Whether it’s your first time visiting Mexico or you’re coming back for another vacation, you’ll discover that there are so many ways to have fun while you experience the natural beauty as well as the culture of this marvelous country. You’ll discover you want to plan for an extended stay so that you have the chance to travel and visit some of the local attractions and not just the touristy spots.
Opportunities for adventures in Mexico abound, from kayaking to a hidden cenote, to riding the world’s highest and longest zipline in the Copper Canyon Adventure Park to snorkeling with sea lions. Or, maybe your idea of an adventure is exploring a colonial town such as San Miguel de Allende on horseback, climbing the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon in the ancient city of Teotihuacan, or learning to make mole in a cooking class in Oaxaca.
Tips from a pro
There are some important travel tips that you’ll want to familiarize yourself with if you’re planning on spending a month vacationing in Mexico. Take the time to learn a bit of conversational Spanish before embarking on your adventure because English is not that widely spoken once you leave the main tourist centers.
Make the effort to get out and enjoy Sunday celebrations. Sundays are the day when Mexican families are out and about, providing you with a great opportunity to interact with the local population and learn about life in their city or town.
When it comes to attire, shorts are for the beach areas. The locals tend to dress more modestly in the towns and cities than they do along the coast and at beach destinations. Lightweight pants, skirts, short sleeve blouses, and tops are preferable.
Traveling by bus is a great way to get around. Inter-city buses have spacious seats and are often a bit luxurious. Collectivos or combi vans, minibus type vehicles, travel along fixed routes, and they’ll stop anywhere along the way. They’re a cheap way to get around and, as an added plus, you’ll get another opportunity to interact with the locals.
You’ll want to consider the route you want to take and what you want to see and do when planning your trip.
Find your favorite city
One possible choice is to spend a month in southern Mexico, traveling from the Caribbean to Mexico City. What will be your favorite city in Mexico? Bacalar and its beautiful lagoon of seven colors, Valladolid for a visit to one of Yucatan’s cenotes as well as to the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza or Campeche with its beautiful pastel-colored buildings, sea breezes, and great seafood? Will it be Orizaba, one of its prettiest towns in Mexico that’s off the beaten track or Mexico City which has enough things to see and do to keep you busy for weeks?
Whatever the itinerary for your month in Mexico, make sure to take a good book to read on the bus as you travel from one place to the next. If you like a mystery, Del Rio, a new novel by author, Jane Rosenthal, will keep you on the edge of your bus seat!