10 Must-do Things in Mexico under 5 Days

If you are living in South East Asia, then Mexico would likely seem to be a far flung place to reach. In fact, Mexico being world’s 13th-largest country by area is highly accessible via United States of America.

It is therefore not very hard to reach if one resides in Asia. Here are 10 must-do checklist of how one can enjoy Mexico and definitely to consider it as the next holiday/ adventure to explore.

Getting to Mexico from Asia 

Mexico sounds pretty exotic for residents living in Asia, in particularly from South East Asia where I come from. Indeed, one has to fly over 18 hours to reach Mexico soil. Here is how you should consider to fly with short transit time and just had to make one transit which can be seen as a good break to stretch one’s body on the long journey. Trust not many people know that there is a Japanese airline that ply the route. One can choose to fly with All Nippon Airways (ANA), transit via Narita Tokyo airport for just 2 hours 20 minutes and you are on your way to Mexico. 

I spent 5 days in Mexico with 2 main cities visited on this trip. I flew into Mexico City, the capital of Mexico and stayed for 3 nights. The other 2 nights were spent at Cancun, a popular tourist beach destination that is within reach by 2 hours domestic flight. Here are 10 must do/attraction to visit in Mexico within 5 days:

#1: Try the Tacos 

If you seen or  heard of Mexicans food in your country, it is probably the Tacos. I would call it more like a sandwich or finger good that one can eat as you walk along the street. Tacos – The traditional Mexican food consisting of usually a wheat-based tortilla topped with a filling.  If you are in Mexico city, then you should be heading to this:  Centro Historico . The area boasts many of the best tacos in Mexico City and the best part of eating Tacos, is to see how the Chef prepares it with passion.

#2: Visit Palacio Bellas Artes

One of the most famous Mexico City landmark where one can witness the golden-domed, classical European building , which is a work of art in itself.  The building makes one seems like you are being transported to Europe. There are many street paddlers and do be careful of your wallets, you have been warned! It is a short distance away from other major tourist spots.

#3: Mexican Wrestling 

If you never watch a single match of Mexican wrestling, it will deem as you have not stepped on Mexican soil. I was first introduced to Mexican wrestlers when I watched them wrestling on the American Version, World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).

 The ones you have in Mexico, the locals call it as lucha libre. This is an increasingly popular tourist attraction, with thousands of annual visitors considering it a key part of Mexican culture. Arena México is an indoor arena in Mexico City where one usually catches these matches. One can either buy the tickets online but it seems like it is all in Spanish and require a Mexico bank card to perform transactions, making it difficult for tourists to purchase it. The other way to buy tickets is via the ticket touts standing outside the entrance on wrestling day. The matches usually took place on weekends (Sat & Sun) early evening.

I purchased from the ticket touts and strangely, you are encourage to haggle the price down. One way to gauge the price is to log onto the internet and search for the upcoming matches. Look at the prices stated online and also ask your hotelier, how much a ticket usually cost. The tickets cost varies according to the event, day and where your seat is located.

No outside food or drinks are allowed into the Arena. I bought the beer inside , just sit back, relax under the air conditional settings and scream to the top of your lungs when your favourite wrestler is losing or going for his signature move. Go along with the crowd with the great atmosphere in the Arena. Don’t forget to purchase the many masks available for sales when the matches end.

#4: Visit Teotihuacan Ruins

The popular , oldest and most important of Mexico’s archeological sites. 35 miles North of Centro Historico (Downtown Mexico City), the drive alone can take up to two hours due to the Mexico City traffic.

Travel tip: Head out early; as in arrive to Teotihuacan right when it opens at 9am. Bring along umbrella or cap  as such sites often lack one thing — shaded areas.

#5: Visit Zocalo ; Main Square

To make the most of your time in Mexico City, head to Zocalo, the name of its main square.  A 3 minute walk from the main square, you can locate Metropolitan Cathedral. I love the surrounding here as one can get a feel of the Mexican vibes where locals gathered in the city.

Check out other tourist spots such as The Templo Mayor. This  was the main temple of the Mexica people in their capital city of Tenochtitlan, which is now Mexico City.

#6: Lake Xochimilco

Lake Xochimilco is one of Mexico City UNESCO World Heritage Sites ,usually taken as a day trip from Mexico City. Take boat ride in a Trajinera and enjoy the Mexican folklore. Trajinera is a wooden boat painted in colorful colors and that has a traditional Mexican name to honor a family member of the owner.

We were shown a series of packages to choose from ranging from an hour to 2 hour trip. To me, the star was taking a look at the Island of Dolls, however, I was taken a ride and they took me to the replicate of it, truly disappointing.

The real doll island is:

-Takes 2 hours to go one way and another 2 hours back
– surrounded by bamboo fence
– very difficult to see from the water
– the boat ride is very peaceful and relaxing if you do not go to the tourist side of the boats

Anyway, here are the tips of getting to Lake Xochimilco from Mexico. It will usually take around one hour from the city center.

Step 1 : Take the subway (Metro) up to the Tasqueña station (end of the blue line).

Step 2:  From there, take the light train all the way to the last stop. Should not take you more than one hour and you’ll end up spending only 10 pesos (less than 1 USD in total) in transportation.

Step 3: Exit out from train station. Either take a cheap taxi to the main Embarcadero OR walk 20 minutes to reach the nearest one.

Travel tip: Do take note common scam taking place in the Embarcadero that is near the exit of the light train. Boys will offer to escort you to the Embarcadero, claiming that you do not have to pay him since he works on commission which is true. However, he will lead you to his friend , the boat captain, who will then try to overcharge you for a Trajinera (boat) ride. Just quote the official prices and walk away until you find the official board. Official hourly price is 350 pesos per Trajinera, regardless of the number of persons boarding it.

#7: Purchase scary looking souvenirs 

The skulls honored the dead. Mexicans viewed death as the continuation of life. Instead of fearing death, they embraced it. These are top souvenirs to bring back home. Next time people will to ask you where are their souvenirs from Mexico, give them the skulls.

#8: Visit Cancun  

Cancun, with seaside tropical climate, this is the winter escape for Americans. Without doubt, the beach life carnival atmosphere and the crystal clear water is a top draw. Places to visit in Cancun includes Isla Mujeres Island. Getting there involves a 20-minute ferry ride from the mainland, and you can depart from 4 different docks. Ferry runs quite often all through the day and from different terminals from 7 am to 11.30 pm.  Isla Mujeres is known for its relaxing atmosphere and slow island pace. Moving around Isla Mujeres mean renting a golf cart. One can cruise off to the main beach of Playa Norte — Ranked as one of The 10 Best Beaches in the World!

The nightlife on Cancun tourist zone, where most of the resorts are located seems like one is in Las Vegas with the glittering lights that decorate the street.

#9: Day Trip to Chichen Itza

One of the most visited archaeological sites in Mexico today and known as the new 7 wonders of the world, welcome to Chichen Itza! Built by the Maya, this is the must visit place when one is in Cancun area. The well shaped symmetrical pyramid is what makes it such a beauty to behold. You got  to be there in person to experience the energy it oozes out! Usually, there will be a lot of day tours available out from Cancun that picks one up from the hotel district area which includes a visit to Cenote, buffet lunch at one of the many Maya villages found along the route. 

We rented a car out and took the tolled freeway which cost around USD20 each way. As we find the toll fee a bit steep, on the way back we took the small inner roads that passer by Maya villages. This route has so many humps that make speeding simply impossible. What is more of a challenge is the humps are not clearly marked! Driving is a challenge under rainy weather but if you are not rushing for time, it makes an ideal choice. The one way drive back using the smaller inner road took about 4 hours way back to Cancun area. 

#10: Cenote 

Cenotes are natural swimming holes. It is also seen as swimming caves in Mexico. Along the way from Cancun to Chichen Itza, there are a lot of cenotes for visitors to have a swim! In fact, the popular ones cost a bomb and are often crowded. cost of a ticket for a cenote is usually between 100-200 pesos (USD$8-16). I went to the Ik Kil  Cenote , en route to the Chichen Itza ruins which makes it one of the busier Mexican cenotes but still one of the best cenotes in the Yucatan.

Enjoy the best of Mexico have to offer! I feel that a visit to Cenote and Chichen Itza will be very rewarding although the long drive/trip from Cancun is a wet blanket. The Mexican food is something I misses a lot and together with the vibrant culture, Mexico ranks highly as one of the country to visit!

If you are thinking how to embark on this Mexico journey, the link to the 5 days itinerary guide can be found here.

Categories: America Region