Mexico

The food in Mexico is absolutely fantastic. The dishes are a mix between original indiginous ingredients (aztec, zapotec, maya, etc.) and Spanish colonial dishes. Due to the history of the country, you will also find influences from Arabia, France, and Asia.
There are many different restaurants in every price range. Fondas, taquerías and torterías are only a small example of restaurants available.
Typical mexican food does not really exist, but far more regional specialities. In the north, meat has a high priority, whilst in central Mexico traditional ingredients determine the food eaten (corn, beans, chicken, and beef). In the south of Mexico you will find a lot of spicy caseroles, tropical fruits and many different varieties of vegetables, whilst on the coast, fish and seafood are very popular. The Cocina prehispánica is becoming more and more popular, and can be enjoyed in restaurants that cook in the Aztec or Mayan style: iguana, rattlesnake, deer, spider monkey, ant eggs, grasshopper and so on.
It is typical to find a contrast in tastes within the menus: spicy and mild, sweet and sour, dry and delicate. Chilli and coriander are used in many dishes. Corn plays an important role in the diet of the Mexicans as well as beans, tomatoes, chilli, fruit and certain types of vegetables such as pumpkin or nopal (fig cactus).
Corn tortillas are eaten with almost every meal (in the north and for certain dishes, wheat tortillas are also used). A few dishes that include tortillas are tacos, flautas, furritos, quesadillas, and enchiladas. The differences between each dish can be experienced on the spot!
A further selection of typical dishes would include Guacamole (Avocado mousse), mole poblano from Puebla (a sauce with a chocolate base), pescado a la veracruzana (a fish dish - Veracruz), cochinita pibil (a pork dish from the Yucatáns region), tamales (corn slice), and ceviche (raw fish or seafood, marinated in lemon juice, tomatoes, onions and corriander).
Typical Mexican (alcoholic) drinks include Tequila, Mezcal and Pulque (all three are made from Agaven). The most popular (nonalcoholic) drinks include horchata ( a sweet rice drink), agua de jamaica (Hibiscus flower water) and agua de tamarindo (made from the fruit of the Tamarinden tree), jugos (freshly pressed fruit juice), and licuados (Fruit juice mixed with milk). A lot of lemonade is also consumed. Lime is used to flavour certain dishes.
Did you know that Mexico was the origin of many plants that have now been distributed throughout the world? Corn, beans, onions, chilli, zucchini, tomatoes, cacao, vanilla, and advocado for instance.
Buen provecho!

Even if the famous impression of a typical Mexican man is one of a macho with a moustache, boots, and a poncho, the country is far too big to stereotyp the individual.
Even though most of the 109 million inhabitants of Mexico are Mestizen (ancestors from mixed marriages between indiginous folk and the Spanish), there are great differences in the cultural and social habits of the people. Cultural and social habits differ not only between the Mestizen, the whites and the indiginous folk, but also between villages and cities.
A few words to the Mexican way of life:
Family: It does not seem to matter if they live in the country or in the city, the family remains the heart of the people.
Punctuality: 'Un momentito' is simple to understand (one moment please). You will also often hear 'ahorita', the short form of 'ahora' - now! This word mirrors the attitude of the people. The mentality of the Mañana has paid off due to the climate and the traffic chaos in Mexiko city.
Migration from the country: the habits of the people in country areas and within the indiginous folk, has hardly changed, particularly the idea that the more children you have, the safer you will be economically. The role of various family members is more traditional than in the cities. The children that grow up in the country without an education, often have two possibilites: live in poverty in the village or move to the big city.
Changes: More and more Mexicans are looking to the European or the American way of life as far as morals and values go. Industrialisation, and the possiblity to plan a family, has changed the role of men and women: the women no longer have to rely on the men due to the availability of contraceptives, and their right to be educated.

Mexico borders the USA in the north, and Guatemala and Belize in the south. This leaves Mexico the biggest part of middle America. The countryside itself is very mountainous, with two big mountain ranges, the Sierra Madre Occidental in the west and the Sierra Madre Oriental in the east, that run parallel to the coast.
If you have time, it is well worth making an extended visit, you will be surprised by the intensity of nature and at the different climatic zones. The north is dusty, dry and decorated with massive cacti, as seen in many famous Western films. In the center of the country dramatic volcanos and mountains surround green fertile highlands. Further south and east, the climate is tropical, and giving rise to a unique Flora und Fauna. Don't forget the coastal regions. In the west the country meets the pacific, and in the east, the Golf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. Beautiful beaches some of them untouched , leave no wish unfulfilled.

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Hardly any other country has access to so much culture from the past as Mexico. The Maya and the Azteken are the most well known, however, if you spend some time researching the history of this country, you will come across even more. Many ruins are in an excellent condition, and therefore well worth a visit.
The biggest change for Mexico took place with the arrival of Hernán Cortés from Spain in 1519. The Aztec greeted this stranger with hospitality, however they were soon abused, and the period of 'New-Spain' had began. Over the following three hundred centuries New Spain became the biggest producer of silver in the world. The indiginous folk was suppressed and their cities destroyed. In 1810 Miguel del Hidalgo initiated a war to fight for independence, that was finally achieved in 1821. This was followed by highs and lows with various dictators, and rebellion of the people as they slipped more and more into poverty. The indian farmers demanded land and freedom, and under the lead of Emiliano Zapata, they initiated struggles against the big time land owners. The big revolution followed. Rebellion by the farmers against the government is still common today, especially in the city of Chiapas. Even though Mexico is known to be a politically stabile republic, the big gap between the rich and the poor leads to a lot of conflict.

Yucatán – dreamy beaches and impressive Maya cities
It doesn't matter if you prefer to relax on a beautiful beach or to discover one of the oldest and most mysterious cultures there is – in no other country in Latin America is it possible to combine relaxation and culture as on the Mexican peninsula Yucatán.

In Mexico the culture of the past meets the culture of the present: witness remains from the Maya culture, buildings from colonial times, or check out the very modern skyscrapers in Mexico city. The many influences that have effected Mexico are reflected in the 109 million inhabitants. The majority of Mexicans today are Mestizen, ancestors from the mixed marriages between the indiginous folk and the Spanish. Come and greet these friendly and open hearted people!
In the north, the Mexican borders America, and in the south, Guatemala and Belize. Mexico occupies the biggest part of central America. The country is very mountainous and has two main mountain ranges - the Sierra Madre Occidental in the west, and the Sierra Madre Oriental in the east, both run parallel to the coast. If you have time to stay for an extended period, you will be surprised by the intensity of nature and the different climatic zones. The north: dusty, dry, and decorated with massive cacti, is often seen in many Western films. In the center of the country, volcanos and mountains surround green fertile highlands. Further south, and to the east, the climate is tropical and gives rise to unique Flora and Fauna. Not to be forgotten is the natural coastal region that borders the Pacific in the west and the Golf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea in the east. Breath taking beaches, some of them untouched, are at your disposal.

Impressive cultural cities
For thousands of years Chichén Itzá was the center of the Maya Empire. No other city has been restored so well. In order to avoid the crowds, it is better to visit this area as early as possible in the morning – then you have the opportunity to enjoy the pyramids and the rest of the cultural remains in peace, or to visit one of the very popular folklore exhibitions with the magnificent Maya costumes.

Don't miss the enchanting Maya city situated on the ocean – Tulúm. El Castillo, the biggest pyramid, towers directly over the schimmering, tourqoise water. The city of temples was not just a fortress, but also a religious center. It is not as big as Chichén Itzá, however ... you can feel the magic in your bones...
a small meandre through the inner city is also well worth your while.

It is essential to see Uxmal: this was built between the 7th and 10th centuries, which makes it older than Chichén Itzá. The steep towering pyramids are particularly interesting, as are the fortune tellers and the almost, romantic palace with its decorative wooden ridges – known by the people as 'Pigeon Lofts'.

Swim and enjoy the food in a discreet atmosphere
Tourists seeking relaxation in Yucatán are surprised at the generous holiday villages with their discreet Garden Restaurants. The endless, white beaches lay within a few paces and you have a breath taking view of the crystal clear, blue tide. It is all too easy to settle into the relaxing lifestyle here, to take advantage of the many water sports available and to forget the grey winter days in Europe.

It goes without saying that you do not have to comprimise anything on this trip: the hotels provide special restaurants which serve excellent food - solid and spicy mexican dishes. Savour a meal of Tacos with Avocado dip, and a nice glass of wine, or a delicious Caribbean cocktail.