June 2022. Although I have been in Mexico before, the last time was in 1994-1995. Twenty-seven years later, Oriol and I are doing a classic tour of the United Mexican States, featuring Mexico City (CDMX); Palenque in Chiapas; Villahermosa in Tabasco; Uxmal, Mérida, Chichen Itza, Ek’ Balam, Valladolid,  and a few cenotes (waterholes) in Yucatán and Tulum in Quintana Roo. We returned via Cancún to CDMX and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.

What makes Mexico so appealing? Many things, many clichés. The people, the weather, the sites, the food, the prices. The exoticism. Arguably, American pop culture enhances Mexico’s reputation of a country were “anything goes”. 

Helped by the fact Mexico remained open during the COVID-19 pandemic and ‘half of Instagram‘ posting holiday pictures of Mexico, Oriol and I organised a two-week vacation. 

We opted for the classic combination of Mexico City and archeological sites in Chiapas and Yucatán. Predictable yes, but for good reason. It balances city life, modern history, archeology and nature. 

COVID-19 

Coronavirus countermeasures felt like going back to last year, where you needed to wear cubrebocas or face and mouth masks inside. Many people wore them outside as well. 

Often, someone will spray disinfectant gel on your hands and your temperature will be measured. So don’t be ill. 

CDMX

CDMX is a humongous metropolis with a lot of flair. Colourful, gay friendly, at least in and around the Zona Rosa and the Centro Histórico. Great food. Affordable. Nice guys. 

Indiana Jones

You can make visiting the archeological sites in the jungle as adventurous as you like. Book an organised (private) tour or figure it all out by yourself. You’ll definitely get ‘Indiana Jones‘ and ‘The Mysterious Cities of Gold‘ vibes. 

Of course, you can make it a beach and pool and a cruising holiday as well if you want, but that’s not our main point of interest.

Quirks and tips

It was my third or fourth time in Mexico. As a child I went to Baja California (Cabo San Lucas) and Sinaloa (Mazatlán). In the nineties I did more or less the same tour as now. 

Now was obviously very different. The world changed, the country changed and I changed.

Here are some quirks and tips.

• Breakfast, lunch and dinner is basically the same food. Sometimes that’s a bit monotonous, although dishes are very diverse. But I don’t feel like having tacos, burritos or frijoles (beans) every morning.
• There is a shortage of little tea spoons.
• They like to wrap and tape the cutlery in a paper napkin.
• Margaritas are sweeter, the salt on the ridge is stronger.
• Mosquitos will eat you alive, bring insect repellant and consider long trousers and T-shirts.
• Speak some Spanish. It’l get you further and receive a more honest service. Also not all museum explanations are bi- or trilingual.
• Even if you know Castilian Spanish from Spain, you’ll need to adapt. 
• Uber rides are cheap. 
• Take a local sim card, WiFi is often not at all great. 
• Download the ADO app for bus services in the east.
• Have cash. 

So?

Enhanced by the fact it was my first overseas trip since the pandemic, I really enjoyed this trip. It was packed with impulses and activities, which I like when travelling. 

Oriol was and is a great travel companion. 

Mexico 2022

1. REVIEW | KLM Amsterdam Schiphol to Mexico City on a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner in economy.
2. MEXICO CITY | Zócalo.
3. MEXICO CITY | Templo Mayor.
4. REVIEW | Hotel Carlota in Mexico City.
5. MEXICO | Teotihuacan.
6. MEXICO CITY | National Museum of Anthropology or Museo Nacional de Antropología.
7. FORMULA 1 MEXICO CITY GRAND PRIX | Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.
8. MEXICO CITY | Museo Nacional de Historia at Castillo de Chapultepec.
9. MEXICO CITY | Frida Kahlo Museum.
10. MEXICO CITY | Coyoacán.
11. Mexico City 2022.
12. REVIEW | Mexico City – Villahermosa with Volaris.
13. MEXICO | Palenque.
14. REVIEW | Hotel Zyan Rooms in Villahermosa, Tabasco, Mexico.
15. MEXICO | Villahermosa in Tabasco.
16. REVIEW | Aeroméxico Villahermosa – Mexico City – Mérida on Boeing 737-8 MAX.
17. YUCATÁN | Uxmal.
18. REVIEW | Casa Chaká Boutique Ka’an Room in Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico.
19. YUCATÁN | Mérida.
20. YUCATÁN | Chichen Itza.
21. YUCATÁN | Ek’ Balam.
22. REVIEW | Colonté Hotel Origen in Valladolid, Yucatán, Mexico.
23. Pride in Valladolid, Yucatán and queer encounters in Mexico.
24. MEXICO | Cenotes of Yucatán.
25. YUCATÁN | Valladolid.
26. MEXICO | Yucatán 2022.
27. Flying from Cancún to Mexico City and to Amsterdam.