10 things to do in Mexico

Mexico is somewhere that’s always been high up on my bucket list, and I’m always looking to add more places to my itinerary for my next trip there, whether it be a place to visit, things to do or somewhere to stay. I do this through researching other blogs on Pinterest, scrolling travel destination pages on Instagram and taking note of any recommendations I hear from people and compiling them into a google maps folder and this helps me to come up with a vague route for touring a country. I will link my Wanderin’ Mexico guide in this post where you’ll find a lot more than 10 things to do in Mexico.

1. Release baby turtles into the sea

There are lots of places in Mexico where you can do this, but ‘Campamento Tortuguero “Vive Mar” Liberación de tortugas’ has been highly recommended to me. Located on Playa Bacocho in Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, it is just 100 MXP to release a baby turtle into the wild (that’s just over £3.50 or just under $5). The work they do is vital in restoring the local ecosystem and boosting the population of these endangered animals.

2. Swim with bioluminescent plankton

There are many places all across the world where you can do this, Puerto Escondido Mexico is one of the best places to do it. Here you’ll be swimming in a natural, hot-spring fed lake rather than the sea, which is one of the main reasons people travel to this area of Oaxaca as opposed to other places around the globe.

3. Visit one of the many Mayan Ruins sites

The most well known ruins in Mexico is probably Chitchén-Itzá, however, there are so many less well known sites with fewer visitors and they won’t feel over-crowded or over-photographed like some popular tourist attractions. Observatorio Astronómico de Cobá, archaeological site, Quintana Roo, Mexico is one of these less visited sites, but this by no means there’s not much to see. Many of the review say it can take around 2 hours to see all parts of these ruins and that they’re very well maintained. There are also many other archaeological sites listed in my Wanderin’ Mexico guide.

4. Go freediving in a cenote

Cenote is a local term describing natural pits and sinkholes used by the ancient Maya as a fresh water supply and sometimes sacrificial offerings in the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico. There are over 6000 cenotes in Mexico, most of which are hardly visited by tourist, whilst others can be overcrowded with people trying to get that insta shot. I have linked many cenotes in my map, however, most are not on google and the best spots can often be found just driving along roads and seeing signs, many of which are under 100 MXP to enter! Personally, I’ll always choose quieter spots over the instagramable spots, but that’s probably down to the fact I love discovering ‘hidden gems’.

5. Eat as much local food as possible!

Like most people, I LOVE Mexican food and some of the best ways to immerse yourself in a countries culture is to explore the street food and local markets. Top of my list to try are sopecitos, mole sauce (mole often has chocolate in and is usually used on savoury dishes), gorditas and atole (which is a warm cornmeal beverage). Street markets in Mexico can be super affordable, I have watched many street food tours on YouTube, most of the time they spend around 350 MXP for 2 people in one day (that’s just over £6 or $8.50 each!), this being wayyyy more food than they’d eat on a regular day too as it’s showing as many options as possible.

Want my Wanderin’ Mexico Guide? Click this link and have fun Wanderin’!

6. Do a Mexican cooking class

This may not be on everyone’s list, but I’m definitely doing a cooking class at some point because I know I will be craving all the food when I go back home! I wouldn’t say I’m a ‘foodie’ but I do love cooking and I love Mexican food. I also think it would be a great way to save some money by cooking in airbnbs and hostels rather than going out every night, but still managing to dine on local cuisine.

7. Visit the petrified waterfall of Hierve el Agua

This natural phenomenon is one of the two petrified waterfalls in the world. There are two cliffs here, the larger is a rock formation that looks like water flowing off a waterfall, the second has several man made pools to take a dip in, however, despite the name, these pools are known to be rather chilly so it’s recommended that you go on a hot day to cool off.

8. Wander around Mexico City doing your own street art tour

Mexico City, like many cities in Mexico, has a growing graffiti scene. There are guided tours you can pay for, however, I much prefer wandering around discovering artwork myself, I often do this on trips to London. This way you save money, and you can familiarise yourself with the city better than a guided tour, as I always find I don’t pay attention to where I’m going if someone’s showing me around.

9. Visit Tlacolula Market on a Sunday afternoon

Just outside Oaxaca City, there is a small town called Tlacolula where the largest indigenous market is held on Sundays. Stretching 1.5 miles, this huge market has everything you could imagine. It’s a great place to sample authentic street food, purchase fresh produce or buy some souvenirs or update your backpacker wardrobe (I will definitely be doing this!)

10. Swim with Whale Sharks

If you have read my About Me page, you will know that at the very top of my bucket list is swimming with Whale Sharks, and one of the best places to do this is Mexico. Between October and February, La Paz on the Baja Peninsula, or from mid-May to July, Isla Holbox (North of Cancun) are the best places to do this. Personally, I would like to go to Isla Holbox as there are many places on the island I’d love to visit as well.

Want my Wanderin’ Mexico Guide? Click this link and have fun wanderin’!