Mexico is a huge country spanning 761,606 square miles, and with so many beautiful places to see, from the Mayan ruins to the beaches of Cancun, it can be overwhelming to plan a trip.
That's why we spoke to an expert about Mexico's best food and drinks, gathered travel tips, and compiled the best cities to visit. Here's your complete guide to visiting this extraordinary country, without looking like that American tourist:
Finding the best food and drink in Mexico
Best bars and tequila
The best bars really depend on your region of travel. Maxence Bonnamain, executive assistant manager at Hilton Los Cabos Beach & Golf Resort, gave us some tips on finding the best tequila: “This is a matter of opinion and a loaded question. Many nights have been spent and tequila poured debating this topic. The best one for shots? For sipping? For a margarita? To enjoy a great tequila, rule of thumb is to always pick a bottle labeled 100 percent blue agave tequila, this is tequila in its purest form, with more complex flavors and you will avoid the headache the mixed tequilas can bring thus the spirit reputation.”
But some things aren’t debated, Bonnamain said, like the best tequila for margaritas: “For margaritas, select a blanco (silver). In this un-aged form, the agave flavor is more intense and blends so well with the freshly squeezed limes.”
But Bonnamain's most takeaway? Enjoy yourself!
“Don’t complicate yourself … ultimately the best tequila is the one you enjoy sharing with friends, Frida Kahlo used to say ‘Viva la vida y a tomar tequila!’ (Live life and drink tequila!)”
Best eats
Don’t be lazy and fall into tourist traps; a little effort can mean a big reward for you and your taste buds. Bonnamain’s most important advice for finding great food? “Be adventurous!”
Anyone can take the easy route and go to the restaurant with an English menu and hotel discount. But a true traveler takes some risks.
“Traditional Mexican cuisine was designated by the UNESCO as a cultural treasure,” Bonnamain said. There is so much more to discover than the quesadillas, burritos, and fajitas at tourist restaurants. According to Bonnamain, it’s best to ask locals or your hotel concierge where they eat.
Restaurants you find might not be as fancy, but Bonnamain said that age-old skills and traditional culinary techniques are more likely to have been preserved at these places and offer an amazing meal. The same holds true for the perennial margarita, says Bonnamain. “Believe it or not it is not the most popular libation with Mexicans. Mexico is also rich in micro brews and other artisanal beers that transcend by far Corona’s pale lager.”
Ceviche is where it's at
You can take a cooking class and perfect the art of creating fresh ceviche with Mauricio Lopez, executive chef at the Hilton Los Cabos Resort. Below are two of the recipes for ceviche you can learn in the class:
Cities to see
Planning your trip
LGBT and women travelers
Traveling is generally pretty safe in Mexico, but it can be dangerous for women to travel alone anywhere. The best way to handle going out solo as a woman is to check out what local women do, and be sure to let someone know where you're going.
In terms of traveling while LGBT, Mexico (like the rest of the world), is becoming more and more progressive every day. A great resource for searching LGBT communities and travel tips is Gay Mexico Map.
Best time to visit
The best time to go to Mexico for great weather is December through April, when it's much drier than the rest of the year. One downfall is that's high season for a lot of tourist traffic. If you're looking for a less busy time of the year and aren't afraid of the possibility of heavy rainfall, visit from September to November.
Do’s and dont’s
Tipping practices
It's suggested that you tip 10 to 15 percent at restaurants in Mexico, but if service is included in the check, an additional tip isn't necessary. It's also a nice practice to tip hotel cleaners 5 percent, though it's not required.
Cultural faux pas
Make the effort to speak Spanish, even if you're insecure about your ability. It shows an interest in culture, learning, and trying. It brings most people joy to hear how much you love their country, so even if you have some complaints, make sure to highlight the positive when it comes to making conversation.
We hope you take these tips with you to have a fantastic trip in Mexico. But don't forget the most important do's: take risks, be kind and respectful, try new things, and enjoy yourself.
