I am really struggling with this one. I want to visit Mexico, but the choices are overwhelming!!!! Both my husband and I speak fluent spanish, so I know we will be okay regardless, but where do you suggest for our first trip? I thought about a cruise, but after doing some research it seems like the areas frequented by cruise ship travelers are more touristy and we would like to experience a true mexican culture. Like I said, we can communicate, now the questions is where can we find culture, great food, shopping, etc. I have heard alot aobout Merida, and that is a possibility. Please tell me your favorite places and why. Happy travels.

I like Isla Mujeres. If you stay in La Gloria or one of the colonias, you can live like a local, yet you're only a 2 dollar cab ride from all the tourist stuff. Lots of shopping, restaurants and beaches downtown. Peace and quiet and great shelling in La Gloria. We stayed at Casitas del Mar and would love to return. NAYY-just a big fan.

Mountain Mexico
1.Patzcuaro/Morelia/Uruapan
2. Guadalajara
3. Mexico City
4 Oaxaca
Beach Mexico
1.Zihutanaejo
2.Manzanillo
3.Puerto Vallarta
4.La Paz

Guadalajara (culture) and Puerto Vallarta (great restaurants, shopping, beach) make a good combination.

Merida gets positive comments, but I think you'd want to pair it up with a couple other places. I don't think it's a whole trip on its own.

La Paz on the Baja was very nice for a couple relaxing weeks, but I didn't really find cultural or great food there per se.

(Definitely don't do a cruise, it will not give you the experience you are seeking.)

Merida is a really fun city and you can visit the Mayan "Hill Country" (Uxmal) easily and Chichen Itza from there if you're into ruins. There is also a town called Valladolid near Chichen Itza that has some colonial stuff.

Food's very good there, as it is near enough to the coast to get good seafood. And you can drive around the Yucatan, unlike much of Mexico.

Don't forget Mexico City, if you're interested in good food, culture, etc. As long as you don't do anything that you wouldn't do in, say downtown Atlanta, you'll be o.k. However, don't try to catch cabs on the street--use the ones in the hotel cue or ask the restaurant, museum, etc. to call you a cab. Anyway, the subways go most everywhere and are pretty safe.
Mexico City is in many ways my favorite city.

Both Merida and Mexico City have good shopping.

I just got back from a trip to La Paz and thought it was really great. The town is not very touristy at all, and the surrounding beaches are amazing (and not very crowded). The best thing was the day trip we took to Espiritu Santo--got to snorkel with a whale shark and sea lions, kayak around the deserted shores. I would actually love to have done a multi-day trip out there if I'd had time.

For info/pics from my trip:
http://patrinadoestheglobe.blogspot.com/

Oh man there are so many good places, but i have to say that one of my favourites cities is Mazatlan, i mean, have you ever imagined waking up every morning to warm ocean breeze and the sound of the surf crashing on the beach? OMG it is the best down there. Specially right now cuz there are so many good projects going on, my family just bought a condo at this new tower called Torrenza, it will be the tallest building in the whole pacific with the craziest most amazing panoramic beach front view of the sea. They´re building it right now but i can´t wait to get there and enjoy the whole thing.

here's your other thread with the same question

Whereever you decide....DO NOT do a cruise! It has nothing to do with experiencing a country and everything to do with avoiding contact with locals or the culture. Merida gets high marks.

Have a look at LocoGringo.com for some of the small beach towns on the Carribbean side.