A Mexican wrestler hams it up for the crowd

Mexican wrestling or 'lucha libre' may turn out to be an unexpected highlight of your trip to Mexico — not in terms of participation (unless you're feeling particularly limber and happen to have packed your spandex pants and mask) but rather by joining the millions of Mexicans who revel in this most entertaining of spectator sports.

In Mexico City, head downtown to the Arena Mexico on any Friday night and for just a few bucks you'll witness an entire evening's worth of death-defying acrobatics and hilariously hammed-up pantomime performed by colourful characters whose skills in the ring (and flying over the ropes out of it) are second only to their ability to drive the crowds wild with excitement.