Famous for its Mayan and Aztec ruins, Mexico has a diverse landscape that covers vast expanses of land from the Pacific to the Gulf of Mexico. Nature includes palm-lined beaches, tropical jungles, soaring volcanoes, bone-dry deserts, and plenty of wildlife.
Mexico is located in the southern part of North America and is bordered by the United States, Guatemala, and Belize. The country is rather large with a population that rests just under 130 million people. Thriving off of tourism, the locals are eager to show visitors what makes their country unique.
Livin’ La Vida Mexico
Visit Mexico’s Top Towns and Cities
Bienvenidos – Welcome to Mexico!
Mexico City is Mexico’s capital and it’s densely packed with a population of around 9 million people, which also makes it the most populated city in North America (just edging out New York City). The capital is located in the south-central, in the Valley of Mexico. It’s key to Mexico’s finances, politics, and culture.
The Federal Government houses all of its offices in the capital. Today, Mexico City is a rich urban area that is popular amongst tourists who are interested in viewing museums or galleries, shopping, eating, and exploring Mexican culture.
- Culture and Language
- Spending Budget
- How to Get Around
- Top Cities to Visit
- Points of Interest
Culture and Language
Mexico has a rich history that dates back thousands of years. The Mesoamerican civilizations survived almost 4,000 years before they were contacted by the Europeans. Today, 13% of the population is still considered to be indigenous.
After contact with the Europeans, Mexico’s national identity became ingrained in religion, family, and celebration. Catholicism is the dominant religion in the country, and it has shaped the culture too.
Family is a huge part of Mexican culture with multiple generations often living under the same roof. Families tend to be large and they uphold traditional gender roles. Parents are well respected and often the needs of the family come first.
Mexico loves to celebrate too. Families celebrate the daughter’s quinceañera, which is a girl’s most significant birthday. Celebrations are also popular on a national level with many holidays and festivals.
Alongside religious holidays, the country is well known for celebrating Semana Santa (Saints Week), Cinco de Mayo (5th of May, when the Mexican Army defeated the French empire), and Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead).
While Mexico is known for being a Spanish-speaking country, it does not have one official language. Spanish is the most widely spoken throughout the country, but the government also recognizes 68 indigenous languages too. Though the government works exclusively in Spanish, Nahuatl is the most commonly spoken indigenous language with just over 1 million speakers.
However, the influence of immigrants on Mexico also means that you may encounter other languages throughout your travels. English, German, Italian, French, and even Chinese are sometimes heard in parts of the country. English is especially popular because of the strong influence of the tourism industry.
Spending Budget
You may be eager to relax in paradise, but first, it’s important that you consider your spending budget when you begin to plan your trip. Mexico can be traveled on a backpacker’s budget, but it will take a little pre-planning.
Important parts of your budget will include airfare, accommodation, food, drink, and entertainment. Transportation is another essential part of your budget which we will cover in the next section.
Airfare
Airfare to Mexico can be found rather inexpensively with many airlines offering special deals. Most flights are direct and will take about 4 hours to fly from LAX to MEX for a non-stop flight.
However, the time you travel and how far in advance you book your tickets can affect the price. The tourist season runs from about mid-December to Easter, so plane tickets will be more expensive.
Accommodations
Accommodation is another significant portion of your budget and it can be made affordable or expensive. Hostels are popular throughout the country and you can choose between a dorm or a private room.
If a hostel isn’t your preference, mid-range hotels will provide you with an excellent experience and full hotel service. If a resort or luxury accommodation is your preference, expect to pay a much higher price, ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars.
Airbnb is another affordable option that can get you private accommodation in popular tourist destinations. There are even vacation rentals offered for a range of prices, depending on where you stay. If you’re traveling as a group, a home rental may be the most budget-friendly as there are many clean or luxury accommodations offered for less than a resort or hotel.
Dining Out
If you decide to splurge on accommodation, you can save money with your food and drink budget. Local meals are extremely affordable in Mexico with street food costing the least.
For backpackers, eating with the locals allows them to save or stay on budget, however, if you are sticking to touristy areas or only eating at fancy restaurants, expect your budget to increase.
For drinks, you’ll find that those too are affordable, but the prices do differ based on your location. Tourist areas will be the most expensive.
While beer is cheaper, especially in local restaurants, mixed drinks can be very expensive. If you want to drink, but need to stay on a budget, you should purchase your alcohol from a local store instead of at a restaurant.
There are plenty of local bars throughout the country too and in tourist areas. They should be perfectly safe, but keep your wits about you, and when in doubt, stick to bottled and canned cerveza (beer).
Mexican Food
There are many tasty dishes in Mexico that you can try, even on a budget. Tacos are popular because they are cheap and delicious. But there are well-known dishes like cochinita pibil, which is a pulled pork shoulder, or ceviche, which is fresh seafood cooked in citrus. Pozole is a traditional Mexican stew that features pork and vegetables.
How to Get Around
Mexico is a big country and getting around on a budget shouldn’t be too difficult. There are your standard options, including airports, bus services, private shuttles, car rentals, hailing a taxi, or using a ridesharing app.
Flights and Buses
For travelers who can splurge, you can always fly between destinations by using a domestic airline, but the cost can be quite expensive.
If you are traveling by bus, ADO is a good company that provides clean transportation for affordable prices. If you want to really save money, you can travel using the local transportation. Often these are microbuses, which travel between various destinations.
Taxis, Ride-Hailing Apps, and Car Rentals
Taxis, Uber, and Mexico’s version of Uber, called Cabify, are also options. Most will charge per kilometer, which makes them very affordable for short distances. However, if you prefer private transportation, you can rent a car. You may also look into private transportation, which can be affordable.
Companies often charge per person, and luxury private transportation can be quite expensive for a small group. Your hotel or accommodation may also provide you with transportation options.
Top Cities to Visit
Mexico is a thriving landscape and the cities are the most popular tourist destinations. Here, we will give a brief overview of some of the most popular cities that tourists explore in Mexico.
Mexico City
With a high altitude, Mexico City is the most densely populated largest city in Mexico. The city has begun to create a new image for itself, as one that is safer and tourist-friendly. Mexico City has revamped parts of the city and the culinary scene has become more popular.
The top sites in the city include the Palacio de Bellas Artes, Museo Nacional de Antropología, and the Templo Mayor. There are sightseeing tours within the city and just outside its limits, you can see the Teotihuacan pyramids. A 15-kilometer World Heritage Site with over 1,400 colonial buildings, the historic city center is also popular amongst tourists.
Oaxaca City
Oaxaca City is for the culture lovers who want to dive into Mexico’s historical architecture, Colonial, and Indigenous culture. The city is filled with colorful buildings like boutique hotels and artisan stores. Street art and bohemian bars are also popular attractions that make the city more unique.
The city is also located close to beaches, with Playa Zicatela and Carrizalillo as some of the most popular. The Guelaguetza is a popular festival that takes place every July and is filled with traditional music, dance, food, and crafts.
Cancún
This loved tourist spot is located in the Yucatán Peninsula, part of the Mayan Riviera, and is known for its pristine beaches, resorts, and thriving nightlife. With two distinct areas, Cancún is unique and one of Mexico’s top beach towns to live and visit.
El Centro is a more traditional area that is more local. Whereas most of the tourism is centered on the Zona Hotelera, which is beachfront and filled with hotels, shops, and nightclubs.
The turquoise waters of the Caribbean make Cancún a huge resort destination that also has outdoor excursions like cenotes and underwater caves. The world’s largest underwater museum (Museo Subacuático de Arte) is also located here, where you can dive underneath the waves to view impressive works of art.
Puerto Vallarta
Located on the Pacific coast, Puerto Vallarta is famous for being located in the Bahía de Banderas, which has shimmering blue water. The lush mountains make for a magnificent backdrop and tourists are eager to explore the sun-kissed beaches.
There is a full range of restaurants, shops, and bars for tourists to explore. El Malecón is a beachfront promenade, which is popular during both the day and night. Puerto Vallarta is also known for its adventurous activities like watersports and paragliding.
San Cristóbal de las Casas
San Cristóbal de las Casas is a unique location in southern Mexico, which is a highland valley surrounded by a pine forest. The cobbled streets lead paths to local markets, which provide endless goods for tourists to explore. The artisan markets are also popular for purchasing handmade crafts like baskets or woven fabrics.
The unique blend of urban and nature is present throughout the city, where just a few steps from the city edges are beautiful countryside. The city has well-preserved colonial architecture and the bright yellow San Cristóbal Cathedral is a must-see attraction.
Tulum
Tulum is a small town on the Caribbean coast of Mexico, which is also located in the Mayan Riviera. The city is famous for its well-preserved Mayan ruins and was once a Mayan port city. El Castillo is the castle in ruins, which sits atop a rocky cliff. The white sand beaches and aquamarine sea also make for a magnificent view.
Parque Nacional Tulum is located near the ruins and is popular amongst tourists for the mangrove and cenotes. The tall walls located around the city also make for a fortress-like feel, which brings tourists back to the past.
Cabo San Lucas
This popular tourist destination is located on the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula and is oftentimes simply called “Cabo” by tourists and locals. The city is one of Mexico’s top beach destinations which has a few different towns located in the Los Cabos Corridor. The corridor is a stretch of gorgeous beaches, which are where all the tourists flock to play in the ocean.
Watersports like diving, snorkeling, and fishing are all popular activities. El Arco de Cabo San Lucas is a well-visited natural landmark, which is an archway that has been carved out of the coastline. The arch also marks where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortez.
Points of Interest
While cities are the main attraction, there are also many interesting sites throughout Mexico that draw tourists in for an adventure. You may find that there’s a specific area you would like to explore.
Discover the best of Mexico’s thermal springs to add to your itinerary, on our sister site, Top Hot Springs.
Chichén Itza
Chichén Itza is a Mayan city that was built in pre-Columbian times and is one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. Today, it rests as ruins with the Castillo Temple, built to honor Kukulkan, the Plumed Serpent, as one of the most famous parts. On-site, there are 5 stone buildings all connected by pathways.
Temple of the Warriors is a massive temple that is filled with stone carvings. Finally, the Great Ball Court is 545 feet in length and is where the Mayans used to play “juego de pelota” or an ancient type of ball game. The site is open every day from 8 am to 5 pm and there’s a fee to enter.
Cozumel
A short ferry ride away from Playa del Carmen, Cozumel is a small island that is popular for tourists who want a little Caribbean getaway. The island is popular for its scuba diving around the coral reefs. Palancar Reef is for advanced divers and has man-made objects sunken into the ocean.
Some of the top beaches on the island are Playa San Juan, Playa Bonita, and Playa Santa Rosa. With plenty of resorts, Cozumel has become a world-renowned getaway. Chankanaab is also a popular eco-park where you may encounter dolphins, manatees, and sea turtles.
Copper Canyon
Located in the northern area of Chihuahua, Copper Canyon is one of Mexico’s most visited natural attractions. The Copper Canyon is actually deeper and bigger than the Grand Canyon and is named for the green-colored canyon walls.
A scenic rail, El Chepe, has become a popular way to see the canyon, but you can also take bikes or horseback rides. Summer is the most popular time to visit with July and August reigning as the peak tourist months.
Playa Del Carmen
Another location on the Mayan Riviera, Playa Del Carmen is a famous resort town that has beaches lined with palm trees and stunning coral reefs. The town is also known for its partying and it has a variety of restaurants, nightclubs, and dance clubs.
While the town is less crazy than the nearby Cancún, there is still plenty of entertainment. Playa Akumal is a popular beach, where you can even swim with sea turtles.
Cenotes
Cenotes are natural pits or sinkholes that occur when the natural limestone bedrock is eroded until it exposes the groundwater. The groundwater is often pooled into the cenote and makes an excellent swimming location. The water is crystal clear because it has been filtered by the earth so that you can see all the plant and animal life in the pool.
For the Mayans, cenotes were important sources of water in times of drought and it was believed that the caves, which are part of some cenotes, were doorways to the Underworld. When first discovered, a few cenotes even held human remains that were left as sacrifices.
But today, the most popular cenotes are clean and clear. In fact, you can find various cenotes throughout the Yucatán Peninsula with popular cenotes located at Chichén Itza, near Tulum and Playa Del Carmen.
“A World of its Own”
While Mexico has an expansive and sometimes conflicted past, the country is stunning and offers plenty of breathtaking places for tourists to escape into paradise. Its architecture, landscape, and history are all popular for curious travelers looking for adventure.
With a diverse terrain from high mountain landscapes to the blue Caribbean, Mexico is a top destination that will surely become your new favorite vacation spot.
Visit Mexico’s official tourism website.
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