Once again I leave the keyboard to Mélanie who tells us about her “favorite” country: Mexico.

On my first trip to Mexico, I was amazed by the culture of this country. A unique blend of heritage from pre-Columbian civilizations, Spanish influences and North American culture. Five years and as many trips later, my admiration for this country has not diminished, quite the contrary! I therefore offer you an overview of the country and the jewels of each region.

Mexico City area

Mexico City is one of the largest in the world. You will often hear of “DF” or “CDMX”, both refer to the capital.
This city is surprisingly diverse. It suffices to speak of the cathedral, a masterpiece of Spanish architecture, under which was discovered the Templo Mayor, the great pyramid of Tenochtitlan, the capital of the Aztecs, to understand that it is a place at the crossroads of cultures. . And the discoveries never stop in Mexico City!
Let us not forget either the more recent Mexican culture with in particular the frescoes of the XXth century and the many artists therefore undoubtedly the most famous are Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo. The must-see museum in my opinion and the National Anthropology Museum that will help you understand this magnificent country.

Central part of Diego Rivera’s fresco “México a Través de los Siglos” (Mexico through the centuries) at the National Palace in Mexico City.

Of course, Mexico City is not limited to its historic center. I will only mention the two districts that I like the most: Coyoacan for a quiet afternoon, and La Condesa for a festive evening!

The Yucatan Peninsula

Located in the Gulf of Mexico, near Cuba, the Yucatan Peninsula is the cradle of the Mayan civilization. There is therefore obviously an infinity of archaeological sites to visit. The best known are Chichen Itza, Tulum and Uxmal. But there are a multitude of others (and less frequented!) To discover. Archaeologists are still far from having discovered everything in this region and in Mexico in general and you have to know how to think outside the box to make your trip a unique trip!

It is not only the men who have made this region a jewel of Mexico, but also the nature that delights us! Caribbean beaches like Playa del Carmen, Cenotes and caves will delight you. The Yucatan is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful regions of Mexico, to visit with family, friends, lovers… But not to be missed!

Chiapas

Chiapas is a state in southern Mexico, bordering Guatemala. Nature reigns supreme in this region. Very far from the hustle and bustle of Mexico City, Chiapas is made up of forests, mountains, rivers, waterfalls… The landscapes there are simply breathtaking.

San Cristobal de las Casas, one of the main towns in the state is a must-see. Several indigenous peoples live in this region and are often present in San Cristobal to sell their products. On agricultural or craft markets.

The north, lower california and the pacific coast

I’m not finishing the regions that I don’t know yet… I know that these regions are probably at least as magical as the ones I told you about before! I hope to have the opportunity to go there to tell you about it and make you want to travel to Mexico even more.

Of course, I am not forgetting the south of Mexico, particularly the state of Oaxaca, which I have already told you about here.

Mexico City is the largest city in the world, walking around it one is surprised to discover a mixture of pre-Columbian, colonial and American cultures. There are many neighborhoods to visit, and countless museums. Here is a selection of what stood out to me the most during my visits as well as my advice for visiting Mexico City.

Chapultepec Park

Chapultepec Park is a woodland of some 600 hectares in the heart of Mexico City. The museums, the botanical garden, the zoo, the lake and many other attractions make it a very pleasant place to walk around without worrying about the city moving a few meters away.

It is also an important historical place. It is indeed on the hill of Chapultepec that the Aztecs settled in the 13th century before founding Tenochtitlan, which later became Mexico City. The colonists built there Chapultepec Castle, located at the top of the hill. During the war against the United States a famous battle in Mexico gave rise to the legend of the child heroes of Chapultepec.

At the edge of the park is the National Anthropology Museum which allows you to discover the pre-Columbian civilizations since the arrival of man on this continent until today.

Between relaxation and culture, this park should therefore be a must on your visit to properly visit Mexico City.

Visiter Mexico: El Zocalo

El Zocalo is the main square in the historic center of Mexico City. We find there the multicultural aspects of the country and the city. The huge cathedral in the Spanish style recalls the colonies while a few meters further is the archaeological site of the major temple. This temple is the great pyramid of the Aztec city of Tenochtitlan, which was updated during works in 1978.

In the center of the square, the huge flag of Mexico flies in the wind. This flag is a great pride for Mexicans. On the side of the square we can see the National Palace and going a little further we find some pedestrian streets that can lead us to the Palace of Fine Art which recalls the passion of the former president Porfirio Dias for France at the beginning. of the twentieth century.

Relaxation in Mexico City

To properly visit Mexico City you should spend a few days there as there are so many places to see. To escape the hustle and bustle of the city, you can walk in the parks or in quieter neighborhoods. It is very pleasant to walk in Coyoacan for example, it is a colonial district, it almost feels like a Spanish village.

Thanks to the climate of the region, there are many flat roofs, which makes it possible to have terraces of cafes in height. Ideal for forgetting the cars for a michelada, these very refreshing Mexican beers with lemon.

And finally, the Condesa district, you can stroll along the less frequented boulevards and therefore more pleasant than the main avenues like Reforma. You will find all kinds of restaurants there, I believe that not one type of cuisine is lacking in this area!

If you love Mexico, discover Oaxaca and its region.