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Overview

Self-drive culinary tour of Mexico

Combining cultural discovery with new and exciting tastes and flavors, this self-drive culinary tour of Mexico is truly one-of-a-kind. Known across the world for its rich gastronomical heritage, Mexico offers travelers a wide variety of drinks and dishes, each a refreshing blend of ingredients whose taste, odor, texture, and presentation cannot fail to delight even the most discerning palate, making this part of the word a must for anyone interested in international cuisine.

When the conquistadors settled into Mexico, original recipes and ingredients blended with those of the Old World, Asia, and Africa, creating exquisite dishes that now symbolize the country’s traditional national cuisine, including mole (a thick sauce made from a variety of peppers), chiles en nogada (stuffed chilly peppers in a white sauce with fresh nuts), pozole (a kind of stew with meat and corn), as well as a vide variety of sauces, drinks, and desserts. On this self-drive culinary tour of Mexico, you’ll get to sample all these delicious dishes – and much more – in some of the country’s best restaurants, where creative Mexican cooks will surprise and delight you with every plate they bring.

Contact Uniktour’s Mexico expert for more information on this exception self-drive culinary tour!

Itinerary

Day 1| International flight – Arrival in Mexico City
Arrival at the hotel NH Centro Historico (4-Star). In the evening, we suggest you dine at Hacienda de los Morales. The hacienda managed to maintain all its colonial charm, as you will no doubt see for yourself if you go in the evening, when the circular courtyard is lit up by torches. The food and service are always good. Dishes are very refined and typically Mexican, for example, duck in pipián sauce, and squash flower soup.
Approx. price, excl. drinks: USD 60.00 per person
Return to your hotel after your meal.

Day 2| Mexico City
Suggestions for today: Visit the Anthropology and History museum. This museum features artifacts from the Maya, Olmec, Toltec, and, of course, Aztec civilizations. It presents a comprehensive view of the cultures and peoples that have populated this country in the last 3000 years. Highlights include the famed Aztec calendar, or sun stone, a carved monolith that weighs a few tons.
We suggest you have lunch at El Candelero restaurant, on Avenue Insurgentes Sur. The main dining room is next to an open terrace with trees and a very Mexican décor. Here you can sample a coriander velouté, an essential herb in Mexican cuisine, or chicken stuffed with “huitlacoche”, a parasitic mushroom that grows on ears of corn, with a very subtle taste.
Approx. price, excl. drinks: USD 50.00 per person

Head towards the southern part of the city to visit Coyoacan , a colonial neighborhood established in the 18th and 19th centuries, which once served as the residential area for Mexico’s high society, who lived in beautiful haciendas in the countryside. When you reach Coyoacan, visit Frida Kahlo museum, located in what was once the famous artist’s home.
This evening, we suggest you dine at Dolce Patria restaurant.
This is a lively and vibrant restaurant, a fine example of a modern concept called “cantina” (bar), with the best of Mexican cuisine, prepared with a modern, refreshing twist. The owner is none other than the famous Mexican cook, Marta Ortiz Chapa.
Approx. price, excl. drinks: USD 80.00 per person
Return to your hotel after dinner.

Day 3| Mexico City
Today, we suggest you take your car to the historical city center (centro historico) and drive on the Paseo de la Reforma, which stretches for more than 32km. Visit Zocalo or Plaza de la Constituciòn, surrounded by lovely baroque buildings, including the cathedral and the national palace. The cathedral, the largest in the country, was built on the ruins of the biggest temple of the Aztec civilization. It’s an impressive example of Latin American colonial architecture. Enjoy panoramic views of Templo Mayor, an Aztec archeological site. Visit Diego Rivera’s magnificent frescoes. Head to Teotihuacan, the most important archeological site in the Mexico valley.
We suggest you enjoy lunch in a typical Mexican restaurant, such as the buffet at
Gran Teocalli.
Approx. price, excl. drinks: USD 25.00 per person

Visit the archeological site. Destroyed by fire in the 8th century AD, Teotihuacan had already been reduced to a grandiose field by the time the Aztecs discovered it. Due to its gigantic size and layout, the Aztecs attributed its construction to giants, or gods. Teotihuacan civilization reached its zenith between the 1st and 6th century AD. Its influence was so great that signs of their presence were found as far as Tikal. We also find signs of this influence in the heart of Mayan culture. The city includes three great complexes, with the “avenue of the dead” in the center.
The Pyramid of the Sun is the most important of these three constructions. More modest, the Pyramid of the Moon is located at the northern end of the avenue of the dead. Like all monuments on this site, the citadel is a testament to the architectural power of this culture, as well as their knowledge of astronomy. Return to Mexico City. Tonight, we recommend dining at Izote restaurant. “Izote” is the flower of the palm tree, also known as “yuca”. This flower is used as a common ingredient in many parts of Mexico, and is the inspiration behind this restaurant, owned by Patricia Quintana, a famous chef.
Her cuisine could be described as Mexican, but not in the traditional sense of the word: while her creations conform to the country’s culinary traditions, there is no mistaking the imagination and grace of Patricia Quintana.
Approx. price, excl. drinks: USD 80.00 per person
Return to your hotel.

Day 4| Mexico - Puebla
Leave Mexico City and head to the city of Cholula (about 2 hours on the road). For centuries, Cholula was one of the largest cities in Mesoamerica. Ideally located on the main commercial road where volcanic glass, pottery, and tropical produce were sold, this is where the biggest fairs in ancient America took place. The city reached its zenith some time in the 7th century before starting its decline. Take a look at Tlachihuatepec pyramid, also called “hand-carved mountain”, the result of one thousand years of effort by the Cholultec people. Built in honor of the gods of rain, it is one of the largest and most important pyramids in the Americas.
Continue to the nearby small villages of Santa Maria Tonantzintla and San Francisco Acatepec and visit their churches, each a magnificent example of baroque Mexican style, and then head to the city of Puebla, 12 kilometers from Cholula. Both colonial and provincial, Puebla has managed to remain one of the most Spanish cities in central Mexico. Its cold bourgeois appearance quickly melts away as you stroll on its streets and discover a popular culture where catholic zeal and eating well blend together perfectly…
Arrival at the Zocalo, or the “city of angels”, where you can gaze at some of the country’s finest examples of colonial religious architecture. Visit Palafoxiana library, founded in 1646. This library is the only one on the American continent to have preserved its original building and furniture, making it a great place to discover the European heritage left in Latin America. For lunch, we recommend Fonda Santa Clara restaurant, whose menu is a tribute to the city’s gastronomic reputation, and a great opportunity to discover the region’s “poblana” cuisine
Approx. price, excl. drinks: USD 40.00 per person

After lunch, your tour of the city continues with the cathedral and then del Rosario chapel, an architectural jewel dating back to the 18th century. On your way, you might want to pass by El Parian or the handicraft market, and you can feast your eyes on a few of the superb colonial houses.
Settle into San Leonardo Hotel (4-Star)
Tonight, we suggest you try Casona de la China Poblana for dinner. With its blend of traditional Mexican flavors and avant-garde recipes, this restaurant offers high quality cuisine. You can try the “chamorro en mole verde” (pork shank with a green mole), rabbit, or a mole-based dessert, accompanied by some “aguas frescas”, refreshing drinks that are a staple for any typical Mexican meal.
Approx. price, excl. drinks: USD 50.00 per person
Return to your hotel.

Day 5| Puebla - Oaxaca
Take the highway, heading south for about 4 hours, until you reach Hostal de la Noria hotel (4-Star).
For lunch, we suggest Asador Vasco restaurant, located at the southwest angle of the Zocalo. The Spanish influence is always present in Mexico. In this restaurant that serves Basque and Mexican cuisine, you can try the famous “huachinango à la veracruzana”, a white fish prepared with tomatoes, onions, and olives.
Approx. price, excl. drinks: USD 35.00 per person

In the afternoon, we recommend you visit the city of Oaxaca, capital of the state of the same name. Feast your eyes on the historical city center’s architecture, classified as a UNESCO world heritage site. This area includes many beautiful 19th century colonial buildings, including the cathedral, the temple, the old convent of Santo Domingo de Guzman, the Basilica de la Soledad, and Macedonio Alcala theatre. Visit the culture museum, in the old Santo Domingo convent, and marvel at the beauty of the rich ornaments found by the archeologist Alfonso Caso in tomb 7 at Monte Albán.

This evening, we recommend dinner at Casa Oaxaca, where the transparent light brings the surrounding colors to life. Subtle techniques highlight the evocative power of the aromas and flavors that are on chef Alejandro Ruiz’s fusion cuisine menu, where Mediterranean herbs are combined with oaxaqueñas. Basilica and rosemary blend perfectly with other herbs and pitiona. Plus, pomegranate, fish, seafood, game meat, and lamb may be served with grasshoppers, huitlacoche (corn mushroom), and quesillo (fresh cheese).
Approx. price, excl. drinks: USD 50.00 per person
Overnight at your hotel.

Day 6| Oaxaca
Today you start with a visit to Monte Albán. The three valleys of the Center have always been at the heart of life in Oaxaca. Construction of the site found at Monte Albán started around the 6th century BC, at a location where three valleys converge. The Zapotec civilization used it as a commercial and cultural center and managed to control all the valleys of the Centre as well as other territories in Oaxaca before the site reached its zenith, somewhere between 300 and 750 AD. This site was once home to approximately 25000 people before its abrupt decline somewhere after the year 750 AD, after which it was abandoned – as were many other Zapotec sites in the central valleys. The site is built on an artificial plateau on top of a hill overlooking the valley floor, which makes it even more impressive to behold. Among the site’s most impressive buildings is the Palace, on top of which was found a cross-shaped tomb built after the site was almost entirely abandoned.
Continue to the village of Zaashila for lunch at La Capilla restaurant. Enjoy a typical regional menu, served on long tables, with a very friendly ambiance and featuring delicious char-grilled pork chops, as well as one of the most representative soups of Oaxaca, the sopa de guía, made from squash plants.
Overnight at your hotel.

Day 7| Oaxaca - Mérida
Make your way to the airport for your flight to Mérida (via Mexico City). Transfer to hotel Casa del Balam (4-Star) upon your arrival.
Head to downtown Mérida for lunch at Los Almendros restaurant, the cathedral of traditional Yucatan cuisine, one of the country’s most renowned restaurants, partly for its wide variety of dishes, many of which display a strong Spanish influence, as well as subtle influences from other cultures that have left their mark on the peninsula. Discover the magic of Sopa de Lima (a delicious stock made from a fruit called lima, which tastes like a cross between a lemon and a grapefruit), or the exquisite blend of flavors and textures of queso relleno (gouda cheese stuffed with minced meat, grapes, almonds, capers, and olives).
Approx. price, excl. drinks: USD 40.00 per person

After lunch, visit the city of Mérida. Built on the ruins of the Mayan city of T’ho, which means “the face of the infinite”. Its beautiful colonial limestone buildings have earned Mérida the nickname of “the White City”. Few other cities in the country manage to bring together history, art, tradition, and culture into such a stunning site. In the city’s historical center you can discover an imposing 16th century cathedral, many interesting museums, including the archeological museum of Yucatan, located inside the Palacio Cantón, an elegant building dating back to the time of Porfirio.
Tonight we recommend Pancho’s. This charming restaurant is located close to the Zocalo. The theme of the décor is the Mexican revolution. The staff is dressed in typical Mexican attire, complete with sombreros and bandoleros. Great Mexican cuisine.
Approx. price, excl. drinks: USD 50.00 per person
Overnight at your hotel.

Day 8| Chitchen Itza - Mérida
We recommend you head to Chichen Itza, the most famous and impressive of all Mexican destinations, now classified as one of the new Seven Wonders of the World.
“The mouth of the well of the Itzaes” had two periods of prosperity: from 550 to 900 AD, when Mayans occupied the city, and, after they abandoned the city, from 1000 AD to the 14th century, following a Toltec invasion. El Castillo is the main pyramid, a massive Maya calendar formed in stone, inside which archeologists found another pyramid and a red throne shaped like a jaguar. Mexico’s largest ball court is also found here, featuring low reliefs with incredible acoustic properties. Also known as the Platform of Skulls, the Tzompantli is where the heads of those who were sacrificed were deposited. The group of the Thousand Columns was built for the god of rain, “Chac”. This is where you can find the remnants of a steam bath that was used for purification purposes. Once your visit is done, transfer to Hacienda Chichen for lunch on the patio, in the middle of a garden.
Approx. price, excl. drinks: USD 35.00 per person

Return to Mérida, stopping by the lovely colonial village of Izamal on your way back. Visit the Franciscan monastery, which dates back to the 16th century. The church, nicknamed “the sanctuary of the virgin of Izamal” was built between 1553 and 1561, and features an immense atrium (the largest in the American continent), erected on top of a platform that once belonged to a Mayan temple.
Settle into your hotel. In the evening, we suggest you enjoy dinner at Néctar restaurant. This is the first haute cuisine restaurant in Mérida and is the birthplace of new Yucatec cuisine. Using only ingredients from the Yucatan peninsula and applying avant-garde techniques to them, this restaurant provides customers with a totally unique experience – and the service is excellent. Attention to detail is the motto of Nectar and of its master chef, Roberto Solís.
Overnight at your hotel.

Day 9| Merida – Return flight to Canada

Budget

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Other fees

Lodging

POBLANA CUISINE
A wide variety of spices, dishes, and sweets that make up the typical cuisine of the city of Puebla are all part of the gastronomical heritage waiting for your taste buds on this trip. Mole (prepared with all sorts of peppers) is one of this state’s most important dishes. Mole has earned itself an international reputation, as have the hot peppers served in peanut sauce, which are usually best enjoyed in August and September. Also worth mentioning are the “chalupas” (stuffed tortilla), pipian (a pepper and pumpkin seed based sauce), and maguey worms. And let’s not forget the creative desserts on display in the city’s many candy stores, an explosion of color, aromas, and flavors, including the exquisite doughnuts of Santa Clara, marzipan and goat’s milk pancakes, and the delicious and sweet “camotes”, which can be vanilla, coconut, and pineapple-flavored.

OAXAQUEÑA CUISINE
The city of Oaxaca is known for its rich gastronomical traditions, the result of the combination of indigenous and Spanish cultures. Among the most popular dishes, you can try mole, king of Oaxaquena cuisine, made from a rich blend of spics, seeds, and peppers. Its taste and color vary according to the number of spices and the type of pepper used to make it – there are more than 7 varieties of mole. You should also try the “tamales”, made with cornstarch and stuffed with mole or pork before being wrapped in a banana leaf. You’ll love “quesillo”, a fresh cheese prepared in warm water and served in a round ball, either in small pieces or melted on a variety of dishes. Those looking for more exotic dishes can try grilled crickets and maguey worms, either fried or as part of a sauce, served in a hot corn pancake similar to a taco. Thirsty? Nothing beats an exquisite glass of rice water (or chía), or a traditional tejate (a blend of cocoa and corn). If you like liqueur, why not try a glass of mezcal, a typical Oaxaca drink made from maguey worms.

YUCATEC CUISINE
The result of combining a rich prehispanic heritage with Spanish, French, and Cuban flavors, the delicious dishes available in Mérida will delight even the most discerning palates. Local specialties include cochinita pibil, which are made from pork dipped in orange juice, served with black beans and red onions; salbutes, which are corn tortillas stuffed with black beans; and papadzules, tortillas dipped in a green squash-based sauce called kol, stuffed with eggs and then dipped in a delicious tomato, onion, and garlic sauce. And let’s not forget the delicious Lima soup. If you are looking for refreshment, try a horchata, a delicious rice-based water, perhaps combined with a tropical sorbet or granita, like the famous Xtabentún, “liqueur of the gods”, made from honey and aniseed. For dessert, we recommend you try the delicious coco creams.

Overview

Mexico. Who hasn’t dreamed of one day exploring this incredible country of a thousand faces? Of exploring its colonial towns, idyllic beaches, ancient pyramids, and wild nature? Of enjoying its fine cuisine and fiestas? With so much to offer, a journey into Mexico simply cannot disappoint…

Mexico. Endless variety…
What could be better than taking a dip in a transparent turquoise sea to observe the colorful life swimming and growing around the ocean floor? For Mexico’s best dive spots, head to the Yucatan peninsula, also home to the country’s finest coral reefs and cenotes.
Mexico’s volcanoes (Pico de Orizaba, La Malinche, Iztaccihuatl) represent a great opportunity to challenge yourself and reach new heights, literally: hiking to the edge of a crater is an experience you won’t soon forget.

Always looking for ways to help people travel off the beaten path without sacrificing their comfort, Uniktour has selected the finest travel options for a wide variety of activities, allowing travelers to discover Mexico’s myriad natural wonders – in complete comfort and serenity. Many people dream of one day discovering Mexico, their heads filled with the magnificent beaches of the Caribbean, or the cultural jewels hidden in any of the country’s many pre-Columbian Mayan and Aztec archeological sites. Uniktour wishes you a great trip to Mexico. Happy trails!

Tourism

With a population of more than 100 million, Mexico is the world’s most populous Spanish-speaking country, the second-most populated country in Latin America (after Brazil), the third-most populated of the Americas, and the eleventh-most populated in the world. The number of Mexicans living in the United-States (legally and illegally) is thought to be as high as 20 million. Between 1900 and 2000, Mexico’s population grew by a factor of 7.2, while the world population grew by factor of 3.7 during the same time period (it doubled between 1970 and 2000).

There are more than 20 million homes in Mexico, which translated into an average of 5 people per home. Mexico is a young country: 45% of the population is less than 20 years old, while 63% of Mexicans are less than 30 years old.

The population is increasingly urban: Mexico’s 123 largest cities (those with more than 50000 people) are home to almost 75% of the total population.

With 9 million inhabitants (20 including the suburbs), stretching for 30 kilometers from north to south, and 20 kilometers from east to west, Mexico City one of the world’s most populous metropolitan areas (Tokyo-Okohama is currently first). Occupying 500 km2 in 1940, this city now covers an area of more than 4500 km2!

Geography

Mexico’s total surface area covers almost 2 million km2 – about 4 times the size of France. Sitting between Central America and North America, it is bordered on the north and east by the United States (for 3300 km), on the east by the Caribbean Sea, on the south by Belize (250 km) and Guatemala (960 km), on the west by the Pacific Ocean. It is the third-largest country in Latin America, after Brazil and Argentina.

Mexico is a mountainous country, with a mostly hilly topography: it is said that only one third of the territory consists of slopes whose incline is less than 10%. Beyond 10%, agriculture becomes very complicated. Half the country is more than 1500 meters high! Mexico is the world’s largest official capital, with an altitude of more than 2000 meters.

The northern part of the country is dominated by two large mountain ranges whose average altitude rises to 2200 meters: the Sierra Madre Occidental, along the Pacific coast, and the Sierra Madre Oriental, along the Gulf of Mexico.

Between these two mountain ranges lies a vast plateau whose altitude ranges from 1000 to 2000 meters: the Mexican altiplano. The climate is generally dry, creating vast semi-desertic landscapes dotted with cacti.

As they continue southbound, the Sierra Madres collide with a volcanic range that stretches 900 km from the Atlantic to the Pacific in central Mexico. A virtual fortress separating North and Central America! East of the range rises the country’s highest peak, Orizaba (5747 m).

Generally dry, the pacific coast generally gets lots of sunshine. An extension of the Texas plain, a vast coastal plain borders the Gulf of Mexico. Less crowded than the Pacific coast, this area is covered with citrus groves and fields sprinkled with water hyacinths as far as the eye can see.

At its southern tip, Mexico rises like the tail of a mermaid, creating a completely different landscape: the Yucatan peninsula, ancestral land of the Mayas. This vast calcareous area is flat and almost completely devoid of any surface water. The turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea lie east.

Culture

Civilization:
In the first century AD, three great civilizations take shape:
• The Teotihuacán, on the Anáhuac plateau; we still know nothing about the origins of these people, nor of the reason behind their disappearance
• The Zapotecs, in Monte Albán, in what is now the state of Oaxaca. They were the first to build ritual buildings. Between 700 and 750 BC, they began to use a type of pictographic writing and established their central state in what is now the Oaxaca valley.
• The Maya, whose territory stretched from southern Mexico to what is now Salvador. They built over a hundred city-states (Tikal, Palenque), each run by a theocracy. The architectural ruins left behind are clear signs that this culture had very advanced building techniques. The Maya produced many brilliant mathematicians and astronomers and profited considerably from their encounter with the Toltecs in the 9th century AD: this cultural syncretism gave birth to the cities of Uxmal and Chichén Itzá. Starting in the 12th century, this society became more and more decadent, a victim of rising inner conflict.
•And, of course, the Aztecs, who maintained their hegemony by brute force for over a century, collecting dues from their rivals and practicing religious sacrifices. At the beginning of the 16th century, 300000 people lived in Tenochtitlan, then the capital of the Aztec empire, now known as Mexico City. The Spanish conquered it on august 13th 1521, a painful birth to the mixed culture that would eventually become current day Mexico.

Mexico’s colonial heritage
When the Spanish landed in Mexico, they quickly realized that this was a land of incomparable beauty, rich with unlimited resources. Of course, they decided to stay. They built cities throughout the country, mixing their culture with the locals. The result is a traditional architectural style that is unique to Mexico. It is almost impossible to find a city without a mission or a cathedral that dates back a few hundred years. In many cases, the colonial architecture is still predominant. Mexico’s colonial treasures are boundless. There are more than fifty colonial cities, each showcasing different styles.
One example of such a colonial city is the second largest city in Mexico, Guadalajara, which is dotted with parks, monuments, town squares, and elegant colonial mansions. Many imposing buildings dating back to when the city was an important mining town still stand, such as the cathedral, Degollado theatre, and Cabanas Hospice. As for Guanajuato, the most colorful of all colonial cities, it proudly displays its magnificent theatres, churches, and public buildings, all dating back to the colonial era, as well as lovely paved alleys which, according to the legend of the Callejôn del Beso, are so narrow that lovers living on either side need only bend over to kiss. The city of ceramics, Puebla is bursting with picturesque charm, hidden convents, Spanish style patios, flower-covered arches, and stone fountains that would make many more famous monuments blush. If you pass by Cuernavaca, make sure you visit Cortès’ palace, now Cuauhnahuac museum, with its magnificent Diego Ribera frescoes and the historical Borda gardens. Then, of course, there’s Mexico City, the city of palaces, where the Spanish built the largest city of the new world on the ruins of an Aztec city. In the "Centro Historico", you’ll find the palace of Axayacatl, where Moctezuma was taken hostage by Cortès, now home to the immense Nacional Monte de Piedad. This area is also home to the oldest cathedral in the Americas and is a must for any itinerary. Also make sure you take a look at Chapultepéc castle, built on a hill overlooking the city, as well as the anthropology museum and the modern art museum, both of which are among the world’s finest. Of course, this city features countless other colonial wonders that history transformed into museums.

Cuisine

Rich and varied, Mexican cuisine is generally very spicy. It is the perfect blend of local fruit and legumes (corn, black beans, avocados, peppers, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, cocoa, vanilla), and meat from domesticated animals introduced by the Spanish (pork, beef, chicken). These ingredients are part of the daily eating habits of the people of Mexico. Included on UNESCO’S intangible cultural heritage list since 2010, Mexican gastronomy has many indigenous influences, though its origins date back to the Spanish conquests. Here are a few dishes, drinks, and products typical of Mexican cuisine:
• Peppers are an integral part of Mexican cuisine. Though there are many varieties, the most famous of these are el serrano, el xalapeño, and el poblano.
• Corn is still the main staple of Mexican cuisine. It was prepared in a variety of ways in pre-Columbian times, many of which are still around today: pancakes (tortillas), pasta stuffed with meat and then steamed (tamales), and porridge (atole). Most antojitos (appetizers) are made from tortillas.
• Black, white, red, and pinto frijoles (beans) are served at every meal, either in a soup, or as a side dish, often in a puree or fried.
Mexico is also an important coffee producer and exporter. Café con leche is a local specialty served with breakfast and with the 7 pm lunch. This country also has an impressive variety of alcohols and liquors of all types: tequila, mezcal (alcohol made from aloe), pulque (cactus leaf extract), beer, and licuados (smoothies with milk or water).

Climate

The Tropic of Cancer divides the country into two zones, one temperate and the other tropical. As usual, climate varies with altitude. The tierras calientes (warm lands), which include the coastal plains, have an altitude that can reach 900 meters and an average temperature ranging between 24 °C and 28 °C. Between 1000 and 2000 meters, the average temperature drops to between 16 °C and 20 °C. Towns and cities at this altitude benefit from a relatively stable climate and pleasant temperatures all year long. North of the 24th parallel, it can get cold in the winter months.
Mexico has very distinct dry and rainy seasons. In most of the country, the rainy season lasts from June to mid-October. There is much less rain during the rest of the year. February is the driest month, while July is the wettest. The coastal regions, particularly those bordering the Gulf of Mexico, get most of their rain in September. The arid and semi-arid areas, such as Baja California, get an average of 300 to 600 millimeters of rain per year. It rains a little more in the Southern plateaus and the more populated areas (including Mexico City and Guadalajara), with an average precipitation of 600-1000 millimeters per year. The lowlands along the Gulf of Mexico receive more than 1000 mm of rain per year. It sometimes snows in some of the northern plateaus and on the peaks of the Sierra Madres.

Sitting in the hurricane belt, all the coastal regions are vulnerable to these storms between June and November. Hurricanes are less frequent and usually less violent on the Pacific coast than they are on the country’s east coast.