Travel Guide
I’ve Visited 16 Destinations In Mexico – These 3 Surprised Me The Most
Apr
Sometimes, Americans ignore Mexico’s wonders, thinking Cancun, Los Cabos, and Puerto Vallarta are the only beach destinations worth visiting.
As for Mexico’s sprawl of cityscapes, Mexico City seems to be the exception to unwritten rules, as our southern neighbor is misrepresented mainly as a ‘dangerous’ country, when in fact, a majority of violent crime happens in specific regions off the beaten path from any welcoming locations.
Having checked off the 16th Mexican destination last week, I’m here to tell you not only is most of Mexico safe, it’s a thrill to visit!
Whether it be astounding coastlines with world-class all-inclusives or little-known gems nestled inland without a beach in sight.
Yes, it’s a hard sell to lure Americans away from the Caribbean paradise of Cancun and the cushy luxury of Cabo, but what I’m here to reveal is the 3 Mexican destinations that surprised me the most — a trio of places I look back on with pure unadulterated delight and would go back to again and again.
3) Chetumal: The “Border Town” You Don’t Know
Border towns have a bad reputation, especially in Mexico. It’s safe to say 99.9% of travelers aren’t vacationing in Juarez, Mexicali, or Nuevo Laredo, but Mexico has another border town near the inland tip of Quintana Roo beaming with potential if only more travelers knew it existed.
Hugging the Mexico-Belize juncture is one of Mexico’s biggest surprises. Chetumal is a relatively small city with attractions ranging from accessible Mayan ruins, authentic vibrant streets, and a maze of authentic shop-laden alleyways that don’t feel cheesy, a scenic Malecòn lining some of the most illuminous blue-hued waters imaginable, and the home to quite possibly the best food I’ve had in all of Mexico.
Chetumal itself is worthy of exploring for a weekend getaway, but should you want to stay longer, you have easy access crossing Belize for another passport stamp and can even hop aboard the San Pedro Belize Express to avoid the dilapidated, dirt-road town past customs (Belize’s first impression isn’t the postcard Cayes we’ve all envisioned).
But Chetumal’s real draw is a great base for exploring Bacalar, home to the otherworldly “Lagoon of Seven Colors”, and nearby sleepy beach towns along Mexico’s seemingly forgotten coast, such as Mahahual, one of my favorite coastal getaways with cheap beach bars and cozy eco-lodges.
Unfortunately, there are no longer nonstop flights to Chetumal’s microscopic airport, but you can easily connect through Cancun or Mexico City.
2) Guanajuato: Mexico’s Timeless ‘European’ City
I love Mexico City, Guadalajara, and even had a blast in Monterrey, but when it comes to exploring Mexico’s urban delights, Guanajuato tops them all.
Before you decide to book a trip, you should know that Guanajuato is both a state and a town. I’m specifically talking about the town, as surrounding cities like Leon don’t have a great reputation.
On the flip side, though, San Miguel de Allende is remarkable and a safe haven for expats. I’ve found that Uber drivers are very helpful in navigating safe routes to avoid unnecessary conflicts between landing in Leon and getting you to either Guanajuato or San Miguel without a hitch.
When you land in Leon (BJX), which has nonstop flights from numerous U.S. hubs such as Dallas, Houston, and Atlanta, you’ll want to take a short walk to the Oxxo convenience store to grab an Uber as taxis claim the airport grounds.
From here, it’s about a 35 minute ride to Guanajuato, where suddenly it feels you’ve passed through a wormhole, emerging into a townscape that feels distinctly “European”.
Timeless cobbled streets and alleyways cascade through a color wheel of hillsides jam-packed top to bottom with cozy cafes, sensational eateries, and charming boutique hotels. Nope, no name brands here.
In fact, one of my favorite stays in Mexico is Guanajuato’s former castle turned hotel — and it’s insanely cheap! Hotel Castillo Santa Cecilia is only $35 on Booking this summer.
Don’t skip the callejoneadas performances you’ll surely run into by happenstance, the awesome mummy museum, numerous rooftop bars pouring perfectly balanced mezcalitas, and most importantly, always order the salsa rojo with enchiladas.
1) Ixtapa: Dare I Say It’s Better Than Cabo?
There’s no knocking Cabo — it makes for an awesome getaway to either unwind in unparalleled luxury or hit the town runnin’ at world-famous Cabo Wabo Cantina, among other party-centric establishments.
But what I can’t wrap my mind around is how Ixtapa has remained hush-hush for so long. Given the state of Guerrero’s ‘Do Not Travel’ advisory, it’s truly a diamond in the rough, with the caveat that Ixtapa and neighboring Zihuatanejo are safe vacation destinations.
If that’s been the deterring factor, I’m here to tell you it’s safe. Truthfully, you may not leave the rows of luxurious all-inclusive resorts that spoil you anyway, such as Barcelo, where I stayed.
That is, unless you hit up the pristine shores of Blue Flag-certified Playa El Palma, those very resorts’ front.
Better yet, Ixtapa is home to the secret island (Isla Ixtapa) that’s a must-visit, too. The ferry departing Playa Linda only costs a few bucks (yes, guides accept dollars and will politely “ask” for a tip), but once here, pestering vendors is minimal.
The waters are crystal-clear for snorkeling, and the ‘fresh catch’ seafood is spectacular.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
