Mexico
About My Trips to Mexico
Mexico is one of the countries I’ve visited multiple times, exploring it across very different regions rather than as a single checklist trip. Most of my time has been spent in Cancún and the Yucatán, where I focused on beaches, walking routes, nearby islands, and easy day trips rather than resorts alone. I spent time in Isla Mujeres, using it as a slower base to explore coastal viewpoints, beaches, and the island’s rugged eastern side. I also visited major Mayan archaeological sites including Chichén Itzá, Tulum, and Palenque, each offering a very different experience in terms of scale, setting, and crowds.
Beyond the tourist-heavy areas, I traveled through southern Mexico, visiting waterfalls, jungle landscapes, and smaller towns connected to Palenque. One of the most unique experiences was visiting El Chichón Volcano, which showed a completely different side of Mexico’s geography. Throughout these trips, I relied heavily on flights, buses, and walking to get around, and I document what that actually looks like in practice. My Mexico content focuses on what’s realistic to see, how long things really take, and what stood out once I was there. These guides reflect multiple visits, changing conditions, and firsthand experience rather than a single snapshot trip.
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Mexico
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Chiapas
Hiking Chichonal Volcano (El Chichón) was one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my trip to southern Mexico. Located between Chiapas and Tabasco, this remote volcano requires a guided hike through jungle terrain, river valleys, and steep climbs.
The trek covers 11 kilometers round trip with nearly 600 meters of elevation gain, making it physically demanding. The reward comes at the top, where hikers reach the summit and then descend directly into the volcanic crater.
This guide shares my firsthand experience, trail conditions, and what to expect on the hike. If you’re considering an off-the-beaten-path adventure, this page will help you decide if Chichonal Volcano is right for you.
Summiting El Chichón (also known as Chichonal Volcano) in Chiapas, Mexico was one of the most physically demanding hikes I’ve done—and one that didn’t go as planned. What began as a guided hike turned into a serious challenge when I became separated from my guide on the way back down, ran out of water, and briefly lost the trail.
This firsthand account shares what the hike is really like, what to expect inside the crater, and why preparation matters even when hiking with a local guide. If you’re considering hiking El Chichón, this experience highlights important lessons about communication, pacing, and carrying more supplies than you think you’ll need.
During a December 2021 trip to southern Mexico, I took a guided tour of the Mayan Ruins of Palenque from Villahermosa. Starting in Villahermosa made the trip far more efficient, allowing more time to explore the ruins instead of sitting in transit.
With a knowledgeable local guide, I visited Palenque’s most important structures, including the Temple of the Inscriptions, the Palace, and the Group of the Cross. Along the way, I learned how the city functioned politically, religiously, and socially during its peak.
This tour-based approach helped bring Palenque’s history to life in a way that’s hard to replicate without a guide. I also saw examples of advanced Mayan engineering, including the site’s aqueduct system. This guide explains what you’ll see, how to get there, and whether a Palenque tour from Villahermosa is worth it.
The Misol Ha Waterfall is one of the best places to cool off after visiting the Mayan Ruins of Palenque, especially in the intense heat of Chiapas. Located about 40 minutes from Palenque, the waterfall features a large pool where visitors can swim beneath a powerful jungle cascade.
I spent over an hour swimming at the base of the falls before walking the slippery trail that leads behind the waterfall. A small cave hidden behind the curtain of water offers an additional short adventure for a small fee. Strong currents make a life jacket essential, but most guided tours include one.
With low entrance costs and easy access on a day trip, Misol Ha is a simple and refreshing addition to any Palenque itinerary.
Cuidad de Mexico
This review covers my overnight AeroMexico flight from Chicago O’Hare (ORD) to Mexico City (MEX), focusing on what travelers actually want to know before booking. I break down the Boeing 737-800 cabin layout, explain what AM Plus offers compared to an exit row, and share whether the upgrade was worth it on a full flight.
The article also walks through check-in and boarding at Terminal 5, including how AeroMexico handles boarding zones and late-night departures. I cover seat comfort in AM Plus seat 8D, along with legroom, entertainment, and overall comfort on a short redeye flight. You’ll also find details on the complimentary meal and free inflight messaging, which helped set AeroMexico apart from U.S. carriers on this route.
Finally, I share my overall impression of the flight and what to expect upon arrival and connection in Mexico City. This guide is meant to be practical, experience-based, and helpful for anyone flying AeroMexico between ORD and MEX.
Quintana Roo
This guide covers the best things to do in Cancun’s Hotel Zone, based entirely on my firsthand experience from two visits.
I explored the Hotel Zone on foot, visiting major attractions, walking along Blvd. Kukulcán, and taking in views of both the Caribbean Sea and the Nichupté Lagoon. Along the way, I visited several public beaches, sharing which ones I enjoyed most and which I recommend avoiding. I also include practical tips on walking in Cancun’s Hotel Zone, getting around, and what to expect from vendors.
For travelers wondering about safety, I share my honest experience as a solo visitor and the common-sense precautions I followed. The guide also highlights where I ate, with restaurant recommendations and realistic price ranges. If you’re planning a stay in Cancun’s Hotel Zone, this page will help you decide what’s worth your time.
This guide covers the public beaches in Cancun’s Hotel Zone, based entirely on my visits in 2020 and 2021. I walked much of the Hotel Zone and personally visited several beaches, noting how access works, where vendors were most aggressive, and which areas felt the most relaxed.
Each beach is described from firsthand experience, including what the atmosphere was like and whether I’d recommend visiting. I also explain how public beach access works in Cancun and why some areas feel private despite being legally public.
For beaches I didn’t visit, I clearly note that and include them only for awareness. If you’re trying to decide which Cancun Hotel Zone beaches are worth your time—and which you might want to skip—this page is meant to help you set realistic expectations before you go.
Isla Mujeres is one of the easiest and most rewarding escapes from Cancun, offering a relaxed island atmosphere just a short ferry ride away. This detailed Isla Mujeres travel guide is based on my two-day stay and answers common questions like is Isla Mujeres worth visiting, whether it works as a day trip from Cancun, and how many days you really need.
I cover everything from ferry logistics and golf cart rentals to updated costs and practical travel tips. The guide also highlights key sights including Playa Norte, Punta Sur, Tortugranja, and the Guadalupe Chapel. You’ll find honest comparisons between quieter beaches and busier areas, along with realistic expectations for crowds and conditions. I also share where to stay, where to eat, and what to be careful of while exploring the island.
Whether you have one day or several, this guide helps you decide if Isla Mujeres fits your Cancun itinerary.
Cenotes near Cancun are natural swimming holes formed by limestone sinkholes and fed by underground rivers. During my trip to Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, I visited three very different cenotes, each offering a unique swimming experience.
From quiet eco-park cenotes surrounded by jungle to a large, popular cenote near Chichen Itza, this guide shares what it’s really like to swim in these freshwater pools. I explain what cenotes are, why they were important to the Maya, and what to expect when visiting one for the first time.
You’ll also find practical tips on safety, costs, and why a waterproof camera is essential. If you’re planning a trip to Cancun, visiting a cenote is one of the most memorable experiences you can have.
This video walks through the full experience of taking the Ultramar ferry from Puerto Juarez in Cancun to Isla Mujeres. It shows arriving at the ferry terminal, purchasing tickets, boarding the ferry, and what the ride itself is like from start to finish. The journey across is shown in real time and sped-up segments, giving a clear sense of timing and conditions on board.
Viewers can see seating areas, passenger flow, and what to expect during arrival on Isla Mujeres. The goal of the video is to remove uncertainty for first-time visitors by visually showing each step of the ferry process. It’s a straightforward, practical look at one of the most common ways travelers reach Isla Mujeres.
This video shows a real walk-through of Playa Centro and Playa Norte on Isla Mujeres, highlighting two of the island’s most popular white sand beaches. It begins near Playa Centro, close to town, and follows the shoreline as I make my way toward Playa Norte.
Along the way, you’ll see how the beach changes, where people tend to gather, and how easy it is to walk between the two areas. At Playa Norte, the video captures the calm, shallow turquoise water that makes this beach especially popular for swimming and relaxing.
The footage also shows typical beach activity, including people wading in the water and boats anchored just offshore. Rather than focusing on narration or fast cuts, the video offers a steady, realistic look at what visiting these beaches is actually like
This video shows a full golf cart drive around the entire perimeter of Isla Mujeres, completing the island’s main loop in one continuous route. Filmed using a GoPro, the footage is sped up to provide a clear overview of what it’s like to explore the island by golf cart, the most common way to get around Isla Mujeres.
The drive follows the coastline for much of the route, offering views of the Caribbean Sea, local neighborhoods, and key landmarks along the way. Viewers can see the road conditions, layout of the island, and how the scenery changes as you travel around Isla Mujeres from start to finish.
This video shows a walk through Punta Sur, the rugged eastern tip of Isla Mujeres and one of the island’s most dramatic coastal areas. Filmed along both the upper and lower paths, it highlights the rocky shoreline, crashing waves, and cliffside views that feel completely different from the calm beaches most visitors associate with Isla Mujeres.
You’ll see what the trails look like up close, how the coastline changes along the route, and what to expect when exploring this side of the island on foot. The video focuses on the landscape and walking experience rather than narration or staged highlights, offering a realistic look at Punta Sur.
This first-hand Krystal Grand Cancun review covers my one-night stay at a beachfront hotel in Cancun’s Hotel Zone. I booked the hotel unexpectedly due to a weather-related schedule change and found a great rate for a king room with an ocean view.
The review breaks down check-in, room quality, pool access, and the beach experience, along with practical details you won’t always find in promotional material. I also explain what the Altitude Tower is and how it differs from standard rooms, based on both official information and my experience on site.
The beach access and ocean views were the highlights of the stay, while the all-inclusive option felt unnecessary for a short visit. This article is intended to help travelers decide whether the Krystal Grand Cancun is a good fit for their trip and travel style.
I stayed at the Canopy by Hilton Cancun during my time in the Hotel Zone and was impressed by its modern design, location, and value when using Hilton points. This newer Hilton property sits near La Isla Shopping Mall and offers easy access to dining, shopping, and public beaches nearby.
My stay included a top-floor room upgrade, a spacious layout, and unique features like a hanging swing with lagoon views. While the hotel does not have direct beach access, its central location made getting around Cancun simple. I also share exact pricing details and how Hilton Honors points significantly reduced my out-of-pocket cost.
Transportation tips from Cancun International Airport are included, along with what to expect upon arrival. This review reflects my real-world experience staying at Canopy by Hilton Cancun.
This Tulum ruins tour experience was part of a short guided visit from Cancun, giving me about two hours on site to see the highlights without committing to a full-day tour. During that time, I explored the main temples, residential structures, and city walls while learning how Tulum functioned as both a trading center and a religious site.
The pace was fast, but I felt I saw the key sights that define the Mayan Ruins of Tulum, even though there wasn’t time to explore every structure in detail or ask many specific questions. Photography was possible, but the schedule made it difficult to slow down and carefully frame each shot.
Compared to other Mayan sites I’ve visited, Tulum felt much more open, with constant views of the Caribbean Sea that set it apart from inland ruins. This visit is best suited for travelers with limited time who want a solid overview rather than an in-depth archaeological experience.
Tabasco
Since I love checking out lesser-known airlines, my flight from Cancun to Villahermosa on Aeromar was right up my alley. Aeromar’s a Mexican airline that uses ATR turboprop planes, and to my surprise, they fly both within Mexico and internationally, including a flight to Havana, Cuba which was also checking in at the same time as my flight.
The price for the Cancun-Villahermosa trip was just over $130, and I splurged for the premium ticket. This gave me a checked bag, and a carry-on, and even let me pick my seat – not bad for the price! This flight was all about trying out a new airline, so I figured I’d document the experience for everyone else who likes to fly off the beaten path.
On my December 2021 trip to Mexico, I had my heart set on visiting Villahermosa. Flying straight there from Minneapolis wasn’t exactly budget-friendly, so I decided to get creative. First, I snagged a flight to Cancun, then booked a separate ticket to Villahermosa on Aeromar (which I reviewed separately).
For the return trip, I wanted to experience one of Mexico’s budget airlines: Viva Aerobus. Since there were only two direct flights from Villahermosa to Cancun, and I’d already flown on Aeromar, Viva Aerobus was a perfect choice! The ticket itself was crazy affordable – only $89! But, remember, Viva Aerobus is a budget airline, so extras like a carry-on bag, checked luggage, and seat selection all cost extra.
Yucatán
Visiting Chichén Itzá from Cancún is one of the most popular day trips in the Yucatán Peninsula, and this guide is based on my full-day tour experience. I cover how far Chichén Itzá is from Cancún, whether a guided tour or rental car makes more sense, and what you’ll actually see once you arrive.
Highlights include the Temple of Kukulkan, the Temple of Warriors, and the massive Great Ball Court, all explained by knowledgeable local guides.
I also share what to expect from the pace of the day, including lunch, a cenote swim, and a stop in Valladolid. If you’re wondering whether Chichén Itzá is worth the long day trip from Cancún, this article gives you a clear, firsthand answer.