Ah, Mexico! How to summarize in a few lines a country so beautiful, varied, and colorful? We loved Mexico. Really. Despite its flaws, occasional frustrations, and small annoyances, it is a country that we loved to explore. Here we explain why, where, our favorites, pros, and cons. In short, we tell you about our three months in our last North American country.
Our trip to Mexico in key figures
Let's start with some key numbers from our three months in Mexico.
Key dates
January 6th, 2023 - Entry to Mexico in Tecate, Baja California.
February 1st, 2023 - Shipping to Mazatlán.
April 12th, 2023 - Exit from Mexico at Chetumal, Quintana Roo
Number of days
97 days
Kilometers
10 800 kilometers
Visited states
Baja California, Durango, Zacatecas, San Luis Potosi, Guanajuato, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Colima, Michoacan, Mexico, Puebla, Oaxaca, Chiapas, Campeche, Yucatan, and Quintana Roo.
Breakdowns, issues and routine maintenance on the Jeep
The left front support of the shock absorber broke in Yucatan. We had it welded in Cancun, as well as the right front support as a preventive measure.
Number of tacos eaten
Too many to be counted! 😅
Our 4 favorite Mexican states
1- Chiapas
Chiapas. Undeniably, irrevocably, definitively our favorite Mexican state. By far. Without a doubt. We fell in love with its lush jungle, incredible waterfalls, impressive howler monkeys, clear rivers, multicolored macaws and toucans, mysterious Mayan temples, and friendly locals. Because if Chiapas has a bad reputation among foreign travelers, we were welcomed with smiles and waves, kindness, and curiosity. In short, we spent 2 weeks in Chiapas and loved everything about it.
2- Baja California
Or by its nickname, "Baja". We spent 27 days in Baja! It's the kind of place you come to take a look at because you've heard so much about it, and you never leave! It was in Baja that we had the most beautiful bivouacs in Mexico. What made our trip to Baja so magical and memorable? The people we met there! Camping on paradise beaches is great. Camping on paradise beaches with friends is even better! We have incredible memories and endless laughter from our beach bivouacs, and that's what makes the magic of travel. Special mention to the Baja tacos which are amazing, unique, and incomparable in Mexico.
3- Puebla
In the state of Puebla, we experienced two of the strongest moments of our trip in Mexico. The first was the ascent of the Iztaccihuatl volcano, which took us above the symbolic altitude of 5,000 meters for the first time, after an exhausting and emotionally rich climb. The second was the Cholula Carnival, which we stumbled upon by chance and which allowed us to immerse ourselves in Mexican culture.
4- Quintana Roo
Quintana Roo left us with mixed feelings, as did the entire Yucatan Peninsula. Due to its mass tourism, denatured landscapes, high prices, Americanization, and the feeling of no longer really being in Mexico. But there are still incredible places in this state that have left an impression on us: the Sian Ka'an reserve and its dream beaches, and especially the beautiful Bacalar lagoon. We had a real crush on this lagoon and its transparent waters, to the point that we had a hard time leaving!
Our favorites ❤️
It's always difficult to sort through our memories and highlight only a few moments from those three months. We experienced so many beautiful things! So here are our top 5 Mexican favorites!
1- Route 307 in Chiapas and San Cristobal de las Casas.
Of course, our biggest favorite is related to our favorite Mexican state: Chiapas. The 307 road that runs along the Guatemalan border was rich in experiences and wonders for us. From the Las Nubes waterfalls to the wildlife of Las Guacamayas, and the lost Mayan city of Yaxchilan and Palenque, we loved everything. Everything. The most beautiful city in Chiapas, San Cristo, is one of the most beautiful colonial cities in Mexico. We particularly enjoyed strolling and shopping souvenirs at the city's artisan market.
2- The whales of Guerrero Negro
We never imagined being able to meet the Baja gray whale up close! And yet! We were just inches away from touching them. It's true! During our boat outing in Baja with our friends, we were able to approach the gray whales like never before. Curious and playful, they came to say hello to our boat on their own. A magical encounter that will remain among our most beautiful experiences of the trip.
3- Guanajuato
Guanajuato, the most beautiful city in Mexico? We say yes! Well, we haven't been to all the cities in Mexico, but among the many colonial cities we visited, Guanajuato is undoubtedly our favorite. We loved its colorful houses, its winding and narrow streets, its varied street food, its historic center full of people. And above all, we loved its lively and festive evening atmosphere, full of entertainment, music and dance. A real crush!
4- The Izta and Popo
We love volcanoes, and in Mexico, we were not disappointed! We climbed three: Nevado de Colima, Nevado de Toluca, and finally, the Iztaccihuatl volcano. We didn't reach its summit, but we made it to the symbolic altitude of 5,002 meters after a more than challenging climb! This climb was the toughest of all but also the most incredible. And we were rewarded with a breathtaking view of Popo. Simply amazing!
5- Cholula Carnival
By chance, we happened to be in Cholula on the day of the Carnaval. All those colors, costumes, dances, and music! We were also impressed by the thunderous gunshots that echoed throughout the procession. What an atmosphere!
Our favorite pre-Columbian site
We visited 9 pre-Columbian sites in Mexico, and our favorite is the Mayan site of Yaxchilan! Located in the heart of the Chiapas jungle, on the Guatemalan border, it can only be accessed by boat. We loved walking among the ruins to the sound of howler monkeys, in the midst of a lush jungle that has reclaimed its rights over the ancient ruins. Magnificent!
Our most beautiful bivouac
Sure, it was crowded during the day, but in the morning, evening and night, it was a paradise. We're talking, of course, about the Bacalar lagoon. The lapping of the water, the birdsong, the warm, clear water, the peaceful atmosphere. It was all perfect!
Pros and cons
Pros
• The weather! Maximum temperature of 43°C (109°F) and not a single day of rain (except for two stormy evenings in the jungle of Chiapas).
• The markets, perfect for buying fresh and cheap fruits and vegetables and for eating typical dishes at low prices.
• Tacos! Fish, shrimp, meat, chicken, we already miss them!
• Swimming in the Pacific Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean Sea, as well as in rivers, lagoons, and pools.
• The wildlife! Whales, sea turtles, manatees, nurse sharks, crocodiles, butterflies, howler monkeys, spider monkeys, macaws, toucans, coatis, flamingos, pelicans, and more.
Cons
• Litter! Let's be honest, Mexico is a dirty country. There is litter everywhere.
• Stray dogs, which can be heartbreaking to see. We were sometimes saddened by the mistreatment that some dogs endure.
• Inflated prices. It's tiring to always be on guard when it comes to paying. We often wondered if we were paying the fair price or a "gringo price"...
• The topes (speed bumps) that tested our vigilance, and the Jeep too!
Nous avons eu du mal à quitter les États-Unis pour rejoindre le Mexique, nous avons maintenant du mal à quitter le Mexique pour le Belize ! Encore une fois, notre voyage nous a permis de vivre d’incroyables aventures et de se forger des souvenirs impérissables, à deux et en famille. Le Mexique, parfois si décrié des voyageurs, a été une superbe surprise. Combien de canadiens et d’américains nous ont déconseillé de nous y rendre, car trop dangereux ? Aujourd’hui, nous sommes bien contents de ne pas les avoir écoutés et d’être allés nous faire notre propre idée de ce pays incroyable.
7 commentaires
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Coucou,
après l’aventure mexicaine, la route des Amériques vous ouvre les bras ! Beaucoup de paysages inoubliables et de belles rencontres vous attendent encore. Au Bélize, si vous passez dans le coin d’Upper Barton Creek, n’hésitez pas à rendre visite à nos amis Deborah et Abram et passez le bonjour à et Elisabeth et Michel Roess de notre part (cf. notre blog). Bonne continuation à vous trois (et merci de nous faire revivre ces émotions car nous on est plutôt dans la construction… On a eu les clés de notre maison avant-hier).
Hello ! Le Belize est déjà bien derrière nous (on est au lac Atitlan 😉 On a adoré ce petit pays plein de surprises et très propre. Mais nous ne sommes malheureusement pas allés à Barton Creek :/ Ça sent la fin des travaux de votre côté en tout cas ! Bon aménagement 🙂
J’ai hâte de découvrir le pays suivant ! Quel beau voyage !
Bonne route vers une autre belle aventure . Merci pour ces beaux récits 🙌💕
Avec plaisir comme toujours 🙂 Ça fait plaisir de vous retrouver là et de savoir que vous nous suivez toujours 😊
Moi aussi j’ai adoré le Mexique même si cela n’a été que 13 jours dans la péninsule du Yucatan très touristique. En fait j’ai tout aimé, tout ce que l’on a vu, mangé, bu, visité. C’était génial, je suis bon public et mon Tour Operator “N&R” est au top de l’organisation, des surprises, de la diversité, de la débrouillardise pour satisfaire mes demandes et mes désirs les plus inattendus.
Et puis ce voyage a eu une saveur très particulière, j’étais avec mes 2 enfants chéris et mon gendre adoré.
Merci.