Advice for a gringo considering traveling to Mexico this summer?

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rhino72032

If you're on a budget, I'd pick the cities based on the link below. Zacatecas is the farthest north, so I'd stop there and check it out. Then I'd head for San Miguel de Allende (lots of musicians and artists there). Then it's a short trip to Guanajuato--October is an exciting time to go there because of the International Cervantes Festival, but it's also very difficult to get a hotel room if you haven't booked well ahead.
Then I'd go to Mexico City--yes I'd go to Mexico City. Why? I live outside Little Rock, AR. In the past seven days, a man was shot outside a convenience store; another man was shot outside his apartment and a woman was shot in her kitchen when some men sprayed the house with bullets, probably trying to get someone else. But does this mean that Little Rock is a dangerous place to be? No--they're random acts. And your chance of having a problem in Mexico City is smaller than in some large cities in the US. Mexico City has some of the best museum in the world and a great subway system..
From Mexico City, go check out Puebla (more good museums). Then:
Oaxaca
Puerto Escondido
San Cristobal de las Casas
Merida
Cancun
Playa del Carmen
That would be a fabulous trip, just using the cities on the hostel list. And you can turn around and head back home anytime you run run out of time or money.
It would be a good idea to learn more Spanish, because it would be a bummer if you missed a bus just because you didn't understand what the announcer at the bus station said.

marc95116

I would say not Mexico City, too much trouble, you know like robberies! A nice city where you can feel safe would be Guadalajara, their they have alot of culture many things to do and alot of pretty women!! Oaxaca if you like archeological zones!!

Robert S

"The People's Guide to Mexico" by Carl Franz. Hands down the best book about traveling to and within Mexico on a budget. Also, traveling by bus is inexpensive and safe (as safe as Bus travel is anywhere). Express "executive class" buses travel great distances over night. They are comfortable and inexpensive compared to flying. For a crash course in Colonial Mexico you should stay in and around the State of Jalisco. Stay away fro Mexico City! It's the largest metropolitan area in the world, it's expensive, dirty, and there is now a water shortage with rationing. We live in Tamaulipas in the northeast. Nothing touristy here. Just great weather, a good beach, and wonderful people. Mexico is a beautiful place. I hope you get to enjoy it here.

sololuna_abyss

Mexico City is gorgeous...during the day, and only in the center part.
if you go there, check out Palacio de bellas Artes (museum/theater)
and of course Zocalo, which is like the center of the center of the city. gorgeous. But other than that. mexico city is huge and polluted and full of people that can rob you clean down to your socks, or at least scare you to pieces. i would suggest you head down to Oaxaca, a very southern state. its FULL of beautiful things.in the city of Oaxaca, check out Monte Alban, el centro, el zocalo, Santo Domingo. the state is pretty calm and you can walk through the city without being scared of getting robbed. last but not least i recommend you go to Puerto Escondido, a beautiful beach about 4 hours bus ride from the center of the city of Oaxaca.you will get a true and fun mexican experience.wow i should be a tour guide or something!!!

Isaac R

Beach Destinations:

Tulum: Small, eco friendly and relatively cheap destination that offers Mayan Ruins, Great Beaches, Cenotes (Swimmable Underground Lagoon-caves) and the lazy lifestyle of the rural mexican population.

Another option is Puerto Escondido and Zipolite in Oaxaca state.

Pre-Hispanic & Colonial Architecture Destinations:
These destinations are located in inner Mexico, like Oaxaca City (You can combine a staying in Oaxaca City with a 6hour cheap bus trip to Puerto Escondido and Zipolite for a beach weekend cause they are located at the same state).

San Cristobal de Las Casas, Chiapas is another great option for budget travelers, there you can taste the Indian Mexico and can plan a trip to Palenque to visit the Mayan ruins.

In any of the destinations above mentioned you may find cheap accomodations, restaurants and transportations.

What to do's at any of those towns: Relax, feel the local charm, read, write about your experience, make a photo journal of your tirp, talk to the locals and practice your spanish (Mexicans living in those small towns are usually friendlier than those living in the big cities....), take a morning walk through the surroundings, watch the prehispanic or colonial buildings, drink Mexican Coffe or "Ancient Chocolate", eat some tacos and "Churros", If you are in a beach city, go to the beach bar and drink a Corona Beer while sitting in the sand, etc etc...

Cheaper accomodations usually are hostels or rustic cabaÃ±as (google hostels mexico..you may find bed and rooms from USD$10 per night). Cheap food can be found at the towns market or at any big supermarket Wal Mart-like.

For bus transportation between cities check it out the "ADO" webpage
http://www.ado.com.mx/ado/index.jsp (I think info is only available in Spanish but you can try).

Cheers.

justagurl

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