4-5 Days Near Mexico City (D.F.)
Apr 7th, 2016, 12:49 PM
#1
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4-5 Days Near Mexico City (D.F.)
I am planning on going to Mexico in mid-June to visit a friend, probably Saturday, June 11th- Tuesday, June 14th. My friend lives in Mexico City and we have agreed to make that our meeting point. I'd to get out of el D.F. and spend those 4-5 days in another part of Mexico that is not too far away (have a small budget) but would also like a very authentic, fun, and cultural experience. Some of the places I've seen are Queretaro, Tepoztlan, and Veracruz.
Any recommendations for places near Mexico City that are accessible by bus within a few hours (6 at the most),are not too expensive, and are a great place to spend time with a loved one?
Can anyone give me some insight as to how to get from Mexico City to some beach in Veracruz? And also, which beaches in Veracruz are beautiful to visit for a weekend getaway?
Any recommendations for places near Mexico City that are accessible by bus within a few hours (6 at the most),are not too expensive, and are a great place to spend time with a loved one?
Can anyone give me some insight as to how to get from Mexico City to some beach in Veracruz? And also, which beaches in Veracruz are beautiful to visit for a weekend getaway?
Apr 7th, 2016, 04:08 PM
#2
Keep in mind that June is typically when the rainy season begins; maybe not always the first week, but if not then, soon thereafter. In the Central Highlands, that's good, things start to green up and cool off. In Veracruz, probably not as good, as it can rain quite heavily and be hot and humid. Veracruz is always humid.
Veracruz's best beaches are generally considered to be on the Costa Esmeralda, some 2-3 hours north of the city. Even at that, the sand is kind of a grey-brown. We were there in December and it was deserted mid week. Beaches/water in the immediate area of the city are pretty polluted. South, around Boca Del Rio, less so. But Veracruz is a fun, lively city with lots of history and kinda gritty around the edges. If you could fit it in, a stop in Coatepec, a charming colonial town in the center of coffee country is worthwhile.
You mentioned Queretaro. It's closer, and offers easy day trips to both San Miguel and Bernal which are quaint, smaller colonial towns that are good for couples just to stroll around and be relaxed. Queretaro of course is bigger, but has a pleasant colonial center as well, with a few streets/alleys blocked off for walking.
Both Queretaro and Veracruz offer budgety lodging. One of the better/more popular hotels in downtown Veracruz, the Dligencia, is only like $50 US and right on the Zocalo.
Veracruz's best beaches are generally considered to be on the Costa Esmeralda, some 2-3 hours north of the city. Even at that, the sand is kind of a grey-brown. We were there in December and it was deserted mid week. Beaches/water in the immediate area of the city are pretty polluted. South, around Boca Del Rio, less so. But Veracruz is a fun, lively city with lots of history and kinda gritty around the edges. If you could fit it in, a stop in Coatepec, a charming colonial town in the center of coffee country is worthwhile.
You mentioned Queretaro. It's closer, and offers easy day trips to both San Miguel and Bernal which are quaint, smaller colonial towns that are good for couples just to stroll around and be relaxed. Queretaro of course is bigger, but has a pleasant colonial center as well, with a few streets/alleys blocked off for walking.
Both Queretaro and Veracruz offer budgety lodging. One of the better/more popular hotels in downtown Veracruz, the Dligencia, is only like $50 US and right on the Zocalo.
Apr 7th, 2016, 04:15 PM
#3
Personally, I'd stay in Mexico City, one of the world's great cities. If you really want to get away, Guanajuato is the most beautiful Mexican city I've seen. However, note also that six hours on a bus will get you to Oaxaca, another fascinating place. Both are in the mountains and may be cooler. Veracruz will be very hot. What about Xalapa? Never been but I've heard it's pleasant.
Apr 7th, 2016, 08:05 PM
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There are wonderful day trips and overnight tripsueblo is a 2 hr bus ride from the DF. Lovely colonial Centro Historico area, beautiful zocalo and cathedral, incredible ornate colonial churches (def do a walking tour of those), lovely arts area where local artists have little studios that are open to a pedestrian are so you can stroll by and see them paiting/sculpting, nice market, great food (and cooking lessons), Talavera pottery is made there, great Calle Duce (sweet street) where handmade typical sweets are sold in shop after shop...I could go on and on. I love the Hotel Colonial in Puebla, very charming and reasonable. Do not miss Puebla, and stay at least 2 nights there IMO, so you can see not only Puebla, but also Cholula.
From the center of Puebla you can take a bus 30 min to Cholula. Be sure to go there on market day when all the people from surrounding areas bring their food and wares and spread them out on blankets and carts on the streets surrounding the large covered central market. A cool socal and colorful market scene. Then walk to the 2nd largest pyramid in the world-- although it is unexcavated there are underground tunnels that are oprn, and a fantastic church on the mound covering the pyramid, from which u can get a fantastic 360 degree vuew, and if you are lucky and the Dat is clear you can get an up close view of the huge volcano there. It is stunning. And there are voladares (pole dancers, not those kind, but the men who hang upside down and spinning from the high pole in traditional dress) at the pyramid site also.
Another great day trip from the DF is to Coyoacan, lovely zocalo area and you can visit Frida Kahlo's house, the Cass Azul, there. It is fascinating. Also a nice covered market in Coyoacan with great food area.
One more day trip I have done from the DF is to the Teothuican ruins which are fantastic, not to be missed IMO. Many people do a combined tour of the Basilica of the Virgin of Guadalupe and it's grounds with 8 churches (where Virgin Mary appeared to Juan Diego, leading to the conversion of the indigenous Indians of the area) which then goes on to Teothuican.
From the center of Puebla you can take a bus 30 min to Cholula. Be sure to go there on market day when all the people from surrounding areas bring their food and wares and spread them out on blankets and carts on the streets surrounding the large covered central market. A cool socal and colorful market scene. Then walk to the 2nd largest pyramid in the world-- although it is unexcavated there are underground tunnels that are oprn, and a fantastic church on the mound covering the pyramid, from which u can get a fantastic 360 degree vuew, and if you are lucky and the Dat is clear you can get an up close view of the huge volcano there. It is stunning. And there are voladares (pole dancers, not those kind, but the men who hang upside down and spinning from the high pole in traditional dress) at the pyramid site also.
Another great day trip from the DF is to Coyoacan, lovely zocalo area and you can visit Frida Kahlo's house, the Cass Azul, there. It is fascinating. Also a nice covered market in Coyoacan with great food area.
One more day trip I have done from the DF is to the Teothuican ruins which are fantastic, not to be missed IMO. Many people do a combined tour of the Basilica of the Virgin of Guadalupe and it's grounds with 8 churches (where Virgin Mary appeared to Juan Diego, leading to the conversion of the indigenous Indians of the area) which then goes on to Teothuican.
Apr 8th, 2016, 12:55 PM
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There are many places you can visit within 6 hours by bus from the DF. I would not want to stay in Puebla that long myself, it was okay for a couple days, though.
You can get to Guanajuato by Primera Plus bus in about 4.5 hours. I really liked it a lot, I think that would be a good choice. Small, pleasant, good restaurants, something to do but not too much. While there, you can do a day trip to San Miguel Allende or Dolores Hidalgo, there are some local day bus tours that go there.
I think the point is the friend lives in Mexico City so that is not much of a holiday for the friend to just stay there.
You could even go to Oaxaca by bus in about that time. Some buses are about 6 hours, and some are 6:30-7 hrs more depending on stops. But you'd have to do that both ways (of course you can fly by Aeromexico). The bus ride is beautiful though, through the mountains, and Oaxaca is drier than the DF< I believe. I know recently the rainy season has been more like July-Fall rather than starting in June. I've been in the DF and Guanajuato in July, however, and the rainy season didn't bother me that much, most days it didn't really rain until evening and sometimes then it was only a shower for an hour or so. It did rain a lot on two days during my stay, but it was totally in the middle of the night for many hours. Not sure if you can count on that, but overall, it didn't hamper my trip.
I think Guanajuato is cheaper than Oaxaca, which has gotten popular with tourists. But neither is super expensive by my terms.
You can get to Guanajuato by Primera Plus bus in about 4.5 hours. I really liked it a lot, I think that would be a good choice. Small, pleasant, good restaurants, something to do but not too much. While there, you can do a day trip to San Miguel Allende or Dolores Hidalgo, there are some local day bus tours that go there.
I think the point is the friend lives in Mexico City so that is not much of a holiday for the friend to just stay there.
You could even go to Oaxaca by bus in about that time. Some buses are about 6 hours, and some are 6:30-7 hrs more depending on stops. But you'd have to do that both ways (of course you can fly by Aeromexico). The bus ride is beautiful though, through the mountains, and Oaxaca is drier than the DF< I believe. I know recently the rainy season has been more like July-Fall rather than starting in June. I've been in the DF and Guanajuato in July, however, and the rainy season didn't bother me that much, most days it didn't really rain until evening and sometimes then it was only a shower for an hour or so. It did rain a lot on two days during my stay, but it was totally in the middle of the night for many hours. Not sure if you can count on that, but overall, it didn't hamper my trip.
I think Guanajuato is cheaper than Oaxaca, which has gotten popular with tourists. But neither is super expensive by my terms.
Apr 9th, 2016, 06:33 AM
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With the peso so weak against the dollar Guanajuato was indeed very inexpensive this season.
I normally budget a $1,000 US a month while there but found I spent less than $700 a month this year living the good life including rent.
I normally budget a $1,000 US a month while there but found I spent less than $700 a month this year living the good life including rent.
Apr 9th, 2016, 08:08 AM
#8
To the OP, if you're still gonna do the Yucatan as you indicate in your other post, then I'd probably suggest you forego beach time in Veracruz. Much as I love Veracruz city, there is no comparison to the Yucatan when it comes to the beaches.
Regarding the rainy season, it is indeed not much of a factor in the central highlands. But it very much would be on the gulf. As far as rains not starting until July, that's not really accurate. If anything, they've maybe come earlier (last year) and in recent years, the historical patterns have remained pretty much the same. We had rain last night and 2 weeks ago thunder/lightning/rain that knocked out our lights for a few hours. Rare for March. But I would think the BF is pretty well-informed as well.
Pretty much anywhere inland will benefit from the good (great?) exchange rate these days. It's pushing 18:1 again even after the Mexican central bank raised interest rates a short time ago. I've noticed only a 5 peso (30 cent?) increase on some menu items in recent months.
With such a short time, I would forego Dolores. Pleasant enough, but not exactly a destination for couples/romantic weekend types.
Another close option (like you need more) would be the Minerales (Del Chico & Del Monte) and Huasca De Ocampo. Pleasant, quiet old mining towns up in the mountains near Pachuca. The Prismas Balsaticas are nice for a few hour stroll. Busy on the weekends, but plenty of cheap lodging options. Hacienda San Miguel Regla at times offers some weekend specials. http://www.sanmiguelregla.com/index.html
Regarding the rainy season, it is indeed not much of a factor in the central highlands. But it very much would be on the gulf. As far as rains not starting until July, that's not really accurate. If anything, they've maybe come earlier (last year) and in recent years, the historical patterns have remained pretty much the same. We had rain last night and 2 weeks ago thunder/lightning/rain that knocked out our lights for a few hours. Rare for March. But I would think the BF is pretty well-informed as well.
Pretty much anywhere inland will benefit from the good (great?) exchange rate these days. It's pushing 18:1 again even after the Mexican central bank raised interest rates a short time ago. I've noticed only a 5 peso (30 cent?) increase on some menu items in recent months.
With such a short time, I would forego Dolores. Pleasant enough, but not exactly a destination for couples/romantic weekend types.
Another close option (like you need more) would be the Minerales (Del Chico & Del Monte) and Huasca De Ocampo. Pleasant, quiet old mining towns up in the mountains near Pachuca. The Prismas Balsaticas are nice for a few hour stroll. Busy on the weekends, but plenty of cheap lodging options. Hacienda San Miguel Regla at times offers some weekend specials. http://www.sanmiguelregla.com/index.html
Apr 15th, 2016, 12:04 PM
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I agree with the suggestion of Puebla, as well as some of the other suggestions here. Also agree to skip Dolores which, was very pleasant overall (and essential for fans of Jose Alfredo Jimenez) is not as interesting as some of the other ideas offered above.
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