Mexico in 8 days
 

Hi,

This is my first time on the forum and first time visiting Mexico. My husband and I want to visit Mexico but are not too sure on what to visit. When we travel we want to discover how others live in the country and at the same time would like maybe a day or two to visit the beach. Very open to any suggestions.

https://www.amazon.com/Peoples-Guide.../dp/1598809601

I suggest reading The People's Guide to Mexico as a way to get acquainted with the options. Mexico is a huge, diverse country. There are literally 100s of places that could fit your request.

Oh and WELCOME to Fodor's!

Thank you! I will definitely read it.

Others will be along soon to chime in with their favorite places that might fit your wish list.

My experience is limited because, while I do go to Mexico twice a year, I consider Puerto Vallarta my home-away-from-home and most often just head there.

Sounds like you are looking for a more diverse experience.

You should decide on a region with only 8 days. Puerto Vallarta is a nice place with good restaurants, and you can do day trips to places like San Sebastien, Yelapa, etc.
My personal preference is the Riviera Maya south of Playa del Carmen (PDC also has lots of good restaurants as well) which you could combine with a day or two in Valladolid, nice colonial city close to the ruins at Chichen Itza and Ek Balam and could also visit the flamingos at Rio Lagarto.
Time of year is also important, some times of year are much busier than others (Easter, Christmas and New Years, etc.).

I would recommend that you consult some guidebooks in your local library and see what appeals most to you.

You can discover how people live any/everywhere really. By getting off the tourist path and looking around, even doing some type of volunteer opportunity.

Do you have a preference for major cities (Mexico City, Guadalajara) or the colonial cities/towns (Guanajuato, Puebla, Oaxaca, Merida)?

Beach towns east coast include Playa del Carmen, Isla Mujeres, Cozumel, Akumal, Tulum.

On the Baja and Pacific Coast: La Paz, Los Cabos, Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta, Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo, Acapulco.

First visit I would choose PV or Zihuatanejo. If you had longer I would add a inland city such as MC, GTO or Guadalajara,
I am now into pus 30 years with much yet to see & experience!

Much will depend on what time of year you're thinking of going, or where you'll be visiting from. Pretty much all of the mainland coastal areas will be brutally hot and humid in the summer, while the highland colonial cites are surprisingly cool during the summer months
For first timers that also want beach time, I would recommend Puebla, Oaxaca, then Huatulco. Such an itinerary would let you experience some of the best colonial architecture in Mexico and arguably the most unique, regional foods. Oaxaca has some of the most diverse offerings of crafts, dance, culture, music, all within a relatively small area. Not to mention mescal. From Oaxaca city you can fly to Huatulco in about 45 minutes.

Suze, you mentioned a number of places. Such as Mexico City, Puebla, Guanajuato, Merida, Oaxaca, PDC, Isla Mujeres, etc. In your personal experience, do you recommend one place over another?

Suze is an experienced traveller baldone, I am certain that she will come up with first hand experiences and comments from all of these wonderful destinations...

IMO Oaxaca is a poor choice for a first time visitor.
Although there s much to recommend it with magnificent ruins, wonderful craft villages & fabulous food the almost constant upheaval demonstrations would be distressing to all but the most seasoned traveler. While I greatly enjoyed much of the area even with lots of travel experience the open prostitution,abject poverty (many folks eating out of garbage cans), small kids selling junk souvenirs 12 hours a day on the streets when they should be in school the off and on blockage of street routs including access to the airport can be very frustrating & distressing.
And yes I spent 6 weeks there a couple of years ago.

I have no personal experience. I never said I did.

Do you see the word "recommend" anywhere in my post.

These people are not familiar with Mexico and were asking for ideas.

So I named off a few popular destinations.

And yes anyone could pick up a guidebook and find out the same information there. But they asked us.

This is not a contest. There is not only one right answer to any inquiry. You don't need to fight to the finish trying to prove you are always right on every single thread on this forum.

Sometimes people post a general question like this as a way to begin their planning, sometimes before doing any research at all. They said they had no idea where to visit within Mexico.

We have no way of knowing & they gave no indication of prior research (like asking about particular cities or itineraries) and said they are "very open to any suggestions".

So a list of interesting places to fit there request would be helpful, instead of bickering among ourselves.

I think the Yucatan would be a good idea for the OP, combining beach and Maya culture.

I only see it as a problem when people misrepresent themselves. Pretending it is first hand information when it is not.

I see nothing wrong with posting: "I have never been to Mexico City but have read and heard from friends that it is fascinating. I'd love to go sometime."

Or if a posts asks what are the two largest cities in Mexico, to answer the question even though I have never been to the DF or Guadalajara. It's a fact not an opinion.

<its because they want a whole lot more than your personal opinion>

You don't know what that.

They liked the idea of reading an overview guidebook about the country as per my first post suggestion. Reading "A People's Guide..." that's the last we've heard back from them.

You will also notice they have not returned. Perhaps reading a bunch of off-topic personal attacks isn't what they are looking for either.

Since Suze admits her some what limited experience on many locations her stating information does zero harm. Anybody can accept or reject her information as they wish. Why a couple of people get so upset about this is beyond me. Some evidently wish to be in charge of all.