Mexico isn’t just about the food and mariachi bands, there is so much more on offer in this wonderfully diverse landscape. For travelers, there is truly something for everyone from sumptuous local food, history and one of the most vibrant cultures that you could possibly imagine. Here, you will find resort towns, beaches, historical buildings, comfortable Mexico vacation rentals, and bustling night destinations.
Places to visit in Mexico
If it’s your first time in Mexico, then you are in the right place because I have taken this little opportunity to write a little bit more about best places to visit in Mexico and some of the amazing things that you can do there. I hope you enjoy it!
Sumidero Canyon
This is one of the most special places to see and was formed by a combination of a geological fault and erosion from the Grijalva River. This occurred around the same time the Grand Canyon was formed in Arizona. The canyon’s walls are a stunning 3300 feet high, are dotted with lush green trees and the river still flows there. This makes for a truly incredible sight. If you are interested there is also a dam here that is used to generate power for the state of Chiapas.
Mexico City
Forget absolutely everything you know about Mexico City and take the plunge in enjoying this wonderful city. The city itself has a turbulent history with the Spanish and the native people, but it is one of the marvelous capital cities around and is a sprawling metropolis that is home to one of the largest urban areas on the planet.
Here you will be able to experience the local arts and culture scene, in fact, a whole district was given a UNESCO Heritage title for this reason alone. Here you can find restored colonial buildings and it is definitely something for the history or architecture lover. On top of this, there is a whole lot of delicious Comida (food)! Visiting Xochimilco is also a huge highlight and there are a number of Aztec canals here that lie within the old lake bed that Mexico City lies on.
Mérida
Mérida is a paradise for the history lover and the capital of the Yucatán state is home to a rich Mayan history and colonial heritage, which boasts a 17th-century scene. At its core is the Plaza de la Independencia, also known as Plaza Grande. Right next door, on either side, you can find Iglesia de la Tercera Orden and Mérida Cathedral, both of which are colonial-era cathedrals that were built on the remains of ancient Mayan temples.
Perhaps the most popular part of the city is the mansion Casa de Montejo, which is located not far from the Plaza de la Independencia to the south. This stunning place was built in 1549 and were actually the soldier’s quarters until it was transformed into a mansion by Francisco de Montejo and his family. One of the most debated and interesting parts of the mansion is the facade, which has a number of symbols, which are said to be the conquistadors holding the heads of the Mayans on pikes. If you are here, it is also a great idea to visit the museum too.
Guanajuato and San Miguel de Allende
The hill town of Guanajuato is a great place to visit in October, during the Festival Cervantino. Here you can soak up just one of the many beautiful cultural aspects of Mexico. Here you can find orchestra shows, modern art exhibitions and even ballet. The best part is that all of these are free during the festival, so there really isn’t any reason not to head there.
Another highlight when you are in Guanajuato is San Miguel de Allende. This was the backdrop for Robert Rodriguez’s “Once Upon A Time in Mexico”. Here you can see the vibrant buildings, ancient walkways and architecture, as well as some stunning views of the Sierra Madre mountains.
Playa Del Carmen
Playa del Carmen is located at Quintana Roo state along the Yucatán Peninsula and is the place to go if you are looking for amazing beaches and a place to enjoy the natural beauty of Mexico. This resort town is very well known for its white sand beaches and turquoise waters that are typical of this part of Mexico. It is no surprise that this place is popular, but don’t let that fool you into thinking that this ruins the atmosphere of the place.
It definitely has its own charm aside from the beach with La Quinta (the main square in the town), which is home to many boutiques and small restaurants. If you are looking for some adventures you can dive the incredible sinkholes which dot the local area or explore the lush forests. Not far away you can also visit the ancient ruins of Tulum and this is definitely one of my highlights as the ruins are right next to the beach, so you can swim and explore at your leisure.
Typical costs for traveling in Mexico
Transportation
Taxis are naturally a more expensive way to get around but in Mexico, they are relatively cheap at around 16 MXN. Buses are a great alternative if you want to keep an eye on your budget and are a great way to make little trips between towns and cities. As Mexico can be a rather large in terms of the distance between cities you may also consider booking flights between some of the cities to save you some time and to get more out of your holiday. Flights are relatively cheap here too, so keep an eye on these too if you are considering exploring a few of the different regions and are short on time.
Food
Food is definitely something that everyone can enjoy, especially considering how incredibly affordable it is for people coming from most other parts of the world. Spending around 200 MXN (most of the timeless) will get you by for an entire day and you can enjoy the great street food that Mexico has to offer. If you are planning to head to a nice restaurant, you may be more in the region of at least 500 MXN. This is still very affordable and I would recommend trying both street food and restaurants to soak up the amazing food culture.
Hopefully, you should be convinced to book that trip to Mexico that you have always been planning. I hope you enjoyed reading this article as much as you will enjoy visiting Mexico!
