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Holidayco.co.uk specialises in cheap mexican holidays, package holidays and late deals to a huge number of destinations. Find out more about Mexico in our guide below.

Holidays in Mexico

Mexico Main Guide | Places to visit | Things to do

Located to the south of the United States and forming a long isthmus with coasts on the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, Mexico has been inhabited for thousands of years. When Europeans discovered the Americas there were already several advanced civilizations in Mexico.

Mexico was a Spanish possession for three centuries before becoming independent in the 19 th Century. Since then the country has made steady economic progress despite the recession of the mid-1990s. Some areas are relatively poor while the major cities are economically powerful. There are 31 states in Mexico plus one federal district.

The capital of Mexico is Mexico, Distrito Federal, more normally known as 'El DF' or simple 'Mexico'. The city and its immediate environs are extremely densely populated, with around 22 million people living there. This huge population, crammed into a fairly small area, is a recipe for crime and overcrowding, but the authorities are working hard to deal with these problems.

Mexico City is situated in a valley overlooked by Popocatepetl, a non-dormant volcano. The city is vibrant and exciting; there is always something going on. Despite the sprawling nature of the city it is relatively easy to get about and to see the sights that attract visitors as these tend to be grouped close together.

The climate is temperate. It is a little warmer in summer and cooler in winter, but not massively so. Light clothes rather than shorts and beachwear are best in summer, while in winter you will want to wear a coat. May to September is the rainy season and you will need to be prepared for heavy rain in the afternoon.

Mexico Facts At A Glance

Area: 1,972,550 sq km

Climate: Very varied, ranging from tropical to desert

Terrain: Mountains in some areas, low coastal plains; considerable areas of desert

Population: 106 Million

Languages: Spanish plus Mayan, Nahuatl and other indigenous languages

Currency: Peso

Time Zone: Varies; GMT –6 in Mexico City

International Dialling Code: +0052

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Places to visit

In Acapulco , southwest of Mexico City, there are many excellent resorts set on fabulous beaches with year-round sunshine. Here you can watch the incredible cliff divers while dining on the terrace of an excellent restaurant. There is also a zoo, a famous cathedral of unusual design and the historic Fuerte de San Diego, built to protect the coast from buccaneers. Parties, carnivals and excellent nightlife are constant in Acapulco.

Cancun on the Yucatan Peninsula has excellent beaches and is considered to be one of the top three resorts in the world. As well as sunbathing and swimming, Cancun offers some great nightlife, shopping and dining opportunities.

Cancun has several Mayan sites to visit if you’re interested in the history of these unique people. The Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve is also well worth a visit. It has over 350 species of birds.

Jalisco in the westhas a quintessentially ‘Mexican’ feel to it, with plenty of Mariachis and tequila. It boasts some world-famous archeological sites including Teuchitlan. You might like to visit the city of Guadalajara, steeped in history, and Tequila, home of the famous drink.

In the northeast is Nuevo Leon, on the border with the United States. The climate is cold and damp in many places, and extreme in the desert. Despite this, the region has much to offer. The city of Monterrey is one of Mexico’s major cities with excellent museums and cultural attractions. The region has many striking natural features.

San Christobal is famous for the work of the Spanish missionary Bartolome de la Casas. The town has a very Spanish look, and is divided into neighbourhoods (Barrios) each with its own characteristics. The nearby archeological sites at Palenque and Bonampak are worth a look.

Tijuana is famous for cheap souvenirs and general tackiness. However, the city has hidden depths if you care to look. There are a number of cultural and historic attractions on offer as well as amusement parks, restaurants and nightclubs.

Veracruz was once a major port for people entering Mexico by steamship, but today it is relaxed and laid-back, and more than a little off the beaten track as far as tourism goes. What Veracruz has in abundance is Latin music, incorporating influences from the Caribbean, Cuba and Spain with Mexican traditions. Street players are common everywhere you go. There are also some good historical exhibits but these tend to be in Spanish only.

Things to do

In Acapulco , southwest of Mexico City, there are many excellent resorts set on fabulous beaches with year-round sunshine. Here you can watch the incredible cliff divers while dining on the terrace of an excellent restaurant. There is also a zoo, a famous cathedral of unusual design and the historic Fuerte de San Diego, built to protect the coast from buccaneers. Parties, carnivals and excellent nightlife are constant in Acapulco.

Cancun on the Yucatan Peninsula has excellent beaches and is considered to be one of the top three resorts in the world. As well as sunbathing and swimming, Cancun offers some great nightlife, shopping and dining opportunities.

Cancun has several Mayan sites to visit if you’re interested in the history of these unique people. The Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve is also well worth a visit. It has over 350 species of birds.

Jalisco in the westhas a quintessentially ‘Mexican’ feel to it, with plenty of Mariachis and tequila. It boasts some world-famous archeological sites including Teuchitlan. You might like to visit the city of Guadalajara, steeped in history, and Tequila, home of the famous drink.

In the northeast is Nuevo Leon, on the border with the United States. The climate is cold and damp in many places, and extreme in the desert. Despite this, the region has much to offer. The city of Monterrey is one of Mexico’s major cities with excellent museums and cultural attractions. The region has many striking natural features.

San Christobal is famous for the work of the Spanish missionary Bartolome de la Casas. The town has a very Spanish look, and is divided into neighbourhoods (Barrios) each with its own characteristics. The nearby archeological sites at Palenque and Bonampak are worth a look.

Tijuana is famous for cheap souvenirs and general tackiness. However, the city has hidden depths if you care to look. There are a number of cultural and historic attractions on offer as well as amusement parks, restaurants and nightclubs.

Veracruz was once a major port for people entering Mexico by steamship, but today it is relaxed and laid-back, and more than a little off the beaten track as far as tourism goes. What Veracruz has in abundance is Latin music, incorporating influences from the Caribbean, Cuba and Spain with Mexican traditions. Street players are common everywhere you go. There are also some good historical exhibits but these tend to be in Spanish only.