scubish.com: Scuba diving Mexico

Understand

Climate

Varies from desert-like regions on the northwest part of the country (cities like Hermosillo, Ciudad Juarez, or Los Cabos); and temperate in the northeastern part (cities like Monterrey, Nuevo Laredo, Ciudad Acuña), but note that much of the northern Mexican territory gets very cold during the winter with average day time highs around 8C (39F) and 12C (59F), overnight lows avarage around -5C (24F) and snow is sometimes frequent in certain northern places like (Chihuahua, Durango, Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, and northern Tamaulipas) but can also occur at higher altittudes in the temperate forests in the central part of Mexico. Also, northern Mexico gets very hot during the summer with sudden violent storms in the afternoon, with heavy rain and hail, also an isolated tornado can occur with these storms but rarely, and the temperatures during the day can quickly exceed 39C (100F). The Bajio region is semiarid (cities like Aguascalientes, Leon and Zacatecas); and temperate forests in the central part of the country {Mexico City, Toluca}, and tropical rain forests in the south and southeast regions like (Chiapas, Cancun). During hurricane season, hurricanes are common in the coastal cities specially those near the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico.

Landscape

High, rugged mountains; low coastal plains; high plateaus; temperate plains with grasslands and Mezquite trees in the northeast, desertic in the northwest, tropical rainforests in the south and southeast {Chiapas, Cancun} semiarid in places like {Aguascalientes, San Luis Potosi} and temperate coniferous and deciduous forests in the central part of the country {Mexico City, Toluca}.

Holidays

January 1st

February 5th: Constitution Day(1917)

February 24th: Flag Day

March 21st: Birth of Benito Juárez (1806), 2006 is bicentennial year.

May 1st: Labour Day.

May 5th: Puebla Battle (against the French army, 19th century). (Not an official holiday anymore)

September 16th: Independence day (from Spain)(1821).

November 2nd: Day of the dead (Not an official holiday anymore)

November 20th: Revolution day (1910).

December 25th: Christmas.

Easter is widely observed nationwide, according to the yearly catholic calendar.

Eat

Traditional Mexican food can often be very spicy; if you are not used to peppers, always ask if your food includes it. (¿Esto tiene chile?).

There are many food carts on the streets of Mexican cities and towns. Travelers are advised to eat from these carts with caution, as hygienic preparation practices are not always reliable. In doing so, you may (or may not) find some of the most unique and genuinely mexican dishes you've ever had. From this vendors, you may find tacos, burgers, bread and almost any kind of food and service you would imagine (even cell phones, books, or toys).

Chicharron - Deep fried pork skin. Although don't be disgusted, it's quite crunchy and if well-prepared slightly oily.

Enchiladas - Chicken or meat stuffed soft tortillas covered with green, red or mole sauce. Some may have melted cheese.

Tacos - (tortillas filled with meat (asada (steak strips), pollo (shredded chicken), carnitas (fried shredded pork), lengua (tongue), cabeza (meat from cow skull), sesos (cow brains).

Tamales - corn dough shell with meat or vegatable fillings. Tamales Dulces contain fruit and/or nuts.

Tortas...