Mexico
Mexico
Cenotes, colonial cities, street food
Mexico is a country that hits all your senses at once. The colors of the markets, the taste of a taco al pastor at midnight, the unreal blue of a cenote, the echo of a Maya pyramid deep in the jungle: here, every day is a festival.
At a glance
Exchange rates and flight times are approximate.
Why Mexico
The cenotes of Yucatán
Underground natural pools of an otherworldly blue, hidden beneath the jungle. There are thousands of them, and we know the best ones.
Mexico City
One of the biggest cities in the world, and one of the best places to eat. Street food, museums, bohemian neighborhoods, mezcal bars.
Oaxaca & the villages
Mexico's food capital. Mole, mezcal, Zapotec markets and Monte Albán perched on its mountaintop.
The right season for Mexico
November to April: dry season, sunny days, pleasant nights. Avoid: June to October (rainy season, extreme humidity) and July-August (peak tourist season).
Subtropical to tropical depending on altitude. Coast: hot and humid. High plateau (Mexico City): mild, 15-25°C. Bring a light sweater, and sunscreen is essential.
The must-sees
Chichén Itzá
The El Castillo pyramid is a marvel of Maya architecture built between the 9th and 12th centuries. A UNESCO site dominating the Yucatán, unmissable, but best visited in the late afternoon to dodge the crowds.
Cenote Ik Kil
An underground natural pool of luminescent blue, reached via a staircase carved into the rock. Just 3 km from Chichén Itzá, perfect for a swim after the archaeological visit.
Mexico City · Frida Kahlo Museum & the Coyoacán district
The Casa Azul with its turquoise walls, intimate gardens and iconic works. Coyoacán offers bohemian cafés, galleries and a craft market every Saturday.
Oaxaca City & Monte Albán
Mexico's gastronomic capital: colonial churches, Zapotec craft markets, and a Zapotec archaeological site on a mountaintop overlooking the valleys.
Playa del Carmen & Riviera Maya
A touristy but well-run stretch of coast: white beaches, snorkelling in underground cenotes, Xel-Há (an eco-park with tropical fish and an underground river).
Isla Mujeres
A small island off Cancún, a peaceful escape with white-sand beaches, snorkelling with sea turtles, and sunsets over the Caribbean on the island's west side, facing Cancún.
Local flavours to try
- Tacos al pastor: marinated pork roasted on a vertical spit, served with onion, pineapple, lime and salsa. Street food at its absolute best.
- Mole (especially Oaxaca's mole negro): a complex sauce of 20+ ingredients (chocolate, chilli, spices), simmered for hours.
- Ceviche: raw fish marinated in lime, coriander, red onion and avocado. Light and tangy, served as a starter or at lunch, often by the sea.
- Chiles rellenos: poblano peppers stuffed with cheese, pan-fried and coated in a light tomato sauce. A family-table classic.
- Tamales: corn dough filled with cheese, chicken or mole, wrapped in a corn husk and steamed. An ancestral tradition.
- Mezcal: a traditional agave spirit, aged in barrels. Sip it neat or in cocktails, especially in the bars of Oaxaca.
Practical tips
- Tap water is not drinkable: stick to bottled mineral water (sold everywhere, cheap). Ice in reputable restaurants is fine.
- Getting around: cheap domestic flights (Volaris, Aeromexico) for Oaxaca/Cancún. Reliable, budget-friendly night buses (ADO, Omnibus).
- Money: ATMs everywhere in cities, fewer in the countryside. Credit cards accepted in restaurants and hotels; cash is essential for small vendors. Exchange rate: ≈ 20 MXN/€.
- Safety: national emergency number 911. Stick to the tourist regions (Yucatán, Mexico City, Oaxaca); check travel advisories for certain states that are best avoided. Official taxis or Uber rather than cabs hailed in the street.
- Power sockets: North American standard, 127 V / 60 Hz, flat type A/B plugs. Bring a plug adapter; check that your devices are dual-voltage (100-240 V), otherwise you'll need a converter.
- Tipping: 10-15% expected in restaurants. Tour guides, porters, drivers: a few pesos are always appreciated.
Frequently asked questions · Mexico
How many days do you need for Mexico?
10-12 days minimum to discover the Yucatán + Mexico City + Oaxaca without rushing. 2-3 days Cancún/Riviera, 3-4 days Oaxaca, 3-4 days Mexico City, 2 days for transit and rest. Doable in 7 days (Yucatán only), but not ideal.
Do you need to speak Spanish?
Not really. Mexico City and the tourist areas speak English. A few words (gracias, por favor, ¿cuánto cuesta?) open doors, and locals appreciate the effort. A guide is recommended for rural Oaxaca or for archaeology in depth.
Are cenotes dangerous or safe?
Very safe when organised (guides, parks) or at tourist cenotes (Ik Kil, Xel-Há). Avoid isolated cenotes without clear access. The water is generally crystal-clear and shallow; swimming is risk-free.
Jet lag and travel fatigue?
−7 to −8 hours vs Luxembourg depending on the season. Days 1-2: disrupted sleep is normal. Long flight (11-13h): leaving Sunday and arriving late Monday works well, with full acclimatisation by Wednesday. Avoid big transfers on day 1.
Is the low season really that bad, or is it just marketing?
It's real. June-September: daily torrential rains (in the afternoon), 90% humidity, hotter. Storm and hurricane risk (statistically low but possible). November-April: ideal, dry and bright.
Mexico is so much more than Cancún. We take you to the Mexico that will make you come back.
Browse a sample handbook