Before or after the wedding
Most of you will land in Mexico City, so we’ve used it as the starting point. From there, we’ve grouped our favorite places into three routes, depending on which direction you’d like to explore.
Most of you will land in Mexico City, and it’s worth staying a few days before heading to Acapulco. With more than 20 million people in the metro area, it is one of the largest and most diverse cities in the world: Aztec ruins sit right next to colonial cathedrals, art deco buildings and modern glass towers. Start at the Zócalo, one of the biggest public squares on earth, with the Metropolitan Cathedral, the National Palace and the excavated Templo Mayor of the ancient Aztec capital Tenochtitlan. From there, wander the leafy, café-lined streets of Roma and Condesa, visit Frida Kahlo’s Blue House in colorful Coyoacán, or spend an afternoon in Chapultepec Park, home to a castle and the world-class National Museum of Anthropology.
Every neighborhood has its own character, and the city’s food scene alone is a reason to come: from tacos al pastor at a street stand to some of the best restaurants in Latin America. Take a boat ride through the floating gardens of Xochimilco, watch a lucha libre match, or simply enjoy the mix of tradition and big-city energy. One tip: the city lies at 2,240 meters (7,350 ft), so take it easy on your first day, drink plenty of water, and bring a light jacket for the cool evenings.
If you’re traveling by car or bus, these two towns are right on the way to the wedding and make perfect stops.
About an hour and a half south of Mexico City, Cuernavaca is known as the “City of Eternal Spring” thanks to its mild climate all year round, which is why many people from the capital have their weekend homes here. Visit the Palace of Cortés, one of the oldest colonial buildings in the Americas, with its impressive murals by Diego Rivera, and stroll through the lush Jardín Borda. If you have more time, the magical mountain village of Tepoztlán is just half an hour away.
A short detour from the highway takes you to Taxco, one of Mexico’s most picturesque towns. Its white houses with red-tiled roofs cling to a steep mountainside, connected by narrow cobblestone streets where little white VW Beetle taxis still zip up and down. Taxco has been famous for its silver for centuries, and it is still the best place in Mexico to buy silver jewelry. In the center stands the stunning pink baroque church of Santa Prisca, and the cable car up to Monte Taxco offers a fantastic view over the whole town. From here, it’s about three hours to Acapulco and the beach.
A few hours north of the capital lie some of Mexico’s most beautiful colonial towns. Combined, they make a great road trip.
Just one hour northeast of Mexico City lies Teotihuacan, the “City of the Gods” and one of the most impressive archaeological sites in the Americas. Long before the Aztecs arrived, it was one of the largest cities in the world. Walk along the Avenue of the Dead to the Pyramid of the Sun, the third-largest pyramid on earth, and the Pyramid of the Moon, which offers a fantastic view over the whole site. Go early in the morning to avoid the heat and the crowds, or treat yourself to a hot-air balloon ride over the pyramids at sunrise. Don’t forget sunscreen, a hat and water.
About three hours north of Mexico City, Santiago de Querétaro is a relaxed and elegant colonial city with a beautifully preserved historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stroll through its pedestrian streets, plazas and baroque churches, and admire the monumental aqueduct with its 74 arches. Querétaro is also the center of Mexico’s growing wine country: on the wine and cheese route you can visit vineyards and cheese makers, and stop in the charming village of Bernal, at the foot of one of the largest monoliths in the world.
Just over an hour from Querétaro, San Miguel de Allende is often called one of the most beautiful towns in the world, and it’s easy to see why. Its cobblestone streets are lined with colorful colonial houses, and the pink, fairytale-like Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel towers over the main square. For decades, the town has attracted artists and creatives from all over the world, so you’ll find countless galleries, design shops, excellent restaurants and rooftop bars with views over the city at sunset. It’s the perfect place to slow down for a few days.
Guanajuato is Dennis’ favorite city in Mexico, and once you get there, you’ll understand why. Built into a narrow valley, the former silver-mining town is a maze of brightly painted houses climbing up the hillsides, tiny alleys and lively little plazas, while much of the traffic runs through tunnels underneath the city. Take the funicular up to the Pípila monument for the best view, visit the famous Callejón del Beso (Alley of the Kiss), and join a callejoneada in the evening, when musicians in traditional costumes lead groups singing through the streets. With its large university, the city is full of young energy, and it’s a lovely, walkable place to end your trip through the heart of Mexico. Some of you might feel like you’re in a Zorro movie ;)
Puebla is just two hours away. From there you can continue to Oaxaca and the Pacific coast.
Only about two hours southeast of Mexico City, Puebla is one of Mexico’s most beautiful colonial cities and is often called the “City of Angels”. Its historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is full of churches and buildings covered in colorful Talavera tiles, with the majestic cathedral right on the main square. Puebla is also one of the country’s great food cities: this is the home of mole poblano, the rich chocolate-and-chili sauce, so make sure to try it, along with a cemita sandwich and the sweets on Calle de los Dulces. Visit a Talavera workshop to see how the famous hand-painted ceramics are still made today. It’s the city where Anichely & Dennis met – some of you already know that it was in a copy shop.
Right next to Puebla lies Cholula, home to a true hidden wonder: the Great Pyramid of Cholula, the largest pyramid in the world by volume. Today it looks like a grassy hill, crowned by the bright yellow church of Nuestra Señora de los Remedios. You can explore some of the tunnels inside the pyramid and then walk up to the church, where, on a clear day, you’ll have a breathtaking view of the smoking Popocatépetl volcano. The sunsets are astonishing. With its cafés, bars and relaxed student vibe, Cholula is also a fun place to spend the evening.
A short flight or a scenic bus ride from Mexico City, Oaxaca is the heart of Mexico’s indigenous culture and, for many, the country’s culinary capital. Wander through the colorful streets of the historic center, admire the golden interior of the Santo Domingo church, and get lost in the markets, where you can taste tlayudas, chapulines (yes, grasshoppers!) and seven different kinds of mole. Oaxaca is also the home of mezcal, so don’t miss a tasting or a visit to a traditional distillery. Nearby, the ancient Zapotec city of Monte Albán sits on top of a mountain, and the petrified waterfalls of Hierve el Agua make an unforgettable day trip. Restaurant tip: Los Danzantes, and don’t forget to try their famous mezcals (Dennis’ favorite mezcal brand)!
For those of you who want to sneak off to the Pacific before or after the wedding, Puerto Escondido on the coast of Oaxaca is well worth it, although it needs a few extra days. It is one of the most vibrant surf spots in the world: the mighty waves of Zicatela Beach, known as the “Mexican Pipeline”, attract pro surfers from everywhere, while calmer bays like Carrizalillo are perfect for beginners and for swimming. Expect laid-back beach bars, fresh seafood, stunning sunsets and a young, international crowd. At night, take a boat tour on the Manialtepec lagoon to see the water glow with bioluminescent plankton. The easiest way to get there is a one-hour flight from Mexico City or Oaxaca.