Our seven weeks in Mexico..
Nov 19th, 2018, 07:02 AM
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Our seven weeks in Mexico..
Firstly a big thankyou to all who contributed to my planning thread. Your help and guidances has proved invaluable.
We arrived 10 days ago and will be posting about our travels on our blog. The first post is already there @ https://accidentalnomads.com/2018/11...-we-had-known/ .
In addition my wife will be posting photos regularly on Instagram @ https://www.instagram.com/accidental.nomads/
I also plan on posting a few snippets here as we go.
First impressions? What an amazing country! Why did we leave it so long? The people have been incredibly friendly an welcoming wherever we have been, the food is excellent and we have already seen some fantastic sight.
Six day in Mexico City just wasn’t enough. Will definitely be returning for a second or third helping.
Currently in Guanajuato, a stunningly scenic town. We are staying at Casa Zuniga, a quirky place up by Monumento de Pipilia - very nice. Have had some fantastic food here, notably at Los Campos. Definitely worth a visit if in town. There is some sort of holiday weekend happening so the place is heaving and a lot of partying going on. Great fun.
Zacatecas was also incredible, if a lot quieter. We stayed at Hotel Terrasse, a bargain with nice large rooms and friendly owners. So much to see that we wished we had stayed a couple of extra days. Some world class museums here and the trip to Minas Eden was v. Interesting. Shame we didn’t have time to return to visit the nightclub in the mine - that would have been a first!
We arrived 10 days ago and will be posting about our travels on our blog. The first post is already there @ https://accidentalnomads.com/2018/11...-we-had-known/ .
In addition my wife will be posting photos regularly on Instagram @ https://www.instagram.com/accidental.nomads/
I also plan on posting a few snippets here as we go.
First impressions? What an amazing country! Why did we leave it so long? The people have been incredibly friendly an welcoming wherever we have been, the food is excellent and we have already seen some fantastic sight.
Six day in Mexico City just wasn’t enough. Will definitely be returning for a second or third helping.
Currently in Guanajuato, a stunningly scenic town. We are staying at Casa Zuniga, a quirky place up by Monumento de Pipilia - very nice. Have had some fantastic food here, notably at Los Campos. Definitely worth a visit if in town. There is some sort of holiday weekend happening so the place is heaving and a lot of partying going on. Great fun.
Zacatecas was also incredible, if a lot quieter. We stayed at Hotel Terrasse, a bargain with nice large rooms and friendly owners. So much to see that we wished we had stayed a couple of extra days. Some world class museums here and the trip to Minas Eden was v. Interesting. Shame we didn’t have time to return to visit the nightclub in the mine - that would have been a first!
Nov 19th, 2018, 07:42 AM
#2
Casa Zuniga is our go to place when we do an overnight in Guanajuato. Rick is a great host and a walking encyclopedia on Gto.
Today es "Día De La Revolución'.
I imagine you've already made good use of your fleece!
Today es "Día De La Revolución'.
I imagine you've already made good use of your fleece!
Nov 19th, 2018, 05:31 PM
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i felt the same way visiting Mexico for the first time back in 2003, why did I leave it for so long? And what blows my mind is after this year, my 5th time in the country, I feel I have so much left to explore! I just visited Zacatecas for the first time this year, to name one. Such a handsome colonial city! Glad you're doing this trip!
Nov 19th, 2018, 06:19 PM
#4
I look forward to following along. I’ve been back from San Cristobal for a week today. American “misplaced” my checked bag with, among other favorite things, my favorite oft-used fleece in it, but delivered to me 2 days later, happy traveler. During this week I located & bought both a car and a house, the issues that prevented me from staying until you got to SC. You’re going to love it, I know, wishing I was still there. I’m quite sure I’ll be going back.
Nov 22nd, 2018, 09:27 AM
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We are staying at Casa Zuniga in Feb. for 5 nights. Do you think I'll need a winter jacket in late Feb?
What did you eat at Los Campos, and do you have any other restaurant recommendations in Guanajuato?.
What did you eat at Los Campos, and do you have any other restaurant recommendations in Guanajuato?.
Nov 22nd, 2018, 02:51 PM
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I am no expert on Mexico’s weather, but it was very pleasant when we were there. 25c in te day cooler at night but still tee shirt weather - just. I imagine it would be warmer in Feb. In Zacatecas, which is around the same altitude, it was freezing at night - woolly hat and gloves one night!
We ate at Los Campos a couple of times, And tried the albondigas, burritos, a cheese fondue type thing, but quite frankly you can’t go far wrong. All freshly prepared and really, really tasty. We did get meat envy at one point as the waitress was blowtorching someone else’s double pork chop which did look fantastic. All artfully presented - If only I could find the photos!
Great cocktails and some nice Mexican wines and beers. The staff are incredibly knowledgeable. You really need to book though. Both times we turned up on spec and could only get a seat at the bar. Book well in advance if you can. They have apparently opened up at another location as well.
We also at at another of Ricks recs. Metiza - food was ok but not really to our taste, swimming in v. Sweet sauces.
A great place for lunch or early evening is Delicia Mitsu, a Japanese place, run by a Japanese guy, tucked away in a side alley. Best Japanese food we have had since Kyoto!
We ate at Los Campos a couple of times, And tried the albondigas, burritos, a cheese fondue type thing, but quite frankly you can’t go far wrong. All freshly prepared and really, really tasty. We did get meat envy at one point as the waitress was blowtorching someone else’s double pork chop which did look fantastic. All artfully presented - If only I could find the photos!
Great cocktails and some nice Mexican wines and beers. The staff are incredibly knowledgeable. You really need to book though. Both times we turned up on spec and could only get a seat at the bar. Book well in advance if you can. They have apparently opened up at another location as well.
We also at at another of Ricks recs. Metiza - food was ok but not really to our taste, swimming in v. Sweet sauces.
A great place for lunch or early evening is Delicia Mitsu, a Japanese place, run by a Japanese guy, tucked away in a side alley. Best Japanese food we have had since Kyoto!
Last edited by crellston; Nov 22nd, 2018 at 02:57 PM.
Nov 26th, 2018, 04:54 PM
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Looking forward to following your travels. I leave on Dec. 9 for 5 nights in Mexico City, followed by 3 nights in San Cristobal. I am so excited. Would love to hear about what you saw in Mexico City, where you ate and your overall impressions, which sound very enthusiastic!
Nov 27th, 2018, 05:07 AM
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Thanks for the tip Baldone. I was indeed born in Cornwall - our tin miners seemed to get everywhere!
Hi minnBeef. You are right to be excited, this is one amazing country! Loved Mexico City but it does need some careful planning to get it all in in 5 days - we had six and thought it was plenty of time - it wasn’t. Having said that, I did make some rookie mistakes. See my blog post linked in my first post above which highlights those mistakes and provides some tips on getting around the city.
If you have any interest in visiting Frida Kahlos house then do book online. The queues are horrendous. We tried to pop in on the off chance after our Saturday morning walk from the art and Artesania market in San Angel to Coyoacan ( lovely walk BTW) saw thes queues and spoke to someone who had already queued for two hours and still had a way to go!
Where to eat largely depends on where you are staying. We were in Roma Norte and were spoilt for choice with eating places.
I have just about finished our first "real" post our our time in the city which will go out today or tomorrow. I will post a link here.
Coincidentally we too arrive back in Mexico City on 9 Dec for one night en route from Oaxaca to San Miguel.
Currently in San Cristóbal staying at the wonderful Gaia B & B . Two places I would highly recommend. El Caldero for local and inexpensive, Mexican food and a nice wine bar, La Vina de Bacca. Some great wines by the glass or bottle with free tapas and also some other decent food on offer. SC is busier than expected but not unpleasantly so. Some fantastic markets and a real shoppers paradise, I think my wife is intent on buying all te Xmas presents here!
Hi minnBeef. You are right to be excited, this is one amazing country! Loved Mexico City but it does need some careful planning to get it all in in 5 days - we had six and thought it was plenty of time - it wasn’t. Having said that, I did make some rookie mistakes. See my blog post linked in my first post above which highlights those mistakes and provides some tips on getting around the city.
If you have any interest in visiting Frida Kahlos house then do book online. The queues are horrendous. We tried to pop in on the off chance after our Saturday morning walk from the art and Artesania market in San Angel to Coyoacan ( lovely walk BTW) saw thes queues and spoke to someone who had already queued for two hours and still had a way to go!
Where to eat largely depends on where you are staying. We were in Roma Norte and were spoilt for choice with eating places.
I have just about finished our first "real" post our our time in the city which will go out today or tomorrow. I will post a link here.
Coincidentally we too arrive back in Mexico City on 9 Dec for one night en route from Oaxaca to San Miguel.
Currently in San Cristóbal staying at the wonderful Gaia B & B . Two places I would highly recommend. El Caldero for local and inexpensive, Mexican food and a nice wine bar, La Vina de Bacca. Some great wines by the glass or bottle with free tapas and also some other decent food on offer. SC is busier than expected but not unpleasantly so. Some fantastic markets and a real shoppers paradise, I think my wife is intent on buying all te Xmas presents here!
Nov 27th, 2018, 04:55 PM
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I love Mexico. I've visited all of the places that you're planning to visit, except Zacatecas. I know I definitely haven't spent enough time in Mexico City. The last few years, we've been going to Merida in the Yucatan. I've had problems with my knees and Merida "works" for me - there's enough to see and do, but I also don't feel too badly taking it easy because we've been there a few time. Plus it's only takes a little over 4 hours to fly there from Toronto, which is definitely nice.
We were fortunate when we went to see Frida Kahlo's house. I think it was back in 2002 (before I saw Salma Hayek's movie) and there was literally no lineup! I loved seeing the movie afterwards
We were fortunate when we went to see Frida Kahlo's house. I think it was back in 2002 (before I saw Salma Hayek's movie) and there was literally no lineup! I loved seeing the movie afterwards
Nov 29th, 2018, 04:42 AM
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Zacatecas and San Cristobal are both on my to do list, but the travel logistics have never meshed with where else we were visiting in Mexico. For those that have been to either, did you fly or go by bus, and how much of a hassle was it? I assume if flying you have to go through MEX.
Nov 29th, 2018, 07:29 AM
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MinnBeef, here is the link to our CDMX blog post I promised https://accidentalnomads.com/2018/11...l-mexico-city/
Susan, loved that Frida film, we watched it just before we left. I thought Salta Hayek and Alfred Molinos were brilliantly cast and excellent in the movie. Interesting to here you loved Merida as that is on our list for next year along with a few other places in the Yucatan.
If you have problems with your knees then Zacatecas may be best avoided - all hills and steps!
hi ShelleyK . We vacillated on Zacatecas but we’re so glad we made it there. A lovely city that doesn’t get too many foreign visitors. Some world class museums. We went directly from terminal Norte in Mexico City by ETN bus. Very comfortable and took around 7 hours. We then worked our way back to Puebla via Guanajuato (4hours) and Queretaro from where it was about three hours to Puebla. Alternatively, I think you can fly to León and bus from there. I think our way was easier.
We are in San Cristóbal at present. We opted for a volaris flight from MEX of 1.5 hours. In hindsight, I think the 12 hour overnight bus from CDMX or Puebla would have been a nicer journey and probably, in terms of door to door time, would have been around the same time travelling.
If flying from Zacatecas, yes, I would think you would have to route through MEX.
Susan, loved that Frida film, we watched it just before we left. I thought Salta Hayek and Alfred Molinos were brilliantly cast and excellent in the movie. Interesting to here you loved Merida as that is on our list for next year along with a few other places in the Yucatan.
If you have problems with your knees then Zacatecas may be best avoided - all hills and steps!
hi ShelleyK . We vacillated on Zacatecas but we’re so glad we made it there. A lovely city that doesn’t get too many foreign visitors. Some world class museums. We went directly from terminal Norte in Mexico City by ETN bus. Very comfortable and took around 7 hours. We then worked our way back to Puebla via Guanajuato (4hours) and Queretaro from where it was about three hours to Puebla. Alternatively, I think you can fly to León and bus from there. I think our way was easier.
We are in San Cristóbal at present. We opted for a volaris flight from MEX of 1.5 hours. In hindsight, I think the 12 hour overnight bus from CDMX or Puebla would have been a nicer journey and probably, in terms of door to door time, would have been around the same time travelling.
If flying from Zacatecas, yes, I would think you would have to route through MEX.
Nov 29th, 2018, 04:54 PM
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Crellston, thank you for that blog link. Great photos! As my flight touches down in the late afternoon, my 5 nights translates really to 4 full days. Not enough time but I plan to fit in a lot. Priorities are visiting the Basilica Senora Guadeloupe on Dec. 12 (Virgin of Guadeloupe day), the National Archeological museum, the Frida Kahlo museum, the Trotsky museum and of course a street food tour. I also have reservations one evening at Pujol for the omakasse taco offering.
Looking forward to next checking out your blog about San Cristobal.
Looking forward to next checking out your blog about San Cristobal.
Nov 29th, 2018, 05:01 PM
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The markets in San Cristobal de las Casas are remarkable, aren't they? I'm so glad my stay there was near the end of my trip to Mexico, as I did virtually all my holiday shopping there. And my trip was in spring!
Dec 1st, 2018, 06:34 PM
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MinnBeef, here is the link to our CDMX blog post I promised https://accidentalnomads.com/2018/11...l-mexico-city/
If you have problems with your knees then Zacatecas may be best avoided - all hills and steps!.
If you have problems with your knees then Zacatecas may be best avoided - all hills and steps!.
