>> MAD AND MAGNIFICENT, OVERWHELMING AND EXHILARATING, THIS CRAZY CAPITAL CAPTIVATES WITH ITS FASCINATING MIX OF ANCIENT AND MODERN.

A SIDE TRIP TAKES IN PRISTINE BEACHES AND TROPICAL WATERS THAT WASH AWAY ALL CARES.

NEXT UP, MEXICO CITY AND ZIHUATANEJO ON SMART TRAVELS.

>> MAJOR CORPORATE SUPPORT FOR "SMART TRAVELS WITH RUDY MAXA" IS PROVIDED BY... >> OVER THE YEARS, PUBLIC TELEVISION HAS SHOWN YOU THE WORLD, EDUCATED YOU ABOUT IT, AND INSPIRED YOU TO SEE IT FOR YOURSELF.

EXPEDIA CAN HELP YOU GET THERE WITH FLIGHTS, HOTELS, AND VACATION PACKAGES.

"SMART TRAVELS WITH RUDY MAXA" IS BROUGHT TO YOU IN PART BY THE PEOPLE AT EXPEDIA.

>> ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FROM MEDJETASSIST.COM.

PROTECTION FOR TRAVELERS.

TAKE TRIPS, NOT CHANCES.

"SMART TRAVELS" IS A GRAND TOUR OF THE WORLD'S GREAT DESTINATIONS-- THE PEOPLE, PLACES, AND UNIQUE LOCAL FLAVORS.

NOW TIPS, TRIPS, AND SECRET PLACES ON "SMART TRAVELS: PACIFIC RIM."

>> THE AIR IS UN-BREATHABLE, THE TRAFFIC MIND BOGGLING, EARTHQUAKES REGULARLY ROCK THE REGION, THE CITY'S SINKING INTO MUD, AND POVERTY IS COMMONPLACE.

YET THIS CAPITAL OF MEXICO POSITIVELY SIZZLES WITH ENERGY, DETERMINATION, AND ZEST.

IT'S A MADHOUSE BRIMMING WITH ART, CULTURE, HIGH CUISINE, AND NIGHTLIFE.

THE PAST NEVER FEELS FAR AWAY, AND ITS PEOPLE ARE A VIBRANT MIX OF CULTURES WITH A TUMULTUOUS HISTORY.

MORE THAN 20 MILLION PEOPLE INHABIT THIS FRENETIC CITY, MAKING IT ONE OF THE WORLD'S LARGEST.

PERHAPS IT'S THE CHAOS OF MEXICO CITY THAT MAKES THE QUIET MOMENTS SO PRECIOUS-- A FOUNTAIN SPLASHING IN A NEIGHBORHOOD PARK, A GRIPPING STONE STARE FROM THE ANCIENT PAST, A BACK STREET CAFE.

OPTIMISTIC AND WARM, THE PEOPLE MAKE THIS MEGA-METROPOLIS FEEL LIKE A SMALL TOWN.

MEXICO CITY TAKES A LITTLE GETTING USED TO.

THE ALTITUDE ALONE CAN MAKE YOU SHORT OF BREATH, NOT TO MENTION THE FRENZY AND THE FUMES.

KICKING BACK IN ONE OF MEXICO CITY'S NEIGHBORHOODS, EXPLORING A LITTLE CANTINA, OR CATCHING A MARIACHI BAND-- ALL HELP TO BRING THE CITY DOWN TO SIZE.

BUILT ON AN ISLAND IN A LAKE AND RINGED BY ACTIVE VOLCANOES, MEXICO CITY ONCE DAZZLED WITH ITS NATURAL BEAUTY.

TODAY SMOG OBSCURES THE MOUNTAINS MOST DAYS, AND THE LAKE WAS LONG AGO FILLED IN.

THE BEAUTY OF THE CITY NOW COMES FROM ITS VITALITY, FROM ITS CHARMING NEIGHBORHOODS, ITS RESTAURANTS AND NIGHTLIFE.

OUR EXPLORATION OF MEXICO CITY BEGINS IN THE HISTORIC CENTER.

WE TAKE IN SEVERAL MARKETS AND STROLL THROUGH CHAPULTEPEC PARK, THE POLANCO AND CONDESA NEIGHBORHOODS.

WE'LL ALSO TAKE EXCURSIONS TO THE RUINS OF TEOTIHUACAN AND GORGEOUS BEACHES AT ZIHUATANEJO.

THE ZOCALO, THE VAST SQUARE IN THE CENTER OF MEXICO CITY, IS THE SPOT WHERE IT ALL BEGAN, WHEN THIS WAS AN AZTEC CITY CALLED TENOCHTITLAN.

BUILT ON AN ISLAND IN THE MIDDLE OF A LARGE LAKE, THE CITY'S MAIN TEMPLE, THE TEMPLE MAYOR, ROSE 90 FEET IN THE AIR.

TODAY, PERFORMERS RECREATE AZTEC CEREMONIES AND DANCES IN THE ZOCALO.

WHEN A SMALL GROUP OF SPANISH MEN LED BY HERNAN CORTES CAME TO CONQUER TENOCHTITLAN IN 1519, THEY APPROACHED THE CITY WITH AWE.

THEIR CHRONICLER WROTE, "THESE TEMPLE-PYRAMIDS RISING FROM THE WATER, ALL MADE OF STONE, SEEMED LIKE AN ENCHANTED VISION."

CORTES SOON DESTROYED EVERYTHING THAT HAD SO IMPRESSED HIS MEN.

THE TEMPLE MAYOR MUSEUM CONTAINS A TREASURE FROM THE TEMPLE, A ROUND STONE THAT ELECTRICIANS ACCIDENTALLY UNEARTHED IN 1978.

AZTEC MYTH DESCRIBES HOW THE MOTHER OF MOON GODDESS, COYOLXAUHQUI, GAVE BIRTH TO A SON IN FULL ARMOR.

HE PROMPTLY CUT THE HEAD AND LIMBS OFF HIS SISTER ON WAY TO BECOMING THE SUPREME GOD OF THE SUN.

THIS GRISLY MURDER BECAME THE PROTOTYPE FOR THE AZTEC RITUALS IN WHICH HUMANS WERE SACRIFICED SO THAT THE SUN WOULD CONTINUE TO RISE EACH DAY.

THE MUSEUM ALSO EXHIBITS MANY ARTIFACTS EXCAVATED FROM THE GREAT TEMPLE OF TENOCHTITLAN.

AFTER CORTES RAZED THE TEMPLE MAYOR, HE ERECTED A CATHOLIC CHURCH.

TODAY'S CATHEDRAL WAS LATER REBUILT IN THE 16th CENTURY.

IF THE ZOCALO IS THE SOUL OF MEXICO CITY, THE MAIN MARKET, LA MERCED IS ITS BEATING HEART.

MOUNDS OF DRIED CHILIES, EVERY BEAN IMAGINABLE, BUCKETS OF MOLE, EVEN MAGIC POTIONS ARE AVAILABLE HERE.

[MAN SPEAKING SPANISH] EUROPEANS DISCOVERED MANY NEW FOODS WHEN THEY JOURNEYED TO THE NEW WORLD.

CORN, TOMATO, CHILI PEPPER, BEANS, PINEAPPLE, CACAO--THAT'S CHOCOLATE--AND SQUASH JUST TO NAME A FEW.

THERE IS SO MUCH HERE, IT CAN TAKE DAYS TO DO THIS MARKET JUSTICE.

FROM SPICY MOLE TO ACRES OF LIMES, THIS PLACE IS A FEAST FOR THE SENSES.

THE CHILI SELECTION ALONE IS MIND BOGGLING.

[BOTH SPEAKING SPANISH] OK, OK!

THAT'S--OK!

THESE RED HOT PEPPERS SURPASS ANY I CAN BUY BACK HOME.

10?

10 PESOS?

GRACIAS, SENOR.

CACTUS GREW IN MEXICO LONG BEFORE THE SPANISH ARRIVED.

THE SPANISH BROUGHT IT HOME, AND IT SPREAD ACROSS NORTH AFRICA.

THE PEELED PADS ARE CALLED NOPALES AND CAN BE GRILLED OR BOILED.

NOPALES OFTEN END UP IN TORTILLAS OR ADDED TO SOUPS LOOKING FOR A LITTLE BRUJERIA, SOME WITCHCRAFT TO BRING WEALTH, OR KEEP A LOVED ONE FROM STRAYING?

THE SONORA WITCHCRAFT MARKET-- DOWN THE STREET FROM LA MERCED-- OFFERS ALL KINDS OF CURES AND ENCHANTMENTS.

FROM HERBS TO VOODOO DOLLS, THERE IS SOMETHING FOR EVERY MAGICAL NEED.

SO YOU SPRAY THIS IN YOUR HOUSE?

>> YEAH.

>> ALL RIGHT, DO WE HAVE SPRAYS FOR ANYTHING ELSE?

>> YEAH.

I HAVE FOR THE LOVE, FOR THE BUSINESS, FOR, YOU KNOW, THE, UM, BAD PEOPLE.

>> HEALTH?

OH, TO KEEP BAD PEOPLE AWAY.

SO YOU CAN BRING PEOPLE IN TO SPEND MONEY, AND YOU CAN KEEP BAD PEOPLE AWAY.

>> YEAH.

MM-HMM.

>> I NEED CASES OF THIS STUFF.

>> YEAH!

HA HA.

IT TAKES A LITTLE WITCHCRAFT TO FIND RESPITE FROM THE CITY'S RELENTLESS ENERGY.

BUT LOVELY CHAPULTEPEC PARK IS MEXICO CITY'S OASIS.

ON WEEKENDS, EVERYONE IS OUT FOR A STROLL, A BOAT RIDE ON THE LAKE, OR A PICNIC.

CHAPULTEPEC WAS THE FIRST PLACE THE WANDERING AZTEC TRIBE SETTLED IN THE EARLY 13th CENTURY.

LATER, AFTER THEY FOUNDED THEIR CITY, THIS HILL BECAME THE RETREAT FOR AZTEC RULERS.

CHAPULTEPEC'S CROWNING GLORY IS THE MUSEUM OF ANTHROPOLOGY, ONE OF THE WORLD'S GREAT MUSEUMS.

THIS MASSIVE COLLECTION EXPLORES THE COMPLEX ORIGINS OF THE PEOPLE OF MEXICO.

A TRIP TO THE MUSEUM IS A GREAT WAY TO PREPARE FOR AN EXCURSION TO THE RUINS OF TEOTIHUACAN, AN ANCIENT CITY LOCATED NOT FAR FROM MEXICO CITY.

THE WANDERING AZTECS CAME UPON THE RUINS OF THIS CITY, WHICH EXISTED ROUGHLY AT THE SAME TIME AS THE ROMAN EMPIRE.

TREASURES FROM TEOTIHUACAN INCLUDE JEWELS, POTTERY, AND JARS.

THE AZTECS CALLED THEMSELVES MEXICA, AND THE ROOM THAT CONTAINS THEIR ARTIFACTS IS ONE OF THE BEST IN THE MUSEUM.

HERE IS COYOLXAUHQUI, THE MOON GODDESS, MURDERED BY HER BROTHER, AS WELL AS XOCHIPILLI, PRINCE OF FLOWERS AND GOD OF MUSIC, LOVE, AND SONG.

A RECEPTACLE IN THE SHAPE OF A JAGUAR SERVED THE GRISLY FUNCTION OF HOLDING THE HEARTS OF SACRIFICIAL VICTIMS.

THE AZTEC SUN STONE DEPICTS THE SUN GOD IN THE CENTER--HIS UE IN THE SHAPE OF A SACRIFICIAL KNIFE AND HOLDING IN HIS HANDS HEARTS OF THE VICTIMS.

THE AZTECS BELIEVED THAT THESE SACRIFICES WOULD STAVE OFF THE END OF THE WORLD.

MEXICO'S GREAT MIX OF INDIGENOUS CULTURES COMES TOGETHER AT LA CIUDADELA, AN ENORMOUS ARTS AND CRAFTS MARKET WITH VENDORS SELLING SILVER, POTTERY, TEXTILES, EVEN GUITARS FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.

THE AZTECS WERE ONLY ONE OF MANY INDIGENOUS TRIBES IN MEXICO.

ONE OF THE JOYS OF VISITING MEXICO IS THIS GREAT DIVERSITY OF PEOPLE FROM DIFFERENT REGIONS WITH THEIR OWN TRADITIONS AND ART.

SILVER MINED IN THE NEARBY MOUNTAINS MADE MEXICO CITY AND SPAIN WEALTHY IN THE 1500s.

DURING THE COLONIAL PERIOD, INDIGENOUS PEOPLE WERE FORBIDDEN TO CRAFT WITH GOLD OR SILVER.

IN THE 20th CENTURY, THEY REVIVED THEIR ANCIENT ART.

NOW, IS THE SILVER IN THIS MARKET MADE HERE?

>> NO.

95% IS MADE IN TAXCO.

>> NOW, IF I BOUGHT SILVER HERE IN THE MARKET, WOULD IT BE LESS THAN IN THE UNITED STATES?

>> OH, OF COURSE.

I WOULD SAY AT AROUND 75% LESS AGAINST THE PRICE WHERE YOU PAID IN THE UNITED STATES.

>> THAT MUCH OF A REDUCTION?

>> YEAH.

>> MUSIC IS EVERYWHERE IN MEXICO CITY, AND GUITARS ABOUND.

WHEN HERNAN CORTES ARRIVED ON THE SCENE, HE HAD MUSICIANS WITH STRINGED INSTRUMENTS ACCOMPANYING THE SOLDIERS.

LATER, THE GUITAR FOUND ITS WAY INTO MARIACHI MUSIC.

ALL OVER TOWN, YOU'LL FIND MARIACHI BANDS OUT WAVING DOWN CLIENTS.

AT PLAZA GARIBALDI, MARIACHI BANDS WILL PLAY FOR ANYONE WHO HIRES THEM.

LOCALS COME HERE TO AUDITION BANDS FOR PARTIES.

[MEN SINGING IN SPANISH] THE SONGS OFTEN SPEAK OF THE HARD LIFE IN THE COUNTRY, OF LOVE AND LOSS, BETRAYAL AND BRAVERY.

[SONG CONTINUES] THE PLAZA REALLY SWINGS ON WEEKEND NIGHTS, BUT CAN BE DANGEROUS.

NIGHTLIFE IN MEXICO CITY IS MUY CALIENTE.

FROM JAZZ CLUBS TO BALLET, FROM STREET LIFE TO DISCOS, SOMETHING IS ALWAYS HAPPENING.

AND EVERY MONTH, A NEW HOT SPOT OPENS UP.

IN THE REVITALIZED DOWNTOWN AREA, CLUBS ARE SPRINGING UP ALL THE TIME.

ZINCO JAZZ CLUB SWINGS WITH JAZZ MUSICIANS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD.

[CROWD CHEERS] ANOTHER WAY TO ENJOY THE EVENING IN MEXICO CITY IS BY ATTENDING A PERFORMANCE OF THE BALLET FOLKLORICO AT THE PALACE OF FINE ARTS.

THE FAMED TIFFANY GLASS CURTAIN DEPICTING THE VALLEY OF MEXICO OPENS ON TO A JAZZY, CONTEMPORARY INTERPRETATION OF TRADITIONAL DANCE FROM ALL OVER MEXICO.

[PEOPLE SINGING IN SPANISH] WAR DANCES, COURTSHIP AND WEDDING DANCES, HOLIDAY AND RELIGIOUS DANCES ALL ARE REPRESENTED HERE WITH DAZZLING COSTUMES AND TAPPING HEELS.

[APPLAUSE] RETIRING TO ONE'S HOTEL AFTER SAMPLING MEXICO CITY'S NIGHTLIFE IS ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA, ESPECIALLY IF THE HOTEL IS THE MARQUIS REFORMA, A FIVE STAR DELIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CITY.

LOCATED ON THE BROAD PASEO DE LA REFORMA, THE HOTEL IS A LUXURY PROPERTY WITH STYLISH ROOMS AND SUITES.

THE HOTEL'S RELAXING SPA WITH WEIGHT ROOM, POOL, SAUNA AND MASSAGE PROVIDES A PLEASANT COUNTERPOINT TO THE ENERGY OUT OF DOORS.

YOUR HOTEL CAN ARRANGE PRIVATE TOURS AND SECURE A TAXI FOR TRIPS AROUND TOWN.

ALWAYS GET A TAXI FROM HOTELS OR BONA FIDE TAXI STANDS TO BE CERTAIN IT IS RELIABLE AND SAFE.

THE SPANISH RULED MEXICO FOR THREE CENTURIES.

IN 1810, MEXICO BEGAN A BRUTAL STRUGGLE TO WIN INDEPENDENCE FROM SPAIN.

IN 1910, REVOLUTION BROKE OUT IN THE CAPITAL, FUELED BY THE POVERTY OF THE PEASANTS.

AS MANY AS 2 MILLION MEXICANS DIED.

AN INTENSE NATIONALISM TOOK HOLD AFTERWARDS, AND MURALS WERE COMMISSIONED TO CELEBRATE THE MEXICAN HERITAGE.

THE MUSEO MURAL DIEGO RIVERA HAS AS ITS ENTIRE COLLECTION JUST ONE OF DIEGO RIVERA'S MURALS.

BUT IT'S A GEM.

ENTITLED "DREAM OF A SUNDAY AFTERNOON IN THE ALAMEDA CENTRAL," IT WAS PAINTED IN 1947.

RIVERA PEOPLES HIS PARK SCENE WITH HISTORICAL FIGURES.

HE PORTRAYS HIMSELF AS A LITTLE BOY, AND BEHIND, HIS WIFE AND FELLOW ARTIST FRIDA KAHLO, WATCHES OVER HIM.

THE FULL GLORY OF RIVERA'S WORK IS ON DISPLAY AT THE PALACIO NACIONAL.

HERE IS HIS CELEBRATION OF MEXICAN HISTORY FROM THE AZTECS TO THE BRUTAL CONQUISTADORS TO REVOLUTION.

RIVERA SAID OF HIS MURALS: "FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE HISTORY OF ART, MEXICAN MURAL PAINTING MADE THE MASSES THE HERO OF MONUMENTAL ART."

WHEN THE AZTECS STUMBLED ON THE CITY OF TEOTIHUACAN IN THE 14th CENTURY, IT WAS ALREADY IN RUINS.

THE ORIGINS OF THE PEOPLE WHO LIVED HERE AND WHY THEY ABRUPTLY DISAPPEARED REMAIN A MYSTERY TODAY.

JUST 30 MILES OUTSIDE OF MEXICO CITY, THE DRAMATIC RUINS OF TEOTIHUACAN ARE EASILY VISITED IN A DAY.

WITHOUT THE WHEEL OR BEASTS OF BURDEN, MEN BUILT THIS CITY IN THE FIRST CENTURY B.C.

BY HAULING MILLIONS OF STONE BLOCKS WITH BRUTE STRENGTH.

ONE OF THE LARGEST CITIES IN THE ANCIENT WORLD, TEOTIHUACAN GREW TO GREAT PROMINENCE AS A HUB FOR COMMERCE AND TRADE AS WELL AS A RELIGIOUS CENTER.

THE AZTECS, DISCOVERING THE RUINS, GAVE THE CITY ITS NAME-- TEOTIHUACAN, OR CITY OF THE GODS, AS THEY BELIEVED THE GODS THEY WORSHIPPED WERE BORN HERE.

THE TEMPLE OF THE SUN, THE LARGEST STRUCTURE IN THE CITY, IS BUILT OVER A CAVE AND POSSIBLY A SPRING--SACRED PLACES FOR MESOAMERICAN PEOPLE.

THE PALACE OF THE QUETZAL BUTTERFLY, ADJACENT TO THE TEMPLE OF THE SUN, IS A BEAUTIFULLY PRESERVED HOUSE OF A PRIEST OR RULER.

RELIEFS OF THE MYTHOLOGICAL BIRD/BUTTERFLY HYBRID ARE CARVED INTO THE COURTYARD COLUMNS.

PAINTED JAGUARS ADORN ONE OF THE UNDERGROUND PALACE ROOMS, AND BIRD MOTIFS DECORATE ANOTHER CHAMBER.

THE MOST MAGNIFICENT SCULPTURES IN THE RUINED CITY ADORN THE TEMPLE OF QUETZALCOATAL.

THE AZTECS BELIEVED THAT QUETZALCOATAL, THE GOD OF THE WIND, THE SKY AND CREATOR OF MAN, WOULD ONE DAY RETURN.

WHEN CORTES ARRIVED, HE WAS MISTAKEN FOR THE GOD AND WELCOMED BY THE AZTECS.

BIG MISTAKE.

IN THE EIGHTH CENTURY, A HUGE FIRE RAGED THROUGH TEOTIHUACAN.

BY THAT TIME, THE POPULATION HAD DECLINED SOMEWHAT, BUT WHO CAUSED THE DESTRUCTION OR WHY THE CITY WAS FINALLY ABANDONED, NO ONE IS CERTAIN.

BACK IN MEXICO CITY, NEIGHBORHOOD RESTAURANTS AND CAFES ARE OPENING, PEOPLE ARE OUT FOR THEIR LATE AFTERNOON PASEO, OR STROLL.

THE LATEST NEIGHBORHOOD HOT SPOTS ARE YOUTHFUL CONDESA AND GLAMOROUS POLANCO.

ART DECO HOUSES, PLEASANT LITTLE PARKS, AND ARTSY SHOPS, CONDESA ONCE HOUSED BOHEMIANS AND REVOLUTIONARIES IN THE 1930s.

I REPEATEDLY FOUND MYSELF DRAWN BACK TO CONDESA FOR AN AFTERNOON STROLL, A DRINK AT A CAFE, OR DINNER IN ONE OF THE MANY OPEN AIR RESTAURANTS.

NEARBY, POLANCO IS THE CHICEST NEIGHBORHOOD IN MEXICO CITY.

ALL THE BIG NAME BOUTIQUES ARE HERE AS WELL AS LITTLE CORNER CAFES AND SHOPS.

IN NEARBY RESIDENTIAL STREETS ARE SOME OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL AND CAREFULLY GUARDED HOUSES IN MEXICO CITY.

SET ON MEXICO CITY'S VERSION OF RODEO DRIVE IN POLANCO, PATRICIA QUINTANA'S RESTAURANT IZOTE IS DRAWING RAVES.

QUINTANA IS A STAR IN MEXICO, CELEBRATED FOR HER COOKBOOKS AND TV APPEARANCES.

WHEN YOU COOK, DO YOU HAVE A PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY?

>> WELL, I THINK YOU HAVE TO HAVE A LOT OF LOVE AND PASSION.

>> WHAT DISH ARE YOU PREPARING FOR US TODAY?

MY CHILES RELLENOS STUFFED WITH QUESO DE CABRA.

>> OOH!

GREAT.

CAN YOU TAKE US STEP BY STEP THROUGH THE PRODUCTION PROCESS?

>> FIRST YOU NEED THE CHILI POBLANO.

AND THEN YOU ROAST IT OVER DIRECT FIRE.

THEN YOU PUT IT ON A DAMP TOWEL.

THEN YOU LET IT SIT, PEELED.

CUT A LITTLE SLICE ON THE EDGE OF THE CHILE.

THEN BRING THE SEEDS OUT, AND THEN STUFF THE CHILE.

THEN YOU NEED TO PREPARE A WONDERFUL SALSA, A ROASTED SALSA DRIZZLED WITH A LITTLE BIT OF CREAM.

AND THEN YOU JUST SERVE IT WITH FRESH TORTILLAS.

>> IZOTE DAZZLES WITH STUNNING DISHES, SENSATIONAL SALSAS, AND PICANTE CHILI SAUCES.

FOR A COMPLETE CHANGE OF PACE, I'VE TRADED CITY LIFE FOR THE SOOTHING WATERS ON THE PACIFIC COAST.

A SHORT FLIGHT FROM MEXICO CITY OR A DAY'S DRIVE, THE PALM FRINGED RESORTS OF IXTAPA AND ZIHUATANEJO ARE BATHED IN GOLDEN LIGHT AND CRYSTAL CLEAR WATER.

IXTAPA IS A RESORT TOWN WITH HIGH-RISE HOTELS AND A LONG, PRETTY BEACH WITH SURF THAT CAN OFTEN BE TOO ROUGH FOR SWIMMING.

FOUR AND A HALF MILES SOUTH, ZIHUATANEJO IS THE ANTITHESIS OF IXTAPA.

THE BEACHES ARE SAFE FOR SWIMMING AND OTHER WATER SPORTS, AND THE STREETS OF THE TOWN, QUAINT AND PEACEFUL.

TOUGH DAY PLANNED TODAY: THE BEACH FOR BREAKFAST, THE BEACH FOR LUNCH, AND A LITTLE SHOPPING, AND BACK TO THE BEACH FOR SUNSET.

ZIHUATANEJO'S MAIN BEACH, PLAYA MUNICIPAL, IS A GREAT PLACE TO START THE DAY.

FISHERMEN DRAG THEIR CATCH AND COLORFUL BOATS ON SHORE EVERY MORNING.

DEEP SEA FISHING TRIPS DEPART HERE, AND YOUR DAY'S CATCH CAN BE COOKED UP AT LOCAL RESTAURANTS.

A PANGAS, OR WATER TAXI, RUNS EVERY TEN MINUTES TO NEARBY PLAYA LAS GATAS, A GREAT SPOT FOR LUNCH.

YOU CAN DINE ON FRESH SEAFOOD AND WATCH THE BEACH SCENE FROM UNDER THATCHED PALAPAS.

SAILBOATS AND WINDSURFERS DOT THE PALE BLUE SEA.

SNORKELERS CAN EXPLORE THE TINY REEF AT THE BEACH'S OUTER EDGES.

CENTURIES AGO, PIRATES HID OUT IN ZIHUATANEJO, POISED TO ATTACK PASSING SPANISH GALLEONS.

ZIHUATANEJO'S COLORFUL STREETS ARE JAMMED WITH ARTISAN MARKETS.

THE SPECIALTY SHOP COCO CABANA COLLECTIBLES, RUN BY A FORMER NEW YORK GALLERY OWNER, HAS AN EYE-CATCHING COLLECTION OF ART FROM ACROSS MEXICO.

LEGEND HAS IT THAT PIRATES ATTACKED A SPANISH SHIP LADEN WITH SILK, AND THE CLOTHES WASHED ASHORE GIVING PLAYA LA ROPA ITS NAME.

THIS IS ZIHUATANEJO'S PRETTIEST BEACH AND THE PLACE TO COME FOR SUNSET IN PARADISE.

FROM THE HUSTLE AND BUSTLE OF MEXICO CITY TO THE QUIET MYSTERY OF TEOTIHUACAN TO SUNBURNT PACIFIC BEACHES, MEXICO DANCES ITS WAY INTO YOUR HEART.

THE TEEMING CAPITAL, RICH IN HISTORY AND CULTURE, ENDLESSLY ENTERTAINS AND ENLIGHTENS.

FOR CENTURIES, IT HAS BEEN THE LIVELY CENTER OF THIS VARIED AND BEAUTIFUL LAND.

WELL, HERE'S TO THE END OF ANOTHER DAY FOR THE MEXICAN SUN GOD.

LIKE MEXICO ITSELF, SUNSET ON THE PLAYA LA ROPA IS A DRAMATIC EXPLOSION OF COLOR AND ENERGY.

FROM THIS ENCHANTING LAND, ADIOS AND BUENOS NOCHES.

>> TO ORDER THE TWO-EPISODE DVD OR VHS ON GUADALAJARA & PUERTO VALLARTA & MEXICO CITY & IXTAPA OR ANY OTHER "SMART TRAVELS" DESTINATIONS, PLEASE VISIT US ON-LINE AT SMARTTRAVELS.TV OR CALL... DVDs AND VIDEOS ARE $24.95 EACH PLUS SHIPPING.

EACH DVD INCLUDES MORE THAN AN HOUR OF EXCLUSIVE BONUS CLIPS AND RUDY'S TRAVEL TIPS.

ORDER AT THIS TOLL FREE NUMBER OR ON-LINE.

>> MAJOR CORPORATE SUPPORT FOR "SMART TRAVELS WITH RUDY MAXA" IS PROVIDED BY... >> OVER THE YEARS, PUBLIC TELEVISION HAS SHOWN YOU THE WORLD, EDUCATED YOU ABOUT IT, AND INSPIRED YOU TO SEE IT FOR YOURSELF.

EXPEDIA CAN HELP YOU GET THERE WITH FLIGHTS, HOTELS, AND VACATION PACKAGES.

"SMART TRAVELS WITH RUDY MAXA" IS BROUGHT TO YOU IN PART BY THE PEOPLE AT EXPEDIA.

>> ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FROM MEDJETASSIST.COM.

MEDICAL EVACUATION MEMBERSHIP PROTECTION FOR TRAVELERS.

TAKE TRIPS, NOT CHANCES.