A TRAVEL TO 16 STATES IN MEXICO
A TRAVEL TO 16 STATES IN MEXICO, it’s a surprise to utmost people that the country of Mexico is officially known as the United Mexican States, and this is because there are 32 countries in Mexico, each free to govern themselves in internal affairs. Each Mexican state has its own unique lodestones , from the comeuppance of Baja California to the tropical rainforests of Chiapas, the vibrant megalopolis of Mexico City to the tranquil townlets of Oaxaca.
AN A TO Z OF MEXICAN STATES
1- AGUASCALIENTES
Does the name give it away?
Aguascalientes, which means ‘hot waters’, is situated in central Mexico and gets its name because of the large number of hot springs that can be found throughout the state.
The Sierra Fria Nature Reserve is one of the state’s top natural attractions with gorges and pine forests where you can go camping, hiking, sports fishing and see wild animals like pumas, deer and boar.
2- BAJA CALIFORNIA
Just across the border from California, the state of Baja California makes up the northern half of the Baja California peninsula.
This state receives a lot of visitors because of its proximity to the United States.
Popular spots in the state include Mexicali, the state capital, which receives many day-trippers from California just across the border.
Rosarito Beach is a resort town known for its wild nightlife and San Felipe is another resort town where the tides can recede by over a mile (2 km).
If you enjoy living on the edge, don’t miss Guadalupe Island, where you can go on a diving excursion to see Great White sharks.
3- BAJA CALIFORNIA SUR
On the Baja California peninsula in north-western Mexico lies the state of Baja California Sur.
This state is surrounded by water on three sides, and these waters are some of the richest in the world, drawing tourists to Baja California Sur each year.
Baja California Sur is recognised as one of the most important sport fishing destinations globally.
The main attractions are the beaches, of course, and most visitors stay in the resort towns of Los Cabos at the very southern tip of the peninsula or in the state capital of La Paz on the eastern side of the state.
There are many water sports activities here, including swimming with whale sharks, whale-watching and scuba diving. Camel safaris are also very popular.
If you love diving, don’t miss Cabo Pulmo National Park, nicknamed the ‘Aquarium of the World’.
4- CAMPECHE
The state of Campeche is located in southeastern Mexico and borders the Gulf of Mexico on its west coast.
Campeche is rich in Mayan ruins and colonial sites. History aficionados will love exploring its cities and jungles.
For a journey into Campeche’s colonial past, the state capital of the same name, Campeche has a typically colonial and fortified centre.
If you’re curious about the Mayans, the ruins at Calakmul are great for an adventure, lost deep in the jungles on Mexico’s border with Guatemala and full of amazing flora and fauna due to the state’s humid and rainforest climate.
5- COAHUILA
Located in northern Mexico, the state of Coahuila may be off the traditional tourist path but this does not mean it’s not worth a visit.
The semi-desert climate of the state is perfect for outdoor activities and will appeal to more adventurous traveller types.
One of Coahuilia’s highlights is the town of Cuatrociénegas which has its own unique ecosystem of aquamarine pools with over 150 different endemic plant and animal species found nowhere else on earth.
To appreciate the beauty of the desert, camping at Dunas de Bilbao is another great experience this state offers.
6- COLIMA
Colima, in western Mexico, is one of the country’s smallest states, both in size and in population.
What it may lack in size, it makes up for in its abundance of colonial towns, beaches, sites of archaeological interest and wildlife.
Colima’s most famous attractions are the city of Manzanillo which borders the Pacific Coast and has lovely beaches, and that state’s capital city, also Colima, which is one of the oldest cities in Mexico.
Colima has been attracting fishermen for decades due to its reputation as the ‘World Capital of Sailfish’ with 336 species found along its shores.
7- CHIAPAS
As far south as you can go in Mexico lies the state of Chiapas.
Despite its size, this state has seven distinct geographical regions, and its biodiversity is one of the main draws for visiting Chiapas.
Alongside its biodiversity, Chiapas has a rich cultural history with many Mayan ruins and colonial towns to appreciate.
Several tourist routes are mapped out in the state, such as the Maya Route along Mexico’s border with Guatemala through the Lacandon Jungle and the well-known Palenque ruins.
The ruins have some of the finest sculptures and architecture from the Mayan era.
8- CHIHUAHUA
In central-northern Mexico, the state of Chihuahua is the largest of Mexico’s states.
You’ve probably heard of the dog that goes by the same name because the dog breed, ‘chihuahua,’ was first noted here in the 19th century.
The state of Chihuahua doesn’t get its name from our furry friend, though but from the Chihuahuan Desert, which covers a large portion of the state.
As one of Mexico’s most diverse states geographically, with mountains, valleys, rivers and forests, adventurers from all over the world are drawn to Chihuahua.
Hiking, kayaking, rock climbing, hunting and camping are just some of the adventures you can embark on.
Chihuahua’s biggest attraction is undoubtedly the Copper Canyon which is deeper than the Grand Canyon in the USA and can be appreciated aboard the Chepe Express, a railway that passes through the majestic landscape.
9- DURANGO
Mountainous Durango in north-western Mexico is a rural and sparsely populated state and one often associated with the wild frontier.
One of the most popular attractions for visitors to Durango is the capital city itself, Victoria de Durango, which was declared a national monument because of its rich colonial architectural heritage.
Thanks to the many thermal springs found here, it’s also considered a health resort.
For a real adventure, check out the deepest canyon system in North America, La Quebrada.
Beware of scorpions!
They are very common in Durango, so much so that even the football team are called the Scorpions.
10- GUANAJUATO
Guanajuato is one of the central states in Mexico, and this central location has played an important role in Mexico’s history.
The state’s three most-visited attractions include are the cities of Guanajuato, San Miguel de Allende and Dolores Hidalgo.
Guanajuato City is the state capital, and this very artsy city is unique for its subterranean streets, which you can explore on a city tour.
San Miguel de Allende, with its eternal spring climate and Neo-Gothic cathedral, is popular with ex-pats and played an important role in Mexico’s independence, but not more so than the city of Dolores Hidalgo where the fight for independence broke out in 1810.
11- GUERRERO
The state of Guerrero is located in southern Mexico, bordering the Pacific Ocean.
Guerrero is a popular tourist destination.
Its three main cities that draw visitors are referred to as the Triangle of the Sun and include the cities of Acapulco, Zihuatanejo and Taxco.
Acapulco was once an important port city and getaway beach resort for the famous and elite.
Today, Acapulco draws crowds for its nightlife and beaches. It’s a popular cruise ship port.
Zihuatanejo has a more traditional vibe and is a popular destination for sports fishing, while Taxco has been declared a national monument because of the numerous historical buildings left over from when Taxco was an important mining town.
12- HIDALGO
In east-central Mexico, the state of Hidalgo is quite small.
Despite its size, it has a thriving tourism industry thanks to its many archaeological sites and mountainous landscape, which is perfect for extreme sports.
The Corridor Tulancingo has it all for sports lovers, with sports activities involving all four elements.
Away from the mountains, the Toltec warrior statues at the archaeological site of Tula are a particular draw, as are the ruins at Huapalcalco.
For those looking for a relaxing vacation, Hidalgo ranks second in Mexico for its number of hot springs, reaching as high as 80°C (176 °F).
13- JALISCO
Jalisco, in central-western Mexico, is one of Mexico’s major economic centres, so much so that Jalisco’s slogan is ‘Jalisco es Mexico!’ which translates as ‘Jalisco is Mexico!’
It’s not just its economy either, much of Mexico’s culture originates in Jalisco, with mariachi, ranchera music, birria and tequila all originating from this state.
Because of its border with the Pacific Ocean, Jalisco offers visitors many beach resorts and outdoor activities.
The most important tourist area in Jalisco are Puerto Vallarta, a busy beach resort town surrounded by lush jungle popular for its dolphin watching tours.
Lake Chapala is Mexico’s largest freshwater lake which is very popular with ex-pats and the town of Tequila has large swathes of agave fields where the famous drink, named after the town, originated.
14- MÉXICO
The state of Mexico surrounds the nation’s capital Mexico City on three sides and has the highest population and population density in the country due to the spillover from Mexico City.
Two impressive attractions of this state include the magnificent ancient city ruins of Teotihuacan with its two massive climbable pyramids, the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon. A popular activity is to ride in a hot air balloon over the ruins.
The state’s natural iconic feature is the Nevado de Toluca National Park, located just south of the state’s capital, Toluca, where you can find the snowcapped volcano, Nevado de Toluca is the fourth-highest peak in Mexico and has two lakes at its summit.
15- MÉXICO CITY
Mexico’s largest and capital city, Mexico City, is treated as its own state.
It is the oldest capital in the Americas, built on the razed remains of the ancient Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan and today, it is the sixth-largest city in the world.
Mexico City is brimming with museums, art galleries and concert halls, so visitors will always have something to do.
One of Mexico City’s most visited attractions is the sprawling Chapultepec Park, which has its own castle and houses one of the most impressive museums in the city: the National Museum of Anthropology (you can see the Aztec Calendar stone here).
Other popular attractions are the Templo Mayor, the main temple in the ancient capital of Tenochtitlan, and Mexico City’s historic centre, which has around 1400 buildings from the 16th to the 19th century and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
16- MICHOACÁN
The ‘soul of Mexico’ is known for its heritage; the state of Michoacan is located in western Mexico and borders the Pacific Ocean on one side.
Michoacan is home to Mexico’s largest lake, Lake Chapala, and the volcano Paricutin which only formed in 1943.
It has been named one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World because mankind watched its rapid formation.
Both of these attractions are certainly worth a visit.
Michoacan is also known for its lively Day of the Dead festivities, which take place on the island of Janitzio and in Patzuaro, the capital of the ancient Purépecha Empire.