Activities & Sports
Mexico counts many diving venues such as the Sea of Cortes and the Yucatan peninsula's east coast. There are over 50 public or resort golf courses, many of them in Los Cabos; in the vicinity of Manzanillo; in Cancun and the Mayan Riviera; and in and around Guadalajara and Acapulco. Tennis centers are popular as well. Water sports abound, especially in resorts. Even hunters and fishers will find something to their liking.
Mexican favourites include baseball, soccer, Jai Alai and bullfighting.
Shopping
Mexicans are wonderful artists and craftsmen. Market day is always a treat. Some of the best handicrafts can be found in the states of Oaxaca and Chiapas and in and around the cities of San Miguel de Allende, Taxco, Mexico City and Guadalajara. Best buys include ceramic, leather, textile, weaving and woodwork goods. Silver is worked extensively also. Other purchases include spices and of course Tequila.
Cuisine
Real Mexican cuisine is not the standard fare we are accustomed too. In fact it is much more refined, diverse and bold in flavour. It is a multicultural mix of a pre-Columbian heritage with added Spanish, French and North American influences. Specialties vary greatly between regions as well.
Some staple ingredients are chocolate, chiles, beans, corn, squash, tomatoes, chili peppers, avocado, papaya, guava and vanilla.
A hearty breakfast is preferred followed by a light lunch in the early afternoon. Dinner is usually served around 9pm. Traditional dishes include delicious seafood platters and fish, tamales, pozole (a moniny and pork soup), mole sauce, homemade breads and rolls and wonderful desserts such as flan, pastel de queso (Mexican cheese cake) and helado (ice cream).
To complete your culinary voyage one must enjoy a glass of the national spirit: Tequila!
Capital: Mexico City
Currency: Mexican peso
Driver's License: Must be 21 years old and have credit card
Electricity: 110 volts, 60Hz
Language: Spanish, basic English in resort areas
Population: 106,202,903 approx
Religion: Majority roman catholic
Tourist Season: Year round. High season from October through May
