There aren’t many cities in the entire world that are larger than Mexico City, Mexico. Nicknamed, the City of Palaces and with a population of about 20 million, Mexico City is a huge, cosmopolitan city that sprawls over almost 3,700 square miles. It is located in a valley on top of a high plateau at about 7,350 feet above sea level. The place where the city rests was once Lake Texcoco. It seems to be a city of extremes and a dynamic place to visit.

Most vacationers to Mexico City will be fascinated with the history of the city itself and of the circumstances in which it came to be. The Aztecs founded Mexico City in the year 1325 on a small island in the middle of Lake Texcoco. In order for it to continue to grow, the small island had to be enlarged artificially. The city came under siege by the Spaniards 200 years later and was almost completely destroyed. The Spaniards then rebuilt the city according to their designs, which is mostly what you see today in the old section of the town.

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While it might not be as well known as Cancun or Puerto Vallarta, this southern coastal city called Mazatlan has become a popular vacation destination for those looking for a more laid back and sedate experience. It has been nicknamed the “Pearl of the Pacific” but not because there are pearls to be found off its shores.

It is because as a gracious compliment to this friendly resort city, Mazatlan could thrive without any tourism at all due to its abundance of commercial fishing and the famous Pacifico Brewery. This gives the area the benefits of being an industrious town while at the same time keeping recreation activities in a more relaxed mode.

Because the city does not rely on tourism as its main source of income, it doesn’t seem as hectic with multitudes vying for every dollar as it does in some Mexican resort towns. The feeling in Mazatlan is as if time has stood still. The resorts’ staffs are very friendly, as is everyone in town, which makes Mazatlan feel like your hometown. Because of this, Mazatlan is a great place to come with your whole family. There is plenty for everyone to do.

Mazatlan has over 15 miles of beaches where you will find all sorts of water sports and activities, great waterfront restaurants, and most of the area’s resorts. You will find the waters teeming with windsurfers, Hobie Cats, wave runners, and parasailing. If those types of heart stopping sports activities aren’t your style maybe you would just like to take a dip and then soak up the sun while “people watching”. Either way, the sun and sand provides a beautiful getaway from your normal weekly grind.

Sport fishing has been a landmark in Mazatlan long before many of the other notable Mexican resort destinations were even thought of. The charter companies in Mazatlan have their fleets spread out, some at the harbor by the lighthouse and some in the marina. All of them can provide services that will enable you to go out for an amazing adventure and catch the “big one”. Later, you can have your Marlin, Tuna, or Grouper prepared for your dinner!

Shopping is a great attraction in Mazatlan. There are many fine shops and even a couple of modern shopping malls spread throughout the area of the more “touristy” part of the city called Zona Dorado, which when translated means “The Golden Zone”. With a name like that, who wouldn’t want to shop there? On the other end of the spectrum, you can never go wrong by visiting the Mercado located in the middle of Old Mazatlan. This is true shopping in the old Mexican tradition with everything from leather goods and jewelry to hanging meats.

One of the most enjoyable parts of any vacation is dining at traditional, local restaurants and Mazatlan has its fair share. A big benefit of being an ocean side city is that the eateries serve the freshest seafood. Being as large as it is, Mazatlan has a large and diverse collection of dining establishments to choose from.

If you would like to visit Mexico, but want your vacation to be a little more low-key and relaxed, maybe Mazatlan would be the perfect fit for you. It is an interesting city that seems to have a bright future.

Most of us have heard of Puerto Vallarta and it may bring images to our minds of tropical scenes and exotic travels. Maybe we remember that this was where the Love Boat made a stop once a week. But there may be a question as to what attractions and activities can be found in this coastal Mexican city.

Puerto Vallarta is located on the West Coast of Mexico, south of the Baja Peninsula. The weather all year round is beautiful and the cost of living is low, which may be why over 20,000 Americans own vacation homes there.

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Traveling into and throughout Mexico is still very simple, even in this day and age of heightened sensitivities about border control and enforcement. However, there are several key requirements that you should know about concerning travel in Mexico. These include knowing about documents that you should always carry with you, what type of items that you can and can’t take from one country into another, and finally, the certain situations that are best avoided while vacationing in Mexico.

One of the most recent developments concerning international travel to and from the United States is the necessity of having a valid passport. As of January 23, 2007 United States citizens are required to show a valid passport if traveling by air outside of the country, that includes even to Mexico or Canada. By January 1, 2008 that requirement will also include any travels by sea or land outside of the country. To obtain a passport or to register a lapsed one all you need to do is visit one of the over 9,000 passport acceptance facilities located throughout the United States. It is recommended that you allow 10-12 weeks time before your intended travel, as it could take that long before your passport documentation is completed.

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There are so many great beach destinations in Mexico that you probably couldn’t go wrong with any of them. But there are a few that stand out and should have extra cause for consideration due to their outstanding range of amenities and services. Some of them are for those who like a laid back, relaxing beach experience and the rest are for the jet set who like to take their partying seriously.

Puerto Vallarta has been a great beach vacation spot for many years primarily because of its location on Banderas Bay. It is the largest bay in Mexico and offers wide open soft white sand beaches as well as small rock surrounded coves. This area also can provide surfers good rides with the right kind of swells. Because of the protection and the climate provided by the bay, the beaches here are relatively wide and a perfect spot to partake in activities that range in energy levels. You can do things as quiet as sun bathing, kayaking, jet skiing or para-sailing to as busy as water-skiing, horseback riding or wind surfing. Puerto Vallarta is a well-developed tourist spot with many resorts and hotels to choose from, as well as a diverse nightlife and shopping areas.

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