Travel in Mexico

• In Mexico you will find temperamental and colorful people with music in the leading role. You can travel from the fantastic beaches on the Pacific right through the Aztec empire to the Caribbean East Coast, ending on the Yucatan Peninsula where the ancient Mayan ruins rise from the jungles.
• The high and often snow-capped peaks of the volcanoes Popocatépetl and Nevado de Toluca are easy to climb. You can even take a spectacular dive in the water-filled craters.
• The reefs of Los Manchones, Cuevones, Chital and La Bandera have beautiful underwater life and are known among divers for their underwater caves.
• Another reason to visit Mexico are the impressive remains of the ancient Indian cultures. It is impossible to see them all, but if you follow the famous Mayan route you can make a selection of the most impressive ruins. Teotihuacan just outside Mexico City, Palenque in Chiapas, Chichen Itzá and Tulum on the Yucatán Peninsula are the must-sees.
• Play cowboy in one of the many luxurious farms with guest houses (estancias) that Mexico has to offer. During the day you can explore the ranch on foot or on horseback and then enjoy a glass of tequila by the campfire in the evening.
• Far away from Venice, but also in Mexico you can rent gondolas, the so-called trajineras. In these brightly painted gondolas you can admire the beautiful canals and the floating gardens of Xochimilco built by the Aztecs, accompanied by a mariachi singer.
• The political unrest in Chiapas (Zapatistas) is the direct result of the Indian majority that gives this state a very special place in Mexico. Mysterious Mayan villages and the fascinating Lacandona jungle give Chiapas a Central American touch. Absolute highlights are San Cristobal de las Casas and the surrounding villages, the breathtaking boat trip through the Cañon del Sumidero and the waterfalls of Aguazul.
• Merida is a real Mexican city, which is not (yet) very touristy. The center is very nice and clean with beautiful colonial buildings. In the evening it is often more fun than during the day in Merida: then everyone comes together outside and listens to the music of the many musicians and orchestras.
• The Caribbean can also be found in Mexico; ideal to recover from the long distances that you have to cover. Relax on pearly white beaches (Tulum and Playa del Carmen), enjoy the exuberant life in the tropical sea... Islands such as Cozumel and Isla Mujeres have extensive -and affordable- diving facilities.
• Like most metropolises in Latin America, Mexico City also has the reputation of being dangerous and highly polluted. Nevertheless, this city of extremes has a lot of attractive sights. The historic center (Zócalo), the beautiful museums (Museo de Antropología) and the pleasant parks (Chapultepec) are more than worth it. If you can brave the altitude, the smog and the raging bustle of the city, you should definitely visit the picturesque and art-loving Coyoacan and San Angel. The centuries-old labyrinth of canals, Xochimilco, is also highly recommended.
• You will undoubtedly recognize the stereotypical image of Mexicans in and around Guadelajara, Mexico's second largest but most "Mexican" city. Tequila, sombreros and Marriachi music that originated there can be experienced in all their glory.
• Mexico also has an abundance of sea and beach. Surfers will not be bored along the southern Pacific coastline; Around towns like Puerto Escondido, Puerto Angel and Bahías de Huatulco you will find, besides the perfect wave, fantastic lagoons full of tropical life that can best be discovered while snorkeling. A little further inland you can't really ignore the beautiful colonial city of Oaxaca; the ruins of Monte Alban and Mitla are the perfect day trip.
• Take the time to adapt to the food; Moctezuma's revenge is the popular name for the diarrhea that almost everyone has to deal with. Meat and unwashed vegetables and fruit are the main culprits. Tap water is also not safe; so take the necessary precautions (immodium, O.R.S., charcoal, etc.)
• The biggest fear of every tourist and traveler in Mexico is to get involved in the drug war in one way or another. Stay away from that, and take great care of your luggage. In Mexico, there is a greater chance that something will be put in than taken out.

Updates Mexico

• More about Mexico, updates and contributions, see the link below.

What is the best travel and departure time for Mexico?

• In Mexico City, year-round temperatures fluctuate between 20 and 26 degrees during the day. Nights can be cold, but it almost never freezes. Merida (Yucatan) has a different climate. Here the temperature does not often fall below 28 degrees during the day. It also stays around 20 degrees Celsius at night almost all year. The higher-lying Monterrey in northeastern Mexico has greater fluctuations in temperature. In the summer months it gets 32 to 36 degrees during the day here, while in the winter months it is barely 20 degrees.

Best travel time in Mexico

• The best travel time is from October to April, during the dry season.

Worst travel time in Mexico

• In May, the rainy season begins in southern Mexico which continues in the north until October. This period is also hurricane season. It does not rain all day during the rainy season, but there are heavy showers daily. These are often heavy and short-lived. During this period it is often very hot and humid.

Hours of sunshine in Mexico

• The number of sunshine hours in Mexico is between 2100 (Yucatàn) and 2300 (Plateau of Mexico) per year.

Sea temperature in Mexico

• Between 20 and 25 degrees.

Why study, do an internship, volunteer or work temporarily in Mexico?

• because the culture in Mexico is alive, energetic and vibrant with many celebrations, festivals and markets. There is always something to do.
• because college money and the cost of living are generally low.
• because colleges in Mexico are also well regarded internationally.
• because if you start learning to speak or speak Spanish, it will be good for your future career.
• because you are expected to quickly feel at home in Mexico. Mexicans are warm, inviting and hospitable.

What should you pay attention to?

• that you speak a word of Spanish, which makes everything easier.
• that dealing with authorities can be complicated and time-consuming.
• that many cities in Mexico are very polluted.

What are the customs in Mexico regarding food?

• Mexican cuisine is very diverse. Originally a combination of Indian and Spanish traditions. Supplemented in the last century by Asian dishes and American fast food. Traditional Mexican food includes: tortillas, tacos, chili peppers, fresh fruit (mango, banana, pineapple, guava and papaya), chocolate, jumiles (beetles) and chapulines (grasshoppers).
• Characteristic are the many kinds of salsas that you eat together with almost anything. The salsas are hardly ever called spicy, just try for yourself.

What are the best recipes in Mexico?

• Picadillo is a dish from Latin American (and Filipino) cuisine. The dish is made from minced meat and sliced tomatoes or tomato sauce. It is often served with rice, tacos, potatoes or even croquettes.
• Guacamole (Literally it means avocado mousse) is a well-known (dip) sauce, originating in southern Mexico. Besides avocado, the ingredients often include tomato, onion and/or garlic, juice of a lime or lemon, chili pepper (especially jalapeño peppers), coriander leaf and various other spices. It is usually eaten with corn chips, but can be added to almost any Mexican dish.
• Quesadillas are to Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine what "toasts" are to Dutch. Literally, the word means "cheese thingy. They are made from corn or flour tortillas and are popular when combined with spicy salsas, chili sauce or with guacamole. The filling contains at least cheese, sometimes also strips of cooked chicken, chorizo, mushroom or ham, for example.
• Try the real Mexican chili con carne; a stew that traditionally consists of chili pepper, garlic, onion, cumin and minced meat. Usually beans (brown beans, kidney beans, black beans or others) and tomatoes are also added. There are all kinds of variations in which other types of meat or different ingredients are chosen.
• A burrito is a Mexican dish that comes from northern Mexico or southwestern United States of America A burrito consists of a tortilla, usually filled with beans and meat (usually minced meat or chicken, sometimes cheese), and rolled up so that the filling is inside the tortilla. The name "burrito" comes from the Spanish burro, which means donkey. So a burrito is a donkey.

What are the best drinks in Mexico?

• Well-known Mexican drinks/brands are Tia Maria, Kahlua, pina colada, Mezcal and the beer brands Corona and Sol.
• Mexican wine is not yet at a level of quality that it can be exported. Currently, there are nine major wine regions. Baja California is the most well-known. True quality wines are very pricey in Mexico.
• Xocoatl - Chocolate: Centuries before the discovery of the Americas in 1492, cacao (the cacao bean) was being grown in Mexico and Central America. Theobroma cacao means "food of the gods" and that is how it has been used ceremonially for centuries by the Incas and Mayans. The cacao bean comes from a small tree that grows in the tropical jungles of Mexico and Central America. The Mexican Indians were the first people to ever make chocolate from the cacao bean, which was also used as currency to buy and sell things with. Instead of coffee, many Mexicans today still drink chocolate milk or use the Mexican cacao for cacao ceremonies. 
• Drink a Tequila, the famous Mexican alcoholic drink made from the Agave tequilana, a particular Mexican species of agave.

What are notable holidays and festivals in Mexico?

• On average, there are four holidays per month in Mexico. Each day on the calendar is actually a holiday in Mexico. Calendar days are dedicated to saints with names. Also called "name days." It's similar to a birthday. If you as a Mexican have the same name as the saint the day is named after, you are congratulated and receive gifts. For example, June 24 is the name day of San Juan.
• In Mexico, they celebrate the "Day of the Dead" (El Dia de los Muertos). Also called All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day. This national holiday is on November 1 and 2, and Mexicans celebrate on this day that the dead come back to earth to visit the living. The dead are then the guests of the living on that day. Cemeteries are crowded, picnics are held at gravesites and skulls are used as decorations. Bakers sell the bread of death on this festive day.
• December 12 is the most important feast in Mexico. Mexicans then celebrate the national feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe. This patron saint of Mexico is said to have been beheld as a Marian apparition in 1531 by Saint Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin. Pilgrims in Mexico walk with torches and wear tunic referring to Juan Diego's clothing. Tens of thousands of Mexicans climb the mountain that day to the basilica "Iglesia de Guadalupe" in Mexico City. Throughout the day, Mexico celebrates with music and fireworks.
• Constitution Day is a national holiday in Mexico. Originally, Feb. 5 was the fixed date for this. In 1857 and 1917, Mexican constitutions were adopted on this date. In 2006, it was decided to celebrate it on the first Tuesday of the year.
• On May 5, Mexicans celebrate the day Mexico defeated a French army in the Battle of Puebla.
• The discovery of America by Columbus used to be celebrated grandly in Mexico. However, after 300 years of misery by Europeans, it was decided to celebrate something else on Oct. 12. Today, Mexico celebrates Race Day. This refers to the new race that emerged from Europeans and Indians.

What are the remarkable habits in Mexico?

• Food is important, taking time to share meals together. By preference with the whole family around big tables on sundays with all family included extended family around.
• Politeness, table manners and formalities are normal. It is commont to always greet a person, when you meet. Mexican workplaces tend to be hierarchical, with clear lines of authority. Respect for superiors is crucial.
• Festivities and celebrations are definitely celebrated by Mexicans.
• Sombreros provides shade from the hot Mexican sun, protecting the face and neck. It also holds a significant cultural meaning. The sombrero represents pride in Mexican heritage and traditions. It is also a fashion item.
• Pinatas is more than a fun party decoration. The act of breaking the piñata symbolized triumph over evil or temptation.
• Mariachi is a group of musicians, playing ranchera music. This genre has roots in 18th-century western Mexico.
• Machismo is still very common. The core of the macho culture is of masculinity and dominance by men. Traits like strength, virility, and being the head of the household. 
• Indirect communication is part of the Mexican culture. Don't take "no" at face value, and pay attention to non-verbal cues.