From Teotihuacan near Mexico City, to Palenque's rainforest, not forgetting the impressive Chichén Itzá and Tulum, Mexico is awash with amazingly well-preserved Mayan ruins. For this reason alone Mexico is worth a visit. A wonderful, vibrant history
San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Puebla, Oaxaca, San Cristobal de las Casas, Campeche, Merida - the list is infinite. Each one as pretty as the next, they all have unique characters and stories to tell.
Cancun and Acapulco may be the best known tourist hubs, but you'll find plenty of other beautiful resorts along both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts. With fewer tourists, a 'Mexican' feel and cheaper prices than gringo hotspots, it's worth checking out places where mass tourism has not yet got a grip.
Do you remember your New Year's resolution? The one that involves healthy eating and weight loss? Well, you can throw that one out the window as soon as you start your trip to Mexico. The food here is famously delicious. Tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas, chilaquiles - you must try them all.
Mexico City is a giant, expanding, all-consuming, multi-cultural hub...it's hard to put this city into words. Apart from being huge, Mexico City is also highly entertaining and you'll never get bored. From the Zocalo to quieter plazas, cathedrals, churches, colonial facades, museums...it's a capital packed full of interesting places to see.
If you like your tacos and enchiladas and want to learn about pre-Hispanic culture, see traditional towns or laze on idyllic beaches, then a trip to Mexico is on the cards. Try to learn some Spanish beforehand. If you don't want to, then holiday north of the border.
Top places to discover.
UK citizens do not need a visa. You just need a current passport that is valid for the entirety of your stay. Keep your FMM on you; you'll also need it to leave the country. With it, you can spend up to 180 days on Mexican soil. Other nationalities need to check out the regulations.
Vaccinations are not obligatory But vaccines against Typhoid and Hepatitis A are recommended. It may also be wise to have a Rabies shot.
Spanish is the official language. English is taught in most Mexican schools, but take your dictionary nonetheless! And try to learn a few basic phrases before you start your Mexican journey.
Mexico has 3 time zones. London (GMT) is +6hrs ahead of Mexico City. So if it's midday in London, it's 6am in Mexico City.
International dialling code: +52
Internet access is available everywhere. WiFi is found in hotels, restaurants, bars or the innumerable internet cafes.
Voltage is 110v. So you'll need an adaptor.
Mexican Embassy in the UK
16 St. George Street
London W1S 1FD
Tel: 0207 499 8586
Email: mexuk@sre.gob.mx
British Embassy in Mexico
Rio Lerma, No.71 Col. Cuauhtémoc,
CP. 06500
Mexico DF Mexico
Tel: +52 55 1670 3200