Mexico is a great country. Almost four times the size of France. Nearly 3 500 km as the crow flies from the furthest point north and south Cancún. Countries in transition from North America and Central America is the Isthmus of Tehuantepec (225 km wide) that marks the junction.
Two huge mountain ranges cross the country from north to south: the Sierra Madre Occidental, Pacific Coast, and the Sierra Madre Oriental, near Atlantic.Between the two backbones: the highlands, the so-called central plateau (altiplano), whose altitudes vary between 1000 and 3000 m and houses the two largest cities: Mexico City and Guadalajara.
The traveler then continues to climb and descend, leaving his shirt and put it back as microclimate and temperature fluctuations. Mexico is really a land of mountains and forests. Between Tepic and Veracruz, is a barrier to surround the volcanic plateau. They are among the highest peaks of the country like the volcano Popocatepetl (5452 m) or Pico de Orizaba (5700 m) peaks covered with snow. Practical conclusion: Never forget that half of Mexico is more than 1500 m above sea level.
For heat and tropical vegetation, we must descend to the tierra caliente, the “hot lands” on both coasts. The ribs have the main resorts of the country. The beaches are beautiful and extensive, but battered by huge waves. The Atlantic coast, with its white sandy beaches, is less developed. To find turquoise water and white sand, it is down to the Yucatan Peninsula, bordered by the Caribbean Sea.
After the Isthmus of Tehuantepec begin the Sierra Madre of Chiapas and its tropical forest and the Yucatan Peninsula.
As for the desert areas, with rock and cactus, you’ll find them mainly in the north (states of Sonora and Chihuahua), in Baja California or even in the west (Jalisco). In the dry season (eight months in the year), the whole country is arid and semi-desert.
Climate
In general, we consider that the right period extends from October to April, that is to say during the dry season. The sun, but not too hot, almost no rain and no crowds. But during the winter months, you should know it’s cold when the sun sets in the cities at high altitude.
In addition, from December to February, the weather is often cloudy in the Caribbean and then in the Yucatan, then it may rain. Moreover, the descent from the north winds, the norte, can make chilly evenings frankly: accordingly, provide wool and a rain cape.
On the coast of the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico, the months of September and October are prone to hurricanes: a powerful whirlpool, home of winds (118 km / h at least to receive the designation of origin cyclone .. .) heavy rains, impressive waves.
Daily life during the Easter holidays (Holy Week) is disturbed: closed banks, hotels and transportation complete. This is the best time to visit the capital city is empty.
Other difficult periods for travel and reservations: Christmas, bridges of May and the Day of the Dead.
