Top attractions in Mexico
The ancient ceremonial center of the Mayan culture and one of the most visited monuments in Mexico is the city of Chichen Itza with the main pyramid of Kukulkan and other places of worship. From Mexico City it is more convenient to get to the Teotihuacan archaeological complex, and from Cancun to the ancient Mayan city of Tulum. The largest pyramid in the world (in terms of volume) is located near the Mexican town of Cholula.
The main cultural attractions of modern Mexico should be sought in the center of Mexico City. Walking routes in the center of the capital certainly pass along the main street – Reform Avenue, where the Angel of Independence is installed.
The main square of Mexico City and one of the symbols of the country is the Zocalo, it houses the Cathedral of Mexico City, the oldest in Latin America. Among the museums most interesting for tourists are the house-museum of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera and the house of Leon Trotsky. Both places are located in the picturesque area of Coyoacan, for a walk around which it is better to set aside a separate day.
A panoramic view of the entire capital opens from the observation platform of the 188-meter skyscraper Latin Tower, which rises in the business center of the city.
A way to combine adventure and culture is to visit the Underwater Museum in Cancun, which includes about 400 cement sculptures in the shallow part of the coast.
They are not monuments of art, although the exhibition itself is very interesting – every year the sculptures are more and more “captured” by marine flora and fauna, thereby contributing to the restoration of natural reefs. Another popular excursion from Cancun is to the Isle of Women, which offers many options for entertainment and family fun.
Natural attractions of Mexico
Mexican canyons fascinate with landscapes. The most famous is Copper Canyon in northwest Chihuahua. Through the national park – a network of seven canyons – the railway passes, and from the windows of the trains you can see the rocks and waterfalls.
These places are often compared with the American Grand Canyon, and some sections even surpass it in depth. Even more beautiful waterfalls can be seen in Sumidero Canyon National Park.
One of the most popular “natural” destinations from Cancun is Xcaret Ecological Park. Here, tourist attractions, such as short river rafting and swimming with dolphins, are combined with contemplative relaxation: exotic birds live in the park, orchids bloom luxuriantly, and turtles are bred on a special farm.
The UNESCO-protected reserves are El Vizcaino, the largest reserve in Latin America, better known as the whale reserve; Covering the wintering area of millions of monarch butterflies, the Mariposa-Monarca Biosphere Reserve is a truly amazing sight.
El Vizcaino
The largest reserve in all of Latin America. Created in 1988, and since 1993 it has been included in the UNESCO Natural Heritage List. Located in the central part of the Californian Peninsula between the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez, with a total area of 25,000 km². Natural landscapes are very diverse: from deserted beaches and dunes to mangrove swamps, the reserve also includes coastal islands.
On the territory of the reserve you can meet one of the fastest animals on earth – pronghorn antelope, also black-tailed deer, coyotes, desert bighorn, many species of birds. On the coast and islands there are various types of marine mammals (seals, seals, sea lions), sea turtles.
In many caves of the reserve, cave drawings of the Cochimi Indian tribes have been preserved, who lived here until the disappearance of the tribe in the 19th century. But the main value of Vizcaino is the gray whale reserve, which is located on their migration route in the bays of San Ignacio and Ojo de Lliebre.
Here they stop for the winter to find a mate and have offspring. In addition to gray whales, you can see blue whales, humpback whales, fin whales and other large marine life up close.
Island of Women
The small island of Isla Mujeres (Isle of Women) 8 km from Cancun has a length of 7.5 km and a width of 500 meters. The island got its name because of the many statues of the Mayan goddess of fertility found here by the conquistadors. In the north of the island there are sandy beaches, in the south – a rocky coast.
The main attraction is Garrafon-Punta Sur Park, surrounded by the sea. Here you can take a break from the seething energy of Cancun, sunbathe, visit a turtle farm, taste inexpensive seafood dishes, buy souvenirs (they are cheaper here than in Cancun). You can swim above the coral reefs with a snorkel and a mask.