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Capital & largest city: Mexico City
Primary language(s): Spanish
Mexico is not just beautiful beaches and appealing all-inclusive deals, it is also 35 UNESCO World Heritage sites, 68 national languages, 350 dialects of those languages and more than 10,000 years of rich history. Mexico or properly, the United Mexican States, roots deeply in many Mesoamerican civilizations, but the main two are the Maya and the Aztecs, which fell to the Spanish conquistadors in 1500-s. The colonization prompted the spread of Christianity and the Spanish language through the Catholic Church, resulting in a fusion of European and indigenous traditions that shaped modern Mexico.
Today, the country is 14th largest in the world and it would probably rank even higher if not for huge territorial losses to the United States in the 19th century. According to The Dallas Morning News, Mexico used to extend into “what now is Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California, Utah, Nevada and a southwest portion of Wyoming.” Despite its size and the economic potential, Mexico struggles with enormous social gaps, poverty and crime due to drug trafficking. Tourist areas are reasonably safe though and it continues to be a popular destination with Cancun leading among international arrivals.
Why Cancun?
To me, Cancun or any town in the district of Riviera Maya is the best location to be at if you are traveling to Mexico for the first time. In addition to great resort options on the Caribbean Sea, they conveniently reside near major cultural and natural treasures, including:
Chichen Itza
Chichen Itza is a ruined ancient city and a World Heritage site that in 2007 was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. It had been a prominent religious, commercial and political center of the Maya, which provided home to 35,000-50,000 people during its heyday. Chichen Itza remains an active archeological zone with quite a few of the original buildings still standing. Most recognizable pyramid-shaped structure, a Temple of Kukulcán or El Castillo (The Castle), proves Maya’s advanced skills in mathematics and astronomy. Each of the four sides of the pyramid has 91 stairs. Together with a final step at the top they total to 365, representing the number of days in a solar year. Furthermore, 91 is the number of days between the four seasons. Such precise calculations are not a coincidence and may suggest that the temple has served as a calendar too.
Interestingly, twice a year on the spring and autumn equinoxes, the late afternoon sun creates the appearance of a snake slithering down the pyramid’s wall until it connects to a stone serpent head at the base, a head of the god Kukulcán. Thousands of visitors gather to see the phenomenon, as well as hear the chirp triggered by a handclap. Rumor has it, the Maya created this effect intentionally to resemble the Mexican quetzal, a majestic bird they worshiped.
The observatory, the market, the ball court, where ritual games happened, are merely a portion of what the complex has available. Chichen Itza features remarkable architecture and is totally worth a day in the scorching sun.
Tulum
Tulum stands along the east coast of the Yucatán Peninsula and usedto be Maya’s major port city. The site is less impressive than Chichen Itza, but is closer to shoreline hotels in Quintana Roo, attracting a good many tourists. It has all the typical Maya architecture: multi-level elevated platforms, thatched-roof huts, various plazas and temple-pyramids, just on a smaller scale. These are the only beachfront ruins in the state with spectacular seaside views, which makes Tulum special in its own way.
Cenotes
Cenotes have intrigued people for thousands of years. In addition to being the only permanent water source in the jungle, the Maya considered them sacred spaces and an entrance to the Underworld. In a scientific sense, cenotes are deep sinkholes filled with cool, clear water that were formed by underground caves collapsing. Nowadays, these pools are prized among outdoor lovers for the opportunity to swim, snorkel and dive in a unique setting. You can explore all four types of cenotes: open, semi-open, closed (also known as caverns) and ancient in a separate tour or you can pair the experience with going to one of the Maya cities. Chichen Itza has Cenote Sagrado (Sacred Cenote) right in the ruins and famous Cenote Ik Kil only six minutes away driving.
Xcaret
Xcaret is a 200-acre theme park that immerses you in the essence of Mexico. Based in the jungle by the sea among underground rivers and cenotes, it offers a lot of fun activities, where visitors can enjoy tropical wildlife along with cultural attractions. Throughout Xcaret you will meet different animals, like macaws, endangered tapirs, manatees, pink flamingos and turtles. With some of them you may even be able to interact. A folk art museum, replicas of a Mexican cemetery and a Maya village are just a few places that highlight this country’s customs and traditions. There are multiple live performances to choose from at the park, but a night show, Xcaret México Espectacular, outshines everything. It’s an ultimate celebration of Mexico’s history and cannot be missed. Prepare to spend a full day here and don’t hesitate upgrading to a plus admission, which covers an amazing lunch buffet at one of the five restaurants with varied specialties.
The Danza de los Voladores (Dance of the Flyers)
The Danza de los Voladores (Dance of the Flyers) originated in central Mexico as a tribute to gods of nature, developing over time into a significant cultural symbol. The ceremony consists of five men climbing a 30-meter pole from which four launch themselves, tied with ropes, to descend to the ground, while the fifth, called caporal, remains on top of it, playing a flute and drum. Majority of sources agree the dangerous dance was created in response to a severe drought, but diverge on how the performers’ figures should be understood. Some say “flyers” impersonate birds, others that they represent the sun and four elements, or even raindrops. Regardless of the interpretation, every Danza de los Voladores is a miracle of sorts, because not many rituals survived until the modern era. Multiple communities continue to practice the ceremony, preserving it for generations to come. Typically, tourists around Cancun may see the Danza de los Voladores in Tulum or Xcaret.
Cancun overflows with vibrant things to do and though the ones above are barely scratching the surface of what’s out there, they bring Mexico’s identity to the forefront.
Personal favorites
Lodging:
– GR Solaris Cancun
Find more trip ideas & everything travel in this section of my blog. Happy exploring!