HOME to several famous archeological sites, massive museums and breathtaking beaches, Mexico is one holiday location worth travelling the distance for. From the Americanised city of Cancun on the Caribbean coast, to the world's third largest metropolis Mexico City, to Acapulco, the well-known little holiday resort along the Pacific coast, Mexico is an intriguing blend of contrasts.

Cancun

Everything they say about topless Mexicanos with their guitars and loud, obnoxious Americans are so true in Cancun. Expensive, commercialised, and very trendy, Cancun is one endless stretch of beautiful beach, upmarket hotels and the gateway to several Mayan archeological sites.

Instead of limiting yourself to the main tourist area of Zona Hotelera (Hotel Zone), hit the nearby islands for scuba diving and just about any other water sport.

Visit the ruins of Tulum, a two-hour drive from Cancun. Built around AD1200, the Mayan site is a fairly small and accessible structure which requires minimal climbing, making it suitable for almost everyone. The stunning Caribbean Sea is just over the fortress walls of Tulum ruins, forming a picturesque backdrop. If you have not had enough of the lovely beaches in Cancun, a quiet beach with fine, white powdery sand is a few steps away from the ruins.

Mexico City

Mexico City, the capital city of Mexico, is all about world-renowned museums, colonial palaces and exquisite architecture. Be prepared to walk down the bustling streets, because the city is big noisy, and very crowded.

Begin exploring the city from Centro Histórico (Historic Centre), where most colonial buildings and historical sites are located. The Palacio Nacional (National Palace), office of the Mexican president, is located on the east side of Zócalo. Take time to browse through the impressive wall murals by Diego Rivera along the main stairway in the interior of the palace,which depict major Mexican historical events.

The architecture of churches in Mexico are elaborate and dramatic. The Metropolitan Cathedral, next to the National Palace, was constructed over 215 years from 1573 to 1788. La Iglesia de San Juan Bautista (The St John Baptist Church) in Coyoacán is worth exploring for the ceiling frescoes and the well-preserved artworks throughout the church. Basílica De Guadalupe houses the cloak that has the imprint of the Virgin Mary, who appeared before a Mexican peasant called Juan Diego.

Bosque De Chapultepec is a park that houses the Castillode Chapultepec, a former palace, and the National Anthropology Museum (Museo Nacional de Antropologia),the most widely-known museum in Mexico City. The museum houses an impressive collection of major archeological and ethnographic artifacts of Mexico.

A holiday will not be complete without shopping. Mercado de la Merced is one of the biggest wholesale markets in Latin America, where you can find practically everything at bargain prices - from foodstuff, household items, apparels, furniture,cosmetic to over-sized piñatas.

Do not forget to sample the variety of Mexican food from the street stalls. The Mexicans' idea of good food comes in the form of hot and spicy dishes, not unlike what Singaporeans fancy. So pile on the jalapeños on your enchilada, tacos, guacamole and tortillas!

Further south from Mercado de la Merced is Mercado Sonora - the witchcraft market, where bizarre items like love potion, crystal balls, voodoo dolls and amulets are for sale.

Take a two-hour bus ride up north-east of Mexico City to visit The Pyramids of Teotihuacan, which was the largest city in the Americas during the first half of the first millennium. Following an invasion and burning of the city during the 7th or 8th centuries, and the discovery of the city by the Aztecs later, Teotihuacan had since became one of Mexico's most popularattractions.

Make an attempt to climb up the Pyramidof the Sun, followed by a walk down the Avenue of the Dead to reach the peak of the Pyramid of the Moon, where you will be rewarded with a spectacular view of the surrounding landscape.

Acapulco

While Cancun attracts the rich and trendy, Acapulco is unpretentious and less intimidating,not to mention more affordable.The nightlife is world-famous for being very exciting and vibrant. Discos and clubs open their doors around 9pm, but the party and action really begin past midnight and the clubs close at dawn the following day, allowing the hardcore clubber hours of fun.

When you have recovered from the partying, hit one of the local spas for a good massage, and then end your trip with a final shopping fix in the downtown area. If luggage space is not an issue, bring back a sombrero as a memento - a sure sign that you have been to Mexico.

This article was first published on Oct 31, 2006 in The Straits Times.