A trip to Mexico brings with it a broad spectrum – spectacular archaeological sites covering various time periods, some of the best-known food and culture in Latin America, attractive and interesting cities and colonial towns, and very diverse scenery and ecosystems.
Our Latin America Product Manager & Travel Specialist, Jack Brooker, discovered this firsthand during his most recent trip, exploring the rich culture and soft, sandy beaches.
Read on to find out more.
By Jack Brooker
Where local flavours meet fine art: Mexico City
With a spicy hint of barbacoa lamb still lingering on my tongue, I wander around a hidden neighbourhood market alongside my guide, who’s escorting me to some of Mexico City’s tastiest taco spots. As I listen to him tell a fun story about one of his past visits to the area, I look around to see the daily lives of local people take place in and amongst the buzz of this vibrant hub I find myself in. Even though it’s billed as just a ‘taco tour’ on paper, I was fully immersed in a world of rich culture and history.
Like mine, your Mexico trip will likely start in the heart of the capital, where you’ll explore a diverse pairing of Michelin-starred restaurants and casual taquerías, fondas and cenadurías.
I also recommend including a visit to the Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera museums, which are among the best on the continent. You’ll see everything from pre-Columbian sculptures to folk art, furnishings and documents, with some of the world’s most iconic paintings on display, too.
Standing where Frida was once born, lived much of her life, and eventually died is a surreal feeling to say the least. The house is a treasure trove of her paintings and innumerable artefacts.
From here, I travelled east to San Cristóbal de las Casas.
Between jungle canyons & cobblestones: Sumidero Canyon & San Cristóbal de las Casas
The journey to San Cristóbal de las Casas passes through the dramatic Sumidero Canyon, where herons, monkeys and crocodiles roam freely. You’re on the water for around two hours, surrounded by towering rock walls formed some 36 million years ago, covered in dark green moss and vegetation. Keep a keen eye out for rustling among the canopy, where monkeys swing branch to branch in search of food, and have your camera ready to snap a host of photographs of the magnificent natural sights that pervade across the fissure.
San Cristóbal de las Casas is a charming colonial town. The first couple of hours around the centre are best spent just wandering the cobbled streets and admiring the pastel-coloured townhouses. You can explore the entire centre on foot, with plenty of pedestrianised walkways. From the vibrant yellow cathedral to the 16th-century Templo de Santo Domingo, with its intricate pink facade and gilded Baroque interior, your colourful tour visits the most prominent sights.
You also have a variety of eateries and cafés, as well as lots of handicraft shops. Browse the market in front of the church, where Tzotzil Indians from the surrounding hills come to trade, and absorb the daily lives of the locals, which are happening all around you.
A tour of the surrounding towns and villages can also be a good introduction, with the churches in San Juan Chamula being very impressive; it also gives you a sense of this part of the Chiapas region. Northbound, the following stop was Palenque.
Echoes of a lost Maya civilisation: Palenque
Overlooking the forest canopy that seems to stretch all the way to the Gulf coast, Palenque is a city that was once at its height between 500 and 700 AD, when its influence extended throughout the basin of the Usumacinta River. There’s plenty of mystery to uncover on your exploration of the area, especially since a portion of the ruins is unexcavated!
The whole site is extraordinary, both in scale and formation. When gazing upon the sculpted reliefs illustrating Mayan mythology, I found it hard to believe that this place was once full of life. Now, it serves as a reminder of what civilisation used to be like.
The stateliest building is the Temple of the Inscriptions, a funerary monument to the 7th-century king K'inich Janaab' Pakal (Pakal the Great) – whose sarcophagus was discovered in the 20th century. The temple gets its name from three hieroglyphic tablets, known as the East Tablet, Central Tablet and West Tablet. Other notable ruins include the Temple of the Sun (crowned with a prominent roof comb) and the Palace (with its maze of corridors and rooms).
After this, Mérida was next on my adventure.
The lively heart of the Yucatán: Mérida & Beyond
Mérida, in the Yucatán Peninsula, was built more than 450 years ago. Today, it’s a bustling place, full of chatter and intrigue as I browse the little market stalls selling tacos and local handicrafts. When darkness falls over the city, the main plaza lights up, attracting people from all over the city like a moth to a flame. There’s plenty to keep you busy in the evenings here as well, with great restaurants and bars showcasing some of the best of Mexican culture!
It acts as a great base for exploring the Uxmal and Chichén Itzá archaeological sites, too. I found the walk around Uxmal to be especially varied and interesting, with many restored buildings that give the sense of an ancient city more than any other I’ve seen. You’ll go from admiring representations of the rain-god Chaac to the Pyramid of the Soothsayer and House of the Tortoises. The number of tourists here also seemed to be outnumbered by the black spiny-tailed iguanas – always a nice extra addition to your pyramid photos.
Celestún Reserve is also a day trip option from Mérida. A pink sea of feathery flamingos lines the horizon, and photos don’t quite do justice to the contrast in colours. Wildlife experiences like this are few and far between in Mexico, making it an especially memorable moment for me.
Last, but certainly not least, was the Riviera Maya.
A finale in the Caribbean: Riviera Maya
The weather in the Riviera Maya is warm year-round. And with it being peppered with tropical beaches, it’s the ideal place to relax for the remainder of your trip.
After a busy itinerary, this was very much welcomed! Stop, sink your toes into the pristine white sands, gaze out towards the sparkling Caribbean Sea and forget about the world. Playa del Carmen is a great option, since you can unwind in the sun by day and then, with the bustling town, have plenty of different dining options in the evenings. Alternatively, heading further south towards Tulum offers slightly more secluded sections of coastline and easy access to the ruins overlooking the sea.
Apart from relaxing, you can visit the famous cenotes (sinkholes). They’re said to be the ancient Mayan means of communication to the underworld and are often surrounded by lush jungle.
Most properties have snorkelling gear or kayaks you can borrow to explore the marine life-rich waters. There are more than 500 fish species and 100 coral types below the surface, along with loggerhead and green turtles that glide peacefully, often seen delicately grazing on seagrass.
This is where my Mexico adventure ended, and what an adventure it was!
Ready to follow in Jack’s footsteps?
Discover our 12-night Marvellous Mexico & Beach sample itinerary to experience the country’s rich culture, ancient ruins and sun-soaked Caribbean beaches for yourself.
){kind=icon}