Cenote Ik Kil, Yucatan
What do you look for when you travel? What is it that most attracts your attention in a destination? Amazing architecture? A fascinating cultural offer? Wide variety of natural landscapes? Millennial history? A unique gastronomy in the world? Well, don't think about it anymore: Mexico He puts everything on a plate for you.
MEXICO CITY AND THE CENTER OF THE COUNTRY: THE GATEWAY TO THE OTHER WORLD
Your first point of contact with Mexico will probably be its nerve center, capital of the country and of Mexican life: Mexico City. This metropolis, which has it all, is the perfect introduction to the charms of the entire Republic.
Lively, delicious and fascinating Mexico City is a gift for the senses. From the pre-Hispanic splendor of the Historic Center, to the old school canteens of the Roma neighborhood, going through the more than 170 museums and the countless restaurants, Mexico City is a constant surprise . A single visit is not enough to cover it; before leaving you will already be planning the return.
Angel of Independence in Mexico City
If your trip coincides between the months of October and November , you will witness one of the most beautiful times in Mexico, one of the most authentic manifestations of the Mexican spirit: Day of the Death . This celebration, recognized by the UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity , prepares the living to receive their ancestors, who, according to tradition, return to visit in the first days of November.
The entire country is decorated with colored paper confetti and flowers of cempasuchil , and the streets are soaked with the smell of traditional dead bread , delicacy offered in every self-respecting bakery and cafe.
Mexico City celebrates the day in style, with its Annual Day of the Dead Parade : monumental skulls, allegorical cars and catrinas (skeleton of a woman dressed in period clothing, a traditional image of these dates) flood the city, touring the Paseo de la Reforma from the Estela de Luz to the Zócalo.
In the neighboring State of Mexico, several towns and cities pay special attention to these days. The state capital, Toluca , is the headquarters of the Alfeñique Fair , which takes up the old custom of selling typical sweets such as sugar skulls and nugget figures.
San Juan de Teotihuacan , close to the Archaeological Zone of the same name, honors Catrina at a national summit , where on November 2 hundreds of people come together in disguise in a celebration of this representation of Mexican identity. The day is lived in a special way in the state of Michoacán, which turns to the celebration like no other place in Mexico..
Janitzio Island in Michoacan
Michoacán also has other charms that make it a perfect destination for any time of the year. The colonial beauty of its capital, Morelia , and the unreal vision of the Janitzio Island are essential, as is the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve , that it is filled with butterflies every winter.
Following the route north, Mexico opens the doors to the charm of two World Heritage cities: Guanajuato and San Miguel de Allende . Guanajuato, which shares a name with the state, is a hodgepodge of alleys and colorful houses , with a lot of personality and a unique character that makes it an obligatory stop on any Mexican itinerary.
A few kilometers from Guanajuato is San Miguel de Allende, an artistic center in full expression, both visually and tastefully, and a city that has won, for the second consecutive year, the award for " Best city to visit" . There is no corner that is adorned with at least a shop for local handicrafts, such as woodcarvings, jewelry, textiles, ceramics and leather goods.
San Miguel's gastronomic scene is not far behind, with more than 350 premises (from markets to gourmet restaurants) focused on offering the best of Mexican cuisine. Traditional dishes, such as the Atotonilco gorditas and the mining enchiladas, coexist with reinventions of classics of Mexican cuisine .
If you lack a little more adventure and nature on your Mexican route, that has an easy solution: head east from Guanajuato, and you will be received with open arms by the immense spaces of San Luis de Potosi.
This state, one of the best kept secrets in Mexico, is nestled in the middle of the Sierra Madre Oriental, and is an open-air encyclopedia of natural beauty. The Laguna de la Media Luna, the caves of La Catedral, the waterfall of Tamul, the plateau of the Huasteca, Xilitla … Impossible to choose just one.
CANCUN AND THE YUCATAN PENINSULA: THE GATEWAY TO THE MAYAN WORLD
On the other side of Mexico, a different world. Within the sensory adventure that is Mexico, the Yucatan Peninsula is a unique experience, both visually and gastronomically.
Yucatan is the Mayan land par excellence , Y Cancun your gateway . From the same international airport you can access the beauties of the region, which jump from the past to the present and from land to table.
The center of the yucatecan life is, as it could not be less in Mexico, gastronomy. Of course, the great guests of Mexican cuisine are not lacking at the table, but Yucatan also proudly exhibits its regional delicacies: panuchos, lime soup, jericayas, papadzules… If the names sound evocative to you, get ready to try them: they are unforgettable.
Chichen Itza, Yucatan
The great jewel in the crown of Yucatan is undoubtedly the Chichen Itza Archaeological Site . Chichen Itzá is a must-see on any Mexican itinerary, and in fact, on any vital itinerary: seeing one of the new Wonders of the World is an experience not to be forgotten.
Tulum , a few kilometers south of Cancun, has its unique charm, with archaeological remains on the beach, a few meters from the Caribbean.
Close to both Chichen Itzá and Tulum there is also the opportunity to visit another of the characteristic attractions of the peninsula: the cenotes.
These underground lakes, dotted throughout the Yucatan (including the Sacred Cenote, next to Chichen Itza ) are a vision of another world, with their luminous blue waters and enclaves of dreams that demonstrate, once again, that Mexico does not offer anything in half measures: ** impresses, or overwhelms .**
Tulum, Quintana Roo