Mexico Classical Travel Recommendation-Inviting You to Find Your Dream Mexico
5. Cancun: a dream vacation
Cancun has over 22 kilometers of fine white sandy beaches, all of which are open to the public. Cancun is located in the northern Caribbean Sea, at the northeastern end of the Yucatan Peninsula. A long, narrow island, it is connected to the mainland by bridges at its northwest and southwest ends. The city is surrounded on three sides by the sea, with stunning scenery, and is known as the backyard of the rich in North America, where you can enjoy your vacation leisure time and get out of town for a handful of excitement. Here, everything is made for vacation.
If you don't feel like having fun on the beach, go diving. Cancun has 24 great dive sites, rich in coral reefs and fish, for divers and ocean explorers alike. At night, lie on the beach and feel the soothing sea breeze as you watch the stars spill out over the ocean.
Unlike the romantic beaches and the beautiful underwater world, this place is more suitable for the adventurers. Water zip line, rock jumping and snorkeling are all games for the adventurous.
In addition to the sunny beaches and cacti, Cancun is also known as the "entrance to the Mayan civilization", Tulum in Cancun on the cliffs of the Caribbean Sea near Tulum, the main port city in the pre-Columbian Mayan civilization, the early seventeenth century because of the invasion of the Spaniards and died.
◆ Recommended attractions：
|| Tulum
Explore Tulum and experience the ancient and mysterious Mayan wisdom. The Yucatan Peninsula is also one of the birthplaces of ancient Mayan culture, and Tulum (also known as Tulum, Tulum) is the only ruin of a Mayan city in Mexico that borders the Caribbean Sea.
Tulum means wall in Mayan, and the topography of the city, with three walls and one side facing the sea, made it a major port for Mexico to Central America, such as Belize, before it was destroyed by the invading Spaniards.
|| Las Coloradas Pink Lake
The legendary "girl's mirror in the sky" is like a marshmallow of macaroon powder, melting in the water, imagining it should be sweet and peachy.
The pink salt lake is enough to mesmerize even the naked eye. In addition, the color of the sky in the contrast of the lake, also turned into a light pink, so that the girl's heart exploded in minutes.
A casual pose is a dreamy blockbuster of the secondary world.
|| Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen is known for its white sand and warm turquoise sea. It's a beautiful beach, a rich Mayan culture, a vibrant nightlife, and of course a quiet place to relax and unwind.
It is also a music destination, where you can enjoy beautiful music at any time of the day at the wine bar, restaurant and pool. Every evening you can enjoy a variety of small concerts, dances and costume shows at the hotel.
|| Cenotes
The Yucatan Peninsula, composed almost entirely of coral formations and porous limestone, makes it the largest cave system in the world beneath a limestone shelf. Over millions of years of evolution, seawater rains filled these caves and when the roof of the cave collapsed, it created a natural well, which formed the Cenotes. Cenotes, pronounced ‘Say-NO-tays’ are underground natural pools and sacred Mayan ceremonial spaces.
The ancient Mayans called the Cenotes in the Yucatan Peninsula "the gateway to hell". Swim in a naturally formed Cenotes and take on the challenge of cliff diving! In the Yucatan Peninsula you can visit the Samar Cenotes and the Samra Cenotes, near the town of Valladolid.
|| 3X Paradise
Cancun is not only about the sea and the monuments, but also about the exciting and fun amusement parks. The three parks are not far from downtown Cancun, but all three are very big and you can only play one in a day.
XPLOR Park: The most exciting adventure park in Cancun, with a 45-minute zip line set, amphibious vehicle drives through water, land and caves, swimming and rafting through ancient stratigraphic caves filled with stalactites and stalagmites.
XEL-HA Park: This is the largest natural marine ecological park in the world, where the entire park is a nature reserve and artificial feeding makes the surrounding fish population gather here. There are beautiful Caribbean scenery, tropical rainforests and unique species and intact natural ecology.
XCARET Park: Located on the Caribbean coast, it was originally a Mayan site, but later discovered to contain several underground rivers with clear water like jasper. A theme park that combines ecology and ancient culture, in the park, you can not only swim in the underground river, explore the mysterious caves, walk through the jungle trails, see the deer jaguar, flamingos and other animals that inhabit the park.
Tips：
1. Cancun is an international tourist city with many hotels. Book about a month in advance if you want to get the best discounts.
2. It is recommended not to rent your own car, because GPS and maps are only readable by Mexicans, plus the road signs are small, it is easy to miss the destination.
6. The ancient city of Chichen Itza: Mexico's "Angkor Wat"
It is said that if you have not been to Chichen Itza, you have not really been to Mexico. Because she is an ancient Mayan city ruins, hundreds of stone carved buildings, comparable to Mexico's "Angkor Wat". There are many pyramid temples, pillar halls, stadiums, markets and astronomical observatories that are full of Mayan culture, and there are also Kukulkan pyramids and temples of warriors with Toltec culture. A living history of the Mayan civilization of Mexico is presented before your eyes.
It was once the largest and most prosperous city-state in the Mayan classical period, and is known as the "home of the serpent god" and is therefore included in the New Seven Wonders of the World. The solemn observatory, the quiet altar and the oddly shaped stadium all showcase the splendid culture and tell the mysterious history.
It is surrounded by 91 steps, adding up to a total of 364 steps, and with the Temple of the Feathered Serpent at the top of the tower, there are 365 steps, symbolizing 365 days. Every year, on the spring and autumn equinoxes, you can see the light and shadow patterns of the god of the serpent on both sides of the pyramid steps.
In the center of the city-state is the Pyramid of Kukulkan (or "Pyramid of the Feathered Serpent"), which is listed as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Inside its belly is a small, intact pyramid dedicated to the jewel-encrusted idol of the jaguar.
What is even more amazing is that every year at the sunset moment of the spring and autumn equinoxes, the north side of the pyramid's step side wall, under the sunlight, will form a giant snake shadow, as if swimming from the top of the tower to the earth.
If you stand under the tower and clap your hands, you can also hear a magical echo similar to birdsong.
|| Kukulcan
Kukulcan, one of the most important cultural sites of the Central Highlands culture of the Late Preclassic period of the Maya culture, Kukulcan means with feathered serpent god in the Maya culture and is known to be the personification of the sun, the sun god.
This ancient building, which was carefully geometrically designed before its construction, expresses a precision and a metaphysical and dramatic effect that will amaze future generations: every year at sunset on the two days of the spring and autumn equinoxes, the side walls of the northern set of steps will form a curved seven-segment isosceles triangle under the sunlight, which, together with the carved snake head at the bottom, resembles a giant snake swimming from the top of the tower to the earth, symbolizing The serpent wakes up at the spring equinox and crawls out of the temple. This mysterious landscape is called the "Light and Shadow Snake Form".
|| Suytun cenote
There are different Mayan cenotes near Chichen Itza, including the Suytun Cenote, which is a particular internet sensation known as the "One Line Sky".
The Suytun cenote is also the same cenote that Miguel was thrown into by Drakus, who was pretending to be his great-great-great grandfather, in "Finding Neverland".
Unlike several other cenotes with large openings, Suytun is more like a hidden cave. If you enter below the sinkhole, you will find that it is actually a huge cave.
There are small black fish swimming around in the turquoise underground pool, and there is a stone staircase extending straight out.
When you walk barefoot through the cold water and go to the round step in the center of the pool, a bright light will pour down from the entrance of the cave and sprinkle all over your body, just like the guidance of the spirits.
Tips：
1. The temperature in Chichen Itza is high, so it is recommended to prepare sunshades, hats, sunscreen and drinking water in advance to avoid heatstroke.
2. If you need to swim in the Well of Sacrifice, remember to prepare your swimsuit in advance.
7. Other niche cities
Most people who come to Mexico prefer Guanajuato, Mexico City, and then Cancun, Utanka, and a few other places in the east. The central line Oaxaca, San Cristóbal and Palenque is considered a relatively cold line, mainly because the road between the cities is far away by bus for a long time. Oaxaca is located in the highland area, along the road, there are many mountainous roads, according to the description of partners can see a variety of cacti everywhere in the mountains, is also quite a peculiar landscape.
|| Oaxaca: a journey of encounters with top artists
Oaxaca is located in the southern part of Mexico, and the state of Oaxaca is one of the most culturally rich states in the country, where the vibrant indigenous culture and the later Spanish culture are blended to form a unique Latin American landscape.
Most of the houses in Oaxaca City are only one or two stories, the terrain is flat, and the streets are laid out in a regular pattern, and the narrow one-way plan is theoretically uneventful. But I don't know if it's because the weather is nice and the temperature is pleasant and there are all kinds of small flowers everywhere, so walking on these quiet and neat streets is particularly comforting.
◆ Recommend experience：
（1）Discover Oaxaca's world-famous handicrafts at the Handicraft Market, and the lively, vibrant, and charming Pillar Base Square. Around the plaza, there are fine restaurants, vendors selling snacks, musicians playing, local natives selling traditional crafts, and travel agents selling tours around the area, day and night!
（2）The charm of Oaxaca's architecture in the historic district; Templo de Santo Domingo is an artistic presence that refreshed my perception. The interior of this Catholic church, which was repaired in the 16th century, is extremely spectacular when it comes to decoration with floral motifs and various paintings and statues, very opulent, and it was totally unexpected that such a superb presence would exist in this small town on the highlands.
（3）Take a trip to the natural infinity pool at Hierve el Agua. The best part of the Tumbledown Falls is the natural landscape on the edge of the cliff, which is simply a white waterfall of mineral-rich spring water that has been flowing along the cliff for thousands of years. Just like the formation of stalactites. There are two such "waterfalls" in the Rolling Stone Scenic Area, one of which also forms two natural pools where you can experience the thrill of swimming and pretending at the edge of a cliff.
|| San cristobal delas casas: a small town in the highlands
Mexico seems to be dotted with all kinds of beautiful little towns, and this highland mountain town called San Cristobal delas Casas is another beautiful little town after Guanajuato, San Gomir and Oaxaca. All are splendidly colonial in style, with similarities and their own different cultural heritage and scenery. San Cristobal is surrounded by villages of the Tzotzil and Tzeltal indigenous peoples (a branch of the Mayan people) and is one of the most deeply rooted areas of Mexican tradition, with San Cristobal at the center of this area, where ancient traditions and modern luxury coexist.
Two Mayan villages, Zinacantan and Chamula, located near San Cristobal. There is a guided tour in English, which is quite informative, but because the locals are conservative no photos are allowed. Although it is an indigenous village, it is no longer the era of living in straw huts and mud walls, plus the village is only 20 minutes drive from San Cristobal, benefiting from tourism and its own flower growing, the indigenous people here are relatively rich. So the village is already relatively modern, except that the villagers still speak their language and wear their traditional dress.
|| Merica - LP's top-ranked small Mexican colonial town
Mérida has colorful Southern European-style houses and a colonial feel to its old town. It is the largest city on the Yucatan Peninsula, the top-ranked small Mexican colonial city on Lonely Planet, and is also known as the most secure city in Mexico.
Mérida's most famous attraction is, of course, the Catedral de San Ildefonso in the center of town, built by Spanish colonists in 1598 to restore the opulent lifestyle of the time. The other two older buildings are the University of Yucatan and the Church of Jesus. The best way to experience the old town is by riding in a carriage perfectly decorated with bouquets of flowers and wandering through the quiet old town with the sound of kicking hooves.
Gourmet：the second Worldwide reputation for Spicy food
Mexico is a well known hotbed of culinary action with incredible flavor combinations that easily beat out Tex-Mex wannabes. below are some of the top dishes you must try on your visit.
1. Tequila
Tequila is a specialty of Mexico. People drink it with a ring of salt on the rim of the glass and a lemon slice at the mouth.
If you know how to have fun, you can go to the fragrant town of Tequila and experience the culture of Tequila (also known as tequila), the world-famous national drink of Mexico. Step inside the Tequila winery Jose cuervo for a special welcome luncheon or an intimate Tequila tasting class.
2. Taco
Originating from Mexican-style tortillas, also known as tacos. It can be said that taco is the most popular and most popularly known Mexican food in the international arena.
The outside layer is called "tortilla" and is made of corn or flour. The "filling" inside is usually beef or pork with some vegetables such as onions, tomatoes, lettuce, cilantro, and peppers ......
3. Cactus Cuisine
Mexico, the city of cactus, is also inseparable from its cuisine. After removing the thorns from the cactus, the crystalline flesh of the cactus is removed and fried with various pigments such as chili peppers and wild mushrooms, making it an essential part of the Mexican diet.
4. Todilla soup
Todilla soup is a traditional Mexican soup, the todilla soup is very elaborate, red and green todilla soup mixed with strong garlic flavor and strong acidity, absolutely exciting, absolutely enough taste.
Festival
Anyone who has been to Latin America will always learn one word: Fiesta, holiday, a festival celebrated with parades and dances. The happiness factor is always present in the Fiesta, large and small, and every evening the central garden of the plaza is bustling with cello players and wandering singers playing in your ears.
1. Day of the Dead
In 2003, the Day of the Dead was inscribed on the UNESCO list of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. The Day of the Dead is celebrated in Mexico every year from October 31 onwards. According to the customs of the Mexican Indian culture, November 1 is the "Day of the Young" and the 2nd is the "Day of the Dead". As October 31 is the Western countries "Halloween night", so many Mexicans, especially children will start from that day on the "Day of the Dead", a series of three days, everywhere a cheerful.
Octavio Paz, a Mexican writer and Nobel laureate in literature, once said the following.
"For New Yorkers, Parisians or Londoners, death is not easily mentioned, because the word burns their lips. Yet Mexicans often talk about death, they flirt with it, they sleep with it, they celebrate it. Death is one of the most beloved toys of Mexicans, their eternal love."
The Mexican Day of the Dead is a perfect illustration of this passage.
Mexicans believe that after death, they simply go to another world, a world of the dead that is even better than the real world, and continue to live.
Every year on the Day of the Dead, the locals scatter yellow marigolds on the road from the cemetery to the town and village, so that the dead can follow the scented path back to their hometown. People also send pictures of their ancestors and gifts to the cemetery, and on this night, the deceased relatives can come back to earth and reunite with their living family members, so people sing and dance to remember and bless them until the morning of the farewell.
The theme that runs through the whole movie is the Day of the Dead! The first climax of "Finding Your Dreams" is that the main character, Miguel, magically travels to the "Land of the Dead" through a guitar. Here is full of magical landscape, in another world, "living" relatives, although it sounds a little magical and absurd, but still exceptionally real ~
2. San Miguel de Allende traditional festival
Many people say that San Miguel is a bit like the Disneyland of Mexico, always offering amazement. Not only are there colonial-era buildings, charming cobblestone streets and bright lights, but the regular festivals, fireworks and parades also form a unique landscape.
San Miguel de Allende is known for its traditional celebrations, such as the Colto International Film Festival and the Carnival Ball, the most prestigious in Latin America, which attracts a large number of European and American visitors. The city incorporates many modern elements in its celebratory parades, such as the Fiesta de los Locos, a unique event held every June.
Useful information
【Language】
The official language of Mexico is Spanish, and English is not widely spoken. Indian is spoken by 7.1% of the population.
Usually need to use language communication, one is transportation, two is dining, three is shopping. When I bought a bus ticket, I just said the name of the place and the conductor let me choose the time on the computer screen. If you take a cab, you should show the driver the name and address of the hotel you booked, and it's best to mark your own google location in advance, or simply say the word "autobus" (bus station), you can also get it. Cabs are generally not metered, and when you arrive, you can take your phone out and let the driver enter a number in the calculator to find out how much it costs.
For shopping, you can use the calculator to pay back the price too.
Eating is a bit of a headache, even with google translate it is not possible to check the menu all the time. In fact, the best way is to know a little words before the trip, like the pig, cow, sheep, chicken, fish and seafood and several fruit , as well as the bathroom and the pronunciation of 1-100, which will save a lot of trouble.
【Best Travel Time】
November to May is the best time to visit Mexico, with sunny weather, usually around 27°C, but with a lot of rainfall. We recommend wearing a T-shirt + thin jacket, and remember to bring rain gear~
【Transport】
(1) There is basically no rail network operating in Mexico except for a few areas. Travel in Mexico is mainly by plane and bus. In the plains around Yucatán Cancún, it is possible to rent a car and drive yourself, but in the central and northwestern parts of the country, which are mainly highland and mountainous, it is quite inconvenient to drive yourself, so it is more suitable to take a bus.
(2) The bus network in Mexico is very well developed, and most buses are comfortable and have bathrooms on long-distance buses (be careful not to choose a seat near a bathroom when booking), but not necessarily on short-distance buses.
(3) If you book your bus ticket in advance, it may be 1/3 cheaper than buying it on the spot, and you can usually book it on the bus company's website, but not every company's website is in English. A more realistic approach is to buy a ticket for the next city as soon as you arrive in one city. However, if you are not sure about the time, it doesn't matter if you don't buy it, you can just buy it on the spot.
(4) Some routes will have regular buses and deluxe buses, look at the price to know. The luxury bus is certainly a lot more comfortable to sit at night, but it is best to buy in advance.
(5) Many people are not clear, Guanajuato airport is in Leon (Leon), the airport code is BJX, about half an hour from Guanajuato by taxi.
(6) Traffic signs: Traffic signs in town are basically the same as in the United States. Domestic or LA over the partners how to drive how to drive.
(7) Road conditions: the overall road conditions are not bad, Cancun around the three provinces of Yucatan road conditions are excellent, the central mountains are much worse. In Mexico, flat tires and tire changes seem to be a common occurrence, the density of auto repair and tire repair points is extremely high.
【Currency exchange】
If you are entering from Mexico City, you can exchange pesos at the airport all at once. The Mexico City International Airport has dozens of exchange stores, and because there is so much competition, you can find the best ones with better exchange rates.
【Safty】
Overall, Mexico is extremely safe. Even if you go to some non-tourist areas, such as food markets and many small town alleys are relatively safe. In addition, Mexicans are very courteous, many cities are very narrow roads, cars will give way to pedestrians, of course, there are not many cars.