Destinations
Mexico is a colorful mix of Spanish, Indian and Caribbean cultures. Holidays on the best beaches of Cancun and Riviera Maya, ancient monuments of mysterious civilizations and diving on Cozumel Island, tequila, excellent cuisine and incendiary disco – are all about Mexico.
Imagine: here you are standing in a tropical grove, and under the cries of colorful parrots, you see Mayan hieroglyphs on the walls of Palenque temples. Or, merging into a single thing with a surfboard, paddle toward the surf, crashing powerful turquoise waves on the coast, and behind you stretch bright white beaches. Or you can scuba dive into an underwater cave surrounded by fish, as if drawn by a bright gouache. Or until dawn and fall you dance to the world’s best Acapulco discos! And in the intervals – try at least part of the 300 local varieties of tequila – and without any lime and salt there, and as strict Mexican peasants – with tomato juice, generously flavored with chili. And if pepper is not enough – eat any of the local dishes, from which a fire is lit in the mouth. In this whole Mexico – the colors, tastes and other sensations here are bright, juicy, clean, just have time to enjoy.
The classification of Mexican hotels differs a little from the standard international: “stars” are assigned according to the same rules, but only with luxury establishments it is a little more complicated. In addition to the usual 4-5*, there are chic Gran Turismo hotels and special, highest category hotels. The first performs any fancy of expensive guests: restaurants, shops, spas, golf courses – in vast territories you will find everything your heart desires. Others are betting on an exclusive: their own diving island or mini-reserve.
In Mexico City the bed at the hostel costs from 105 MXN, the double room in the 3* – from 250 MXN, in the comfortable 5* – from 1100 MXN per day. In Cancun resort you can rent apartments for 400 MXN, double room in hotel of 4* for 550 MXN or villa with swimming pool for 1500 MXN, more budget option – to be limited to a bed in the hostel for 190 MXN per day. The ever-cheerful Acapulco invites you to 3* for 450-500 MXN, resort hotels on the first coastline for 1000-3000 MXN and luxury holiday homes for 800-30 000 MXN per night.
Mexican cuisine is more a blend of regional gastronomic traditions than a single set of dishes. In the north of the country, the main components of the meal – beef and goat, and the method of their preparation is reminiscent of American – often barbecue. In central Mexico, everything revolves around corn, legumes and spices (which, however, does not displace meat at all) – in the form of cakes, various stews and casseroles. The southern part of the country is a fan of chicken and spicy vegetables – this is easily explained by the influence of Caribbean cuisine, and the coast is eaten by fish and seafood.
As a rule, national dishes do not do without three typical components: tortillas (corn cakes), beans and hot chili. Popular “olʹya-podrida” (goulash), “carne-asado” (fried beef with garnish), aromatic “tamales” (steamed pieces of corn dough, wrapped with corn on the cob and drizzled with sauce). Nourished by papaya, mangoes and tea, Mexicans for the most delicacy worship the pieces of fried sugar cane – canas-asadas.
Most Mexican restaurants specialize in traditional dishes, skillfully combining all (and not only) ingredients, treats and drinks on the menu. Seafood in a wide variety of variants served in “marisquerias”, the aromas of fresh baking lure in the bakery. Bistro comes into fashion, updating the assortment to suit the season: fruits and vegetables, meat that has recently been grazed on farms, and fish from the ocean – right to the table.
Materials are from the site: tonkosti.ru
There are no direct flights from Ukraine to Mexico. Usually, the flights are made with one change in Europe, Cuba or the USA. Iberia, Lufthansa, Air France and KLM offer the most favorable rates and acceptable connections. In any case, be prepared to spend at least 15 hours on the road.
The average cost of a ticket from Kiev to Mexico City and back is about $ 990-1200. As a rule, it is necessary to make a change in Frankfurt (if you fly Lufthansa) or in Amsterdam (KLM).
If you are going to visit the famous Cancun resort, then there are direct Aeroflot and Transaero flights from Moscow. For the ticket Kiev-Moscow-Cancun on both sides you will have to pay $ 980-1200. In addition, from November to late March, on Wednesdays and Sundays, Transaero operates a direct charter flight from Domodedovo to Cancun. Travel time – about 13 hours.
Most flights to Cancun are transplanted to the United States. If you do not have a valid US visa, you will not be put on a plane. Therefore, you will need to issue a transit visa or change your tickets.
It is a good idea for Schengen visa holders to find cheap flights from Spain and the United Kingdom. Spanish low-cost company Pullmanturair offers tickets to Cancun with a departure from Madrid in the range of 80-100 euros one way. Madrid can be easily reached by budget airlines “Wizz” air and “Ryanair” if you fly from Poland. Thus, the cost of tickets from Madrid to Cancun and back is 180 euros. But such proposals must be monitored.
The second budget option – departure from the UK. British company Flythomascook offers tickets on both sides for $ 450-500 with departure from Manchester. Tickets from London will be slightly more expensive. You can fly to London or Manchester by WizzAir. The savings are relatively small (if you are applying for a tourist or transit visa), but you can combine a vacation on the Caribbean coast with a walk around London.
Mexico has an extensive domestic airline network. Not only big cities are connected with regular connections: popular resorts take up to 7 flights a day from Mexico City. “Aeromexico” delivers from the capital to Cancun for 1480-4050 MXN one way (on the road – just over 2 hours), to Acapulco – for 1161-4843 MXN (1 hour), to Monterrey – for 2240-2500 MXN (1, 5 years).
Mexican railways are less convenient for travelers. There are, however, a few tourist trains that go, for example, from Mexico City to the northwest of Chiuaua – Los Mochis (official carrier site) or from Cancun to the Yucatan Peninsula to the Mayan cities, but tickets for them quite expensive: from 3300 MXN in economy class.
The country has a well-developed long-distance bus service. The transport is clean and comfortable, goes according to schedule. In many regions of Mexico, this is perhaps not the only opportunity to get anywhere. There are luxury buses (ADO carrier), first class and ordinary. Each region and direction is ruled by different company. Fare depends on distance, comfort level and speed of travel: for example, a trip from Guadalajara to Acapulco will cost from 1300 MXN in economy class to 1500 MXN in the premium cabin. Air conditioning is usually available on all buses.
City buses (cost around 4 MXN) run in all major settlements and are quite convenient (though often overcrowded) mode of transport. Tickets can be purchased at special kiosks or at the driver. Mexico City has a subway consisting of 12 lines, the fare is 5 MXN, tickets are sold at each station. Another type of metropolitan transport is the Metro: 4 lines connecting the center to the outskirts. The fare is charged with rechargeable cards and cost 10 MXN, each trip costs 5 MXN. Also popular are high-speed Tren Ligero trains (4 MXN) and trolleybuses (2-5 MXN).
There are shuttle taxis in all tourist areas – Pesero. Payment depends on the length of the trip, the average fare is 5-10 MXN
In Mexico, it is quite possible to rent a car: the roads are mostly good, especially the paid cuota. Free libre trails usually cross many settlements with speed limits of 20 km/h (on toll highways allowed to accelerate to 110 km/h).
Endless speed bumps are a real punishment for Mexican drivers. There is a version that the locals specifically install them at every turn to attack the braking machines, trying to sell their trifles.
To rent a car you need the driving license of the international type, the driver’s age – from 21 years. Large rolling stock requires a credit card to block a 9500-19 100 MXN mortgage. Ideally, a rented car should be equipped with a video recorder: Mexican traffic police are known for their corruption. The compact model can be rented for 760 MXN, standard car for 400 MXN, SUV for 1330 MXN per day. Cost of gasoline – 18 MXN per 1 liter.
There are congestion at rush hour, and parking is not all that smooth: there is little space available, and evacuation and a fine are threatened in the areas marked with the crossed-out letter E. It is wiser to leave cars at sites near hotels and supermarkets or covered parking lots: stealing in Mexico is a common thing. 2-3 hour parking costs an average of 50-100 MXN.
In cities in Mexico you can take a taxi. The standard fee is about 10-20 MXN per landing plus 7 MXN per km, the rates are increased by 10% at night. Some machines do not have meters, so the price should be agreed in advance. Those wishing to take a taxi for a full day of fun will cost 1000-1500 MXN.
Iztapalapa (71.15km)
Ecatepec de Morelos (70.53km)
Gustavo Adolfo Madero (64.26km)
Ciudad Nezahualcoyotl (75.11km)
Mexican peso, $
BLZ, GTM, USA
39.32 MXN
100 MXN
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