Mexico Sights

The magnificent nature, beautiful beaches and snow-capped volcanoes, rich history with the archaeological remains of the Aztec, Maya, colonial palaces, many paradises that attract tourists warm gentle waves and warm people, and all this splendor at relatively low prices for goods and services, especially in the provinces - all this modern Mexico.

The true monuments of antiquity in Mexico are pyramids of the Maya. They are in the country a lot, but available for only a few visits, as many of the pyramid buried under a layer of earth or covered with dense tropical vegetation, so that at first glance are simply green hills. The best known and most ancient structures are the pyramids of Teotihuacan, where well-preserved two of the largest pyramid - the Sun (225 meters at the base and 65 meters in height) and Moon (about 150 meters at the base and 42 m in height), as well as the temple the most "popular" of the Mayan Gods - Quetzalcoatl. The facilities are located in the same way as the three stars in Orion's Belt, that is exactly the same as the three great pyramids at Giza). Pyramid of Cholula - the largest in the world, by volume, it was superior to the pyramid of Cheops (now a big part of the pyramid is destroyed). Another impressive group of pyramids - Mitla and Monte Alban - located near the city of Oaxaca, and the ancient pyramidal structures in the capital of the Toltec - Thule, surrounded by strange multi-ton stone heads of mysterious creatures. And places such as Chichen Itza, Palenque, Tajin, Tikal, Xcaret Tour, Shel-Ha, Mayapan, Mitla and Uxmal, are simply priceless monuments of ancient civilizations.
Tourists are also expected first-class resorts of the country Cancun, Playa de Carmen, Acapulco, Puerto Vallarta, Cozumel, Mazatlan, Uatulko etc.

Mexico City was founded in 1325 more Indians Aztecs. According to legend, the gods commanded the Aztecs to found the capital on an island in Lake Texcoco, where they see the eagle (the sacred bird of the Indians), who devours the snake sitting on a cactus. And now at this point stretched the largest metropolis of the world, as well as the oldest and most rapidly developing city in the New World. This is a true "outdoor museum" - there are over 1400 monuments and historical relics, 10 archaeological sites in the city, and around 8 universities, several academies, more than 80 museums, theaters, concert halls and exhibition of more than 2 thousand . restaurants, dozens of parks and recreation centers. And all this - with an enormous population density!

Center City is the area of El Zocalo (Plaza of the Constitution, the second largest in the world), miraculously preserved buildings surrounded by Aztec Tenochtitlan (Templo Mayor) and the buildings of the colonial era, among them - the biggest in Latin America, Cathedral Catholic cathedral cathedral Metropolitana (1563-1667 gg .) and the Palace of Cortes. Also interesting area of the Three Cultures in the center of Mexico City, where the unique archaeological area with stone foundations of ancient buildings of the Aztecs, on which stands the Catholic Church, which, in turn, is adjacent to the modern apartment buildings bordering the square.

Must be worth visiting the National Palace, decorated with famous murals of Diego Rivera, the area of Garibaldi and the world's largest arena for a bullfight, and the Alameda Park and is located next to the Palacio de Bella Art (Palais des Beaux Arts), which collects the best works of Mexican culture, or channels Sochimilko on the outskirts of Mexico City, where people still live in the same way as 500 years ago. Do not forget to visit the Basilica of Mexico's patron saint - Our Lady of Guadalupe, where her feast day (December 12) is arranged a huge procession to visit the first European quarter of the capital - Koyoakan, or walk down the street on Paseo de la Reforma (Reform Avenue) - copies Paris Champs-Elysees (and by the way - just busy shops and restaurants) with colorful buildings, the end of XIX century. and numerous fountains. In the heart of this giant "nest" is located pedestrian enclave and the area of nightlife - Zona Rosa, with many stores, shops, restaurants and cafes - "cantina".

Relax from the hustle and bustle of urban parks can Pedregal, Alameda, Bosc de Chapultepec (hill of the grasshoppers, the biggest park of Mexico City) to the Presidential Palace Castillo de Chapultepec, where the country's largest National Anthropological Museum (nearby - a good zoo) or forest area of La Marquez on the outskirts of the city, which is also famous for its many restaurants, cafes and attractions. But the huge Mexico City, despite all its attractions, not very suitable for recreation, so it's best just to go in his famous suburbs.

Teotihuacan (Tiahuanaco, a place where gods are born ") is 50 km. to the north-east of Mexico City, and is a cult place of many nations Mesoamerica. Still unclear - when are the first people started to settle and why the city was abandoned, but its architectural monuments staggering. Temple of Quetzalcoatl and the 5-kilometer road of the dead (40 m wide), the Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon, the Palace of Quetzal-Papalotlya Jaguars and the Palace, the ancient Temple of the Feathered shells, Quetzal Butterfly Palace, Plaza de la Luna and residential complex with Tepantitla famous frescoes Paradise office Tlaloc - this is only a small part of local "treasures of history" gathered from huge stone blocks and strictly subordinated to some unknown system. In the center of the archaeological zone is a wonderful museum with an exhibition of rare archaeological objects and large-scale model of Teotihuacan.

South-east of Mexico City, in Cholula, are the ruins of a huge pyramid-dolls lined with giant stone slabs, covered with ornate carvings. Giant 8-kilometer tunnel allows you to get acquainted with the peculiarities of masonry such colossal structures of antiquity, and is located on the top left of the pyramid mound church gives a special "charm" of this unique area. No less impressive, although still relatively few excavated, the ancient capital of the Toltec - Thule, where a number of objects still waiting for them occupy archaeologists.

Cancun - is a network of beaches, resorts and parks that stretch for 140 kilometers. on the Caribbean coast to the town of Tulum. The city consists of business mainland and the resort island measuring 25 km. at 500 meters and is located almost parallel to the coral reef Palancar, which begins near the island Conte (the second largest reef in the world). Few resorts can match the beauty of Cancun and the purity of the sea, proximity to archaeological sites, nature reserves and estesstvenno, the purity of snow-white beaches, which are more than 20 km.

Private area attractions - its underwater national Garrafon, Comte, Shel-Ha and Chankanab Lagoon, as well as "crocodile park Krokotaun - a protected zone, where they live and breed Yellow-lored crocodiles, pink flamingos and many other species of animals and birds. About lagoon stretches Nichupte new water park, Wet-end-Wild ", which collects the latest water attractions. And almost anywhere around Cancun, you can swim in the boat, swim in the lagoon, as well as to do any water sports or diving. For a more cautious here works a whole flotilla of tourist submarines, cruises among the coral reefs. Those who taste the exotic, in the newly rebuilt stadium bullfighting. Golf, tennis, fishing, casinos, shopping centers (all goods, except except tobacco and alcohol, are not taxed), children's park "Mexico Magica, lively nightlife and excellent cuisine of several hundreds of restaurants ... In general, there is everything that you could possibly imagine.

20 km. from Cancun is a coral island of Cozumel dimensions are 53 by 14 km. - The largest inhabited island in Mexico. It was here, allegedly fliers, the bottom can be seen at depths of up to seventy meters! Underwater coral tunnels Punta Sur and Santa Rosa, Reef Barracuda and vertical walls of Maracaibo Diep (up to 50 meters depth) are considered among the best (and dangerous!) Dive sites of the country. And right in front of Cancun lies a small (8 x 1 km.) Island of Isla Mujeres (Island of Women "), famous for its convenient beaches, coral reefs, ruins of pirated estate, Mayan ruins of prayer, as well as many small restaurants and shops with souvenirs and jewels . 50 km. from Cancun is a young resort of Playa del Carmen (Riviera Maya or Playakar), which turned into a real "oasis" club hotels and ecological parks.

Shel-Ha (or Xela-Ha, 122 km. From Cancun) - National Park, which is a natural aquarium, arising naturally in the mountain cave, nourished partly by sea, some fresh water from underground rivers. Surprisingly clean and clear water allows you to see exotic fish of unusual colors, and lush vegetation affects the range of shades.

Ekopark Shkaret (Eshkaret) is located 72 km. from Cancun on the Gulf coast. This is a well equipped recreation center with an abundance of tropical fauna, well-equipped beaches, a zoo, water attractions, underground rivers, an aquarium, caves, bars and restaurants, small museums and many others. One of the main "highlights" Xcaret Tour - one of the best in the world of pavilions butterflies.

In the vicinity of Cancun are many historic sites and the pyramids, even on the territory of the resort of the ruins of San Miguel, Del Rey, Yamil-Luum, and Pok-Ta-Pok on an island in the lagoon Nichupte. Just an hour's drive Tulum is situated (Zama) - formerly the main port of the Maya and one of the most famous archaeological sites on the coast. The city is surrounded on three sides by stone walls, and from the sea - difficult to reach a height of fifteen rocks, and is the only fortification on the coast of the Mayan empire, as well as the last stronghold of the Indians that lasted until 1554, and has served as a haven for Indian insurgents. To this day preserved Temple Frescoes (de los Freskos), Church of God coming down, the Temple of God of Wind, the Temple of the Sea, as well as nearly 400-foot ceremonial center. At 167 km. from Cancun, in the heart of the jungle, Coba is an archaeological zone with many ancient buildings and numerous caves, most of which are not yet fully explored.

But the main historic area of the district - the sacred Mayan city of Chichen Itza (205 km. From Cancun). This is the most famous and best restored city where there are such magnificent constructions of Mayan culture as consisting of nine platforms, with a temple at the top of the pyramid Kukulkan, the largest and oldest building in the city - a palace monk, an astronomical observatory El Caracol ( "snail"), square Temple Orlov, and Tigers, pyramid Osorio and sacred "Cenote" (well), where they offered sacrifices to the gods, the Temple of Warriors, with its famous statues of the god Chaaka, the field for ball games with the Temple of Jaguar and northern temple, which may be used to sacrifices, and many other monuments of ancient Indian civilization.

Uxmal ( "built three times") - still one of the important ceremonial centers of the Maya in Yucatan. The local historical monuments simply countless - the Great Pyramid (100 m length and 70 meters wide at a height of more than 30 meters), Pyramid Wizard (home dwarf ") in height 38 m, well preserved building of the Palace of the Ruler and his famous" the throne of the two-headed Jaguar, Temple of the phallus, House of Turtles, a field for ball games, quad convent nuns and a pyramid of Old witch. In the evenings over the forested ruins of the great city of bottled ink light-show, which makes this place absolutely fantastic.

Palenque - another historical riddle of the country. This famous Mayan city located in the mountainous jungle, surrounded by tropical vegetation. More than 1400 of its ppekpasno sohpanivshihsya postpoek vchetvepo occupy an area larger than any of the famous cities of the Maya. In finding a network of aqueducts, canals and drains that were used to supply water to ppotochnoy gopod that scientists believe is the most complex The structure ever built of ancient Maya. Main pyramid of Palenque - Temple of Inscriptions (692 AD. E.) Contains a unique burial of Maya and a lot of huge stone slabs with hieroglyphs. No less interesting set of so-called. Palace of the 25 buildings and only in the architecture of the Maya Tower, Temple of the Sun (about 642 AD. E.) Rock with panoramic sun worship, the Temple of the Cross with engraved reliefs, playground for ball games and the Temple of Skulls.

Taxco - City-reserve (one of the most beautiful colonial cities, called the "world capital of silver), and a recognized center of tourism. City planning and development has kept the typical cobbled streets and houses, characteristic of the colonial period, when, thanks to the extraction of silver has reached an unprecedented peak. Here obazatelno worth a visit Zocalo square, the church of Santa Prisca, the Casa Borda Museum "Don Guillermo" and many handicraft workshops. Near Taxco is the "city of eternal spring," Cuernavaca, the capital of the State of Morelos, the main attraction of which is the grand palace of Hernan Cortes, which is now a museum Kuaunauka (Museum of Cortez).

The city-port of Acapulco - the famous "Night Mexican capital, a city of entertainment, shows, casinos and restaurants. The center of tourist life in Acapulco - Lagoon Pie-de-la-Kuesta with excellent beaches and restaurants on the northern outskirts of the city. Also interested in Spanish fort of San Diego (XVII-XVIII cc.) In the historic center, Municipal Zocalo square, where you can see the beautiful Cathedral de la Soledad, the water park, colorful show "Fiesta Mexicana, walks on the ships along the coast with dinner and show, the famous cliff divers of La Quebrada (45 meters), discos, restaurants and much more. Coastal waters of Acapulco are very rich in wildlife. On the banks of the beautiful natural bay for more than 20 municipal beaches for every taste (all beaches are open and have free entrance). The best place for swimming - Beaches Caleta, Pi de la Cuesta and Kaletilya in the Old Acapulco, as well as a fashionable beach Kondeza. You can hire a boat for fishing or a glass bottom boat and go to the island resort Rocket, where the vast zoo, or to the Peninsula de las Playyas to lying at the bottom of the altar of the Virgin of Guadalupe.

Manzanillo is located in a good natural harbor and is a major resort and tourist destination. Hot weather is always tempered by the fresh ocean breeze blowing. Area Hotels stretches nearly 10 km. along a picturesque bay, cut deep into the shore. In Manzanillo, sandy beaches, framed by green palm trees and flowering shrubs. Also, many tourists attracted by the old city of the Alamo (a national historic monument), Pattskuaro with magnificent colonial architecture, colonial city of San Cristobal de las Casas, Santa Rosalia, an abandoned town Real de Catorce, and the highest waterfalls in Mexico - Cascade Basasichi (246 meters).

And on the shores of the Pacific Gulf of Banderas (Bay of Flags, the largest on the west coast of Mexico) is a famous resort of Puerto Vallarta - area many kilometers of fine sandy beaches, elegant Roman Catholic cathedral, the old colonial buildings and ultramodern shopping centers, banks, restaurants, night clubs and discos. In the waters of the nearby island Maretas are excellent dive sites and a lot of underwater caves. And at the California peninsula (Baja), with its long coastline, beautiful beaches, bays and cozy impressive cliffs, are well known resorts such as Tijuana, San Ignacio, Puerto Cortes, La Paz, picturesque rocky sites of the Sierra de San Francisco and the Sierra de La Laguna, as well as many others.

Yucatan Peninsula - the cradle of Mayan civilization, and the focus of a great number of archaeological sites, attracts many lovers of active sports and Cave diving, because almost all irregular karst formations, underground rivers and Cenote, many of whom have access to the sea. The best areas of diving in the country are considered the territory of coral reefs Chinchorro off the southern coast of Quintana Roo, reefs Alakranes the northern coast of Yucatan reef Palancar and Playa Garrafon near Cancun.

And the Sierra Madre mountain ranges are significant opportunities for mountaineering and tourism peschego. There are more than 50 national parks covering about 800 hectares, including the world-famous parks Bosenchev and Cumbres de Monterrey with the mountain pine forests, La Molinche and Pico de Orizaba to the famous volcano, nature reserve of rare birds Selestum etc. .