Mexico History

steeped in history, look into this place if you are interested in mayan culture. nice sea views too

If you find yourself in Cancun, but you absolutely despise the drunken college kids and the party scene, this tip is for you. You should take a whole day excursion trip to one of the oldest and most important archaeological sites in the Maya people's history - Chichen Itza. It is about 4 hour bus ride if you travel by a Gray Hound-type bus. If you get one of the locals to take you, it is a slightly less comfortable 2 hour ride in a beat up van or a car, wihout air conditioning. During the day, you should try to see all of the ruins and durng the night, you should stay for a spectacular fire show, performed on the main structure in the place. The cost is about 60 dollars American and worth every penny. Again, if you go with a local and don't book a tour, the price significantly decreases to 20 dollars per person

Vera Cruz is all about shrimp and fried food. I found the cheapest way to eat is at the Local Market in old town. Just 5 blocks to either side and a shrimp cocktail could cost up to $7 US, compared to $1.50 US and twice the size at the market. Lunch is always cheapest. Lodging is expensive but you can find clean room if you look around from $11 to $15 US. I stayed right around the corner from the Zocolo and the owners made a point to make sure where I was going and who I was going with. Most hotels in the area were $50US-$240US and I paid $15 with TV/Hotwater. I loved the old town, but pretty expensive compared to rest of Mexico because of the port. People are there to work and make money. One of the few places I really needed to speak spanish since it is not really advertised for foreign traveler and most people are there on business or holiday from DF. People would either be fluent in english or not speak anything. The pier and museums where great. It is also the location of the Mexican Navy and Airforce. Lots of history within short drives or bus trips of the city. A great jumping off point for checking out the Yucatan. Lots of free concerts and events with the big party being Carnival, which shows how many people can deal with anything just for a chance to party. Amazing! I walked or took the bus everywhere, as a women traveling alone, I never get into a taxi unless I have been where I am going or have no choice. Always sit in the front seat. I always have a pair of sunglasses, its the only way to look at everything without sending mixed signals to the local men. I have never had a real scary problem but have gotten uncomfortable. The glasses allow me to really check out the culture without causing problems.

A very nice and clean city, colonial and modern. It has everything to do there, the center is incredible and it has a lot of history. Good bars and restaurants with typical food. I would like to live there in a future.

Taxco is known for it's history, and for it's silver. It is easy to access, I recommend taking a 1st Class bus though, it's only $3-4 more than the economy bus. Start with the Mining Museum, and then wonder along the streets, lined with shops selling silver. Some silver items have price tags and others are weighed in front of you for the price. Don't worry, the price of sterling silver is extremely resonable. The restaurants were great, especially the ones on the plaza. Don't miss Santa Prisca, the main church in town. The Alexander von Humboldt Museum, is very informative. If you are not staying the night, make sure to make it back to the bus station on time.