Estado de México Tourist Attractions

A wide range of tourist attractions has positioned this lovely state as the fifth favorite destination for visitors coming into Mexican land. Archeological sites, public resorts, popular markets offering original craftwork, ideal locations for eco-tourism and for extreme sports are just some of the options the region has to offer.

TEOTIHUACAN
Powerful city-state guarding ancient secrets about the life of one of the great Mesoamerican cultures, it proudly displays the remains of no less than 600 pyramids that were once a part of this amazing built environment.

Known as "The place where Men become Gods", Teotihuacan was the economical, political, religious and social center of an Empire from the Classical period that ruled the Mesoamerican territory for centuries. Located in the state of Mexico just 50 kilometers from Mexico City, between the towns of San Juan Tetihuacan and San Martin de las Piramides, this formidable archeological site, considered one of the most impressive and important cultural legacies in all of Mexico, receives visitors by the hundreds of thousands every year.

Its history of power and domination, as well as its powerful architecture where ceremonial, political and residential buildings are lined to conform a great central avenue, is regarded as one of the great wonders of the pre-Columbian world. Some of the structures that stand out as remarkable include the temple of Quetzalcóatl with a facade displaying engraved images of "The Plumed Serpent" and marine motives; the pyramids of "The Sun" and of "The Moon" each seating on a base of 1,800 sq. meters and reaching a height of 40 meters; the "Palace of the Butterflies" or Quetzalpapalotl, which, just as the "Courtyard of the Jaguar" guard beautiful murals on its inner walls.

Teotihuacan also offers a delicious sample of the Mexico state gastronomy in its numerous restaurants and picturesque informal eateries. The most recommended dishes include the barbecue meat, the lamb soup and the pieces of barbecue pork. Visitors can also find culinary samples of the fusion between the pre-Spaniard and the modern cuisines, such as the mountain mushrooms, the traditional capulines and ajolotes, and the pulque, the sacred drink of the Aztecs, a thick, white liquor made of fermented maguey juice. Other popular options making part of the regional menu include the longaniza or spicy pork sausage, tacos, tamales made from a lake fish called charal, tripe, cheese tortillas called quesadillas seasoned with pumpkin, corn smut or huitlacoche, and corn pastries known as tlacoyos.

THE BRAVO VALLEY
While walking along the street markets of the Valle de Bravo called Tianguis, visitors will find themselves among natives speaking ancient tongues like the nahuatl, matlalzinca and purepecha, and still practicing their thousand-years traditions in this small town of stoned roads, white walls and red-tiled roofs.

Located at 1,800 meters above sea level, the officially called Ciudad Tipica or "Typical City" is sited at the margins of the Avandaro lake.

Currently, the state economy is based on the production of glazed clay tile, pottery and other artisan expressions, as well as on the rising industry of organic vegetables and canned foods of excellent quality. Visitors will find an array of water-related activities offered by the more than 40 nautical clubs around the Avandaro lake, such as sailing, fishing and water-skiing.

In addition, its privileged geographic position as a link to the neighboring states of Morelos and Guerrero present the ideal conditions for gliding from a peak of 2,500 meters of altitude.

IXTAPAN DE LA SAL
Located some 82 kilometers from the city of Toluca, this small and lovely city displays the perfect town image with narrow stoned streets lined with pretty houses topped with red clay tiles, and has earned valuable tourist importance as it offers visitors a first-class hotel infrastructure. Ixtapan de la Sal contains various restaurants serving typical Mexican food, as well as a few options leaning towards international specialties.

In any way, tourists are advised to take a stroll along the narrow roads and visit one of the local eateries known as Fondas, located on the ground floor of some houses, where a skilled lady prepares the Tortillas on the sidewalk while her daughters usually serve the simple home-made platters inside.

Visitors also have the option to let go and aim at the elegant luxury resorts with international standards available in the area, where true pampering and rest is guaranteed as it offers relaxing spas as well as golf and tennis facilities.

Not to mention the "Ixtapan de la Sal Aquatic Park" the largest in Latin America, located within the "Balneario Spa".