With a whopping amount of cultural and architectural sites, museums and festivals galore, eccentric traditions and rituals, beaches and dense forests, delectable spicy Mexican food, and the diversity of the city, Mexico is an amalgam of all gravitating elements together.
Here's a full itinerary of what to see, starting from ruins near Mexico City.
Chichen Itza
Mexico attracts eyeballs due to its possession of spectacular ruins owing to the Mayan Civilization. Known for their outstanding knowledge in mathematics, astronomy, artistry, and farming, their traces can still be found thriving in Mexico.
About Chichen Itza
A renowned UNESCO heritage site, Chichen Itza dates back to the 5th century as a flourishing Mayan City. Located in the state of Yucatan, it has been a hub of commerce, religious monuments, and residences. The term "Chichen Itza" means "at the mouth of the well of Itza" and Itza refers to the ethnic group of Mayans, who rose to power in the Yucatan Peninsula.
Main Complexes of Chichen Itza
The first complex of Chichen Itza, El Castillo is the largest and most famous pyramid of Chichen Itza. A significant monument that is 98 feet in height and is dedicated to the giant snake deity, Kukulkan. During the spring and autumn equinoxes, it is said that the sun hits the northwest of this monument conjuring triangular shadows and creating a look of a slithering serpent gliding down. This was astronomically and architecturally aligned for the religious beliefs of Mayans. The monument has 365 steps in total, 91 on each side and one on top. Also clapping one's hands at the base of El Castillo's stairs produces an eccentric echo akin to the warble of the Mexican Quetzel, a bird considered sacred during Mayan culture.
Apart from El Castillo, another well-known complex of Chichen Itza is "Temple of Warriors". A large stepped pyramid has thousands of carved columns depicting warriors. It has a stairway which cannot be climbed although at the top there is " Chac Mool '' statue, a reclining figure with a disc on its stomach. It is deemed that ChacMools were messengers of God and speculation is rife that beating hearts of people who were sacrificed were placed in this Central Plaza.
"Sacred Cenote" of Chichen Itza holds a mystery as it's a naturally formed well that is 197 feet and has a limestone bedrock. As per Maya cosmology, Cenotes serve as vital portals between the earthly world and heaven. Thus, children, women, and warriors were offered to Chac, the rain God of Mayans as they feared drought. Apart from skeletons, archaeologists have discerned gold, jade, shell, wood, and many precious objects.
The Great Ball Court is another complex of Chichen Itza and the largest playing field in Meso America. Being 225 feet wide and 545 feet long, spectator sports were played over here. Games such as Pok-a Tok symbolized the struggle of life over death and the losing team were offered as sacrifices to God by the Mayans.
Tulum
Having Mayan civilization ruins, Tulum rolls out both relaxation and adventures. A quiet town along the Carribbean coast, lately, it is an Instagram-worthy destination. Being in the Yucatan state, not only has natural cenotes, beaches, snorkeling, diving, but also architectural sites, Tulum ruins, biosphere preserves and so much more.
Things to do in Tulum:
One can visit the architectural site SFER IK, which is an interdisciplinary creative sphere, gaining a lot of recognition. For adventure junkies, there is a cenote triple adventure tour where one can experience underwater diving, jungle tours, zip-lining, hanging bridges, and rappelling. There are also many resorts, spas, and relaxation centers with delectable food choices to be spoilt for.
Zocalo
Probably like Times Square but with more soul, Zocalo is the heart of Mexico city. Its location can be considered the original Aztec city, Tenochtitlan and the ruins of it are still present. Aztecs are the indigenous people of Mexico before Spanish people dominated it in the 16th century. If ever confused between Mayans and Aztecs, Mayans were the first Mesoamerican civilization and Aztecs founded their city around 1325 AD.
Places to Visit In Zocalo
Palacio Nacional (The presidential palace): The palace holds the federal executive branch of the Mexican government and is an enormous palace highlighting ornate buildings, gardens, murals, and Mexican heritage. The murals of a famous artist, Diego Rivera, "The History of Mexico" depict everything from Aztec to all the revolutions. One of the prime libraries of the world, Biblioteca Miguel Lerdo de Tejada is also hailed here. Entry is free for this spectacular attraction and the timings to visit are 9 am to 5 am.
Metropolitan Cathedral: The imposing facade of the cathedral dominating the square of Zocalo is Latin America's largest and oldest cathedral built in 1521. It took almost 250 years to build it and thus it is a reflection of three distinctive styles: Baroque, Neoclassical and Neo-Renaissance.
Designed by Spaniard Claudio de Arciniega, it has majestic bell towers and is influenced by gothic style. Religious relics, crypts, artwork, and grandeur are exuded from every corner. Even though Mexico is prone to Volcanoes primarily, the material used to build this cathedral has survived all the calamities such as earthquakes, volcanoes, fires, and floods.
Additional Sites To See Along The Way
Frida Kahlo Museum
The dauntless brush Strokes of Frida Kahlo, a Mexican painter who was prominent for her uncompromising passion for self-portraits and reflecting a lot of symbolic ideas is revered through her work today. This Museum is also known as Blue House is dedicated to her life and her artworks. It costs 246 pesos or approx 16 US$ as an entrance fee and is open from Tuesday to Sunday.
Guanajuato
Often, you would have stumbled across ornate colorful buildings, cobbled streets, busy plazas with Mexico tagged as location on Instagram. Well, that's Guanajuato is known for subterranean streets and tunnels, charming architecture, the bustling Mercado Hidalgo for souvenirs and delectable food, and the popular festival, Internacional Cervantino held in October.
Cancun
If beaches and nightlife interest you moreover heritage and nature, Cancun can be the right destination to enjoy the Caribbean vacation. One of the most affordable destinations with mesmerizing white sand beaches, biodiversity in lagoons, reefs, clubs, restaurants, sports such as jet skiing, scuba diving, snorkeling, parasailing, and acrobatic dance, Cancun should not be missed. Also Chichen Itza, the UNESCO heritage site is quite closer to it.
Events To Attend On The Way
Day of the Dead
The traditional festival of Mexico is known as Dia De Muertos I.e Day of the Dead which is meant to honor the dead and was celebrated by Aztecs in the beginning. Even though death seems grief in general, on the contrary, it is celebrated in Mexico by families visiting the cemetery and later having a small fiesta right in the graveyard. It is celebrated on November 1st and 2nd.
Guelaguetza Festival
A culturally vibrant festival depicting art, music, and dance is celebrated in the state of Oaxaca. The term, "Guelaguetza" means offering and was celebrated traditionally during occasions such as baptism, wedding, or feast of the village patron saint. Each person offers something to the part as a reciprocal expression. It is celebrated on the last two July's and is a great cultural grandeur for the tourists.
Food To Fill Your Stomach
Tacos Al Pastor
Deemed as an authentic Mexican dish, Al Pastor Tacos are made from marinated pork and cooked akin to shawarma. Pineapple is added or excluded depending on one's preference. Apart from this, onions, cilantro, and salsa are hallmarks of Mexican cuisine
This dish depicts a concoction of Lebanese and Mexican culture. Al Pastor literally means shepherd style as in the early 1900's many Lebanese immigrated to Mexico.
Chilaquiles
Quite a prominent breakfast of Mexico, it has triangular pieces of fried corn, tortilla chips, shredded chicken, chorizo, scrambled or sunny side up egg embellished with fresh cheese, onions, and coriander.
Quesadillas
Corn or flour tortilla stuffed with ingredients with melted cheese, meat or vegetables, spices, and then grilled. Fillings generally involve potatoes, mushrooms, chorizo, guacamole, avocado, salsas, chiles, tomato chicken, beef or pork, and cilantro.
Enchiladas
A flour or corn tortilla stuffed with fillings such as cheese, beans, potatoes, meat, chili-based sauces such as salsa roja, moles, and cheese-based sauce such as chile con queso. Historians believe that Enchiladas date back to Aztec times.
Tamales
Quite an iconic Meso American dish made of dough steamed in a corn husk or banana leaf, Tamales are filled with meat, cheese, fruits, vegetables, and chilies. They were invented by Aztecs thousand years ago.
The list is endless but these are the main attractions and activities for your next visit to Mexico.