Hoogtepunten van Mexico

About the destination: Mexico City is a vivid metropolis and cosmopolitan city situated on a plain in the central highlands at an altitude of 2, 286 metres. It is the capital city of Mexico, and the largest city in North America by population. Spanish administrative buildings and private houses in the heart of the city have replaced the temples of ancient Mexico and has resulted in a synthesis of both old and new architectural styles. Located at the Plaza de la Constitución, in the Historic Downtown, the Catedral Metropolitana is the country's largest cathedral and its construction took 250 years. The lower section is quite plain but the upper section is of Baroque and Neo-Classical design. It contains many altars and the main altar is made from solid gold. An elevator ascends the Torre Latino America, an earthquake-proof tower that was built in 1958. A viewing platform provides a wonderful panoramic view that includes the Palacio de Bellas Artes, with its orange and yellow dome, and the Juárez Monument. Of course a visit to Mexico DF would be incomplete without the Mariachi music. Go to the Plaza Garibaldi in the evening, and enjoy the Mariachi music.Located 50 kilometres from Mexico D.F. are the ancient remains of Teotihuacan that was once a centre of trade, art and ritual ceremonies. Its Sun Pyramid is one of the greatest building achievements of ancient times and it is considered by one of the most important cultural centres of mankind.The city's fascinating history is reflected in both its art and architecture with age old charm, Indian roots and elegant buildings. For surprises, sights and history galore, Mexico D.F. definitely deserves a visit.

About the destination: Puebla, located in the Puebla Valley, surrounded by volcanoes and snow-capped mountains, is the capital of the state of Puebla and one of Mexico's oldest Spanish cities, founded in 1531. Puebla is renowned for its distinctive colonial architecture, savoury cuisine, Talavera ceramics, onyx crafts, and textile industryThe city retains a remarkably well-preserved centre, a beautiful cathedral, which has two of the tallest church towers in Mexico, and many beautiful churches. The city offers a thriving art and nightlife scenes. Los Sapos, the art district, has a bohemian feel to it and it is full of workshops from local artist. Every Saturday and Sunday, there is a flea market where you can find handicrafts and some antiques.Puebla is a beautiful tribute to the architecture and history of Mexico. The people truly lived up to its reputation. With 22 churches and numerous colonial buildings the city deserves its title from UNESCO as a world heritage site.

About the destination: Oaxaca City is a beautiful colonial city with charming cobbled streets, gallery-lined walkways, lively squares and colourful markets. It is a cosmopolitan city, full of excellent restaurants and a vibrant nightlife, yet very traditionally Mexican, featuring Mexican folk art all around. The main Zocalo or square is a gorgeous and bustling place to hang out and enjoy the region’s unique and fantastic food in one of the sidewalk cafes. Around the Zocalo there are many fine crafts stores and markets. The church of Santo Domingo is a stunning historical church and a glorious example of Baroque architecture, blending Spanish and indigenous influences to spectacular effect. Next to it, we find the Museo de las Culturas de Oaxaca, a museum of regional history and culture.Near Oaxaca City we find Monte Alban, one of the most impressive ruins in Latin America. The surrounding landscape, a set of spectacular mountain scenery, part of Mexico’s central volcanic belt, is, as well, worth exploring. Don’t miss out, Oaxaca City is one of Mexico’s most bewitching places.

About the destination: Tehuantepec is a city in southeastern Mexico, in the state of Oaxaca, in the region of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec whose official name is Santo Domingo Tehuantepec, and is the capital of the municipality of the same name. Located at the margins of the Tehuantepec River, the city is 100 meters above sea level, in a very warm zone, with little thermal oscillation throughout the year, 19 ° C as a minimum in the month of January and 37 ° C as maximum in the warmest month The river has been and continues to be the engine of agriculture, through irrigation channels. The agricultural products are focused on sesame, coconut, banana and mango. There is also cattle and sheep farming. Handicrafts are also an important tradition, especially pottery and Tehuana dresses. Santo Domingo Tehuantepec, Salina Cruz and San Blas Atempa belong to the metropolitan area of ​​Tehuantepec with a total of 161 337 inhabitants occupying the 52nd position nationwide

About the destination: San Cristobal de Las Casas is the head of the homonymous municipality in the center of the state of Chiapas (Mexico). It is the largest urban center in the region of Los Altos de Chiapas2 and the third largest in the state, behind Tuxtla Gutierrez and Tapachulaen the Free and Sovereign State of Chiapas.

About the destination: Palenque is in Chiapas and is a city famous for the ruins of a Mayan city dating from about 600 to 800 CE and became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987. Its numerous inscribed stone slabs, intricate basrelief sculptures, inlaid masks and other remarkable adornments give Palenque an air of enchantment and sanctity. The 75-foot-high Temple of the Inscriptions contains one of the only crypts found inside a pyramid in Mexico. On excavation, the Tomb of Pakal, a Mayan ruler of the 7th century, revealed an array of jewels, masks, jade ornaments, wall carvings and other exquisite artefacts.

About the destination: Campeche is one of the 32 federal entities of the Mexican Republic. It is located in the southeast of Mexico and is one of the three entities that make up the Yucatan Peninsula, occupying the southwestern part of the peninsula. It covers an area of 57,507 km2, occupying 2.9% of the national territory. Its capital is the city of San Francisco de Campeche Campeche is a word of Mayan origin, which derives from the roots "can" (snake) and "pech" (tick), meaning "place of snakes and ticks". The name is because in this Mayan village there was a statue of a snake with a tick on its head and at whose feet human sacrifices were made. When the Spanish conquistadors arrived in Can Pech they gave the pronunciation and called it Campeche.

About the destination: Uxmal or Óoxmáal / óːʃmáːl / is an ancient Mayan city of the classical period. It is located in the municipality of Santa Elena in the state of Yucatán, Mexico. At present it is one of the most important archaeological sites of the Mayan culture, together with those of Chichen Itza and Tikal.

About the destination: Mérida is the capital of the Mexican state of Yucatan. Mérida is a fascinating and festive city with a very distinct Spanish colonial influence. Mérida is a very atmospheric town, especially on weekends when the central streets are closed off and there is music and dancing in the main square. The whole city seems to move downtown to celebrate. It is also a good base to explore the Yucatan Peninsula. From Mérida you can visit Mayan ruins and museums, haciendas, cenotes, and a great variety of Catholic churches.Mérida was founded by Spanish conquistadors in 1542. They conquered the existing Mayan town, dismantled the pyramids and used the stones to build the Cathedral of San Idelfonso. The site of one pyramid is now Mérida's main town square. This town square or Plaza is now ringed by this cathedral as well as the town hall, the governor's palace and the Casa de Montejo, the former home of the conqueror of Yucatan. Stroll down Paseo Montejo to admire restored Spanish and French colonial mansions.Mérida is an interesting mix of amazing culture and history, tasty food, endless cultural activities and exciting attractions. Mérida is the cultural capital of the Yucatan and its beating urban heart.

About the destination: It is the most famous archaeological site of Mayan culture, was named World Heritage Site by UNESCO and one of the "Seven New Wonders of the World." The archaeological site covers an area of ​​6.5 square kilometers and can be visited in one day. The views and most impressive structures in Chichén Itzá are located in the central area. There you will find the Ballgame, various platforms, temples and the spectacular Castle (Pyramid of Kukulkan), a huge stone 25 meter showing the Mayan calendar. Every year during the spring and fall equinoxes, the sun creates the illusion of a snake climbing or descending the stairs of the Pyramid of Kukulkan, a fantastic phenomenon that attracts large crowds. The illusion is reproduced in sound and light show that takes place every night at the archaeological site. You can tour the archaeological site of Chichen Itza in a day trip, or spend the night at the nearby Hacienda Chichen, a place of XVI century beautifully restored and transformed into a luxury hotel and spa.

About the destination: Valladolid is a small city in the state of Yucatán. Valladolid is an old city full of colonial buildings that stands out and is characterized by the richness of the Spanish legacy, which is expressed in the temples and old neighborhoods, where the old houses painted with bright colors highlight those features that characterize the city. Some of the main tourist attractions in Valladolid are the Convent of San Bernardino de Siena, the Municipal Palace and the Museum of San Roque.

About the destination: Playa del Carmen was originally a small fishing village south of Cancun, but in the last years it has transformed into a bustling tourist resort. It is one of the most colorful and diverse towns on the Mayan Riviera. Playa del Carmen offers balmy tropical breezes, world class food, good night life, amazing ruins, endless beaches, incredible snorkeling, wonderful parks, friendly people and so much more. And it is as mellow or as wild as you'd like it to be. Playa del Carmen is a great base for exploring all of the interesting places on the Mayan Riviera and the Yucatan peninsula. The island Cozumel, which offers some of the best snorkeling and scuba diving in the world, it's just a short boat ride away. The site of Chichén Itzá is 3 hours away, but it's definitely worth the trip! Although touristy Playa del Carmen is captivating and picturesque, full of small and charming Mexican shops and restaurants. This little city has so much to offer if you want it.