Are you going to travel to Mexico? The places to be included in your itinerary are many and different.
Mexico has a very interesting cultural and natural heritage: on the one hand, the Mayan pyramids and the colonial cities, on the other the Caribbean beaches of the Mayan Riviera, the seabed rich in sea species of Baja California and the canyons inland.
What to see then in Mexico? Make yourself comfortable, the list is long.
Yucatan
Yucatan is the state famous for the Mayan pyramids and archaeological sites: almost certainly, if you're planning a tour of Mexico, you're headed there. The most famous Mayan archaeological site is Chichen Itza, where the Kukulkan pyramid and the sacred cenote are located.
Other places of interest to see the Mayan pyramids are Ek Balam and Uxmal. The most interesting cities to see, rich in Spanish colonial buildings, include Mérida and the pretty Valladolid.
In addition to the historical heritage, the Yucatan peninsula also boasts dreamy beaches, with white sand and swaying palm trees: not surprisingly, this part of Mexico is the most visited by tourists.
Mayan Riviera
It is thus called a seaside area on the Yucatan peninsula, in the state of Quintana Roo, near the coast south of Cancun, very famous for its holiday resorts overlooking the Caribbean Sea.
The Mayan Riviera is full of all-inclusive resorts and boutique hotels, luxury restaurants and rental villas. But it is not only the services that attract tourists, but also the coral reef of the seabed, the second longest in the world and the possibility of practicing activities such as jet skiing, snorkeling and diving.
The major cities include Cancun, full of hotels, hotels, restaurants and beaches, much frequented especially by Americans.
Then there is also Tulum, on whose marvelous beach stands an ancient Mayan pyramid, directly overlooking the sea, and Playa del Carmen.
Mexico City
Mexico City is the capital of the federal state, the most populated in the country and one of the largest in the world. The historic center, or Zòcalo, is the founding nucleus of the city. In the Zòcalo there is also the Aztec Mayor Temple.
Another neighborhood to see is Xochimilco, called the "Mexican Venice", due to the presence of canals where ancient Mexican traditions are still very much alive.
Don't miss the Casa Mural Diego Rivera, which contains several murals by the artist, and the Frida Kahlo Museum, which houses many of her works.
Iconic is the Museum of Fine Arts, in the historic center, a charming Art Deco palace characterized by a magnificent colored dome.
In Mexico City there is much to do both at night and during the day, thanks to the presence of museums, parks and clubs, but don't forget to take an excursion to the many sites of interest in the surrounding area. First of all Teotihuacan, the Maya city still splendidly preserved.
Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen is a Mexican town located on the Caribbean coast of the Mayan Riviera in the state of Quintana Roo. Once a fishing village, today it is a place crowded with tourists, with hotels and restaurants, even if urbanization is less unruly here than in Cancun.
The neighborhood of Playacar, in particular, is renowned for its restaurants and luxury hotels.
Staying in Playa del Carmen means you can easily reach the nearby archaeological areas.
Chichen Itza
Chichen Itza is an important Mayan archaeological site in the north of the Yucatan peninsula. Between the sixth and eleventh centuries the site was one of the most important centers of pre-Columbian civilization. Among the most significant buildings that can still be admired are the Kukulkan pyramid, also called El Castillo, the Temple of the Warriors and the astronomical observatory.
The site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is also included among the seven wonders of the world.
El Castillo is a marvelous and gigantic stepped pyramid: during spring and autumn equinoxes it casts the shadow of a large feathered serpent on the northern stairway. The Temple of the Warriors is also a stepped pyramid, on whose columns are figures of warriors. Also interesting is the field of ball games, in which there are remarkable frescoes and bas-reliefs.
The observatory, also called El Caracol, is a round building placed above a platform. It takes its name ("snail") from the spiral staircase inside. It was used by the Maya to determine the moment of the solstices based on the projection of the shadows in the structure.
Tulum
Tulum is a famous Mayan archaeological site of the Yucatan peninsula, in the state of Quintana Roo, located right on a beach, overlooking the sea. Precisely this position meant that Tulum was the first Mayan city sighted by the Spanish from the sea in 1517.
Tourists also visit Tulum due to the presence of fine white sand beaches. At 40 km from Tulum there is also the site of Coba and the cenote, appreciated by tourists who love snorkeling and scuba diving.
From Tulum you can also easily access the Sian Ka’an National Park, a biosphere reserve inhabited by crocodiles, pumas and jaguars.
