Mexico

Trip preparation

Mexico is situated in North America and is six times as large as Germany. The north, of Mexico boarders to the United States, the south and west to the Pacific Ocean, the southeast boarders Guatemala and the Caribbean Sea, and the east boarders the Gulf of Mexico. Due to the large land area, there are three different time zones and a diverse climate ranging from subtropical to alpine weather conditions to hot dry desert climate. For anyone planning a vacation to Mexico they need a valid passport and a tourist card which is stamped upon arrival and departure. The card will be obtained from the airlines during the flight. There are no mandatory vaccinations for Mexico, but you should have standard vaccinations against hepatitis A, tetanus and diphtheria. Before you travel you should in advance order Mexican Pesos (MXN) at the bank. 1 MXN is about 0.059 € and the price standards for accommodation, transportation and meals is a lot lower than in Europe. You will require an adapter with an American polarized plug. You can take your mobile phone with you as there are no reception problems. Despite the 62 indigenous languages ​​spoken in Mexico, the main language spoken there is Spanish. Due to the different climate zones, there is no best time to go to Mexico, however in most regions between May to September it tends to get very hot with plenty of rainfall.

General

As the safest and cheapest manner of transport within the country, the Metro is recommendable in big cities like Mexico City and Guadalajara, as well as long-distance buses to travel through the country. Tickets can be bought at any bus terminal and it is recommended to travel first class. Those who prefer to travel individually can rent a car, however you need to be at least 25 years old and need to own a credit card. The prices for rental cars are much higher than in Europe. Archaeological Mexico When the New World was discovered at the end of the 15th century, the Europeans were astonished by the civilizations they encountered, little imagining that they were the result of an evolution that had begun several thousand years before the birth of Christ. Part of the territory of what at present is the Republic of Mexico was occupied by civilizations which developed along similar lines and which shared many of their basic characteristics. This entire area now goes by the name of Meso-America. The development of the Meso-American cultures has been divided into three stages by archaeologists: preclassic: 2000 B.C-100 A.D.; classic: 100 B.C.-A.D. 900 and postclassic: A.D. 900-1519. The preclassic stage began with agriculture, as far back as the year 2000 B.C., when the first villages were established and large groups which lived together and required a more complex social organization were formed. However, not until the year 1000 B.C. did the Olmecs of the coast of the Gulf of Mexico create the first civilization in which many of the traits which distinguish the Meso-American cultures could be identified: it was among the Olmecs that large stone sculpture, writing, organized ceremonial centers, and the cult of a jaguar god were to be found. The classic period began in the early years of the Christian era: this was when the Meso-American cultures acquired distinct regional characteristics, and manifested their own styles in architecture, painting, and sculpture in stone and clay. Cities such as Teotihuacán, Palenque and Monte Albán, to name only a few, were built at this time. The postclassic period began when the large classic centers were abandoned and some of them destroyed. When the groups that had lived there emigrated to other regions, they took with them many of the characteristics they had developed in the large metropolises: some of these groups arrived as far as Central America, such as the Pipiles and the Nicaraos, Náhuatl speaking tribes, to be found in El Salvador and Nicaragua in the 16th century. The books (codexes) written during this period, documents which record historical, astronomical and religious events, have survived up to our time. But for an understanding of the postclassic period the importance of the Chichimecs in Meso-America cannot be overlooked. Groups of hunters who lived in the north erupted violently and left their mark on the civilized life of Meso-America, provoking changes in all aspects, changes which make it possible to explain the development of the Mexico or Aztec people.

Traditions and Culture

Due to the Spanish colonial period in the 16th Century, over 80 percent of Mexicans are Catholic, and the density of churches in a Spanish-style across the country is very high. Almost 60 percent of the inhabitants are mestizos, and 30 percent indigenous people, which links to the former Aztec empire. The influence of the diverse cultures of the Aztecs and Mayans are still felt today however, are mixed with the introduced Spanish traditions.

Experience and enjoy

Due to the dimensions of the country, prior to arriving in Mexico you should plan which regions you want to explore in depth with the help of a tour guide. There are few tourist resorts which makes Mexico especially appealing for individual travelers. There are many sights worth seeing in Mexico which are also spread all over the country. The main attractions worth seeing are the cultural capitals Mexico City and Guadalajara, the ancient city Teotihuacan due to its pyramids, Cancun on the Caribbean coast and the second most visited archeological site of Mexico Chichen Ilza.It is not possible to give enough tips concerning Mexican culinary: The Traditional cuisine includes: chili, tacos, tortillas, Buritos, churros, and of course the legendary Mexican tequila.