For some, Mexico is mustachioed macho men in sombreros and with revolvers, for others it is the ancient Aztec pyramids, and others value spicy cuisine and tequila most of all. In any case, a vacation in this amazing country is always a sea of bright emotions, joy and impressions, which will last for a whole year.
To travel to Mexico you need a visa, the registration of which usually does not cause problems. To receive it, you must fill out a special form on the website of the country’s migration authorities. The entry permit will be sent to your email. Such a document gives the right to stay in Mexico for 30 days. Those who have a US visa do not need to apply for additional paperwork: with an American visa you can travel around Mexico for six months.
The culture of this country is so rich and diverse that everyone is sure to find something interesting for themselves: history buffs will certainly be interested in ancient Indian settlements and unique collections of museums, hikers will appreciate the beauty of national natural parks, and for those interested in “ have a blast” the doors of nightclubs are always open.
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If you were to make a list of all the sights worth visiting in Mexico, Teotihuacan would be number one. This “ghost town” is located 40 kilometers from Mexico City and is a settlement of ancient people. Scientists have been able to establish that it was built in the 2nd century BC. Its name can be translated as “the place where the Gods touch the earth.” The most important buildings are the pyramids of the Sun and Moon. Under the Pyramid of the Sun, to the top of which 248 steps lead, archaeologists discovered a cave, which, according to some assumptions, could be a royal tomb. The Pyramid of the Moon was most likely a place for sacrifices, as animal and even human bones were found underneath it. It is still unknown who built this city, and for what reason the local residents left it.
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For another Mexican attraction, you will have to travel 665 kilometers on a modern, comfortable train from Mexico City to the state of Chihuahua. Every year, thousands of tourists go on this journey to see Copper Canyon with their own eyes. It is said that its deep gorges in the middle of the sandy desert, connected by six rivers, are very reminiscent of the American Grand Canyon.
Regarding the name of the canyon, there is a legend that the Spaniards who once arrived here mistook the moss enveloping the slopes of the canyon for copper. In this connection, they began to call the canyon Medny. In addition to the steep cliffs favored by climbers, the park also contains high, noisy waterfalls and thermal springs. You can also see an Indian settlement here.
In Mexico City there is a unique open-air museum – Temple Mayor (“main temple”),
which opened in 1987. During archaeological excavations, scientists were able to find more than 7,000 artifacts, including the ruins of pyramids and Aztec temples. In two huge halls of the museum, amazing exhibitions are presented: ancient sculptures, household items and even the remains of ancient fish, animals and plants. Templo Mayor is open daily (except Mondays) from 9:00 to 17:00, and admission on Sundays is free for all foreign tourists.
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One of the main attractions of Mexico City is the Palace of Fine Arts, most of which is occupied by large concert halls. People come here to listen to opera or watch ballet performances performed by Mexican artists. In addition to the action on stage, it is worth paying attention to the interior of the Palace: every detail, every element of decoration and design was designed by the best artists of the country and is distinguished by special grace. In addition to performances, here you can see numerous exhibitions of the National Museum and the Museum of Architecture. The doors of the Palace are open to everyone every day (except Tuesdays) from 11:00 to 19:00.
Few people know that in Mexico there is one of the most ambitious volcanic systems on Earth, which is comparable to the volcanoes of Kamchatka. The most restless volcano of this system, but despite this, attracting tens of thousands of tourists is Popocatepetl. Translated from the Aztec language, the name of the volcano sounds like “Smoking Mountain”. Popocatepetl is located approximately 64 kilometers from Mexico City. You can get there by intercity bus. A trip to this “giant” will be incomplete without doing two things. Firstly, it is worth visiting a cafe in the small town of Cholula, which is located almost at the foot of the mountain. Corn cakes are baked here, which, due to the volcanic ash that falls into the ground, have a special taste and aroma. Secondly, seven kilometers from the volcano there is an Extreme Entertainment Center, where you can go on rides and relax after a tiring walk through the national park.
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One of the most amazing places in Mexico is the cave system of Sac Actun with an underground river. This natural complex is located in the city of Tulum, its length is more than 300 kilometers. Of these, only 5 kilometers are not flooded with water. Each cave is unique in its own way and differs from the other in the composition of the water, the depth and shape of the stalactites. Some grottoes have an exit to the top, while others are completely hidden underground. The caves are home to harmless bats, which often fly over the heads of visitors, scaring them. During the excursion, which lasts about an hour, tourists can explore several grottoes and caves, as well as dive with a mask and snorkel to a shallow depth.