Visiting Mexico City

During spring break or the summer vacation, there is no place avid vacationers would like to visit other than Mexico City. Located atop a highland valley approximately 2,240 meters above sea level, Mexico City is the oldest metropolis in the North American continent, having been founded by the Aztecs in 1325. Mexico City boasts of beautiful and historic buildings like the Catedral Metropolitana (one of the most important architectural structures in the Western Hemisphere), the Palacio Nacional (which has fantastic Diego Rivera murals that depict the history of Mexico City), and the Palacio de Bellas Artes (or Palace of Fine Arts, which serves as venue for the city’s most important cultural events).

Whether you are visiting Mexico City for fun, a cultural experience, or just to soak in the atmosphere, there are plenty of places and things to do to either while away the time or get the vacation experience of a lifetime. One simply has to decide what to do first—quite a feat for a city that offers quite a lot.

Being Mexico's capital city and seat of its central government, Mexico City lies at an altitude of 2,200 meters,(0000ft), in the Valley of Mexico, a high valley surrounded by majestic mountain ranges and as such, the climate is very favorable to tourists from the northern regions. The appeal of Mexico City lies in its preservation of its ancient culture, from the ruins of the old Aztec city of Tenochtitlan on which the modern city was built to pre-Columbian art and archtecture that dominates the aesthetic of the city's general structure.

If you plan to stay for more than a day, you can start with a tour of the Zocalo (Main Square). From there you can visit the Cathedral and the adjoining Sagrario or the National Palace and the Museo del Templo Mayor, which are located in the archeological zone, tours which will easily fill a busy day. The next days can be filled with sightseeing around Alameda Park adjoining the Avenida Juarez, where you can visit the Palacio de Bellas Artes, Torre Latinoamericana, Casa de los Azulejos and the church of San Francisco. If you want a little rest from the exciting action, you can go for a leisurely stroll at the Forest of Chapultepec with its beautiful botanical gardens and the Castillo de Chapultepec.

it is also highly recommended that, since the city takes pride in its art culture, an entire day should be set aside to visit some of its most popular museums like the National Museum of Anthropology and the Museum of Modern Art. Those who enjoy the nightlife can experience a blast at the Plaza Garibaldi where the best mariachi bands play. of course, you have to round off your tour with a boating trip to the "floating gardens" of Xochimilco- its a sight you will find quite breath taking and it won't let you forget Mexico City in a hurry.

And while in Mexico, why not take the time to visit other places around the country.

One of Mexico’s most popular tourist destinations is Mazatlan. Also known as “Pearl of the Sea,” it has a population of roughly 450,000 and sits on the Gulf of Mexico. Its pristine beaches are lined with resort hotels that cater to every traveler’s needs. While in Mazatlan, travelers can visit the Plaza de la Revolucion, the city’s Historic District which is home to some of the most amazing architectural sites. It transports the traveler back in time with its cobblestone streets, filled with taco carts and traditional Mexican food as well as a fine selection of seafood fare at very affordable prices. Or if you fancy a tour of the islands, there’s the Isle de Piedra (Stone Island) which is a peninsula located south of Mazatlan. For a dollar, a sea ferry will take you around the island of 4,000 residents and home to a gigantic coconut grove. Also, no trip would be complete without shopping – hence, the Centro Mercado, which is an open air market with an interior building as well that showcases a variety of sections depending on what people are selling, which usually ranges from locally baked goods to cheeses, butcher shops and boars’ heads. If you look closely, you may also find things you possibly can’t imagine being sold there.

Another top tourist destination in Mexico is the jewel of the Baja Peninsula, the Cabo San Lucas, which offers everything for both the luxury traveller and the budget traveler. With its large marina and beautiful bay where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific Ocean, the Cabo San Lucas is the place to be for a casual atmosphere and exciting nightlife. It is where you’ll find the El Arco (a magnificent, natural rock formation on Land’s End) and the El Medano, the main beach which is great for swimming and water sports. The Cabo San Lucas is also known to be the hideaways of the rich and famous so don’t be surprised if you bump into a celebrity or two there.

If you’re the adventurous type, Mexico doesn’t hold back with Puerto Vallarta, where activities on land and sea abound. Take romantic strolls through this town steeped in history or dare to swim with dolphins, go whale-watching, or be entertained by a sea lion show. Bird watching is also one way to pass the time, as well as river swimming, sliding down waterfalls, snorkelling, water-skiing, para-sailing and body surfing. Bored is what you’ll never feel when you’re in Puerto Vallarta. The most difficult thing would probably be deciding what to do first.

So when the next vacation comes around, Mexico and Mexico City are some of the places to consider visiting. In Mexico, a grand time awaits you!