Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - How much time is enough for Mexico?

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How much time is enough for Mexico?

I am planning my 3-month trip to South America and Asia, and I am trying to decide how much time will be enough to explore Mexico on my own. I am interested in the places that show the authentic Mexican culture (like little villages, but also idilic beaches), and not big and commercialised places like Cancun. I will be moving around by bus (I’ve heard they are good in Mexico) and staying in B&B if possible. I was thinking about 10 – 15 dyas … will that be enough not to be rushing from one place to another?! Thank you for your help. -Chloe

I visited some southern states Tobasco, Campeche, Merida, Quintana Roo. That took me two months. Would suggest 6 months to one year in Mexico as it is so fascinating. Don't really believe in rushing around. Half the mexican way is to sit on a chair / hammock on a veranda and watch the rest of the world. Unless you have specific things you want to see in South America I would recommend Central America first. South America's sights ( Angel falls, Iguasu falls, Nazca lines, Macchu Picchu, Moreno glacier etc. ) are all many miles apart. Mexico and Central American sights are closer together and easier to see in a short time. Plus the countries themselves are friendlier ( caveat: El Salvador ). When I was in South America people told me they whizzed through Central America because it was boring. They're either stupid or blind. The buses are indeed good in Mexico but you still have to be careful about your luggage down in the luggage hold. Be aware that Mexico is very regionalised southern culture is different to northern culture each one different but authentic.

chloe...i sure hope this is a joke or you need to do A LOT more research before travelling.

Chloe, It would not only be "rushing from one place to another", it would be absolutely impossible! Mexico is a HUGE country. You might pick one smaller area for a 10-15 day stay (i.e., Oaxaca, the Baja, Yucatan peninsula, southern Pacific coast). Or -better yet- my advice is since you are coming off a 3-month trip that already includes BOTH SA and Asia, skip Mexico. Next time you get 3 months to travel THEN go to Mexico and spend the entire time there (and even that won't scratch the surface!) -Susan

Chloe, Did you have a specific area of Mexico in mind? For 10-15 days, I would just stick to one region. You may want to consider the Yucatan/Quintana Roo area - you can explore Mayan villages, ruins, and spend some time on the beach (some of the best beaches in Mexico IMO). There are lots of small, quiet beach communities along the coast that are nothing like Cancun (and have been around a lot longer).

Hello Chloe, May I suggest Mexico City to get a taste of MOST of Mexico for about a 5days, then you can side trip from Mexico City to states like Veracruz, Oaxaca, etc. etc. you can spend a day or a few days in these side trip places. Goodluck!

Chloe: Mexico is a big country. I do not know all the cities and towns even in my own state! May be you can arrive at Mexico City and visit some of the sites Just to have an idea of one of the biggest cities in the world. Well that's what they claim to be. Then take a bus to Puebla City, it is about 2 hours. It is better and safer if you take the bus at the airport, always take first class bus. I did it last year that way. Puebla is a beautiful city! I love it, it has a lot of history, about 15 min you have Cholula. You can visit tlaxcala just visit ok? In one day trip. Also you can go to Oaxaca. I haven't been there but I know it is beautiful state!. Or you can go to the other side to Veracruz! Yes! I am from that state. Veracruz Puerto is very intersting. It is one of the main puertos in Mexico. We have tourist but still keeps the authentic flavor of a mexican town. About 4 hours you can get to Gutierrez Zamora, Tecolutla and Papantla. Near Papantla are the piramids of El Tajin. In Gutierrez Zamora and Papantla you can find vanilla. In tecolutla you have the beach, and with a little luck you may think is your private beach. If you want more info on this region you can read http://www.mexconnect.com/mex_/travel/dhughson/dhveracruz.html Cancun to me is beautiful but it is like I am not in mexico any more. Merida is a lovely town we call it La ciudad Blanca ( The white city). Tabasco is ok, very hot and humid, lots of mosquitos. more then any place else I have been. Can't tell you to much about it because I just went for vacation for 3 days. Definetly you have to pick some places and plan in advance. I suggest to do a search in the internet to know more about the places we all suggested and plan the time to get to the cities you pick and the time you want to spend in each one. Good luck! yoly I hope this can help you to plan your trip

thank you all for your replies - i took note of all your suggestions and will start now investigating how to divide my time in mexico very appreciated; thanks!! -Chloe