BLUEPRINT TRAVEL INSPIRATION:

Dipping Your Toes Into Mexico's Rich Tourism

Mexico is one of those places that so many long-term travelers (like us) rave about for so many reasons. But it's because its holistic offerings provide something for every traveler. Beach vacationers, adrenaline junkies, cultural enthusiasts, self-declared foodies, city explorers... did you align with one of these qualifiers? Then traveling in Mexico could be for you!

A BEACH VACATION.

Chichen-Itza is one of the seven new World Wonders. It is the most popular archaeological site of the peninsula and truly a magical site to explore.

Let's start with one of the first things that people think of when we talk about Mexico: beach vacations. There are a few different areas around the country that have incredible opportunities for relaxing by the ocean and taking in that salty air. We like to promote the Cancun region (also known as the Yucatan Peninsula which includes Cancun, Riviera Maya, and Tulum) because this area includes some incredible and important archaeological sites. Understanding the history, culture, and beauty of the peninsula will only enrich your vacation! Added bonus: one of those archaeological sites is actually a world wonder!

While the Yucatan Peninsula has been inhabited for over 10,000 years, Cancun was artificially developed in 1970 when Mexico wanted increase tourism and found that this area was the perfect location to develop a resort utopia. There is so much tourist infrastructure but much of the peninsula can feel isolated from any authentic culture. These archaeology sites (and exploring lesser-known towns) help put into perspective the true value of the Yucatan Peninsula.

The cenotes of the Yucatan Peninsula are a sacred part of Mayan culture because these natural watering holes are full of fresh water. Today, they are natural pools that you can visit and take in a unique natural beauty.

The Yucatan Peninsula is also a great place for those who want to go shopping, do a variety of unique adventure sports (especially water-based activities), party through the different all-inclusive resorts and clubs, get pampered at the variety of spas, and so much more.

READ MORE ABOUT EXPERIENCING CANCUN

A FOOD-LOVER'S DELIGHT.

Food from one of the street markets in Oaxaca. You order your food directly from the vendors and the tables often have a variety of shared salsas to add. The tables are all communal and are full of food, drinks, and laughter.

Food can be a universal language and for those who truly love and appreciate it, Mexico could be a wonderful place for exploring! Oaxaca and Mexico City are two of the most important destinations for culinary exploration within Mexico. There is so much to uncover at any budget (from street food to Michelin stars) that can blow your tastebuds away.

The markets of Oaxaca are full of different stalls with vendors who will freshly prepare soups, moles, tlayudas, asados (grilled meats) and local cuisine for you. This is where you will find the deep and rich flavors of Mexico. And the surrounding area is one of the best areas of Mezcal production, a liquor made from the distillation of agave. Visit the Oaxaca region to dive deeper into the culinary culture of Mexico.

READ MORE ABOUT VISITING OAXACA

The streets of Mexico City are full of different vendors and restaurants preparing unique food. Tacos are abundant. Some are incredibly simple where the grilled meat is the star of the show. The taco joints often create their own salsas so you can customize the flavors of your taco. Other spots are inspired by the international infusion of this major city, fusing different flavors with the traditions of Mexico. In addition to street food, you can find some delicious high-end restaurants that push the boundaries of Mexican cuisine, such as Pujol.

Many of the casual taco restaurants and stands roast their meat outside. Seating can be found either inside or outside with some additional homemade salsas. The busier the taco stand, the better the food may be. Look to the locals to help you pick the stand that you want to try.

Pujol is a 2-star Michelin restaurant in Mexico City that celebrates Mexican cuisine. You can learn more about the chef on Season 2, Episode 4 of Chef's Table on Netflix. This restaurant has two different tasting menus that each allow you to experience an elevated version of the local food and try their version of tacos.

A CULTURAL EXPERIENCE.

The National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico city is full of information about the history of the land that is Mexico today. It is curated by region and by society and includes artifacts, recreations, and information to give you a holistic understanding of that society.

People have inhabited Mexico for over 13,000 years, including some great and powerful civilizations that have controlled different pieces of the country. When visiting Mexico City, Oaxaca, or Cancun, you should explore the archaeological sites that are part of the building blocks of humanity and the culture of Mexico.

If you only have time to see one destination, prioritize visiting the Museo Nacional de Antropología in Mexico City. The museum walks through the history of the different societies that have existed throughout Mexico and includes incredible artifacts, archaeological reconstructions, and information in both English and Spanish. You could truly spend hours going through this museum to learn more about this culture.

Otherwise, the archaeological sites throughout the country are restored to different levels based on their designated importance. Each of them have an impressive beauty in demonstrating the knowledge and advancements of each of these societies.

And when visiting with a guide, you will get to know more about their ideologies and how they have impacted the Mexican culture today and influenced our knowledge overall.

The beautiful archaeological site of Tulum, the only Mayan site that is located on the ocean. The combination of the green jungle, white ruins, and turquoise ocean water makes it one of the most beautiful sites to visit in Mexico.

The archaeological site of Monte Alban in Oaxaca is one of the earliest in the Mesoamerican region and was inhabited by the Zapotec people. When visiting, you can hire a guide at the entrance to take you around the site and give you historical explanations and theories regarding the different landmarks that you see. This is a pyramid on the outside of the large Main Plaza, which is surrounded by pyramid structures.