The Best of Mexico
With thousands of years of history and some of the world’s best art and food, Mexico is a fabulous destination for any traveler. The country also has some of the most amazing hotels if you enjoy having thousands of scenic acres all to yourself. This itinerary starts in Mexico City, before heading to the volcanoes and beaches of the Pacific Coast.
This itinerary combines the cultural mecca of Mexico City with an incredible outdoor experience at some of the world’s best hotels.
For travelers looking for a shorter version of this itinerary, we recommend combining your stay in Mexico City with Habitas Bacalar.
✧ Your travel playlist includes Natalia Lafourcade’s “Nunca Es Suficiente”
Though many people in the States know her best from her performance in Disney’s Coco soundtrack, Natalia Lafourcade is one of Mexico’s most celebrated vocalists and composers. Her dulcet voice and impeccable songwriting feel at home on the streets of Mexico City and poolside on the Pacific.
Arrive in Mexico city and settle into your hotel. We love Casa Polanco, a luxury boutique hotel located in the Polanco area. Mexico City is the largest urban area in North America, so you could easily spend a week here if you want. Because of its high elevation, the weather is generally mild, so it’s a great year-round destination.
If you are staying at Casa Polanco, we like to start by exploring the neighborhood around the hotel. Chapultepec Park is nearby and there are many things to see, including the massive Museo Nacional de Antropología. This will give you some insight into the deep roots of the Mesoamerican culture. Finish your day with reservations at Pujol, one of the world’s best restaurants, where you will have the culinary experience of a lifetime.
Mexico City is known for its street food, so make sure you leave some meals unplanned. You’ll encounter tacos, chilaquiles, churros, and more that you won’t want to pass up. The fashionable La Condesa and Roma Norte neighborhoods are great places to walk around for an afternoon of shopping and dining. The historic old central city is also a popular tourist stop, with a distinctly European feel to it. The Zocalo or central square, Palace of Fine Arts, and Templo Mayor are all big draws, so expect crowds there, but we think it’s worth a stop when you have time. Other attractions in the city include the Frida Kahlo house, Coyoacan Market, and the canal boats of Xochimilco.
On your last day, take a trip to Teotihuacán, the impressive Aztec city that was built around 300 BC. We recommend taking a bike tour of the large complex or arriving early to see the sunrise from the top of the Temple of the Sun.
Fly from Mexico City to Colima airport, and transfer by car to Hacienda de San Antonio, a 5,000-acre ranch in the mountains north of the city.
The horizon here is dominated by the cinder cone of Volcán de Fuego, and on the land, wild horses roam among organic farms and lagoons. The property was once a famous coffee plantation, but now it is a sprawling luxury boutique hotel that serves guests in search of an authentically Mexican experience with no shortage of activities. There is something for everyone; bird watching expeditions, horseback riding across thousands of acres of terrain, mountain biking trails, and yoga classes overlooking tranquil landscapes – not to mention personalized picnics anywhere on the property. The dining experiences at Hacienda de San Antonio stand out for their use of fresh organically grown fruits, vegetables, cheeses, and meats from their gardens and ranch. Each of the 25 individually designed suites at Hacienda de San Antonio is crafted with an eye for detail and is decorated with hand-made wool carpets from Oaxaca, European textiles, and art pieces from the owner’s collection.
Take a private car transfer from Hacienda de San Antonio for 3.5 hours to Cuixmala Resort on the Pacific Coast.
The luxury eco-resort is nestled on 30,000 acres of stunning Pacific coastline. Set between lush jungles, coconut palm groves, savannahs, and lagoons, guests can explore an abundance of wildlife as they wander through this unique property. The main residence is Casa Cuixmala which is a sprawling villa modeled after the Hagia Sophia with its iconic blue-and-yellow tiled dome crowning the house’s ornate and vibrant architecture. All rooms include hand-carved furniture, dramatic windows, and sumptuous silks. Outside is a large saltwater swimming pool surrounded by palapa-covered terraces where guests can take in incredible views over the Pacific Ocean.
Cuixmala is also home to an array of sandy beaches ranging from tranquil picture postcard settings to dramatic rocky bluffs where guests can snorkel or release sea turtle hatchlings. In addition, horseback riding through herds of zebras or visiting their biodynamic farm provide further activities for travelers looking to explore this incredible natural environment.
Take a car to Puerto Vallarta airport for your flight back home.
✧ We’ve sent you some reading material, Fifth Sun: A New History of the Aztecs
The history of the conquest of the Aztec empire by Hernando Cortés in the 1500s has long been told from the European point of view. In this new history, Camilla Townsend draws exclusively on text written by indigenous people to tell their side of the story. View on Amazon
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