Dash Toward This Stunning Country at Any Time Only with A USA VISA - MEXICO

Oaxaca

Most people travel to Mexico, the Mexico City, Guanajuato are their first choice, and then Cancun in the eastern state of Yutanca. The central region such as Oaxaca, Fort St. Crist and Palenque are relatively unpopular routes, mainly because of the long distance between cities and the long bus ride. Oaxaca is located on a plateau, and there are many mountain roads along the road. You can see all kinds of cacti all over the mountains, which is also a rather strange landscape.

Small town impression

▲The lively Calle Alcala (Avenue)

Oaxaca is located in southern Mexico. The state of Oaxaca where it is located is a state with the strongest local culture in Mexico. The vibrant indigenous culture and the Spanish culture that came from behind are blended together to form a unique landscape in Latin America.

▲Templo de Santo Domingo

Most of the houses in Oaxaca City have only one or two floors. The terrain is flat and the streets are organized into a field layout. In addition, it is a narrow one-lane plan, which is unremarkable in theory. Perhaps the weather is nice and the temperature is pleasant and there are all kinds of small flowers everywhere, so walking on these quiet and tidy streets makes people particularly comfortable.

 Zócalo Oaxaca

▲There are many vendors on Zocalo Oaxaca. You must try this strange corn with chili sauce!

▲On weekends, there is a band playing and singing at the Zocalo at 9 o'clock in the morning, which is extremely lively

The Zocalo Oaxaca is lively, vibrant and full of styles. Around the square, there are high-end restaurants. There are various street vendors and snacks in the square. Some people play performances. There are local aboriginals selling traditional crafts. There are also travel agencies who sell you the surrounding tourist routes. It is lively in both day and night!

▲The Zocalo Oaxaca at night is also very lively

The design of Zocalo is like a large garden, with big trees lined with flower beds and chairs for sitting. It is very comfortable and cozy to walk around during the day to enjoy the coolness and boring in a daze. There are people selling hydrogen balloons everywhere in the square, carrying a large bundle of colorful balloons, and they might even fly around the house when they are collected.

▲Be sure to try this Tequila, and it will be accompanied by a small cup of lime juice and a small cup of chili sauce. The aftertaste is endless.

In the evening, dining at the Zocalo Oaxaca must be stylish and ambient. You can sit on the side of the balcony on the second floor, overlooking the lively square, and listen to the peculiar but nice percussion music downstairs. You can also choose a restaurant where the band plays classic music and have a glass of Tequila, accompanied by a small glass of lime juice and a small glass of chili sauce. The correct way to drink it is to drink a sip of Tequila, then a sip of lime juice and a sip of chili sauce. The taste is very unique!

▲A kind of inflatable stick played by local children. They like to fly the stick to the sky and have a great time.

There is a main church on the Zocalo Oaxaca. On Sunday afternoon, you can see many children playing an inflatable stick (similar to a large plastic bag filled with gas and very light) outside the main church. The size varies, and some are of their height. From the main church along Calle Alcala to Templo de Santo Domingo, this is a street look like very costly with colonial stone buildings and it is also very lively.

Templo de Santo Domingo

▲The interior of the Holy Way is very densely decorated, don’t miss it

Templo de Santo Domingo is an artistic existence that could refreshes many people’s cognition. The interior decoration of this Catholic church built in the 16th century is extremely magnificent.The pattern decorations and various portraits and statues inside are densely packed, very magnificent. It is not expected that there is such an extreme existence of art in this small town on the plateau.

Hierve el Agua

▲The Hierve el Agua waterfall in Oaxaca is amazing!

The Hierve el Agua is the most exciting attraction of the whole day. This is a natural landscape on the edge of a cliff. To put it simply, the mineral-rich spring water has flowed for thousands of years along the cliff and precipitated into a white waterfall-like landscape. Just like the formation of stalactites. There are two such "waterfalls" in the rolling stone scenic area, one of which also forms two natural pools, where you can experience the thrill of swimming on the edge of the cliff. 

▲The pool formed by nature! 

▲The natural pool on the edge of the cliff! It forms a similar Pamukkale of Turkey, but it’s even cooler on the edge of the cliff!

Stepping on the white lime deposit surface of the boulder stone, you can see small puddles that have formed naturally and have solidified, in the shape of irregular steps. Although the stones are small, its location on the edge of the cliff is unique and spectacular. However, it is obvious that the protection is not strong enough here. Stepping on the platform made of lime deposits does not require taking off your shoes, so it is more "close to the people", but if you have a strong sense of protection over time, you may not be so free.

▲Natural pool! At the present, you can soak at will, so remember to bring swimming trunks and towels when you come here in hot weather.

▲Next to it is a cliff of ten thousand feet! That feeling is awesome!

The other stone waterfall is not far away, and the vertical lines are particularly strong, a bit like a waterfall frozen in winter, and it is very spectacular with the backdrop of the valley. It would take about ten minutes to walk there, and it was more rugged, with few people going there. On the top of this stone waterfall, you can see the spring water constantly babbling from the middle of the pool, which is very unique, that also explains the formation of the stone waterfall. Standing on the edge of the stone waterfall overlooking the valley, the feeling of marveling at the grandeur of the valley is very strong.

▲There are natural springs gurgling in the pool

Tips: If you have plenty of time, it is a good choice to take a one-day tour around. Tour guide can speak English, so you can better understand the local culture. The one-day tour route mainly visits five scenic spots: Thousand-year old trees, textile factory, Mezcal winery, the ruins of Mitla, and Hierve el Agua. 

San Cristobal

The distance from Oaxaca to San Cristobal is around 600km, 10 hours  by drive, or 10 hours by night train. If by train, then there is opportunity that you will be welcomed by the splendid sunrise when you arrive at this beautiful mountain city, the temperature maybe slightly cold and comfortable. Like the previous cities, there is a big temperature difference between day and night. You have to wear a jacket in the morning, and you can wear only one jacket when the sun comes out at noon.

▲The warmth under the sunset, many Mayan indigenous people live in the mountain city

▲The Beetle is especially suitable for the style of this small town

Mexico seems to be filled with all kinds of beautiful small cities. This plateau mountain city called San cristobal delas casas, is another beautiful town after Guanajuato, San Gamil and Oaxaca. They are all colorful colonial styles, with similarities and different cultural backgrounds and scenery. San Cristobal is surrounded by many villages inhabited by the Tzotzil and Tzeltal natives (a branch of the Maya). It is one of the most deeply rooted Mexican traditions. San Cristobal is the center of this area, ancient traditions and modern Luxury coexists in this land.

▲Central Pedestrian Street

▲St Christopher Catherdral in the Square March 31

Explore this city with a sun bathed in a comfortable plateau. San Cristobal is not as prosperous as Oaxaca, and there are not many tourists. However, the two commercial pedestrian streets near 31 Days Square in the central area are quite lively. There are restaurants, hotels and various handicraft shops, which has a unique atmosphere. The tall buildings are completely invisible here, and the houses are low and similar in style. Retro Beetle cars can often be seen on the street, which is especially suitable for the temperament of this small town.

▲There is a large handicraft market in front of St Christopher Catherdral

▲The colorful ornaments made of small beads are popular here, which is very cold

The St Christopher Catherdral is next to a large handicraft market, built with simple plastic sheds, selling all kinds of colorful traditional crafts. It is very interesting to walk inside, the stalls are densely packed and the trails are narrow, like a maze. Here are mainly traditional costumes, sculptures and jewelry accessories, which is dazzling. Many of the jewelry accessories here are woven with beads in series, it feels cold when touches your skin. The color patterns are diverse and exotic, not expensive.

▲Catholic church in the Mayan village of Chamula, which incorporates Mayan indigenous culture, it does not allow photographs

▲Zinacantan Mayan Village

San Cristobal is very small, and you can basically walk around for half a day only. So you could pay a visit to the nearby Mayan villages of Zinacantan and Chamula in the next day.The locals are relatively conservative and do not allow taking pictures. Although it is an aboriginal village, it is no longer the age of living in the mud wall of the hayloft. In addition, the village is only a 20-minute drive from San Cristobal. The aborigines are actually relatively wealthy, it benefits from tourism and its own flower planting. So the villages here are relatively modern, but the villagers still speak their language and wear their traditional costumes. However, there are still many aborigines who live in the mountains and cannot communicate with the outside world frequently.

▲Go west along the Calle 5 de Febrero to the church on Cerro de Guadalupe , for the sunset watching

▲An elderly couple watching the sunset which is so touching

In the evening, the square began to lively. Many street performers were active in front of the church. Various acrobatics performed in turn, attracting many tourists and vendors to stop for watching. The sunset glows the originally beautiful mountain, makes this town even more beautiful. The elderly couple from the United States watching the sunset on the mountain, they retired and were traveling around the world. They said they wanted to watch the sunset all over the world. It was very romantic. Finally, when they watched them walking down the stairs holding hands against the sunset, the scene was really touching. 

▲Highly recommend this small restaurant called El Caldero, authentic ,cheap and delicious

This gentle and mild mountain town does not seem to have prominent attractions, but it is still charming, makes visitors lingering. There is not only the tranquility of a mountain city but also the excitement from tourists. Maybe you could stroll over the downtown area very soon, but if you repeatedly walk and savor the taste, the style will be inadvertently: maybe in the small alley that has been three times to the cheap restaurant that is still unfinished, maybe in the cup of fragrant Chiapa In Sri Lanka Coffee, it may also be in a classic Beetle passing by, in the details of the car taking turns in a narrow intersection, or in the crystal ball of the handsome guy performing acrobatics in the square...

Palenque---Jungle ruins

 Blue Water Falls(Agua Azul)

▲Agua Azul

▲The waterfall at the foot of the mountain

▲Look down at the beautiful blue water waterfall from mid-levels

This waterfall in the tropical jungle has a pinkish blue color due to its rich minerals, especially the waterfall pool at the foot of the mountain, which is crystal clear and beautifully blue under the sunlight. Going upstream along the river, there are many "steps" in the river, and the drop is not too big. The current on the mountain is not so turbulent, and it flows slowly in many places. When you reach the top of the mountain, you can see several gentle green pools.

 Palenque National Park

Palenque was one of the most important city in the classical period of Maya civilization (before the 9th century). This ancient city was built in the BC 1st, and it was abandoned in the AD 9th for unknown reasons. Then it was drowned in the tropical jungle and no one knew it. It was not discovered by Spanish colonists until nearly a thousand years later in the 19th century, but the real major excavation was until the discovery of the tomb of Palenque King Bagal under a pyramid in 1952, which was the first Tombs found similar the ancient Egyptian kings in Central America.

An American archaeologist discovered 1,600 temples and pyramids in the jungle through satellite maps 12 years ago (2004). At present, only 1% of ruins have been excavated, which are all restored by archaeologists. The rest are still covered by lush trees and flowers in the jungle.

The scale of the unearthed pyramids and palaces is not too large, and you can visit them around an hour. It is not easy if visitors come by themselves.

Campeche

The central Mexico is really not easy to visit thanks to the long distance drive. No wonder there are not many tourists, which makes it less crowded. It takes 5-6 hours from Palenque to Campeche by drive. Campeche is a seaside colonial-style city, the houses are also colorful. But it is not a tourist city, in fact there are very few tourists. Though it is also beautiful and unique, the only reason that it is less attractive because there are so many fascinating towns in Mexico, the adjacent is Merida.

Merida

▲Palacio de Gobierno, the Governor's Palace on the north side of Merida's Independence Square

▲Inside the Palacio de Gobierno, you can see the Cathedral of Merida outside

▲Merida beautiful building

▲Merida Alley

Chichen Itza

The Castillo Pyramid of Chichen Itza, along with the Great Wall of China, the ancient city of Petra in Jordan, the Christ Statue in Brazil, the Inca ruins of Machu Picchu in Peru, the Colosseum in Italy, and the Taj Mahal in India are called the new "Seven Wonders of the World".  The greatness of the pyramids of Chichen Itza, should be related to its close integration with the Mayan calendar.

Castillo has 9 floors, each of which is divided into two parts by a step, forming 18 separate platforms, symbolizing the 18 months with 20 days in the Mayan calendar (365 days in a year, and the other 5 days on the 19th Months). There are 91 steps in each of the 4 steps, and the platform added to the top has a total of 365 steps, representing the number of days in a year. There are 52 slabs on each outer wall of the pyramid, representing a round of 52 years in the Mayan calendar. In addition, during the spring and autumn equinox, light and shadow will form a series of angles on the north side of the steps, simulating the shape of a snake, it means the intersection of heaven and earth.

Castillo does not only reflects the highly developed Mayan calendar, its construction process is also a miracle. The Maya did not use metal tools, nor did they use livestock and other transportation tools. They used a kind of hard stone called obsidian to excavate and cut the stones, and then transport the stones with wooden stakes to create such a perfect pyramid. It indeed is amazed!

Cancun

▲Superb Caribbean beach

▲The Ten Mile Beach in Cancun is full of luxurious resort hotels

Cancun Beach is said to be one of the top ten famous beaches in the world, and the beaches here are indeed unique. Cancun is located on the east coast of Mexico, and the beach is located on a long and narrow island. The island is no more than 400 meters wide and 21 kilometers long, facing the extremely beautiful Caribbean Sea. Everyone must be longed for the Caribbean Sea, but they never thought that the sea could be so blue. From near to far, from shallow to deep, the color of the sea also ranges from light blue to dark blue, with very abundant layers. Even if it may be covered with dark clouds in somedays, the sea could be still blue. 

▲The beautiful beaches of Cancun

Cancun is a tourist resort. Many Americans come here on vacation, so the consumption level is quite high. What you can do in Cancun is to lie down, or go swimming and eating, so you can finally enter the vacation mode, which is the best.

Useful Tips

City Review

(1)  Except for a few areas in Mexico, there is basically no railway in operation. The main transportation to travel in Mexico is taking flight and buses. It is acceptable to rent a car for self-driving in the plains around Cancun, Yucatan. The central and northwestern regions are mainly plateaus and mountains. Self-driving is quite inconvenient, so taking a bus or private car with driver are more suitable.

(2)  Mexico’s bus network is very developed. Most buses are comfortable, and there are toilets on long-distance buses. Short distances buses may not be equipped.

 (3)  Some routes will be divided into ordinary buses and luxury buses, and you can find the differences from the price. It is definitely more comfortable to sit in a luxury bus at night, but it is best to buy in advance.

(5)Actually the Guanajuato Airport is located in Leon, and the airport code is BJX. It takes about half an hour from Guanajuato.

VISA

For visitors out of US, If you have a U.S. visa, you can enter Mexico without a visa at any time.

Insurance

The importance of buying an overseas travel insurance is obvious:

First: There must be emergency rescue and high accident protection and medical protection;

Second: There must be compensation for personal property losses;

Third: It must be comprehensive and cover all the situations that will occur during the journey.

Season

January-April is the low season for tourism in Mexico, and the summer is the peak season. In fact, the most suitable travel is the off-season. The temperature in the central and northwestern regions is very comfortable, but it is surprising that there are very few travelers.

At the end of February and early March, wearing a long-sleeved or a short-sleeved jacket is necessary, and occasionally wear a thin coat in the morning and evening, and only wear short-sleeved shorts in Yutanca since it is tropical.

Currency Exchange

If you are entering from Mexico City, you can exchange pesos at the airport once for all. Mexico City International Airport has dozens of exchange shops. Because of the competition, you can find the best shops with better exchange rates. Don't change at the gates. Walking some steps for further ones.

Security Question

Some travelers who had been alone in Mexico for a month commented that this is the safest place they have ever been to. Even some non-tourist areas, such as vegetable markets and many small alleys in small cities, are safer. In addition, Mexicans are very courteous. In many cities, the roads are very narrow, and cars will give way to pedestrians. Of course, there are not many cars here. This is much more at ease than the developed countries.