Mexico

Regions

• Baja California (Baja California, Baja California Sur)
  The vast western peninsula, stretching 1,200 km from Tijuana on the US border to Cabo in the south. A land of deserts and undiscovered beaches. One of the biggest whale migrations takes place here every year from December to April. Also includes the far-off-shore Guadalupe Island.
• Northern Mexico (Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, Nuevo León, Sinaloa, Sonora, Tamaulipas)
  The expansive deserts and mountains of the border states; mostly ignored by tourists. Culturally and physically a world away from the tropical south. Includes the bustling industrial city of Monterrey, Mexico's 3rd largest and most affluent, and Copper Canyon, the country's only railroad passing through gorges and indigenous villages.
• The Bajío (Aguascalientes, Guanajuato, Zacatecas, San Luis Potosí, Querétaro)
  The former colonial heartland, this is one of Mexico's most historic regions filled with well-preserved colonial towns that grew rich from silver mining. Includes San Miguel de Allende and Guanajuato amongst other lesser known towns.
• Central Mexico (Hidalgo, Mexico City, Mexico State, Morelos, Puebla, Tlaxcala, Veracruz)
  Mexico City, always the political, cultural and economic center of the country with a sophisticated urban core and a huge urban sprawl surrounding it. Also includes the awesome ruins of Teotihuacan, the historic city of Puebla and Veracruz, one of the country's most overlooked regions.
• Pacific Coast (Colima, Guerrero, Jalisco, Michoacan, Nayarit, Oaxaca)
  Tropical beaches on Mexico's southern coast; Jalisco the birthplace of mariachi and Tequila; Guadalajara, the nation's second largest city; and the Oaxacan highlands, famous for their distinct cuisine.
• Yucatán and the South (Campeche, Chiapas, Quintana Roo, Tabasco, Yucatán)
  Jungle and impressive Mayan archaeological sites, along with the Caribbean and Gulf coast with well-known resorts like Tulum and Cancun. The colonial city of Merida and the jungle ruins of Palenque. Geographically isolated from the rest of the country, part of Central America (the dividing line being the Isthmus of Tehuantepec), it is culturally closer to Guatemala and Belize than the rest of Mexico, where Mayan culture is very much alive.

Cities and towns

• Mexico City - capital of the Republic, one of the three largest cities in the world, and a sophisticated urban hub with a 700-year history. In Mexico City, you will find everything from parks, Aztec ruins, colonial architecture, museums, to nightlife and shopping
• Acapulco - a sophisticated urban beach setting known for its top-notch nightlife, elegant dining, and nightmarish traffic
• Cancún - one of the worlds most popular and famous beaches, known for its clear Caribbean waters, its lively party atmosphere, and its wealth of recreational facilities
• Guadalajara - traditional city, capital of Jalisco state, and the home of mariachi music and tequila and blessed with perpetual spring weather and a graceful and sophisticated colonial downtown
• Mazatlán - Lively Pacific coast town, Mazatlan is a shipping port, a transportation hub with ferries to Baja California, and a beach resort destination with miles of sandy shore.
• Monterrey - A large modern city that is the commercial and industrial hub of Northern Mexico. Monterrey enjoys a dry, mountainous setting and is known for its high-quality educational and transportation infrastructure.
• San Luis Potosi - A colonial city in central Mexico that was once an important silver producer, but today, relies on manufacturing for its economic base.
• Taxco - In central Mexico west of Cuernavaca, this steep mountain town was once a major silver producer, and now has a strong place in the trade of decorative silver, from cheap fittings to the most elegant jewelry and elaborate castings.
• Tijuana - Mexico's busiest border crossing for pedestrians and private vehicles, and a long-time bargain Mecca for southern Californians due to its proximity with San Diego
• Puebla - large colonial city that's a must for the serious food enthusiast