POLL: Favorite Town/City in MEXICO?
Mar 15th, 2006, 04:43 AM
#2
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I would guess the responses would differ if you are asking for tourist destinations v. permanent residence locations.
San Miguel de Allende, Gto.
Pros: weather, location, activities, quality of "city" life, low cost of living, three traffic lights, and big box retailers in Queretaro and Celaya.
Cons: Cost of housing; stretched water supply (which will eventually restrict development).
Patzcuaro, Michoacan
Great alpine area, 'tho a bit remote.
Much less expensive housing and way fewer gringos.
Guanajuato, Gto. - wonderful colonial university town.
Queretaro, Qro. - the state and Fed'l gov'ts put lots of money into the colonial areas and those are lovely. Unfortunately, it's now 1.2M population in and around the city.
M (SMdA, Gto.)
San Miguel de Allende, Gto.
Pros: weather, location, activities, quality of "city" life, low cost of living, three traffic lights, and big box retailers in Queretaro and Celaya.
Cons: Cost of housing; stretched water supply (which will eventually restrict development).
Patzcuaro, Michoacan
Great alpine area, 'tho a bit remote.
Much less expensive housing and way fewer gringos.
Guanajuato, Gto. - wonderful colonial university town.
Queretaro, Qro. - the state and Fed'l gov'ts put lots of money into the colonial areas and those are lovely. Unfortunately, it's now 1.2M population in and around the city.
M (SMdA, Gto.)
Mar 15th, 2006, 08:10 AM
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sorry- I forgot the why part- the culture, various groups- Mixteco, Zapoteco, etc. in various towns in the Oaxaca Valley, architecture in the city and churches in the valley, ruins- Monte Alban, etc. Food, distinctly Oaxaqueno, strolling around at night, the climate, and friends there that have been made over the years. We also sponsor a young man in school there so it is fun to see him and his family. Each trip Oaxaca has changed in some way, but it is always fascinating.
Mar 15th, 2006, 12:40 PM
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Oaxaca.
Just got back last week from a visit that was way too short. An incredibly vibrant city, yet somehow relaxing at the same time. Friendly people. Easy to walk to everything in town. Interesting architecture. Sitting under one of the portales (the more lively Le Jardin side) at the Zocalo in the evening, watching the world go by. The Abastos Market. The climate - cool in the morning and at night, and very warm but still comfortable in the afternoon. The setting - in a valley surrounded by mountains. The best food ever. Traditional restaurants (Naranja) and modern restaurants (Temple and Danzantes). The ruins at Monte Alban. The view of Santo Domingo from the rooftop bar of my hotel (Casa del Sotano) in the golden late afternoon light.
One of the greatest places I have ever visited.
Just got back last week from a visit that was way too short. An incredibly vibrant city, yet somehow relaxing at the same time. Friendly people. Easy to walk to everything in town. Interesting architecture. Sitting under one of the portales (the more lively Le Jardin side) at the Zocalo in the evening, watching the world go by. The Abastos Market. The climate - cool in the morning and at night, and very warm but still comfortable in the afternoon. The setting - in a valley surrounded by mountains. The best food ever. Traditional restaurants (Naranja) and modern restaurants (Temple and Danzantes). The ruins at Monte Alban. The view of Santo Domingo from the rooftop bar of my hotel (Casa del Sotano) in the golden late afternoon light.
One of the greatest places I have ever visited.
Mar 15th, 2006, 04:30 PM
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Mexico City.
Nowhere else comes close to its history, sophistication, cultural depth, nightlife, restaurants, etc. etc. etc.
Mark
www.tiogringo.com
Nowhere else comes close to its history, sophistication, cultural depth, nightlife, restaurants, etc. etc. etc.
Mark
www.tiogringo.com
Mar 15th, 2006, 05:19 PM
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Our dear friend, avrooster, hired me to do this job but I really don't want to do it.
I don't want to talk about my favorite city! Why? because I don't want too many people to know about it, otherwise, tourism will spoil it.
Well, av, only because you asked me, here it goes:
My favorite city in Mexico is San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas. Thankfully, it is relatively remote.
You know you are entering a mystical place when you are driving from Tuxtla, the capital city, and you begin encountering Chamula indians walking on the side of the road. They are always in small groups, mostly families. Wearing their typical clothes, they are carrying their load on their backs. The women wear a long, black skirt, and beautifully embroidered colorful white shirts. Many a times they are carrying a baby on their backs. The children are herding the sheep. The small villages are spread out through the mountains and you can see the smoke coming out of the huts.
The city itself is usually hidden under the clouds. The church bells are the most prominent sound. The streets are narrow. The houses are painted all different colors with the typical architecture of Chiapas. The indians, wearing their typical clothes, walk up and down the streets carrying their load towards the market.
San Cristobal's market is the prettiest I have ever seen. The vendors are usually indian women. Children with their indian dresses are everywhere, running and laughing. They present their products (beans, grains, etc.) beautifully arranged in small mounds (their offering to God).
Other than indians, there is also city people walking up and down the streets (I believe everybody walks rather than drives, judging from the small number of cars and the large number of pedestrians).
The park that surrounds the main church is covered with indian women doing their crafts.
Well, what else can I say? It is the most mystical city of Mexico. It has all the basics for the tourist industry (mostly europeans)but it is a small city. The food is good. The piña colada is the best in the world!
That's all I have to say
I don't want to talk about my favorite city! Why? because I don't want too many people to know about it, otherwise, tourism will spoil it.
Well, av, only because you asked me, here it goes:
My favorite city in Mexico is San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas. Thankfully, it is relatively remote.
You know you are entering a mystical place when you are driving from Tuxtla, the capital city, and you begin encountering Chamula indians walking on the side of the road. They are always in small groups, mostly families. Wearing their typical clothes, they are carrying their load on their backs. The women wear a long, black skirt, and beautifully embroidered colorful white shirts. Many a times they are carrying a baby on their backs. The children are herding the sheep. The small villages are spread out through the mountains and you can see the smoke coming out of the huts.
The city itself is usually hidden under the clouds. The church bells are the most prominent sound. The streets are narrow. The houses are painted all different colors with the typical architecture of Chiapas. The indians, wearing their typical clothes, walk up and down the streets carrying their load towards the market.
San Cristobal's market is the prettiest I have ever seen. The vendors are usually indian women. Children with their indian dresses are everywhere, running and laughing. They present their products (beans, grains, etc.) beautifully arranged in small mounds (their offering to God).
Other than indians, there is also city people walking up and down the streets (I believe everybody walks rather than drives, judging from the small number of cars and the large number of pedestrians).
The park that surrounds the main church is covered with indian women doing their crafts.
Well, what else can I say? It is the most mystical city of Mexico. It has all the basics for the tourist industry (mostly europeans)but it is a small city. The food is good. The piña colada is the best in the world!
That's all I have to say
Mar 16th, 2006, 05:54 PM
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Manenita,
I agree totally that San Cristobal ... is a magical place.
But I was there before Commandante Marcos and his friends arrived. Has their presence changed the town? How do the indians feel about him? (I imagine they must be supportive?)
I agree totally that San Cristobal ... is a magical place.
But I was there before Commandante Marcos and his friends arrived. Has their presence changed the town? How do the indians feel about him? (I imagine they must be supportive?)
Mar 16th, 2006, 06:12 PM
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Also, I'd like to put in a plug for a beach area that is close to paradise! I'm hesitant to make it public, too, for the same reasons Manenita mentioned, but it's so remote, I suspect (hope) that not too many tourists will find their way there.
Puerto Escondido - closest big city is Oaxaca, I think.
When I was there (about 12 years ago), the beaches were pristine, the water was turquoise, the waves were huge, and there was hardly a tourist in sight. (some of my Mexican friends turned me on to this special place.) Most of the "tourists" were Mexican citizens, aging hippies who had taken up residence, and (great looking, muscled) professional surfers, who were there in search of the monster waves which appear periodically.
I read about a nasty murder that occurred there a few years after our visit - don't know whether it is now considered a "dangerous" place? Perhaps Manenita knows ...
Puerto Escondido - closest big city is Oaxaca, I think.
When I was there (about 12 years ago), the beaches were pristine, the water was turquoise, the waves were huge, and there was hardly a tourist in sight. (some of my Mexican friends turned me on to this special place.) Most of the "tourists" were Mexican citizens, aging hippies who had taken up residence, and (great looking, muscled) professional surfers, who were there in search of the monster waves which appear periodically.
I read about a nasty murder that occurred there a few years after our visit - don't know whether it is now considered a "dangerous" place? Perhaps Manenita knows ...
Mar 19th, 2006, 12:29 PM
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TravellerfromDC, we just got back from Puerto Escondido yesterday. We spent the last week there. We first visited there about 13 years ago (2 trips a year apart) and then again last year. It's really grown a lot, but still has a small town feel. Zicatela, which was practically deserted when we first visited, is very lively now. There's a lot of development going on, but like I said, it's still a small town feel.
I doubt we'll go back again next year, at least not in March. (The big reason we went in March was that we had a really nice place to stay and we couldn't get it in February.) It was too hot for me, to be honest - if we didn't get up and go out early (before 8 AM), it was too hot to do anything until later in the day.
To answer Tarajane's question, I don't think any of the beach communities are my favourite places in Mexico. I really enjoyed the colonial cities, as well as Oaxaca. We always like Mexico City - amazing place to visit. (Hard to believe we were eating breakfast there yesterday!) Our cab driver to the airport was telling us about Zacatecas - that's a place I'd like to visit. Also San Cristobal ....... even after about 15 visits to Mexico, I've still got a list of places I want to see.
I doubt we'll go back again next year, at least not in March. (The big reason we went in March was that we had a really nice place to stay and we couldn't get it in February.) It was too hot for me, to be honest - if we didn't get up and go out early (before 8 AM), it was too hot to do anything until later in the day.
To answer Tarajane's question, I don't think any of the beach communities are my favourite places in Mexico. I really enjoyed the colonial cities, as well as Oaxaca. We always like Mexico City - amazing place to visit. (Hard to believe we were eating breakfast there yesterday!) Our cab driver to the airport was telling us about Zacatecas - that's a place I'd like to visit. Also San Cristobal ....... even after about 15 visits to Mexico, I've still got a list of places I want to see.
Mar 19th, 2006, 03:50 PM
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Thank you Susan - sounds as though Puerto Escondido is still worth going back to, even though it has become more developed.
I lived and worked in Cuernavaca for ~1 1/2 years and traveled extensively in Mexico during that time, and before and after. Curernavaca is a terrific place to live - the "land of eternal spring" - but it's probably not a great place for tourists, since most of the good stuff is hidden behind high walls.
In addition to the great places others have mentioned, you may want to try one of the following on your 16th, 17th, etc. trip - assuming you have alredy hit most of the more usual tourist spots.
1. Taxco during Semana Santa (Easter) - watch the positively Medieval reenactment by penitents of the march to the cross, complete with men flagellating themselves, carrying very heavy weights on their backs, cutting themselves with thorns ... It's horrifying, yet you can't stop looking. I guarantee it is a sight you will never forget!
2. Other smaller fiestas during the Saints Days of small (or medium sized) towns. You can probably find out what is going on at any particular time from the local tourist offices (there are fiestas all year rounf), or possibly on line. Or just look for notices or banners as you drive along. The bigger festivals are sometimes announced, e.g. by the tourist offices, but the little ones can be just as muich fun. Watch (and participate in) the festivities - they vary, but you can usually see dancers in costumes and masks, doing dances from that particular region - funkier and more fun than the Ballet Folklorico (although that is worth seeing, too). Most fiestas also have homemade fireworks (no safety measures there! - one of the favorites is to have somebody dressed as a bull who charges into the crowd and throws little firesrackers at them! Everybody is having a good time, and they always made me (an obvious gringa, although I spoke Spanish) feel welcome. Try the food being sold, but keep in mind a warning from my Mexican friends - for the sake of dietary health, be sure there is a water line going to the food stand - otherwise, the vendors are clearly not washing the dishes, pots etc.
3. Puebla - You have probably already seen the lovely Colonial architecture and eaten the food specialties of the region. But have you tried the bizarre specialties like fried grasshoppers (not a whole lot of taste, mostly just a crunchy vehicle for spicy sauce, to down with cerveza) and ant egges (escamole)? neither tastes liek chicken!
4. Tepoztlan - lovely small town just outside of Cuernavaca. When I was last there (~13 years ago), it was a combination of a sleepy rural town (hardly any paved roads, complete with animals wandering about) and an artist's colony, also a favorite weekend spot for people trying to escape the smog and crime of Mexico City. Nestled among the mountains, it is quite picturesque. There's a small pyramid on top of a mountain that you can go up to see; some new agers think tthat this spot is spiritual. There's not a whole lot to do. There is a lively market on weekends, with crafts, food, and the like. I saw an indigenous woman in front of a basket of writhing insects called triatoms - an ancient species that look like tiny armored trucks. When I asked what you did the these, she demonstrated how they are eaten: she tossed one up in the air, caught it and swallowed it - alive! She said you must swallow them quickly, to keep them from crawling back up your throat - yech!! I also go to know a grad student in archeology/musicology who was studying ancient instruments. He was selling models (the real ones are in museums) of a variety of instruments, and had fascinating tales to tell about them. Tepoztlan may not be a "destination" site, but it is certainly worth checking out if you are in the area.
Have fun!
I lived and worked in Cuernavaca for ~1 1/2 years and traveled extensively in Mexico during that time, and before and after. Curernavaca is a terrific place to live - the "land of eternal spring" - but it's probably not a great place for tourists, since most of the good stuff is hidden behind high walls.
In addition to the great places others have mentioned, you may want to try one of the following on your 16th, 17th, etc. trip - assuming you have alredy hit most of the more usual tourist spots.
1. Taxco during Semana Santa (Easter) - watch the positively Medieval reenactment by penitents of the march to the cross, complete with men flagellating themselves, carrying very heavy weights on their backs, cutting themselves with thorns ... It's horrifying, yet you can't stop looking. I guarantee it is a sight you will never forget!
2. Other smaller fiestas during the Saints Days of small (or medium sized) towns. You can probably find out what is going on at any particular time from the local tourist offices (there are fiestas all year rounf), or possibly on line. Or just look for notices or banners as you drive along. The bigger festivals are sometimes announced, e.g. by the tourist offices, but the little ones can be just as muich fun. Watch (and participate in) the festivities - they vary, but you can usually see dancers in costumes and masks, doing dances from that particular region - funkier and more fun than the Ballet Folklorico (although that is worth seeing, too). Most fiestas also have homemade fireworks (no safety measures there! - one of the favorites is to have somebody dressed as a bull who charges into the crowd and throws little firesrackers at them! Everybody is having a good time, and they always made me (an obvious gringa, although I spoke Spanish) feel welcome. Try the food being sold, but keep in mind a warning from my Mexican friends - for the sake of dietary health, be sure there is a water line going to the food stand - otherwise, the vendors are clearly not washing the dishes, pots etc.
3. Puebla - You have probably already seen the lovely Colonial architecture and eaten the food specialties of the region. But have you tried the bizarre specialties like fried grasshoppers (not a whole lot of taste, mostly just a crunchy vehicle for spicy sauce, to down with cerveza) and ant egges (escamole)? neither tastes liek chicken!
4. Tepoztlan - lovely small town just outside of Cuernavaca. When I was last there (~13 years ago), it was a combination of a sleepy rural town (hardly any paved roads, complete with animals wandering about) and an artist's colony, also a favorite weekend spot for people trying to escape the smog and crime of Mexico City. Nestled among the mountains, it is quite picturesque. There's a small pyramid on top of a mountain that you can go up to see; some new agers think tthat this spot is spiritual. There's not a whole lot to do. There is a lively market on weekends, with crafts, food, and the like. I saw an indigenous woman in front of a basket of writhing insects called triatoms - an ancient species that look like tiny armored trucks. When I asked what you did the these, she demonstrated how they are eaten: she tossed one up in the air, caught it and swallowed it - alive! She said you must swallow them quickly, to keep them from crawling back up your throat - yech!! I also go to know a grad student in archeology/musicology who was studying ancient instruments. He was selling models (the real ones are in museums) of a variety of instruments, and had fascinating tales to tell about them. Tepoztlan may not be a "destination" site, but it is certainly worth checking out if you are in the area.
Have fun!
