My Top 10 Suggested Destinations in Mexico

Life (and kids) have brought me closer to the expat community living in our city. Many are Germans working at the BMW plant nearby, and in what has actually been a relatively short period of time, we’ve formed friendships that I truly value.

When the time came to choose an elementary school for our children, we really had only two options — the only international schools in town. For us, that meant choosing a program that would allow flexibility to keep traveling as a family. The IB curriculum offers that freedom. Being very fond of travel and languages, my wife and I enrolled our son in the full German program… despite the fact that we spoke exactly null German.

Yesterday, at a children’s birthday party, I met Tim and his wife Isabell, who had just returned from Puerto Escondido. I began offering suggestions for other destinations in Mexico — and as usually happens when I get excited about a topic, more and more places came to mind. I decided it would be best to put them in writing.

So here it is: my list of ten.

I’ll also use this as my monthly blog post for Casa Descalza — and it feels so good to be writing again. I thank my wife and friends for pushing me to do it. My handful of readers are mostly friends and family, though I’ve been trying to include our Descalza guests (and future guests) as a way of helping them get to know us. After all, staying in someone else’s home can feel a bit vulnerable. Our aim with Descalza is not to make you feel like you’re at yet another rental property, but to deliver a well-rounded experience of nature, food, service (with laughter included), and hopefully plenty of downtime — with natural background sounds reminding you that true rest is something we all deeply need.

Without a much longer prologue, I hope you set out to discover some of the following magical places. And if your schedule doesn’t allow for immediate travel, you can always read about them — just as Verne did (in my opinion, one of history’s greatest travelers).

Love,

J

P.S. These are not listed in order of preference — explore all ten! Puerto Escondido obviously belongs on this list, but today I’m promoting other destinations. Mexico is vast; you will certainly find many more places to visit — and talk (or brag) about. Safe travels.

1. Yaxchilán

This is the destination that inspired this post. I told Isabell and Tim they should absolutely visit during their stay in Mexico.

Yaxchilán is a Mayan temple complex deep in the heart of the Lacandon Jungle. To reach it, you drive about 3–4 hours from Palenque to the small town of Frontera Corozal, where you board a motorboat and navigate the Usumacinta River to the ruins. On the way, you might even stop for a Guatemalan beer — on the other side of the river.

Ps. I have written a previous post about this destination, click here to read: https://www.casadescalza.com/post/of-monkeys-and-mezcal-lessons-from-the-journey

2. Cabo Pulmo

Jacques Cousteau famously called the Sea of Cortez “the aquarium of the world,” and the protected park of Cabo Pulmo lives up to that description.

While I still have much to explore in Baja, I’ll be returning this year for more diving.

Contrary to “tourist-packed” Cozumel, in Cabo Pulmo, you experience intimacy and solitude — exactly what diving should feel like.

3. Xcalak

Xcalak is a tiny beach town near the border with Belize — a neighbor many Mexicans (and Bad Bunny) forget we have. The dive center we used was staffed largely by Belizeans, and even the kitchen reflected that influence, allowing us to explore different flavors.

Xcalak is also a starting point for trips to Banco Chinchorro — still on my bucket list. It could easily be paired with visits to Mahahual and Bacalar, two more destinations well worth your time.

4. Punta Monterrey & San Pancho

Punta Monterrey changed the way I saw beach destinations. This eco-lodge, run by Jaime, is a family enclave turned retreat. If he is there while visiting, sit down to have a cigar with him and let him tell you the story of his grandfather and how he came about this place. He has built some hotel style rooms, but I would suggest you opt for the older bungalows which sit right above the breaking tides — our favorite place to stay.

Nearby, San Francisco (better known as San Pancho) has an impressive dining scene, largely influenced by the Usonian expat community living there.

5. Xilitla & La Huasteca

Growing up in San Luis, I had the privilege of visiting Xilitla before strict regulations were enforced at Las Pozas, the surreal garden created by Edward James. Now the visit is much more controlled, and sadly they make you go inside with a large group led by guides that leave much to be desired… nevertheless, I would still make it there.

More broadly, the region of La Huasteca Potosina is extraordinary. Waterfalls, rivers, jungle make up this small jungle ecosystem. We had the privilege to stay with our photographer friend Mauricio Palos in the nearby community of Axtla, where he showed us his vanilla and coffee plantations.

6. Cenotes & Comedurías

Base yourself in Mérida and explore the cenotes of the peninsula. Divers will especially appreciate them, but snorkeling and cliff-jumping into the cool water are equally rewarding.

Many tours include lunch at small community comedurías — humble, family-run kitchens serving panuchos fried in pork lard and other Yucatecan delicacies. A perfect contrast to Mérida’s increasingly sophisticated food scene.

7. Mexico’s Volcanoes

Jochen was telling me yesterday how tears came to his eyes when he summited Izta. It is by not uncommon to hear this. Most of my friends, me included, have cried when summiting Mexico’s volcanoes. The effort, the cold-weather, and the magic of the moment, bring a knot of feelings to the chest that need to be released when summiting. The expeditions could be out of a Hemingway book.

The classic triad includes La Malinche, Iztaccíhuatl, and Pico de Orizaba. Attempt them on weekdays if possible to avoid crowds. The glaciers are rapidly receding — another reason to go sooner rather than later.

Ps. I've also a blog entry about a previous expedition, click here: https://www.casadescalza.com/post/copia-de-getting-out-of-the-comfort-zone-luxury-isn-t-just-about-five-star-stays-it-s-about-five-st

8. San Agustín Etla (Oaxaca Region)

Instead of listing Oaxaca City outright (which without denying is a must), make sure to make a day trip to San Agustín Etla when you’re there.

About a 45 min drive from Oaxaca’s downtown, the CASA complex (Art Center of San Agustin) is located on what used to be an old textile factory. It was largely promoted by Francisco Toledo and always has amazing exhibitions, a good boutique shop to buy prints or crafts, and the possibility of seeing Mexico’s top contemporary artists working on the compound.

Back in Oaxaca, visit IAGO to explore Toledo’s legacy further — and possibly venture a few blocks off downtown to the Reforma neighbouthood to lunch or dine at his beloved “hole in the wall”: La Teca (ask for a garden table and careful not to step on the roaming turtle).

9. Museo Amparo

My wife and I are truly museums buffs, and the Amparo museum in Puebla certainly ranks high within many museums we have visited in Mexico. A blend of prehispanic and contemporary art will strike the visitor as unusual, but in a country of odds such as Mexico everything is possible. The building itself is beautiful and unlike many museums in Mexico, everything works! The rooftop terrace café offers views of downtown Puebla and, on clear days, the surrounding volcanoes. So unless you’re taking a quick dip at the Banyan Tree rooftop pool, this is a great alternative, for a much better price.

10. Museo Nacional de Antropología & Anahuacalli

No visit to Mexico is complete without time in Mexico City.

The Museo Nacional de Antropología is essential. Its iconic “umbrella” structure, designed by Pedro Ramírez Vázquez, shelters one of the world’s greatest collections of pre-Hispanic art — including the Piedra del Sol (often miscalled the Aztec Calendar). Read the stories on both the building and the piedra and you will be fascinated by them.

On your following day, head farther south in the city to the Anahuacalli complex, and do the same. First visit, and then head to the amazing (and certainly design oriented) coffee shop to grab lunch or a “pozol” and read about Diego and his intentions for the complex. It is off the path from major sights but could certainly be combined with a day trip to Coyoacan.

My son in front of the Anahuacalli... Diego's homage to prehispanic cultures

End Note

Sadly, I write this on a difficult day for Mexico. Guadalajara, and the whole state of Jalisco, is suffering a lock down due to national forces capture of narco leader El Mencho. which understandably create hesitation for travelers, but I would still encourage you to trust the country and venture out — wisely, consciously, and informed— perhaps remembering the composure of Phileas Fogg — and you will discover far more beauty and smiles than fear.

Safe travels.

Suggested links:

XTC Dive Centers (Xcalak): https://xtcdivecenter.com/

Expedition Dive Map: https://www.pelagiclife.org/mexico

Punta Monterrey: https://puntamonterrey.com/

Museo Amparo: https://museoamparo.com/

Anahuacalli: https://www.instagram.com/anahuacalli/?hl=es