MEXICO VACATION RENTALS, NORTH AMERICA

Mexico is the inhabitant in North America’s basin called the Valley of Mexico on Lake Texcoco and shares its boundaries with prestigious neighbors. This country is a delicious cross between the modern and the traditional and between everything with opposing identities, and makes for a terrific and one of the most popular vacation destinations. Especially since it boasts of a fascinating range of Mexico vacation rentals that include beachfront condos and waterfront lodges and cabins, beach houses, oceanfront villas, townhomes and condos or condominiums, some offering private spas, while others boasting spectacular views and within walking distance of recreational hubs, exciting nightlife districts, shopping centers and places of interest.

If sunning, walking along the wide stretch of beaches and sucking in the refreshing sea air is your kettle of fish, then a Pacific Coast vacation rental will suit you admirably. The townhomes sleep from 3 to 10 people while the Mexico condos may house from 2 to 10. The villas and larger Mexican condos with a sleeping capacity ranging from 7 to 25 are ideal for large families.

Imagine yourself basking in the lap of nature as you sip a Mexican cocktail from your Mexico luxury rental balcony and breathe in the fresh fragrant air. For choosy singles or couples, the smaller condos and cabins will be apt while carefree groups looking out for space can hire roomy Mexico villas or beach houses that can hold a 20 and boast of as many as 4 bedrooms.

For a fascinating cocktail of culture, compound art and architecture, a central Mexico vacation rental will just swell. Choose from 1, 2 or 3 bedroom houses, apartments, townhouses or villas that can sleep from 2 to 8 people. The larger villas and houses with a holding capacity of up to 29 will be useful for larger parties. The choices are endless. Take what suits your budget and indulge yourself!

A fully-equipped kitchen, including microwave, juicer; CD/stereo system, access to swimming pool, and high speed internet are some of the amenities most Mexico vacation rentals offer.

While in Mexico, never go sightseeing on your own. You will forget the time, your premises i.e. your abode at Mexico vacation rental, yourself too and just might miss the plane back to your country!

• Toluca's Cosmovitral-Jardin Botanico or the Botanical Garden
• Museo Nacional de Antropologia or National Museum of Anthropologia
• Xel-Ha
• Basaseachic Falls

Mexico presents a wealth of outdoor activities and sports including the likes of ski, hiking, basketball, baseball, tennis, biking volleyball, snowmobiling, and guided city tours, for the adventurer in you. The admirable weather and the 10,000-km shoreline especially favors water sports such as fishing, surfing, scuba diving, snorkeling, sailing, water-skiing, boating, and white-water rafting. Just step out of your comfort zone at Mexico vacation rental and let your adrenaline pump!

• Fishing
• Surfing
• Scuba diving and Snorkeling
• Kayaking and Rafting

The big Mexican is a fun fella! The native Mexicans love festivals, fairs and celebration! They all believe in celebration of life and their native cultures, come join them, as you hire the best of Mexico vacation villas with spa facilities.

• Walking Cane Fair
• Yucatan Bird Festival
• Celebration of San Miguel Arcángel
• Night of the Radishes

When the sun calls it a day and retires to his abode and the moon rises, raising her silvery head, Mexico goes to bed. That’s what you think, right? Wrong! When the sun sets, it is time to party in Mexico!

The most popular nightspots for all you night owls are Polanco, Coyoacán Condesa and San Angel. But take good care of your wallets, after you leave your Mexico vacation rental to sample a thriving Mexican nightlife.

Head to Guatemala’s La casa de las Sirenas and try out one of the 250 tequilas. Mind that each variety is different and might just leave you stunned! The hip hop Cosmo Club is a youngsters’ watering hole. The wonderful cocktails and DJ are something out of this world. Avenida Presidente Masaryk’s bar and restaurant has disco music running from Thursday to Saturday. The Mexican-flavored Centenario Cantina and the cosmopolitan Hijo del Cuervo feature great live music and are a hit with the young.

Bar Milan plays all kinds of music and is a cool haunt on Thursdays and Fridays. Visit the La Opera Bar to gape at the bullet hole in the ceiling if not for anything else. Colmillo in Versailles, with its fascinating mix of techno and acid jazz is a super hot club in here. How about swinging your hips and dancing a salsa with your partner in Roma’s Mama Rumba? You will never want to come out of it again! Don’t miss the fantastic Polynesian floor show of the Polynesian nightclub, Mauna Loa.

Living Room in Orizaba is the most popular gay club. This is not all. After dark, Mexico comes alive with live music. Live performances and shows are usually held at Palacio de los Deportes, Auditorio Nacional, Teatro Metropólitan and Indepencia. The shows may feature international rock and jazz stars as well as Spanish bands. Plaza Garibaldi is dotted with bars and restaurants and starting from 8 PM, mariachi bands dressed in dashing black and silver-studded suits and large hats regale the gathering. Whatever you do or do not, trying the very popular electric shock game in Café Tenampa is a must.

Tacos, nachos, enchiladas, burritos and you thought that is all there is to the Mexican cuisine? This is only the tip of the iceberg! There is a world of delicious and multi-ethnic cuisine, waiting to be sampled by some watering tastebuds! The young and trendy will find that the restaurants thronged by artists and attractive cafes and bistros in Colonia Condesa is worth the atrocious rates. While the people with big ideas about sophistication and stateliness must dine in the Polanco restaurants and maybe some of the grandeur dust of the restored colonial eateries might rub off them and on to you! For a two-in one advantage, hit the Centro Historico area, which lays claim to the best nightlife, as well as rocking food.
Some of the local specialties that you must try at least once in your lifetime are crepas de huitlacoche" and the "mole chicken Guacamole, Turkey mole and drinks like the world-famous, coffee liqueur, kahlúa, Calafia and Los Reyes red wines and white wines like Derrasola, Domecq and Hidalgo and of course Mexico’s national drink, tequila as also the local rums, dark and light beers and wines. For an unbelievable thrilling eat, go to Polanco’s Águila y Sol where traditional dishes are served with a twist in the proportion of their ingredients. The La Valentina is for those who were born with a silver spoon in their mouths and it has three branches in the country. Visit the La Opera not only to view the historical bullet in the ceiling or the pulsating live music but also for the above par food, it serves. The Bellinghausen and the Caballo Bayo are some restaurants that serve quality food in a casual atmosphere. The Greek restaurant, Agapi Mu serves moussaka and other Greek delicacies, amid traditional Greek dance and music. Sushi lovers will love the Banzai Sushi House in Santa Fe. Vegetarians can breathe easy for there are many good vegetarian restaurants all around boasting of a great ambience. The best of them are the La Bauena Tierra branch of restaurants and the El Fogoncito chains. Baja Peninsula is famous for authentic Mexican seafood and sensational wines. Cocina de Esther Morelli is good for Italian take outs and pizzas on Thursdays. There is a spattering of bistros all over Mexico. Bistro du Vin and Rojo Bistro are great choices. Sofía sells lovely Italian food. You can sip a hot coffee, nibble on a freshly baked pastry as you peruse through a novel in the Anna's coffee shop in Plaza de Armas.

You can also experiment with street food but ensure that basic hygiene and cleanliness is maintained. The vendors may sell tacos and tortillas with different kinds of fillings and served with salsas, Sonoran hot dogs, fresh fruit cocktails roast, seasonal sheet cakes, corn on the cob, churros pastry and lime and salt sprinkled fried potato chips.
How would you like to dine in a glass palace that is as exquisite as the gourmet cuisine it serves and the food is as exquisite as its ambience? Asia de Cuba is your dream come true! The glass walls complemented by the soothing green from the rare species of plants in the terrace, the awesome food while you are looking into the eyes of your loved one, will make your night a very special one, indeed!

Shopping in Mexico is a unique and diverse experience. From shopping malls to department stores to street vendors, the range is bedazzling. Shopping at one of the wonderfully chaotic traditional markets is a must. On display is a fascinating array of silver, handicrafts, garments etc. Try the historical centre or la Lagunilla that is a paradise for pirated and stolen goods. If you are feeling adventurous, then shop from the street vendors. But mind that most of them sell stolen goods. To replenish the fridge in your Mexico vacation rental, it is best that you pay a visit to the wholesale Central de Abasto Market or the wish fulfillment market. It is known to sell the cheapest and freshest fruits, vegetables and fish.

Mexico abounds in supermarkets. The European and USA giants, Carrefour and Wal-Mart chain stores can be found to be selling everything at competitive prices. The city malls often operate alongside their own department chain stores. Together, they feature appliances, makeup watches, fragrances, electronics, toys, gourmet and clothes for men and women and children. The big ones are Sanborns, Palacio de Hierro, Liverpool, Pabellon Polanco, Plaza Satelite and ones like Centro Comercial Lilas, Centro Comercial Duraznos and Pabellon Altavista. The rustic cobblestone Altavista Street, in the South and Masaryk Avenue or Rodeo Drive in Polanco are home to most trendy boutique shops including major names like Versace, via Peugeot, Bulgari and others. VAT is non-refundable.

Attend Bazar Sábado or Saturday Bazaar at Plaza San Jacinto in San Angel where you can find the best Mexican artesanía or handicrafts that make amazing souvenirs, though the prices are on the higher end. The charitably-inclined can shop at Monte de Piedad or Mountain of Compassion in Avenida Cinco de Mayo, which is the national pawn shop. The profits are used for the development of retirement homes and schools.

Standard Time Zone: UTC/GMT -6
CDT: -5 (Daylight saving time: +1)

Benito Juárez International Airport is the prime airport of Mexico and several airlines, notably Mexicana and AeroMexico service the airport. Though renting your own car has its own advantages while sight seeing in a new city, it is recommended that you don’t on the streets of Mexico as highway robbery is prevalent in here. Also, the traffic can be very frustrating and rules and regulations are different from what you would expect. You may also strike out hiring cars because they are very costly. Hailing the omnipresent green and white Volkswagen Beetle cab is your best bet. Never settle for unlicensed ones or get ready to part with your hard-earned money. Stick to fixed-price Transportación Terrestre or autorizado (authorized) and radio taxis.

Negotiating Mexico, which is of no mean size, is an easy task, thanks to its excellent public transport system. Take full advantage of the superior metro system and purchase several tickets in advance so that you escape the terribly long queues. The tickets are valid indefinitely. ‘Women and children only’ carriages are reserved between 6 PM to 9 PM. Beware of the notorious Metro Hidalgo where pick-pocketing is not uncommon. A less crowded alternative is the ‘tren ligero’ that runs from Tasqueña ground to Xochimilco. Buses in Mexico are an ultra cheap affair and are their own masters. They practically travel everywhere. The domestic Ruta-100 buses are clean and efficient. For an entirely different experience, board one of the minibuses or peseros or micros-buses or micros. These buses have no fixed stops, fares are paid directly to the driver and you can hail them anywhere and stop anywhere. But they are quite slow and go by them only if you have plenty of time to spare.