I underestimated Mexico. I scheduled a five-week trip with few expectations but quickly discovered it wasn't nearly enough time.
My itinerary took me from Puerto Vallarta on the Pacific coast, through the capital of Mexico City, to Cancun and the famed Riviera Maya.
Here's a look back at the stories and photos from my biggest adventure of 2013, broken up by region.
Table of Contents
Pacific Coast
I began my trip in Puerto Vallarta because I wanted to visit my friends Christine and Drew Gilbert.
As luck would have it, another friend and Shannon O'Donnell were wrapping up a three-month stay in San Pancho. Shannon was recently named National Geographic's 2013 Traveler of the Year.
Guadalajara
A week after arriving in PV, it was time to strike off on my own.
I had a G Adventures tour to join in Mexico City but wanted to see a little of Mexico's second-largest city along the way.
This is where I kicked off my run of 12 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, starting with a tequila tour.
- Scenes from Guadalajara's Historic City Center
- Hospicio Cabanas, and the Murals of Jose Clemente Orozco (UNESCO)
- Tequila Tour: Agave Landscape and the Industrial Facilities of Tequila (UNESCO)
Mexico City
Mexico City was overwhelming, not just in size but in things to do.
I crammed as much as I could do into my three days, including a fantastic lunch at one of the world's top restaurants and visits to three UNESCO World Heritage Sites in a single day (not recommended).
Mexico City is one of the few mega-sized Latin capitals where I'd like to go back and spend more time.
- The Central Campus at Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico (UNESCO)
- Architect Luis Barragan's House and Studio (UNESCO)
- The Time I was Ripped Off By a Taxi in Mexico
- Pujol Restaurant: The Best Mexican Food on the Planet
- Casa Azul: The Former Home and Studio of Frida Kahlo
- Teotihuacan: The Ancient Pyramids of a Lost Civilization (UNESCO)
- 48 Hours in Mexico City (UNESCO, G Adventures blog)
Puebla
Puebla was the first stop on my Ancient Civilizations tour with G Adventures.
The highlight was playing Cards Against Humanity for the first time, followed by watching live Mexican wrestling.
- Discovering Puebla's Historic City Center (UNESCO, G Adventures blog)
- Lucha Libre: Monday Night Wrestling
Oaxaca
Oaxaca was all about the food for me, and I couldn't get enough of the moles.
I could've spent a few weeks here, eating my way through every restaurant menu.
- A Taste of Oaxaca
- Top 10 Things to Do in Oaxaca (UNESCO)
- Visual Adventure: Oaxaca, Mexico (G Adventures blog)
San Cristobal de las Casas
The highlight of San Cristobal de las Casas was the Mayan village tour, specifically the church and religious practices of San Juan Chamula.
Mayan Ruins
So many ruins, so little time. I struck off from my group on a few occasions to see less-visited ruins like Monte Alban near Oaxaca and Uxmal south of Merida.
As a result of the latter, I never did visit a cenote (underground pool).
- Palenque (UNESCO)
- Uxmal (UNESCO)
- Chichen Itza (UNESCO)
- Top 5 Archaeological Ruins Between Mexico City and Playa del Carmen (UNESCO, G Adventures blog)
Riviera Maya
The group tour finished in Playa del Carmen, a town I was evaluating as a potential place to camp out and work for a few months at a time.
I loved Playa, but it may be best reserved as a vacation spot, the same way I think of Thailand.
I managed a day trip to Cozumel, and an overnight trip to Tulum, before finishing my trip with some fun activities in Cancun.
- Playa del Carmen: Fish Tacos and First Impressions
- Cozumel Day Trip: An Afternoon at Playa Palancar
- Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve (UNESCO)
- Tulum
- Snorkeling with Whale Sharks in Cancun
- Exotic Rides Cancun: Racing a Ferrari F430
- Swimming with Dolphins on Isla Mujeres
- Exploring Mexican Cuisine, One Taco at a Time (G Adventures blog)
Overall, I had a fantastic time in Mexico, and despite all I've seen and written, I know there's much more to the country.
I can even picture myself living there one day.
Erica { EricaDHouse.com } says
What an incredible list! I'd love to go to any of those spots and explore.
Brigid says
That's it! Your post has made me want to head back to Mexico ASAP! I have such fond memories of the mole and markets in Oaxaca, the fish tacos in Puerto Escondido, swimming with Tortugas in Akumal the jungle and ruins in Palenque and much much more!
I look forward to experiencing everything on your list!
Mark Wiens says
Awesome resource Dave. Your food posts especially have me really wanting to travel through Mexico immediately!
Dave says
Thanks Mark. I felt exactly the same way after seeing Uncornered Market's photos from Oaxaca in 2012.
Kate @ The Lost Londoner says
Ahh the Mayan ruins. So epically epic. I visited before 2012 and the tour guide told us all about the Mayan calendar. Needless to say I left solidly believing 2012 would be my final year on earth. I want my money back.
FW North says
Yeah... Mexico. We arrived in Mexico City on June 2013, expecting to spend a month or so on our way down to Guatemala. Five months later, after Puebla, Oaxaca, the Pacific coast and San Cristobal de las Casas, we had to force ourselves out of the country before our visa expired. Meaning, we also underestimated Mexico and its fascinating culture, landscape and people. Oh, and severely underrated food. But we still feel we've only scratched the surface... Great roundup, kudos! Good luck!
Dave says
I feel the same way about the food. For all the tacos and moles I ate, I know it was just a drop in the bucket!
Rachel of Hippie in Heels says
I love love sayulita! I could see myself living there someday. I'm also find mexico city a little overwhelming.
Dave says
That's how I felt about Sayulita, but I think I'd go with Playa del Carmen as I think the beaches are prettier. I'd probably spend a lot less money if I were in Sayulita though.
Ronny says
The plazas in Mexico are ridiculously impressive ... gotta get down there again soon and see more of that country!
ubiquitous traveller says
yes I know San Felipe, PuertoVallarta and Tulum, Mexico is awesome! I'd like to retire there in the future .
Danielle says
Sounds amazing, Dave! I just got back from a week in Mexico... but most of the time was spent visiting family so I didn't have a chance to experience half as much as you did. Fingers crossed they'll be many more trips for the both of us.
Michelle cowper says
I have come to the time in my life that I need to travel as part of a 'bucket list' sort of thing. I've been a single mother for 18 years, IT'S TIME! Your experience has given me a direction 'Mexico'. I'm going to put a plan together now, starting with cleaning out everything I don't need, make a bank balance so that I can enjoy without having to work to much & then where to head to first. I'm very fit & would like to see everything first hand by backpacking.
Thanks , keep pasting on the advice.
Michelle cowper says
I'm ready to see the world by backpacking. Mexico sounds like a great place to start.
Manuel says
I love that area bounded by the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, Dave. But if I'm going to long stay there, my choice is Puerto Morelos or Merida. Playa del Carmen is nice and many webtrepreneurs are choosing it as a place of work and there's a co-working group headquartered there. If I were to bring my work to Quintana Roo, I will choose Cancun over Playa, only because the internet is much faster and the transportation system is amazing. But that's just me. You should explore the area more. It's a beautiful place on earth that I am discovering just now.
Dave says
I'll be heading back to Cancun this September for the North American Travel Blog Exchange conference.