Prices go way up around Christmas and New Year’s, and you’ll need to book far in advance just to secure a place to stay. Ruta 1 is a more than 1,000 km stretch of Mexico that takes you through wine country, valleys, and desert, and along the coastline, past mountains and through many charming little villages and beach towns. While it's perfectly fine to change money at such places, you never get a very good rate from them. Of course, you'll pay more if you insist on drinking imported spirits such as vodka or whiskey. Most people in Mexico are known as Mestizos, meaning they have indigenous and European roots. Du Mexique by Sonya Grimond, Cancun: See 590 unbiased reviews of Du Mexique by Sonya Grimond, rated 5 of 5 on Tripadvisor and ranked #46 of 1,266 restaurants in Cancun. You may also need to purchase a Temporary Import Permit for your vehicle. We use Booking.com to book all of our accommodation  while we're travelling. While you’ll find that many people speak English in Mexico - especially in touristy areas - it never hurts to be equipped with a bit of . It's mostly related to drug cartels and the border areas, but bad things can and do happen even in tourist bubbles like Playa del Carmen. Isla Cozumel is an extremely pretty island, but I personally don’t like places that are super touristy, which Cozumel most definitely is. It’s a common misconception among travellers that the Mayans are no longer around, but that couldn't be further from the truth. Mexicans are proud of their history and culture, and are happy to share it with you. These two smaller cities are very easily reached from the capital. While not nearly as popular, it's still easy to find a decent wine in Mexico. This includes the US, Canada, all of the EU, Australia, New Zealand, most of South America and a few Asian countries. Don’t forget to spend a day marveling at the history and temples of the ancient Maya at Palenque ruins and museum too. The Daily. During Semana Santa (Holy Week), many domestic tourists travel around Mexico, as well as plenty of people from other parts of Latin America. Here are a few recommendations: What better way to kill time on that flight to Mexico than reading a book about the country? PV is actually working on building a massive new port that will even have an aquarium and a replica Mexican village. Visit beautifully secluded falls like Agua Azul, Misol-Ha and Roberto Barrios. Mexico loves its cerveza, and you're never too far from a cold one when traveling there. of the magical hotels in Real for at least a couple of nights. Generally, Mexico is a very safe place for travellers, but that isn't to say that there isn't crime in the country. Unless you've been living under a rock your entire life, you've probably had some version of Mexican food by now. Mid-Range: Hotels in the mid-range in Mexico tend to be between $50-75 a night depending on where you are. For these prices you’ll get your own bathroom but probably won’t get A/C or free breakfast. discounts that are put on automatically after your first few bookings with That's more than enough time to take an epic backpacking trip from coast to coast, or you can follow the lead of all the snowbirds who choose to live here for half of the year when it's cold back home in the north. 10 jours de road trip dans la péninsule du Yucatán (du 10 au 20 novembre 2018): Holbox, Valladolid, Chichen Itza, Izamal, Mérida, Uxmal, Bacalar, Akumal, Tulum, Isla Mujeres & Cancun. You can take private lessons all around Mexico for as little as $5 USD an hour. We recommend them because we trust them and because they are the best companies for booking tours, flights, car rentals and travel insurance online. If you have time, take another day trip to the cenotes of Cuzama, where you’ll take a tour by horse and cart along the train tracks to three different but impressive cenotes. Sundays are definitely for going to church in Mexico, so you can expect the streets to be quiet and many places to be closed. Stop here overnight to explore the city. Although if you only take the free roads (carretera libre), you may not think so. By staying in dorms, using public transport, eating street food and finding free or cheap activities, you can keep your budget quite low. This is far and away the most popular area of Mexico, and for good reason. A small colonial city complete with narrow cobblestone streets, colorful houses with plant pots on every patio, surrounded by lush mountains and flower farms. Bigger, more substantial items like quesadillas or tortas are usually $2 or so. Most of them are retired or close to it, and they tend to be pretty cool and easy-going. Central areas are fine to walk around day and night, but you’ll want to avoid straying too far from them after dark. If you’re coming from Palenque this will be an easy drive that takes you out of the gorgeous jungle and Northeast towards the Colonial City of Merida, the mind-blowing Chichen Itza pyramids, white-sandy islands, and bustling Playa del Carmen and Tulum. You’ll finish your road trip in Palenque where you can visit important Mayan ruins and relax in vivid baby blue waterfalls. Eat a big lunch for cheap and then take a siesta - it's the Mexican way! If that's not for you, never fear - it's not all super picante here. Reference books. Many Mexicans speak English, especially the ones who work in the tourism sectors. Cost: Varies. Here you’ll find some of the best beaches in Mexico, epic Mayan ruins like Chichen Itza, and countless opportunities for adventures. Popular destinations in Mexico Prices are based on round trip travel and hotel stay per traveler. What types of travellers you bump into in Mexico really depends on where you go and what time of year it is. While the steamy coastline might be a little too hot for long treks, the mountainous interior of the country makes for the perfect hiking conditions and there are some excellent trails to be discovered. But we did have to pay $5 for a broken tail light once. Direct flights are available from several cities in the US and Canada to places like Mexico City and Cancun. Huatulco is only a 2.5 hours drive from Puerto Escondido and the beaches along this part of the Oaxacan Coastline are even quieter. You can get margaritas for as little as $1 even in touristy places like Puerto Vallarta. A common dish is chicken breast cooked in mole and served with rice and beans. The car ferry leaves from Playa del Carmen and is much more frequent than the Isla Mujeres car ferry. Before traveling Mexico, you should be conscious of the following customs. The last stop on the 10 day epic Yucatan, Mexico road trip is to the island of Isla Holbox. Your email address will not be published. There is no need to tip taxi drivers or Uber drivers in Mexico. They'll usually have a tip jar, though, so toss a few coins in if you enjoyed your food. The owner of the vehicle may also be required to obtain a Temporary Import Permit for the vehicle as well. Don't forget your snorkel gear! They work solely for tips, so don't forget to have some change handy. Keep these things in mind before heading there: While much of Mexico is very safe, there's still a lot of violence going on. Backpacking Mexico is an incredible experience with endless options. If you want to travel this road, be sure to ask any forums you are a part of or join the San Cristobal Expat Facebook group to ask. But not everywhere in the country is an all-inclusive package holiday destination. But after driving a long 8 hours you’ll probably want to just curl up in your hotel and explore the city properly the next day. Honestly, there’s nowhere else quite like Isla Holbox. Art, culture, wine, gastronomy, and nature are just a few reasons to visit. From barren deserts, to soaring mountains, to hidden underground sinkholes, there's much to discover when you travel to Mexico. Fun fact - Puebla is the only city in Mexico that actually has a Cinco de Mayo celebration, as it was here that a local army defeated the French in battle. Are you coming from a road trip from the USA? The most common is Nahuatl, which has around one million speakers. It’s a small, pregnant-fish-shaped island filled with amazing snorkeling and scuba diving. Currently, there are over 120 vineyards in Valle de Guadalupe. Eventually, a new constitution was established in 1917. After all, the Mexico border is only approximately 20 minutes from San Diego. You can base yourself in bustling tourist centers like Playa del Carmen or Tulum, choose a quieter town like Akumal, or head out to the island of Cozumel. In the last year, there have been several reports of people being drugged at all-inclusive resorts. There are plenty of Michelen-starred restaurants and luxury 5 start hotels in Mexico. They work hard and play hard. The people are friendly, welcoming, and super helpful. If you are going to be in San Diego, California as part of a larger west coast road trip why not cross the border into Mexico? Having spent over a year and a half both living and travelling in Mexico, we have quite a few posts! It's generally expected that you'll tip your bag porter about 10 - 20 pesos per bag and your cleaner around 20 - 50 pesos per night at nicer hotels. It's basically a Bloody Mary but with beer instead of vodka. Every culture has its own unique culture and with historical differences come some particular traditions and behaviors that travellers should be aware of when traveling around any country. You'll find authentic culture and cuisine at every corner... just be careful. Traveling at night is more feasible in most of these areas, so long as you take the paid roads (carretera cuota). It is honestly one of the coolest places I have ever visited in my life. Right. Read on for more details. It's possible to find a dorm bed for around $10 a night. If you are traveling to Mexico by car, it is Mexican law that all drivers have insurance, and you will need to prove your insurance once you have crossed the Mexican border. Road Trip au Mexique – 15 jours Vous l’avez vu sur Instagram, notre récent road trip au Mexique a été pour nous une révélation. Want to save money and travel the world? In that case, you could just grab them at the station.In the big cities like Mexico City and Guadalajara, there’s a metro system for getting around. Bacalar boasts a crystalline lake called Siete Colores (Seven Colors) as well as another mind-blowing cenote (Cenote Azul). It’s rough around the edges and full of people (did you know Mexico City’s population is the same as the whole of Australia’s?) I usually stick to local beers and rarely spend $20 on a night out. Some of the most memorable include Santo Tomas and AlXimia. Pretty much any dive off of Isla Mujeres is going to be exciting, but a trip to the nearby Isla Mujeres National Marine Park is likely going to be one of the major highlights of your diving trip to Mexico. You’ll then follow the spectacular Oaxacan coast for a while before turning off to head back up the mountains of Chiapas to the gorgeous colonial city of San Cristobal de las Casas. Beach areas are still busy with domestic tourists over the summer holiday, but around August-September, the crowds really thin out. Firstly, driving through Mexico is quite safe, for the most part. It’s not enough to just take photos because you might miss important parts of the car. When it comes to street food, you can find tacos for as little as $0.50. And the state of Chiapas is absolutely picturesque to drive through. As “Delhi Belly” is to India, “Montezuma's Revenge” is to Mexico. The ultimate New Mexico road trip consists of breakfast burritos, vintage Americana, stunning desert backdrops, a little hiking, and a little more relaxation. Although most of the coast (7,338 km) is on the Pacific side where you can enjoy amazing sunsets, there is still a lot of places where land meets the Caribbean Sea - for those seeking the postcard perfect white sand and turquoise water. A beer costs less than $1 in supermarkets and convenience stores, and usually around $1-1.50 in a budget restaurant or dive bar. Enough of the formalities, let’s decide where to go on a Mexico road trip! Le Mexique, c’est environ 4 fois la France ! Only hotels that are packed with character, have great ratings, and excellent service passes our recommendations test. Near Yal-Ku you can swim with turtles at Akumal – a once in a lifetime experience. Travellers from other countries are advised to check with their mobile provider or purchase a local card in Mexico. Check out the blog posts we've about Mexico below. As a very popular destination for spring break, weddings, and big holidays like New Year's Eve, the party is always raging here. Got your own car? You will need to take most of Mexico’s roads slowly and tentatively, always being alert. If you're looking for a good meal on a budget, look for signs that say comida corrida. She has too many awesome stories and helpful tips to keep them all to herself so follow along and in return she will bring you inspiring pictures, travel videos and a whole load of fun! Explore ancient ruins, watch a wrestling match or explore mind-altering museums until your feet scream. We'd be remissed not to mention some of the breathtaking beaches on the Pacific Side and while Oaxaca has some honorable mentions, Puerto Vallarta makes the top 3 because it is set next to one of the coolest cities in the country. When a book author is incorrect they get punished. In the city, you’ll be able to buy vibrant arts and crafts and sample unique delicious Oaxacan cuisines. The country celebrates its Independence Day on September 16th, which is the day that the war with Spain was launched in 1810. They also love to have a good time and want to make sure you have on while visiting their country. Christian holidays such as Easter and Christmas are also a very big deal here. Learn to surf or horseback ride on the beach. There are about six million people in Mexico who speak indigenous languages. In the past year or so, several stories have come out of people having their drinks spiked when staying at all-inclusive resorts. If you have some extra time, you can plan a hike to the peak of Cerro San Miguel, which rises 3,780 meters (12,400 feet) above sea level. If you choose to stay the night you could spend one day exploring the culture and gastronomy of the town and another exploring nature. Don’t stay the night here though, it’s terribly overpriced. Mexico is home to several ruins of ancient Mayan cities, but none is more impressive than Chichen Itza. Blend in with the locals by picking up on some of the chants and insults in Spanish. ), fresh seafood restaurants by the bucketful, golf carts to explore the island on and hammocks set up on the calm tranquil ocean waters (that’s right – IN the water). Before you travel to Mexico, why not watch a few films about the country? Its famous for its incredible Mexican food, impressive architecture and beautiful pottery. We've already talked in-depth about tipping in the budget section of this post, but basically in small cafeteria-style restaurants, you may not be expected to tip, while in most nicer sit down restaurants and restaurants frequented by tourists, 10-15% is expected and appreciated. A Mexico City / Oaxaca road trip would give you a great taste of pretty cities, cactuses, mountains and culture achievable in just a few days. Travelling in Mexico typically means either flying or catching a bus, as there isn’t a rail system. Sure, you could easily burn through your bank account by staying in all-inclusive resorts and hiring a private driver, but budget travellers will do just fine here as well. Playa del Carmen. Renting a car in Mexico is super easy. Football is basically a religion in Mexico and Latin America at large. Vineyards, old and new, dot the landscape along Valle’s main thorofare, Mexico’s Route 3. This city has some amazing food options. The streets are lined with cobblestones and flowers and the buildings are filled with beautiful restaurants, bars, and art galleries, all of which have kept their Mexican flair. If you have a guide for the full day, then a tip of around 100 pesos and if you take part in a free walking tour, the same tip applies. Guerrero Negro is eight hours driving south of Ensenada. There are usually much smaller crowds during these times, with the exception of Easter when the whole country seems to be traveling. I’m not going to tell you how much insurance coverage you should opt for when renting as that is up to you. The Ultimate Central New Mexico Road Trip. To open any of the road trip maps into your own Google Maps app, simply tap the small square icon on the top right-hand side of the map when looking at this article from your phone.