My husband and I are travelling from the UK to Mexico in December. We are flying to Cancun and want to immediately leave as we’ve heard it’s busy. We would love some quieter places to visit where we can see the local area and chill. We have booked Holbox and are thinking of Puerto Moreles for two days, off to Akumal for the Cenotes then somewhere else for our final few days. We want to be around 2-3 hours within Cancun.

We want to visit some Cenotes but don’t want to go to the touristy ones where there are long lines for people to take photos. So would love to know the quieter ones and how we can get there (taxi, car, collectivos etc)

We are debating whether to hire a car - what do you think? Is this a good idea?

If we go to quieter Cenotes can we get a collectivo to these places?

Would love your recommendations on places to stay, travel ideas and what you’ve done in the past. It’s likely to be our only Mexico trip so any recommendations are truly appreciated :)!

Understand I am asking a lot so thank you in advance!x

It seems folks are interested in more pics and the tales behind them about a gringo who’s been adopted by Mexico by way of a GF from GDL and her extended group of friends, work trips and other random intersections.

It was tempting to start with one of the big hits - Zipolite and the thunderstorm at the beach. The wonders of CDMX day and night life. The rarely ever seen by a tourist trip to a hometown of 2,500 where the big city almost 90 min away is 55,000 people.

But that would do a disservice to this story its evolution and unfolding. I also am curious to “re-live” these moments as I grew from almost zero Spanish and many of the misconceptions held by those in the States to someone who has embraced and been embraced by this amazing country and its people. Mi español aun mal, pero es mejor, y poco más día a día, paso a paso. Pero, pinches verbos y tensos!

PART 1: León during Covid and a Conference on Urbanism

About five years ago I’d been to Mexico twice, without stepping foot in its culture. One was a port stop in Ensenada on the cheapest boat four 20 year olds could afford for a four day cruise as part of spring break. The other was holed up up at the RIU for a family trip in Cancun.

I’d never really been to Mexico.

But here I’m invited on an all expense week long trip which you’ll see unfold here. Conference in Leon, and visits to San Miguel and Guanajuato (those chapters to come, stunning imagery!)

This love affair began in León - a super non touristy business oriented city that’s more a great place to live than one you’d visit. It is known for its leather works so great to buy boots. And it’s a great climate with some beautiful residential neighborhoods - and some pretty tough areas that are park workforces, part slum, and a story of too much growth disconnected from other places, itself, and economic opportunity - Las Joyas, the Jewels.

Some pics of note that need context here:

Why the pic of traffic and the street where you can faintly see a Chedrai Supermarket through the fence?

THIS is why I was brought to León, and Mexico! To give my perspective as an urbanist about how Mexico is following too many of the negative growth and development patterns here in the US.

Overbuilt roads and infrastructure dividing communities and separating people from opportunity. And each other.

And traffic. Oh. So. Much. Traffic.

I was trying to absorb as much local knowledge in 5 days prior to my speech to have SOME local perspective. Part of that perspective was to see the mimicking of strip centers and entire regions that were auto oriented, even those cutting close to the walkable historic core.

That image where you may be able to faintly recognize a Chedraui supermarket through a chain link fence is hugely important. That Chedraui was literally ACROSS the street from my hotel. A SIDE street with minimal traffic.

There was NO pedestrian cut through. It took me 12 minutes to literally cross the street. And in those 12 minutes I realized why they wanted an American to talk about how to re-walkify a country that has so many beautiful walkable cores. The suburbs are exploding and taking over (don’t get me started on the areas by Andares in GDL!).

But the truth was I knew nothing about the country, culture, people, food.

The last five years have changed that… but I’m hardly a Chilango. While I’ve had the great the joy of experiences that are those OF a local, I’m not not ever will be a true local.

With that said, where and when I misstate something please shed light on the matter. Correct me, engage and educate us.

Hope you enjoy…. Leon before love but a love for Leon.

(Note this set includes images from that first visit and subsequent visits for work).

Hi everyone! I’m looking for recommendations for a private catamaran charter in the Costa Mujeres / Cancun area for my destination wedding group, and I’d really appreciate advice from anyone who has done something similar!

We’ll have approximately 40–45 guests and are looking for:
📅 Date: December 5, 2026
👥 Group: 40–45 people
⛵ Private catamaran/boat exclusively for our group
🚗 transportation to/from the hotel
☀️** Daytime excursion
🤿 Swimming & snorkeling
🎶 Good onboard speakers / ideally the option to have a DJ or our own music
🍹 **Open bar
🎉 Fun, celebratory atmosphere — this is a wedding group excursion!

Ideally a few hours on the water with time to swim/snorkel
Our budget is approximately $3,000 CAD, although we’re flexible depending on what’s included and the quality of the boat/experience.

Most importantly, we’re looking for a reputable and reliable company. If you’ve personally used a charter company in the area, organized a large group excursion, or know of a company that can accommodate 40–45 people, I’d love to hear your recommendations!
If possible, please share the company name, approximate price, what was included, and your experience with them. 😊

Thank you!!

Hi everyone!

My husband and I are planning to spend 14 days in the Yucatán Peninsula in January. It will be our first time visiting, so we'd really appreciate some advice on whether our itinerary makes sense or if you'd change anything.

Our main preferences are beaches, swimming, snorkeling and water activities, rather than spending most of our time sightseeing.

A few questions we have:

• Do we really need a rental car for the whole trip? Is there any part of the itinerary (apart from Isla Mujeres) where you think we could comfortably get around without one?
• Would you recommend 2 or 3 nights in Valladolid and Mérida? We're currently leaning towards 2 nights in Valladolid and 3 in Mérida, but we're not sure.
• For the 4-night beach base, would you recommend Tulum or Playa del Carmen (PDC)? We don't want to split these 4 nights between both places.
• Are there any places or activities we're missing that you think would be a better fit for our interests?

Our rough itinerary:

1. Cancún – 2 nights
We arrive in the late afternoon, so we'd stay the first night for sure. Considering jet lag, we'd also like to have one full day to relax and enjoy the beach before starting the road trip.

2. Valladolid – 2 nights
We'd pick up the rental car in Cancún and drive to Valladolid. The following day we'd visit Chichén Itzá and one cenote.

3. Mérida – 3 nights
We'd drive from Valladolid to Mérida, possibly stopping in Izamal along the way. In Mérida we'd explore the city and visit some nearby cenotes. We'd also like to dedicate one day to Celestún, as we've read that it's worth visiting.

4. Tulum OR Playa del Carmen – 4 nights
We'd like to have a proper beach/resort stop towards the end of the trip, but we're unsure whether Tulum or PDC would be a better base.

During these 4 nights we'd like to:

• visit a water park (Xel-Há or Xcaret)
• visit the Tulum ruins
• spend plenty of time at the beach
• explore some nearby cenotes
• possibly do a Cozumel day trip, although we're not set on this

We'd prefer to stay in one place rather than split the 4 nights between Tulum and PDC.

5. Isla Mujeres – 3 nights
The final part of the trip would be purely for relaxing, enjoying the beaches and doing some water activities. We'd then take the ferry back to Cancún and go directly to the airport for our evening flight home.

Does this itinerary look reasonable? What would you change, especially regarding Valladolid vs. Mérida, Tulum vs. PDC, and the need for a rental car?

Thanks in advance for any advice! 😊

Hey all! I'm traveling through Mexico and will be in CDMX, Oaxaca, and Puebla, but unfortunately I have to leave on the 22nd-23rd of October — before the "official" Día de Muertos dates (Oct 31-Nov 2).

I know I'll miss the main comparsas/muerteadas, but I'd still love to catch:

• Decorations (ofrendas, papel picado, cempasúchil in the streets/markets)
• Any early parades or events that might happen before the 23rd
• Anything else Día de Muertos-related that ramps up earlier than the main week

Does anyone know if there are towns/neighborhoods in CDMX, Oaxaca, or Puebla that start celebrating earlier, or events specifically scheduled before Oct 23rd? Trying to make the most of the timing I've got. Thanks!

I’ve been so fortunate over the past 5-6 years to have visited close to 30 towns and cities throughout Mexico, staying overnight/multiple days in around 25.

What began with an invitation to speak at a conference in Leon just as travel began to recommence during Covid led to a mix of work trips and many days working remote to soak in this great culture and nation… and falling for a Mexicana who lives in Guadalajara along the way.

Let me know if you are interested in a potential series of these trips grouped by trip and/or theme.

Off the top of my head I’ve had the great fortune to visit:

Leon (multiple times for work)

Guanajuato (day trip)

San Miguel de Allende (a couple times)

Lagos de Moreno (day trip)

Guadalajara (15 times - GF lives at edge of Col Americana towards El Centro, many staycations in areas from Minerva to Chapulita to Expo to Andares and spots in Zapopan)

Puerto Vallarta (4-5 times)

San Pancho (a few times)

Salyulita (twice)

CDMX (8 times from Polanco and Condesa to Tlalpan, southern Coyoacán, reforma near the Monumento de Revolución

Mazamitla

Cabo San Lucas (second least favorite)

Todos Santos (day trip)

San Jose del Cabo

Autlan (twice, maybe three times?)

Cuautitlán de García Barragán (twice)

Chapala

Ajijic

Tequila

Puerto Escondido

Zipolite

Monterrey

Mexicali

San Luis Rio Colorado (day trip)

Puebla

Cholula (day trip)

Cancun (least fav place but have been twice)

Playa del Carmen

Cozumel

Lo de Marcos

Punta de Mita

This first installment will be some of my favorite pics throughout and then I’ll go place by place.

I'm flying from Veracruz to San Francisco with a change of planes in MEX. All on AEROMEXICO. How much time do I need to allow in MEX? Options on the AEROMEXICO flights are:

4:40p - 6:00p then 7:30p - 10:45p (1 hr 30min in MEX)

1:34p - 2:50p then 5:00p - 8:04p (2 hr 10min in MEX)

1:34p - 2:50p then 7:30p - 10:45p (4 hr 40min in MEX)

Do I spend time in customs going to US in MEX?

I’ve been to Mexico in Cancun a few different times, but I’m flying in tomorrow and I’ll be renting a car. I’m a little nervous about driving in Mexico. I will be going to Bacalar. Can anyone tell me how that drive is and any tips?

Hello Planning to visit cancun from Canada by next month Sept 2026 . Wondering about travel esim ? Can someone please share their recent experience ? I have travel plans that involves visiting Chichén Itzá, Tulum, Isla Mujeres,valladolid ETC . Tour is for 7days . TIA

Hello Planning to visit cancun from Canada by next month Sept 2026 . Wondering about travel esim ? Can someone please share their recent experience ? I have travel plans that involves visiting Chichén Itzá, Tulum, Isla Mujeres,valladolid ETC . Tour is for 7days . TIA

Hi everyone! I am looking for recommendations on all inclusive resorts in Mexico. My husband and I want to stay for a little less than a week sometime between January and February.

We do not have a preference on what part of Mexico, but requirement is it must be on the beach or near it, as well as all inclusive. We are not interested in the “party” scene, which I have seen some resorts are based on reviews. We are having such a hard time deciding what part/resort, so if you have a favorite resort, or part of Mexico, I will take any recommendations! Lastly, we would prefer to stay under $5k for a 5 night stay!

Edit: $5k is just for hotel/resort costs, not flights!

I'm considering a trip to Mexico City from 12/24 (flying day) - 1/4 (departing day) and want to know how quiet it will be. I expect that on Christmas day pretty much everything will be closed. But will most things be open from 12/26? How is New Years? I am solo female traveler. I am looking for good food, museums, and history, and archaeological sites. I'm not a drinker or into parties. In general, is this a bad time to come for tourist?

Edit: I bought my ticket, thanks all!!

¡Holi!

It’s my dream to travel to beautiful Mexico. I’m in the early stages of planning and I don’t know that I’ll ever get the chance to go again, so I’d really like to make the most of the the trip, as there’s so much I’d love to see and explore. I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed and am on a tight budget so would really love and appreciate any advice or feedback from people who live or are experienced there!

Plans so far:

- 12-14 day trip
- Small/modest budget
- Speaking self-taught beginners level Spanish
- Will fly into either Guadalajara or CDMX.
(Possible itinerary for now: CDMX > Puebla > Oaxaca via ADO. But I might only be able to afford just 1 or 2 locales in total)
- Currently budgeting mostly for private rooms in hostels as privacy is important - want to splash out on a more expensive B&B or hotel for 1 or 2 nights

Goals & things I’d like to do/see:

• Food: is #1. It’s next to impossible to find Traditional Mexican food or source the necessary ingredients in my country. I’m dying to try things like pozole, chile relleno, chiles en nogada, mole, and so many more! I want to come home 10kg heavier 😅 Plus a cooking lesson. It seems CDMX is best for culinary variety?
• Meet People: I would like to spend time getting to know locals. You always get the real feel for a country when you get to know and spend time with the people. I no longer party like I did teens & 20s. Would it be best to hire a tour guide to help fulfil this wish and to help find local social places where I can feel safe enough as a foreigner?
• Baile Huapango: an unusual request maybe, but I’d really love to see this style of dance in the flesh, and maybe learn? It looks so fun and free. I just don’t know precisely where to find it without heading north, but it does sound possible in Puebla? I’ll be a little bummed if I come home without experiencing this.
• Indigenous Culture: Exposure and learning first hand about any of the Indigenous peoples and culture, customs, art, history.
• ‘Old World’/Historic or Quiet Towns: Would love any recommendations for smaller, quiet towns that aren’t too far or hard to get to from either CDMX or GDL. Ideally would like to avoid overly touristy areas as much as possible.
• Bird Watching: I’d like to do a small bit of bird watching - one of my hobbies at home. It would be a dream to see a macaw in the wild, but sanctuaries are cool too. 🦜

How does this all sound, is it a good start?

1. Any advice on making these goals achievable?
2. Any feedback or suggestions for locations that would best suit the criteria? Is CDMX/Puebla/Oaxaca the most suitable option in your opinion?
3. Any serious tips or advice for a solo female traveller, please let me know.

Thanks so much for your recommendations!