Palm-fringed beaches, chili-spiced cuisine, smoky jungles, crowded cities, party fireworks, Frida's anguish: Mexico evokes diverse and vivid dreams. And the reality lives up to them.

An outdoor life

With smoky jungles, snow-capped volcanoes, cactus-covered deserts, and 10,000 km of coastline lined with sandy beaches and lagoons teeming with wildlife, Mexico is an endless adventure for the senses and a place where life is lived primarily in the air. free. Take advantage of the waves of the Pacific on a surfboard, put on a snorkel to explore the beauty below the surface of the Caribbean Sea and ride the white waters of the rivers of Mexico. Or stay on dry land and hike through the cloud forests of the Oaxaca mountains, climb the peaks of dormant volcanoes, or marvel at millions of migratory Monarch butterflies.

Art and soul of a nation

Mexico's pre-Hispanic civilizations built some of the world's great archaeological monuments, including the towering pyramids of Teotihuacán and the exquisite Mayan temples of Palenque. The Spanish colonial era left beautiful towns full of tree-shaded plazas and richly sculpted stone churches and mansions, while modern Mexico has seen a surge of great works of art by artists like Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo. First-class museums and galleries document the country's fascinating history and its never-ending creative verve. Popular culture is just as vibrant, from Mexico City's underground dance clubs and street art to the wonderful handicrafts of the indigenous population.

A varied palate

Mexico's gastronomic repertoire is as diverse as the country's people and topography. Eating out is a never-ending adventure, whether you're trying regional dishes, like the cochinita pibil from Yucatán (slow-cooked pork) or a wide variety of moles (complex sauces, their jealously guarded recipes) in Oaxaca and Puebla, or trying the resort, artistic concoctions from world-class chefs in Mexico City. Some of Mexico's best food is served in simple oceanfront palapa (thatched-roof shack) restaurants, serving painfully fresh fish and seafood, and the humble taquerías, ubiquitous throughout Mexico, where tortillas are filled with a variety of fillings and spread with homemade sauces. .

The Mexicans

At the heart of your Mexican experience will be the Mexican people. A super-diverse group, from hipsters in Mexico City to the shy indigenous villagers of Chiapas, are famous for their love of color and frequent parties, but they are also philosophical people, for whom schedules are less important than sympathy (empathy ). . You will rarely find less-than-courteous Mexicans. They are usually positively charming and know how to please guests. They may despair of being well governed, but they are tremendously proud of Mexico, their one homeland with all its variety, tight-knit family networks, ugly and beautiful cities, deep-rooted traditions, and agave. based liquors.