While researching some ideas for summer vacation destinations, I came across some online photos of a beach in Mexico. Very interested in experiencing the scenery and culture, I did some deeper research to find out everything that I wanted to know about Mexico travel, from gorgeous beaches to sea turtles and Tacos Al Pastor.
What kinds of things are there to do while traveling to Mexico? While traveling in Mexico, there are so many things to do, from seeing sights to swimming and laying out at the beach. You can even release baby turtles into the ocean and grab a few tacos at a nearby food vendor in the street.
When an international travel experience is discussed, Mexico seems to be one of the most desirable options. With beautiful beaches, great food, relatively low prices, and cheap ways to fly to Mexico, you can’t go wrong when you plan your vacation to this intriguing destination.
Things To Do In Mexico
When it comes to traveling to Mexico, there are so many different things that you can participate in and experience throughout all of the various cities. No matter where exactly you choose to go in this exciting country, you might be able to find a handful of the activities listed below.
In this section, you will be getting a general overview of all of the things that you could possibly do in Mexico. While the availability of these activities might vary depending on your area of travel, you should be able to get some pretty good ideas from this list.
Things To Do In Mexico:
- Visit museums
- Attend festivals and celebrate
- Go swimming (ocean, cenotes, etc.)
- Surf in the ocean
- Deep sea diving
- Relax on the beach
- See the sights
- Eat tacos and drink
- Experience authentic dishes (street food, restaurants, etc.)
- Party
- Attend a wrestling match
- Take a walk
- Listen to music
- Learn Spanish
- Release baby turtles
- View street art and galleries
- Take a boat trip
- Go shopping
One of the best things that you can do in Mexico is visit one of the many historical museums that they have there. You can start in Mexico City, which is the capital city of the country that is also very rich in history.
This city, in particular, has the most museums out of anywhere in the world, so if you are trying to gain a historical experience, you will have a lot of luck in this particular location.
To visit the museums that are scattered around in this area, you can book tickets for a guided tour. With the help of someone who is knowledgeable on the subjects that you seek to learn about, you might be able to gain a very insightful and unique experience that you couldn’t otherwise get on your own.
If you are more of an independent traveler and would prefer to take your own journey instead, you can grab a map and locate all of the museums that you would like to visit. This will allow you to be able to make your own schedule and explore as you please, instead of being obligated to travel in a group.
In Mexico, there are tons of holidays, festivals, and celebrations the you can be apart of as well, depending on the time of year that you travel there.
Day Of The Dead is a traditional festival in Mexico that has been celebrated for thousands of years by the Aztecs. The main purpose of this festival is to honor the people who had died within that culture.
Instead of mourning the deaths of the people who previously resided there, the people of Mexico celebrate the love instead. During the Day Of The Dead festival, you will see lots of colors and decorations on graveyards with fiestas all around.
Along with the Day Of The Dead festival, there are also Carnaval celebrations that are thrown every year in Mazatlan and Veracruz on either coast. During this time, you will be able to participate in live music, extravagant parades, and the crowning of a king and queen.
While you are along the coast of Mexico, one of the more obvious activities to enjoy is to go swimming! Mexico is home to miles of beautiful beaches with warm blue waters that you can jump into at any time. The best part about swimming in Mexico is that it’s free!
So, instead of trying to book up your entire trip with paid activities and guided tours, you can spend most of your time at the beach with no extra cost to you. In addition to going swimming in the ocean, you can go on a deep sea diving adventure.
Whether you choose to bring your own diving equipment or you are able to find a place to rent some for the time being, you will be able to swim below the surface of the water and interact with all of the colorful sea creatures that reside underneath it.
The best place to go scuba diving in Mexico is Cozumel, where you are likely to see anything from sea horses and vibrant fish to giant sting rays on the ocean floor.
(For more places to dive in Mexico, check out that link!)
Along with being able to rent some scuba gear for the day in this location, you can do the same thing with a surf board. If you are already a surfer or you would like to learn, a beach in Mexico is the perfect place to do it!
On the other hand, if you are not much of a swimmer or a surfer and you prefer to just lay back and relax, there is plenty of opportunity to do so. Bring your favorite beach chair or a cozy towel and umbrella and lounge underneath the yellow sun for the day.
With a cooler full of cold drinks and snacks and a view of the crashing waves, this is the recipe for a fun and relaxing experience that won’t cost you much extra money.
Throughout the rest of your trip to Mexico, there will be an abundance of sights to see around the different cities. There are many ways that you can go with sight-seeing, which will be discussed in more detail within the next section.
When you are out in Mexico during the day or the night, what better activity is there to do than to eat and drink? Mexican food is a favorite all around the world, but you will be able to experience authentic dishes directly from their roots when you travel to these places.
There are so many restaurants and food stands that you will pass when you are walking through Mexico, no matter which city you have chosen as your destination.
The most essential Mexican dish that you must try directly from Mexico is the taco, or course, and you won’t have any trouble finding one either. In fact, there is a taco cart or truck almost everywhere you turn in Mexico.
Instead of the Americanized version of a flour tortilla with beef and shredded yellow cheese that you might be able to pick up at a Taco Bell at home, you will be able to experience a real Mexican taco.
These dishes will usually consist of two corn tortillas with diced meats and fresh vegetables on top. The most popular taco meat options around these areas include carne aside beef, adobada pork, and chorizo sausage.
If you happen to be traveling along the coast of Mexico near the beach, you will be able to experience more seafood meats in the tacos. For example, you might be able to order a shrimp or fish taco at one of these local trucks.
When you are eating real, authentic tacos during your vacation, you can’t forget about the signature drink of Mexico to wash it down: Tequila. You can order a couple of these drinks with your meals at restaurants, or even sample several different variations of it.
In addition to the tequila drinking, you can always order the classic margarita. Another one of Mexico’s signature drinks, you won’t be disappointed with the quality.
The Mexican cities come alive in the night time as well. When it gets dark and the city lights are shining, you can choose from a number of fun things to do. If you are in Guadalajara, you can explore dozens of bars, nightclubs, and elegant restaurants during this time.
On the streets, you can stop in to a few locations to eat and drink some more, while dancing and listening to music as you continue on your path.
Arena Mexico in the capital of Mexico City is a great place for wrestling fans to see a fight up close. Called Lucha Libre in Spanish, you will be able to enjoy men in colorful masks and capes fighting in the ring.
Tickets can be purchased for Tuesday and Friday night matches, and come in different levels based on the price that you are willing to pay. It is possible to get a guided tour that includes a seat right below the ring, along with transportation, plenty of drinks, and even your own mask to match the fighters that you came to see.
For a least expensive entertainment option, you can choose to take a walk around the city that you are visiting. There is so much beautiful scenery all around Mexico, from bright, sandy beaches to lively shops and even ancient ruins.
Some of the best times to take a walk include the sun rise and in the evening right before the sun goes down. Regardless of the current season, you will be able to enjoy cool weather and gorgeous lighting while you enjoy everything that is around you.
When it comes to spending time in Mexico and planning out activities for yourself and your travel partners, it does not always have to involve spending money or hiring a tour guide. Instead, you can simply live in the moment of where you are traveling and fully take in the experience.
While you are walking through the streets or eating at a restaurant, you are more than likely to hear Mariachi music. A cultural tradition for centuries in Mexico, you will see the musicians in traditional apparel standing around with their instruments.
If they are not playing at the current moment, you will be able to briefly hire them to play for you or your significant other in exchange for a tip. For those who are specifically seeking out live Mariachi music, one of the best places to find it is Plaza Garibaldi in Mexico City.
Additionally, there is an annual festival called the International Mariachi Festival that is located in Guadalajara if you have the desire to learn more about this cultural style of music.
If you have ever had the desire to learn Spanish, there is literally no better place to do it than in Mexico. You can practice reading menus and saying small phrases to the local people around you. Learning a language comes the easiest when you are submerged in it.
To take it one step further, you can sign up for and attend a Spanish speaking class. They have them all over Mexico, and they won’t leave a big dent in your wallet after you pay for one.
As mentioned in the title of this article, the coastline of Mexico is full of baby turtles. If you are traveling to the country between the months of August to October, you will be able to experience the hatching of turtle eggs on the shore of the beach.
Baby turtle releases are a staple in Mexican travel, and in doing so, you will be able to release the turtles out into the water yourself, allowing them to swim out into the ocean and before they return to the same place in order to lay their own eggs.
The best places to participate in releasing baby turtles include Puerto Vallarta, Isla Mujeres, Akumal, and Cancun.
Along with all of the colorful buildings that exist around the cities and towns of Mexico, you will be able to find lots of art galleries and street art. Some of the most famous artists in the world, such as Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, came from Mexico.
Both of their work is available for display throughout Mexico City, with some large murals and famous pieces in the National Palace and Museum Of Fine Arts.
If you are looking for street art, in particular, you can head over to La Paz and the Zocalo in Mexico City. To get some guidance on where you can find the best street art, try signing up for a tour around these areas.
While in Puerto Vallarta specifically, the city offers boat rides from the city’s ports to Yelapa. The destination is a fishing town just off the coast, although it is not technically considered to be its own island. For those who enjoy the water and the outdoors, this can be a fun day trip for travelers of all ages.
Last but not least, one of the best things to do while you are in Mexico is to go shopping. With hundreds of street vendors all across the roads and plenty of interesting shops, you will be able to find some unique and authentic souvenirs to take home with you.
No matter what activities make your itinerary, you’ll want to remember them forever. Learn how to take the perfect photo with these online photograph courses.
Sights To See In Mexico
As mentioned in the previous section, sight-seeing in Mexico is a necessary activity for anyone who travels there. With so many artistic, historic, and interesting things to see in Mexico, you might have a hard time fitting everything into your vacation itinerary.
Take a look at the list down below to get some ideas of places that you might want to visit while you are in Mexico.
Sights To See In Mexico:
- Chichen Itza
- Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve
- Great Pyramid Of Cholula
- El Malecon
- Uxmal
- Zipolite Beach
- Museo Nacional de Antropologia
- San Ignacio Lagoon
- Bonampak Murals
- Catedral Metropolitana
If you are a fan of history, you will probably enjoy visiting the more historical venues that Mexico has to offer. There are ancient ruins almost everywhere, with unique and colorful architecture all around.
One of the most famous sights that you can see in Mexico is the ancient Mayan city of Chichen Itza. Classifies as one of the 7 wonders of the world, there will be no shortage of exploring when you travel to this area.
The best part about Chichen Itza is the Temple of Kukulkan, or El Castillo. This is an ancient temple ruin that was built in dedication to a serpent god with feathers.
If you happen to be visiting Chichen Itza in the spring or autumn equinox, you will notice that a shadow in the shape of a snake will be cast behind the pyramid. This effect was engineered by the Mayans thousands of years ago, without the help of any technology.
To see some more of these sights, visit the Great Pyramid Of Cholula, Uxmal, and Catedral Metropolitana.
On the other hand, if you are more interested in visiting the beaches and being around the water, either swimming or riding in a boat, you might be interested to find out more about Zipolite and San Ignacio Lagoon.
The Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve is a place where you can see thousands of butterflies migrating through the skies. After traveling from Canada, they land and reside in the Mexican forests, totaling over three thousand miles.
Must Try Foods In Mexico
If you are a fan of Mexican food at home, then there is no doubt that you will enjoy every moment of your vacation in Mexico. As mentioned in the previous sections, there is an abundance of taco trucks and street food vendors all around the streets of Mexico.
The best thing about all of the vendors and restaurants that you will pass along the way during your vacation is that all of it will be authentic and delicious. Since you are in the heart of Mexico where these foods actually come from, the people who are cooking it certainly know what they are doing.
The American adaptation of Mexican food comes nowhere near the kinds of dishes that you will come in contact with during your trip. Take a look at the list down below for some of the must-try foods that you can’t miss out on while you are in Mexico.
Must Try Foods In Mexico:
- Street tacos
- Mole
- Chilaquiles
- Tostadas
- Elote
- Enchiladas
- Guacamole
After reading through the list in this section, you are probably familiar with a lot of the dishes. Just think about how much you enjoy these types of foods at home, and then multiply the taste by about ten.
Street tacos are, of course, a staple, but you can also pick up elote at the next cart over, which is corn on the cob smothered in mayonnaise and delicious seasonings.
When you are sitting down at a restaurant, you can experience rich, brown mole sauce, which incorporates chocolate as one of the main ingredients. The fresh guacamole that you can order at a real Mexican restaurant is sure to beat what you order at Chipotle.
How To Prepare For Traveling To Mexico
Even though Mexico is one of the closest countries to the United States, you will still be traveling internationally and entering the gates of a brand new place. As a result, there are some additional precautions that you should take before you make your trip.
Contrary to popular belief, most parts of Mexico are not unsafe for Americans to travel, and you can have a very good time on your vacation so long as you follow through with a few tips that are outlined in the list below.
What You Need Before Traveling To Mexico:
- Travel Documents (passport, ID, etc.)
- Travel Insurance
- Vaccinations (for disease and illness prevention)
Before you can even plan your trip to Mexico, you will need to acquire the corresponding travel documents. These documents include your U.S. Passport book, which will allow you to both exit and re-enter the United States, and your driver’s license or government issued identification card.
Along with having your travel documents handy, while keeping them in a safe place, you will need to come equipped with travel insurance for your international travel.
Travel insurance is something that can be paid for before you leave on your vacation that will help you cover any unexpected costs that might present themselves. For instance, if you miss a connecting flight to your destination, your travel insurance will reimburse you for any additional expenses.
Additionally, if you arrive to Mexico and you find out that one of your suitcases has gone missing at the airport, you can file a claim with your insurance company and get a check for the total amount that was lost or stolen.
It is important to keep in mind that travel insurance must be purchased before you leave for your trip. While it is recommended that you buy it as soon as you book your flight and hotel, you can put it off all the way up until the day before you depart.
While it is true that having travel insurance will cost you an extra premium, depending on how much coverage you will need for your specific vacation, and there is a possibility that you might not even need it, it is definitely worth it to play it safe and get covered before you leave.
If your are still asking is travel insurance important, you can find out more in that article.
Traveling to another country that you have never been to before, especially if you are not fluent in the native language, can be a recipe for anything to go wrong. If there is a mishap at the airport or somewhere down the line, you might not be able to solve the problem as effectively as you would at home where you are more comfortable.
As a result, you will be the safest when you choose to purchase travel insurance before you go to Mexico, and take advantage of the benefits you paid for throughout your entire trip.
Lastly, it would be smart to visit your doctor’s office and obtain some vaccinations before you step foot into the other country. Although it is not required to be able to enter, it will be for your own good in case you come in contact with any type of illness or bacteria.
The vaccinations that you will need for Mexico travel include a Tetanus shot, Typhoid, and Hepatitis A. These shots will help to protect you from any kind of poisoning from rusty metal or other sharp objects, as well as disease that comes from unclean food and water.
Taking a trip to the doctor and staring at a needle going into your arm is not the most desirable way to spend your time, but you will be thanking yourself for going through it when you come back home without any ailments.
As you can see, there are so many things to do in Mexico. Whether you will be lounging on the beach and sipping tequila, releasing baby turtles into the ocean, or walking around and sampling tacos all night until the sun comes up, you will undoubtedly have an unforgettable experience. Check out cheap flights to Mexico City to start planning your amazing trip!