Mexico

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Last Updated: Wednesday, 09 August 2023 00:33
Published: Saturday, 10 December 2022 16:06
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Mexico:

Mexico is bordering country to USA and is well worth the visit for cheap. Mexico City is the biggest town in Mexico, and most visited. There are many beach towns which are popular cruise ship spots such as Cancun. You may get a non stop flight ticket to Mexico City for $200 or less from Houston almost all the time. If you want to go to Cancun, getting a 4 day or 5 day cruise from Galveston, TX is the cheapest way to go there. It will cost you $300-$400 for 4-5 day trip via cruise from Galveston to Cancun.

Demographics: Mexico is in North America. It's 3rd largest latin American country after Brazil and Argentina. Area wise it's 13th largest in world, while population wise, it's 10th largest with a population of 125M (as of 2022). Mexico's GDP at $1.2T places it at 15th place as of 2018. Mexico is considered upper middle income country. Biggest metropolitan areas are Mexico City (population=22M as of 2020), Monterrey, Guadalajara, Puebla and Toluca. 20% of Mexico's population lives in just one city which Mexico City the most important destination in Mexico. About 15M mexicans live abroad, mostly in USA which makes Mexicans second largest racial community in USA behind white Americans. Mexico is very high on Tourist list with about 40M international travelers visiting the country in 2018, making it the 6th most visited country in the world. Tropic of Cancer passes thru the country dividing in 2 halves, where regions north of Tropic of Cancer experience high summer temps and cold winters, while regions south of that line including Mexico City experience very temperate weather with temps between 18C-28C all year round. That makes Mexico's southern part very ideal for tourists.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexico

Currency: Currency of Mexico is Peso (symbol MXN). Peso symbol is same as dollar, so 20 Peso is written as $20 everywhere in Mexico. 20 Peso is around USD $1.

Transportation: Renting a car is a good option as cars are cheap @ $20 USD/day. However driving in Mexico city is confusing, so have a partner to help you with the map while you are driving. Maps may not be able to pinpoint the exact lane to be on, and lanes at a traffic light may be very confusing some times as they diverge into 4-5 lanes, sometimes right next to each other. Renting via Uber is another option as the prices are cheap. Cab rides may cost USD $1/km. However without a personal rentd car, you may be spending a lot more especially if you are traveling across cities.

Link to Attractions on google map: Mexico attractions

 

Mexico City:

Mexico city is cheap to visit, though prices of everyday items are same as in USA. Labor is cheap, so anything involving human labor is cheap(i.e cab prices, maid services, etc). Most of the big cities in developing countries are cheaper to live compared to smaller cities, and Mexico City is no exception. Houses in MExico City have no AC, heater, Fans or cooler as the temps in Mexico City are ideal all year round. There is a "turri Bus" which you can hop on and off to see various attractions around the city, though it's easier to drive yourself.

Attractions: Tons of attractions around Mexico City. A week will give enough time to visit more popular ones. Here's a link:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g150796-Activities-oa0-Central_Mexico_and_Gulf_Coast.html

I've included attractions below that are within 4 hrs of drive from Mexico city too. These are the attractions around Mexico City:

  • Canals of Xochimilco, Mexico City => Xochimilco (pronouned as so-chi-milco) is a town 30 km south of Mexico City. An extensive system of water canals about 80 km in length are called the "Venice of Mexico" (as the canals are similar to ones in Venice).. They are also known as "floating gardens". Xochimilco canals are "UNESCO world heritage site". Boat rides on "Trajinera" (pronouned trahinera, a kind of boat) is a must, and that is what Xichimilco canals are famous for. Costs 600 pesos (as of Jan, 2023) for an hour rental for the whole boat, which is govt set rate. A minimum of 2 hrs is needed so that you get to see and enjoy on the boat. They have food and musicians on other boats who sing and sell food. They will come next to you and ask if you want to buy anything. You may ask them to play music for you in your boat in which case you will have to pay them some money. Food boats are also making fresh food, and will take your order and bring food on your boat. There's local market from where you may get your food to eat on the boat, instead of ordering on the boat. Food is not expensive though. We paid 300 pesos for vegetarian tacos, chip, tortillas and it was more than enough for 6 of us. Most trajineras seat as many as 20 people on wooden bench tables (so it would be around 30 pesos per person). If you are alone or in a smaller group, the agents over there will still try to charge you 600 pesos per hour (since the boat is reserved specifically for you or your smaller group). You may negotiate with them for a lower rate stating that you have fewer people. We paid 700 pesos for 2 hrs. There are "per person chargeable boats" too, but they are not "Trajinera". So, don't go for those per person boats. Always negotiate in advance as prices vary a lot. There are multiple docks from where you may rent the boats, and each dock has 100's of boats. You may choose any place I show on the map above, as they are all similar. Here's a travel link: https://thewholeworldornothing.com/xochimilco-mexico-city/. Here's a wikipedia link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xochimilco#Canals,_chinampas_and_trajineras

  • Centro Historico, Mexico City downtown => There are various landmarks in central historic downtown area. You should park your car in a paid parking and then walk around. Easily will take full day to see just few popular things, so go early morning. Within a 1/2 km radius of Central Historical district is almost everything you want to see in downtown. Few popular destinations:
    • Zocolo => This is one of the biggest squares in the world and is the picture that is shown the most when talking about Mexico City. Zocolo is the center of the town and most other attractions are around it.
    • National Palace => A grand architectural building right around Zocolo.
    • Palacio de Bellas Artes => This architectural bldg is about 1/2 km west of Zocolo but worth the walk.
    • Palacio Postal => A very beautiful architectural bldg that still serves as a Post Office. It's infront of the Palacio de Bellas Artes.
    • Museo Nacional de Artes => This is a beautiful museum, but costs 80 pesos for entry (children under 13 are free). Taking photos costs extra. Disorganized based on comments. Not worth paid entry.
    • Museo del Templo Mayor => This is a beautiful museum, just like Museo Nacional de artes, but much more popular. It costs 80 pesos for entry (children under 13 are free). Admission is free on sundays. Taking photos costs extra.
    • Catedral Metropolitana => A historic cathedral church building
    • Sagrario Metropolitina => This is  another beautiful church building by the side of Catedral Metropolitana. It seems it's part of Catedral Church, but it's separate.
    • Parroquia de San Miguel Arcangel => This is another beautiful church bldg 1/2 km south of Zocolo.
    • Gran Hotel => A hotel for lodging, but nevertheless nice building to walk around. Also do visit the restaurant on the top.

  • Bosque de Chapultepec  => It's a big park in Mexico city. There are several attractions inside or around it. This link lists top 10 attractions => https://slightnorth.com/8-things-to-do-in-chapultepec-park/. Few popular ones are:

    • Zoologico => This is a zoo that is completely free for entrance. It has some nominal fees for seeing special exhibits or butterfly area. Link (site is in spanish, translate at your own risk): http://data.sedema.cdmx.gob.mx/zoo_chapultepec/index.php
    • Chapultepec Castle => This castle is also highly rated for it's architecture
    • Museo Nacional de Antropología => This musuem is always on the top of "best attractions in Mexico". It costs $8 for entry (not free). I haven't visited it, but no museum is worth paying.
    • The angle of Independence => This is a statue at the center of 4 streets, which is close to the Chapultepec park. There is also a big market with shops around, and beautiful place. Worth to walk to see this too.
  • Basilica de Santa Maria de Guadalupe (Basilica of our lady of Guadalupe) =>This church is the most religious site in all of Mexico, and most visited attraction in whole of Latin America. An Indian claimed to have seen the Virgin of Guadalupe in 1531 over here. Holds special importance if you are religious catholic. Nothing special about the site though. You will need to make advance reservation by emailing "This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it." in case you want to get a guided tour. Visit this official link for more details => https://virgendeguadalupe.org.mx/en/
  • Museo Soumaya => This is Carlos Slim Museum which is totally free. IT has 5 floors and has lots of personal collection of Mexico's richest person. If there's only 1 museum that you can see, you should visit this.
  • Acuario Inbursa => This is right next to Museo Soumaya. It costs 260 pesos per person (around USD $15/person). Go on a weekday as it's usually crowded. Interactive Experiences are included in the price, so make sure you enjoy everything inside.

  • Parque Nacional Grutas de Cacahuamilpa => These are caves about 150km south of Mexico city. Driving will take about 3 hrs from Mexico City. Entry fees is 100 Pesos which includes the guide. They have "Tourist package sellers" right outside who will sell package for boat ride, ziplining etc for reasonable price. We got our package for 150 pesos per person which included entry ticket as well as a boat ride. These are one of the largest and the longest caves that I've ever seen anywhere in USA. Well worth the visit. Link (site is in spanish, translate at your own risk): http://grutasdecacahuamilpa.com.mx

  • Africam Safari, Puebla => This is a zoo which is drive thru. It's excellent and cheap (costs 350 pesos per person or USD $18/person). Don't buy the "experiences" as they are pretty expensive. You get to drive right by Lions which are freely roaming. There's zipline, rope wlking, trampoline and few other activities for cheap (USD $5-$10 for all activities). There is resonably priced food and icecream too. At the very end, what loks like food stall and restrooms actually has a walk thru zoo with Kangaroos, jaguars, etc. There's also a bird feeding area. Don't forget to visit this last stop. Link: https://africamsafari.com/
  • La Marqesa => This is a small beautiful town less than an hour drive from Mexico City. You may sit in any of the park areas (called valle). You have to pay to get in. Once inside, you may do zipling, horse riding etc. These are cheap. We negotiated horse riding for 3 people for 400 pesos. Good and low priced food available inside.
  • Val'Quirico => This is a small town which has exclusive European style homes, roads, shops, etc. Very nice to walk around and spend a day. Food is definitely more expensive than other places but not outrageous. There is parking on the right side of street called "Estacionamiento" where you have to pay USD $5-$10. There is nothing specific to do, except for walking around and taking pictures.
  • Valle de Bravo => This is a small beautiful town with lots of activities to do. Most popular attraction is the Lake, and bunch of activities to do as paragliding, horseriding, boating, motor riding, etc. There are also couple of waterfalls to see. You may park your car near the Lake for 90 pesos for all day. There are lots of sales/tourist agents who will sell you packages. You may negotiate rates. We were able to get 3 hrs package of boat ride on the lake + motor ride for 2000 pesos (approx USD $110). You won't be able to get these activities for this price in USA. There are many ranches close by which you may explore. One of the ranches that has horseriding, animals, etc is "Rancho El Reencuentro" => https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g499427-d3698386-Reviews-Rancho_El_Reencuentro-Valle_de_Bravo_Central_Mexico_and_Gulf_Coast.html
  • Nevado de Toluca => This is a volcanic mountain with stunning views. It's at a high altitude, so dress up with layers to keep yourself warm. It's two main attractions are the crater lakes Sol and Luna, which make the whole trip worthwhile. Tip: When searching the route on GoogleMaps, make sure to mark your destination as Entrada A Parque Los Venados Reseva Del Nevado De Toluca, otherwise it will direct you to another route. If you are self-driving, you will know that you have found the correct entrance when you drive past a straight road filled with food stalls on each side, see a huge banner which says NdT and at the end, a parking lot for tour buses and other vehicles. From there, you will need to take a shared transport up to the volcano pits, and then, walk to the lake. This journey takes approximately 15-20 mins by their 4WD transport. If you have your own car, you should drive to the 2nd parking lot, from where it's a mile walk. More details here: https://www.summitpost.org/nevado-de-toluca-xinantecatl/150798
  • Santuario Piedra Herrada, Monarch Butterflies Sanctuary, Temascaltepec => This is Sanctuary of Monarch Butterflies, which migrate from Canada in cold season. Time to see the butterflies is from October to March. Although you can absolutely see swarms of butterflies as you drive up and can park on the roadside and walk amongst them, seeing the millions of them up on the mountain in the sanctuary is next-level amazing. You should be prepared to drive VERY slowly for a few miles to avoid smashing the swarms as you drive through them. Parking cost $50 MX, while entrance cost is $100 MX which includes a guide (don't pay separately for the guide, as some people fall into that). When I visited in Early January 2022, there were no butterflies that you could see flying around. There are butterflies on top of trees that you barely see. It was a long walk up the hill, and just not worth it. Nothing to see at all. One link has more details on what you may expect to see (I wouldn't advise visiting this based on my experience): https://owlovertheworld.com/visit-piedra-herrada-monarch-butterfly-sanctuary/
  • Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve => This is another Monarch Butterfly Reserve, just like the one above. However, this is further out, so may not be worth the long drive, if you have already seen the above "Santuario Pierda Butterfly Sanctuary".
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    Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve
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    Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve
    Pyramids of Teotihuacan, Mexico City => Teotihuacan city is 50 km north of mexico city. The pyramids are one of the largest, and are believed to be built somewhere around in the first century (100 AD or so). They are one of the most visited attractions in Mexico. Entrance fee is 85 pesos (~ $4 USD as of Jan 2023) per person and includes access to museum. You have to walk for 4 hrs in hot sun in order to see all the pyramids and the museum, so keep food and water with you, and dress light in shorts. There are food shops just outside the entrance and also a lot of decorative things + hats/shawls to buy. The price is very reasonable but be ready to negotiate to 50% or less of the quoted price. I got some big decorative pieces for 1000 Pesos that were quoted originally for 4000 pesos. The cheaper sound making decorative pieces may be had for 50 pesos. It's fun to get to the top of the biggest pyramid known as "Pyramid of the Sun". It's exhausting and takes 30 min to an hour. (Ascent to all the pyramids is closed due to Covid-19 as of Jan, 2023), Link: https://www.divergenttravelers.com/mexico-city-pyramids-teotihuacan/