Things to do in Mexico

The Mayan civilisation dominated Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula between 600-900AD. During the 1990s as part of the creation of the Mayan Trail, or Ruta Maya that stretches through all the Mayan civilisation countries which include neighbouring Belize and Guatemala, many of Mexico’s sites were unearthed and restored and are now highlights of cultural vacations in Mexico. Some are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, such as Chichén Itzá, Uxmal and Palenque; all are at different stages of restoration. These were massive cities after all, and if you find yourself walking across a big hill in Palenque National Park’s jungle, the chances are you are walking over some ancient palace or pyramid. It is hard to see them all, but they all have something unique about them, and keen historians often add the neighbouring Guatemalan Mayan marvels onto a Mexican vacation.

There are over 60 indigenous groups and just as many languages, meaning that Mexico defines itself, in its constitution, as a “pluricultural” nation. The most prolific groups to meet on your travels are Nahuatl, Yucatec (Maya), Zapotec and Mixtec. In Oaxaca, for example, there are 12 community museums run by local villages with Zapotec weaving, archaeological artifacts and traditional healing methods on display, plus guided tours into their lands.