Things to do in Mexico

It’s no secret that Mexico’s got its share of world-class beaches – but while the sand here has some serious crowd appeal, there’s much more fun to be had in the water. Just off the Caribbean coast lies part of the Mesoamerican Reef – the largest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere and the second largest in the world. Home to hundreds of kinds of tropical fish, marine turtles and sharks – not to mention all manner of colourful corals – it’s an incredible place to go snorkelling or diving. Also in this region is the island of Cozumel, famous for its great drift dives and the submerged Felipe Xicotencatl shipwreck, plus various cenotes. These amazing subterranean swimming holes are formed by the collapse of limestone bedrock.

Over on the west coast, there are yet more aquatic adventures to be had, particularly around Baja California. Socorro Island’s one of the only places on Earth where you can swim with humpback whales, while Guadalupe Island’s the place to go if you want to cage dive with great white sharks. And if you’re looking to surf while in Mexico, this is the side of the country you want to be on. All the way down the Pacific coast, from the Baja Peninsula to the bottom of Oaxaca, you’ll find awesome breaks and consistent swell throughout the year.

Hiking probably isn’t the first thing that springs to mind when you think of things to do in Mexico. But keen walkers might just be pleasantly surprised. Because if you step away from the sandy shoreline, you’ll soon discover that this is a land of dramatic volcanoes, towering mountain ranges and dense tropical jungle.

Copper Canyon in northwest Mexico is a particularly great place to strap on your walking boots. Wild, rugged and largely undeveloped, it’s actually a series of six canyons which, combined, have a length four times that of America’s Grand Canyon. In addition to shorter walks there are a bunch of multi-day hikes that can be tackled here, either alone or with a guide.

If you’re looking for somewhere to hike near Mexico City, Desierto de los Leones – which translates as Lion Desert – is a spectacular national park with heaps of trails, or there’s also Cumbres Del Ajusco National Park. Experienced hikers head here to climb Cerro Ajusco. An extinct volcano and the park’s highest peak, it rewards with epic views once you reach the summit.

As well as having more beaches than you can shake a stick at, this country also packs in a sizeable number of ancient ruins. In fact, visiting the pre-Columbian city of Chichen Itza is one of the most popular things to do in Mexico. Located on the Yucatán Peninsula, it’s both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Other Mayan ruins can be found dotted all across southern Mexico, while the best-known Aztec ruins are those at Teotihuacan – a vast archaeological complex northeast of Mexico City.

Impressive as all these ruins are, though, they’re not the only thing Mexico has to offer culture vultures and history buffs. Mexico City, in particular, has tonnes of other options. Besides its Palace of Fine Arts and a cathedral that combines elements of Baroque, Gothic and Neoclassical design, it has over 150 museums – including ones dedicated to famous artists like Frieda Kahlo and Diego Rivera.

Sometimes you go on holiday to relax, and other times you go to party. And if it’s the latter you fancy, Mexico certainly delivers. Not only does it have some well-known party resorts, like Cancun and Cabo San Lucas, but this country also goes big on festivals.

Dia de los Muertos – AKA Day of the Dead – is the most famous. Taking place every year on 1^st and 2^nd November, it’s a celebration of life where people come together to show their love and respect for deceased family members. All across the country revellers dress up in elaborate make-up and costumes, and host parties and parades. Another nationwide celebration is Dia de la Independencia, or Independence Day, which is marked on 16^th September. Schools and businesses close for the day and huge street parties feature everything from fireworks and rodeos to mariachi performances and traditional folk dancing.

Besides these, and other cultural festivals that occur throughout the year, Mexico also plays host to music festivals – like Vive Latino – and for two months every year the Ambulante Documentary Film Festival showcases over 100 documentaries in more than 150 venues.