Mexico offers travellers a tantalising smorgasbord of nature, history, cuisine and culture. Aztec and Mayan archaeological treasures, tequila, charming colonial cities, Mexican food and beach culture, all these features and more make up this tourist and historical hub. The culturally curious will be bowled over by the impressive sites of ancient civilisations that moulded Mexico’s great pre-colonial history. Nature lovers will be in their element on the pristine beaches that stretch along its 10 000 kilometre coastline or exploring the country’s rainforests, mountain peaks and mangrove lagoons. Gourmands gorge on the distinctive and flavourful cuisine that has become famous worldwide.
Mexico City, one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world, sprawls across the Valley of Mexico. Originally the Aztec city of Tenochtitlan, the city was constructed over the ancient Lake Texcoco. The arrival of the Spanish saw the demolishment of most structures. However, some centuries-old canals and ruins can still be found. Head to the historic centre to see a host of architectural and cultural attractions, including the Plaza de la Constitucion, the National Palace, the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Templo Mayor, the Palace of Fine Arts and the scenic Central Alameda Park. Top attractions such as Chapultepec Castle, the Modern Art Museum and the National Museum of Anthropology can be found in Chapultepec Park.
Cabo San Lucas is one of two principal cities in Los Cabos - one of Mexico’s most popular resorts on the Baja Peninsula between the Pacific and the Sea of Cortez. The town’s azure bays and elegant marina are backed by the desert, strikingly contrasting the stark, cactus-studded landscape. Visitors can enjoy a heady mix of sun-kissed days and fun-filled nights - deep-sea fishing, sun-bathing on idyllic beaches and playing golf on world-class greens can be followed by a sunset boat cruise, a seafood feast and dancing. Favourite attractions in the area are Medano Beach, where you can sip on a cocktail at the water’s edge, remote and beautiful Lovers Beach, and El Arco - an iconic stone arch.
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Located 240 miles (390 kilometres) from the Baja Peninsula, the four Revillagigedo Islands are among the best diving locations in Mexico. Of the, Socorro Island is the most famous. It’s so well-known that usually the group of islands are commonly known as the Socorro Islands rather than its proper name, the Revillagigedo Islands. Advanced divers flock to these islands and its neighbours for fantastic encounters with the many pelagic species that calls these islands home..
The islands in uninhabited and is also a National Park and the only people living on the islands is military navy personnel. The islands is all about diving an the nly way to dive these islands is by joining one of the many liveaboard vessels that offer tours to the Archipelago. These vessels depart from Cabo San Lucas and generally spend 7-10 nights around the this island and its neighbours. It takes approximately 24 hours to reach this remote destination from the mainland.
Socorro Island diving is normally carried out at Cabo Pierce and there is a total of 6 registered dive sites around the island. Other popular dive sites on Socorro Island is Roca O'Neal, a.k.a O'Neal Rock, a.k.a Hammerhead Central is, as you might expect, a great place for sighting scalloped hammerhead sharks. You will not forget the first time that a school of hammerheads appears before you weaving their way into the current and slowly you realise that there is not just 1 or 5 or 10 but probably more than you can count as you gaze out from the rocky slope in slack-jawed wonder.
San Benedicto is the second smallest of the four volcanic Revillagigedo Islands, which lie in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Mexico. The small landmass - only ten square kilometres - is characterised by two striking peaks. The wild, untamed landscape, which experienced an eruption in 1952, is inhabited only by boobies and albatross among green vegetation on the southeastern beach, while the southern beach presents a lunar-like emptiness of plants and animals. However, the surrounding oceans teem with life, making this one of the most unique and famous diving destinations in the world. ‘The Boiler’ area, just off the coast of San Benedicto, is the best place on earth to experience up-close encounters with the high numbers of Giant Manta Rays. Other sea creatures that can be spotted include dolphins, whales, an assortment of sharks, and numerous fish species.
Roca Partida, the smallest of the Revillagigedo Islands, is only 100 metres long and eight metres wide, and is essentially a piece of ancient volcanic rock. The archipelago lies in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Mexico and has been listed by UNESCO for its unique and abundant marine life. What this rocky island doesn’t offer much in terms of its on-land experiences, it more than makes up for with its incredible underwater display. Visitors can swim along the ‘wall’ of the island down to its depths through crystal clear waters, passed by huge schools of sharks. Giant Manta Rays glide over divers’ bubbles for a tummy-tickle. Other large sea animals to be encountered here include dolphins, turtles, and a variety of fish.
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