This gallery is a photography trip to the most well-known, visited and  beloved pre-Columbian archaeological sites  in México. From the Mayan site of Chichen Itza, recently chosen as one of the new seven wonders, to the awesome Pyramid of the Sun in the old Aztec city  of Teotihuacan . From the mist of Palenque in the jungle of Chiapas to sun-bathed Tulum hanging over the blue waters of the Caribbean sea.

Mexico City is the political, financial and cultural nerve centre of Mexico, and to understand the country one should spend some time here. Perhaps more than any city on earth, it is at the intersection of the first and third worlds, with all the ills, thrills and surprises that suggests. One moment the city is all Latin beats, glamour and excitement; the next it's drabness, poverty, suffocating crowds and rancid smells. In spite of the negatives, Mexico City is a magnet for Mexicans and visitors alike. You certainly won't be bored in this complex, historic city.

If you're looking for the 'real' Mexico, Guadalajara (Jalisco) is the place to find it. Birthplace of tequila, mariachi music, sombreros, charreadas (rodeos) and the Mexican Hat Dance, cosmopolitan Guadalajara is the place to immerse yourself in Mexican culture. Part of Guadalajara's appeal is that it has many of the attractions of Mexico City - a vibrant culture, fine museums and galleries, a lively nightlife and great food - but few of the capital's problems. It's modern, well-organized and unpolluted, with enough attractions to please every visitor.

Guanajuato is a beautiful mountain colonial town. Many tourists and locals consider this city to be the most beautiful in Mexico. It used to be a major silver mining town, and many of the mines are still active. The city is built on very hilly ground, so virtually every point in the city is on a slant. The city has a network of underground tunnels that serve as roads making this place really unique in the world. The historic town of Guanajuato and adjacent mines were granted World Heritage status by UNESCO in 1987 and has been ranked by several travel magazines as one of the top travel destinations in the world.

Puebla, deeply religious and proud of her history, has managed to preserve the treasures created by her architects, artists and craftsmen. Today, the Historic Center is a World Heritage Site where you can visit churches and convents, admire colonial doorways and facades, wander through plazas and patios or visit museums displaying everything from pans to railroad cars including paintings, archaeological objects, and of course, the books in the valuable Palafox Library collection. The city also has shops specializing in Talavera pottery and traditional confectionery.

Chiapas, its handsome colonial capital in the pine-clad Valle de Jovel and the surrounding delightful Tzotzil and Tzeltal villages where age-old customs are spiced with modernity are like a magnet for travelers wanting to learn a little Spanish, absorb the bohemian atmosphere and soak up the lively bar scene. San Cristóbal has a fine plaza and a swag of churches including the strikingly pink Templo de Santo Domingo. Popular pursuits include stocking up at the local weavers' co-op, sampling delicious organic coffee, horse riding in the hills and breathing in the amazingly clear highland air.

Taxco de Alarcon, Mexico's silver capital, is a charming colonial town nestled in the mountains of Guerrero state between Mexico City and Acapulco. The town's winding cobblestone streets and whitewashed houses with red tile roofs, and its impressive Santa Prisca cathedral all combine to make Taxco a lovely and picturesque town. Those interested in purchasing silver will find the greatest selection here. If you are looking for a side trip from Mexico DF that is the place to go. Taxco is renowned for its more than 200-year-old baroque-style church, the Santa Prisca Cathedral.

The Ruta Maya isn’t technically a “route”. Instead it defines, roughly, the space once occupied by one of the greatest civilizations on earth: a rich, ancient culture renowned for its achievements in architecture, art and astronomy. It incorporates bits and pieces of five countries, but not all of any. This Photo Gallery pays homage to the Maya civilization. These are some of the archaeological Highlights of "The Maya Route". From the palace of Palenque in the misty forest of Chiapas to the pyramids of Tikal in the Peten jungle of Guatemala. From the highlands of Copan in Honduras to the coastal site of Tulum in Quintana Roo where ancient Maya civilization meets the blue waters of  the Caribbean and mass tourism.