Mexico is an incredible destination with friendly people and a vibrant culture. A country that I’ve spent far too much time not visiting. I had always thought that my visits as a kid to the resorts of Puerto Vallarta were sufficient. I believed that those two or three visits meant I’d already seen what the country has to offer. I continuously chose to skip it for longer than I’d like to admit. However, my recent backpacking trip has opened my eyes to the incredible and diverse landscape of this wonderful country.
I can’t wait to return. I only explored south of Mexico City. I missed out on many of the unique UNESCO World Heritage Sites scattered throughout the country. Mexico has the largest number of UNESCO Sites; with a staggering 35 listed properties inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List with another 21 sites in consideration on the Tentative List.
This country is home to 68 different indigenous cultures with an estimated 364 languages. This diversity has created a stark contrast in culture, art, and cuisine throughout the regions. It’s helped cultivate a rich history with diverse foods. Every region features a different style of cooking with different takes on the same dish. Each one uses different spices and sometimes different ingredients, completely changing the flavor of the plate. This creates a fresh blend of flavors while keeping the taste buds guessing.
There’s a wide range of regional dishes offered throughout Mexico, from the usual staples of taco’s, tostadas, tamales, and tortas to a wide range of regional dishes such as cochinita pibil, moles, seafoods, and tlayudas. This barely scratching the surface of the variety of dishes offered throughout the country.
Mexico is the perfect destination for just about any kind of traveler, especially those backpacking, driving, or just sitting back to relax on a simple vacation. Mexico has a little of everything to offer, from adventure travel to relaxing in the sun on the beach. Easily visit world class Aztec and Mayan ruins, endless deserts and lush jungles, hidden gems and resort getaways; there really is a little something for everyone.
The Pacific coast and Oaxaca have some of the best surf in the world, while the east coast is the gateway to the Caribbean and home to some of the best-preserved pyramids in the world. Both coasts offer some incredible places to snorkel, dive, or go for deep-sea fishing. Oaxaca offers a mixture of both on and off the beaten path locations. Places that’re perfect for a quiet weekend getaway, along with massive resorts for those that are more inclined.
Any time planned for traveling through Mexico most likely will not be enough. I thought my trip, of a month and a half, to backpack from Mexico City through the Yucatan would be enough time. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find that I not only wanted to stay for longer, but that I needed to if I wanted to see each destination I had planned. So do yourself a favor and add a few extra days if it’s possible, you won’t regret it!