Tour Mexico: The Ultimate Guide

Cancun, Mexico

Are you looking for a cosy and warm destination? Then choose Mexico. This beautiful country with beautiful nature and a special culture is definitely worth a visit.

1. Characteristics Mexico

2. Travel advice Mexico

For the whole of Mexcio there is a security risk's. Do not travel along the border with the United States and avoid the region's Tamaulipas and Guererro. Also the city of Alcapulco should not be visited. Check out the full map and the travel advice. Some tips:

• Travel alone as little as possible
• Don't go on the street after sunset
• Avoid slums
• Don't wear jewellery or ornaments

3. Best travel period Mexico

The best period to go to Mexico is in the months November/December to April. When you plan your trip in these months you avoid the rainy season. In the rainy season it is also nice and warm in Mexico but you have a higher risk of rain and especially in October it can be quite stormy.

4. Do I need special travel insurance when I go to Mexico?

No, you don't need special travel insurance. A holiday in Mexico is all about cultural excursions and wonderful days at the beach. Of course there are active excursions and you can also undertake exciting activities, but these are not so extreme that they require a special travel insurance.
The standard travel insurance where you are insured for accidents, loss and theft is sufficient. A travel insurance is always recommended because an accident is in a small corner.

5. Sights of Mexico

Mexico is full of attractions. Chances are that you will see them all, but we have listed the most popular ones.

5.1. Flora and fauna of Mexico

Mexico has a great diversity in flora and fauna. There are 26,000 different types of flora in the country and the greatest variety of reptiles with 707 known species. There are also many different types of mammals (438 species) and 290 different types of amphibians. It is the only country where both types of scabbard lizards occur. If you love special nature and animals, you are in the right place in Mexico. The country has 170,000 square kilometers of protected natural area. This consists of 34 biosphere reserves, 68 national parks and 4 natural monuments. These are all well worth seeing, although we understand that it is not possible to visit them all on a tour.

5.2. Mayas and tacos

During your holiday in Mexico, you don't want to miss out on some of the country's famous features. Think for example of the Mayaculture, mariachi's, sombreros, tequila and delicious dishes such as nachos, tacos and tasty tortillas. Delicious food and conviviality that's what Mexico stands for.
Besides the delicious food there are many excursions you can do during your holiday. We have highlighted a number of hot spots for you. So you can see for yourself which places are worth a visit.

5.3. Isla Espiritu Santo

Isla Espiritu Santo is an island off the coast of Mexico. Visit this beautiful island and enjoy its beauty. But not only the beach of this island is beautiful to see. You can also enjoy the beautiful nature under water. Isla Espiritu Santo is only accessible by boat. From there you can visit the beach or decide to go snorkeling. The island is a protected area.

5.4. Acuario Michin

The Michin aquarium is a special underwater centre in the town of Guadalajara. In this beautiful aquarium you will find more than 300 different species of fish and underwater animals. You will learn all about the ocean and the animals that live there. An informative excursion for the whole family.

5.5 Templi de Santo Domingo de Guzmán

Templi de Santo Domingo de Guzmán is a church and former monastery. The construction of the church began in 1575 and it took 200 years for it to be completed. The church and monastery were used for various purposes in the following years. Meanwhile, the buildings have been completely restored. The monastery is now used as a museum. In this museum there is a collection of pre-Columbian objects. This beautiful church and its monastery show you a special part of Mexican history. If you want to get to know the country better a visit is a real must.

5.6. Huasteca Potosina

You love nature and active excursions? Then a visit to Huasteca Potosina is recommended. In this beautiful nature reserve are caves and a special waterfall where you can undertake active excursions. It is possible to go rafting, swimming and abseiling. During the activities you will enjoy the breathtaking nature in this area. Especially for active travellers we have included Huasteca Potosina in our list of hot spots.

5.7. Puerto Vallarta Boulevard

Puerto Vallarta is a beautiful seaside resort on the west coast of Mexico. This city has its own airport, so you can fly there directly from the Netherlands. For many people this is a must, because you immediately feel like you are in paradise. The bay of Banderas is breathtaking and you can see many animals such as dolphins, whales, manta rays, flying fish and much more. It is a wonderful place because besides the peace and quiet of nature, you will also experience the cosiness of the city.

Puerto Vallarta is divided into two parts by the river Rio Cuale. Along the river there are often markets where you can score the best souvenirs. But besides the lively boulevard with shops and restaurants where you can eat delicious food, there are also many excursions. You can go mountain biking, mountain climbing, hiking, visiting a mangrove, swimming with dolphins and scuba diving. Actually too much to mention. Puerto Vallarta is the perfect holiday destination.

5.8. National Museum of Anthropology

In Mexico City stands the national museum of Anthropology. In this museum is the park Chapultepec. If you want to learn more about the history of Mexico then this museum is highly recommended. The museum has 23 different rooms with an area of 79.700 square meters and is dedicated to the pre-Columbian history. There are several important pieces on display such as the statue of the Aztec rain god Tialoc, the Aztec Stone of the Sun, treasures from the cenotes of Chichén Itzá and much more. There is also an exhibition about the life of the contemporary Indian population in Mexico. In short, enough reasons to visit this museum.

5.9. Santa Rosa Wall

This high light is a must see for divers. The Santa Rosa Wall is an underwater paradise. Beautiful coral and enjoy the current underwater. If you go diving here early in the morning, you will have a chance to see hammerheads and nurse sharks. A special experience not to be missed. For this excursion you must be in possession of a diving license. Santa Rosa is located near the place Cozumel.

5.10. Templo expiatorio del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús

In Dutch: de concerting temple of the holy heart of Jesus. This special church is dedicated to the holy heart of Jesus. The temple is located in León, Guanajuato in Mexico. The construction of this temple began on July 8, 1921 and was completed on March 20, 2012. On that day the church was consecrated by Pope Benedict XVI. The church has a great interior. Beautiful stained glass windows, the doors of the temple facade are made of bronze and the altar is truly breathtaking. The church is great to see and attracts many visitors every year. It is of course also possible to participate in a service in the church. This is really very special to experience.

5.11. Zona Aqueológica de Palenque

In 1567 the town Palenque was first discovered by Father Pedro Lorenzo de la Nada. Palenque is the archaeological site of the Mayan civilization. In the hundreds of years that followed more discoveries were made in the area and it has been fiercely fought over, causing a lot of damage to the ancient Maya city. Now you can visit the ancient Maya city and marvel at the way the buildings were made. There are beautiful statues, stucco reliefs and a special tower of four floors. There is really a lot to see in this special city.

5.12. Cenote Chaak Tun

Chook Tun is one of the most beautiful caves in Mexico. The way the light shines into the cave and illuminates the water and the walls is very special. You will get a guided tour through the caves where the guide tells you enthusiastically about the origin of the caves.
A wonderful experience. You go through the caves with snorkels and a lifejacket so that you can not only enjoy the natural beauty above water, but also all the special features under water.

5.13. Rosary Chapel

The Rosary Chapel in Mexico is a golden chapel which is also called the 'eighth wonder of the world'. The Rosary Chapel was built in the 17th century from 1650 to 1690. The church was built to honor the Virgin Mary and teach the locals the practice of the Rosary. In addition to the beautiful golden chapel, the church has on its walls 6 paintings that tell the story of Jesus from his birth until his visit to the temple where he had learned conversations in writing. Underneath these paintings are blue/white ceramic tiles that together form a gigantic rosary and are known as: Talaveras de Puebla. Visit this beautiful church and behold the wonderful golden chapel.

5.14. Teotihuacan

Teotihuacan is a pre-Columbian city that existed from 500 BC to 750 AD. The city is located in the current state of Mexico. The name Teotihuacan was given to the city by the Aztecs. What the city was called before is not known. The Aztecs named the city that way because they believed that the city was built by gods. Teotihuacan means: gathering place of the gods. This special city has many buildings and art you can enjoy during a visit. The guide will tell you a lot about the history of the Aztecs during your visit. Teotihuacan has been on the World Heritage List since 1987.

5.15. Contoy adventures

At Contoy adventures you go looking for whale sharks. These huge animals swim in the ocean around Mexico and are the largest existing cartilaginous fish. They are an endangered species because there are only 100 registered ones swimming around. With a boat you go looking for a group of whale sharks. There is then the possibility to go into the water and swim together with the whale sharks. Whale sharks eat plankton, krill, small fish and squids and are therefore harmless to humans. This, of course, makes swimming with these huge animals very special.

5.16. Zona Arqueologica Uxmal

Uxmal is an old Mayan town from the classical period. The buildings are made in the Puuc style, this means that there are smooth layers of walls with graceful representations of Mayan huts. Uxmal is located 90 kilometers south of Merida, the capital of Yucatan. The ruins and beautiful buildings are well worth a visit. In Uxmal you can see, among other things, the Pyramid of the fortuneteller. During a visit you get more insights into the life of the Maya in this special city.

5.17. Chichén Itzá

Chichén Itzá was one of the Maya's most important cities. The city is located in the north of the state of Yucatán. According to legend, the city was founded by Topiltzin Ce Acatl Quetzalcoatl in 987, but it is believed that the city is older and was conquered of time by Topiltzin. Chichén Itzá is one of the Seven Wonders of the World and therefore a visit to the city should not be missed during your trip through Mexico.

5.18. Pyramid of Kukulcan

The Kukulcan pyramid also called El Castillo is a staircase pyramid in Chichén Itzá. It is one of the most famous buildings in Mexico. The pyramid was built by the Mayans in the 9th century, as a temple to the god Kukulcan. The pyramid consists of stairs on four sides, each consisting of 91 steps. With the platform as the last steps, the structure consists of 365 steps. The pyramid and temple are in total 30 meters high. In 2015 it was discovered that the Pyramid of Kukulcan was built on top of an underground lake. El Castillo is beautiful to see and well worth a visit, during your holiday in Mexico.

5.19. Akumal beach

After all the cultural excursions we now have a beautiful beach where you can enjoy the peace and quiet and the warm weather in Mexico. Akumal beach is a beautiful beach where you can really relax. At this beach you can swim with protected green sea turtles. Off the coast of the beach, the seabed is covered with eelgrass. Because of this, the sea turtles live very close to the coast and you can swim among the animals. It is a protected nature reserve, you have to respect this while swimming.

We suggest you go to the beach early in the morning. It's not so crowded then. When there are a lot of people, the water becomes cloudy because of the sand and you can't see the turtles as well. It really is an experience to swim with these special animals and admire them in their natural habitat.

5.20. Mayan ruins of Tulum

Maya culture is strongly represented in the high lights of Mexico. They are therefore special places to see. Tulum is an ancient Mayan city on the Yucatán peninsula in eastern Mexico. The city lies on a 12 meter high cliff. From that height you have a beautiful view, which makes it a popular place to visit.
Tulum means 'Wall', this name was given to the city because it is completely walled in. The original name is probably Zama, which means 'Morning City' or City of Sunrise'. The suspicion is that this name is due to its location on the water and the beautiful sunrise that can be seen here.

Tulum is well worth a visit. Its location on the water ensures that you can not only enjoy the ancient Mayan ruins, but also the breathtaking views and nature.

5.21. Xcaret

Xcaret is a special park located on Playa del Carmen in Cancun. A piece of paradise on earth. Xcaret is a natural park where you can enjoy the beautiful nature that Mexico has to offer. Swim in underground rivers, discover Mayan ruins, enjoy birds, the coral reef aquarium and the butterfly pavilion. There is so much to discover in this beautiful park. A visit to Xcaret is suitable for the whole family. Both adults and children can enjoy the possibilities in this park. Besides the 50 natural and cultural attractions you can also enjoy delicious food. Delicious Mexican and international dishes can be found in the restaurants. A visit to Xcaret will make your holiday unforgettable.

5.22. Quinta Avenida

5.23. Lake Bacalar

Enjoy the beautiful blue waters of Lake Bacalar in Mexico. The lake is about 42 km long and less than 2 km wide. Lake Bacalar is known for its striking blue color and the clarity of the water. The soil consists of white limestone, which makes the colours stand out beautifully. At Lake Bacalar you can enjoy the relaxed atmosphere, swim or take a boat trip. This way you fill a day full of relaxation.

5.24. Maya Chan beach

At last we have a piece of paradise of Mexico in our list of hot spots. Maya Chan beach is a beautiful beach. A special contrast between the beach and the blue color of the water make sure you are immediately relaxed. At the beach you will find several bars and restaurants where you can enjoy the most delicious cocktails and delicious dishes. But you can also enjoy a massage or go shopping in one of the cute little shops with nice souvenirs. Maya Chan beach lets you enjoy a relaxing day.

6. Book a round trip to Mexico: compare suppliers and accommodations

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