Marvellous  Mexico holidays

The country’s cosmopolitan and cultured capital, Mexico City’s modern life is interwoven with glimpses of ancient civilisations, powered by an energy that’s all its own. As you explore this sprawling city with its eye-catching architecture, our Mexico escorted tours let you discover the Aztec Tenochtitlán ruins, as well as the Zocalo, the heart of the city, with its bustling main plaza and imposing Metropolitan cathedral. Discover more about the country’s major pre-Columbian cultures at the Museo Nacional de Antropología where the impressive exhibits will introduce you to Mexico’s fascinating past, then sip margaritas to the sound of mariachi beats.

One of the most important Aztec sites in Mexico, Teotihuacan is also one of the most impressive. Covering eight square miles at its peak, the vast UNESCO-listed site was once one of the largest and most influential cities in the world. Home to the imposing 66-metre-high Pyramid of the Sun, you can gaze out at the astonishing views after climbing to the top, before walking the Avenue of the Dead which leads to the Pyramid of the Moon and the Temple of Quetzalcoatl. Discover more about this lost civilisation, and stories from the mystical city as you go.

Probably the most famous Maya site in the whole country, no Mexico tours are complete without a visit to the spectacular Chichén Itzá, dating back to 850AD. At its heart, the imposing El Castillo pyramid, also known as the Temple of Kukulcan, towers above the sun-drenched grass. But that’s only the start of the intriguing remains, from the Temple of Warriors to the Wall of Skulls, Maya ball court and the 22m-deep Sacred Cenote, a well where over 50 skeletons have been found.

One of the most enticing destinations on any Mexico touring holidays if you’re looking to learn about culture and history, Oaxaca is best known for its food, its mezcal and its impressive Day of the Dead celebrations. But there’s plenty to discover year-round, as you stroll the attractive historic city streets, past buildings bursting with colonial charm and through markets packed with traditional crafts and silver jewellery. A visit to Monte Alban is unmissable, the city’s most important archaeological site dates back around 2,500 years, with the chance to explore the ruins and tombs on its mountaintop location.

Often overlooked as a destination on Mexico holidays, Puebla is a UNESCO World Heritage site in its own right, and famous for its food, colourful colonial architecture and equally vibrant pottery. Founded in 1531, Puebla is also one of the oldest cities in Mexico, celebrated for its Spanish Talavera tiles as well as for some of the country’s best-known traditional foods, including mole poblano and chiles en nogada. As you explore the historic centre on our Mexico escorted tours, you’ll learn about the battle of Cinco de Mayo, which saw the Mexicans defeat the French.

The Mayan ruins at Palenque may not be the best known in Mexico, but they’re some of the most magical to explore, as well as being some of the best examples of this ancient people’s architecture. As howler monkeys and parrots chatter in the trees, walking through the mists into this jungle setting is one of the most memorable experiences of any Mexico tours. Reaching its peak in around AD 600-700, the city was later deserted and reclaimed by the jungle, only to be rediscovered in 1785, with the majority of the vast site still to be excavated.

This gleaming white city has been the cultural capital of the Yucatan Peninsula for over 500 years, with a beguiling blend of colonial charm and cosmopolitan style. With some of the region’s best museums, it’s a great place to visit alongside the peninsula’s major archaeological sites, including Uxmal, Kabah and the iconic Chichén Itza. People watch from the tree-lined Plaza Grande, Merida’s main square, and if your timing is right, catch the Maya light show on the side of the museum or see an ancient Maya ball game brought back to life (happily without the original human sacrifice).

This seafront town has plenty to tempt, known for its beaches, nightlife and Hollywood links, a favourite of Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton in the 60s. Set on the Pacific Coast, it’s easy to while away the hours wandering cobbled streets lined with quirky boutiques or exploring the ornate Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe church. But you’ll always be drawn back to the ocean, strolling the promenade of El Malecón dotted with sculptures and a string of bars and clubs. Offshore, there’s snorkelling in Los Arcos National Marine Park, where granite rock arches loom above clear water teeming with colourful fish.