When in Mexico — 13 Travel Tips. Ancient Mayan cities, white beaches…
Tags: Travel Europe, Mexico, Tulum, Latin America, Aztec

Ancient Mayan cities, white beaches, colourful colonial towns and diverse nature A trip through Mexico promises sights galore — as well as warm people and delicious food. Need inspiration for your Mexico trip? Then read these 13 insider travel tips for Mexico!

Visit a traditional mezcal factory in Oaxaca

Oaxaca is the region of mezcal, a strong alcoholic drink based on the agave plant. Just outside the city of Oaxaca, there is a special factory where the entire mezcal production process takes place in the traditional way. The small distillery is located in the countryside, surrounded by mountains and agave plantations. In Oaxaca itself — a very charming and lively city — there are numerous places where you can try the relative of tequila. And did you know that in the bottom of every bottle of mezcal there is a pickled worm that, according to legend, increases potency when eaten? Check out these tours to try for yourself.

Take a bike tour from Monte Albán

Just outside Oaxaca is Monte Albán: a 2000-metre-high mountain at the top of which are the ruins of a pre-Columbian city. A unique way to visit this place is on a bike tour. A bus takes you to the top of Monte Albán, where you first visit the ruins. You cycle back on your own and pass several villages. On the way, you meet the inhabitants and visit a workshop, for example. There you can buy handmade products. You can also visit the Cuilapam monastery. Exploring the area on a guided bike tour gives a lot of interesting insight.

Marvel at the largest tree in the world

The Árbol de Tule near Oaxaca is a true giant, with a diameter of 14 metres, a circumference of 58 metres and a height of 42 metres. You will feel like a dwarf! Buses leave every ten minutes or so from the city centre to the natural monument next to the radiantly soft church of Santa Maria de Tule — which, however, looks like a small chapel next to the giant tree.

Relax on Isla Holbox or Isla Mujeres

In the Caribbean Sea lie the small islands of Isla Holbox and Isla Mujeres. Both are paradises with almost unreal white beaches and clear blue sea. You go there by ferry, which gives you a sense of adventure. Then you reach a small island where everything is wonderfully relaxed.

Only golf carts drive on Isla Holbox and the roads are not asphalted. The village has many nice restaurants, cafés and street art. In summer you can swim with whale sharks — an experience you won’t forget. Isla Mujeres is no less beautiful, but a bit more touristy — this is the place to go if you like more hustle and bustle.

Discover hidden Mayan cities

Chichen Itza is the most famous Mayan city, but there are other beautiful Mayan ruins in Yucatan, Campeche and Chiapas. Our favourites are Palenque and Calakmul. Calakmul is remote and hidden in the jungle of Campeche. Therefore, it is not yet crowded. From the highest point of the highest temple, you have a fantastic 360-degree view of the green jungle as far as the eye can see. Palenque is also very beautiful, especially early in the morning. You can see the mist slowly rising on the ruins, while you hear howler monkeys screaming in the distance. Magical!

Dive into a cenote

A cenote is a natural cave filled with fresh water. And Yucatán has countless of them! Some are well-known and well visited, but there are also many hidden caves. Each cenote is different and it is worth visiting several of them. Near Playa del Carmen, on the road to Tulum, are Cenote Azul and Cenote Cristalino. Both are beautiful caves for swimming. Take a boat trip from Celestún, for example, through mangroves and to a hidden cenote. A real jewel with an almost spiritual atmosphere.

Enjoy Mexican cuisine

One of the highlights of any trip through Mexico is the food. There is delicious street food everywhere as well as great restaurants and each region has its own specialities. Enjoy the fruits, the fish, the many sauces and seasonal products that are used. Just try everything you come across. Classics are tacos, quesadillas or tortillas, but there are many more. Our favourite dish is tamales, which are made from a corn dough filled with vegetables and chicken and rolled in banana leaves. The whole thing is then steamed — so delicious! In Yucatán, panuchos, a kind of filled, crispy taco, are everywhere. Another thing you can’t miss in Mexico is a delicious cocktail! A sweet drink is ideal to round off a spicy dish. And if you’re a vegetarian: you’ll get your culinary money’s worth in Mexico even without meat, I promise!

Discover the spectacular beaches of Mexico

Mexico is of course known for its beautiful beaches. The Caribbean coast has great white beaches. Tulum, Playa del Carmen and Mahahual are beautiful coastal towns to spend days relaxing on the beach. But the Pacific coast is also worth a visit. Here you will find long, golden beaches that are often less crowded. Watch turtles come ashore to lay eggs or pelicans fly around. A place for all-round relaxation!

Enjoy nature in the green region of Chiapas

Southern Chiapas combines many sides of Mexico in one small area. The city of San Cristóbal de las Casas is a highlight on your trip, and there is also a lot to see around it. Chiapas offers a lot of greenery with mountains, lakes, rivers and waterfalls. For example, ride across the countryside and visit the petrified waterfalls “Hierve el Agua”. Or take a tour by kayak through the jungle. This is the region for an active day in nature!

Experience the hustle and bustle of Mexico City.

Mexico City is impressive and hectic, but at the same time friendly and hugely cultural with many sights to see. At the beginning or end of your trip, this is an ideal place to experience Mexican city life in all its forms. If you’re adventurous enough, take the metro and immerse yourself in the daily life of the metropolis. Explore the trendy neighbourhoods of La Roma and La Condesa with their art deco architecture. Or visit the southern and artistic district of Coyoacán. And even if you’re on foot, you can explore the historic heart of the city. In the evening, head to Plaza Garibaldi: Here, countless mariachi bands play typical Mexican music. A highlight in November is Día de Muertos, which is celebrated in a particularly big way in Mexico City.

Surf in Puerto Escondido

Once you’ve been here, you’ll always stay: When you’re out and about in Puerto Escondido on the Pacific coast, you’ll meet people again and again who actually just wanted to go on holiday, then succumbed to the charm of this laid-back surf town and simply stayed. Here you’ll meet very warm people, you can let off steam in the waves or just doze in a hammock on the beach. On Wednesdays you can show off your salsa skills in the congo, and almost every other day there’s dancing on the beach. What makes Puerto so special? Hard to describe — you have to experience it! By the way: Not far away is Zipolite, a hippy village where things are less bustling.

Visit the indigenous Mayan villages with a local guide

A truly unique experience can be found just outside the city of San Cristóbal. In the mountains of Chiapas lies one of the most authentic Mayan villages in Mexico. In San Juan Chamula, the inhabitants still cling to their own beliefs, which consist of complex rituals and ceremonies. Shamans and spiritual guides play an important role. During a day tour you will visit the village of Tzotzil with a local guide. He will not only tell you all about the customs and traditions, but also take you to one of the sacred ceremonies. You will visit the house of a local family, where you will experience a special ritual. On the way back, you will stop in the Mayan village of Zinacantán, where you will learn more about weaving and tortillas in the traditional way.

Walk in Frida Kahlo’s footsteps

Rebel, bundle of energy, women’s rights activist, peace activist — and above all, Mexico’s most important artist was Frida Kahlo. Probably everyone knows her self-portraits with the dark eyebrows grown together, but only very few know about Frida Kahlo’s personal history, which was marked by pain, strokes of fate and a very difficult marriage. A quote from the painter: “In my life, two accidents have marked me: the traffic accident and the encounter with Diego Riviera.” If you want to learn more, be sure to visit the Frida Kahlo Museum in the “Casa Azul” in Mexico City.