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bienvenido/willkommen/welcome /benvenuto/bienvenue/welkom /bemvindo to mÉxico lc universidad panamericana 2010-2011 about mexico is located in the northern region of the american continent between the gulf of mexico on the east and the pacific ocean on the west it is bordered by the united states on the north and by guatemala and belize on the south mexico s land area extends 1,964,375 sq km which is divided into six tourist regions aiesec up northern mexico known for its extreme weather conditions and characterized by its deserts nature reserves and rugged mountain ranges some cities in the region are key industrial and business centers mexico city is the capital of méxico the world s largest city the financial political and cultural center of méxico the nightlife capital of méxico one of the world s great cities one of the world s most difficult cities to drive in filled with exciting things to see and do sinking an energetic metropolis or just an incredible place to visit because of its culture and history central mexico the mexican heartland here you ll find plenty of natural surroundings picturesque towns full of life and color and beautiful colonial cities some of which have been declared world heritage sites it continues in page 2 northern mexico cerro de la silla monterrey central mexico cathedral mexico city southern mexico montebello lakes chiapas 1

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lc universidad panamericana 2010-2011 feel world heritage sites unesco s world heritage sites are cultural natural or mixed landmarks that represent the rich culture of a country and deserve international recognition since 1972 unesco has inscribed 812 properties in 137 countries worldwide on its world heritage list proud to be in mexico ··· feel proud to be in mexico southern mexico the gulf of mexico lined with the shores of the gulf of mexico and the pacific ocean this region offers an abundance of marshes mangrove swamps and forests all of which are ideal for ecotourism outings and exciting outdoor adventures the yucatan peninsula the gateway to the mayan world here you can enjoy the white-sand beach resorts and the blue waters of the caribbean sea where you can scuba dive along the world s second largest coral reef you can also swim in fresh water pools in submerged caverns known as cenotes mexico has the distinction of being the american country with the most places 25 registered on the world heritage list some are already popular tourist sites others are off the beaten path but undoubtedly merit the extra effort to visit and admire http whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/mx the baja california peninsula territory that has been inhabited from time immemorial in this region you can play golf on world-class courses discover the underwater treasures of the sea of cortez and witness the amazing migration of the gray whale mexico s 32 states are truly diverse as each one has countless tourist destinations offering a wide array of activities the pacific coast in this region you ll find cities and towns with rich cultural and culinary traditions as well as some of the best beaches for water sports like surfing and fishing mexico has the best natural and cultural settings to do all kinds of activities of the following 30 options choose the one that best suits your interests experience the adrenaline rush of adventure tourism and the excitement of ecotourism enjoy the luxuries of top-notch tourism or relax on a sunny beach and discover the culture and entertainment that make our country truly unique the yucatan peninsula tulum rivera maya the pacific coast la quebrada acapulco the baja california penninsula los cabos baja california sur for more information http www.visitmexico.com/wb2 2

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federal district lc universidad panamericana 2010-2011 located in mexico s central region in a valley with a magnificent backdrop of two volcanoes popocatepetl and iztaccihuatl the nation s capital has a pleasant climate with an average year-round temperature of 22º c 72º f like most cosmopolitan cities mexico city offers a wide variety of cultural events shopping areas and tourist attractions during your stay visit the museums to see some amazing collections that depict the evolution of mexico s art and history from the pre-hispanic era to present day if shopping is your thing the city has numerous bazaars plazas malls and exclusive boutiques where you ll find crafts brand-name clothes and jewelry known as the city of palaces the federal district has two areas that were declared world heritage sites by the unesco the first one is the historic center where you can admire beautiful religious and historic buildings like the catedral metropolitano and palacio de bellas artes in this city you ll see diverse colonial and modern architecture the other site is xochimilco ecological park often referred to as the venice of mexico due to its beautiful canals you can tour the canals on a trajinera a wooden boat adorned with painted flowers north of mexico city you can visit the basilica de guadalupe one of the most visited basilicas in the world and a must-see for those who want to learn more about mexico s customs and traditions in the neighborhoods of coyoacan and san angel you can enjoy a bohemian atmosphere while in santa fe and polanco you ll experience the glamour of the boutiques and modern hotels 3

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lc universidad panamericana 2010-2011 the correct answer is read this reception booklet carefully use caution and common sense and enjoy your stay take them with you and keep them handy all of the above mÉxico city is definitely all of the above and much much more this is truly one of the most interesting and diverse cities in the world méxico city should be on your must visit list if you are a fan of world-class museums archeological treasures international cuisine incredible shopping experiences stately mansions colonial neighborhoods dazzling nightlife inviting plazas and gardens or great city parks the national museum of anthropology is one on the world s great museums and could easily occupy a short vacation by itself don t let the sheer size of méxico city scare you most tourists will most likely confine their visits to three or four well defined areas of the city and maybe some easy side trips depending on where you stay many attractions will be just a short distance away and those that are not so close can be reached fairly easily a great way to get a feeling for the city is to enjoy drinks or dinner from the 45th floor of the world trade center bellini is a revolving restaurant that offers stunning views of the whole city if possible get settled in before sunset méxico city with it s magnitude of interesting activities can keep visitors busy from early morning until late at night seven days a week there is so much to do in this city that it can seem overwhelming especially if this is your first visit relax try to set your priorities based on your particular interests and the length of your stay méxico city holds many pleasant surprises for those who choose to vacation here travelers to méxico often overlook this city because mo st of the country s tourism pro motion is directed toward me xican beach resorts 4

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lc universidad panamericana 2010-2011 there is an increasing amount of crime involving taxis it is best to use only radio taxis or taxis that your hotel provides if you are out at night be extra careful have your restaurant or night club call a cab for you and get the license number of the cab that they called do not wear fancy jewelry or flash large sums of money especially at night don t walk alone don t use the subway or buses at night use common sense and you should be ok altitude remember you are at an altitude of over 7300 feet and the air is much thinner than you are probably used to occurrences of light-headedness mild headaches breathlessness and tiring easily are common drink a lot of water and be very careful with alcohol consumption take your time and rest often parking parking in the city is often impossible and always difficult if you must drive try to use private parking areas if you are parked illegally you will have to pay a fine and it is highly possible your car will be towed this can get rather expensive see driving above buses the bus system is cheap and goes everywhere it can get very crowded especially when the locals are going to or coming from work it can be difficult to learn the routes but you can pick up free bus-route maps at the méxico city tourism office located at amberes 54 on the corner of londres in zona rosa keep a tight grip on your carry-on items at all time do not use the bus system after dark public telephones be very careful of telephone rip offs there are many ways for unscrupulous individuals or companies to take advantage of tourists and business travelers some phone booths in méxico charge as much as $20.00 u.s per minute for long distance never make a call from a public phone that advertises call collect or use your mastercard visa or american express card these are some of the most expensive phones in the world prepaid phone cards are the primary means of making calls from mexican telephones be careful of what you buy the actual telephone rates for some of these cards can vary greatly from reasonable to almost criminal be careful when you buy cards on the street as many vendors will try to switch the card denominations take advantage of the exchange rate if your paying in dollars cheat you with a shortchange or just overcharge you for the cards also phone calls from your hotel can be very very expensive many hotels have outrageous rates or a surcharge on long distance calls most public phones in méxico will not accept coins only prepaid phone cards driving driving in méxico city is not recommended even though millions of people do it daily defensive driving tactics will be required as traffic laws are seldom obeyed expect red lights to be run and turns to be made in any direction from any lane turn signals seldom used or are always on if you are thinking of driving outside of méxico city your experience should be mostly safe and enjoyable it is no more difficult than driving in the u.s despite what you may have heard most mexican drivers are very polite on the open road watch out for topes speed bumps off the major highways in every town of any size they usually begin just as you enter a town and there can be lots of them before you exit the town make sure you have the proper insurance coverage do not drive in mexico city if at all posible metro subway méxico city s metro system is modern cheap 3 pesos fast and efficient the stations are well lighted very clean and the trains are extremely quiet the metro system gets extremely crowded during rush hours keep a tight grip on any carry on items at all times do not use the metro after dark crime méxico city has it s fair share of crime but much of the crime is hidden from most tourists many of the high crime areas are areas that most tourists will never be near 5

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lc universidad panamericana 2010-2011 taxis taxis in méxico city are reasonable and the drivers can be very helpful be aware that there are increasing instances of taxi crime it is not a good idea to hail cabs from the street day or night use only registered hotel cabs or call a radio cab if you are dining out have the restaurant hail a cab from their sitio or have them call a radio cab for you always get the number of the cab they are sending and wait for that particular cab always check the number you were given against the number on the cab méxico city now the center of business culture and government for the country was once the center of the entire aztec empire the current zócalo or town square is built on the same spot where once stood montezuma s palace many of the old mansions and public buildings in the area were built hundreds of years ago using the stones from the aztec temples that were destroyed by the spaniards the zócalo is latin america s largest main square at over 13 acres despite it s size the zócalo tends to get crowded in the evenings and on weekends monuments parks fountains and great tree lined avenues are everywhere you are likely to visit within the city skyscrapers sit beside splendid examples of colonial architecture archeological sites share space with modern day structures and freeways lead to charming neighborhoods of colonial buildings and peaceful plazas museums are around just about every corner and the rich heritage of méxico s colonial past is evident almost everywhere there are many places within méxico city to escape the fast pace of the city and where you will feel like you are in a different world within a few minutes time paseo de la reforma the city s main thoroughfare will give you an immediate idea of why méxico city has been referred to as the manhattan of latin america this elegant boulevard is lined with dozens of magnificent monuments including the much-photographed independence monument which has become the unofficial trademark of méxico city sharing the precious space along paseo de la reforma are modern high-rise office buildings embassies luxury hotels colonial mansions more monuments and shaded pedestrian promenades chapultepec park is an enormous green area in the middle of all the hustle and bustle of this fast paced city this park is the city s largest covering over 2000 acres and it contains enough of the city s attractions including three of the most important museums that a short vacation could easily be devoted just to the attractions within the park alameda park near the zócalo and palace of fine arts has been around since1541 making it the city s oldest park the park has also been an aztec market and was also the site of burnings hangings and executions in the old days with it s walking paths numerous fountains and a moorish kiosk this park is full of old style traditional charm this refreshing oasis is a great place to rest or relax and enjoy some green space for a while if you are walking near the historic center there are also a couple of monuments here that are themselves worthy of a visit on weekends there are often salsa or rock bands playing an excellent sunday puppet theatre for the kids is often active around noon many interesting colonial style buildings and museums surround this park the neighborhoods or colonias of centro histórico zona rosa polanco roma condesa and lomas de chapultepec are all fairly close each other and also to paseo de la reforma these are the principal areas in the central part of the city that are most popular with tourists in the southern part of the city the suburbs of san angel and coyoacan along with the floating gardens of xochimilco are places you should definitely visit during your stay walking we recommend that you do not walk alone after dark especially in the less visible busy areas of the city if you must walk at night know the shortest route to your destination and stick to it leave your valuables in the hotel security box if your are going to be walking at night regardless of what you may see pedestrians actually do have the right-of-way be very careful crossing the streets watch out for cars that are turning from the wrong lane and watch carefully for cars even if you have the green light 6

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lc universidad panamericana 2010-2011 organized tours taxis city buses or the modern subway system during off peak hours should be considered over attempting to drive in this city the traffic here is legendary and for very good reason for side trips to the nearby colonial towns or archeological sites a rental car is fine as the highways and toll roads surrounding the capital offer pleasant driving conditions 1 metro 3 pesos 7

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lc universidad panamericana 2010-2011 2 tren ligero 3 pesos 8

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lc universidad panamericana 2010-2011 3 metrobÚs 5 pesos 9

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lc universidad panamericana 2010-2011 mexico city historic center attractions · · · · `plaza de la constitución more commonly known as the zócalo is a must on any visitor s list of things to do in méxico city this is a great place to get a feel for the areas history and to start your exploration of the city within just a few blocks of the zócalo in all directions are some of the city s finest examples of city history architecture and art more than 1500 buildings in this relatively small area of the city have been declared historic or artistic monuments the zócalo once contained the pyramids and palaces of moctezuma and was the exact center of the aztec empire to this day it is center of much activity and the very heartbeat of méxico city it is here that the country celebrates it independence with the el grito on september 15th every year the zócalo is the second largest public plaza in the world only red square in moscow is bigger covering over 13 acres zócalo government palace templo mayor templo mayor museum palace of fine arts metropolitan cathedral museum of mexico city alameda park regina coeli temple national museum of art · · · · · · things to do and see near the historic center · pa se o de la r ef or ma · in de pe nd en ce m on um en t · di an a fo un ta in · na tio na l m us eu m of an th ro po lo gy · po la nc o · ch ap ul te pe c pa rk · ch ap ul te pe c ca st le · ru f in o ta m ay o m us eu m · zo na r os a · pl az a ga ri ba ld i 10

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lc universidad panamericana 2010-2011 the suburbs san angel is one of those places that will stay in your mind for long time this setting is as close as you are likely to get to the colonial neighborhoods of old méxico shaded plazas narrow winding streets paved in cobblestone and walls of ancient stone covered with multi-colored bougainvillea all seem to etch a spot in your heart this is a community of brightly painted colonial era homes mansions and haciendas that seem to block out the city sprawl that has now invaded most of the area the saturday market is famous for quality art work handicrafts and pottery one of the méxico s finest restaurants the san angel inn is located here and the ambiance of this converted hacienda is unbeatable except by their expertly prepared menu and impeccable service san angel has it s own small tourist office 5277-6955 that will answer questions about the colonia they also offer free guided walking tours of san angel saturdays only at noon 2 pm and 4 pm san angel is also home to several museums including the museo studio diego rivera where the famous artist once lived and worked coyoacÁn near san angel is another enchanting colonial neighborhood in which you can actually feel the tranquility and colonial charm of old méxico the tree shaded twin central plazas are the center of most of the activity and can be down right entertaining on weekends the narrow colonial-era streets the plazas bookstores bars and cafés all tend to impart a bohemian atmosphere on this charming city calle francisco sosa not much more than a narrow cobblestone passageway is supposedly méxico s oldest street coyoacán is home to several museums most noteworthy being the frida kahlo and leon trotsy museums both located in the former homes of their namesakes the anahucacalli museum houses diego rivera s collection of pre-hispanic art coyoacán hosts a sunday bazaar in the main plaza that is considered extraordinary but it can get rather crowded also there are bullfights at plaza méxico most sunday afternoons november through march charreadas or mexican rodeos are held at rancho del charro in chapultepec park most sundays at noon you can possibly catch a professional soccer match varied schedules mostly weekends at estadio azteca or estadio olímpico there are two large amusement parks with roller coasters and other exciting rides an abundance of modern multi-cinemas show almost current movies all over the city and in all of the malls free weekend concerts poetry readings magic shows and other impromptu events are often held in and around alameda park the zócalo or in chapultepec park chapultepec park is an enormous green area in the middle of all the hustle and bustle of this fast paced city this park the city s largest covering over 2000 acres contains enough of the city s attractions that a short vacation could easily be devoted to the activities just within the park the park contains three of the city s most important museums an amusement park with an old style wooden roller coaster the only genuine castle in north america méxico s largest zoo and the residence of the president of méxico los pinos for water lovers there are lakes with paddleboats also an aquatic park with water slides tunnels and a wave pool it also contains special attractions which are sure to steal the hearts of the youngsters traveling with you just west of the museum of modern art is the centro de convivencia infantil which is a unique adventure style playground that also has an aviary monkeys some domestic animals a giant king kong and artistic face painting papalote museo del niño is a hands-on children s museum with tunnels and slides giant soap bubbles and all kinds of scientific and technical games and gadgets also an imax big screen theatre shops and snack bars nearby is an amusement park with scaled down rides for kids and atlantis a marine park that features trained dolphins sea lions bird shows and a marine cave museum the floating gardens of xochimilco are another of méxico city s many must do attractions the ancient floating gardens have been around for about 700 years and still operate basically the same as they did in aztec times here you can rent brightly painted boats called trajineras for about ten dollars and hour including driver he ll use a pole to push the boat along the canals you cruise the ancient canals at a leisurely pace and once you are out of the dock area you will likely be approached by boats with mariachi or marimba bands photographers and vendors of food drink and handicrafts this is a favorite attraction of visitors and locals alike and one you surely will not want to miss on weekends especially sundays the gardens tend to get very crowded and a fiesta like atmosphere prevails if you prefer a little peace and quiet visit xochimilco during the week xochimilco is located in the southern section about 15 miles south of downtown 11

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lc universidad panamericana 2010-2011 things to do free tour of the archaelogical zone templo mayor 3 hours museum -sat mornings at 9 am free visit the zoo over 300 species free historical center walking tour zócalo -sun 10 am 2 hours free visit a museum there are many spread out over the metropolitan area fot details visit our museums page open air shows/concerts various free shows salsa rock bands mime troupes magic acts poetry reading etc swim soak and slide visit on of the water parks listed below horse racing hipódromo de las américas horse track enjoy at night at the theater a variety of live performances take place year round call for schedule free a day in the chapultepec park castle zoo museums lakes amusement parks and children s museums folkloric ballet presented every sunday at 10 am mexican fiesta dinner show folkloric ballet typical music in the heart of the district friday nights 7 pm to 10 pm floating gardens of xochimilco a prehispanic engineering masterpiece food drink and music all while floating along among the ancient canals very busy on weekends bull fights plaza méxico bullring -sun 4 pm november to april address meet flagpole at the zócalo contact be there chapultepec park centro histórico be there 5510·2541 mexico city museums http www.allaboutmexicocity.com museums.htm alameda park zócalo chapultepec park in around mexico city be there be there av conscripto 5557·4100 palacio de bellas artes 2512·2593 you can t miss it be there palacio de bellas artes 2512·2593 hotel cortés hidalgo reforma 5518·2181 southern section 5653·5209 calle augusto rodin #241 5563·3959 12

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lc universidad panamericana 2010-2011 useful information currency bills come in denominations of 20 50 100 200 500 and 1,000 pesos coins are issued in denominations of five 10 20 and 50 cents and one two five 10 and 20 pesos although the latter is no longer accepted in many places the u.s dollar is accepted at all money exchange bureaus across the country it s also possible to exchange such currencies as the euro and the canadian dollar weather average temperatures range between 25° c to 30° c 77° f to 86° f the hottest time of the year runs from may to september especially on the coasts and it gets cooler from october to april population more than 100,000 inhabitants with the largest populations concentrated in mexico city guadalajara and monterrey and their surrounding areas official language spanish although still spoken are some 66 indigenous languages which come from pre-hispanic cultures time zone during the winter the southern eastern and some central region states are on central standard time gmt ­6 hours the northwest and pacific coast states are on mountain standard time gmt ­7 hours and baja california is on pacific standard time gmt ­8 hours daylight savings time is applied during the summer taxes when leaving the country you must pay departure and airport taxes which cost about us$13 and us$8.50 ustoms respectively when purchasing your airline ticket ask if the taxes come to obtain information concerning included tax fees may vary cars and other items that you are allowed to bring into the country visit the following websites eaving tips www.aduanas.sat.gob.mx attendants in restaurants leave 10 or 15 of the bill taxi drivers usually don t expect tips c l generally you should tip waiters bellhops skycaps about us$1 per bag tourist guides and valet parking mexico currency exchange rates consulted on july 28 2010 1 dólar eua 1 euro 1 real brazil 12.6713 16.4757 7.1857 .0068 .1446 .2716 13 1 peso colombia 1 yuan china 1 yen japan 1.8695 for more information go to http www.visitmexico.com/wb/visitmexico/visi_cambio_de_moneda 1 rupee india

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lc universidad panamericana 2010-2011 systems of measurement emergency numbers metric for distances celsius for temperatures and the 60-cycle 120volt system for electricity here are some important emergency phone numbers 060 for police 080 for the fire department and ambulances 078 for highway emergencies 55 5250-0123 for tourist security and 55 5658-1111 for information service locatel holidays the most important dates are independence day september 16 easter week from march to april day of the dead november 2 and the virgin of guadalupe day december 12 making a phone call the country code when dialing to mexico is 52 and the long distance code is 01 when calling the united states and canada you must first dial 001 to place other international calls dial 00 followed by the country and city codes in mexico you ll find pay telephones in most cities some are coin-operated phones and others require prepaid cards that cost 30 50 or 100 pesos visas and passports to apply for a visa or passport you can consult the mexican embassy s website at www.sre.gob.mx you can also consult immigration services at www.migracion.gob.mx other holidays dates january 1 may 1 and 5 november 2 and 20 and december 25 social customs when greeting someone in mexico it s common to shake hands with men and women that you have just met women might also greet men or women with a kiss on the cheek internet access mexico offers plenty of internet cafes and public sites with connections ranging from standard dial-up to high-speed dsl nightlife at mexico city 14

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lc universidad panamericana 2010-2011 cuernavaca cuernavaca the city of eternal spring is located 89 km 55 mi south of mexico city in the northern region of the state of morelos the city has a pleasant climate with an average year-round temperature of 23º c 73º f in the surrounding areas you ll find wonderful attractions like the corredor biologico ajuscochichinautzin an ideal spot for ecotourism outings swimming resort las estacas where you ll find crystalline springs surrounded by some of the state s most beautiful natural scenery the zempoala lagoons which consists of lagoons archaeological ruins and forests and the xochicalco archaeological zone declared a world heritage site by the unesco this destination is an excellent place to relax as each year it draws many tourists looking to escape from the stress of their workday routines some travel to cuernavaca to visit its luxurious spas which offer all kinds of massages and relaxation therapies others enjoy going to the swimming resorts which have excellent facilities or you can simply take a stroll through the city and marvel at the magnificent historic buildings such as the convento del la asuncion convent of the assumption la capilla de san jose san jose chapel and the palacio de cortes palace of cortez the oldest viceregal civic construction which houses diego rivera murals also of interest is the jardin borda borda garden an important city symbol due to its rich history and natural beauty also here are some states were you can easy travel from mexico city san miguel de allende san miguel de allende is located in central mexico 92 km 57 mi west of the city of guanajuato and 276 km 170 mi northwest of mexico city off highway 110 the average temperature ranges between 16º and 22º c 61º and 72º f the city s magnificent colonial edifices which often combine baroque and neoclassical elements offer clear examples of the eclectic mix of architectural styles as you ll see in buildings such as the parroquia de san miguel arcangel and the oratorio de san felipe neri querÉtaro what s more you ll have a clearer understanding of the city s role during the independence insurgence when you visit the stately mansion that houses the museo casa allende in addition san miguel is a destination that draws tourists from all over the world due to its important cultural events such as the sanmiguelada which was inspired by spain s pamplona festival the city also hosts world-famous events such as the located in mexico s central region queretaro has an interesting ethnic and chamber music festival and the san miguel jazz festival which features renowned artists cultural heritage that has developed from the integration of pre-hispanic and european customs during the day you can explore the city s in the city of queretaro the state capital you ll see beautiful examples of surrounding areas where you can do exciting baroque architecture in fact the buildings there are so impressive that the outdoor recreational activities like skydiving and unesco considered declaring the city a world heritage city among the paragliding which afford a breathtaking view of the terrain below at night in the city center you notable edifices are the churches of san felipe neri and santa rosa can enjoy the hospitable atmosphere in the bars viterbo quarry stone constructions that house precious altarpieces and the teatro de la republica where mexico s constitution was signed in this and restaurants as for the cuisine be sure to try the unbeatable dishes that draw from various state you can also visit juriquilla which has exclusive spa resorts and golf culinary influences such as fiambre rabo de zorra courses and the surrounding areas of bernal which provide ideal and pacholas conditions for rock climbing and rappelling querÉtaro 15

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