Booking flights with a semi-private air carrier might be more affordable than you think this holiday season.
28.10.2024 - 16:09 / lonelyplanet.com
Oct 25, 2024 • 5 min read
Home to tropical beaches, pre-Columbian ruins and some of the world’s most celebrated cooking, Mexico has long captivated visitors. Its hiking trails, however, remain little known, which is great news for those eager to experience the nation’s diverse scenery without the crowds.
Mexico’s trails can take you through astonishing landscapes, from newly formed lava fields to jaw-dropping canyons, as well as cloud forests teeming with wildlife.
Experienced mountaineers can plan a trip around the country’s famous mountains, like the challenging ascent up 18,491ft (5636m) Pico de Orizaba, Mexico’s highest peak.
Hiking here isn't just about the panoramic backdrops, though. You can also head off on a trek through local communities, with indigenous guides shedding insight on the rich cultures that date back centuries.
Here are our picks for the top hikes in Mexico.
Best hike for views
2.8 miles (4.5km) roundtrip, 3 hours, difficult
Less than 25 miles (40km) south of Mexico City, the Parque Nacional Cumbres del Ajusco immerses you in a world of forested slopes and rocky peaks that seem a world removed from the bustling capital.
The challenging but rewarding climb to the top of Pico del Águila will take you through forests of oaks, firs and pines up to alpine terrain where the views over the rolling valleys and the distant metropolis grow more dramatic with every step.
Although the hike is relatively short, the going is steep as you ascend more than 2200ft (671m) en route to the lofty summit, which sits at 12,795ft (3900m) above sea level.
Along the way, keep an eye out for the teporingo, aka the volcano rabbit, a rare lagomorph and one of the smallest rabbit species on earth (only the pygmy rabbit is smaller).
Planning tip: The trail begins near El Abrevadero restaurant, a great place to treat yourself to a meal after completing the hike.
Best hike for volcano encounters
12 miles (19km) roundtrip, 5 to 7 hours, moderate
Most of earth’s geologic wonders can be measured in eons, but Volcán Paricutín has been around for barely 80 years. Back in 1943, a farmer was plowing his fields in the southwestern state of Michoacán when rumbling started, and steam, ash and lava spurted from the ground.
Seemingly out of nowhere, Paricutín volcano rose out of the bowels of the earth, growing over the next decade to around 1350ft (411m) above the surrounding valley.
Today, the large black cone is mostly dormant, which you can see firsthand on a walk from the village of Angahuan.
From there you can hire a guide from the Purépecha community and set out across lava fields, trekking past the ruins of the Church of San Juan Parangaricutiro with its battered belfry towering above blackened volcanic rock.
Later, you’ll
Booking flights with a semi-private air carrier might be more affordable than you think this holiday season.
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Hilton may not have as many all-inclusive resorts as its competitors, but the company has consistently been adding new properties to its portfolio for the last few years. Now, Hilton Honors' 200 million-plus members have a new all-inclusive property to look forward to.
Nov 1, 2024 • 11 min read
The kids have trick-or-treated, and as Americans sip Pumpkin Spice Lattes airlines are launching a slew of new sun runs to prepare for the colder weather and travelers eager for escape.
Southwest Airlines has announced major network plans for next summer, adding more than a dozen red-eye flights to its schedule and expanding popular domestic routes.
TPG hasn't put out our list of the most anticipated hotel openings of 2025 yet — but one Hyatt we cannot wait to visit is already taking reservations.
As the temperatures fall, so are airfare prices. Frontier Airlines is running its «Full Size Sale», which provides fares as low as $19 to destinations around the United States. Best of all, the flights can be booked five days of the week, whereas previous promotions from Frontier have been more limited in date availability. The sale ends on October 31, 2024 at 11:59pm EST, however tickets can be purchased for travel through February 26, 2025. This makes the sale a great option for travelers and families looking to take a winter getaway, or fly to a destination with warmer temperatures. Travel + Leisure spotted a variety of one-way flight deals including:
Hotel Xcaret Mexico, the innovative All-Fun Inclusive resort that blends culture, nature, cuisine and entertainment, is set to undergo a transformative evolution in 2025.
Just when it seems like the major hotel conglomerates are gobbling up every cooler small brand they can find, independent-minded travelers can take solace: Cape Cod-based Salt Hotels is expanding on its own terms.
Royal Caribbean Group said Tuesday that vacationers are spending more on its cruises and that it expects higher pricing in 2025. Executives discussing third-quarter results also said the majority of customers are new to cruises or their brands, and they discussed using AI to set prices and plans for a new private destination in Mexico.
A getaway to warmer weather just got easier and cheaper.Avelo Airlines recently announced four new routes from the Orlando, FL area, and is celebrating with $46 fares. With the expansion of new routes, Avelo will be opening a new crew base at Lakeland International Airport, which is one hour and 15 minutes south of Orlando Airport, and one hour east of Tampa Airport, making it an alternative option for passengers visiting each of the two major Florida cities. From Lakeland, Avelo will launch service to Rochester, NY, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Concord, NC (which is near Charlotte, NC) and Manchester, NH (which is near Boston, MA). The low-cost carrier operates its flights from regional airports that are adjacent to major cities, which explains the Manchester and Concord airport options. Each new route will operate twice weekly, and Avelo states they are the only airline to operate direct service between each of the markets.