Contrary to the guidebook recommendations, I suggest you eat from street vendors every chance you get. If you watch them cook your food you know it’s hot and fresh, two things not guaranteed if your food is prepared in a hidden kitchen. We’ve traveled for months in Mexico and never gotten sick from a street vendor, but have had family members hospitalized from “safe” resort food in Central America.

A few precautions, any time you’re eating outside of the first world:

• Drink only bottled water
• Use only purified water ice in your drinks
• If you can’t bleach, boil or peel it, don’t eat it
• Cook everything thoroughly.

When eating out or from street vendors this means avoid lettuce or tomato, things that might have been washed in local water and not cooked after. Don’t drink the horchata or fruit aguas that are offered in a glass, they’re made with local water. If it’s thoroughly cooked, odds are you’ll be fine.

Now on to the fun part! Mexico’s famous foods!

Mole

The iconic food of Oaxaca (wah-haw-kah) mole (moh-lay) defies description. It comes in a rainbow of colors and flavors, from red and yellow to deep black and is a richly layered taste sensation. The recipes are often family secrets and sometimes contain more than 100 ingredients. The black mole is famous for including chocolate with garlic two key ingredients. The sauce is served over meat, or stuffed tortillas, and rice. It is always mopped up with a pile of freshly made flour tortillas, don’t leave a drop on your plate!

You can visit swank restaurants and pay big bucks for a five star version of mole anywhere in the city of Oaxaca, but if you want the most authentic version, wander into the mercado, sit down on a wooden bench and order a plate of each color and eat elbow to elbow with the day laborers in for their lunch break. It won’t cost more than a couple of bucks and the mopping tortillas can be bought, hot out of a basket, from the little ladies wandering between food stalls.

If you wander a bit deeper into the mercado you’ll find stalls selling blocks of the mole paste, you can buy these and take them home, reconstitute them with chicken stock or water and make a passable version for your next dinner party.

Chapulines

Since we’re in Oaxaca, why not chase that mole with a snack you’ll never forget? Chapulines are fried grasshoppers dusted with chile and lime and they are a delicacy! It is widely said that after you try these, you’ll keep coming back to Oaxaca because your heart will belong to that place. Are they that good?

In a word: No.

But they are a culturally broadening experience and they’re passably okay if you can get past the legs. Speaking of legs: you can buy just the legs by the paper sack full if you’re so inclined.

You won’t have to look far to find Chapulines. Vendors line every street around the mercado and the zocalo. They might even let you taste one for free if you’re reticent to invest a whole five pesos in a bag of your own. Come on; don’t be a baby, try one!

Tacos

Before you roll your eyes and blow me off for being to cliche, hear me out:

Tacos are the national food of Mexico. Don’t believe me? Ask any random person on the street to name a Mexican food and see how many say “tacos!”

Real Mexican tacos bear little resemblance to the garbage served in American “Mexican” restaurants. They are a diverse food group unto themselves in a rainbow of coloured corn wrappers (blue corn being the author’s favourite) and with an array of optional fillings and toppings.

Stop at a road side stand or a street vendor if you want the most authentic possible experience. Be sure to try several varieties: al pastor, chorizo, lingua, chicharrones, adobo, carnitos, to name a few. Add salsas: tomatillo, green or red. Then pile on the onion and cilantro. Did you know that cilantro helps kill gut bugs? Yep, put on some extra cilantro! If there’s mango or chopped pineapple, pile that on too. You don’t want to miss a thing.

Tacos are often sold in sets of three, so order a few plates for your group and pass them around! They’ll be the cheapest food on the street, and likely the best too.

Camarones Veracruz

There is no other shrimp cocktail that holds a candle to the traditional Veracruz style camarones. I stake my reputation on this. However, eating one off the street is a bit like playing Russian roulette with your intestinal tract. Street seafood is sketchy business in a tropical climate. Still, I risk it every time and usually come away unscathed. Consider that fair warning.

What makes Veracruz style shrimp cocktail special: onion, tomato, chopped cilantro in a tomato sauce with a dash of hot sauce and a liberal squeeze of lime. Swoon. I would visit the sea side city just for this; the danzon, the colonial architecture, the aquarium and the gorgeous port walk are just icing on the cake.

You’ll probably buy this from a street vendor and eat it out of a paper cup walking along the waterfront, but you can order it at almost every sit down restaurant as well. Savor every bite, because this flavor will be “Veracruz” to you forever.

Wondering what you’re ordering as you stare at that Spanish menu? Review the basics of Mexican food terminology!

photos by avlxyz, william.neuheisel, pheezy, Christian Gonzalez

Plan on flying into Mexico City but flying out of Cancun. That will give you the most possible opportunity to explore widely and not have to back track. Flights going and coming from both of those major airports are affordable and reliable. In between you can rent a car, travel by the surprisingly clean and affordable motor coaches that link all of Mexico’s larger towns, or make short local flights between major cities. It’s up to you!

Quick search for flights to Mexico City:

Mexico City: 3 Days

The easiest way to arrive in Mexico City is by plane, so plan to fly in to your first stop. This is one of the biggest cities in the world, so in three days you’re just going to scratch the surface! Don’t be afraid to use public transit. Mexico City’s subway is reliable and relatively clean. Do watch your pockets though, petty theft is common. Consider staying downtown, near the zocalo or in the cosmopolitan Zona Rosa. Since time is of the essence, you won’t want to spend hours on busses getting in and out of the city every day.

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Day One:

Start in the Zocalo, the main square, of the city. There is much to see and most of it is free. Check out the archeological dig of the old Aztec city of Tenochtitlan that is right behind the big Catholic church. If you want to visit the church remember to wear a skirt or long pants as shorts are not allowed for men or women. It’s gold gilt interior is worth a visit. Don’t miss the presidential palace, located on the same side of the zocalo as the archeological dig. You’ll have to show ID to get in (a passport is fine) but the visit is free and you’ll get a glimpse into the Mexican political system as well as a look at the breathtaking Diego Rivera murals that record the history of Mexico from before the Spanish Conquest through the 1950s. After lunch (anywhere but the McDonalds on the zocalo!) hop the subway out to the station stop with a grasshopper as it’s icon. From here it’s a short walk to Chapultepec Park where you can while away the afternoon in local style on shaded foot paths, rent a boat and row for an hour on the lake, or tour the castle turned museum that towers over the park.

Day Two:

Hop on a bus and make your way out to the Aztec ruins of Teotihuacan. Doubtless, this can be arranged through your hotel at a reasonable price. Pack your sense of humor as you’re certainly going to be paraded through several tourist traps on the way to the ruins and back. It’s part of your “culturally broadening experience.” The ruins at Teotihuacan are an all day affair. Laid out as a perfect replica of the known solar system at the time, with the sun at the center, the buildings are a testimony to the scientific and astronomic advancement of the Aztec world. Don’t miss the temple to Quetzalcoatl, even though it’s a bit of a hike. When you return to the city, spend the evening wandering downtown, duck in and out of the various arts and crafts markets that are tucked between buildings and pick up a few “recuerdos de Mexico” for your friends back home.

Day Three:

With the major historical sites of the region under your belt take part of the day and visit the Museum of Anthropology, near Chapultepec Park. Take time before you enter to sit and watch the Voladores play their flutes and spin upside down from their tall pole in the courtyard. Be sure you tip them for their show! That big stone Chac sculpture just outside the entrance? He’s the rain god. It is said that when they moved that stone to that spot it started raining and didn’t stop for three days. Inside this museum you’ll find the anthropological history of Mexico. It’s the best museum in the country and you’ll see things here that have been brought from all over the country and from every indigenous group that has contributed to Mexico’s cultural diversity. After the museum, if you still have time and energy, make your way over to the floating gardens. Check your guidebook for current days and times, try to catch it on a night when it’s all lit up!

Veracruz: 2 Days

From Mexico City, Veracruz is an easy 5-6 hour bus ride over good roads and the scenery is beautiful. You’ll see the “real Mexico” from your seat on the bus. Get an early start so you don’t waste your whole day on the road! Alternately, there are daily flights between Mexico City and Veracruz that take a fraction of the time.

Quick search for hotels in Veracruz:

Day One:

You’ll have arrived off the bus hot and tired so check into a hotel or hostel downtown and then make straight for the Malecon, on the waterfront to get a look at Mexico’s oldest and largest port. Buy yourself an ice cream at Guero! Guero! Guero! and find yourself a hole in the wall restaurant to order “huachinango a la Veracruzana,” red snapper cooked the traditional Veracruz way. Around seven or eight in the evening, make your way to the zocalo, just like the locals do. Watch or join in the Danzon, a beautiful evening of slow, sexy, tropical dancing kept alive nightly by the residents of the city. People show up, from babies to grandparents, dressed in white to dance. It is not to be missed.

Day Two:

Spend your second day soaking up the culture of Veracruz. It’s not a highly touristed region of Mexico, so you’re more likely to see Mexican families on holiday than you are foreigners. Spend a couple of hours at the Aquarium and take a long walk along the waterfront. Take some time to shop for silver while you’re in town. The full name of this city was “Villa Rica de Vera Cruz,” the rich city of the true cross and the “rich” part referred to the silver that was mined and exported in massive quantities in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Have a good dinner and hop the night bus between Veracruz and Villahermosa, it’s about a 6 hour ride. In the morning you’ll catch the bus from Villahermosa to Palenque, another 2 hours of lush scenery!

Palenque: 1 Day

You’ll arrive in Palenque by breakfast time. Any of the desayuno cafes downtown near the bus station will do! Order yourself some huevos revueltos with beans and tortillas on the side and you’ll be fortified for the day. Buses run out to the ruin site, or you can hire a cab. Get an early start before the heat of the day makes the jungle a sweaty place to be! Palenque is a very unique archeological site, very different from Teotihuacan or the other sites further out on the Yucatan. Take note of the difference in architecture and be sure to pay a visit to the red queen while you’re there! Keep your eyes peeled, you’re likely to see toucans in the treetops if you pay attention, and perhaps even some howler monkeys! There are loads of little hostels and family run hotels in and around Palenque. Some of the most interesting seem to be on the road out to the ruin site. Stop in and out at several to find the best price and services.

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If you want to save money on your hotel you can hop a night bus from Palenque to Merida, or you can fly instead, the choice is yours!

Merida: 2 Days

Merida is the capital city of the state of Yucatan. Nicknamed the “White City” it’s a gem on the Yucatan that is off the well trodden tourist path. Treat yourself and choose a boutique hotel downtown, preferably one with a swimming pool, Merida is known for its heat most of the year.

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Day One:

Relax around town. Wander the large, four block square, two story mercado in the heart of downtown. This is no tourist market, instead it’s where the local people shop. Be prepared to get lost and wander for at least a couple of hours. You’ll see things here you won’t see anywhere else. Try the hot pink and white layered coconut jelly that miraculously doesn’t melt in the heat. Visit the zocalo and buy a pastry at the bakery on the corner. Feed the pigeons. Slow the pace. You’ve seen a lot in the past week! When the heat gets to be too much duck into the Cathedral and if you’re lucky you’ll hear a mass sung in Mayan. It’s the oldest church on the continent and was built as a fortress as well as a house of worship. Check out the gun slits instead of windows! Visit the Palacio Gobierno across the square and peruse the stunning artwork on the second floor. The murals of the history of the Yucatan are captivating. Particularly the one of the man being tortured to death in the square you’re standing on. If you’re lucky enough to be in town on a Friday or Saturday you definitely want to hit the zocalo after dark. Merida puts on the best weekly street party on the peninsula, and this is the real deal, not a tourist affair!

Day Two:

Time is getting short and choices have to be made! You can’t see it all, unfortunately. You could go one of two directions: Keep your hotel in the city and take a bus trip out to the little visited ruin site of Uxmal, with it’s rounded pyramid and garden of stone phalluses. Or you could head toward Cancun and make a stop at Chichen Itza, the big one that everyone’s afraid to miss. The choice is yours. Either way, you won’t be disappointed. There are little hotels near the Chichen Itza ruin site, so you won’t have to worry about finding a place to stay.

Cancun: 2 Days

Cancun, finally! You made it! An overland journey from Mexico City is a real adventure to be proud of.

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Day One:

Check yourself into a hotel on the beach and rest for a couple of days. Soak up the sun and the sand. Book a snorkeling trip, or go SCUBA diving. Or just hang out at a beach front bar and sip some Coronas and tell your stories to the weekend warriors who are sure to look at you with envy.

Day Two:

If you insist on one last fling then you’ve got a few choices: Xel-ha and X-caret are both fabulous and easily accessible. Xel-ha is an ocean eco-park complete with dolphin swims and a protected bay for snorkeling with some of the biggest specimens of tropical fish you’ve ever seen (there are no predators!) X-caret is an eco-park that blends history and culture with ecological awareness with an amazing nighttime show as icing on the cake. Either way you go, it will be a perfect day. If you choose to spend the day sleeping in a hammock instead, no one will blame you!

photos by Michael McCarty, Philo Nordlund, archer10 (Dennis), Sergio Kasusky, PriceTravel pictures

On beaches in Mexico swimwear is assumed. Topless sunbathing is uncommon (unless you’re at a resort that specifically advertises it) and nudism is prohibited in Mexico’s federal zones, including beaches, although this is not always strictly enforced. What does this mean? It means that nudism is technically illegal outside private resorts or residences and if you choose to practice it openly, on public land, you do so at your own risk.

However, if you’re a “naturalist” and are looking for a place to let your hair… and other things… down then there are a few options, if you’re willing to hunt for them. Don’t, however, expect the “au naturel” beaches to be populated with playboy bunnies and swimsuit models. You’ll find people of all shapes and sizes who are there to relax and play, not to be gawked at or display their junk for your amusement. If you go, be cool, no need to make a spectacle of yourself or others.

>> Learn more about Mexico’s beaches in general, including what to expect from the different regional beaches in the country.

Zipolite: The Only “Official” Nude Beach

Zipolite is the only beach in Mexico where nudism is widely tolerated. There are “nudist resorts” sprinkled here and there in the tourist areas, but this beach on the Oaxacan Pacific Coast bathing in the raw is a long standing tradition, a hold over from the hippie days. Tolerated does not mean loved by the locals. You’ll find only foreigners and perhaps a few brave young Mexican me without their clothes, cover up when you leave the beach.

It is accessible for those arriving in Puerto Escondido and renting a car. There are beachfront palapas and restaurants available as well as a yoga center and dive shops. Wear swimwear, at least, in these establishments.

“Zipolite” is reported by some to mean “beach of the dead” in local Mayan dialect and refers to the serious rip currents that have claimed more than a few lives over the years. Swimmers be warned. It’s wise to hire a reputable guide if you want to snorkel in the area.

Petty crime and drugs are a problem in this area. Coastal Oaxaca has been home to a few episodes of banditry as well in recent years. Take care with your belongings and travel mindfully.

Playa Sonrisa

This is a small, “clothing optional” resort for couples and families is located about five hours from Cancun, near Xcalak, so it’s well off the beaten path and promises a quiet getaway without “crowds, vendors or gawkers.” They welcome all guests with “at least a second grade education” including children whose parents are practicing naturalists.

This resort specializes in an “off the grid” experience so there are no jet skis, or paragliding type activities. Instead there is a focus on nature: snorkeling, SCUBA diving, bird watching & beach combing. If you’re looking for an exciting array of activities, go elsewhere. If you’re looking to relax in a stress free environment, this could be a gem.

To get there, fly into Cancun and rent a car or hire a driver.

Desire: Los Cabos

Opening May 1, 2012 Desire Resort & Spa at San Jose Los Cabos is the newest in “clothing optional” resorts in Mexico. They cater to couples over 21 and specialize in a “sensual, no pressure, alternative lifestyle adventure.” This is not your average all ages “naturalist” beach experience.

Located on the very tip of the Baja peninsula, your best bet is to fly in to La Paz and arrange transportation for the approximately 100km trip by taxi.

You could be among the first to experience this exclusive, adults only, resort.

photo by Arcadius

If you’re flying in one one of the long weekend package deal you’ll want to prioritize to make the most of your time.

Day 1: Fun & Sun

You came to Mexico to relax, so let’s start there! Odds are, your hotel has a pool or a beach to enjoy so spend some time holding down a beach blanket and reading your book. All beaches in Mexico are considered public property, so you can go anywhere you like. However, the hotels built on the beach are unlikely to let you use their facilities unless you’re a registered guest or buy food at their restaurants. Waters on the lagoon side of the strip are calmer than on the ocean side where you should watch for flags announcing swimming conditions to change throughout the day.

Book a snorkeling tour or take a resort SCUBA dive trip and see some beautiful underwater wildlife, rent a jet ski, or go parasailing (tip: talk to the boat captain, make sure he’s sober! No kidding.)

While relaxing on the beach, “No Gracias!” is your phrase of choice. It means “No thank you,” and you’ll need it often to ward off the many hawkers that work the resort beach strip selling their wares. Be warned, if you buy from one, you’ll have many others within minutes.

Day 2: Choose Your Own Adventure

There are so many possible options for activities in and around Cancun that choosing just one or two is tough. Here are a few of my favorites for a range of tastes:

X-Caret

X-Caret is an eco park that will provide a one stop introduction to Mexican history, culture, geography and wildlife. Part zoo, part conservation area, part museum, part theater and cultural celebration it’s well worth a day trip. Be sure to stay for the evening show, which is one of the most magical celebrations of Mexican history in the country.

Xel-Ha

Xel-ha is a natural aquarium park that brings visitors face to face with ocean life. Snorkel their protected lagoon and see fish in quantities and sizes that you just won’t anywhere else on the coast. Their dolphin swim and research program is one of the most humane and ethical anywhere and is worth supporting. If you plan to swim with dolphins, do it here instead of through your hotel.

Coba

Most people take the bus trip to Chichen Itza or Tulum to visit a Mayan ruin site. My recommendation is to forgo both of the over touristed “biggies” and instead take the longer bus ride out to Coba. You’ll pass through tiny pueblos and countryside on the way before you hike through the jungle to one of the most fascinating and unique sites on the Yucatan. Nohoc-Mul is the tallest pyramid on the Yucatan and is one of the few remaining that visitors are still allowed to climb to the top of. The view of the jungle is spectacular. This will be an all day trip with a lot of walking, so plan accordingly.

SCUBA Dive

There are lots of resort dives and SCUBA shops abound in Cancun. If you’re an avid diver and are looking for an excellent dive company with high safety standards, and the best reef on the coast, consider SCUBA Mex. They operate from the Paamul RV and Cabana/hotel complex and are staffed with American dive masters. Quality gear can be rented and full SCUBA courses are offered if you’re interested in certifying.

Day Three: Shopping

Doubtless there is ample shopping within a stone’s throw of your hotel. Cancun has no shortage of shops catering to the tourist crowd and street hawkers stalking your every move. If you’d like to get beyond the hotel strip and experience a bit more “authentic” side of Mexican commerce hop in a cab and ask them to take you to Mercado 23. You’ll easily while away half a day lost in the labyrinth of this local market. Take time to savor the sites and smells of each section. Even the meat and fish section.

Here you’ll find local folks shopping for their daily needs and you won’t be accosted by hawkers selling tacky t-shirts or woven bookmarks. This is solidly off the tourist strip and not for the faint of heart. It is the real Mexico, or as close as you’re going to get in a resort town!

Do yourself a favor, buy your souvenirs here. Don’t, however, flash large wads of cash or carry every credit card or form of ID you brought with you in your back pocket. Leave the bling at your hotel, travel light for the day, and spend a day walking in the realities of the place you came to visit.

photos by archer10 (Dennis), Redeo, Tony Miller (and may not be used without permission)

Two of Mexico’s well known, but often confused, festivals are Cinco de Mayo and Independence Day. One is a national holiday, the other is celebrated primarily in one region. Once you know the difference, you’ll never forget and if you can make the trip to celebrate each on Mexican soil it will be the experience of a lifetime

Cinco de Mayo

As the name suggests, this party happens on the fifth of May every year. contrary to popular belief it is not a celebration of Mexican Independence Day. What is it, exactly? Let me tell you:

It’s the celebration of the decisive victory of the Mexican army under General Zargoza over the French Napoleonic troops at the city of Puebla. You see, Mexico had won independence from Spain but had wracked up some serious debt to France, among others. The French used that debt as an excuse to invade, coming ashore at Veracruz. The Napoleonic army marched toward the capital but they didn’t make it that far. At Puebla their force of 6500 or so soldiers was met by Zargoza’s 4500 men who proceeded to kick ass and send the French home with their tales between their legs. The victory was a great one. Unfortunately, a year later the French were back and they conquered Mexico and ruled it for three years until the Americans came to the aid of the Mexicans and booted the French out for good.

Cinco de Mayo and Zargoza’s unlikely victory is celebrated primarily in the city of Puebla itself, with smaller celebrations around the region. The huge parade through the city with an impressive display of Mexican military force is worth the trip and reminds observers that the celebration is about Mexico’s military might. School children, parade floats, and musical groups follow the soldiers. Add to that the dancing, and street party throughout the day and late into the night and you’ve got a festival in grand Mexican style.

It’s widely celebrated by the Mexican population in the USA as a celebration of culture, history and food.

Mexican Independence Day: El Grito

September 16 1810, Father Hidalgo and a few friends rang a bell, calling the nation to fight for liberty. The fight lasted ten years and ended with Mexico’s independence from Spain. It is the ringing of that bell and the beginning of the national fight that is celebrated September 16th each year in Mexico and by Mexicans all over the world.

If there’s one Mexican celebration you don’t want to miss, it’s El Grito. Every town in the country decorates the zocalo and turns out en masse to reenact the bell ringing and shout for independence. Lights, local dress, antojitos (food) galore and the very best of Mexico’s festive spirit spill out of every house in every pueblo.

The party starts the evening of the 15th as people gather in anticipation of the 11 p.m. cry for independence and carries on long into the night with music, dancing, fireworks and chanting “Viva Mexico!”

Getting Around During Festivals

There is no commercial activity at all on Mexican Independence day. Banks, schools and offices are closed, so plan accordingly for finances and travel.

Transportation will be running but it will be overflowing as the whole country celebrates. Allow extra time if you’re getting around town. Perhaps wait a day or two if you’re making an overland journey between cities.

Since both Cinco de Mayo and Independence day are celebrations of national pride travelers would do well to observe basic courtesy to national icons, such as the flag and other emblems.

If you’re traveling to Puebla for Cinco de Mayo, go a few days early and make sure you have reservations where you plan to stay. Pack your sense of adventure and go out on foot to enjoy the celebrations at street level.

If you’re traveling to Mexico for Independence Day, plan carefully. Make sure you’ve got enough money changed to get you through the holiday (banks will be closed and ATMs often run out) and arrive a few days in advance. Get settled in and spend the day or two before the festival enjoying the preparations and getting into the spirit of national pride. Plan to stay put for a day or two after the holiday, giving transportation systems time to catch up as some families travel over the holiday and busses and stations will be busier than usual.

Further reading:

• Oaxaca’s Day of the Dead Celebrations

photos by p medved, uteart

Here are the things you should know about Mazatlan.

Further Reading:

• Mazatlan: The Mexican Coast You Didn’t Expect
• Cheap Airfare to Mexico
• Mazatlan Travel Deals

You can drink the water.

Getting sick while traveling is tough to avoid in some places, especially when you’re not accustomed to brushing your teeth with bottled water or shunning ice cubes in your soft drinks, so it’s a major plus when you get to Mazatlan and find out you can drink the water (yes, the tap water) pretty much everywhere. The big resort hotels, like big resort hotels nearly all over Mexico, have purified water – but even in small, local restaurants around the city you don’t have to worry about ice cubes in your drinks. If the taco stand where you stop to have lunch doesn’t have a water supply and all they’ve got for washing up is a bucket full of water, you might want to steer clear of ice cubes – but otherwise, it’s just not something you’ll need to worry about, which is a huge relief.

The beaches are public.

Vacationers are used to seeing private beaches connected to big tourist resort hotels, especially in places that are famous beach destinations, and there are some private beaches on resort property in Mazatlan. The beaches in the historic center, however, are public, open, and absolutely free. There are plenty of small hotels in the center, too, so although you can’t walk from your room straight onto the beach, you can get to the beach from your hotel with only a short walk.

This is tomato and shrimp country.

The state of Sinaloa, of which Mazatlan is a part, is considered the tomato capital of Mexico. In fact, you’ll see a tomato on all the Sinaloan license plates. (The colors are often faded enough that it vaguely resembles Florida’s orange license plates.) Mazatlan itself is considered the shrimp capital of Mexico. As a result, you’ll see plenty of both ingredients used in local restaurants. Seafood in general is a very big deal in Mazatlan, as you can imagine, and another popular fish on menus is the marlin. There’s a marlin soup (with a tomato base) that’s commonly sold only on Sunday mornings at taco stands throughout the city, as locals think of it as an excellent hangover cure.

You’ll hear the historic center referred to as “colonial,” but it’s really not.

Mexico has a plethora of colonial towns, many of which are tourist attractions for their beautiful architecture. While Mazatlan is special in that there’s an historic town right on the beach, that town isn’t colonial – it’s actually post-colonial. Okay, yes – this is nitpicking a bit, but a little historical context is a good thing. During the colonial period, Mazatlan as we know it today didn’t exist, and the area was sparsely populated. It was technically founded in 1531, but wasn’t until the early 1800s that Mazatlan grew into more of a town, and the historic buildings in the center date from the 19th century.

There are big tourist resort hotels in Mazatlan, but they’re not in the historic center.

Mazatlan, like any Mexican beach resort town, has its fair share of all-inclusive resort properties. Unlike most beach resort towns in Mexico, however, the town didn’t grow up around the resorts. The resorts were built quite a distance from the historic center – it’s usually about a half-hour if you’re driving – and though most of the people who stay at the all-inclusives venture into the historic center during their visit, you don’t feel as if you’re surrounded only by resort vacationers when you’re in the old town. Should you decide to stay in one of the all-inclusives, just keep in mind the time it’ll take to get into town.

There are taxis, and then there are pulmonias.

Mazatlan has taxi service like any sizeable city, as well as public buses that are pretty much locals-only (the system for figuring out which buses go where is more than a little challenging to discern if you’re not familiar with the area), but for a few pesos more than a regular taxi you can zip around town in one of the souped-up golf carts that you’ll find nowhere else. They’re called pulmonias, and they’re great fun when the weather’s nice, since they’re open on all sides. It’s still a relatively cheap method of getting around, so even though the (boring) normal taxis are cheaper, a pulmonia ride is worth it.

This is the city that gave birth to Señor Frog’s.

Señor Frog’s is the kind of place that, now, is sort of ubiquitous in Mexican beach towns, and is intended to be an identical experience no matter where you go. This isn’t where you go when you want a “sense of place,” by any stretch. But it may interest you to know that the very first Señor Frog’s was opened in Mazatlan, way back in 1970. There’s a big Señor Frog’s in Mazatlan, with a gift shop that’s nearly as big as the bar/restaurant itself. As a side note, when you’re crusing along the Malecon (the main road that runs along the beach), keep an eye out for the statue of the frogs in a pulmonia – an homage to Señor Frog’s.

Germany has left its mark on Mazatlan.

Not long after Mexican independence in the early 1800s, German immigrants began arriving in Mazatlan in large enough numbers that they ended up altering the city’s personality. Today, the most obvious signs of German influence are the local Pacifico brewery started by German immigrants in the city, and the local “banda” music that’s a mix of Mexican mariachi-style music and Bavarian oompah music. It may sound like it wouldn’t quite work, but somehow it does.

The airport has an official mime on duty.

Okay, this isn’t actually something I can confirm, except to say that my flight was greeted by a mime who was wearing an official airport staff security badge, and I saw photos of the mime throughout the airport “performing” various duties – mostly mimicking passengers as they went about their passenger-y business. The Mazatlan airport website doesn’t have a “what’s with the mime?” question on their FAQ page, nor does a search for the word “mime” yield any results, but I know what I saw. (Also, there are random references to an airport mime in a few other spots I’ve seen online, but still. I’d like more concrete information. If anyone’s got some, please send it my way?)

Full disclosure & whatnot: I visited Mazatlan as a guest of the Mazatlan Hotel Association, but my opinions are completely my own.

photos by: jcheng, Wonderlane, el isma, Renee Silverman, bryce_edwards, sonyaseattle, seanosh, df.medrano, eva.pebar

Mexico City is one of those places that should not be skipped because of fear. Heading to one of the largest cities in the world and seeing all they have to offer should be on any traveler lover’s wish list. If you are planning a big, round the world trip, I would suggest doing some research on a country like Mexico. Adding Mexico City to that round the world trip itinerary would be a fantastic idea, especially if you are from the US or planning on traveling around Central America for any length of time.

Did you know that Mexico City has the largest number of museums in the entire world, ahead of both New York City and London? Have you heard about the amazing street food on offer for prices that will keep your budget in the green for a long time? The beauty of traveling to Mexico City on your RTW trip is that you can do it on nearly any budget you want. If you’re a backpacker with limited funds, it’s not difficult to get by on $25-$30US/day. If you have a higher budget and want to do it up right, there’s plenty of top notch hotels and restaurants waiting for you. No matter what type of traveler you are, Mexico City will have something for you.

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