Whales
In the waters of Baja California you can get up close and personal with a spectrum of gigantic aquatic animals, from blue whales, humpback and sperm whales to occasional sightings of orcas.
El Dia de los Muertos
The Day of the Dead festival celebrates both aspects of life and death with an incredible spectacle of carnival and religious vigils.
Secret beaches – Playa del Amor (Lover’s Beach) is a hidden stretch of beach inside rock formations that can only be reached through a tunnel under the ground. This extraordinary location is complete with an open-air hole in the roof above the sand.
Butterflies – witness the incredible natural phenomenon of millions of Monarch butterflies as they congregate in the Sierra Madre mountains during the winter.
Ancient
Mexico is rich with history, from the ruins of Palenque, some of which date back to 226 BC, to the Pyramid of Kukulcan that dominates the landscape of Chichén Itza. Enter one of the temples in the Mayan ruins of Bon Bonampak and see vivid murals and lintels that tell stories of a long-dead civilisation. Climb 248 steps to the top of the Pyramid of the Sun in ancient Teotihuacán for incredible vistas of an Aztec city. And just as spectacular as the man-made wonders of centuries ago is Copper Canyon, consisting of six individual canyons that each have a coppery-green hue, hence the name. The Spanish discovered silver here in the 17th century and Barrancas del Cobre – as it is known in Mexico – dwarfs even the Grand Canyon in size.
Water
In Mexico you'll discover beautiful beaches like Baja, with its white sands contrasting exquisitely with the warm turquoise sea – the perfect place to relax, and even spot whales. The spectacular coastline of Tulum is home to one of the country's best beaches and there's even a prominent Mayan ruin to explore. It's also an excellent place for snorkelling. Mexico has its fair share of cenotes – or sinkholes – that occur naturally, and in Tulum you'll find Gran Cenote with its glorious stalactites, stalagmites and crystal-clear water. Diving enthusiasts will adore Isla Cozumel which has some of the world's best reefs. And for a different kind of diving, La Quebrada Cliff in Acapulco provides jaw-dropping heights from summit to sea.
Nature
For sheer natural wonder, Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve takes some beating. See a host of animals in over 1.6 million acres made up of tropical forests, wetlands, and coastal habitats. There are big cats including jaguars and pumas, and creatures such as tapirs and anteaters, dolphins and manatees. Not forgetting a huge array of birds, reptiles and fish.
Shopping
Taxco is the destination for silver merchants from all over the world and you'll find many places selling a wide range of superbly crafted silver jewellery.
The State of Oaxaca in Southern Mexico has probably some of the best markets in the whole of the country. Here you can sample and buy delicious food products, from coffee and chocolate to fresh-bake