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In the Mexican state of Chiapas, near the Usumacinta River about 130 km south of Ciudad del Carmen, lay the ruins of one of Mexico’s most impressive – if lesser known – Mayan sites: Palenque.

A medium-sized site, the Palenque ruins are not as vast as the much larger sites like Tikal. The settlement of Palenque remains to be fully excavated, and, as a result, historians have yet to piece together a number of details surrounding the history of the site. Still, it is able to be appertained that the settlement dates to what is known as the Early Classical period of Mayan history, in this case somewhere in the 5th century AD.

As for the broad overview of the city’s fortunes, inscriptions of monarchs have been found in temples and other areas; it is thought that Palenque survived in a habitable form for around four to five centuries, with the last monarch reigning in the early 800s.

Architecturally, scholars place Palenque ruins at a high value level. Many of the important buildings represent some of the finest carvings Mayan civilization was capable of producing. Some of the more famous examples include the Temple of Inscriptions, the Temple of the Cross, the Temple of the Sun, and the Temple of the Foliated Cross.

Photo credit: Flickr

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El Nevado de Toluca is a large volcano in central Mexico, located about 80 Kms. west of Mexico City, near the city of Toluca. It is generally cited as the 4th highest of Mexico’s peak. This volcano is 4,680 mts. above sea level. This volcano is unique in Mexico in the sense that you can enter into the crater by car.

Something characteristic that distinguishes this volcano from the others in Mexico, is the fact that in its crater, it has the sun and moon lagoons, 2 beautiful turquoise bodies of water in which there has been some archaeological discoveries of sacred pre-Hispanic ceremonies. In this two lagoons, you can practice scuba diving and fishing.

Before you get to the volcano, you will find a beautiful national park called the same as the volcano, The Nevado de Toluca National Park. This park has forest land, especially of pines and obeto trees. The prevalent animals that you can find in this park are camp rats, teporingos, tlacuaches, lizards, snakes, and eagles.

On the lower part of this mountain, there are also picnic tables and barbecue grills so many people come to this place not only to hike the peak but also to camp or just have a family picnic.

when it comes to sports, let me tell you that countless of sport activities can be practiced here like camping, trekking, mountain biking, and mountain climbing among others. For its beautiful and challenging landscape, this park has been one of the favorite places for high performance athletes that visit this place to train before Olympic and national competitions.

This national park has several refuges and lots of security and it is open to the public all year, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.

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Mexico is a land of Mountains and Volcanoes. North from Mexico City is the Popo-izta National Park. In this park two of the most beautiful volcanoes are located, the second and third highest peaks in Mexico, theIztaccihuatl (5,386 mts) and the Popocatepetl (5,542 mts). Seventy-four percent of the visitors engage in mountaineering. Eco-tourism activity consisting of botanical study and bird watching

Currently is not permitted to climb the Popocatepetl due to its recent activity, a dormant volcano that showed signs of awakening in recent years. However, it is possible to climb the Iztaccihualt and enjoy the stunning views from its peak.

Popocatepetl also know as Don Gollo, is the second peak in Mexico and it is one of the most active volcanoes in Mexico. The Iztaccihuatl is the third highest mountain in Mexico . Its name in Nahuatl is “The White Woman”. The mountain has four peaks, the highest of which is 5,230m above sea level. Together, the peaks are seen as depicting the head, chest, knees, and feet of a sleeping female figure, which is visible from either the east or the west.

There is an ancient Legend about The Popocatepetl and the Iztaccihuatl. In the Aztec Mythology, Popocatepetl was a warrior who loved Iztaccihuatl who was a princess who fell in love with him. Her father sent him to a war in Oaxaca City, promising him his daughter as his wife if he returned. Iztaccihuatl was told that his lover was dead and she died of grief. When Popocatepetl returned, he in turn died of grief over losing her. According to the legend, the gods covered them with snow and changed them into mountains. Iztaccihuatl’s mountain is called “The Sleeping woman” because it resembles a woman sleeping on her back, and its often covered with snow, as for the warrior, he became the volcano Popocatepetl.

Many people like to visit the national park and hike to the top of the Iztaccihuatl. The park is easily accessed by car and so many visitors like to bring the entire family and camp or just have a picnic. If you are an experience hiker, you will really enjoy going to the top and have a stunning view of the nearby towns as well as the other Volcano, the Popocatepetl.

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Uxmal is said to be the most attractive of the Archaeological sites, and an essential part of any visit to the Archaeological sites of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. Uxmal is located about 40 miles southwest of Merida and about 250 miles southwest of Cancun and it is found in the middle of the jungle.

Uxmal is a delightful Archaeological site to experience the rich green fertile land which provides a perfect setting for some of the most magnificent ancient pyramids, buildings and temples of the ancient world. You can sense the history here as you walk around and gaze at the stunning architecture and majestic of this ancient city.

Some of the key attractions that you are going to find are: The 120-foot high Magician’s Pyramid which stands majestically above the other buildings, and a climb to its top will reward you with spectacular views of the entire half-square mile ancient city. The Governor’s Palace is where you can admire the 300 foot-long facade which is considered by one scholar as the finest structure in Uxmal.

Other attractions include The Juego the Pelota (Game Court) which is nowhere near as large or impressive as the one in Chichen- Itza, the House of the Turtles one of the smallest buildings, but quaint and interesting all the same and The Great Pyramid.

Remember Uxmal is in the middle of the jungle so don’t forget a hat, water, insect repellent and suntan lotion as well as your camera to take nice pictures.

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Every Fall, hundreds of millions of Monarch Butterflies from East of the Rocky Mountains head south from Canada and The United States to take refuge in one winter retreat. This place is a unique Mexican forest located 70 miles west of Mexico city.

Monarch butterfly sanctuaries were established in the Mexican state of Michoacan. The mountains in this state are covered with coniferous forests consisting mainly of pines with a large portion of oaks, making this mountains a perfect place for the butterflies to live during the winter season.

The butterfly season starts in December and ends in April. The peak population is in March, as the new butterflies prepare for their journey north.

The monarch butterfly migration is an amazing feat; an annual exhausting journey, covering more than 3,000 miles. Once the Monarchs reach their destination, they can literally cover the trees with their orange and black wings for the next six months. They rest and recharge in preparation for their migration back north in the spring.

If you are a nature lover and like butterflies, this is the perfect place for you. the scenery in this forest is really beautiful and you are guaranteed to have a very peaceful and relaxing time in company of your family or friends.

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