MEXICO PLACES

Places to explore in Mexico 

Suggestions from  InternetWorks Teach English Mexico Program

Mexico City One of the largest cities in the world, Mexico City can be an exciting place to live and teach. Although it is one of the more expensive places to live in Mexico, teachers’ salaries are the highest here. Most of the country’s business takes place here. You will find such international companies as Good Year, Coca-Cola, IBM, Hewlett Packard, Aetna Insurance, and many others. If you decide that this is the place where you want to teach, you could find yourself teaching high end executives at one of the above mentioned companies.

It is easy to get around in Mexico City. There are plenty of buses and a very clean metro/train that can take you from one end of the city to the other in about 25 minutes. There are over 30 museums here and a short bus ride will take you to some of the world’s most famous pyramids. Just 45 minutes south of the city, you can ride through the canals and islands of Xochimilco. Some language centers in Mexico City are currently paying as high as $12 an hour.

Guadalajara "The Pearl of the West" is the affectionate name the local residents have for Mexico's second largest city. If you want to teach in a large city with a small town atmosphere, Guadalajara is a great choice. You will find fantastic plazas, courtyards, and cathedrals. Bring a good pair of walking shoes because there is a lot to do, and you can see almost everything on foot. Located in the west-central part of the country in the state of Jalisco, the beautiful colonial city of Guadalajara sits on a high plateau more than 5,000 feet above sea level. The city was founded in 1542 by the Spanish conquistador, Nuno de Guzman. Even today, the downtown area of Guadalajara is filled with charming colonial buildings dating from the 1600’s.  You will experience "Spring-like" weather here throughout the year.

Cancun   Although it can be expensive, you can live comfortably with a family in this tropical paradise. When you are not teaching, you'll want to head to the beach or visit one of the many magnificent archeological ruins. There are over 250,000 hotel rooms and more than 500,000 residents...and growing. But Cancun retains the feel of a small town - everyone knows everyone else or at least someone that does. The Hotel Zone is a thin landmass between the Caribbean Sea and the Nichupte Lagoon in which over 100 hotels sit. It is linked to the mainland by two bridges. There are many pathways for jogging, roller-blading, or strolling. Downtown is a bustling area where you can find street vendors selling everything from tacos to tapestries. There are many restaurants featuring typical Mexican cuisine. The city is divided into neighborhoods, which are called "Supermanzanas". They are numbered so that they can be easily located on a map. More than likely, you will teach locals working at one of the many hotels. They are always trying to improve their conversational skills so that they can communicate with the many English-speaking tourists. There has also been a boom in private schools from kindergarten to senior high, plus the opening of three Universities, as well as traditional language schools. Basically once you've seen the beach and sea - you won't want to leave!

San Luis Potosí This beautiful, medium-sized city has several museums and nearby historical sites, and is ideally located in proximity to many wonderful places including Real de Catorce (ghost town) and Santa Maria del Rio. The latter is a small pueblo where they make the famous rebozos (scarves) worn by royalty around the world. San Luis Potosi has many language centers at which you can work.

Toluca With a population of more than 600,000 people, there's plenty of opportunity in this principally blue-collar, conservative, industrial city. Being somewhat higher in altitude than Mexico City, the difference is quite noticeable in much cooler year-round temperatures. The city has a number of good museums and art galleries. And don't miss spending a quiet afternoon at the lovely Parque Alameda or the larger Parque de los Martires. The Aztec site of Calixtlahuaca is about a mile from the city where the temple of Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent Aztec god is thought to have been located. Excavations continue in the area. Pay for teachers is very good in Toluca! 

Xalapa is perfect if you want to live in a "greener" town. Xalapa (also spelled Jalapa) is a breathtaking city that sits on several hills in the state of Veracruz. You will be walking up and down streets as you stroll around town. There is a tree-lined, well-kept park near the government buildings that has a small cafe which overlooks the entire town. You can take it all in while sipping a delicious hot cocoa and munching on a sweet Mexican pastry. Rent in Xalapa is quite reasonable.

Campeche is located on the Gulf Coast in the Yuacatan, which is known for its friendly people. Since it is located in one of the richest archeological zones in the world, you'll be busy sightseeing. The state of Campeche is located on the southwestern side of the Yucatan Peninsula. It is bordered to the north by the state of Yucatan, to the south by the state of Tabasco and the Republic of Guatemala, to the east by the state of Quintana Roo and Belize, and to the west by the Gulf of Mexico. Campeche is rich in cultural features and sites of interest. The Mayan heritage, the era of the conquistador, and the archeological sites all add to its profound cultural legacy. Its beautiful beaches and tourist spots provide open air recreation and the enjoyment of various types of sports, principally aquatic, while the virgin tropical forests are a major ecotourism attraction.

In this destination the institute that you will be working at is world renowned for it’s magnificent colonial architecture. The school’s environment that you will be teaching in offers a unique and enchanting atmosphere that will stay with you for years to come. This is truly an unbelievable opportunity.

Ciudad Obregon Foreigners living in Ciudad Obregon find excellent housing and can send their children to bilingual schools. Several modern and updated medical facilities with bilingual doctors are available. Hunting and lake fishing are specialties at the Yaqui Valley, which features a complete range of recreational activities with guidance from well-trained experts. Jet-skiing and wave running in the city’s beautiful Lake Nainari, is practiced daily. A superb 18-hole golf course, tucked into dozens of huge 70-year old Indian laurel trees and a modern racquet and several athletic clubs, are popular among young executives and students. Sports and recreation are always enjoyed by the city’s young population. Add lots of fresh uncontaminated water, electric power supply, an international airport served by five airlines, the Port of Guaymas, a modern freeway to Interstate 10, a population of 410,000, and you've got fertile soil for success!

Merida, founded in 1542, is the capitol of the state of Yucatan. It is only 30km from the western part of the Gulf of Mexico. There are nearly 1.5 million inhabitants of Merida, and because of its wonderful design, it is easily explored by foot. The main square, or Zocalo, is surrounded by magnificent colonial architecture. On one side of the plaza stands the 400 year old church, Catedral de San Idelfonso. The twin spires which seem to reach toward the heavens were built from stones of a demolished Mayan temple. Don’t forget to grab a scoop of Merida’s delicious home made ice cream and listen to the serenade in the park every Thursday night. 

We have all seen flamingos at the zoo. Have you ever seen them in their natural habitat? It is only a two-hour bus ride (approximately 50 miles) from Merida to this magical fishing village called Celestun, where you will find the pink flamingos at Ria Celestun Natural Park. This is a protected area set aside by the Mexican government for the flamingos and other wildlife that may be endangered.

We have already told you that Mexicans are some of the friendliest people. The Mayan people in Merida are considered to be the friendliest in Mexico. (NOTE: If you really want to teach in Merida, it is important to apply extra early. For example, apply in early May for the following school year: August/September through May/June.)

Ciudad del Carmen is in the state of Campeche. It is a city inhabited by approximately 80,000 people. It is located on the southwest end of a 38-mile-long island. Ciudad del Carmen was first occupied by Mayan fisherman, but today is home to a prosperous oil industry (mainly PEMEX), a flourishing shipbuilding community, and expanding fish and shrimp processing plants.Ciudad del Carmen is not a typical tourist town. It does not boast a vast array of museums, although there is a small archeological museum which displays some artifacts found in the area. You can explore the docks and peruse the vast fleet of shrimp boats - one of the largest in the Mexican Gulf. On Thursday and Sunday evenings, you can stroll into the central plaza (zocalo) for free concerts. If you love fishing, then this is the destination for you! There is a large lagoon between the mainland and the island. "Laguna de Terminos" contains both fresh and salt water. This guarantees that all of your catches will be "delicioso". You can go deep sea fishing or fish in one of the many island streams where you will find majorra, corbina, and snook. Snorkeling is a favorite pastime although you won't find the clear waters of the Caribbean on the other side of the Yucatan Peninsula. Two favorite beaches are Playa Benjamin and El Playon.

Guanajuato is the capital city of the state of Guanajuato. There are approximately 100,000 residents of Guanajuato with a majority of the population under the age of 30, therefore, Guanajuato's cobble stoned streets are filled with life and activities. Guanajuato is by far one of Mexico's best kept secrets. This tranquil city is like an oasis in the middle of the desert. Its impossible terrain was developed in the 1500s with the discovery of silver rich mines. The city was one of the most important Mexican cities in the colonial era because it provided much of Spain's wealth from its mines. Being located right on the Sierra Madre Occidental mountain range, Guanajuato is a challenging city to navigate. Narrow callejon's (small streets or alley-ways) wind up and down hills all throughout the city, however, the hike up these hills is worth the effort. From the top, one can see the beautiful and preserved colonial architecture throughout the town.

Hermosillo is located in the State of Sonora, less than 250 miles from the US border. Hermosillo is a modern city of 600,000 people and offers golf courses, racquet clubs, horse racing, and an exciting night life. Located in the Sonora desert the climate is warm and the air is clean. Nearby beautiful San Carlos is located on the Sea of Cortez and has two state of the art marinas. Water sports such as sailing, skiing, fishing and diving are available. San Carlos has a "laid back" atmosphere and is a great place to relax.

Monterrey is the capital of the state of Nuevo León, it is considered one of the three most important cities in Mexico, for its great managerial and financial vigor. It is located in a valley next to the famous Cerro de la Silla ("Hill of the Saddle"). The people say that the form of this hill is not natural, but instead it was made by a local businessman who lost a coin in the top of the hill, and started digging until he found it. You may take a walk in the Macro Square (Macro Plaza), an appropriate name for one of the largest public squares in the world. It spans 40 hectares extending from the Federal Palace to the monument "Homage to the Sun," created by the famous painter and sculptor Rufino Tamayo. (You will quickly learn that the people of Monterrey are constantly in search of breaking Guinness and national records!) Around this square, there are some colonial buildings, like the Palace of Government, built with pink quarry granite in a French neoclassic style. Other important points of interest are the Center Cultural Alpha, which is a part of the Museum of Science and Technology and contains a planetarium and the Pavilion of the Universe. The Museum of the Contemporary Art is also not to be missed.

Los Mochis lies on the coastal plain, inland from Topolobampo Bay on the Gulf of California. The creation of the Fuerte River irrigation district in the 1950s led to the growth of Los Mochis as an agricultural (corn [maize], cotton, sugarcane, tomatoes, and other crops and cattle and pigs) center. Among the city's industries are large sugar refineries and a cannery. Tourism is an additional economic asset; Los Mochis is a popular winter holiday resort and headquarters for fishing and hunting. It is just off the Nogales-Mexico City highway and is linked by railroad and highway to the port of Topolobampo. The city also has an airport. Pop. (1990) 162,659. The wide and clean streets of Los Mochis city are lined with attractions. Downtown you can stroll through the thickly forested Sinaloa Park which has a golf course, several hotels and excellent restaurants which specialize in meat and seafood dishes.

Oaxaca has peaks almost 10,000 feet (more than 3,000 meters) high, caverns among the deepest in the world, virgin beaches, hidden jungles, and luminous valleys that house populations where, as a crucible, cultures of all people who once lived in its midst came together. Oaxaca is one of the most diverse states in Mexico. Oaxaca City, the State Capital, owes its fame to the beauty and harmony of its architecture, the richness of its cultural traditions, the wide variety of its typical foods, and its soft temperate climate, spring-like throughout the year. Its name comes from Huaxyácal (the apex of the guajes, a variety of acacia, of Huaxín, guajes, and yacatl, summit). The Aztecs applied the name to the summit where they built a fortress in 1486. At arrival, the Spaniards founded, next to the old fort, the new Villa de Antequera, and a few years later, returned to the old Aztec fortress to erect, in the same guaje summit, a city that, in 1529 would be founded, built, and peopled as Villa de Oaxaca.

Metepec is located only 7 km from Toluca via federal highway 55. Monday is the Tianguis day. Among its main attractions are The Little Square and The Franciscan Convent, built in the XIX century. On May 15th, locals and tourists celebrate at the San Isidro Labrador Fair with the traditional promenade of the crazy. Only 7 km from Metepc is the Zoo of Zacango, created in a former Hacienda of the XVI century, it has more than 200 species of animals from the entire world. There is also a museum and a small lake. Metepec has 9 public libraries. There are 30 soccer fields, 15 baseball diamonds, and 15 volleyball courts, as well as many tennis courts.

Irapuato city, west-central Guanajuato estado ("state"), north-central Mexico. Situated in the fertile Bajío, a valley of the central plateau, the city lies along the Irapuato River, a tributary of the Lerma River, at 5,656 feet (1,724 m) above sea level. It is south-southwest of Guanajuato city, the state capital.Irapuato was founded in 1547; an Indian hospital and chapel (La Misericordia) were later built there. The population was active in Mexico's colonial and revolutionary wars. Using irrigation waters from the upper Lerma River, Irapuato is an important agricultural and livestock-raising center and is the state's second largest city. It is famed for its strawberries; corn (maize), wheat, beans, and chick-peas also thrive in the cool, dry climate, and cattle and pigs are raised. A branch railroad line and road join the main Mexico City-Ciudad Juárez railroad and highway at Irapuato. Pop. (1980) 170,138.

Cuautla Being primarily a weekend "getaway" for affluent and middle-class Mexicans, foreign national tourists are in short supply. Cuautla's charms was one of Mexico's best-kept secrets. But the word is getting out. As a result, the English language teaching business is on the upswing, much to your benefit. Cuautla is the second most important city in the state of Morelos. It's a beautiful city where visitors enjoy the beauty of the streets, the great variety of flora, naturally-heated waters, and its rich history. Some outstanding places to visit are: the Plaza Principal, the Convent of Santo Domingo, the Municipal Palace, and the House of Jose Maria Morelos and Pavón. Agua Hedionda" means "stinking waters" and is the name of Cuautla's principal "Balneario" or more accurately, Sulphur Spring. There are several in the area where you can soak, soften and relax in the therapeutic waters that now smell only faintly of the yellow mineral. Rumor has it that Moctezuma himself languished in the sulphur springs that dot the state of Morelos, giving it the name "Hedionda". Balneario "La ONDA", Balneario "Agua Linda", Balneario "Las Tazas", Balneario "El Almela" and the Los Termas Water Park are others to try.

Orizaba city in Veracruz state, East central Mexico. It is the commercial center of a prosperous bean and sugar growing region. The development of water power has stimulated manufacturing industries, especially cotton and wool textile factories. Orizaba is a popular vacation spot. Mineral springs are nearby, and the majestic cone of Citlaltélpetl rises in the distance. It is the highest peak in Mexico and the third highest in North America. This snowcapped volcano is inactive; the last eruption occurred in 1687. The peak was first climbed in 1848. The city is also a cultural center noted for its fine-arts institute. The federal school in Orizaba houses murals by José Clemente Orozco. 

Chihuahua is the capital of the state of Chihuahua, about 1/2 million residents, around 4,500 ft. elevation, arid area, nearby mountains, served by good highways, rail, and airlines (the bus station would put many air terminals to shame), good city transportation scheme, generally well-laid out streets, lots of hotels, and lots of old churches, mainly an industrial/farming base (many maquiladora companies, e.g., Honeywell, etc). Mostly clean, busy, very few tourists unless they're on their way to Copper Canyon. Good weather, except warm in summer. 

Veracruz officially Veracruz Llave, city, eastern Mexico, on the Bay of Campeche (an arm of the Gulf of Mexico). Situated in an important petroleum-producing region, it is a major seaport and a commercial and manufacturing center. Landmarks include the massive Castillo de San Juan de Ulúa, a fortress begun by the Spanish in 1528 to guard the harbor, and the Plaza de la Constitución, the city's main square since colonial times. A technological institute is here. The site of Veracruz was first settled in 1519 by the Spanish, who subsequently abandoned the area; the city was permanently established by them about 1600. It was captured by United States forces in 1847, during the Mexican War. The French occupied Veracruz in the 1860s, and the United States landed troops here for a short time in 1914. Population (1995) 425,140.

Cuernavaca is the capital and largest city in the state of Morelos (population 750,000). Due to its temperate year round climate (average temperature is about 70 degrees F.), prevailing sunshine, and abundance of flowering plants, it has been a popular vacation spot for centuries. Many affluent Mexico City residents have weekend houses in Cuernavaca (Mexico City is only 1 hour away by car or bus). The city really does deserve its nickname, "City of Eternal Spring" - most of the year it feels like a perfect day in May in the northeast U.S. It gets hot and humid, however, in the summer, although not as hot as on the coast. Cuernavaca is big enough to offer plenty of things to do, but not too big to be as crowded as Mexico City.

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