Things to Do in Mexico

Located at the heart of Mexico City in the center of the Aztec capital Tenochtitlan, Plaza de la Constitucion—better known as Zocalo—is where old and new Mexico meet. Pre-Hispanic ruins exist side-by-side with impressive colonial structures, and white-collar workers stroll among cultural performers and traditional art vendors. This city-block square is also a gathering place for political protest and cultural celebration—and it’s an ideal spot to savor the flavor of real Mexico City.

Tour nearby Palacio Nacional, just east of Zocalo, where massive murals by Diego Rivera depict the nation’s vibrant history. Next, pass through the doors of Catedral Matropolitana for a look at religious colonial art and impressive golden altars. When it’s time for a break head to the Gran Hotel Ciudad de Mexico, where incredible views and strong drinks from the terrace bar round out the perfect day.

If you're looking for guaranteed pink flamingo sightings, a trip out to Celustun is your best bet. There's a pleasant enough beach where you can spread out a blanket, look for shells, or go swimming, but the main reason to visit is to hire a boat captain to take your party out on a flamingo tour. You head into a lagoon area where the big pink birds hang out each day, flying around and settling down in shallow areas in large groups to look for food. It's rare to come here and not see a few dozen flamingoes in bunches as you troll around on the boat.

The tour also usually includes a "petrified forest" with mangrove stumps sticking out of the mud and a visit to a swimming hole on land filled by cool, clear spring water. It's a great place to cool off from the viewing time in the hot sun. Afterwards there are a variety of inexpensive seafood restaurants near the beach and town square, all serving shrimp ceviche, fresh-caught fish from the Gulf of Mexico, and cold beer or margaritas.

Past the eastern end of the Plaza Tapatía, you'll find the Hospicio Cabañas Cultural Institute. A UNESCO World Heritage site, the massive stone building was constructed in 1805, but its fortress-like appearance gives it a more ancient air.

Bishop Juan Cruz Ruiz de Cabañas y Crespo founded the institute as an orphanage and home for the elderly and homeless. He called it la Casa de la Misericordia, or The House of Mercy. Interrupted occasionally by major wars and revolutions, the building functioned as an orphanage for nearly two hundred years until 1980, when the children were moved to a more modern location. Today the gracious old building hosts art exhibits, art and music classes, and an art cinema.

The cultural institute now contains 23 courtyards, a theater, a collection of folk art and a regular roster of temporary exhibits, but it's best known for a chapel adorned with 57 frescos by world renowned muralist Jose Clemente Orozco. The site also houses the world's largest collection of the Orozco's drawings. Guided tours of the building and murals are available on the half hour.

These two very different destinations, flowing together along a gorgeous stretch of the Mayan Riviera, make up one of the most attractive ports of call on the Mexican Riviera. Zihuatanejo, or "Zihua," is still a quaint fishing village, though growing into a small city. Its stunning shore has been occupied since pre-Columbian times, and the entire town retains an authentic Mexican feel, with traditional markets, regional seafood recipes, and a relaxed atmosphere.

Ixtapa, on the other hand, is a planned resort town, perhaps a bit sterile but perfect for vacationers who are looking for convenient, family-friendly access to truly beautiful beaches, a picturesque marina, and a wide selection of comfortable hotels. The two towns are only three miles apart, so day-trippers can easily explore both.

How to Get to Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo

You'll arrive in the tender port of Zihuatanejo, which most day-trippers prefer to resort-lined Ixtapa. Most of Zihua's attractions, mainly beaches, shops, and restaurants, are walking distance from the pier. Boat taxis can take you to prettier, more pristine beaches, including those of Isla Ixtapa. It's a three-mile walk or inexpensive cab ride to Ixtapa proper, with more upscale shopping, a fine marina, and other appealing beaches. Seasoned travelers who speak a bit of Spanish will have no problem using cheap public buses that connect the two towns.

One Day in Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo

There are nice beaches, shops, and even an archaeological museum close to the wharf. Most can be reached on foot along Zihuatanejo's malecón, Paseo del Pescador (Fisherman's Walk), lined with thatch-roofed seafood restaurants and handicraft stands selling the region's attractive rugs, hammocks, shell art, pottery, and other artesanías.

Better beaches are accessible by boat, including Ixtapa Island, with four unspoiled stretches of white sand and coral reefs just perfect for snorkeling; and popular, palm-lined Playa Las Gatas, with calm, sapphire water protected by a reef that explored by snorkel and diving outfits set up onshore. Other activities include horseback riding, surfing, wildlife watching, golfing, sportfishing, zip-line canopy tours, and much more.

Stationed just beyond the small mountain town of Garcia, about 30 kilometers outside of Monterrey, Parque Grustas de Garcia in Cumbres de Monterrey National Park is a popular destination among travelers to northern Mexico. The picturesque caves house 16 different chambers, including el salon de la luz, where natural light cascades down through the rock ceiling onto the cave floor below. Several other natural rock formations, like El Nacimiento (the Nativity) and La Torre China (the Chinese Tower) make for unique photo ops reminiscent of haunted deserts well below the surface of this spectacular park.

With its remote location, hidden away in the Lacandon Jungle, it's not surprising that Bonampak was only discovered by explorers in 1946. Encompassing a mere 2.4 square kilometers, the ancient Mayan settlement pales in comparison to the sprawling ruins of nearby Yaxchilán, but despite its diminutive status, Bonampak still stands out.

A deserted stretch of sand just a few decades ago, the Golden Zone of Mazatlan is now the area where package tourists spend most of their time. Lined with hotels, restaurants, and bars, it pulses with activity from the morning until the wee hours. All the usual watersports are on offer and sailing trips depart to nearby islands.

Playa Los Sabalos is the center of the zone and is the best area for swimming, with a surf that is calm most of the time.  There are plenty of choices for toes-in-sand dining and drinking, as well as discos that are pumping at night.

Playa las Gaviotas offers more of the same, but has rougher waters and can be more crowded because of the size of the hotels fronting it. You can walk from one to the other along miles of golden sand or catch an open-air taxi called a pulmonia.

While this area of Mazatlan has gone through several periods of ascent and decline, a government focus on restoration incentives and sensible zoning laws has resulted in spruced-up buildings that are also functional. The exteriors remain historic, but inside the owners have flexibility in making the (often deteriorated) space work for current needs. So there's a good range of nightclubs, boutiques, galleries, restaurants, and residences. Many buildings in the Old Mazatlan area date from the late 1800s and early 1900s, when the bustling port city was wealthy from shrimp, fish, minerals, and an iron foundry.

The historic sights of Old Mazatlan are concentrated in a rather limited area near the Plazuela Machado, a small, tree-filled square with a wrought-iron kiosk in the center. Nearby is the ornate, neoclassical Teatro Angela Peralta, which opened in the 1860s and was later renamed for the singer: she died of yellow fever a few days before she was to perform here.

On the edge of the historic district are several other spots worth the walk. The late 1800s church here is an oddity in several respects, including Moorish touches and even Stars of David by the door. The main zocolo is not nearly as attractive as Plazuela Machado, but is a good spot for watching how the locals bide their time.

Credited with making peace, ending plagues, healing broken bones, and raising the dwindling waters of Lake Chapala, the Virgin of Zapopan is the official patroness of Guadalajara and the state of Jalisco, defender "against storms, lightning, and epidemics." The tiny painted statue is crafted of wood and hardened corn husks. Brought to Jalisco in 1541 by a Franciscan missionary, she was the first Catholic icon to gain widespread acceptance from the region's native tribes. In times of need, the virgin is removed from her sanctuary and paraded through the city. "The Queen of Jalisco" is credited with hundreds of miracles and civic accomplishments. When Mexico achieved independence from Spain, the new government named her "General of the Army of the State," and, with due pomp and ceremony, dressed her appropriately in a tiny general's sash.

Over the past 500 odd years, the virgin has received many distinguished visitors, including Pope John Paul II. In the winter you can visit her at her home, the Basilica of Zapopan.

Located approximately four miles (7 km) northwest of the city center, the baroque basilica was completed in 1730. On October 12 of every year, the church is the site of a massive pilgrimage: Hundreds of thousands of people gather to march the virgin back home after her annual six month tour of the city's other churches.

Better known as Plaza Grande, Plaza Principal, or just “the main square” by English speakers, this has been the center of Merida since the cathedral was finished in the late 1500s. It’s a pleasant place to sit and watch the locals and visitors in action, with families enjoying a bag of popcorn or popsicles from the excellent paleta shop on one side. There are cafes on the edge in the shade for a leisurely drink or bite to eat and several main shopping and dining streets branch off from here.

On one corner you can hire a carriage driver to give you a tour up to Paseo de Montejo and back, but do it at night when there’s less traffic. Explanations will all be in Spanish, but it’s a picturesque trip through the historic district even if you don’t understand a word.

Using the Zocalo as your base, you can walk or take a quick taxi ride to almost anywhere of interest to visitors in the center of Merida.