Mexico. Mexico. Natural Wealth. México. Country Code: to call by telephone from outside Mexico the code is 52

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1 Mexico offers visitors a range of possibilities to immerse themselves in Mexico the magic of its traditions and natural beauty. Here, there literally is something for everyone. Mexico is also steeped in culture, a fact reflected in its over 2,000 archaeological sites, its charming colonial cities, several of them named UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and its intriguing magical towns. For business travelers, Mexico has a well-developed and tested business tourism infrastructure, and provides proven advantages as a host for international conventions and expos. Not to be missed is, of course, Mexican cuisine dishes from a combined indigenous and Spanish past, considered among the finest gastronomic traditions in the world. Anyone who has set foot in Mexico has surely been seduced by its natural charms, its archaeological sites, its mountains and beaches of unparalleled beauty. And for anyone who has yet to visit, we invite them to explore our fascinating country. Country Code: to call by telephone from outside Mexico the code is 52 Official Name: The Political Constitution of 1917, current to date, establishes the official name of Mexico as the United Mexican States. Country s capital: Because of its political, economic and social importance, and as the seat of the federal executive, legislative and judicial branches, Mexico City, also known as the Federal District, is the country s capital. Language: Mexico s official language is Spanish, but another 66 languages are spoken in various communities with mainly indigenous residents. The most significant of these, in terms of the number of native speakers, are Nahuatl, Maya, Zapotec and Mixtec. National Currency: The official currency of Mexico is the Mexican peso. (ISO code: MXN) Natural Wealth The natural wealth of Mexico is one of its most important resources. Its territory, which covers 1,964,375 km 2 (1, mi 2 ) is home to forests, mountain chains, desert areas, jungles, wetlands, swamps, lagoons, mangroves, 22 México

2 seas and beaches. It has one of the most diverse climates in the world and is considered to be the fourth most mega diverse country on earth (with between 10 and 12% of the world s biodiversity). It is home to more than 200 thousand species, 12 thousand of which are endemic to the area. Mexico currently has a system of 174 protected natural areas that cover more than 25,384,818 hectares. They include 34 biosphere reserves, 64 national parks, 4 natural monuments, 26 areas for the protection of flora and fauna, 4 areas for the protection of nature and 17 sanctuaries. The Mexican coastline is over 11 thousand km in length, and is not only a major tourist attraction but also a source of natural wealth. An example of this are its reefs, the most noteworthy being the Caribbean Mesoamerican reef system, the second longest in the world, which stretches from the eastern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula to Honduras. Entry Requirements To enter Mexico, citizens of Canada, the United States and European Community countries and some others only need to show their official citizenship document: a current passport. Citizens of the majority of Central American nations need to obtain a visa from the Mexican embassy or a Mexican consulate in their country of origin. Upon leaving the country, the visitor must pay a departure tax in Mexican pesos (MXN) or U.S. dollars (USD). Some airlines include this tax in the airfare, so it s necessary to confirm whether or not it has already been paid by the customer. For more information: Holidays, 2012 Date Celebration In 2012 we celebrate January 1 New Year's Day February 5 Day of the Constitution Monday, February 6 th March 21 Birth of Benito Juárez Monday, March 19th April 5 and 6 May 1 May 5 September 16 October 12 November 1 November 2 Holy Thursday and Friday Labor Day Battle of Puebla Independence Day Discovery of America All Saints Day All Souls Day November 20 Mexican Revolution Day Monday, November 19th December 25 Christmas 23

3 Festivals and special events Month Event Place February PGA Mayakoba Golf Classic (February 20-26, 2012) Mazatlan s International Carnival (February 16-21, 2012) Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo Mazatlan, Sinaloa March Veracruz s Carnival (February 14-22, 2012) Cancun-Riviera Maya Wine & Food Festival (March 15th to 18th, 2012) Quetzalcoátl Ritual (March 21th 2012) Cumbre Tajin Festival of Indentity (March 17th to 21st, 2012) FOOD & WINE Festival Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo (March 22nd to 25th 2012) Veracruz Cancun and Riviera Maya Cholula, Puebla Papantla, Veracruz Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, Guerrero April San Marcos Fair (April 14th to may 6th 2012) Aguascalientes May July Sacred Mayan Journey (May 16th -18 th, 2012) Whale Shark Festival (May, 2012) Cheese and wine Festival (May, 2012) Mole Poblano Festival (May, 2012) Guelaguetza (July 23th to 30th, 2012) International Festival of Chamber Music Riviera Maya, Quintana Roo Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo Tequisquiapan, Queretaro Puebla, Puebla City of Oaxaca San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato August Wine Harvest Festival Ezequiel Montes, Querétaro September Chihuahua s Internacional Festival City of Chihuahua October November International Film Festival of Morelia Cervantino International Festival Skull Festival (october-november 2012) Day of the Dead (November 1st and 2nd, 2012) International Sailfish Tournament (November 2012) Gourmet International Festival (November 2012) Sprint Triathlon Xel-Ha (November 2012) Mayan Riviera Jazz Festival (November 2012) Guadalajara International Book Fair (November -December 2012) Morelia, Michoacan Guanajuato Aguascalientes Janitzio, Michoacan Manzanillo Puerto Vallarta Riviera Maya Riviera Maya Guadalajara For more information about sporting events: For more information about cultural events: 24 Mexico

4 VAT Refund Under the new provisions of the Tax Service System, foreign visitors who make purchases in Mexico can claim a value added tax refund (VAT). Concessionaires with modules for VAT refunds at airports and seaports: Adamant Corporation YVESAM Retornos Mundiales Mexico, Guaranteed Commission Payment Hotels operating in Mexico make payment of commissions to domestic and international travel agents through various payment methods as wire transfers, checks, deposits, pre-payment, auto-payment or deduction of commission from total rate sold, depending on the location and preference of each individual travel agent. Additionally, hotels register and receive reservations from travel agents through a number, central reservation system, GDS or Internet (depending on the technological infrastructure that the company has available). The Distintivo H Certification Guarantees Hygienic Handling of Food and Drink Distintivo H is a program of the Mexican Tourism Department (Sectur) and Health Department. Through this program, recognition is awarded to qualifying establishments guaranteeing and ensuring the highest standards of hygiene and safety in the handling and preparation of food and drink served. The objective of the program is to foster a culture of quality, hygiene and safety in the preparation and handling of food and drink, to ensure that the products served to the public are as healthy as possible. Its fundamental mission is to protect Mexican and foreign tourists from food-related illnesses, and give visitors to Mexico confidence that the food they eat will not make them sick. For more information on the program, visit Conventions and Congresses Do Not Pay VAT in Mexico Beginning on January 1, 2004, foreigners who enter Mexico exclusively to participate in conventions, congresses, expos or fairs, are exempt from payment of value added tax (VAT/IVA) in hotel and related services. For additional information about the Value Added Tax Law and registration with the SAT, see the following Mexican federal government websites: or 25

5 Mexico for Cultural Travel Izamal, Yucatán Magical Towns A Magical Town is a small location that preserves alive its legends, its culture, as its pure Mexican charm towns that are the typical reflection of Mexico s spirit. Mexico is a country full of artistic, cultural and human wealth. Among these are a number of towns quite a few, in fact that are authentic jewels, representative of our historical traditions. In light of this, the Mexican govern- Real de Asientos, Aguascalientes ment, through a Tourism Ministry program called Magical Towns, or Pueblos Mágicos in Spanish, has provided support to several small towns around Mexico that reflect the regional folklore, tradition and culture of the country. At present, 44 towns have been named magical, and each offers a special attraction for visitors. Some of the magical town to visit are: Real de Asientos, Aguascalientes. See page 54 Palizada, Campeche. See page 55 Creel, Chihuahua. See page 77 Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato. See page 91 Tequila, Tapalpa and Mazamitla, Jalisco. See page 88 Tlalpujahua, Pátzcuaro, Cuitzeo, and Santa Clara del Cobre, Michoacán. See page 147 Santiago, City of Monterrey. Capulalpam de Méndez, Oaxaca. See page 63 Cuetzalan and Zacatlán, Puebla. See page 128 Bernal, Jalpan de Serra and Cadereyta, Queretaro. See page 134 Coatepec, Veracruz. See page 156 Izamal, Yucatán. See page 107 Jerez and Teúl de González Ortega, Zacatecas. See page Mexico for Cultural Travel

6 Jalpan de Serra, Querétaro Jerez, Zacatecas Other Magical Towns: Taxco in Guerrero, Tepozotlán, Valle de Bravo and Malinalco in Estado de Mexico (State of México); San Cristóbal de las Casas in Chiapas; Parras de Fuente in Coahuila; Huasca de Ocampo, Real del Monte and Mineral del Chico in Hidalgo; Álamos in Sonora; Cosalá in Sinaloa; Comalá in Colima; Real de Catorce in San Luis Potosí; Huamantla in Tlaxcala; Todos los Santos in Baja California; Bacalar in Quintana Roo; Mier and Tula in Tamaulipas; El Fuerte in Sinaloa; Tapijulapa in Tabasco; Tepoztlán and Tlayacapan in Morelos. San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato Bernal, Querétaro Capulálpam, Oaxaca Cuetzalan, Puebla 27

7 World Heritage Sites Historic Center of Oaxaca Mexico, fourth place in the number of cities declared as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO, only behind Spain, Italy and Germany. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), has dedicated a portion of its resources and efforts to the preservation and promotion of the cultural legacy of cultures around the world. Through these efforts, UNESCO ensures that present and future generations will be able to enjoy cultural and natural wonders that might otherwise be lost. Within this framework, UNESCO has named 31 World Heritage Sites in Mexico, as well as the naming of 6 cultural expressions as an Intangible Cultural Heritage. The Mexican cities and city districts that have been awarded World Heritage Site status are: Historic Center of Mexico City, made up of buildings that date from the 16th to the 20th centuries, plus the ruins of the great Aztec city of Tenochtitlan. Historic Center of Oaxaca and Archaeological Site of Monte Albán. Monte Albán features an impressive concentration of masterful pre-hispanic architecture, and the city of Oaxaca is home to a set of magnificent buildings erected by the Spaniards from the 16th to 18th century. Historic Center of Puebla, founded in 1531, place of monumental religious edifices from the 16th and 17th centuries. Puebla s architecture is a fine example of the Mexican baroque, a fusion of European and American aesthetic concepts. Historic Town of Guanajuato and Adjacent Mines. It was founded in the 16th century, and its mines once provided New Spain with more silver than any other mines in the Americas. Guanajuato is also considered the cradle of Mexican Independence, and its buildings are a shining example of the baroque. Historic Center of Morelia, a reflection of 16th century urban planning. The city offers visitors around 200 Renaissance, baroque and neoclassic edifices. Historic Center of Zacatecas. Was an important mining center during the colonial period, and the old city is notably well planned and designed, also featuring fine colonial civil and religious buildings in the baroque with indigenous elements. Historic Monuments Zone of Tlacotalpan. This port city, founded by the Spanish in the 16th century, still conserves its original Spanish-Caribbean flavor. 28 Mexico for Cultural Travel

8 Historic Center of Guanajuato Zócalo Mexico City Historic Center of Querétaro, an excellent example of a traditional colonial town, its streets lined with stately religious and civil constructions where baroque imagination found fertile ground. Historic Center of Campeche, traditional New Spain port city that has conserved its city walls and forts built as a defense against attacks from the sea. The city center follows the baroque model, with undeniable influence of the military architecture of the 17th and 18th centuries. San Miguel de Allende and the Sanctuary of Nazareno de Atotonilco in Guanajuato. San Miguel conserves a colonial air in the vice-regal architecture of its streets and buildings. The Sanctuary of Jesus of Nazareth, 14 km away, displays the splendour of the baroque style in its construction dating from the XVII century. Under the heading of natural areas of extraordinary beauty, UNESCO has awarded World Heritage Site status to: Sian Ka an Biosphere Reserve, located on the west coast of the Yucatan Peninsula an extraordinary reserve with tropical jungles, mangrove swamps and marshes, a natural marina and a barrier reef. Whale Sanctuary of El Vizcaino. Located on the Baja California Peninsula, a sanctuary for an extensive variety of ecosystems. This is also a breeding ground of the gray whale, as well as the winter home for a significant number of marine species. Islands and Protected Areas of the Gulf of California. Made up of 244 islands, islets and coastal areas in the Gulf of California, this region is considered a natural laboratory where most any oceanographic process can be observed. Monarch Butterfly Biosphere. Arriving from Canada to Michoacan and Estado de Mexico. UNESCO has also awarded World Heritage Site status to the archaeological finds of: Palenque, Chiapas, Mayan city dating back to A.D. Monte Albán, Oaxaca, magnificent Zapotec city founded in 650 B.C. Chichén-Itzá, Yucatán, once the principal ceremonial center of the Mayan people, with a history stretching back to the year 1000 A.D. 29

9 Uxmal, Yucatan Landa Mission, Queretaro El Tajín,Veracruz, located in the state of Veracruz, a ceremonial center that dates from the 9th to 12th centuries, and which offers a unique architecture featuring columns and friezes. Uxmal, Yucatán, Mayan city founded in 700 B.C., a center of astronomical observation, with culturally important and beautifully decorated constructions. Paquimé, Chihuahua, which flourished around the 14th and 15th centuries, and which played an important role as a cultural center in the development of Mexico s northern region. Xochicalco, Morelos, this archaeological site, once of great religious, political and scientific relevance, rose after the fall of Teotihuacán, Tikal and Palenque. Calakmul, Campeche, an important Mayan city deep in the jungle, with a great number of steles as well as buildings of cultural significance. Guachimontones, Jalisco, a pre-hispanic ceremonial center located in the state of Jalisco, notable for its singular constructions with levels staggered in concentric circles. Teotihuacán, Estado de México. This City of the Gods was built between the 1st and 7th century B.C., and is home to the majestic pyramids of the Sun and the Moon. Other World Heritage Sites include: Xochimilco, Mexico City, network of channels and artificial islets, testimony to skillful city planning and adaptation to nature by pre-hispanic cultures. Cave Paintings of the Sierra de San Francisco, Baja California Sur, presenting the world-vision of a people who lived between 100 B.C. and 1300 A.D Earliest 16th-Century Monasteries on the Slopes of Popocatepetl, Morelos and Puebla, Fourteen very well preserved monasteries, examples of the architecture used by the first missionaries during the period of evangelization. Hospicio Cabañas, Guadalajara. Built at the start of the 19th century, this hospice provided care for orphans and others unable to care for themselves. It was the only institution of its kind at the time. In the 20th century, José Clemente Orozco decorated the hospice with his celebrated mural paintings. Franciscan Missions in the Sierra Gorda of Querétaro, made up of five missions built during the period of evangelization in Mexico (18th century) and richly decorated. Luis Barragán House and Studio, built in 1948 in Mexico City, an example of the architect s creative work during the postwar period. 30 Mexico for Cultural Travel

10 Dance of the Parachicos The Day of the Dead offerings Agave Landscape and Ancient Industrial Facilities of Tequila, Jalisco, recognized by UNESCO as a cultural landscape, the only one of its kind in the world. Central University City Campus of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, (UNAM). Built between 1949 and 1952 by 60 architects, engineers and artists. A unique example of 20th century modernism, combining urbanism, architecture, engineering, landscape design and art. Camino Real de Tierra Adentro. Also known by the name of The Silver Road, it was used between the XVI and XIX centuries to transport the silver extracted from the mines in Zacatecas, Guanajuato and San Luis Potosí. The prehistoric caves at Yagul and Mitla. Located in the Tlacolula Valley, in Oaxaca State, there are sites with archeological ruins and a series of prehistoric caves, testimony to the life of the first settlers who farmed here 10,000 years ago. Mexico has received Intangible Cultural Heritage nominations for the following: Traditional Mexican Cuisine. The aim of the nomination is not only to save the dishes, but also the whole system that surrounds traditional Mexican cuisine: its essential products, the farming methods, the use of special utensils; elements that represent an indisputable legacy of traditions. The Day of the Dead. This festival takes place throughout the country on the 1st and 2nd of November and includes customs such as visiting and decorating cemeteries and placing offerings on tombs to attract and guide the souls of those departed. Ritual ceremony of the Fliers of Papantla. A dance of the Totonaca culture associated with the fertility of the earth, in which dancers in typical dress participate in an amazing ritual and invoke the four corners of the universe, as well as water, wind, earth, moon and sun, elements that are indispensable for creating life on earth. The memorials and living traditions of the Otomí- Chichimecas of Tolimán: la Peña de Bernal, guardian of a sacred land. A group of cultural traditions that include a symbolic land where pilgrims gather each year to ask for water and divine protection and worship their forefathers. Pirekua Songs. Traditional purhépecha music created by the syncretism of European religious songs with indigenous music, passed down orally from generation to generation. Dance of the Parachicos. A dance that takes place each year between the 4th and 23rd of January as part of the Fiesta Grande de Chiapa de Corzo, in Chiapas. During the dance characters wearing masks and multi-colored dresses walk through the streets singing songs and shaking chinchines (maracas). 31

11 Archeology Mexico s archeological riches a window into the nation s cultural heritage are widely considered the grandest in Latin America. Today, over two thousand archeological sites spanning more than three thousand years of history are open to visitors. In the 19th century, President Porfirio Diaz decreed that archeological finds would fall under national control. In 1910, one hundred years after Mexican Independence, the archaeological sites of Xochicalco and Teotihuacán were opened to the public, beginning the flood of visitors that have come to enjoy these sites for a century. Central Region Mexico s central region features an especially rich archeological heritage. The Templo Mayor, in the historic center of Mexico City, is particularly significant as it gives visitors a chance to see remnants of several different stages of the temple complex s evolution. Visible constructions include the temples erected to Huitzilopoxhtli and Tlaloc; a sacrificial stone; a stone sculpture of moon goddess Coyolxauhqui, and a Chac Mool (an originally Toltec statue, also worked in stone, representing a figure laying back with legs gathered and torso raised, with an imaginary bowl atop his abdomen), dating from the first stage of construction, just years after the founding of Tenochtitlán. Teotihuacán, at 40 km (24.85 miles) from Mexico City, in the State of Mexico, is one of the most visited archeological sites in the country. Known as the City of the Gods, and home to the pyramids of the Sun and of the Moon, Teotihuacán was named World Heritage Site by UNESCO in The first stones of Teotihuacán, considered the largest settlement of the pre-columbian era, were laid in 100 B.C. Ninety-four kilometers (58.41 miles) north of Mexico City, in the state of Hidalgo, the city of Tula was founded on territory originally shared with the Otomi people. The Toltecs, who settled the region during the middle of the 7th century, worshipped Quetzalcóatl, god to whom they erected an impressive temple with monumental pillars called atlantes (human-figure statues used as columns), sustaining a ceiling 4.8 m (15.74 ft) high. In the state of Morelos at 21 km (13.04 miles) from Cuernavaca and 90 km (55.92 miles) from Mexico City, we find the archaeological areas of Tepoztlán, high on the mountain called Cerro Tepozteco, and Xochicalco, a religious and scientific center where important observations of the heavens were made, and which has been named UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the state of Puebla, visitors are awed by the ceremonial center of Cholula, considered the largest pyramid in Mesoamerica at 65 meters ( ft.) high. 32 Mexico for Cultural Travel

12 Cacaxtla, located in the state of Tlaxcala, at 75 km (46.60 miles) from Mexico City, is one of the most interesting of Mexico s archeological sites because of its many perfectlypreserved murals dating from 650 to 900 A.D. Additionally, not far from this site are the Abrigo Rocoso cave paintings, made over six thousand years ago. Gulf of Mexico Region This region, the home of the mother culture of Mesoamerica the Olmecs includes the states of Veracruz and Tabasco. The Olmec civilization dates back to 1200 B.C. and its cultural, social, political and religious development influenced later cultures in Mexico and Central America. The word Olmec, literally meaning people of the rubber country, is directly tied to the region. The Olmecs founded three major settlements: San Lorenzo, La Venta and Tres Zapotes, and produced important sculptures and pyramids that have stood the test of time. These creations include the monumental stone heads weighing multiple tons and from 1.5 to 3 meters (4.9 to 9.8 ft) tall. Pacific Region Culturally speaking, Oaxaca and Michoacán are two of the richest states in Mexico. These regions were and are the homes of the Mixtec, Zapotec and Purepecha cultures. The Mixtec and Zapotec civilizations built ceremonial centers famous for their architectural beauty, including Monte Albán, and Mitla. The architectural complex of Monte Albán, at 10 km (6.21 miles) from the city of Oaxaca, is considered to be the first important city in the Mesoamerican world. Discovery was made here of buildings dedicated to the funerary cult, an uncommon practice among pre-hispanic peoples. The tombs discovered held human remains in fine dress and a variety of offerings. A 25-meter (82 ft) ball court also graces the grounds, as does the Olmec-influenced Gallery of Dancers, and multiple engravings and calendars that give us insight into the daily life of this pre-hispanic civilization.mitla is located at 32 km (19.9 miles) from the city of Oaxaca. Mitla, literally meaning Place of the Dead, was inhabited since prehistoric times, and over time became a vitally important center of culture for the Mixtecs and Zapotecs. The constructions in Mitla are divided into five distinct sets, decorated with patternbordered friezes showing geometric forms similar to those used by the Egyptians. Northern Region Discovered by the Spaniards in 1565, the city of Paquimé is considered to be the most important pre-hispanic archaeological site in northern Mexico. Called Casas Grandes ( Grand Houses ) by the Spaniards, Paquimé has been designated a World Heritage Site. Built high in the Sierra Madre, in what is now the state of Sonora, the city of Paquimé reached its peak between 1200 and 1400 A.D. Adobe was the construction material of choice here, and, according to chronicles, buildings reached seven stories tall, and towers and fortress walls surrounded the city. Ruins of the great rammed-earth constructions can still be admired today. The drinking water for the entire city was supplied through a system of cisterns and channels, fed by a rainwater collection system, capturing water from courtyards and plazas. The settlement, stretching over an area of 25,000 square meters (269,097 ft2), was designed to resist erosion of its dry top soil through ambitious barriers on hillsides orienting the flow of water towards the fields. 33

13 Mayan World Chichén Itzá Archaeological Zone Maya Retable Ancient Maya civilization is recognized worldwide for the precision of its mathematical calculations, knowledge that transcends time yet is still seen today in the Mayas nearperfect engineering and sophisticated calendar system. Some archaeologists believe that Mayan civilization began in the region now known as Central America around 3000 to 2600 B.C. This region saw nomadic groups gradually become sedentary maize farmers, setting the stage for the amazing developments in centuries to come. From roughly 2000 BC to 1546 AD, the Maya built a civilization whose architecture is now the most tangible aspect of Mexico s ancient heritage, and includes huge palaces, richly detailed murals, imposing ceremonial centers and the vestiges of urban centers. Each new discovery sheds light on the Mayas deep scientific and astronomical knowledge, and confirms what we already knew: few others match this civilization s greatness. Secrets hidden in pyramids and temples, or the depths of the jungle, along enchanting streets or as part of the warmth of the people you meet... all are a true source of pride to Mexico and its people. The Maya World awaits, ready to welcome anyone looking for surprise and adventure in the land where, in 2012, a whole new era will begin. The Mexican states of Campeche, Chiapas, Quintana Roo, Tabasco and Yucatán were the birthplace of Ancient Maya grandeur, wisdom and splendor. To this day they are repositories of priceless cultural treasures everyone should experience at least once in life. Campeche: With some of the most beautiful Maya ruins, coastlines, jungles, and cenotes of all plus rich colonial heritage in its cities Campeche seems impervious to the ravages of time, just like its walled capital city. The vestiges of Maya civilization found here date from the Middle pre-classic period, an era that initiated important advances in agriculture and ceramics. Many structures seen today date from the Classic period, and make Campeche one of the most attractive ways to discover the Maya World. Calakmul Calakmul an architectural complex as well as UNESCO World Heritage Site (since 2002) is just beginning to reveal the splendors of its glorious, ancient urban space. A Classic period city considered Mexico s largest Calakmul is magnificently preserved, especially its temples: grand structures that soar over dense, underlying jungle. The city s Gran Plaza, placed amid five architectural compounds, lends cohesion to the ancient political and religious center. And the view from Structure II, fifty meters up, is truly without equal. Campeche City The Maya occupied the area of Campeche s capital city starting around 900 BC, under the political control of Edzná. The city s foundation, however, did not take place until the Spanish Conquest. A combination of Spanish 34 Mexico for Cultural Travel

14 The Observatory Calakmul Archaeological Zone influences and the traditions of its original culture produces a splendid result: Campeche maintains a relaxed, small-town atmosphere. The city s compact downtown surrounded by its famous wall, erected between 1686 and 1704 features perfectly preserved colonial townhouses whose façades always seem freshly painted. Plaza de la Independencia brims with life each afternoon; as night falls, its imposing cathedral becomes a tower of light. A UNESCO World Heritage site since 1999, Campeche is the only walled city in Mexico. Edzná This expansive archaeological zone, whose oldest ruins date back to 400 BC, achieved its greatest splendor as a political and religious center around 1000 AD. It is famed for a number of structures housing everything from temples to administrative buildings and even residences. But what really fascinates at Edzná a testament to Maya knowledge and technology is the city s sophisticated drainage system that served to irrigate this largely agricultural region. Among other structures, the so- called Five- Story Building is the most renowned. Located in the compound called The Grand Acropolis, a temple stands at its highest point, now the center for celebrating the region s equinoxes and a gathering place for numerous visitors who take part in symbolic renewal rites. Chiapas: Treasures abound in Chiapas, whether it s pre-hispanic heritage kept alive by local indigenous groups, the colonial ambience of its towns and cities, or the vast diversity of its flora and fauna. The Maya inhabited this land starting around 600 BC, and you can still see vestiges of Maya civilization. Izapa Close to the Guatemalan border and Tacaná Volcano, visitors marvel at the ancient city s wealth of mounds, many of which once supported temples. Pyramid foundations have also been found, along with ball courts and plazas, but the most extraordinary discovery is what is known as Izapa Stele 5: a 1.5-metric ton monolith believed to document a Maya creation myth. Palenque Amid dense jungles lies one of the Maya World s most beautiful cities. Palenque, whose main structures date from the Classic period, is renowned for its ball court and aqueduct, and above all its well-preserved temples and palaces. The Temple of the Inscriptions is considered the compound s most important and is also its largest. It owes its name to numerous interior hieroglyphs that recount the history of the city s nobility. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, Palenque s verdant backdrop only intensifies the beauty and transforms your visit into breathtaking adventure. 35

15 Tulum The Thousand Columns San Cristóbal de las Casas A colonial settlement with a notable pre-hispanic spirit is home to immense cultural riches, a mix of local cultures that express themselves as you wander the city s streets. A federally-designated Pueblo Mágico enchanted town you can also appreciate San Cristóbal s rich Spanish heritage, especially in architecture. Quintana Roo: Well before its large-scale tourism developments before Cancún and the Maya Riviera Quintana Roo was one thing only: dense jungle on the shores of the Caribbean. The area that now makes up the state was, at the zenith of Maya splendor, one of its most populous, and is now home to a number of must-see archaeological zones. Cobá Its riches still in the process of complete discovery, Cobá which achieved its greatest splendor around 623 BC evinces surprising and unequalled beauty. The complex is renowned for its striking aesthetics and ancient roads that, coupled with a strategic location between a number of lakes, allowed Cobá to become an important trading center. Its pyramids and inscriptions still hide secrets, waiting to be revealed. El Cedral Is a small community on Cozumel whose fantastic cenotes and wide variety of flora and fauna. Its impressive archaeological zone, from the Classical period, is just one of twenty on the island. Unspoiled nature makes El Cedral especially attractive to eco- tourists and its yearly festival presents an expansive cultural program. Tulum The ancient commercial port and walled city of Tulum was largely constructed in the post-classical period. Among other functions, it was an important center for astrological observation and is still a privileged position for contemplating the stars and celebrating solstices and equinoxes. In the ruins colossal architectural complex, stands out the building known as El Castillo, that served as a lighthouse and warned seagoing traders off a nearby coral reef. Tabasco: In Tabasco the jungle takes the lead, even in cities and small coastal towns. Ancient Maya civilization took root there largely in the Classic period and a number of preserved archaeological zones are a modern-day testament to Maya influence. Comalcalco Is the most important vestige of Maya culture in this grand and ancient necropolis. The city s Grand Acropolis is another must-see, once a ceremonial and funerary center, and a reflection of the different eras during which the city was built. Note as well that structures preserved here are not made of stone as they are in other local archaeological zones but from clay bricks. Give yourself all the time you need to explore temples, the palace, and other buildings as well as mounds that make up the complex. Tortuguero s monument 6, Villahermosa Here visitors can see an inscription that foretells the end of the current 5125-year period, established by the same Maya Long-Count 13 baktun calendar that allowed the Maya to measure time with such extraordinary precision. 36 Mexico for Cultural Travel

16 Chichén Itzá Mexicans have known all along that few travel experiences can compete with a visit to Chichén Itzá, the majestic Maya city, today one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World and named a unesco World Heritage Site in Founded in 525 AD, the complex is best known for its main structure, the Temple of Kulkulcán. During vernal and autumnal equinoxes, it presents one of the most impressive spectacles you ll ever see, when a play of light and shadow projects a plumed serpent s descent down the pyramid s nine levels, highlighting the Maya s acute powers of astronomical observation as well as their singular talent for expressing this knowledge in architecture. Uxmal Archaeological Zone The cycle s end coincides with our 21 December Hype aside, there are few sites as fascinating as Tortuguero when it comes learning about the Mayas astounding mathematical knowledge. Pomoná This ceremonial center of the Classic period, impacts mainly by their various construction that include brick, limestone and other materials. Pomoná s ruins, splendidly framed by exuberant plant and animal life, allow visitors to study and understand civilizations as complex as the Maya. While a great deal of the compound s history has yet to be discovered, the Pomoná museum home to several pieces discovered on site offers fascinating clues for its interpretation. Villahermosa Tabasco s capital combines rich cultural activity with modern tourist infrastructure. The Museo Carlos Pellicer Cámara is one of the city s most important museums, home to a number of pieces originally gathered at nearby Maya archaeological sites. Tomás Garrido Canabal park, whose architecture reflects the city s mestizo heritage, is another highlight. Yucatán: The state of Yucatán was the scene of Maya civilization s greatest splendor; during the post-classic period, it constructed its most important and powerful cities there. Not surprisingly, vestiges of the culture remain at impressive archaeological sites such as Chichén Itzá. It s also no surprise the people of the Yucatán remember their history which permeates the entire region with such pride. Izamal The most impressive structure in Izamal nicknamed the Yellow City because all its principal buildings are painted the same egg-yolk shade is the massive Nuestra Señora de Izamal convent, from which visitors observe a series of hillocks that are unexcavated Maya pyramids surrounding the town. The Maya settled here around 550 AD and though the Spanish occupied the city from the time of the Conquest, it never completely shed its original, indigenous nature. Uxmal Just as impressive as Chichén Itzá, and equally relevant to Maya civilization, this exceedingly ancient archaeological zone, was an important political and religious center. Today, Uxmal s highly preserved structures and the surrounding natural exuberance make it one of the Maya World s most visited and spellbinding cities. Equinoxes and solstices For the Maya the changes in the seasons were important occasions. The Spring equinox marked the beginning of the cycle for preparing the earth for farming, so that it would be ready for Chaac, the god of rain, to start to giving the first drops of water to germinate the corn seeds; while the Fall equinox indicated the period in which fruit was ripe and ready for harvesting. Many structures attest to the Mayans interest in the heavens and the relevance of its observed phenomena. Most notable is the descent of the plumed serpent seen at Chichén Itzá s Temple of Kulkulcán, at the precise moment the seasons change. Large numbers of visitors make a point of visiting Maya archeological zones at these times to take part in symbolic renewal and recharge ceremonies. The vernal equinox takes place from 20 to 21 March and the autumnal equinox is observed from 22 to 23 September Solstices occur on 22 June and 22 December. 37