My second attempt at exploring Mexico City's Historic Center was much more fruitful than the first.

Well-rested and ready for another big day in the capital, I worked my way from east to west across the Centro Historico, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

1. Museo Mural Diego Rivera

Most of the museums in the historic center open at 10 AM, and I began small with the Museo Mural Diego Rivera, located on Plaza Solaridad, near Alameda Park.

The main draw is Diego Rivera's mural entitled "Dream of a Sunday Afternoon in Alameda Park" which features an eclectic cast of characters including the artist himself, his wife and fellow artist Frida Kahlo, and a depiction of death itself (the skeleton wearing a dress in the middle).

Maps describing all of the characters in both English and Spanish can be found at the opposite end of the room. 

It's a fun exercise going through them all to decode what you're seeing.

2. Parque Alameda

Leaving the Diego Rivera museum, I walked east through Alameda Park.

Given how overwhelmingly large Mexico City can feel, it's a pleasant surprise to find an oasis of green in the middle of all the action.

There are plenty of water fountains and park benches, and few vendors, though a market is set up on weekends.

3. Palacio de Bellas Artes

At the east end of the park is Palacio de Bellas Artes (The Palace of Fine Arts). The grand building houses a theater where the Mexican ballet performs.

The second and third floors feature more Diego Rivera murals, as well as works by other artists. Plus, there's additional gallery space for smaller installations.

Even if you choose to forgo paying the museum entrance to see the murals, step inside and take a gander at the impressive lobby.

4. Torre Latinoamericana

Visible from the Palacio de Bellas Artes is the 182-meter tall Torre Latinoamericana, one of Latin America's iconic skyscrapers.

For those visitors who want a view from the top, admission is 60 pesos, or about $4.65. The lookout is open 365 days a year.

5. Catedral Metropolitina

I continued east, walking seven blocks along the pedestrian-only Avenida Francisco I. Madero.

This passageway is filled with shops, restaurants, and old churches.

At the eastern end, it spills out into the Zócalo, or main plaza, which is the epicenter of the historic district.

Here, one's eyes are immediately drawn to Catedral Metropolitana, the largest church in North and South America. 

Inside, you'll find a monumental golden altarpiece close to the front door for what I believe to be small services.

During both my visits, I was not allowed to walk the length of the nave, and to my knowledge, it's not possible to climb the spires.

The Zócalo is also ground zero for tourism in Mexico City.

North Americans, especially, take advantage of cheap holiday packages. 

Bringing together the value of backpacking with the comfort of an organized holiday, these trips can provide a great introduction to those who are new to travel abroad.

6. Templo Mayor and Museum

Adjacent the Cathedral is Templo Mayor, an important temple belonging to the ancient Aztecs.

The earliest construction dates back to the 14th century, and it was later destroyed by the Spanish in 1521.

Its discovery and full-scale excavation did not occur until the late 20th century.

Not knowing of Templo Mayor before my walking tour, it was a fascinating experience to stumble upon an archaeological site of this significance in the city center.

A modern museum housing related artifacts was built on site, and admission is included with the 57-peso ($4.40) entrance to Templo Mayor.

7. Palacio Virreinal

Exiting Templo Mayor, I walked over to the National Palace, across the street, and occupying the eastern side of the Zócalo.

The highlight of the palace visit is a viewing of Diego Rivera's "The Epic of the Mexican People" depicting Mexico's history.

There was an event going on when I stopped by, and thus I lost my last opportunity to visit before leaving the city.

Next time, Palacio Virreinal will be tops on my "to do" list.

I'd allotted the first half of my day to see the city center, and after three to four hours, I'd seen a lot.

I hailed a taxi and headed for my 2 PM lunch at Pujol.

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The Historic City Center of Mexico City became a World Heritage Site in 1988.

Click here for the full list of UNESCO sites Dave has visited during his travels.

[O]n my first full day in Mexico City, I challenged myself to visit three UNESCO World Heritage Sites in a single day.

I began at the Central Campus of UNAM, and followed it up with a guided tour of Casa Luis Barragan.

At dusk, I completed the trifecta with a visit to Mexico City's Historic Center, which was both hurried and overwhelming.

The heat, air pollution, crowds, and grandeur of the neighborhood was enough to manage in itself, let alone trying to appreciate the points of interest.

I took a few pictures of the Cathedral, and hopped in a cab for the short ride back to my nearby hostel, thus saving me a twenty-minute walk.

As the drive began, I realized the meter was off, so I asked the driver about it.

He shrugged me off, saying it wasn't needed, which instantly set off alarm bells that this guy was positioning himself to overcharge me.

I tried to regain some control, asking for an estimate of the fare, but he shrugged me off again.

Too tired, or perhaps too complacent to push harder, I allowed the ride to come to its conclusion at my hostel, where he finally declared a value, 100 pesos ($7.80).

I responded angrily, knowing this was well above the actual rate.

He refused to budge.

In the heat of the moment, I lacked the confidence to argue any further, and handed him a 100-peso note (conveniently, he asked for a value that can be paid with a single bill), and entered the hostel.

Flustered from the exchange, I peppered the young receptionist with questions about the incident, to which she responded the ride should've been about 35 pesos ($2.75), or three times less than what I was asked to pay.

Expletives spewed out of my mouth as I trudged upstairs to my empty dorm room, where I continued to fume for another hour at the gall of the driver.

I opened up Go Backpacking's Facebook page and let off a rant involving cheating taxi drivers, and karma, which generated quite a few responses, including one girl telling me to "get over it" because it's just a few dollars.

She was right, of course, but it wasn't the money that bothered me, it was the driver's ability to lie to my face, and ultimately rip me off without hesitation.

I've taken hundreds of (metered) taxis in Medellin without a problem, and dozens more in Lima (unmetered) without being so blatantly overcharged.

The following day, I would take several, longer taxis covering large distances, and they barely tipped over the 100-peso mark, which hit home how obvious it was that the driver the day before had ripped me off.

But by then, I'd truly gotten over it.

What would you have done? Paid the asking price knowing it's too much? Given less, and left the car without apology?

Leave your thoughts in the Comments section below.

"Go now," the guide shouts as a large black dorsal fin glides past our boat, bobbing in the open sea.

I hit the water feet first, followed quickly by the rest of my body. My head dips below the water's surface from the momentum, and a life jacket ensures I immediately bounce back up.

Adjusting my snorkel mask, I face down just in time to see the white-speckled body of a whale shark, the world's largest fish, pass before my eyes.

Remembering the guide's instructions, I begin swimming next to it, against the current, before it passes effortlessly into the distance.

My first attempt at snorkeling beside these graceful creatures on my whale shark adventure was over in minutes.

The guide in the water signals me to return to the boat and wait for my next turn.

Our boat has nine passengers and two guides. Each guide takes turns snorkeling in the water with two customers at a time.

The small ratio of guides to passengers eased my concerns about snorkeling in the open sea, forty-five minutes to an hour off the coast of Cancun.

It'd been a bumpy ride out to sea, with the boat's hull smacking up and down against the five to six-foot waves.

I took some comfort in the assurance that the seas were calmer on this day than earlier in the week, but maybe the guides tell everyone this to help ease their anxieties.

Whale shark season in Cancun runs from mid-May through September, with the whales passing by Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula in their migratory search for food.

Despite their ominous name, teeth, and size (up to 40 feet in length, weighing an average of 20 tons), whale sharks feed on mostly plankton and small fish.

They open their giant mouths, which span the width of their heads, and filter the nutrients out of the water. They have poor eyesight, as is the case with most sharks.

Earlier, we'd been instructed to stay put if we saw a whale shark coming directly toward us in the water because they'd sense us (not see us) and either turn or dive.

To my surprise, the whale sharks feed near the water's surface, making snorkeling with them so easy.

I'd anticipated we'd be looking down on them, but that wasn't the case. We could see them from the boat, but we also had to turn our heads upward in the water to see them cruising around.

I could tell that most of the other passengers on my boat were divers. And it wasn't just the underwater cameras and GoPros strapped to people's heads.

Those who didn't bring their wetsuits and snorkel gear rented wetsuits from the tour company at the marina before we left.

Wearing a wetsuit ensures sun protection and allows you to do your snorkeling without a life vest (as the suits provide buoyancy).

I skipped the wetsuit to save money ($12) but had a bad sunburn by the end of the day.

As I waited my turn, seasickness crept into my conscience. I wasn't the only one, either. A German diver on our boat also began feeling ill.

Another woman on board was kind enough to offer me a motion sickness tablet, which I readily consumed, and a bottle of water (included on the tour).

The guide recommended I get back in the water because I'd feel better, but I resisted initially and allowed others to go in my place.

But time was running out, and I couldn't ignore how excited the others were every time they exited the water after snorkeling with the whale sharks.

I took a deep breath and proclaimed across the boat, "One last time!"

Familiar with the process now, I readied myself on the side of the boat and waited for the guide's signal.

My second time in the water, I got a clearer view of the massive whale shark swimming before me. It was so beautiful; I forgot to swim.

I was content to tread water and watch it pass before my eyes as if in a trance. The sunlight reflected off the white dots across its body.

The guide snapped me out of the moment with instructions to swim, but it was too late. The whale shark had gotten too far ahead of me, and because they swim against the current, it's not easy to catch up.

Later, the guide laughed at my expense, joking that I was supposed to SWIM with them.

My nausea began to decrease once the boat was moving again. Our destination was Playa Norte, off the northern coast of Isla Mujeres, where we'd stop for lunch.

A bumpy 45-minute ride later, we eased our way into the gorgeous, shallow waters off the palm tree-lined Playa Norte.

The stunning scenery was a surprise, the calm waters a welcome respite from the open sea waves.

I sprayed on a new layer of sunscreen and gently hopped off the boat, my feet sinking into the soft white sand. Boats from other companies were anchored around us, but the beach was empty.

Wading through the warm waters, I imagined the scene during Christmas break in December or Spring Break in March; I preferred to have the beach to myself.

Related: Riviera Maya's Best Beaches

Our crew began preparing fresh shrimp ceviche for lunch on board the boat. It was tangy and delicious, the perfect end to our whale shark adventure in Cancun.

Tips to Enjoy Your Whale Shark Snorkeling Adventure

Get Your Guide's whale shark tour in Cancun offers hotel pick-up from Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum. The further you are from Cancun, the earlier you need to wake up, and the later you return.

Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and a waterproof camera. I regretted not buying a disposable camera for $20, as the water is clear, and you're close enough to the whale sharks to get decent photos.

Rent a wetsuit for further sun protection, don't depend on the life jacket, as it doesn't provide full coverage.

Take motion sickness pills even if you don't usually get motion sick. You don't want nausea to ruin your experience.

Plenty of bottled water and lunch are included, but bringing extra water and snacks is not a bad idea. It's better to eat something than depart on an empty stomach.

________

I was provided with a complimentary tour in partnership with GetYourGuide.

I left the UNAM campus for my second UNESCO site of the day, Casa Luis Barragán.

To make things easy, I took a cab to Barranca del Muerto station on Line 7 and then took the metro up to Constituyentes.

From there, it's a 5-minute walk to the Barragán House and Studio.

I arrived just as the house was closing for lunch. A guided tour is required, and the next one in English would be at 3 PM.

To kill time, I walked to another house he designed as a private residence, but the woman living there charges 200 pesos ($16) for a short tour, which is the same cost as the architect's own house.

By the time I had a bite to eat and walked back, it was almost 3 PM.

I paid the 200 peso admission but skipped paying for the rights to take photos of the interior, which was more than double the cost (500 pesos, $40).

I always enjoy visiting the former homes of artists like Barragán, Frida Kahlo, or Chile's Pablo Neruda, because you gain greater insight into what it would've been like for them to live and work there.

It's a chance to see the decor and art they chose to surround themselves with (though all the originals from Barragán's house are in storage) on a daily basis.

In the case of an architect, you can learn a lot about their use of natural light, space, color, and perspective.

Barragán was born in Guadalajara in 1902.

He began designing this house in Mexico City for someone else in 1948 but then decided to keep it for himself.

...the House and Studio of architect Luis Barragán in the suburbs of Mexico City represents an outstanding example of the architect's creative work in the post-Second World War period.

The concrete building, totalling 1,161 m2, consists of a ground floor and two upper storeys, as well as a small private garden.

Barragán's work integrated modern and traditional artistic and vernacular currents and elements into a new synthesis, which has been greatly influential, especially in the contemporary design of gardens, plazas and landscapes. -- UNESCO

He never married but was fond of entertaining. Interestingly, as our guide pointed out, the guest room reserved for his female friends was the only room without religious art.

Barragán, it turns out, was a real playboy. And he lived in the same house for 40 years, until he died in 1988.

At the time, the house was valued at 10 million dollars, and bought by a foundation dedicated to preserving it as a museum highlighting his life and contributions as an architect.

See also: Mexico City's Best Restaurants

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Luis Barragan's House and Studio became a World Heritage Site in 2004.

Click here for the full list of UNESCO sites Dave has visited during his travels.

A few days before my Ancient Civilizations tour with G Adventures was set to begin, I arrived in Mexico City from Guadalajara by plane.

To see and do as much as possible, I prioritized my activities, choosing to see a few off-the-beaten-track sites before the historic city center.

After a good night's sleep in a hostel dorm I had to myself, I began my first day with a subway ride to the Central University City Campus of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM).

I know, it's a mouthful.

Why spend my first morning in Mexico City visiting a university campus?

Here's how UNESCO summarizes the importance of the architecture at UNAM:

The ensemble of buildings, sports facilities and open spaces of the Central University City Campus of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), was built from 1949 to 1952 by more than 60 architects, engineers and artists who were involved in the project.

As a result, the campus constitutes a unique example of 20th-century modernism integrating urbanism, architecture, engineering, landscape design and fine arts with references to local traditions, especially to Mexico's pre-Hispanic past.

The ensemble embodies social and cultural values of universal significance and is one of the most significant icons of modernity in Latin America.

Looking at the campus on Google Maps, I was intimidated. It looked like a city within a city. I decided to figure it out once I got there.

I took Line 3 of the metro heading south to the aptly named Universidad station at the southeast end of campus.

Alternatively, the northeast area of campus is accessible from the Copilco station.

Still unsure of what the heck I was doing, I exited the station along with crowds of students and walked through a small maze of Mexican stands selling food and drinks.

It felt like unchartered territory, if only because I was still utterly clueless about where I was going.

I saw a bus stop and a map with concentric rings of bus routes.

It didn't look very easy. I decided to walk, but I didn't make it far before remembering this wasn't like my small college campus in New York.

I hailed a taxi and asked him to take me to the Museo Universitario Arte Contemporaneo (Contemporary Art Museum), or MUAC for short. It was as good a starting point as any.

He dropped me off in front of a large, near-empty plaza, with the museum to my left. The sun was already bearing down, and it was only mid-morning.

I bought a ticket for $3.30 but found the architecture of the building more fascinating than the art within it.

Before leaving, my eyes drew me down to the basement level, where the museum restaurant, Nube Siete, is located.

I ate a quick brunch of huevos rancheros over a glass floor covering volcanic rocks.

In the separate smoking section, the rocks were exposed and overflowing into the space.

Sophisticated and unique setting aside, the restaurant was also reasonably priced, and I'd recommend visitors grab at least a coffee.

After brunch, I poked around the campus buildings in the immediate vicinity before hopping on one of the free shuttle buses to the sculpture park around the corner.

It was a much shorter distance than I expected, and I could've walked in five to ten minutes, but at least I learned the campus buses were free for everyone.

The sculpture park is located within an ecological reserve. Remember, this is all still well within the university's campus.

The road bisects the park. The direction I went first led me to a monumental sculpture installation.

Large concrete blocks were situated around an open circle of exposed volcanic rock.

Of course, I did what anyone would do upon seeing such a sight. I ran up one of the blocks to get a better view.

Look for the students sitting on top of the blocks in the photo above to get a sense of scale.

Going up was easy, but looking back down at the ground from what appeared to be a 45-degree angle was another story.

I hurried down the top section like a crab and then stood up and hit the ground running.

On the other side of the road were smaller sculptures and a bunch of academic buildings.

I hailed another taxi north to the Biblioteca Central (Central Library) for my third and final stop.

With over 400,000 books, it's one of the largest libraries in the country. It's also the most popular building for curious tourists.

One look at the scale of the mosaics designed by Juan O'Gorman adorning all four sides, and it's easy to see why.

Each wall depicts a different period in Mexican history.

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The Central University City Campus of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) became a World Heritage Site in 2007.

Click here for the complete list of UNESCO sites Dave has visited during his travels.

[L]ocated in Guadalajara's historic city center, a short 15-minute walk from the Cathedral, is Hospicio Cabañas, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Hospicio Cabañas was built at the beginning of the 19th century to provide care and shelter for the disadvantaged - orphans, old people, the handicapped and chronic invalids.

This remarkable complex, which incorporates several unusual features designed specifically to meet the needs of its occupants, was unique for its time. It is also notable for the harmonious relationship between the open and built spaces, the simplicity of its design, and its size.

In the early 20th century, the chapel was decorated with a superb series of murals, now considered some of the masterpieces of Mexican art. They are the work of José Clemente Orozco, one of the greatest Mexican muralists of the period. -- UNESCO

As part of my new effort to visit more World Heritage Sites, I stopped into Hospicio Cabañas on my last day in Guadalajara.

Admission is 70 pesos ($5.50), plus an additional 30 pesos ($2.40) if you want to take photos.

The complex is an immense network of interconnected buildings, spaced apart by 23 courtyards.

The main attraction is the chapel decorated with murals by José Clemente Orozco.

According to UNESCO, "Orozco's murals in the chapel represent in part the most symbolic and characteristic elements of the indigenous culture of Mexico (gods, sacrifices, temples) and for the rest those of Spanish culture (kings, monks, churches).

The central feature represents the submission of humans to machines, culminating in the masterpiece Man of Fire ."

The English brochure for the site includes very little information about the murals, so unless you're with a guide, or reading you'll have no idea what you're looking at.

Still, I found his style aesthetically appealing, even if I didn't understand the themes.

There's not much else to see here, aside from a few small galleries in the adjacent buildings.

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Hospicio Cabañas became a World Heritage Site in 1997.

Click here for the full list of UNESCO sites Dave has visited during his travels.

[I] waved goodbye to Christine, Drew and family at the Puerto Vallarta bus terminal, and was soon speeding east toward Guadalajara.

Not knowing much of Mexico, I always thought Guadalajara was a pueblo.

Turns out it's the capital of the central state of Jalisco, and the second biggest city in the country after Mexico City (which we all know to be one of the largest cities in the world).

Five hours later, we pulled into the new bus terminal on the western outskirts of the city.

From there, I took a taxi to my hostel in the historic city center.

Downtown Guadalajara is awash in historic buildings, and despite its size, it's still more relaxed and manageable than Mexico City.

[F]ifteen minutes north of Sayulita is San Pancho, which is also known as San Francisco, an even smaller beach town popular with hippies.

Seriously, it's on the scale of Ecuador's hippie beach town of Montanita, with a population of just a few hundred residents.

Only San Francisco doesn't offer good conditions for stand up paddle boarding, or swimming, due to a strong current.

Instead, expats like my friend Shannon are content to meet every evening on the beach to watch the sunset (an advantage to living on the Pacific coast vs. the Caribbean).

Speaking of Shannon, she just wrapped up three months of living and working in San Pancho.

The day after our visit to Sayulita, Christine, Drew, the kids and I met her there for brunch at the all-organic Bistro Organico in the Hotel Cielo Rojo.

The restaurant was situated on a patio on the ground floor, with a small water fountain and pool, which one adult customer actually used to take a full-on dip.

Christine took lots of photos, and posted them over on her blog, Almost Fearless.

After finishing my organic huevos rancheros, I asked the waiter about the "chocolate avocado pudding" advertised on a board in the restaurant.

Unfortunately, the chefs on duty didn't know how to make the dessert. The combination intrigued Christine.

After a very satisfying lunch, we hit the beach.

Unlike Sayulita, San Pancho beach isn't good for surfing, and the strong current means swimming isn't recommended either.

But it is less crowded, and prettier than Sayulita.

And as I understand it, a recent storm caused heavy erosion, which is why there is a steep drop-off in the level of the beach as you approach the water.

The start of low season seemed to have a bigger effect on San Pancho, which was practically deserted on the Sunday we visited, compared to Sayulita the day before.

I left the beach in an effort to find some cold medicine at a pharmacy.

Despite its diminutive size, San Pancho does feature a hospital, which was part of a former President's project in the town. Apparently, he also built a house for his mistress there.

I liked the look of San Pancho, with its colorful cafes, and opportunities to practice yoga, but the town would be too small for me to live in for a few months.

Sayulita is more my size, and I'd always have the option to visit San Pancho.

Shannon felt the opposite, preferring to live in San Pancho, and occasionally visit Sayulita.

After spending a few hours in San Pancho, we once again packed up the car and kids for the return drive to Bucerias.

Later that afternoon, Drew picked up supplies for chocolate avocado pudding, which Christine, bless her heart, decided to whip up that night.

The mixture was so rich and creamy, I was unable to finish the cup she served me above. I saved the second half for the following day. Delicious!

For more info, check out San Pancho or San Pancho Life.

Once I'd had a chance to explore Puerto Vallarta, Christine and Drew introduced me to Sayulita, a small beach town 20 minutes north of their house in Bucerias and about an hour north of Puerto Vallarta. We took their car, but it's also accessible via a local bus. Another option is taxis, but they'd be a little expensive if traveling alone.

In addition to its beautiful beach, Sayulita is a popular surf town, especially for stand-up paddleboarding. Several surf schools lined the main beach, and people of all ages were in the water.

We camped out on the beach for a little while, enjoying the soothing sound of crashing waves. Cole, their son, enjoyed playing in the water while Stella slept under the shade of our umbrella. The scene reminded me of my visits to Jones Beach and Fire Island in New York as a kid.

I went for a barefoot stroll through the center of town, which was relatively empty because it was the start of the low season. No matter, I could tell Sayulita was my kind of town, and if I had the time, I'd spend at least a week there.

Hang out at the beach by day and grab beers by night. No wonder it's so popular with backpackers and expats making their way through Mexico. If Puerto Vallarta meets the needs of mass tourism, Sayulita Beach still appeals to those looking for a cheaper alternative.

When I returned to the beach, Christine and Drew had packed up the beach stuff and were sitting in the shade of a restaurant. I re-joined them, and we hung out a little longer before packing up the kids and car and heading back to Bucerias. Sayulita became the first of several Mexican towns I could see myself living in for at least a few months.

For more info, visit Sayulitabeach.com or Sayulitalife.com.

Later this month, I'm leaving Colombia to discover Mexico's food, beaches, and ancient civilizations with G Adventures. A little over one year ago, I first had the opportunity to travel with G Adventures in Patagonia.

The experience surpassed my expectations in every way, from our friendly mountain guide, Christian, and the nightly feasts of Patagonian lamb and king crab to the breathtaking scenery and optional activities like ice climbing.

When you factor in airfare, Patagonia is one of the more costly regions of Latin America to visit. By contrast, Mexico remains one of the cheapest, most easily accessible destinations in North America.

The two-week itinerary below hits all the hot spots from Mexico City to Playa del Carmen on the Mayan Riviera. There are so many optional activities in each city that I won't even try to list them all.

It was last year that two of G Adventures' Wanders in Residence, Daniel and Audrey of Uncornered Market, sold me on Oaxaca through their vivid Instagram photos of food and daily life. Add to that Playa del Carmen's massive appeal as a hotspot for digital nomads, and I could no longer delay visiting Mexico.

Last weekend, while researching which UNESCO World Heritage Sites I've visited so far, I found that I may be able to see as many as six new sites on this 15-day tour alone.

• Historic Centre of Mexico City and Xochimilco
• Historic Centre of Puebla
• Historic Centre of Oaxaca and Archaeological Site of Monte Albán
• Prehistoric Caves of Yagul and Mitla in the Central Valley of Oaxaca
• Pre-Hispanic City and National Park of Palenque
• Pre-Hispanic City of Chichen-Itza

As always, I'll provide live coverage of the trip through Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and follow up with articles on Go Backpacking and the G Adventures blog. Expect lots of food photos as I delve into one of my favorite world cuisines!

I'll be arriving in Mexico a week early to visit friends in Puerto Vallarta, and after the tour, I'll spend an extra two weeks exploring Playa del Carmen and the region on my own.