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If the cost of living crisis and sad state of the Australian dollar against the Pound and Euro is putting a dampener on your grand plans for a European adventure, perhaps it’s time to head towards the other side of the globe. To Mexico, to be precise.
This gorgeous country ticks every comparable box with Europe: an ancient culture, some of the world’s best food, incredible architecture, stunning beaches and more. Oh, and your dollar will go a whole lot further.
I decided to head to Mexico – on my own – for a couple of weeks in January this year, exploring the country across four stops from Mexico City to Playa del Carmen. And it. was. incredible. Our summer holidays are perfect for exploring Mexico because, although it’s winter there, it’s still delightfully warm.
Keen to discover it yourself? Here’s why you should make Mexico your next international adventure.
Friendly locals who want to help you discover their country
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As a solo traveller, my aim was to fill my days with a combination of self-directed exploration and guided walking tours. I figured this would give me a great balance of alone time and human contact (particularly important as someone with Duolingo-level-Spanish skills!).
I thank all my lucky stars that I found World’s Best GuideTM, Marisol from City Unscripted to be my Mexico City bestie – I could not have asked for a better introduction to the city. I met Marisol about an hour after I’d landed and she immediately set about sharing the wonders of the Roma Condesa area – the food (everything from churros to vegan tacos), the architecture (Art Deco, Art Nouveau, Modernist and more) and hidden gems only known to locals. When she found out that Latin dance is one of my passions, she swiftly directed me to a salsa club, where we danced to the lively tunes of a 10-piece live band.
The next day we headed into Centro where Marisol showed me the ‘real’ Mexico City beyond the shiny highlights – through the sprawling Mercado La Merced, past her favourite taco stand, and into churches and monuments off the beaten track. She was also responsible for me being serenaded by a mariachi band for my 50th birthday, and introducing me to one of the most unique drinks I’ve ever tasted – a beer, mezcal and frozen fruit frappe!
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While a one-on-one tour was perfect for me, there are also plenty of group tours available. And don’t discount free walking tours – these tip-based tours are a fantastic way to get your bearings. I took this tour in Oaxaca and found another in Merida with GuruWalk, and they were both a great springboard for my future explorations!
Some of the best food you’ll ever put in your mouth
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Look, let’s be honest – I plan my holidays around food, and I have been obsessed with Mexican cuisine since I was in primary school and the most exotic thing my small-town general store stocked was parmesan cheese in a can. So I went big on culinary experiences (I also did a whole lot of walking to even things out…).
If you are a serious foodie bound for Mexico City, you must book into one of Devoured’s Food Tours. I discovered Anais’ blog The Curious Mexican when researching where to eat and when I found out she runs tours, I had booked a spot quicker than you can say ‘chilaquiles’. It’s a great way to taste a whole range of seriously delicious options. My fave was Expendio de Maíz sin Nombre where you basically rock up, pay a set price and they just feed you. It looks like someone’s shed but the food, which heroes corn, is absolutely incredible (you can see some of the dishes in the Reel of the Devoured tour above). Get there early (around 10 am) and just eat. So bloody good. Have some Cafe de Olla to wash it down – I’m still craving it, and I don’t even drink coffee.
Travelling to Oaxaca City? (You absolutely should if you love food.) I was desperate to go on one of Omar Alonso’s food walking tours after seeing it on Somebody Feed Phil but, alas, the planets did not align – so I took the Oaxaca Street Food Essentials by Club Tengo Hambre and it was fabulous. Soooo full. This is an amazing little market to check out – I had the most incredible memela with chorizo from here. It cost me about $3 and was one of the best things I’ve ever put in my mouth! While you’re in Oaxaca, you must try their regional specialty, mole – book a table on the rooftop terrace at Tierra del Sol – it’s great place to try the seven moles.
Beyond the street food, Mexico is a serious player in terms of fine dining. I spoiled myself with birthday dinner at Pujol in Mexico City – ranked the world’s third best restaurant. The taco omakase has to be tasted to be believed. I would have also loved to have eaten at Rosetta and Masala y Maiz if I’d had time!
In Oaxaca City, Criollo is an amazing spot with incredible food (and the odd chicken roaming around your al fresco table). For something really special, you can book the chef’s table where you literally sit in the kitchen as the meals are created! I also highly recommend Levadura de Olla, La Cocina de Humo and Boulenc. Wash it all down with a cocktail from Selva or Sabina Sabe.
And if you find yourself in Merida, you should absolutely not miss dinner at Kuuk, set inside a renovated mansion.
A fascinating history right there for you to discover
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From the incredible Pre-Hispanic Floating Gardens smack bang in the middle of the sprawling megalopolis that is Mexico City to the remains of Mayan civilisations at Chichen Itza and Tulum, Mexico offers so many opportunities to get up close and personal with ancient civilisations.
This Mexico City tour was a highlight of my time in Mexico – if you can, you should do this. Led by local guide Sergio, you travel from the gentrified area of Condesa to the World Heritage Site of Xochimilco, where you explore the town of San Gregorio Atlapulco. After visiting a farmers’ market you’ll feast on street food – Tlacoyos, traditional tamales, cocoles with cream, café de olla, atole, pulque, mead and mezcal.
Then, just a few hundred metres from the village centre, you’ll reach José’s farm which is threaded with ‘chinampas’ – secret canals for the exclusive use of farmers or “chinamperos”. These ‘floating gardens’ are what is left of an extensive lake and canal system that connected most of the settlements of the Valley of Mexico, and was used by farmers to transport their produce into the city centre. José and his family then take you on a gondola through the canals and you finish with a simple lunch at their farm. It was honestly one of the most memorable experiences of my life!
It is incredibly beautiful in so many different ways
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Flying into Mexico City, it seems to just keep going and going. A megalopolis with more than 22 million people, its scale is immense when compared to Canberra. It’s sheer size and density had been an issue of concern for me as my trip edged closer – I was used to peak ‘five minute’ traffic, wide streets and oodles of trees; how would I go in a place nearly 50 times its population?
I needn’t have worried. Yes, parts of Mexico City are crowded, chaotic and gritty; but others boast grand French-inspired boulevards – like the Roma/La Condesa area – a gorgeous, verdant area just to the west of the city centre. With tree-lined avenues and stunning architecture, the area is full-to-bursting with amazing restaurants and shops. Nearby Chapultepec Park is a sprawling verdant slice in the middle of a bustling city, featuring museums, a zoo, a castle, monuments, fountains and more.
Oaxaca City (in the Reel above) is beautiful in an entirely different way. Bright buildings and vibrant street art give an insight into the city’s rich culture of art and textiles. It’s wonderful place to explore on foot – the whole of Ruta Independencia is full of artisan stores and galleries that you could stroll around for days.
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And the entire Yucatan Peninsula (above) is oozing with beauty – from the colonial cities of Merida, Izamal and Valladolid to the ancient civilisation of Chichén Itzá and the gobsmackingly stunning beaches of the Riviera Maya – so many contrasts and so fascinating. From the design genius of the Mayans to stunning colonial architecture, the region is a true feast for the senses.
It is a country full of unique experiences
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When I said I was going to Mexico, I asked a friend who had lived there where I should go – she told me to avoid Cancun like the plague, but that Tulum was a dream. In fact, the entire Riviera Maya (a stretch of Caribbean coastline on Mexico’s northeastern Yucatán Peninsula) is absolutely stunning.
Playa del Carmen and Tulum are ideal places to base yourself if you want to explore Mayan ruins, swim in a cenote, or frolic with fish in a beautiful calm saltwater lagoon. This Tulum, Cenote and Snorkelling Tour was one of the highlights of my trip and combines all three experiences.
Haven’t heard of cenotes? They are natural sinkholes or pit caused by a sunken limestone cave and there are at least 6,000 cenotes in Yucatan alone. Swimming in one is an incredibly serene experience and unlike anything I’d ever done before.
One hot tip? If you’re after a relaxing, chill resort experience à la North Queensland or Fiji, steer clear of all-inclusive resorts. They are designed for those who want to pack a whole lot of partying into their stay. However, if you’re keen for DJs that start pumping loud music in the pool area from 10 am to accompany long days of cocktail drinking, head that way!
Want to find out more?
Check out visitmexico.com.
A word about safety
Chances are, when you tell you friends and family that you’re going to Mexico, they will have some concerns about your safety (all those movies about drug cartels have not done Mexican tourism any favours). As with any travel, you need to do your research. Know which areas are safe and unsafe, exercise caution after dark, and be aware of your personal space and belongings.
As a solo traveller, I chose to stay in small, boutique hotels so that I had a level of familiarity with the staff and was close to assistance if I needed it. Although I never did, it was a comfort knowing I had support nearby.
Oh, and don’t drink the water (literally no one – not even locals – do).
