Wanted: Independent travel tips for Mexico

Old Jul 28th, 2003, 12:47 PM
  #21  
 
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If you want a cultural and colonial filled vacation, I recommend Puebla, Puebla and Taxco, Guerrero... If you arrive at MC airport, and take a bus in the airport's internal bus station to Puebla (it would be in Estrella Roja Bus line $10.5 per person, 2 hours time ), you can reserve Hotel rooms at the Bus Station or do it online at: www.hotelesmexico.com where you can see different options.(or go with mayor hotel chains if you want to play it safe)
In Puebla you can visit the beautiful zocalo (Downtown) area, where gothic and precolonial churches can be found, The Amparo Museum, were a varied type of permanent and temporary Pre-Hispanic exhibitions are shown, the Sapos (Toads) area with antiques and bohemian artists showing their prized possessions, as well, don't forget to drink a colorful beverage in "La pasita Bar", or buy in the souvenir laden "El Parian".
Go to Cholula a few minutes away, where you can visit an ancient Pyramid zone, topped by a colonial church, go to Cholula's zocalo and hear trova music and great drinks at "la Enamorada bar", or eat regional food in "El gueros" restaurant. If not afraid of Montezuma?s revenge, eat at stalls near the Mercado (local Market) of course if you?re thirsty for adventure, go to the skirts of the Popocatepetl active Volcano and do some trekking, or mountain biking.
Or visit Taxco, Guerrero, the silver capital of Mexico, take an authorized taxi to ?la Central del Sur? (Southern bus station), there you go to the ?Primera plus area? (First Class section) and buy a ticket to Taxco (around 15 dlls) where you can find the smallest of earrings to silver statuettes, all encompassed in a Colonial town, with great cuisine. I personally recommend, Pozoleria Tia Calla, where you can eat regional Mexican cuisine, in a clean, family environment, if you?re up to Taxcan/Veggie food, go to Sasha?s, or pizza at Pizza pasa, where you have a panoramic view of the plaza and Taxco?s famous Santa Prisca church. Extra time? visit the Cacahuamilpa caves or finish your journey going to Acapulco and getting some fun in the sun.

TIPS: Smell the food, even locals smell for stale or rancid (regarding salsa?s), buy bottled drinks a/o water.
Don?t go around late at night, if not in groups locals don?t do it either.
Always take authorized Taxis. (in Mexico City), taxis are safe in Taxco and cheap. And in Puebla negotiate the rate before you get on the cab 20 to 35 pesos ( 2 to 3.5 dollars) is ok for the fare.

Have a great trip!
sol_veracruzano is offline  
Old Sep 5th, 2003, 12:58 PM
  #22  
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Okay, for all those who have made suggestions, I have pretty much settled on an itinerary:

Fly direct to PV, overnight near airport and then to Guanajuato
Guanajuato for a week of Spanish classes, day trip to SMA
MC 3 days
Guadalajara 3 days
Some fishing village near PV 3 days
Casa Andrea for 1 week.

So now I need some ideas on accommodations near PV airport, in MC and Guadalajara, and some fishing villages near PV. In the $50-75 a night range, quiet, walking distance from restaurants, a neighbourhood with character.
Carolred is offline  
Old Sep 5th, 2003, 03:12 PM
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In Mexico City, we stay at the Hotel Catedral - it's behind the big cathedral at the zocalo. The zocalo is the historic centre of Mexico City and very interesting. I can't remember the price of the hotel - maybe about $45 - $50 USD? It's comfortable and clean. They have a website and I've booked by e-mail in the past. We've stayed there a couple of times. Another hotel that is similar (I think) is Hotel Gillow. I believe they are both run by the same people and if you go to their website, you can see both.

In Guadalajara, we stayed in a small cheap hotel right in the city - it was ok, very clean, but if I were going again, I think I'd like to stay in Tlaquepaque. That area is terrific for shopping and you could easily take a taxi into the centre for sightseeing.

For a fishing village outside of PV, I'd recommend Sayulita. There are lots of places you can find on the web - a good website is www.vrbo.com - many listings for Sayulita. We had a place overlooking the Pacific and it was gorgeous!

Your trip sounds wonderful!
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Old Sep 9th, 2003, 10:30 AM
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Hi again Susan. I had seen the Hotel Cathedral in several guidebooks and it is great to see a personal endorsement. I had read something about the bells of the Cathedral being annoying?

I had read some old posts where you and others raved about Tlaquepaque and thought about staying there... I found some web sites for B&B's in Tlaquepaque but pricey!
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Old Sep 9th, 2003, 02:07 PM
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We've stayed at the Hotel Catedral a couple of times and never noticed a problem with the cathedral bells. The second time, we were actually overlooking the cathedral, which was a good thing as there was a lot of construction going on in the street. (I expect that's over - it was in February.) The hotel doesn't have A/C - Mexico City tends to cool down at night, especially in the winter, so we did have the windows open. Actually we were surprised by how the street was. But you could check the Gillow - it has the same management, I believe, and is a couple of blocks away.

Tlaquepaque does seem pricy, I agree. We looked at the web for B&B's - probably saw the same sites as you, and we decided we didn't want to spend the $. But it is a nice area. On the other hand, you could stay in the city and just got out for a day trip.
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Old Jan 30th, 2020, 02:00 PM
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Nevermind..Old post

Last edited by mlgb; Jan 30th, 2020 at 02:05 PM.
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