Tacos, Tequila & Travel Buddies
When we think of Mexico, a wide variety of images might pop into our heads. I might think of beautiful beaches with crisp blue water, you might think of tequila and tacos while my mum might think about the colorful old towns and Mayan culture. But one thing is for sure; Mexico has something to offer for everyone. If Mexico is still missing on your bucket list make sure to continue reading to find out all the amazing places that you can experience in Mexico in 2021.
6. Izamal – The yellow city
Located in the heart of Yucatáns you will find the magical city of Izamal. Though super small in size it is not any less impressive if you like to get in touch with Mexican culture. Izamal got awarded with the ‘’Pueblos Magicos’’ which is only given to places with historic and cultural significance and places that are definitely worth a visit. As you probably guessed the houses in this city are painted yellow which makes for pretty Instagrammable pics of you and your travel buddies. To get around the city in the way it was intended you can hop on a horse and carriage and discover it while the horsies do the work for you. Be sure to pet and give them a carrot afterwards though.
5. Cancún
The city on the Yucatán Peninsula bordering the Caribbean Sea which you might have heard of… Cancún is pretty famous. Not just for its beautiful landscapes but most importantly for its amazing nightlife and resorts. The long beachfront strip is filled with high-rise hotels, nightclubs, shops and restaurants. During the month of March Cancún is the epicenter of the renowned spring break parties. Students from all over the world but mainly America travel to Cancún to really let their hair down and PARTY HARD.
So if you’re not into the whole downing a liter of vodka while doing a handstand kind of thing I would recommend not visiting this place in March. But Cancún is great if you’re on a tight budget because you will definitely find a place to stay that’s not too expensive. Apart from drinking and eating you can also go swimming with dolphins which is simply breathtaking. Make sure to check out JoinMyTrip if you are planning on a trip to Mexico this year.
4. Mexico City
Don’t worry, we won’t just be talking about hotspots like Cancun and Mexico City but let’s be honest. Some of us feel like they haven’t seen a place properly if they missed out on the big ones. Mexico City has a lot to offer; Culture, food, nightlife, world-class hotels, great shopping and so much more. Polanco’s Avenida Presidente Masaryk is known for its high-end shops if you fancy a splurge or go and visit the Palace of Fine Arts or the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. But if you’re not into culture, just take a stroll along the many streets and you will be sure to really feel like you have arrived in Mexico.
3. Puerto Escondido
In the south of Mexico, in Oaxaca, you will find Puerto Escondido. This place has also been dubbed surfers paradise and there is no guessing as to why: Every year surfers flock to the beaches of Escondido. It is still relatively quiet, without any huge hotel resorts or huge groups of tourists destroying the landscape. If you are a surfer yourself, you have probably heard of Playa Zicatela, a pretty famous beach among surfers as here you can ride the Mex Pipe, a wave which is one of the biggest of its kind. If your travel buddies are more into swimming: Careful! The sea is pretty stormy in this place and on some days might even be life-threatening.
If you guys prefer a calm swim head for Playa Bahia Principal instead. If you’ve had enough of the water you and your travel buddies can wander through the cute little town which will give you a very authentic Mexico feel. Puerto Escondido has a very chill vibe about it, with small hostels filled with cool surfer dudes.
2. Tulum
Tulum is one of our top places for you to explore in Mexico and if you have seen pictures of it you know why! The beautiful white beaches, light turquoise water and relicts from Mayan culture make for stunning scenery. Because of its beauty, you might expect mass tourism which usually brings about some ugly hotel complexes but actually, you will find cute boutique hostels where you can stay the night. If you want to really experience the words ‘dream beach’ make sure to visit Playa Paraiso. The water usually is around 25 degrees which allows you to just chill in the water without getting cold.
Tulum is very hippie-esque so you will feel a lovely chill vibe while walking around. A little bit further out you can visit freshwater caves or more temples from Mayan culture. If you’ve had enough from sunbathing & culture why not join one of the many healthy living retreats that are on offer here. Another burrito and you will burst? Well, head straight for the clean-eating/Yoga retreat and wash away all of your sorrows.
1. Isla Holbox
Isla Holbox is an island north of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. Getting here is best done by ferry departing from Chiquila. As the island is car-free your best means of transportation is on a bike. The island is truly special. The beaches here are so white you might need to cover your eyes to stop them from blinding you. The water is a light green/turquoise color and palm trees round it all up. The island is full of animals – below and above sea level. Watch pelicans and flamingos walk along the beach while sunbathing or go snorkeling and watch sea turtles and whale sharks go about their daily life.
If you’re looking to get rid of those extra pounds from all the tacos you’ve been eating you could try out kitesurfing which is really popular on Holbox too. You can also visit the Holbox village which is a super cute, very colorful little village. One of the main highlights is the Punta Coco beach; A gorgeous beach where you and your travel buddies can relax in hammocks that let you hang around in the sun while also cooling you down with the freshwater that washes over you from time to time. All in all Isla Holbox is one of our top destinations to visit in Mexico.
There we are; the list of places we think you must visit when you are in Mexico. A mix of nice islands, cute towns and popular hotspots. If you don’t want to travel by yourself make sure to check out JoinMyTrip to find yourself some fun travel buddies. Go easy on the Tequila though…
If you’re looking for more travel inspo, check out these blogs:
- The best girls trips for 2021
- How is Halloween celebrated in Mexico?
- 10 Destinations that beat the winter blahs