What are some activities I can do in Mexico?

Outdoor enthusiasts can swim, snorkel, scuba dive, hike or go horseback riding. They may also take a sportfishing excursion, explore the jungle or desert on an ATV or embark on a whale-watching boat tour. \n \nThere are also many cultural activities to enjoy, including painting workshops, hands-on cooking lessons, traditional dance performances, tequila and mezcal tastings and salsa dancing.

How should I pack for my trip to Mexico?

It is recommended to pack light clothes that can be easily layered. Good walking shoes, sunglasses, sunscreen, a swimsuit, bug repellent and a compact umbrella or light rain gear are also advisable.

What are the cultural highlights of a voyage to Mexico?

San José del Cabo, the oldest Spanish mission on the Baja California Peninsula, is the more subdued sister city to Cabo San Lucas. In addition to its many historic sites, the town boasts a vibrant artistic culture, represented in its many art galleries. \n \nIn Cozumel, visitors may wish to explore Pueblo del Maíz, a park that offers an immersive experience of the region’s Indigenous Maya people and culture. Join your guide for a walk among the traditional huts of a reconstructed village, where you will witness ceremonial music and dance performances. You will also have an opportunity to learn traditional crafts or join in a game of pok-ta-pok , an ancient ball game that was played for sport and to settle conflicts between groups. \n \nYou can also discover the rich traditions of Oaxacan culture during a unique, hands-on alebrijes painting workshop. Alebrijes are brightly colored folk art sculptures of fantasy creatures, traditionally made from papier-mâché or carved from wood. With the guidance of a local expert, you can paint your own personal work of art.

What are the culinary highlights of a voyage to Mexico?

In the Yucatán region, you can try tikinxic , or “dry fish.” Prepared whole and marinated with savory achiote paste and sour oranges, the fish is then wrapped in a banana leaf and cooked beneath a wood fire. It pairs perfectly with a classic margarita. \n \nThe Mayan Cacao Company in Cozumel offers a deep dive into the history of chocolate. Visitors can experience traditional chocolate-making methods and enjoy a tasting. Nearby, Pueblo del Maíz showcases authentic tamale preparation, the process of turning cocoa beans into chocolate and traditional meals cooked in a pib , a buried steam oven. \n \nIn Cabo San Lucas, an authentic farm-to-table experience awaits at Los Tamarindos, a farm and restaurant located just one mile from the Sea of Cortez. Learn about the farm’s history and the agricultural processes practiced here while harvesting the fresh ingredients needed for your hands-on class. Continue on to a beautiful kitchen terrace with stone walls and wooden ceilings, where you will begin your guided three-course cooking class centered around creating local favorites. \n \nAnother favorite experience in Cabo is “Salsa and Salsa,” a lively cooking experience featuring two dancing chefs that is second to none. Learn how to make a variety of fresh salsas and beverages, including lime and strawberry margaritas and hibiscus herbal tea. After sampling your creations, join your instructors in dancing to the vibrant rhythms of salsa music.

What wildlife might I see on a voyage to Mexico?

The Baja Peninsula flourishes with life, both on land and in its surrounding waters. Coyotes are known to prowl the coast in search of reptiles, jackrabbits and any of the 300 bird species that call this home, including the fleet-footed roadrunner. \n \nThe Pacific Ocean and its deep-water lagoons are home to an impressive array of marine mammals. California gray whales, blue whales, humpbacks, sperm whales and many others migrate here each winter to give birth and nurse their calves. Pods of countless dolphins, too, cavort and race at the water’s surface. Though sightings are never guaranteed, these waters are heralded as the most reliable place in the world to spot marine mammals. \n \nCozumel is consistently rated as one of the world’s top scuba diving and snorkeling destinations. The warm, turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea are filled with colorful sponges and diverse marine life, making it a paradise for divers and snorkelers. \n \nPunta Sur National Park, the island’s largest ecological reserve, is another popular spot for visitors. Home to ancient Mayan ruins, mangrove forests, stunning beaches and wetlands, this park boasts a wide variety of wildlife. One of the highlights is observing crocodiles in their natural habitat from a safe vantage point at a crocodile lagoon.

Discover Mexico’s cultural treasures

With its vibrant traditions and flavorful cuisine, Mexico is an ideal destination for curious travelers seeking inspiration. Read on to deepen your understanding of tequila, explore the history of a Mayan religious site and discover why Cozumel is a top Caribbean destination for snorkeling.

Rock formations in turquoise ocean waters

Mexico

Situated in the southernmost portion of the North American continent, Mexico is bordered by the United States to the north, the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea to the east, Guatemala and Belize on the southeast and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south. It covers a total area of 758,445 sq mi. (1,964,375 sq km)—roughly three times the size of Texas.

Due to its vast size, Mexico encompasses a wide array of climate zones. Northern Mexico, home to the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts, experiences semiarid desert conditions. In contrast, the region south of the Tropic of Cancer enjoys a tropical maritime climate. In these areas, the seasons vary more in precipitation levels than in temperature, with the winter bringing increased rainfall.

With its expansive deserts, humid rainforests, mangrove swamps and alpine forests, Mexico ranks among the world’s most biodiverse countries. A wide variety of marine species also inhabit Mexico’s coastlines, especially to the east of the Yucatán Peninsula. The island of Cozumel, located 10 mi. (16 km) off the Yucatán coast, is well known for its clear waters and spectacular coral reels.

Mexico City, the country’s capital, was founded in 1521 atop the former Aztec capital of Tenochtitlán. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited urban settlements in the Western Hemisphere. A vibrant center for arts and culture, Mexico City is also one of the most populous cities in the world. Its historic center was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.

On Mexico’s western side, the Baja California Peninsula stretches into the Pacific Ocean, spanning 760 mi. (1,220 km) long and 25–150 mi. (40–240 km) wide. Comprising the Mexican states of Baja California and Baja California Sur, this long stretch of mountainous land is mostly desert and scrub, celebrated for its stark beauty and sun-dappled shores.

Cabo San Lucas, situated on the extreme southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula, is one of Mexico’s top destinations, famed for its vast beaches, warm waters and picturesque coast. Renowned for the spectacular rock formations lining its shores, this lively tropical city features one of the region’s most scenic harbors.

Other top tourist destinations in Mexico include Acapulco and Puerto Vallarta, two vibrant port cities nestled along the Pacific coastline. Cancún, situated on the Caribbean Sea, is another popular destination due to its natural beauty and abundance of cultural activities.

Cuisine—Tequila

The roots of tequila trace back to the powerful Aztec Empire during the second and third centuries. Now considered Mexico’s national drink, this famous spirit is made from the cooked and fermented juice of the agave, a plant similar in appearance to a cactus.

The Aztecs fermented agave sap to create pulque (also known as octli), a milky, slightly sour alcoholic beverage used during religious ceremonies. In Aztec mythology, the agave was strongly associated with the goddess Mayahuel, and it was considered one of the most sacred and important plants in ancient Mexico.

During the 16th century, Spaniards arrived in Mexico, bringing with them advanced distillation techniques. Soon after, a new agave-based beverage emerged: tequila. Named after a town in the Mexican state of Jalisco, where blue agave grows abundantly, this new spirit quickly gained popularity. In 1600, Don Pedro Sánchez de Tagle—now known as “the father of tequila”—established the first tequila factory at Hacienda Cuisillos.

Tequila is made by harvesting the hearts of the blue agave plant, known in Spanish as piñas. The piñas are slowly baked in large ovens, then crushed and shredded to extract their sweet juice. This agave juice, or mosto, is combined with yeast and water in large fermentation tanks. Once fermented, the liquid is distilled to remove impurities and concentrate the alcohol. Typically, tequila is distilled twice, which produces a clear spirit ready to be aged and bottled.

Silver tequila, also known as blanco, is aged only for a short time, resulting in a crisp liquor showcasing the pure agave flavor.

Reposado tequila is aged in oak barrels for two months to one year, giving it a pale color and slightly woody flavor. As the tequila continues to age, its color deepens to a golden hue, and its flavor becomes more mature and complex. Añejo tequila is aged for one to three years, while extra añejo is aged even further.

Another type of tequila, known either as joven (meaning “young”) or oro (meaning “gold”), is made by mixing silver tequila with reposado, resulting in a smooth flavor and a pale amber color.
Culture—The ruins of San Gervasio

The Maya civilization flourished in Central America from 300 BC until the early 1500s when Spanish explorers arrived. The Maya recorded their beliefs in volumes known as codices, which featured a writing system based on symbols called “glyphs.” Through their rich mythology, they explained the origins of the sun, moon and planets, as well as the weather and the animals they lived amongst.

The San Gervasio archaeological site offers a fascinating glimpse into the inner workings of this highly advanced civilization. This pre-Columbian Mayan site on the island of Cozumel was originally called “Tantun Cuzamil,” which means “flat rock in the place of the swallows.” The oldest ruins here date to 300 BC. They are the remains of what was once an expansive religious site where Maya worshiped Ixchel, the goddess of the moon and femininity. San Gervasio was also a center of commerce, where people from different villages gathered to trade.

Excavations have uncovered that the site was at its largest during the Terminal Classic period (900-1100 AD) and it also thrived during the Post Classic period (1200-1530). Archaeologists believe San Gervasio was one of the most important Mayan pilgrimage sites in all of Mesoamerica. It was still inhabited when Spanish conquistador Juan de Grijalva arrived in 1518, and when explorer Hernan Cortes visited a year later. By 1600, San Gervasio was largely abandoned.

Though not as large as the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza or Tulum, San Gervasio features well-preserved temples and buildings to explore. Several of the most impressive temples are located near the center plaza of the village. Nine buildings form an enclosed patio and an ancient road—known as the sacbe—connects to other settlements in the area. The Nohoch Nah temple is one of the best-preserved buildings and displays the Maya talent for storytelling, with its intricate murals depicting mythical legends and tales of a feathered serpent god. The Temple of Murals is another structure that highlights Maya artistry, with brightly colored geometric patterns still visible on the walls.

Other notable structures include Los Mercielagos (meaning “the bats”), a smaller temple compound. It was once the residence of the halach unik, or the ruler of Cozumel. Another residence of the local ruler, Las Manitas (meaning “the little hands”), was constructed between 1000 and 1200 AD. It features a shrine and red handprints on the inner walls, which inspired the house's name. The largest structure at San Gervasio is K’ana Nah, which is a four-tiered pyramid with a small temple at the top.
Nature—Cozumel, a world-renowned snorkeling destination

Blessed with spectacular coral reefs, crystal clear waters and abundant marine life, it is no surprise that Cozumel has become one of the best places for snorkeling in the world. Famed oceanographer Jacques Cousteau once called the island one of his favorite places for aquatic exploration, and there are many excellent options for travelers to choose from.

The top spots for snorkeling in Cozumel are on the south and west sides of the island where wind and wave conditions are calmest. Chankanaab Park is ideal for novice snorkelers, offering shallow waters with a reef close to the shore. In addition to sea urchins, morays and angelfish, visitors can see the underwater statues that were placed here to help support the reef.

Cozumel Reefs National Marine Park, a protected area teeming with aquatic life, lies a little further south. The park is home to Paradise Reef, where snorkelers may see trumpet fish, nurse sharks and lobsters up close.

Another favorite among locals is El Cielo Reef, a shallow, yet stunningly beautiful, snorkeling site. At El Cielo—which means “heaven” in Spanish—visitors can swim above vibrant coral and watch for yellowtails, angelfish, rays and loggerhead turtles.

Mexico Highlights

From Cozumel’s beautiful coral reefs and ancient ruins to the spectacular rock formations and adobe homes of Cabo San Lucas, we invite you to immerse yourself in Mexico’s stunning scenery and rich cultural traditions. Here are some highlights you may experience during a visit to this remarkable country: