Guide to Southern Mexico

Monte Alban

Spectacularly located on an artificially leveled mountain top, Monte Alban (White Mountain) overlooks the three valleys of Oaxaca. It is said to have been built by the Zapotecs as a 'capital' city to govern the area, hence its position and elevation. Of course, there were no natural water supplies, so that the effort required to level the site and move stone up the mountainsides must have been immense.

Mitla

At Mitla you will see the ruins of a Mixtec city and an attractive colonial church. Mitla came to prominence after the abandonment of Monte Alban and the constructions here are unlike any others in the area. The ruins themselves are not extensive, but feature many delightfully intricate mosaics of carved stone. Their beauty is surpassed only by the delicate carvings at Uxmal, but at Mitla the patterns are purely geometric.

Palenque

The impressive Mayan ruins at Palenque are surrounded by tall jungle, which lends an air of mystery to the site. The site is vast, and only the central area is accessible to visitors. Here you'll find the majestic Temple of the Inscriptions, which contains the tomb of Pacal, the first great ruler of Palenque. Allow at least half a day to see the site. The nearest airport is Villahermosa, around 2 hours away by road.

Surfing

Some of the best surfing in the country can be found in Oaxaca state, with Playa Zicaleta at Puerto Escondido being one of the most popular destinations.  The surf is good for both novices and experts, and championships take place here several times a year.

Golf

There are excellent courses at Huatulco, Acapulco and Zihuatanejo. Acapulco has the best facilities, with four championship courses. Zihuatanejo has the Robert Trent Jr Palma Real course and the and the Robert Van Hagge Marina Ixtapa Club and Huatulco has the scenic par-72 Tangolunda Golf Course.

Markets

A visit to Oaxaca's lively markets offers an incredible treat for all senses. Heaps of chilies, pungent cheeses and even dried grasshoppers are on display here. There are also beautiful displays of tropical flowers and everything else from home wares to clothing under the same roof.

Taxco

This picturesque colonial city is known for its silver mines, cobbled streets and the pretty church of Santa Prisca. It's a great place to buy silver jewelry direct from the artisans and there are unusual and attractive pieces available at good prices. Taxco lies around 2 1/2 hours from Mexico City and 3 1/2 hours from Acapulco. Day tours operate from either location and there are good bus services.

Oaxaca

Many people rate Oaxaca as their favorite city in Mexico, but often find it difficult to explain why. It has all the attractions of many other locations - ancient ruins, noble churches, colonial architecture and colorful local life - yet it also has a special atmosphere all of its own. This relaxed, easy-going ambience combined with the perennial spring climate make it a place in which to linger, to observe local life and discover its treasures almost accidentally, rather than rushing around with a guidebook.

Acapulco

Lively Acapulco, with its legendary nightlife and world-famous cliff divers, is best experienced from one of the luxury hotels on the outskirts of the city such as Las Brisas. From here you can admire the breathtaking views of the bay from a distance, and dip into the city to experience the fine restaurants, nightclubs and entertainment. Acapulco offers plenty of activities for adults and children alike, including the CiCi water park, an aquarium and a zoo.

Huatulco

A series of spectacularly beautiful bays was chosen as the location for one of Mexico's newest resorts, Huatulco.  This is a quiet location, where the emphasis is on water sports and nature tours.  Tangolunda Bay is one of the prettiest and most developed bays, with several hotels scattered on a long beach with crystal clear water.

Zihuatanejo

Picturesque Zihuatanejo has grown from a fishing village to a small tourist resort without losing much of its character. Most hotels here are small and seafront is pleasant for strolling. For nightlife, it's best to visit the neighboring resort of Ixtapa, but there are some excellent restaurants in Zihuatanejo, many with outstanding views of the bay.

Puerto Escondido

This surfing town is a great location for a low key vacation. There are no high rise hotels here - construction must be lower than the tallest palm tree - and prices tend to be lower than other resorts on the Pacific Coast. Nearby are some beautiful secluded beaches and small towns that can be explored with a rental car.

Luxury train service

Visit the Mayan cities of Palenque in Chiapas, Edzna in Campeche and Uxmal and Chichen Itza in the Yucatan on a relaxing tour by luxury train. On the Expreso Maya train tour you will enjoy meals in the elegant dining car as the train travels slowly through this amazing region, stopping at comfortable hotels each night. The tour takes a minimum of 6 days, 5 nights, starting in Villahermosa and ending in Chichen Itza or Cancun.