Top 4 Spectacular Travel Places in Mexico

Acapulco

Acapulco is basically known as the spring break destination and a fulfilling getaway for people seeking to suppress all signs of stress for a couple of days. And the place isn’t just a playground for pre-adults since it has long thought to be the number one spot for honeymooners in the entire world. So whether you like to dance the night away or take long walks on the beach, this undeniably wonderful place has a lot to offer its travelers aside from its lovely beaches. For instance, palm trees and an assortment of flora and fauna bound Coyuca Lagoon, which is an awesome fresh water lagoon. A group of professional skydivers, the famed La Quebrada Cliff Divers show off breathtaking stunts (they will dive 45 meters from the cliffs into the sea) to the public on a daily basis including fascinating night shows. With regards to nightlife, the perfect place to go is La Costera, which is a street in Acapulco filled with a variety of pubs and clubs where you can enjoy a club-to-club hopping without the hassles of traveling extended distances. Frequently visited clubs include a Disco Beach (highlight is a dance floor directly next to the Condesa beach), Barbarroja (a pirate ship shaped club) and Andromedas (featuring a real mermaid in a tank by the wall). If you want to be spellbound by the beautiful piece of greenery of the Acapulco Botanical Gardens, visit the picturesque place located in the Southern Sierra Madre Mountains. The unique star shaped design of The Fort of San Diego attracts a steady flow of visitors while those who are interested to visit the Acapulco History Museum, which is housed just within the Fort, will surely be satisfied with its various collections.

Guadalajara

Guadalajara, located in west central Mexico, is the second largest next to Mexico City in terms of population. This city is a combination of European culture with modern architecture and infrastructure. If you’d like to give art a second thought, you need to visit El Instituto Cultural Cabañas (Cabañas Cultural Institute). It is a world heritage site that was formerly an orphanage but now serves as the city’s cultural institute offering classes in arts and houses Jose Clemente Orozco’s outstanding murals. If you want to ponder the many spooky legends, visit El Panteon de Belen (Bethlehem Cemetery), which is an old and beautiful cemetery. The once crashed beautiful towers during an earthquake, Catedral de Guadalajara (The Guadalajara Cathedral) was scrupulously rebuilt to govern the skyline of downtown Guadalajara, is a spectacular site you can’t afford to miss. Since Rotonda de Los Jaliscienses Ilustres (Rotunda of Illustrious Men and Women) is located right in the heart of downtown and right next to the Cathedral, it is a great place to sit and observe all the events of the city.

Cancun

Located on the Yucatan Channel that separates Mexico from the island of Cuba in the Greater Antilles, Cancun, also referred to as Mexican Caribbean, is a coastal city in Mexico’s easternmost state. The city is a downright blend of history and nature. This place is called paradise on Earth, mainly because of the turquoise blue sea and the complex jungle, supplemented by some of the most superb white sand covering all together combined. From fine dining (high quality foods prepared by the world’s most famous chefs) to great nightlife pleasure (large discotheques that are extremely alive and attractive), Cancun has everything to offer not to mention relaxing places like jazz and piano bars. Some of the most attractive resorts located in this city are the following: Hilton Golf & Spa Resort, Riu Palace Las Americas, JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa and La Blanc Spa Resort.

Cozumel

Cozumel is the largest island of Mexico located off the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula. Aside from the beautiful white sandy beaches that surround the island and the nearly ideal all-year-round vacation weather, there is something more that keeps travelers from coming back time and time again. Cozumel is identified to be the paradise of scuba divers since it contains fantastic diving spots and well-taken cared of underwater scenery, which comprises of an amazing marine life, abundant coral reef, crystal clear waters and brightly painted fishes. The most well known spots for scuba are Santa Rosa, Palancar and Punta Sur. Furthermore, Cozumel is an abode to a system of underground rivers aside from its magnificent beaches and ocean waters. San Gervacio, one of the lesser known but still a fascinating site that was once a place of worship of Mayan women to adore the goddess of fertility, Ixchel, has been turned into a beautiful park.

The Mexican Economy

Mexico is a North American country, bordering the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea between the US and Belize, and bordering the North Pacific Ocean between the US and Guatemala. With a total land area of 1,923,040 square kilometers, Mexico is home to more than a hundred million residents (106,535,000) in 2006 population survey.

Mexico’s geographical terrain is characterized by rugged, high mountains; high plateaus; low coastal plains; and deserts. Its climate varies from desert to tropical year round. Mexico is gifted with high value minerals and natural resources like petroleum, copper, silver, gold, zinc, lead, timber, and natural gas. Its location in the border south of the US is considered strategic in world trade and economic activities.

The Mexican Economy ranks from 11^th to 13^th among world’s largest economy. The Mexico City the country’s capital also ranks 3^rd among world’s largest metropolis with Tokyo of Japan and New York of the US leading the list.

Since the dreaded 1994 crisis, Mexico developed and improved its macroeconomic fundamental resulting to a boost in the economy and an unprecedented stability. Its attained macroeconomic stability enables low interest and inflation rates, increased per capita income. The economy holds rapidly-developing industrial and service sector and a robust import-export business. Based on Forbes Global 2000 lists of 2008, 16 companies among the world’s largest companies were from Mexico.

Economic Sectors

The Export industry is the most profitable sector in the Mexican Economy. Mexican Exports represent a quarter or more of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The Mexican Trade policy is an open market and is considered as among the most open in the world. The Mexican government forged free trade treatises and agreements with more than 40 countries like Canada, the European Union, and notably the United States. Most exported products are cars, petroleum, and electronics with the bulk of these exports (82%) goes to the US.

Tourism, ever since the 1960’s played a major part in the Mexican economy. Mexican tourism accounts to a considerable fraction of the country’s GDP with millions of tourist flocking to Mexico. As a matter of fact, Tourism has become the fastest growing sector in the Mexican economy and accounts for 50 billion dollar contribution to the economy.

The Manufacturing sector also contributes a major part of the Mexican Economy. With estimated 18% GDP contribution, this sector is mostly involved in ship building, steel, chemicals, textiles, and electronic components.

Agriculture is also a sector to reckon in Mexican economy. Although this sector accounted for a measly 3.7% of the country’s GDP as of 2008, it provides 14% of total employment in the country. With an arable area only 13% of the country’s land area, Mexico boast of its revenue generating crops like tomatoes, sugarcane, corn, dry beans, coffee beans, and avocados. Significant revenue is also generated from beef, pork, poultry, and dairy production.

The Oil sector is also a sector to beat, with its revenue constituting a third in the total Mexican revenues. As of 2007, Mexico ranks eight-largest crude exporter in the world and third-largest oil supplier to the US. The Mexican Government holds the monopoly in oil exploration, production, marketing, and transportation through the state-owned PEMEX oil company.

Recent Economic Problems

Just recently this year (early 2009), the Economic crisis in the US escalated to a more serious World scale crisis affecting not only the US but other big economies like Japan and Europe, as well as most of the world. With the US – Mexico’s biggest export partner, undergoing recession, Mexico experiences a decline in export revenue that greatly affects the total GDP. With the US predicted to start rebounding soon, the Mexican government is hopeful that businesses will soon go back to normal.

In addition to the Global financial crunch, the Tourism industry is suffering setbacks caused by the H1N1 flu pandemic and political unrest. Tourist had been distrustful in visiting Mexico with reported violence on the rise which accounted for 11,000 people killed in this violence since the December 2006 election.

Amidst these problems the Mexican Government sees optimism with some propose measures for labor and tax reforms and new energy policy on the works. Mexico will rebound again, that is for sure.