Holidays in Mexico conjure up images of delicious spicy food, mariachi bands, beautiful beaches and Mayan ruins like the one at Chichen Itza. Mexico is one of only a handful of countries that are megadiverse, with a whole variety of landscapes from desert to mountains to coral reefs so it's an ecotourism hotspot, with places like Cozumel in Cancun off the Yucatan Peninsula is one of the best dive sites in the world. Visit the thronging cities of Mexico City or Guanajuato, party at the Dias des los Muertos festival in Oaxaca, or seek out the Aztec city of Teotihuacan.
If you're heading to one of the cities, and especially if you're heading to Mexico City, you'll want to plan your itinerary before you book your hotel in Mexico. With such vast regions, driving is impossible so the more you can plan to keep close to your hotel the easier it is. There is some public transport available, with Mexico City boasting a metro, a rarity in the country. There and elsewhere, buses come in two types, the large public buses and the smaller mini-bus style, and neither normally have defined routes so it's not for the faint hearted! Taxis are plentiful but as always make sure the meter is used or you arrange your fare before travel.
If you're travelling around more of the country, or heading to a smaller destination then getting your hands on cheap Mexico car hire is a good way to get around. Local drivers can be erratic, but if you're planning on seeing some of the vast interior or just want to seek out some more of the country's stunning beaches then it's the best way to do this.
Cheap holidays to Mexico start with getting your hands on a cheap flight to Mexico. Since it's such a diverse country, there is no particular tourist season, so it's best to look out for sales or book well ahead if you want to save the pounds on getting there. Cancun is Mexico's party centre, particularly popular with American tourists during "Spring Break" so this is a time you might want to avoid, and if you want to visit for any of the festivals, such as the Dias des los Muertos, you'll have to get organised especially early.
But the savings needn't stop there! If you're heading off on a beach holiday in Mexico then keep your eyes peeled for some great flight, hotel and food offers. Go all-inclusive if you just want to relax on the beach, or think about half board if you want to try some of the local restaurants or perhaps some of the street tamales (a corn dough snack filled with cheese, meat or vegetables). If you're going on an ecotourism holiday to Mexico then check your deal carefully to see how many expeditions you get in the price, and unless you're off to a city, look for cheap Mexico car hire so you can explore more of this beautiful country. There are great deals to be had for early bookers so there's no excuse just to stay on your sunlounger all day - especially when you can even get a vehicle delivered to your hotel!
Updated 15th May 2013
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