island about 40 miles south of Cancun.
Cancun is Mexico's most visited and most luxurious resort: over 2 million people flock here annually.
Acapulco is the world's playground for the rich and famous, Acapulco has experienced a renaissance in recent times.
Cabo San Lucas is at the far end of Mexico's Baja Peninsula, the land immediately south of the United States.
Manzanillo's unpopulated beaches are the most beautiful on the west coast of Mexico.

Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico

Monterrey is Mexico's third largest city and it is vibrant and full of life. The Gran Plaza of Monterrey is the center for the state government of Nuevo Leon. The Plaza's modern buildings, gardens, and monuments are a reflection of the city that has fully embraced the spirit of modern industrialism.

Monterrey is the main transport hub of the north and there are many routes into and out of Monterrey, including excellent highways, railroads, and Monterrey's international airport which offers daily flights to and from many cities in Mexico and the United States.

What to see in Monterrey!

• Cerro de la Silla - Monterrey's most famous landmark is the saddle-shaped mountain that dominates the local skyline. There are also hiking trails to its peak, if you're athletically inclined.
• Cerro del Obispado - Historical site, originally home of the Bishop de Monterrey, with excellent views of the city. Home to a small regional history museum with a clerical bent. The Obispado can be easily spotted by virtue of its enormous Mexican flag, flying proudly beside it.
• Cerveceria Cuahtemoc - Tours and sample of Carta Blanca, Dos Equis, Bohemia, Sol, or one of the other beers brewed here.
• Macroplaza - In the east of the Zona Rosa is Mexico's largest zocalo, or central plaza, a stretch of green space lined with fountains, statues, gardens, and monuments. Ringing the park are many historical buildings and museums, including the Monterrey Cathedral, the Mexican History Museum, the Monterrey Contemporary Art Museum, and the former palace of the governor.
• Puente Colgante San Pedro - Futuristic suspension bridge set against a dramatic backdrop of nearby mountains. Safari Parque Estrella - Located about 30 minutes from Monterrey this wildlife safari park features treks through the Serengeti, a petting zoo, and a variety of attractions for the whole family.
• Cascadas Cola de Caballo - Take a day trip out to the park and see the waterfalls, just a few miles outside Monterrey.

Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico

Mazatlan is known as a party city and has an exceptionally good night life. Some popular destinations include Sumbawa, Joe's Oyster, Valentino's, and Senor Frogs. The city gets crazy around American Spring Break when all of the city is flooded with American students looking for fun. Mazatlan also has a five day festival (which is purported to be one of the largest in the world) near the end of February.

Mazatlan has several prime locations where you can try out your surfing skills. The most popular spot is a beach called Playa Bruja in the Northern part of the city. The waves easily reach heights of 8-10 feet and there is almost always a vendor from whom you can rent surfboards.

Mazatlan is a Nahuatl word meaning "place of the deer."

Diego Rivera

Diego Rivera (December 8, 1886 - November 24, 1957) was born Diego Maria de la Concepcion Juan Nepomuceno Estanislao de la Rivera y Barrientos Acosta y Rodriguez in Guanajuato, Gto. He was a world-famous Mexican painter, an active Communist, and husband of Frida Kahlo, 1929-1939 and 1940-1954 (her death). Rivera's large wall works in fresco helped establish the Mexican Mural Renaissance. Between 1922 and 1953, Rivera painted murals in Mexico City, Chapingo, Cuernavaca, San Francisco, Detroit, New York City. His 1931 retrospective exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City was their second.

Parque Nacional Barranca del Cobre

Hold on tight. You are about to take the plunge into one of the most rugged and mysterious chasms on earth. Mexico established the Parque Nacional Barranca del Cobre (Copper Canyon National Park) to showcase this remote area.

The Copper Canyon is a group of canyons consisting of 6 distinct canyons in the Sierra Tarahumara in the southwestern part of the state of Chihuahua, Mexico. The overall canyon system is larger and portions are deeper than the Grand Canyon in the neighboring United States.

The system is traversed by the Chihuahua al Pacifico railroad. It is both an important transportation system for locals and a draw for tourists.

Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico

Puerto Vallarta is a Mexican resort city situated on the Pacific Ocean's Bahia de Banderas - Banderas Bay. Puerto Vallarta offers championship golf, tennis tournaments, mountain biking, snorkeling, scuba diving, horseback riding, hot air ballooning and more for the active traveler! Day trips range from a flight to a mountain silver mining village to a cruise to the island preserve of many endangered species, from booze cruises to dolphin and whale watching.

The north shore of the bay is lined with beach towns that offer good wading beaches and the usual tourist amenities. These include: Bucerias, Cruz de Huanacaxtle, Playa la Manzanilla, Playa Destiladeras, Playa Pontoque, and Punta Mita.

Jose Clemente Orozco

Jose Clemente Orozco (November 23, 1883 - September 7, 1949) was a Mexican social realist painter, who specialized in bold murals that established Mexican Muralism together with murals by Diego Rivera, David Siqueiros, and others. Orozco was the most complex of the Mexican muralists, fond of the theme of human suffering, but less realistic and more fascinated by machines than Rivera. Mostly influenced by Symbolism, he was also a genre painter and lithographer. Between 1922 and 1948, Orozco painted murals in Mexico City, Orizaba, Claremont, California, New York City, Hanover, New Hampshire, Guadalajara, Jalisco, and Jiquilpan, Michoacan. His drawings and paintings are exhibited by the Carrillo Gil Museum in Mexico City, and the Orozco Workshop-Museum in Guadalajara.

Mexican Weather

When planning a travel vacation to Mexico you need to consider the weather and seasons so you can make informed decisions about what to pack. Many people automatically assume that the weather throughout Mexico is always hot. Mexico is a large country and its weather can vary greatly from one destination to the other. The weather in Mexico is determined not only by latitude but also by altitude. Mexico has tropical forests, dry deserts, fertile valleys and snow-capped mountains. Since the terrain is extremely wide-ranging, so is the weather. On the coast the climate is generally temperate year-round, and Mexico City, for example, can have days and nights that require an extra layer.

Mexican Architecture

Mexico has cities, towns and villages that feature assorted architectural styles. Most of the architecture is an enchanting blend of colonial and indigenous cultures.

There are wonderful cathedrals, pyramids made during the pre-Hispanic times, historical buildings and modern structures.

Modern Mexican painters and sculptors continued to produce an extraordinary variety of works in many styles and techniques. Major figures included Jose Luis Cuevas, Jorge G. Camarena, Martinez de Hoyos, Frida Kahlo (Diego Rivera's wife). The Mexican hacienda was a work place, a residence, a place of leisure and of religion-in short, a closed and self-sufficient rural world in which landowners and workers engaged in agricultural and livestock production. Constructed and modified from the sixteenth until the beginning of the twentieth centuries, they are today some of Mexico's architectural treasures. The hacienda's layout and buildings, though derived from earlier Spanish forms, constitute a uniquely Mexican vernacular architecture that deserves to be widely known and celebrated.

San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico

The colonial city of San Miguel de Allende, population 120,000 is situated on a hillside facing the Laja River and the distant Guanajuato Mountains in Mexico. San Miguel de Allende was declared a national monument in 1926.

San Miguel de Allende boasts a thriving cultural and entertainment scene. Many events, plays, lectures, and art classes are in English. The renowned San Miguel Music Festival is held every year. San Miguel de Allende is a city with dozens of churches and hosts a full calendar of religious festivals throughout the year.

San Miguel de Allende is located in central Mexico, 92 km west of the city of Guanajuato and 276 km northwest of Mexico City, off Highway 110. The average temperature ranges between 16º and 22º C (61º and 72º F).

The city's magnificent colonial edifices, which often combine baroque and neoclassical elements, offer clear examples of the eclectic mix of architectural styles, as you'll see in buildings such as the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcangel and the Oratorio de San Felipe Neri.

You'll have a clearer understanding of the city's role during the independence insurgence when you visit the stately mansion that houses the Museo Casa Allende.

In addition, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico is a destination that draws tourists from all over the world due to its important cultural events, such as the Sanmiguelada, which was inspired by Spain's Pamplona Festival.

The city also hosts world-famous events such as the Chamber Music Festival and the San Miguel Jazz Festival, which features renowned artists.

Santiago de Queretaro

The city has become a good place for tourists to visit, mainly because of the beauty of the historic center. A walk at night in its narrow streets and alleys is a beautiful experience that makes people remember the long struggle for the Mexican independence that began here, as well as the ancient legends that have spread generation after generation by its very proud inhabitants.

Santiago de Queretaro, commonly referred to as Queretaro, is the capital and largest city of the Mexican state of Queretaro.

In 1996, the historic center of Queretaro was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

The most prominent feature of the city is its enormous aqueduct, consisting of seventy five arches, each twenty meters wide with a total extension of 1,280 meters and an average height of twenty three meters. It was built by the Marquis Juan Antonio de la Urrutia y Arana between 1726 and 1738 at the request of the nuns of the Santa Clara Convent to bring water to the residents of the city from La Cañada.

Toluca, Mexico

Toluca is the state capital of Mexico. Toluca is the center of a rapidly growing urban area, now the fifth largest in Mexico.

Most vistors go straight to the Cosmovitral, an indoor botanical garden housed in stained glass designed by the artist Leopolodo Flores. The stained glass depicts the human struggle between good and evil and is said by some to the largest stained glass mural in the world.

When Toluca was founded by the Matlazincas, its original name was Nepintahihui (land of corn). It is also referred to in a number of Aztec codices as Tolutepetl, meaning hill of the god Tolo, referring to the nearby volcano Nevado de Toluca.

Toluca has one of the largest bus terminals in the country.

Plaza de los Martires (Plaza of the Martyrs), also know as the Zocalo, which includes buildings such as the Palace of the State Government and the Justice Palace (Palacio de Justicia).

The Temple of La Merced is one of the most ancient convents still preserved and one of the most important founded by Spaniards.

The Cosmovitral is located in a stone and ironwork building in the center of Toluca built in 1910 by engineer Manuel Arratia in order to accommodate the "16 de Septiembre" market.

Los Portales represent the social and commercial life of the city.

The Plaza de Fray Andrés de Castro is located next to Los Portales and connected to the older arches by means of a passageway with a transparent roof.

The Cathedral of Toluca was begun in 1867 by José Francisco de Paula on land originally belongin to the Asunción de Toluca Franciscan monastery.

Dia de la Bandera

The Mexican National Flag is a symbol that integrates the concepts of Mexican nationality of the past and present that have been built. There are many banners and flags that Mexico has used throughout history as a symbol of their country. All suffered some variations, but the February 24, 1821 was when the current flag, called the Three Guarantees was established. This flag consists of 3 colors distributed vertically in order, green, white and red.

Flag days are usually codified in national statutes, however, in some countries a decree by the head of state can also order a flag day. The statute or decree may specify locations where flags are flown and how are they flown (for example, at full- or half-staff); alternatively, custom may prevail.

Frida Kahlo

Born July 6, 1907 - July 13, 1954, Frida Kahlo was a Mexican painter, who has achieved great international popularity. She painted using vibrant colors in a style that was influenced by indigenous cultures of Mexico as well as by European influences that include Realism, Symbolism, and Surrealism. Many of her works are self-portraits that symbolically express her own pain and sexuality. Kahlo had a volatile marriage with the famous Mexican artist Diego Rivera. She suffered lifelong health problems. Many of her health problems were the result of a traffic accident she survived as a teenager. Recovering from her injuries isolated her from other people and this isolation influenced her works, many of which are self-portraits of one sort or another. Kahlo suggested, "I paint myself because I am so often alone and because I am the subject I know best." She also stated, "I was born a bitch. I was born a painter."

Mexican History

Mexico is the largest Spanish-speaking country in the world. It also has the largest number of American Indian language speakers on the continent, the majority speaking Nahuatl, Mayan, Mixtec and Zapotec. Human presence in Mexico has been shown to date back 40,000 years based upon ancient human footprints discovered in the Valley of Mexico.

The nation's name is derived from the Mexican civilization known in popular culture as the Aztecs.

Mexico's political, social, and economic landscapes have shifted in very striking ways in recent years, and the country now moves cautiously into the twenty-first century. The Course of Mexican History has been updated and revised to address these remarkable transformations. This eighth edition offers a completely up-to-date, lively, and engaging survey from pre-Columbian times to the present.

Tula, Hidalgo, Mexico

Tula, formally, Tula de Allende is in the southwestern part of the state of Hidalgo in central Mexico, some 100 km to the north-northwest of Mexico City.

Nearby Tula are the remains of the ancient capital city of the Toltecs, also known as "Tula" or as "Tollan". Usually identified as the Toltec capital around 980 CE, the city was destroyed at some time between 1168 or 1179.

Distinctive Toltec features here include terraced pyramids, colonnaded buildings, and relief sculptures, including the characteristic chacmools, reclining figures that may have been avatars of the rain god, Tlaloc.

The city was the largest in central Mexico in the 9th and 10th centuries, covering an area of some 12 km². While it might have been the largest city in Mesoamerica at the time, some Maya sites in the Yucatan may have rivaled its population during this period.

Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico

Guadalajara is the capital of the state of Jalisco and the second largest city in the country. Guadalajara has Spanish colonial atmosphere, although it is the agricultural, commercial and industrial centre of the western highlands.

Throughout the centuries, the city has become rich in history, and to this day, many of the historic buildings still stand as reminders of the significance the city.

One of the main attractions in town is the Cathedral which has a number of altars and a big art collection. There are also many parks, the Parque Agua Azul and the Parque de las Armas are most notable. Around the Cathedral there are two more parks, the Parque de los Laureles and the Parque de la Revolucion.

If you want to go shopping you should head for the Plaza Libertad. It has a colourful market with a wide range of locally produced goods.

If you are looking for traditional handcrafted items visit San Juan de Dios, an outdoor/indoor market located near Parque Morelos. There you will find a vast array of colorful items.

Guadalajara is one of the main centers of culture, economy, history, industry and religion in the country and exerts significant influence on the rest of Mexico.

Acapulco, Guerrero, Mexico

The original Mexican resort town, Acapulco still remains a major destination and a worthwhile trip. Acapulco has been a popular resort for tourists taking long holiday weekends and cruises from the United States, the Mexican interior and countries in South America. It is the number one spring break destination among U.S. college students.

The city is best known as one of Mexico's oldest and most well-known beach resorts, which came into prominence in the 1950s as a getaway for Hollywood stars and millionaires. Acapulco is still famous for its nightlife and still attracts many vacationers, although most are now from Mexico itself. The resort area is divided into two: The north end of the bay is the "traditional" area, where the famous in the mid-20th century vacationed; and the south end is dominated by newer luxury high-rise hotels.

The name "Acapulco" comes from the Nahuatl language, and means "place of broken reeds".

Mexico City - Distrito Federal

Mexico City is considered the world's second largest and most populated city, built on the dry bed of lake Texcoco, surrounded on three sides by tall mountains and volcanoes such as the Ajusco, the Popocatepetl and the Ixtlacihuatl. It's a massive urban sprawl, stretching from Mexico State in the north, through the Federal District. Estimates place the population of the full metropolitan area at 20 million people. It is the most important economic, industrial and cultural center in the country.

Colima Mexico

The city of Colima is the capital and main city of the Mexican state and municipality of the same name.

Colima is one of the oldest cities in Mexico. Following the fall of Tenochtitlan in 1521, the Spanish conquistadors were quick to reach the west coast. Colima's native king Rey Colimán organized the defense of his kingdom against the Spanish.

In 1523 the conquistador Gonzalo de Sandoval founded the first Villa de Colima in Caxitlán, near modern-day Tecomán. However, poor settlement conditions resulted in the founding of the Villa San Sebastián de Colima in what is now the city of Colima. The new location provided a better climate, lands better suited to cultivation, and proximity to mining.

The Colima Volcano is currently one of the most active volcanoes in Mexico and in North America. It has erupted more than 40 times since 1576.

Despite its name, only a fraction of the volcano's surface area is in the state of Colima; the majority of its surface area lies over the border in the neighboring state of Jalisco, toward the western end of the Eje Volcánico Transversal mountain range. It is about 485 km (301 mi) west of Mexico City and 125 km (78 mi) south of Guadalajara, Jalisco.

There are two peaks in the volcano complex: Nevado de Colima (4330 m), which is older and inactive, lies 5 kilometers north of the younger and very active 3860 metre Volcán de Colima (also called Volcán de Fuego de Colima).

Since 1869-1878, a parasitic set of domes, collectively known as El Volcancito, have formed on the northeast flank of the main cone of the volcano.

Oaxaca, Mexico

Much of the joy of a Oaxaca trip comes from simply strolling the downtown streets, sitting in a sidewalk cafe on the Zocalo, and soaking up the atmosphere.

Oaxaca City continues to be welcoming, peaceful, friendly and inexpensive. It is an ideal place to visit for families and independent travelers.

Oaxaca is well-known for having one of the best Dia de Los Muertos festivals in Mexico, housed in and around the large candle-lit city cemeteries.

Cozumel, Quintana Roo, Mexico

Cozumel is a Caribbean island just off the Yucatan Peninsula in southeastern Mexico. It has great beaches, nice people, and safe streets, with prices comparable to other Mexican tourist destinations.

Cozumel is a destination for people seeking a relaxing, laid back vacation that includes the island's world renowned diving or snorkeling its fabled coral reefs.

Cozumel also offers several Mayan Archaeological Sites. The most extensive vestiges are those at San Gervasio, an inland site several miles north of the Carretera Transversal.

Fortino Mario Alfonso Moreno Reyes - Cantinflas

Cantinflas is sometimes seen as a Mexican Groucho Marx character, one who uses his skill with words to puncture the pretensions of the wealthy and powerful, the police and the government. Historian and author of Cantinflas and the Chaos of Mexican Modernity, writes, "Cantinflas symbolized the underdog who triumphed through trickery over more powerful opponents" and presents Cantinflas as a self image of a transitional Mexico.

To understand Cantinflas is to understand Mexico.

He earned wide popularity with his stage and film persona Cantinflas, usually portrayed as an impoverished campesino slumdweller of pelado origin. The character came to be associated with the national identity of Mexico, and allowed Moreno to establish a long, successful film career that included a foray into Hollywood. Charlie Chaplin once called him "the greatest comedian in the world", and Moreno is often referred to as the "Charlie Chaplin of Mexico"

Los Cabos, Mexico

Los Cabos municipality encompasses the towns of Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo, as well as the Resort Corridor that lies between the two. Los Cabos are a bustling hub for sport fishermen, cruise ships, handicraft vendors, water sport aficionados and nightlife seekers.

The cape region experienced a sport fishing craze in the 1950s and 60s and due to the prolific bill fishing, the waters off the peninsula's southern tip earned the nickname "Marlin Alley".

The area is considered the second fastest growing resort destination in all of Mexico and particularly busy with visitors during the winter high season, November to February. With some of the best all-around sport fishing in the world and every water sport imaginable, Cabo is the ultimate destination for travelers looking for outdoor adventure.

In spite of all the tourists, Los Cabos manage to retain something of a small town feel.

Yucatan, Mexico

Yucatan is a state located on the north of the Yucatan Peninsula, with its coastline facing the Gulf of Mexico.

Yucatan is a place of peace and friendly people, a place to explore the Maya culture, enjoy beautiful sandy beaches, underground rivers and cenotes, delight in sightseeing many ancient Maya archaeological sites, or flavor a great meal.

Bird lovers will find Yucatan a great place for bird-watching, those that enjoy romantic places will find many in the Colonial cities of this lovely state; where people gather early at night in parks and plazas to enjoy a free concert or to dance some salsa.

It is where the Chicxulub Crater is located, buried underneath the Peninsula.

Taxco "The Place of the Ballgame" Mexico

Taxco is a beautiful city built on a hill between Acapulco and Mexico City. If you are looking for a side trip this is the place to go. It is rich with old and new silver mines, has narrow streets and hundreds of silver shops. Taxco, Mexico is renowned for its more than 200-year-old baroque-style church, the Santa Prisca Cathedral, dating back to the 1700's.

The Aztecs founded a city they called "Tlacho" meaning the place of the ballgame.

The city is heavily associated with silver, both with the mining of it and other metals and for the crafting of it into jewelry, silverware and other items. This reputation, along with the city’s picturesque homes and surrounding landscapes have made tourism the main economic activity as the only large-scale mining operation here is coming to a close.

Taxco is located in the north-central part of the state, 36 km from the city of Iguala, 135 km from the state capital of Chilpancingo and 170 km southwest of Mexico City. The city was named one of Mexico’s “Pueblos Mágicos” (Magical Towns) due to the quality of the silverwork, the colonial constructions and the surrounding scenery.

Learn Spanish

Fifteen percent of our nation's population speak Spanish as a primary language. More and more business is becoming global in nature. Today, service and financial sectors are playing the world market not just the importing and exporting of agricultural and industrial goods.

Spanish is the fourth most commonly spoken language in the world (after English, Chinese and Hindustani), and according to some people it has more native speakers than English does.

Better understanding of English - Much of the vocabulary of English has Latin origins, since Spanish is also a Latin language, you will find as you study Spanish that you have a better understanding of your native vocabulary.

Travel - It is perfectly possible to visit Mexico, South America or Spain without speaking a word of Spanish. But it isn't nearly half as much fun.

Cultural Understanding - We can learn how other people learn and think.

Learning other languages - If you can learn Spanish, you'll have a head start in learning the other Latin-based languages such as French and Italian.

It's easy - Spanish is one of the easiest foreign languages to learn. Much of its vocabulary is similar to English's, and written Spanish is almost completely phonetic.

Employment - If you work in medicine or education, you'll find your opportunities expand by knowing Spanish.

It's fun - Whether you enjoy reading, talking or watching telemundo, you'll find them much more enjoyable learning Spanish.

Chiapas Mexico

Chiapas is the southernmost state of Mexico, located towards the southeast of the country. Chiapas is bordered by the states of Tabasco to the north, Veracruz to the northwest, and Oaxaca to the west. To the east Chiapas borders Guatemala, and to the south the Pacific Ocean.

In general Chiapas has a humid, tropical climate. The state is extremely rich in water and other natural resources; its jungles and highlands are great producers of valuable hardwoods and are home to an incredible variety of other flora and fauna as well as some of Mexico's most fascinating Mayan archaeological sites.

It has a small international airport in the state capital, Tuxtla Gutierrez, and is also connected by highways (some are toll roads, or cuota) with the surrounding states and Guatemala.

A trip into the perilous state of Chiapas in southern Mexico is taken in this documentary, which focuses on the Zapatista National Liberation Army and its mysterious leader, Subcomandante Marcos. The narration notes that The New York Times has referred to the struggle of the Zapatistas as the "world's first postmodern revolution," and there is a remarkably surreal air at times. At one point Subcomandante Marcos is filmed while posing for the French fashion magazine Marie Claire, yet there can be no denying that the residents he champions are extremely poor. The interviews with farmers who fear they will be murdered by government troops are moving, and a press conference in which tape recordings of death threats are played is disturbing. The film's director, Nettie Wild, has a definite point of view and notes stoically that a memo from American bankers may have inspired the violence directed against the local rebels by the Mexican government.

The background of the rebellion in Chiapas is told concisely with most of the film consisting of atmospheric footage showing life in the troubled and violent region. The film crew was itself threatened by right-wing paramilitary death squads, and the paranoia that is an asset in such an environment is tensely translated via filmed encounters with government troops.

Mexican Fiestas

Fiestas are an essential part of the Mexican culture. It seems that every day there is a Fiesta somewhere in Mexico. The fact that Mexico has so many different holidays and regional festivals offers the opportunity to sample Mexican celebrations throughout the entire year.

Fiestas Patrias is a Spanish phrase meaning "Patriotic Holidays".

The Fiestas Patrias in Mexico originated in the 19th century. They are observed today as public holidays. Aniversario de la Constitución (Constitution Day) commemorates the Constitution of 1917, promulgated after the Mexican Civil War on February 5.

Natalicio de Benito Juárez (Birth of Benito Juárez) commemorates President Benito Juárez's birthday on March 21, 1806. Juárez is popularly regarded as an exemplary politician due to his liberal policies that, among other things, defined the traditionally strict separation of the church and the Mexican state.

Día del Trabajo (Labor Day) commemorates the Mexican workers' union movements on May 1 - specifically, the 1906 Cananea, Sonora, and the 1907 Río Blanco, Veracruz, labor unrest and repression.

Grito de Dolores (on the evening of September 15th) and Aniversario de la Independencia (September 16th) commemorates Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla's Grito de Dolores - on September 16, 1810, in the village of Dolores, near Guanajuato. Hidalgo called for the end of Spanish rule in Mexico. On October 18, 1825, the Republic of Mexico officially declared September 16th its national Independence Day.

Aniversario de la Revolución commemorates the Mexican Revolution which started on November 20, 1910 when Francisco I. Madero planned an uprising against dictator Porfirio Díaz's 34-year-long iron rule. Although November 20 is the official day, the uprising started on different days in different parts of the country.

Cinco de mayo is not an important national holiday in Mexico. That distinction is reserved for Dieciséis de septiembre, which is celebrated from the evening of September 15 with a re-creation of the Grito de Dolores by all executive office-holders (from the President of the Republic down to municipal presidents) and lasts through the night. In contrast, Cinco de mayo is observed mostly at a local level (Puebla State) and is a minor Bank Holiday in the rest of Mexico.

Puebla "Cinco de Mayo" Mexico

Puebla, a charming and vibrant city and distinguished visually by the numerous examples of Spanish colonial architecture in the city center. The cuisine of Puebla is known world wide for its originality and the quality of ingredients; one of the best known is mole poblano.

It was the first city in central Mexico founded by the Spanish conquistadors that was not built upon the ruins of a conquered Amerindian settlement.

The city's main claim to fame is Cinco de Mayo, a festival commemorating the May 5th, 1862 defeat of the French army at the battle of Puebla.

The city was founded in 1531 in an area called Cuetlaxcoapan, which means "where serpents change their skin", in between of two of the main indigenous settlements at the time, Tlaxcala and Cholula. This valley was not populated in the 16th century as in the pre-Hispanic period; this area was primarily used to the "flower wars" between a number of populations. Due to its history and architectural styles ranging from Renaissance to Mexican Baroque, the city was named a World Heritage Site in 1987. The city is also famous for mole poblano, chiles en nogada and Talavera pottery. However, most of its economy is based on industry.

Chichen Itza - "At the mouth of the well of the Itza."

Chichen Itza is the largest pre-Columbian archaeological city built by the Maya civilization located in the northern center of the Yucatan Peninsula, Yucatan, Mexico. It is one of Mexico's most visited tourist destinations.

Chichen Itza was a center of pilgrimage for the ancient Maya for over 1,000 years. The Maya name "Chichen Itza" means "At the mouth of the well of the Itza."

Dominating the center of Chichen Itza is the Temple of Kukulkan (the Maya name for Quetzalcoatl), often referred to as "El Castillo" (the castle).

"Templo de los Guerreros" (the Temple of the Warriors) complex consists of a large stepped pyramid fronted and flanked by rows of carved columns depicting warriors.

"El Caracol" (the snail), this structure was an observatory with its doors aligned to view the vernal equinox, the Moon's greatest northern and southern declinations, and other astronomical events sacred to Kukulcan, the feathered-serpent god of the wind and learning.

Cancun, Mexico

Cancun is a coastal city in Mexico's easternmost state, Quintana Roo, on the Yucatan Peninsula best known as the Mexican Caribbean or at the northern section of the Mayan Riviera.

There are about 140 hotels in Cancun with more than 24,000 rooms and 380 restaurants. Four million visitors arrive each year in an average of 190 flights daily. Many of the hotels are time-share condominiums with kitchen facilities. Some are all inclusive hotels which offer unlimited breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks, beverages, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, hotel activities, entertainment, non-motorized water sports, and discounts on tours to the Maya ruins. Many tourists get packages to visit Chichen Itza. It offers a unique insight in the precolombian civilization of Mexico.

The spectacular coastline of Mexico's Yucatan peninsula is a diverse playground where you can bask on pristine beaches, explore ancient ruins, play golf or tennis, go biking, snorkeling or scuba diving, do serious shopping, or escape to a secluded lagoon. With info on Cancun, Isla Mujeres, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen and the Riviera Maya, plus the nearby ruins, this friendly guide gives you the low down.

Manzanillo, Colima, Mexico

Manzanillo is a city as well as a city surrounding municipality in the Mexican state of Colima. The city, located on the Pacific Ocean, contains Mexico's busiest port.

In the 2005 census the city of Manzanillo had a population of 110,728 and its municipality had 137,842. It is the second-largest community in the state, after Colima, the capital. The municipality covers an area of 1,578.4 km2 (609.42 sq mi), and includes such outlying communities as El Colomo, in addition to many smaller communities.

Manzanillo is also a beach resort and, as the self-proclaimed "sailfish capital" of the world, hosts a yearly sailfish fishing tournament. The Revillagigedo Islands, off the west coast of Mexico in the Pacific Ocean, are part of the municipality.

Manzanillo is Mexico's busiest port, as measured by total tonnage and volume of containerized cargo. In 2007, the port moved 1.4 million TEUs and 18.0 million tons of total cargo. Port business experienced a significant surge during the USA's West Coast Lockout in Long Beach, California, in 2002. The port is connected by Ferromex rail lines to Guadalajara and Mexico City.

Manzanillo is also home to the Navy's Pacific Naval Force. Manzanillo also hosts the most efficient port for tuna landings in Mexico.

The Playa de Oro International Airport (ZLO) is a small airport located about 35 minutes north of Manzanillo along Highway 200. Ground transportation is limited to taxis and car rentals. It has daily domestic and international flights and has recently been remodeled.

Mexico is a great choice for a vacation!

Mexico is a vacation paradise, filled with charming beaches, snow capped mountains, desert landscapes and lush rainforests. Mexico offers a variety of vacation travel, from the small, peaceful fishing villages to the flashy neon cities, teeming with life, each with its unique mix of modern-day technology and tradition.

A vacation in Mexico will allow you to experience Mexico's rich history, romantic legends and creative culinary specialties as you journey through the country. Each region offers a distinct cultural personality, so there's always something new and exciting at each stop.

Mexico can crawl along at the relaxed pace of a sunbather or fly by as you rush to take the Metro. You can hike through Mexico's vast interior, explore the ruins of civilizations past, or bargain hunt for arts and crafts, jewelry, clothing and accessories at each port of call.

Mexico is a beautiful land with a proud history, magnificent ruins, and of course the coastal cities like Los Cabos, Cozumel, Acapulco, Cancun and Puerto Vallarta which have become world class destinations for those who love Mexican vacations.

Mexico has friendly and warm people, unique food, art and archeology, leather, pyramids, museums, volcanoes, haciendas, 6,000 miles of shoreline, superb architecture and 21 century cities, weather from snow mountains in the Sierras, to rainforest jungles in the southeast and desert in the northwest, lots of golf courses throughout the country, excellent fishing, and world top destinations.

Mexico is ranked 7th major vacation destination for foreign visitors, according to WTO.