Mexico: The exotic American dream

Mexico was aptly named the surrealist country par excellence by French poet Andre Breton, and the world’s third largest urban area (according to some estimates) lives up to that moniker to the hilt!

Barranca Del Cobre: The Copper Canyon (English for ‘Barranca Del Cobre’) is the most awe-inspiring sights, comprising of more than 20 mammoth canyons put together to result in a region that is 4 times the Grand Canyon in Australia. Also, it is deeper than the latter at many places. The region is extremely accessible via the Ferrocarril Chihuahua Pacifico (also known as the Copper canyon Railway), which goes across 655 kms of rails, giving delightful vies to one and all! Travelling between Los Mochis at the western terminus and Chihuahua towards the Midwest, the train is the most appropriate and preferred way to see the canyon. The Copper Canyon was named misleadingly by the Spanish, who thought the greenish-glow of lichen was copper. Nevertheless, the name refers to the Barranca de Urique, which stands at an altitude of 500 metres, and is 1879 metres deep, making it the Canyon’s deepest point. It has subtropical climate, and the peaks are 2300 metres above sea level, with confers and evergreens growing practically everywhere. The region is also home to the Raramuri, Mexico’s largest group of indigenous people. Generally, people ride the train through the entire trail and stop overnight before the return journey; however, it is recommended that one should also indulge in a bit of hiking!

Mazaltan: Mazaltan has stepped out of its clichéd image of a mid-20^th century resort town, to become one of the most sought after beach destinations in Mexico. Known as the ‘Pearl of the Pacific’, the town’s historic centre has been renovated, with other parts also following suit as part of the renewal programme. It is conspicuously close to the 20 kms long beach, and has a dazzling colonial district. For an interesting visit, it’s best to avoid Zona Dorada, the traditional tourist hangout joint, where one will find the regular shops, restaurants and hotels stacked one against the other. It’s much better to go for the pueblo viejo, where the cobbled streets, tattered edifices and many impressive restoration works now lying in shambles, surprisingly fuse together to form the ideal backdrop of a cultural renaissance of sorts. Watching a performance at the refurbished Teatro Angela Peralta, followed by a meal at the Plazuela Machado; exploring one of the many splendidly small museums; and browsing through the miniature boutiques is an experience of a lifetime in every sense of the word. Of course, there’s always an exclusive experience one can avail free of cost – that of the silhouette of the rocky islands silhouetted against the sunset.

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Mexico: The exotic paradise

Gazing at the ruins of a millennium old Mayan palace at Palenque, with the sights and sounds of the jungle in the background might not seem like the most pleasant experience, but once a person has been there and done that, there is hardly anything that matches the feeling of awe and amazement. Going inwards from the sandy beaches which are only the tip of the iceberg, one will explore a whole new world of dining and fine living, with salmon enchiladas and chrysanthemum salad at the fusion restaurants, followed by energy pumping dancing nights at the Guadalajara nightclub; for those who like water sports, there's kayaking near a colony of Baja California sea lions. In short, everyone visiting Mexico has his/her own unique experiences. The country has a mammoth coastal area spanning 10,000 kms, and a sprawling multi billion dollar tourism industry which grows every year. There are diverse formats of activities one can indulge in – canyoneering near Monterrey, hiking the Oxaca cloud forests, taking cooking lessons in the Veracruz countryside and snorkelling the coral reefs of the Yucatán. However, a word of caution here for those looking for a peaceful vacation – Mexico is not it! There's going to be noise, crowd, excitement and virtually every other possible trait one can think of, except tranquillity! It is also advisable to learn a bit of Spanish for a better experience.

Teotihuacán: This is an intriguing complex of pyramids that was once the greatest city of Mesoamerica. Located 50 kms from Mexico city, Teotihuacán comprises of the ruins of the Yucatán and Chiapas. Among the vast complex, two pyramids - Pirámide del Sol and Pirámide de la Luna – are most famous, and also dominate what remains of the metropolis. The city was also the capital of arguably the largest pre-Hispanic empire in the history of Mexico. Even after its fall from glory, Teotihuacán was still a pilgrimage site for the nobles of the Aztec empire. Even today, thousands of devotees convene to celebrate the vernal equinox.

Oaxaca: One of the most beautiful and vibrant places in Mexico, Oaxaca is a colonial city featuring El Zócalo, a tree shaded central square, making its presence felt as the centre-point of this marvellous destination. Oaxaca is a region where the country's finest crafts and contemporary art is produced by the local population. The indigenous traditions prevalent here are a source of inspiration for artists. There are also fantastic museums, breathtaking architecture, plenty of decent hotels and inns to choose from, and of course, the ever delightful Mexican cuisine, in all its fervour. This otherwise easy going city suddenly transcends all boundaries of docility to party like there's no tomorrow, much to the delight of residents as well as tourists!

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