I open the drawer of dreams with hope to slide in a new destination: Mexico.
A country whose ancient stones, guarded by the jungle, seem to call me insistently to go and discover its legends, to decipher its enigmatic inscriptions.
The murmur of water also whispers to me from the other side of the ocean, water that runs through the entire territory knowing it is the protagonist, seducing with impossible blues, drawing canyons as it carves its way through the mountains; water that caresses the white sand of the beaches trying to make the palm trees fall in love, flirting with the stones by jumping capriciously in untamable waterfalls and hiding to rest underground in sacred caverns, breathing through holes.
The force of the wild lava from Mexico’s volcanoes reaches me; I want to see how they dominate the landscape, how they trick the snow into resting in their craters, and I even imagine them roaring inside, as if their fiery entrails were lamenting the sacrifices of old.
I fantasize about climbing the steps of one of its pyramids, perhaps with the hope of touching the sky with my hands, of discovering a pair of quetzals among the clouds, of sharpening my hearing to listen to the stones murmuring ancient Mayan rites. And from up there, I might even spot remnants of an empire that is past but not buried.
Mexico evokes an orgy of flavors that would surely leave a mark on my palate. Satiating oneself with tamales, enchiladas, cochinita, moles, even daring to try chapulines. A bold gastronomy, overflowing with colors, distilling suggestive aromas, intoxicating with its intense flavor.
But above all, I want to travel to the land of the Mayans and Aztecs to meet its people, whom I imagine as smiling, strong, full of character, brimming with life, and with faces that reflect their intense past. Rich in experiences and rich in culture; a culture that I will find in every corner of the cities and towns of Mexico, because its corners must be filled with history.
And so that this dream becomes a reality and later a memory, I have mapped out a 10-day route with the help of the Maya Pass, in this case the 7-day one, an ideal passport to discover Mexico that includes transfers from one destination to another with the bus company ADO which offers the traveler an extensive network of terminals. Thus, I am participating in the contest promoted by All Pass Mexico to organize a blogtrip with the chosen route.
Day 1 Mexico City
Arrival at Mexico City. An essential visit to the Zocalo, the historic center of the city, an immense square, also known as the Plaza de la Constitución, crowned with the Metropolitan Cathedral and dotted with museums. An ideal place to take the pulse of the city, to leisurely contemplate the current life of Mexicans surrounded by their history. This enclave that never sleeps is a witness to celebrations, protests, cultural events, demonstrations of its rich folklore… There is no better way to start diving into the country than getting lost in the coming and going of the square.
Another suggestion to make the most of the day is to head to the Coyoacán district, the city’s intellectual and artistic neighborhood, to visit the house-museum where the painter Frida Kahlo, partner of fellow painter Diego Rivera. You will delve into the tragic and unconventional life of one of the 20th-century Mexican cultural icons.
Day 2 Puebla-Cholula
We will take a bus very early to arrive in a couple of hours at Puebla and make the most of the day. This city, whose valley is guarded by four volcanoes: Popocatépetl, Iztaccíhuatl, La Malinche, and Citlaltépetl, cannot be missing from my route. A quick walk through the city before heading to a magical and not-so-visited town Cholula, where Hernán Cortés himself landed.
I choose this spot because it combines the force of nature, archaeological remains, adventure ecotourism, a very peculiar gastronomy, and rich traditions seen in its folklore, legends, and festivities. From the esplanade of the Templo de la Virgen de los Remedios, for example, you can enjoy the spectacular views of the Popocatépetl volcano. If you’re up for it, and the weather permits, you can fly over this volcano in a paraglider. It’s essential to visit the Great Pyramid, the largest in the world in terms of its base, its tunnels, and the annexed archaeological sites. Before bed, a good dinner to try the Elephant ears, a large tortilla stuffed with beans inside and sauces, and topped on the outside with cheese and onion.
That same night we will take a night bus that will drop us off early at our next destination.
Day 3 Chiapa de Corzo
We arrive in the Chiapas region via Tuxtla Gutiérrez, the region’s capital, to head to the colonial city of Chiapa de Corzo. A day to enjoy at a leisurely pace the natural beauty of the Sumidero Canyon, located in a spectacular natural park. The Grijalva River runs between walls over 300 meters high. A boat ride through its waters will give us the opportunity to photograph the landscape, discover waterfalls, and spot animals like monkeys and crocodiles.
We will spend the night in the city to rest from the long journey and continue enjoying the area.
Day 4 Chiapa de Corzo
After a good rest, we can spend the morning calmly strolling through this beautiful colonial city, which was the first founded by Spaniards in the Chiapas region. Its locals have great skill in wood carving; a good example is the masks that they wear at the Parachicos festival. Another option is to visit some of the many waterfalls that dot the area and enjoy the special blue of their waters.
At midday, we will take a bus heading to Palenque, where we will stay overnight.
Day 5 Palenque
We will wake up in the important city of Palenque where, after the nature of previous days, we will reconnect with archaeology. Palenque has an important and complete archaeological zone that we cannot miss. Surely, we will marvel at El Palacio or the Temple of the Inscriptions.
At night, it is a good time to taste the typical gastronomy of the Chiapas region. You cannot miss dishes of indigenous origin such as shote with momo.
Day 6 Palenque
To rest and continue enjoying the area, we will stay in Palenque, which still has much to discover, such as the Misol-ha waterfall demonstrates the force of nature with a beautiful 35-meter-high waterfall.
Day 7 Campeche – Mérida
In the morning we will depart for Campeche where we can stroll through its colorful streets and chat with its locals. After resting and savoring the local food, we will set off for Mérida where we will arrive in a couple of hours
Day 8 Chichen Itza
Photo property of Alejandro Velasco
Finally, we will arrive at Mexico’s most well-known archaeological complex, Chichen Itza.
Day 9 Tulum
Photo property of Alejandro Velasco
Tulum will allow us to spend the last full day resting and strolling along its beach. In the evening, we will see a folklore show.
Day 10 Tulum
We will enjoy the last hours in Tulum strolling, buying handicrafts, or having one last swim. Return to Madrid.
