Historically, the Maya pyramids are of the greatest interest. The most famous among tourists are the pyramids of Teotihuacan. Teotihuacan means “the place where the gods are born”. It is located 50 km northeast of Mexico City. The Alley of the Dead runs along the entire city for 2 km, it leads to the two main pyramids – the Sun and the Moon. The height of the pyramid of the Sun reaches 70 m, and the pyramid of the Moon is surrounded by twelve temple platforms. Not far from this place is the temple of one of the Mayan gods. The pyramid in Cholula is very popular. Once it was the largest pyramid in the world, which surpassed even the pyramid of Cheops in volume. Now part of it has been destroyed, and a church has been erected on top of the ruins.
Monte Alba
According to Top-mba-universities, Monte Alban is a pyramid complex in the state of Oaxaca, built on top of a mountain, around which lies the Oaxaca Valley. The highest point in the city is 400 meters high. At one time, about 50,000 Zapotecs lived in Monte Alban. The name of the city is translated as “white mountain”, this name was given to it by the Spaniards, when these places arrived and saw a mountain, the slopes of which were covered with white flowers. The builders of Monte Alban artificially leveled the top, which hung over the three neighboring valleys of Oaxaca. The city developed between 500 BC. and 700s AD, in 400 BC. it became an important cultural center. The place was abandoned by the Zapotecs after they began to lose power as a result of a conflict with the Mixtecs, who came to the valley and used these places for burials. Later it was taken over by the Aztecs and then by the Spaniards.
In the vicinity of Cancun in the city of Tulum, the only Mayan fortification has survived, which was previously their main port. Be sure to visit the sacred Mayan city of Chichen Itza. It was founded in the 9th century. Its main attractions are the Kukulkan pyramid, which consists of nine platforms, an astronomical observatory and various temples. Also of interest is Uxmal in the Yucatan, where the Great Pyramid, the Pyramid of the Wizard, the building of the Palace of the Ruler with the famous “throne of the two-headed jaguar”, the Temple of the Phalluses, the House of the Turtles and the pyramid of the Old Witch are preserved. To the city of Palenque during the excavations, a network of aqueducts, canals and sewers was found, which is considered the most complex structure ever created by the ancient Maya. The main pyramid of Palenque is the Temple of the Inscriptions, it dates back to 692 AD. e. and contains a unique Maya burial. Also interesting are the Palace complex, the Temple of the Sun with a stone panorama of sun worship, the Temple of the Cross and the Temple of the Skull.
Relatively “young” cities are no less popular. In Mexico City , be sure to walk along the Constitution Square, visit the National Palace with painted interior walls, the Central Cathedral, as well as the ruins of the Main Aztec Temple, where the Anthropological Museum is located. The city of Taxco is the center of tourism in Mexico. The local buildings are reminiscent of the colonial era – cobbled streets and colonial-style houses. Previously, silver was mined here. Among the sights of the city are the Zocalo Square, the Church of Santa Prisca, the museum “Don Guillermo”. But tourists will be most interested in visiting silver processing workshops.
City of San Miguel de Allende
It is located in a valley among the mountains, 276 km northwest of Mexico City at an altitude of 1850 – 2050 m. The city became one of the most important and famous in all of New Spain and very soon turned into an administrative center and as a supplier of the necessary products for the development of the industries of those times. It is an example of Spanish colonial architecture and is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Central Mexico.. The most famous landmark is the pink Gothic parish church of Parroquia (La Parroquia), built in 1683. In the crypt under the main altar are the remains of Felipe González and General Anastasio Bustamante, who were heroes of the Mexican War of Independence (1810-1821) against Spain.
There are 58 national parks and biosphere reserves in the country. Nature lovers should go to Shel-Ha National Park, 122 km from Cancun, which is an aquarium that arose naturally in a mountain cave. It feeds on water from underground rivers and sea water. Here you can see a variety of fish and exotic vegetation. Shakret Nature Reserve 72 km from Cancun is also an archaeological area. On its territory there is a park of exotic butterflies, a zoo, a botanical garden, lakes and a museum.
Separately, it is worth visiting the Yucatan Peninsula. This territory was discovered by the Maya Indians and began to settle here because of less seismic danger. The peninsula resembles a paradise – tropical jungle, rivers, grottoes and caves with stalagmites.
Trips to the highest waterfalls in Mexico – Basasici Cascade (246 m) are popular, especially during the rainy season. They are located within the Copper Canyon in the northwest of the country in the state of Chihuahua.. This canyon system is 4 times larger than the Grand Canyon in the United States. A narrow-gauge railway is laid between them, along which you can make a trip with several stops at the most interesting landscapes. Some sections of the railway pass at altitudes over 2000 m.
