Mexico

Tequila in hand and sombrero on your head. That's probably the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Mexico. But Mexico is amazingly versatile. Not only will you find one of the largest cities in the world, the capital Mexico City, here, the nature and cultural attractions are also gems in themselves. The ancient inhabitants, the Aztecs and the Maya, have left an impressive legacy. You can still see concrete evidence of this scattered throughout the country. Temples and ruins, palaces and archaeological finds sparkle in towns and small villages.

Aztec

Every event is used as an opportunity to party. It has its origins in their ancestors. Already the Aztecs had their own festival calendar. The 'fiestas' bring some color to the otherwise sober life of the Mexican. 'On such days the otherwise taciturn Mexican whistles, yells and sings, sets off firecrackers and fires his pistol into the air.

Unloading his soul, his screams — much to their delight — soar like a rocket to heaven, there explode in green, red, blue, and white, and plunge down dizzyingly, trailing a tail of golden sparks behind him," thus a quote from the book 'El laberinto de la soledad' by the Mexican writer Octavio Paz, winner of the Nobel Prize for literature. More info on the official website of the tourist office: Visit Mexico

Mexico City

Mexico City is, of course, the undisputed chief of all cities in Mexico. With 20 million inhabitants, this metropolis blows away any other city with ease. The sights can therefore not be counted on one hand. The Zócalo square, the Angel of Independence at Paseo de la Reforma, Templo Mayor, the parks and historic buildings: you could wander for days and still not be bored. Another city is Guadalajara, complete with beautiful cathedral, historic buildings and a lovely atmosphere. Monterrey and Veracruz show a different side of urban Mexico.

Volcanoes and sun-drenched beaches

Mountains in Mexico are more like volcanoes. Orizaba and Popocatépetl are two towering volcanoes whose snow-covered craters are above 5000 m. The country also has the world's largest canyon area, the Koperkloof. Fancy a refreshing dive? Then it's a matter of choice. Beach resorts such as Acapulco, Cancún, Playa del Carmen and Puerto Vallarta are known for their diving, snorkeling and nightlife options.

The cuisine in Mexico

The extensive Mexican cuisine dates back to the times of the Maya, Aztec and Zapotec. Five thousand years ago corn was already grown, from which the tortilla is made. What the potato is to us, is to the Mexican corn. The Native Americans ate the meat of turkeys, hairless dogs, armadillos, rats, mice, fish, iguanas, snakes, and frogs. They also ate grasshoppers, ants, worms and water fly eggs, which were considered a delicacy.