Mexico Activities

There are plenty of opportunities for children to enjoy the sights of Mexico and get a sense of the unique culture.

Acapulco
While in Acapulco, kids can visit the zoo and swimming pools of the Castillo del Rey Leon (Lion King's Castle) complex. Alternatively, a trip to the Centro Internacional de Convivencia Infantil (otherwise known as the CICI) is great for the whole family. The highlight of this water park is its dolphin shows, but there is much more to keep the little ones busy, including aquariums, toboggan rides and a small tidal wave pool. Telephone: +52 555 484 8210

Acuario Mazatlan
The Acuario Mazatlan is one of the largest aquariums in the country, with more than 200 species of fish and marine life from around the world. There are also sea lions, a theatre and a museum. Alternatively, Acuario Veracruz in Veracruz has plenty of colourful tropical fish as well as sharks that can be seen from an underwater viewing tank. Telephone: +52 669 981-7815

Cancun
Another popular holiday destination, Cancun has many family orientated and fun attractions. Aquaworld is the city’s biggest water sports and marine centre. As well as offering a good selection of activities and displays, the centre provides snorkelling and scuba diving lessons. Website: www.aquaworld.com.mx

Crocosun Zoo
Crocosun, a cute and interesting little zoo is located just north of Puerto Morelos, on the highway between Cancun and Tulum. Visitors here are allowed to touch and even carry some of the animals. Here, you’ll find displays of more than 300 crocodiles and even some Mexican hairless dogs. +52 998 850 3719

Kite Museum Museo Papalote
Mexico City has a great range of educational attractions for children. One of the most popular is the Museo Papalote (Kite Museum) located in Chapultepec Park. All of the exhibits here are interactive and offer a hands-on experience. Additionally, an IMAX screen shows a variety of programmes from cultural themes to historical documentaries. Telephone: +52 555 237 1781

Theme Parks
There are two excellent theme parks in Mexico City. The crowded Feria de Chapultepec offers a series of new rides including Mexico's only wooden roller-coaster. Six Flags Mexico is an American-style theme park with lots of exciting rides and themed events. Both parks are extremely busy on the weekends so it’s advisable to visit during the week. Telephone: +52 555 230 2121

If you have a thirst for Mexican culture, you will find many cultural venues. The Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico City hosts upscale painting and sculpture expositions, opera representations, theatre and ballet performances, concerts, and folklore dance. A similar venue, Theatre Degollado, can be found in Guadalajara.

Ruins
There are so many historic ruins in Mexico that you may find it difficult choosing which ones you want to see first. Just outside of Mexico City, you will find Teotihuacán, the capital of a great Mayan civilisation. This should be at the top of your list as it’s brimming with famous ancient Maya sites.

Mexico’s most abundant collection of ancient Mayan civilisation is found on the Yucatán peninsula. Images of romantic Mayan ruins shimmering in the morning are found at the lost jungle city of Palenque.

Museums and Galleries
A visit to a museum or gallery in Mexico should be relatively inexpensive and there are many to choose from in Mexico City. The Museum of Anthropology takes you back through 3,000 years of Mexico’s history with amazing artefacts housed in a stunning building.

Frida Kahlo House and Museum
Also worth seeing is the Frida Kahlo House and Museum, which contains numerous pieces of art by Frida Kahlo. This is where much of the 2002 film Frida was shot.

Tulum
A 2 hour drive from Cancun, Tulum is one of Mexico’s most significant historical sites and should be a must-see on any visitor to Cancun’s holiday itinerary. These well-excavated structures have a beach backdrop and attract hordes of tourists, making it wise to make an overnight trip so you can view the monuments in the morning before the crowds arrive.

Museo de Antropologia
This museum offers fine examples of Olmec and Totonac sculpture and ceramics, and also boast’s the nation’s finest collection of Olmec megalithic heads. Puebla's Museo Amparo houses a magnificent collection of pre-Columbian and colonial art.

There is an incredible range of dining choices in Mexico, from luxury international restaurants to establishments specialising in Mexican, Asian, European, Argentine, Greek or Arabic food, as well as fast food chains. Visitors can also find vegetarian and kosher food restaurants, and even macrobiotic restaurants that focus on natural or Hindu foods.

The best place to find authentic Mexican dishes is at local inns and lunchrooms. These are located across the country and serve all-inclusive menus called ‘comida corrida’ which includes a selection of soup, rice or salad and a main course at an economical price.

Well known local dishes include churro, a tube-shaped, bread-like fritter, dipped in sugar and sometimes filled with chocolate. Another popular Mexican dish is the enchilada – a tortilla dipped in sauce and filled with chicken or white cheese. It is sometimes topped with tomato sauce and sour cream, or onions, sour cream and guacamole. The quesadilla is a corn or flour tortilla stuffed with melted white cheese and lightly fried.

Gorditas are thick, fried corn tortillas stuffed with a choice of cheese, beans, beef or chicken, with lettuce, tomato and onion garnish. Also tasty is the Mixiote – rabbit, lamb or chicken cooked in a mild chilli sauce and then wrapped like a tamale and steamed. It is served with tortillas or tacos, with traditional garnishes of pickled onions, hot sauce, chopped cilantro and lime wedges.

There are some fantastic shopping opportunities in Mexico, and its recommended you leave room in your bags to take back some of the beautiful souvenirs and traditional art work available.

Local markets are a great place to shop and you’ll find a good choice of markets in most cities and towns. Just to the south of Mexico City, there’s a vibrant weekly market called Bazar del Sabado which offers a fine selection of high quality crafts. Meanwhile, the Polanco neighbourhood in Mexico City is characterised by its fine jewellery and leather goods, as well as cigar shops and designer boutiques.

Beautiful silver jewellery is to be found in Taxco, known as the silver capital of Mexico. There are hundreds of stores here selling fine jewellery and decorative items.

Contemporary Latin American art is sold around the country, with a good choice of galleries in Mexico City featuring the nation’s masters. You’ll also find galleries in Oaxaca, Puerto Vallarta and San Miguel de Allende, all offering excellent selections.

Mexican pottery is also unique and beautiful. One of the most famous shops in the world, Talavera Pottery in Puebla produces some of the most sought-after dinnerware. Almost every block has a factory or store outlet selling inexpensive Talavera.

While in Guadalajara, you’ll want to visit the neighbourhoods of Tlaquepaque and Tonal for some of the best shopping in Mexico. Tlaquepaque has a good variety of shops selling vast quantities of decorative art. Equally charming, Tonal is home to more than 400 artisan workshops and many blocks of market stalls.

With the city’s main draw being its beautiful beaches and abundant marine life; it is no wonder many visitors are attracted to Mexico by the wonderful diving and water sports available here. Mountain climbing provides a great escape for those wanting to enjoy nature.

Golf
The country features more than one hundred golf courses, with some of the best being found in Mexico City, Guadalajara, Los Cabos (Baja Sur) and Puerto Vallarta. Puerto Vallarta is host to an impressive seven championship course.

Scuba diving opportunities in Mexico are superb
Many Americans head to the country for regular underwater adventures. There are good sites to be found off the Yucatan's Caribbean coast, with Cozumel being most popular. The reefs here are rated among the top diving destinations in the world. Diving can also be enjoyed off the Pacific coast at Puerto Vallarta and Manzanillo, and off Baja in the Sea of Cortez. Experienced divers can also try diving the many caverns and ‘cenotes’ (sinkholes) of the country’s interior.

Rock Climbing
If you are a keen rock climber, you can scale the many peaks and volcanoes of Mexico. A couple of reputed spots are located just 60 miles south of Mexico City: the snow-capped volcanoes Ixtaccihuatl and Popocatepetl. Climbers can learn more about the sport in the area by contacting Club de Exploraciones de Mexico in Mexico City. Telephone: +52 555 740 8032

Kayaking
The Sea of Cortez provides superb sea kayaking opportunities. Cabo San Lucas to La Paz is littered with tiny coves and secluded inlets which beg to be explored. Sea lions and dolphins will keep you company along the way.