Mexico has been one of our best and favourite countries that we have visited so far. It is one of those country where you have it all, fantastic beaches, delicious food, cenotes, jungles, lagoons, ancient Mayan cities, ecological reserves, adventure parks, the world’s second largest coral reef and a fantastic warm Mexican welcome. Mexico is one of those countries that you don’t want to leave, and as soon as you do, you miss it already. Like every year we travel somewhere warm in March, in 2017 Mexico was our choice, amazing 10 days spent in a beautiful country in the Yucatan Peninsula. We landed with a direct flight in Cancun from London, we flew with Virgin Atlantic, fantastic service. The best way to travel around the country is definitely hiring a car directly at the airport, we didn’t had any problems driving around and the roads are pretty well maintained.
We booked a hotel for 10 days in Playa del Carmen with a cool pool in the rooftop, and from there we moved around easily going every day in a different destination. If you are planning to stay in the area of Yucatan and Quintana Roo, I highly suggest to find an accommodation around Playa del Carmen, as is the best area to go at night for restaurants and bars. The area of the Riviera Maya, on Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, has so much more to offer. Mayan ruins, eco parks, amazing diving spots, they’re all along this 180 km stretch of coastline, which takes you from Cancun to Punta Allen and the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve.
This area was an important commercial and religious center for the ancient Maya, and there are many archaeological sites to discover there, such as Tulum, Cobá, Chichén Itzá and Muyil.
For hundreds of years, the area remained isolated from the rest of the country due to the lack of adequate roads. As Cancun was developed, some tourists wanted an alternative to the big resort area, and the Riviera Maya was re-discovered and developed starting with Playa del Carmen to then in the last few years with Tulum, that is becoming an eco-friendly area with the majority of the infrastructures being eco sustainable. The beaches in this area of Mexico are fantastic, you can spend hours snorkelling and scuba diving, as one of the world’s biggest reefs is just off the coast. Just so you know, at certain times of the year specially in February and March, beaches in Riviera Maya can be impacted by seaweed. This region is also famous for its cenotes, there are plenty of underground rock pools that you can swim in like Gran Cenote, Cenote Azul, Suytun Cenote, Calavera, Tak Be Ha, Yaxbacaltun, Zaci and Ik Kil Cenote are the best.
I have two favourite places in Quintana Roo, the first one is Holbox Island, feels like to be in a different planet, no cars are allowed, everyone is going around with the bike, is the perfect place to relax and recharge, it’s the paradise island. The second one is Tulum, it is a magical little hippie town on the coast, it’s a paradise that everyone will fall in love with, there is not much to do in the town (apart visiting the ruins), but you’ll be spoiled with choices of great food, great music, awesome beach clubs, plenty of restaurants on the beach. Tulum is best explored by bicycle.

Mexican food is one of the most popular foods internationally, but until you are in Mexico you really don’t know what Mexican food is. Everything is delicious and fresh, you will be amazed of the variety of choice, from the best tacos of your life (maybe with your feet in the sand looking at the ocean) to the most juicy chicken. Octopus is something to really not miss, tostada with fish ceviche is unbelievably delicious, breakfast is a big deal and you cannot miss Huevos Rancheros with a fresh good grapefruit juice. Of course there is much much more, that is just the beginning. A couple of great places for breakfast if you are in Playa del Carmen are El Zorro Plateado and La Cueva del Chango, while for dinner I highly suggest Trujillos Cantina De Selva. If you are a beer lover, especially beer by the beach lover, Mexico is your place, they have many local breweries and they all taste amazing, my favourites are Victoria, of course Corona, Pacifico, Modelo and Tecate.