In order to ease the exploration of Mexico, the country has been divided into six tourist regions offering a distinctive set of activities.

Northern Mexico, vibrant desert landscapes.
Wide plains with an arid climate, spanned by two mountain ranges, the Sierra Madre Occidental and the Sierra Madre Oriental, with the great Chihuahua Desert in between, are the distinctive features of this territory. Inhabited at one time by hunter-gatherers, the region is currently home for the Tarahumara in Chihuahua, the Yaquis in Sonora and the Huicholes in Zacatecas, the north of Mexico has attracted both missionaries and travelers since the 16th century.
The architecture and ceramics of the Paquimé culture are strikingly original and of excellent quality. Examples of both can be seen in the archaeological zone of Paquimé and the on-site museum. Other distinctive features of the northern region include El Pinacate Biosphere Region, the Copper Canyon, famous for its spectacular waterfall and microclimates, the Sierra de Durango, the Cuatro Ciénagas Nature Reserve in Coahuila, the mining and farming villages in the south of Chihuahua, the city of Álamos in Sonora, the fertile Valle del Fuerte in Sinaloa and the city of Zacatecas. Another noteworthy city is Monterrey in Nuevo León, a thriving, modern city that in many ways exemplifies the culture of the north.

Central Mexico, blend of colonial splendour
Visitors to the central region of Mexico will experience the richness of a land that stretches from the South Sierra Madre to the north of the highlands at huastecas. Containing a wide range of climates and landscapes shaped by their height, geographical location and the yearly rainfall.
This was a key area in the pre-Hispanic world, since the main city in the Mexica Empire was set in the heart of this region, and it was here that major battles were fought between the conquistadors and the Indian peoples. Moreover, the 16th century saw a massive wave of evangelization that would not only change the inhabitants’ faith but was also responsible for the construction of new towns and villages on the vestiges of the past, changing the shape of the land forever. The development of agriculture and mining encouraged urban growth, turning this area into one of the richest sources of colonial art and architecture in Mexico.

Gulf and Southern Mexico, vegetation and magic jungle
A special feature of this coastal strip of the gulf comprising Tabasco, Veracruz and Chiapas is the fertility of its land, which still bears traces of what were once complex forests and green landscapes. No less interesting is the fact that it was the site of great civilizations, such as the Olmecs in the coastal region and the Mayans in the uneven territory of Chiapas, together with other major cultures such as the Huastecs and the Totonacs in Veracruz.
An important site in the history of Mexico and the gateway for the conquistador Hernán Cortés, the Gulf Coast has survived several battles, and is now being extensively developed due to the existence of a large industrial centre as well as the fact that it is Mexico’s major oil producer.
The colourful landscape, ethnic groups, fiestas, traditions and food, form an intricate mosaic. Visitors are astonished to find that a single territory contains both great mountains, such as the Pico de Orizaba, at 5.754 m above sea level, the highest peak in Mexico, and the lowlands of Veracruz, Tabasco and Chiapas, where light clothing is a must due to the hot weather.

Yucatan Peninsula, amazing archealogical sites

By the 19th century, Yucatán was already world-renowned for its archaeological treasures and for the War of the Castes, waged during the second half of the century. The archaeological findings in the area have been extremely important events and most of the tourists to Mexico make their way to Chichén Itzá and Uxmal, examples of the development achieved by the Mayans in that region. The lowlands of Yucatán, made of limestone rock, have many other attractions, such as the sinkholes (or Cenotes) and warm beaches with fine white sand, such as Cancún and the Riviera Maya.

Those interested in exploring the colonial era will find beautiful examples in Campeche and Mérida. Its warm climate, friendly people and sophisticated cuisine make this an extremely attractive point of call.

Pacific Coast, beautiful beaches
Nature has undoubtedly been extremely generous in the Pacific Coast, which runs from Sinaloa down to Oaxaca. Visitors to Sinaloa can spend the night in Mazatlán, with its luxury tourist facilities, visit the estuaries where shrimp are cultivated or camp on deserted beaches. Nayarit is ideal for nature lovers while Colima has a gorgeous city, Manzanillo, with superb beaches. Jalisco is famous for its Costa Alegre, with areas reserved for deluxe tourism, while the city of Guadalajara combines modernity, elegance and beauty. Finally, there is Oaxaca, with its beautiful coast and traditional mountain and valley towns, elegant monasteries and majestic capital, the jewel in the region’s crown. It is one of the most frequently visited cities in Mexico, due to its archaeological and colonial monuments, its folklore, gastronomy and rich history.


The Baja California Peninsula, nature’s paradise
It was many years before the Baja California Peninsula, bounded by the United States to the north, by the Pacific Ocean to the west and by the Sea of Cortes in the east, eventually appeared on both Mexico and the world’s tourist map.
A tour from north to south of its 1,300 km length, through its arid landscape and dry climate, is full of surprises. On the border lies Tijuana, a first-rate tourist resort that receives hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. Traditional attractions include bullfights and a greyhound racecourse, as well as Rosarito beach with its cliffs, ideal for diving and fishing, and the Port of Ensenada, which has gradually become the cultural capital of the state of Baja California. The region is also famous for its wine yards and stunning national parks.
The south reflects all the stages in the state’s history, ranging from the cave paintings in the Sierra de San Francisco produced by the hunter-gatherers. The Jesuit missions, such as those in San Javier and Loreto to the tourist complex at Los Cabos and the city of La Paz, an ideal spot for a day’s fishing, observing whales or organizing yacht, boat or kayak trips to a nearby islands with some of the most beautiful beaches in Mexico.