Mexico

Types of trips: Adventure and Active, Cities tours, Cultural and History, Sports, Food, Relaxation, Sun and Beach, Whale Watching

Best known for: Aztecs, Enchiladas, Tacos, Burritos, Nachos, Tequila, The Mexican Wave, Cinco de Mayo, Piñatas, Sombreros, Ponchos

Why Go?: A real opportunity to do something different. Mexico is not a traditional school trip venue but has plenty to offer, a lot to see and a plethora of activities that would be available anywhere else in the world. An increasingly popular holiday destination, get there before the everyone else does!

Fact File

Population: 118,400,000 

Capital: Mexico City

Language(s): Spanish

Ties to the UK?: Increasing popular holiday destination

Landscape: Mountains, Lakes, Forests, Deserts, Rivers

Climate/Seasons: Hot and dry in most regions throughout the dry season. Wet season between May and October. Areas differ from regular rainfall to desert conditions

When to Go: The best time to go for most times of trip is between November and April when there is virtually no rain, although it does get very cold between December and February

Reasons to Visit: Enjoy an experience unlike anything this side of the Atlantic, great food, and choice of some incredible activities

How to Get There: Not much of an option other than flying but you'll find plenty of regular flights. Choose carefully between direct and indirect flights and remember that your students are likely to get jetlagged

Places to Go: Mexico City, Merida, Todos Santos, San Miguel de Allende, Huatilco

Famous People: Frida Kahlo, Lupita Nyong'o, Jose Clemente Orozco, Pancho Villa

Natural Wonders/Wildlife: Copper Canyon, Sumidero Canyon, Manarch Butterfly Reserves, Mesoamerican Barrier Reef

History: Aztecs, Mexican Revolution, Colonisation

Architecture: Metropolitan Cathedral of Mexico City, Foundry Park, Palicio de Bellas Artes

Culture: Cinco de Mayo, Archeological sites

Sport: Charreria, Football, Boxing, Basketball, Bullfighting

Events: Whale watching in February

Watch Out For: Don't drink the tap water (or the ice), stick to bottled water only - high sunburn risk, safety is also a major concern when undertaking adventurous activities, especially around height or water as safety equipment is often not well maintained or plain absent. Check before you participate

Medical Issues: None mandatory but you could consult a GP for basic immunisations