Mexico on your own: destinations, transport and tips to travel better
Mexico is an intense and full-of-character country, where pre-Hispanic history, colonial heritage and contemporary life coexist naturally. From deserts and jungles to turquoise beaches and vibrant cities, it offers a unique mix of flavors, colors and traditions that make each destination have its own distinct and memorable personality.
Mexico on your own: destinations, transport and tips to travel better
Mexico is an intense and full-of-character country, where pre-Hispanic history, colonial heritage and contemporary life coexist naturally. From deserts and jungles to turquoise beaches and vibrant cities, it offers a unique mix of flavors, colors and traditions that make each destination have its own distinct and memorable personality.
Mexico is a huge and diverse country, with beaches, colonial cities, pre-Hispanic ruins and one of the richest cultures in the world. These are some of the most outstanding destinations for a first (or second) visit:
- Mexico City – Museums, historic neighborhoods, gastronomy and cultural life.
- Cancún – Main gateway to the Mexican Caribbean.
- Playa del Carmen – A good balance between local life, tourism and beach.
- Isla Mujeres – Island with paradisiacal beaches off the coast of Cancún.
- Tulum – Archaeological site by the sea and relaxed atmosphere.
- Chichén Itzá – One of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
- Teotihuacán – Monumental pyramids near Mexico City.
- Oaxaca – Indigenous culture, gastronomy and handicrafts.
- San Miguel de Allende – Colonial architecture and artistic scene.
- Guanajuato – Colorful streets and underground tunnels.
- Puebla – History, talavera and traditional cuisine.
- Baja California – Desert, wines and whale watching.
- Guadalajara – Mariachi, tequila and Jalisco traditions.
- Chiapas – Jungle, indigenous communities and archaeological sites.
Mexican cuisine is a UNESCO cultural heritage, intense, diverse and deeply regional:
- Tacos – Al pastor, carnitas, barbacoa, suadero.
- Mole – Complex sauce made with chilies and spices.
- Tamales – Corn dough filled and wrapped in leaves.
- Pozole – Traditional corn and meat soup.
- Chiles en nogada – Typical dish from Puebla.
- Quesadillas – With or without cheese (national debate).
- Elotes and esquites – Corn with lime, cheese and chili.
- Tequila and mezcal – Traditional drinks.
- Currency: Mexican peso (MXN).
- Language: Spanish.
- Plugs: Type A and B, 127V.
- Tips: Common; between 10% and 15%.
- Connectivity: Good in cities and tourist areas.
- Payments: Cards accepted; cash widely used.
- Plane – Ideal for long distances (CDMX–Yucatán, CDMX–Baja).
- Long-distance bus – Very comfortable and reliable.
- Car – Useful in tourist areas, with caution.
- Urban transport – Metro in Mexico City, buses and apps.
- Colectivos – Very common in tourist destinations.
- November to April – Dry season and generally the best time.
- Summer – Hotter and rainier, especially in the south.
- September – Rainiest month and hurricane season in the Caribbean.
The climate varies greatly depending on the region and altitude.
- Try street food where there is high turnover.
- Use transport apps in large cities.
- Negotiate prices in markets, not in restaurants.
- Always drink bottled water.
- Carry cash for small expenses.
- Respect local customs and rhythms.
- Don’t try to visit too many destinations in one trip.
We spent six months in Mexico, especially in the Riviera Maya —between Cancún, Playa del Carmen and Tulum— where we experienced daily life surrounded by beaches, cenotes and Mayan ruins. Additionally, we spent a few days in Mexico City, a huge, intense and fascinating city, where history, gastronomy and urban life are strongly felt.
Mexico is one of those countries where each region feels like a different country: the landscape, the food, the rhythm and even the way of life change. Traveling through Mexico means embracing that constant contrast between the ancestral and the modern, the chaotic and the deeply authentic.
Must-see destinations in Mexico
Mexico is a huge and diverse country, with beaches, colonial cities, pre-Hispanic ruins and one of the richest cultures in the world. These are some of the most outstanding destinations for a first (or second) visit:
- Mexico City – Museums, historic neighborhoods, gastronomy and cultural life.
- Cancún – Main gateway to the Mexican Caribbean.
- Playa del Carmen – A good balance between local life, tourism and beach.
- Isla Mujeres – Island with paradisiacal beaches off the coast of Cancún.
- Tulum – Archaeological site by the sea and relaxed atmosphere.
- Chichén Itzá – One of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
- Teotihuacán – Monumental pyramids near Mexico City.
- Oaxaca – Indigenous culture, gastronomy and handicrafts.
- San Miguel de Allende – Colonial architecture and artistic scene.
- Guanajuato – Colorful streets and underground tunnels.
- Puebla – History, talavera and traditional cuisine.
- Baja California – Desert, wines and whale watching.
- Guadalajara – Mariachi, tequila and Jalisco traditions.
- Chiapas – Jungle, indigenous communities and archaeological sites.
What to eat in Mexico (must-try)
Mexican cuisine is a UNESCO cultural heritage, intense, diverse and deeply regional:
- Tacos – Al pastor, carnitas, barbacoa, suadero.
- Mole – Complex sauce made with chilies and spices.
- Tamales – Corn dough filled and wrapped in leaves.
- Pozole – Traditional corn and meat soup.
- Chiles en nogada – Typical dish from Puebla.
- Quesadillas – With or without cheese (national debate).
- Elotes and esquites – Corn with lime, cheese and chili.
- Tequila and mezcal – Traditional drinks.
Practical information for traveling in Mexico
- Currency: Mexican peso (MXN).
- Language: Spanish.
- Plugs: Type A and B, 127V.
- Tips: Common; between 10% and 15%.
- Connectivity: Good in cities and tourist areas.
- Payments: Cards accepted; cash widely used.
How to get around Mexico
- Plane – Ideal for long distances (CDMX–Yucatán, CDMX–Baja).
- Long-distance bus – Very comfortable and reliable.
- Car – Useful in tourist areas, with caution.
- Urban transport – Metro in Mexico City, buses and apps.
- Colectivos – Very common in tourist destinations.
Best time to travel
- November to April – Dry season and generally the best time.
- Summer – Hotter and rainier, especially in the south.
- September – Rainiest month and hurricane season in the Caribbean.
The climate varies greatly depending on the region and altitude.
Useful reminders for traveling in Mexico
- Try street food where there is high turnover.
- Use transport apps in large cities.
- Negotiate prices in markets, not in restaurants.
- Always drink bottled water.
- Carry cash for small expenses.
- Respect local customs and rhythms.
- Don’t try to visit too many destinations in one trip.
