Mexico Lush green rain forests, the cactus-dotted, barren terrain of its deserts to the smouldering, snow-capped peaks of its volcanoes. Beautiful coastlines, ancient ruins.

Stretching from the base of North America to the distinct nations of Central America, Mexico is a dynamic bridge between Western and Latin American cultures. It is both influenced by and has an influence on its northern and southern counterparts and is a fascinating mix of people and place, the diversity of which often surprises many travellers.

This diversity extends to its landscape - contrasted by the country’s lush, green rainforests, the cactus-dotted, barren terrain of its deserts to the smouldering, snow-capped peaks of its volcanoes. Beautiful coastlines, ancient ruins and fascinating cities adorn the country throughout all helping make it the tourist hotspot that it is. It would be remiss to talk of Mexico and not mention the food! Tacos, burritos and nachos are everyone’s favourite, but what about their lesser known counterparts like elote (grilled corn on the cob), tamales (a sort of Mexican pastie) or even…chocolate chicken?

Mexico is famed for its pristinely beautiful resorts. For those looking for a serene getaway to soak up the sun and cool down in crystal clear water, you will want for little more on the country’s gorgeous coasts. Thousands of tourists make the journey every year for some downtime and to sip away on cocktails at one of the many beachfront paradises. Locations such as Puerto Vallarta or Isla Cozumel offer this and more; venture beyond the resorts where you can experience genuine Mexican culture in quaint beachside towns. Boredom is not an option. On one of Mexico’s many superb days, head out for an exhilarating session on a biscuit, parasail or Jet Ski, or grab some snorkels and discover all the incredible colours of Mexico’s marine life.

Mexico’s famous coastal party towns such as Cancun, Ixtapa, Cabo San Lucas or, the original, Acapulco, all live up to their reputation. A raucous non-stop party scene is ready and waiting. Where you can have drinks poured down your throat in a conga-line, and dancing past sunrise is the norm - these destinations are the stuff of legend. Their antics have attracted the attention of and entertained countless celebrities and millionaires since the 1950s. Partying and nightlife aside, these locations are blessed with beautiful scenery and charming town centres.

If exploring cities and discovering the hidden stories of their streets is more your style, do not go past the city of Guanajuato. Sprawled across mountainous terrain and bursting with colour, Guanajuato’s 16^th century character has been largely uninterrupted and has possibly the most personality of any city in Central America. Spawned by a mining boom the mid 1500s, the town has continued to flourish and is a beautiful time machine into the past. Narrow and winding cobblestone paths sprinkled with grand buildings at every corner produce a maze you want to get lost in, while its traffic is largely directed through underground tunnels which further adds to its old-world ambiance. Its architecture, its food, its music and its people combine to create a truly charismatic atmosphere in the city of Guanajuato.

Often cited as one of the New Wonders of the World, Chichen Itza is one of the largest and best-preserved Mayan cities in Mexico. 1,200 years old in parts, the site provides a deep insight into the history and culture of the Mayan civilization which is one of the most mysterious and intriguing in human history. The jewel in its crown of the city is the perfectly preserved pyramid of El Castillo. With 365 steps, one for every day of the year, the temple demonstrates the Mayan dedication to astronomy and how it influenced their everyday lives. The techniques used in construction and the tales that the city holds are simply fascinating, and rightly so make this one of Mexico’s most popular tourist destinations.

The Mayan civilisation flourished between 250AD and 900AD and evidence of this can be found all over Mexico. For more archaeological treasures, you can’t go past Teotihuacan, meaning City of the Gods, a complex of around 600 pyramids with largest being the Pyramid of the Sun. You will also find here, the Temple of Quetzalcoatl, one of Mexico’s oldest ruins said to be built between 1AD and 7AD. The ruins of the ancient city of Uxmal are possibly the most aesthetically pleasing of any of them and are said to be built around 600AD. The ruins of Palenque are made up of over 1,400 temples with many still hidden within the tropical forest that surrounds the area. It’s the location of these ruins that makes them so popular with tourists, made scenic by the dense forest, nearby rivers and wildlife that can be found at the site.