With young US tourists, Mexico is most known for its party capital Cancun, which students flock to every spring break in search of fun and frolics. But Mexico City should not be over looked as it plenty to offer to adventurous and laid back tourist alike.

Mexico is simply a traveller's paradise. It has it all, from desert landscapes, densely populated vibrant cities, warm sandy beaches and colonial towns with impressive architecture, stuck in a bygone age.

Traditions and culture

Covering almost two million square kilometres, Mexico is the fifth-largest country in the Americas and has an estimated population of 109 million. It is the world's 11th most populous country and most populous Spanish-speaking country in the world.

Mexican cuisine is famous for its intense and varied flavours, colourful presentation and smorgasbord of herbs and spices. Most of today's Mexican food is based on pre-Hispanic traditions, including that of the ancient Aztecs and Maya, combined with culinary trends introduced by the later arrival of Spanish colonists.

The most international recognised Mexican dishes include tacos, quesadillas, enchiladas and mole. In terms of regional dishes, tourists visiting Puebla can expect to enjoy delicacies such as mole poblano, chiles en nogada and chalupoas.

In Monterrey, cabrito and machaca are popular, cochinita pibil from Yucatan and barbacoa, chilaquiles and milanesas from Oaxaca.

Generally speaking, Mexican culture reflects its varied history and blends its pre-Hispanic roots with the culture of Spain, which was infused into the nation's cultural fabric during Spain's 300-year colonisation of Mexico.

Strong elements of American culture are also apparent in Mexico, because of its proximity to the US. US influences are also evident its some foods available - most notably in Tex-Mex, a favourite of George Bush, which combines elements of Texan and Mexican cuisine.

Recommended

The intriguing archaeological zone of Teotihuacan comes highly recommended to those interested in the history of Mexico.

Lying in a mountain-ringed offshoot of the Valle de Mexico, Teotihuacan was Mexico's biggest ancient city and the capital of what was probably the country's largest pre-Hispanic empire

The site's main attraction is the famous Avenue of the Dead, a monumental thoroughfare lined with the former palaces of Teotihuacan's ruling class. To its south are the pyramids of La Ciudadela, believed to have been the residence of the city's supreme ruler. Enclosed within the citadel's walls is the Quetzalcoatl Temple, with its impressive serpent carvings.

Weather

Mexico can be enjoyed all year-round, but October to May is the most pleasant time to visit. The period between May and September can be hot and humid, particularly in the south and inland temperatures can approach freezing from December February.

Facilities are often over-subscribed during Semana Santa (the week before Easter) and Christmas and New Year, the peak domestic travel periods.

Destination checklist

Mexico spans four different time zones, which are six, seven and eight hours behind GMT, respectively.

The currency in use in the Mexican Peso. The most convenient form of money in Mexico is a major international credit card or debit card for travellers are likely to be able to use their home credit card while there.

The international dialling code is +52.