Pyramids, food and blue waters
Mexico is a dream destination for many, and for good reasons. World class food, rich and fascinating history and beautiful beaches and waters. A huge country where unfortunately most people only visit Cancun and other parts of the Yucatan Peninsula. Mexico is so much more, and I’m here to show you some of my favourite places to go as a backpacker!
This backpacking Mexico travel guide gives you all the tips to explore this incredible country with route suggestions, top activities, and budgets for transportation and accommodation. Ready for Mexico? Let’s go!
Routes
For Mexico there are a couple of options, and these depend on a few things.
If your plan is to continue travelling through Central America, or at least continue to Guatemala or Belize, I would start in Mexico City. That way you can hit all the best spots as you make your way south. This is the route I did which gave me amazing food in Oaxaca, beach time in Puerto Escondido, Mayan pyramids in Palenque and Tulum, before my final stop with the insane waters of Bacalar.
If you’re just staying Mexico this route can be done in the opposite direction. This will also be true for those coming from the south in Central America ending their trip in Mexico. For many people the cheapest option will also be to fly in and out of Cancun. In that case I would suggest doing it as a circuit. That way you can head south from Cancun hitting Playa del Carmen, Tulum and Bacalar before heading down to Palenque and San Cristobal de las Casas. From there make your way to the coast, Oaxaca and eventually Mexico City and then head back to Cancun.
North of Mexico City is not as common for backpackers but if you’re interested I would suggest adding Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta. Other places to go will be closer to the US border and includes Monterrey and all the way to the infamous Tijuana.
How much time do I need?
One month is a good amount of time to spend in Mexico. That way you will be able to really deep dive into the southern part of the country. For anyone who has already been to Mexico, you will know that you can spend A LOT of time if here you want to. Depending on where you are from, they also give you 180 days on arrival!
One month or more can be too much for most, so you will have to compromise a bit. I would say to try and get at least two weeks. That way you can for example get to most places on the Yucatan Peninsula. If you desire more of an authentic Mexican experience I’d really recommend spending some days in Mexico City and Oaxaca. By far the best and cheapest street food options are found there. Here you also have some pyramids (although not Mayan), and you can squeeze in some beach time too by heading to Puerto Escondido.
Top Activities to do in Mexico
Mexico is a place for anyone. No matter what your interests are you can find something that gets your heart going. Whether it’s history, food, beaches or culture. This place has it all!
Pyramids
Pyramids are not only found in Egypt, but are scattered all over Mexico. They are also part of different time periods of this country’s rich history that gives a fascinating insight into human history!
Teotihuacan
Teotihuacan is an ancient city found just outside of Mexico City. It is largely considered the first advanced civilisation in North America and dates back more than 2500 years. With its famous Pyramid of the Sun and Pyramid of the Moon, it is a majestic sight as you enter and explore both of them. The museum at the sight is also super interesting with lots of artefacts from the city. Teotihuacan is reachable by metro and bus or via a tour. Going by yourself is super easy though, and costs around $12 including the entrance fee.
Palenque
Palenque is an ancient city of the Mayans found in the jungle of Palenque. It is one of my favourite ruins I visited in all of Central America! By arriving as early as possible, you’ll beat the crowds and enter as the sun starts hitting the pyramids. A magical moment you won’t forget! Spend a couple of hours walking around taking in the sight before you follow the path down to the museum that’s worth some time as well.
I’d recommend going as part of a tour that takes you to see some waterfalls afterwards. Misol-Ha and Agua Azul are the most famous ones. It’s a long day in the heat and humidity but definitely worth it with an opportunity to cool down in the water. The goal is to spend as little time in the town of Palenque because it’s super overpriced and little to see.
Chichen Itzá
Chichen Itzá, one of the seven wonders of the world. An incredible structure, and fascinating history. It has some cool acoustic elements to it as well, and I really recommend getting a guide here. As stunning as it is, it is by far the most crowded site in Mexico with buses full of tourists arriving each day. Depending on what time of year, it can also become extremely hot with a sensation of over 50 degrees Celsius, so bring a hat, water and sunscreen!
Tulum
Tulum has the only Mayan ruins that are by the ocean and super easy to get to. Even if you are in Cancun or Playa del Carmen it can easily be visited in a day. It is a not a big site, but you also have the option of spending time at the beach afterwards.
Food
Many people visit Mexico in search of delicious food and for good reason. Mexican food is popular all over the world, and travelling through the country will give you many possibilities to try different variations.
Street food, especially in the big cities like Mexico City is extremely tasty and not to mention cheap. A few dollars can in the right places give you plenty of food and lets you experiment. The more common meats are easily found. but why not try out some of the more traditional ones like tongue and cow brain to really get to know Mexican cuisine! It’s super tasty!
Travelling through Mexico you are bound to find differences in food. While Mexico City is famous for its street tacos, in Oaxaca you will find a version of mole anywhere you go. This rich sauce is served with rice and meat, and every shop has their own recipe. At a local food market in Oaxaca city I had some that was on of the best thing I have ever tasted!
Beaches
Going to the beach is always a good idea. In Mexico this is no different. My personal favourite was Puerto Escondido. A laidback surfers paradise with massive beaches that were not crowded at all. Perfect for those who like to surf or just hang out by the beach with a cold beer. It has developed into quite a backpacker town which has led to higher prices and quite a big party scene. So keep this in mind.
On the Yucatan Peninsula you have all the famous beaches along the Caribbean cost in Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum. You also have the islands Isla de Mujeres and Holbox, famous places for young people to have a good time. These are all beautiful white sand beaches, however they are also suffering from a growing algae problem between April to September. Green and brown algae that’s growing out of control and washing up on the beautiful beaches making them not as pretty as they used to during those months, so keep that in mind.
Lastly, I cannot recommend enough going to Bacalar. Not technically a beach in that sense but it will be the bluest waters you have ever seen at the Lagoon of Seven Colours. A quick 3 hour bus ride south of Tulum and a perfect stop for those continuing to the neighbouring countries.
Museums
Mexico is home to some of the world’s most famous museums, and they do not disappoint. The famous museum of anthropology in Mexico City is MASSIVE, and can take you all day if you’re not careful. It explores human history and different periods in Mexican history as well as a deep dive into the country’s culture.
Another famous museum is the Frida Kahlo museum in the famous Coyoacán neighbourhood . The museum is definitely worth it, but needs to be booked in advance as it’s very small and popular. If you know you don’t want to miss it, book online as soon as possible.
In every city in Mexico there are museum to explore with ancient artefacts found in each region as well as cultural heritage. It is very interesting seeing the differences between the states of Mexico and to get a deeper understanding of its complex history. These museums are usually cheap and sometimes free. Pretty much all of the museums are closed one day of the week so make sure you check online before you plan to go.
Accommodation
Finding a place to sleep in Mexico is super easy. There are many options for hostels and they start at around $10-15 a night, but can easily creep up to $20. This makes Mexico a little bit on the high side compared to some of the other countries in Central America.
Most hostels in Mexico come with free Wi-Fi and a simple breakfast. They are also known to be quite social, and a lot of them have bars. This makes them perfect for solo travellers looking to socialise. If you are not into partying, I suggest reading reviews to stay away from some of the more party-centric ones out there.
Transportation
Transportation in Mexico is probably one of the best I have experienced in all my travels. The buses are super comfortable, relatively cheap and safe. I recommend doing all of your travel with ADO. Download their app where you can look up times, buy and have your ticket on your phone. Super easy! Be aware that the bus you book through the app can sometimes be another company like AU. They are usually a little cheaper and slightly lower standard, but I never had any problems with either.
Flying can also be an option for those with less time, or more money. Mexico is not a small country and some of the bus rides I took in Mexico were 12-14 hour ones. If that’s not your cup of tea there are also flight options with AeroMexico. Unfortunately it often means a quick layover in Mexico City when you fly between smaller places.
Budget
Many people I’ve met, and myself included, were a little surprised by how Mexico isn’t really as cheap as we thought. A increase in tourism and other economic factors are probably to blame. Therefore when planning your trip to Mexico an average of $40-50 a day would be suitable for most backpackers. If you are looking to party (there’s plenty), that will definitely increase your budget as well.
On average per day I’d say you will need about $15 for accommodation, $15 for food, and $10 for activities. On travel days you’ll spend on average $20-50 depending on the distance you travel.
When to go
The best time to visit Mexico would be during the dry season between December and May. This is also the cooler months but the weather will still be hot, especially in the south. Spring time would be what I recommend if you’re going further north like Mexico City as it can get a little cold there as well. Just be aware of spring break and an increase of people in some areas if you want to avoid that. Going during the dry season will also guarantee a lot of backpackers if you’re travelling alone and want to socialise.
Safety
Safety in Mexico is like most countries in Latin America. You will hear stories about some pretty bad stuff, but overall I’d say it’s pretty safe as a backpacker. Travelling through the touristic places on the Gringo Trail you will have a good time and stay safe. Nonetheless it is important to take precaution always. Also you should never travel without travel insurance! Anyways here are some general tips.
Safety Tips:
- Always have some cash at hand in case someone wants to rob you. Better to hand over a few notes than to be caught with nothing or lose your credit card.
- Always keep your valuables safely on you on night buses and never put your backpack in the overhead compartment.
- In large crowds be careful with your belongings. Things in your pocket can easily be taken, but also smaller backpacks, bum bags etc. Make sure you secure them to avoid pickpockets in these situations.
- Do not wander around alone at night in places you are not familiar with. If you have to, stick to well lit streets as much as possible. Preferable where there are more people. If you need to use your phone for maps, do it discreetly and never wave your phone or wealth around.
- Don’t wear flashy things and leave your expensive jewellery at home.
- Bring a padlock and use the lockers in hostels for all your valuables.
- Be careful with how much you drink, accepting drinks from others or the use of drugs. There are many stories out there, so try not to overdo anything unless you have people with you to take care of you.
By taking some precautions you will be fine in Mexico, and come back with wonderful memories of this beautiful region.
Resources
So, are you ready for an adventure to Mexico? Here are some of the resources I personally use when I travel. Great value and support, in addition to the best deals out there!
BOOKING – The best place to book accommodation. In my experience the site with the best prices, deals and selection. Perfect for a budget traveller.
HOSTELWORLD – The best place to find hostels, and also has group chats for all your bookings and places you’re going to make it easier to meet people. Perfect for solo travellers!
SKYSCANNER – When I need to find the cheapest days and ways to fly somewhere, Skyscanner is always the first place I go.
GET YOUR GUIDE – A massive marketplace for inspiration and booking of tours and activities for each place you visit.
AIRALO – What I use to stay connected on the road. A slightly more expensive option than buying local sim cards, but nothing beats having e-sim installed and ready to go as soon as you cross the border.
Some links may be affiliate links, meaning I may earn commission from products or services I recommend. For more, see disclosure.
