Traveling to Mexico: a unique experience
From the forests inhabited by parrots, to the ancient Mayan ruins, to the super trendy nightclubs of Cancun and Playa del Carmen, Mexico does not disappoint anyone. Many tourists unfortunately still live Mexico inside the luxury resorts of the Mayan Riviera, but listen to me, even if you decide to stay in the resort spend less time as possible.
Mexico is a wonderful country to visit and everything will seem new and full of stimuli.
We are here to help you, to give useful travel advice to those of us who decide to undertake wonderful journeys to discover the world.
What is the best time to go to Mexico?
The best time is from December to April. The other months are characterized by rains and in summer also by hurricanes.
Our advice is to book at least 40 days before departure and to better organize your trip, so that you already know what you’re going to do.
What to put in the suitcase?
Even if Mexico has a very large territory and with different climates, it is not difficult to know what to bring since, apart from the evening or in San Cristobal (where a heavy jacket is essential), temperatures are generally hot so you can only take stuff lightly.
Put light clothes on: for women a linen or cotton tunic is perfect. Remember that in archaeological sites often the sun is violent and the evil bugs for which it is not always recommended to use shorts.
Shoes with sturdy soles: from when you will go trekking in the forest or climb the Mayan ruins, it is essential to wear shoes with a resistant sole that will not let you slip. The same applies to the cobbled streets on which it is easy to stumble.
Personal security: a belt carries money to hide the loot under clothes is essential.
Protection: absolutely carry a mosquito spray especially if you want to go to Palenque in the forest. Sun cream is essential even if it is found everywhere.
Bring a bottle of water and brush your teeth with it: even if the quality of the water has improved a lot in recent times it is better not to challenge fate, the stomach ache is always around the corner.
What to do and what to see in Mexico
Visit the Yucatan Peninsula: the Yucatan Peninsula is a treasure chest full of jewels. From the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza, to the white beaches of Tulum, to the colorful houses of Valladolid, time is never enough to see everything.
Snorkelling with turtles !: Head straight for Akumal to experience the wonderful experience of swimming alongside sea turtles.
Climb up the Ruins of Ek Balam: the ruins of the ancient jaguar city are, although reduced in size and less famous than its sister Chichen Itza, in my opinion not to be missed, above all for the views worthy of a king that are enjoyed on the forest around by the peaks Acropolis.
Cool off in the blue waters of a cenote: the cenote are caves with fresh water (sometimes even salt water). the whole Yucatan Peninsula is full of them and if you turn with the rented car every now and then on the roads you will see the indications: follow them. You can simply take a bath in the cenote, but the way to experience a real adventure is a scuba dive!
Immerse yourself in Cozumel: in 1961 Jacques Cousteau defined Cozumel as one of the most beautiful places in the world for diving with water so crystal clear that it has visibility up to 40 meters! Seeing is believing.
Have fun and get late in a club in Cancun: even though I don’t like crowded places so much, I have to admit that in Cancun there are some really nice places to really spend an evening.
Lose yourself in the markets of San Cristobal de Las Casas: San Cristobal de Las Casa is one of my favorite places in Mexico. The colorful farmhouses, the cobbled streets are like living in the past. From San Cristobal visit the Sumidero Canyon and San Juan Chamula but don’t miss the experience of wandering aimlessly through one of its colorful markets.
Spend two days in Boca del Cielo: does the end of the world exist? Sure, and it’s here on the Pacific Ocean in Boca del Cielo. Not suitable for those seeking luxury and comfort, Boca del Cielo must remain a destination for the few. Here you will have to settle for a simple cabana, a beach almost as long as the infinite, sunsets that only the Pacific can offer and the company of many small sea turtles.
Explore the Zocalo: stop at the Zocalo, the main square (as well as the heart) of Mexico City to observe the Templo Mayor and the Palacio Nacional. A short walk from the Zocalo is La Catedral Metropolitana, an imposing cathedral fortified with gold and a fantastic example of Spanish colonial architecture.
Do not support irresponsible tourism: unfortunately, as in most tourist places, irresponsible tourism is a scourge and is still rampant. From the photo with a poor suffering shark closed in a swimming pool, to the sale (prohibited) of shells, to the concrete eco-monsters built directly on the beach and to the relative rubbish, an earthly paradise has become a hell made for profit with no respect for nature, for animals and even tourists unaware of contributing to the destruction of an ecosystem.
How much does it cost to travel in Mexico?
Apart from the Yucatan and the sites with the most influx of tourists, traveling to Mexico is cheap. Apart from Playa del Carmen which is expensive, the other areas are quite cheap, especially if you travel by public transport and eat in local markets.
Hotels and hostels: in Mexico you can find super-cheap hotels and bungalows from super-luxury hotels and bungalows, the choice is certainly not lacking.
You can find, if you want to book earlier, great offers also on booking.com. Here too, prices vary a lot depending on where you are. Tulum beach bungalows and Playa del Carmen hotels have very high prices. San Cristobal de Las Casas in Chiapas is much cheaper.
Restaurants: We hope that you love Mexican food, the restaurants are more expensive (10-15-20 euros), but if you eat in clubs and in the markets the cost is low (4-6 euros).
Guided activities and tours: diving, snorkeling and agency activities are quite expensive (but less so than here). If you want to save money stay away from the Playa del Carmen agencies that have absurd prices compared to what you spend going about your business.
how to manage money in Mexico?
The Mexican Peso is in force in Mexico. In some very tourist areas like in some cities of the Mayan Riviera (Playa del Carmen for example) you can also pay US dollars but we do not recommend it. Credit cards are accepted everywhere and ATMs are mainly in the tourist areas.
Our advice is to bring you more cards, so that if one is not accepted, you can try another.
Another piece of advice we want to give you is to start with some cash to change once you arrive (it’s better to avoid the airport for the change) and, of course, to bring with you a couple of cards for withdrawals and payments.
Finally, in Mexico, PayPal is used, and some hotels can be paid easily by sending money with this tool, convenient, fast and always working. In case you don’t already have a PayPal account, you might think about making one before you leave.
VACCINATIONS & MEDICINAL PRODUCTS
No vaccination is required for Mexico.
But check before starting to be in compliance with the various references, such as that of the tetanus.
We hope this guide was perfect for you to help you organize your trip to Mexico with your family or as a couple.
We are always ready to help you and wish you a pleasant journey!