Mexico: A Magical Country to Explore Online
Mexico is a large country, with more history, culture, and natural beauty than you could absorb in just one visit. The Internet is a wonderful resource for planning a trip to Mexico. Book airline reservations and hotels, find the best tourist attractions, determine the best time to go, and figure out how to get around Mexico once you arrive. Then visit online chat rooms and forums to find tips and tricks for saving money while traveling as well as read firsthand reviews of cities and attractions.
Expand All Guide SectionsMexico Travel
Before you plan your trip to Mexico, the following resources can help you learn about the country. Figure out where you want to go by researching what Meixcan cities, beaches or ruins appeal to you most. You'll also learn about Mexican culture and history through these sites.
Dulcinea's Insight
- Mexico has a wealth of things to do and see for every budget and interest. Advance research can help you make the most of your time and money.
- A great way to plan your trip to Mexico is to coordinate your travels with the festivals that take place throughout the year. Doing so will ensure that you make the most of Mexico's cultural offerings while providing you with cheap and interesting travel experiences.
- Try to experience the parts of Mexico beyond the touristy spots. You'll be rewarded with a true taste of the country and its culture.
Dulcinea's Picks
For an overview of Mexico ...
Our Mexico
, a site for the independent traveler, features great articles and information about lesser known festivals and travel destinations in Mexico.
Visit Mexico
is the perfect place to start your research about everything having to do with Mexico. Learn about destinations, where to stay, things to do, events and festivals, and more.
Mexperience
is a user-friendly site that covers the major cities and beach areas as well as archeological sites and tourist destinations. The two blogs provide an inside perspective with practical local knowledge and a look at current affairs.
Let's Go2Mexico
is the place to go for a quick lesson on the country's geography, population, entry requirements, and more. What really steals the show, though, are the 360-degree panorama shots of dozens of Mexican locations.
For printed travel guidebooks ...
Lonely Planet
is one of the best online travel guides, and its Mexico coverage is no exception. The site has forums, travel advice, cultural and tourist information, and much more.
Fodor
's features comprehensive coverage of Mexico organized by top destinations such as Cozumel, Oaxaca, and the Caribbean Coast. Each destination is presented with sights, restaurants, hotels, and things to do during your stay.
Let's Go
is geared toward the backpacker and independent-minded traveler. It's a popular site with students, but its excellent articles and tips can be useful to any traveler.
For the best Mexican beaches ...
Bugbog
is an independent travel guide with a good page on Mexico's finest beaches. Learn the best time of year to go, and get some insider tips you might not find on other sites.
Frommer
's is a well-respected travel site with an informative section on the best Mexican beaches. There are no pictures, just quality information and lively descriptions.
ForbesTraveler.com
has the visual goods: a beautiful slideshow of the site's top Mexican beaches will have you yearning for the sand between your toes.
MSN.com
's travel pages are consistently reliable and detailed, and they have great coverage of Mexican beach resorts. Though the site doesn't provide individual listings of beach resorts, it does give detailed information about Mexico's various regions to help you look for resorts according to the region that bests suits your interests.
For Mexico's ruins and archeological sites ...
MayaRuins.com
has an excellent introduction to the ruins of Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, and Honduras. Start with the map of archeological sites for a bird's-eye view. Each location links to a full description with photos or a map of the site.
Mexperience
focuses on the archeological parks, pyramids, and ancient cities in Mexico. The site does a great job of putting each attraction in context with information on highlights, getting there and around, nearby places and points of interest, and local climate and weather tips.
For walking tours in Mexico ...
Go-Oaxaca
is a site with lots of information about visiting Oaxaca, a beautiful state (as well as city) in Mexico. Take the detailed walking tour outlined on the site, starting from the Cathedral and ending at the Market of the Artisans.
My Walking Tour of Acapulco
is one man's ode to a place he obviously loves. Fred Meulemeester has created a walking tour of Old Acapulco and shares it here, complete with map and photos.
For information about when to go to Mexico ...
SmarterTravel.com
has a small but helpful section on the best time of year to go to Mexico that takes into account the high and low seasons, weather information, and festivals.
Mexperience
has a calendar of events taking place in Mexico throughout the year, organized by season and month. Thinking of going to Mexico in August? Consider the Paracho Guitar Festival, the Mushroom Fair of San Juanito, or several other surprising options.
Travel Requirements for Mexico
The sites below offer valuable information on travel requirements to Mexico. You'll learn about passport and visa requirements, health suggestions and more. In addition, these resources offer a deeper look at Mexican customs and traditions.
Dulcinea's Insight
- It's important to check travel and safety advisories on the State Department's Web site before you go. While Mexico is generally a safe country to travel in, it's always better to err on the side of caution.
- In some ways, Mexico's culture, especially with respect to social interactions, differs greatly from that of the United States and other countries. Take the time to learn about the customs before you go so that you are not surprised about what you encounter and so that you don't offend any locals during your visit.
- Be sure to check Customs information before you go; new laws are going into effect in 2007 and 2008 regarding passports and Visas for all travelers.
- In Mexico, you are guilty until proven innocent. Avoid trouble with the law, and you'll have a wonderful stay.
Dulcinea's Picks
For general information and history ...
Geographia
has a vivid account of Mexico's history and culture that spans the Aztec, Maya, and Olmecs to Pancho Villa to present-day politics. Prepare to be wowed by the drama and complexity of this country.
Virtual Mexico
may not dazzle with its design but it does provide a comprehensive overview of life in Mexico. Learn about the economy, the people, the cost of living, health and security issues, and lots more.
MEXonline.com
covers many varied topics for travelers to Mexico. Find links to information on taking your boat, driving, bringing your pets, and buying real estate in Mexico. There are also links to consulates, embassies, and government offices.
For local customs, etiguette, and traditions ...
Mexico Connect
has an informative and lengthy page on "The History, Myths, Arts and Traditions of Mexico." Scroll through the links to learn about major events in Mexican history, folk art, and spiritual celebrations.
MEXonline.com
has a section covering Mexico's art history and museums, culture, traditions, dance, music, and an educational program sponsored by the Mexican government.
IndigoGuide
has helpful information on the finer points of Mexican culture including etiquette and the nuances of correct behavior in social interactions.
For health advisories and safety information ...
The U.S. Department of State
has plenty of useful information regarding travel advisories and entry and customs requirements for travelers going to Mexico.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
offers a complete health primer for travelers to Mexico that covers vaccinations, preventive medicine, and how to stay healthy during your trip.
Getting to Mexico
With the help of the Internet, you can easily book your own trip to Mexico. Below are some suggested resources for flights and cruises to Mexico, as well as sites that offer information about driving to Mexico.
Dulcinea's Insight
- There are new rules and regulations regarding travel to and from Mexico for all travelers. Be sure to check the State Department Web site for information about passports and Visas.
- While cruises to Mexico are an excellent choice for those who want a relaxing tour, those who seek a more detailed tour of Mexico's regions are probably better off flying or driving. However, cruises can be a great way to get a feel for which regions you might want to explore further.
- If you choose to drive to Mexico, be sure to purchase Mexican auto insurance and to follow the rules at all times. American and Canadian auto insurance is not valid in Mexico.
Dulcinea's Picks
Mexperience
has brief rundowns on getting to Mexico from the United States, Canada, the UK, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, with links to the Mexican, International, and low-cost airlines serving Mexico. There's also a section on buses versus planes that reveals when planes might actually take longer.
Carnival Cruise Lines
is a popular cruise ship company with cruises to Baja Mexico and the Mexican Riviera. Choose your point of destination for a list of upcoming cruises.
MEXonline
has step-by-step instructions for driving your car into Mexico.
Mexico Hotels
Mexico has a wide variety of accommodation options suited for every traveler's taste. The more touristy areas such as Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, and Cabo San Lucas offer mostly large hotels and resorts. You can find very nice, smaller properties in the lesser known parts of Mexico. For the more adventurous, beach camping and RV parks are a fun option.
Dulcinea's Insight
- Like any country, the quality of Mexico's accommodations varies greatly and as a general rule, the more you pay, the better the accommodation will be. (This is mainly true in the more touristy areas; if you choose to stay in smaller towns, you can get decent accommodation for very cheap).
- There are a few sites that can help you search for hotel deals and even book them online. Learn more about them in the findingDulcinea Travel Guide.
- Don't be surprised if you pay "American" prices when you stay in places such as Cabo San Lucas and Cancun. The more touristy areas are much more expensive than the less traveled parts of Mexico.
- Hostels are a great option for both the young and the budget-minded.
Dulcinea's Picks
For hotels ...
Si-Mexico Hotel And Resort Travel Guide
features a clickable map of Mexico. Choose a city to get a list of hotels with profiles, photos, services, and nearby restaurants and bars. Check availability and rates, or book a hotel using the hotel reservation network on the site.
TripAdvisor
is a very useful resource chock full of great information on Mexican hotels. The site also provides the added benefit of customer reviews and ratings for almost every listed.
For beach resorts ...
ResortsandLodges.com
may not be as well known as some other sites, but it lists over 150 Mexican beach resorts, including pictures and videos of each. You can link to properties, or call the property direct-no online booking on this site.
Travel Channel
publishes their list of the best Mexican beach resorts every year. Here's the tony top 10 with brief descriptions, rates, and links to associated Web sites.
For hostels ...
Hostelworld.com
has a long list of Mexican hostels in virtually every Mexican region. Each hostel is listed with a lengthy description, list of property facilities, and photos.
Hostelling International
's hostels are known for being clean, safe, and fun. Check out their short list of quality hostels complete with customer ratings, photos, and booking availability.
For RV parks and campgrounds ...
MEXonline.com
has a short list of Mexican RV parks and campgrounds arranged by region. Each entry links to a Web site with all of the information you need to plan your camping experience.
Know and Enjoy Mexico
has a surprisingly comprehensive list of Mexican RV and trailer parks. Unfortunately, links to individual sites aren't provided, but you will find phone numbers, addresses, and the occasional comment about a given location.
Getting Around Mexico
The Internet is an invaluable resource when it comes to researching your transportation options once in Mexico. Get information about taxis (they're different from those in the United States and elsewhere), buses, and car rentals in Mexico. Much of Mexico is also perfect for walking tours; you can find information online for these as well.
Dulcinea's Insight
- Driving in Mexico can be a very rewarding and fun way to experience the country. However, Mexico is much larger than it looks on the map. if you decide to rent a car, allow for plenty of driving time.
- Mexico's bus system is completely different from that of the United States or Europe. You can ride a luxury bus complete with drink and food service for a tiny fraction of the cost of flying.
- Use caution with taxis; crime has been a problem in the last few years with taxis. It pays to learn a little Spanish before you go, and to stick with taking taxis in major metropolitan areas.
Dulcinea's Picks
For information on public transportation, taxis, buses, and car rental ...
Mexperience
has lots of information about getting around on Mexico's public transportation. Find info on taxis, buses, and car rentals in Mexico.
SolutionsAbroad.com
has a detailed section on public transportation and driving in Mexico, and offers general safety tips for getting around the country.
For information about driving in Mexico ...
Frommer
's offers a list of driving tours and maps for different areas in Mexico. If you're ready to road trip in Mexico, download these maps and hop in the car.
Virtual Mexico
has a handy tool for driving in Mexico: simply click on any two cities on the map and it tells you how many kilometers you'll have to drive.
The Mexico Insurance Professionals
site has information and safety tips for driving in Mexico. The one basic rule for driving in Mexico? "Expect the unexpected," the site warns. Be sure to read all of the road rules before you go to avoid trouble.
Mexico Car Rental Guide
is one of many options for renting a car in Mexico. Enter your location and dates to get quotes from the leading rental car providers in Mexico.
Mexico Travel Blogs and Forums
The Internet is an excellent source of candid opinions and varied perspectives. Using forums and blogs, you'll be able to read many different opinions before you go, and get the inside scoop on that hotel or tour. You might even consider starting your own blog during your trip as a fun way to remember your journey and keep in touch with friends and family at home.
Dulcinea's Insight
- Blogs and forums are terrific sources of firsthand information, but be sure to check multiple ones to make sure the information you're getting is accurate.
- Sometimes people post comments only when they have something negative to say, so be wary of this.
- If you're traveling alone, consider using blogs and forums as a way to meet up with fellow travelers. If you do it safely, this can be a fun and memorable way to travel.
Dulcinea's Picks
TravelPod
's Mexico page has photos, videos, podcasts, and of course, blogs, all posted by users recording their trips to Mexico. Check the top-rated items listed on the page, or search for a particular topic that interests you using the search field at the top.
Virtual Tourist
has nearly one million members, many of whom contribute to the site's travel forums. The Mexico forum is well organized by region, and the discussions are active.
TripAdvisor
is a lively, interactive source for information, reviews, ratings, and forums about all things Travel-posted by travelers. Type "Mexico" into the site's search engine, or any other more specific topic, and read to your heart's content.
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