8 days in Mexico Itinerary

Tailor-made for anyone seeking that traditional sun-and-sand experience, Mexico vacations allow visitors to explore nearly 10,000 km (6,200 mi) of picturesque coastlines. Idyllic beaches and favorable year-round weather aside, this diverse country with a rich pre-Colombian history allows tourists a chance to discover a fascinating cuisine, numerous archaeological sites, state-of-the-art museums, colonial-era haciendas, and outstanding examples of 21st-century architecture. Most visitors get to know the country by its cities, but if you want a well-rounded Mexico tour, spend some time exploring its jungles, cloud forests, Caribbean reefs, snowcapped volcanoes, vast deserts, and tranquil lagoons. Life is lived outdoors in Mexico, so wherever you go, don't forget to dine alfresco and stroll the country's colonial streets.

At the very center of Mexico, the tiny state of Queretaro encompasses a range of ecosystems, from arid deserts to tropical rainforests. A trip to Queretaro reveals a compact area once controlled by the powerful Aztec Empire, which now contains mostly small towns, agricultural villages, and family-run ranches. Despite its small size, this state is packed with pleasant surprises, from historically significant sites and wildlife-rich biosphere reserves, to major pre-Columbian ruins. One of the most popular places to visit in Queretaro is La Pena de Bernal, one of the world's tallest and oldest monoliths, formed by natural forces at least 60 million years ago.