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.