10 Amazing Reasons Why I Love Mexico … And Why You Will Too!
Every traveler has a country that they love visiting again and again. For me, it's Mexico. There are so many reasons why I love Mexico so much! This country keeps me coming back for more.
During our first visit to Mexico, we had planned to spend four months here. But after just one month, we knew it wasn’t enough.
Since we enjoy Mexico so much, four months turned to six. Two years later we returned for another five months. And in 2022, we visited for a month and a half.
After multiple visits to Mexico we realize that’s still not enough time to even scratch the surface. There is so much about Mexican culture that we have yet to learn. And there are so many reasons to love this country!
This post was updated on August 3, 2022.
This post may contain affiliate links. That means I may receive a small commission if you click on the link and purchase something. But don't worry, this will not result in any extra costs to you.
Let go of your misperceptions about Mexico
Despite being a neighboring country, the number of Americans who visit Mexico is almost half that of the number of Mexicans visiting the United States. About 10 million Americans visit Mexico each year, while 19 million Mexicans visit the United States on an annual basis. Americans have such a misperception about Mexico.
This country is often unfairly portrayed as poor, dangerous, corrupt. There is some truth to all of this. Compared to the United States, Mexico is not as well off. And drug cartel activity has made some places very dangerous. And sadly, corruption in politics does exist. But this is not the full picture of Mexico.
Our time visiting Mexico with kids has shown us that there is a lot to discover in this country. There is history, there is natural beauty, and there is culture. And there are many safe places in Mexico to visit with kids. I love Mexico, and all that it has to offer. It’s a shame that Mexico gets such a bad rap in the United States!
If you're planning to visit Mexico, this Mexico City tour is a great way to learn about the history, natural beauty, and culture that Mexico has to offer.
Mexico City: 3 Days with a Private Guide
Click here to see the amazing experiences you can have in Mexico with your kids.
I love Mexico, and so do my kids
One of the things that we realized right away after being in Mexico with kids is how family-friendly the country is. From what we’ve observed, Mexican culture is very family oriented. The holidays traditions often involve family. And we often see families hanging out together in parks or public areas.
As a family visiting Mexico with kids, traveling around the country is relatively easy. While there are some minor hassles (cars drive pretty fast on the streets, so make sure to hold on to little kids’ hands when walking on busy roads), we haven’t had many issues with having kids in Mexico.
In general, Mexico is pretty safe for families if you are a tourist. Keep in mind that as tourists, we hold a certain privilege by not having direct ties to local politics or social tensions. It's important to have this context in mind as you travel through Mexico. And don't be afraid to talk about some of these privileges with your kids during your trip in Mexico.
Additionally, you need to practice a few common sense precautions, so that you can fully enjoy Mexico. Don’t flash around jewelry or valuables. Be aware when walking around at night. And make sure to keep an eye on your kiddos, so that they stay safe.
Why I love Mexico, and why you will too!
There are so many reasons why I love Mexico! My husband and I are already dreaming up plans to come back here for future trips. We think it’s a great country for families to visit.
You can read about Mexico's rich culture and history in the Lonely Planet Mexico guide book. The book also has great suggestions of things to do while you're in Mexico. Additionally, The Fifth Sun, by Camilla Townsend tells the history of Mexico, as told by the Aztecs. It's a good introduction to the the indigenous history that is still present in Mexico.
Buy a copy of these books about Mexico on Amazon here:
Lonely Planet Mexico guide book
Mexico Culture Smart! The Essential Guide to Customs and Culture
101 Conversations in Mexican Spanish
If you're interested in learning more about how families can enjoy Mexico, here’s ten of my all time reasons why I love Mexico.
1. I love Mexico for its food!
Before we came to Mexico, our exposure to Mexican food was mostly tacos and quesadillas. Since visiting Mexico with kids, we’ve had a chance to dive deeper into Mexican cuisine.
While we were in San Miguel de Allende, for example, we took a tour of San Miguel de Allende restaurants and had a chance to sample Mexican cuisine from different parts of the country.
We love the variety of dishes you can find (mole, tamales, tlayudas, huaraches) and each region has their own specialty. Food helps us enjoy Mexico, and learn more about the culture of the country.
Click here to see why you need to take a Mexican cooking class on your next trip to Puerto Vallarta.
2. Music is everywhere!
The music of Mexico is another reason why I love Mexico. Music is everywhere! In Guanajuato, we took a tour of the alleys around Centro with the callejoneadas (singing troubadours!).
And in Guadalajara, the home of mariachi music, we were serenaded by a mariachi band. We even have fun watching the Mexican music videos when we’re sitting at the restaurants. Whether it’s romantic Spanish guitars, traditional mariachi music, or the more modern sounds of reggaeton, we are loving the music of Mexico.
3. Cenotes, mangroves, and beaches, oh my!
The natural beauty of Mexico is breath-taking. Mexico has beautiful mountain ranges, including the Sierra Madres. And for water lovers, you can take your pick of beaches, mangroves, and lakes.
And in the Yucatan peninsula, cenotes (limestone sink holes filled with water) are popular places for inland swimming. We had such a great time swimming in these unique natural bodies of water. Take a look at the cenotes we visited while spending time in the beach town of Progreso.
Read here to learn about how you can travel more sustainably and help to preserve these beautiful natural wonders.
4. So many animals to see in nature!
I didn’t expect to see so many animals when I came to Mexico. But now, the animals are one of the reasons why we enjoy Mexico! So far, since coming to Mexico, we have seen butterflies, dolphins, whales, sea turtles, whale sharks, and sea lions. And in their natural environment, to boot! It’s so fun to be around so much wildlife.
5. I love Mexico for its beautiful cities
Another reason why I love Mexico is because of the beautiful cities. The Pacific coast is known for its amazing beach cities like Puerto Escondido and Puerto Vallarta, while the Yucatan peninsula has cities like Progreso and Merida.
Meanwhile, the central parts of the country have cities like Mexico City, Puebla, Guadalajara, and Guanajuato, all of which are amazing to visit. Additionally, cities like San Miguel de Allende, Oaxaca, and San Cristobal de las Casas offer unique history and culture in a colorful and vibrant setting. Mexico has no shortage of beautiful cities to explore.
Take a look at how you can incorporate worldschooling and learning into your city explorations in Mexico.
6. Rich indigenous traditions
During our first few nights visiting Mexico with kids, we came across a group of dancers performing an Aztec ceremony in Mexico City. Since then, we’ve watched many more such dances, tasted traditional Aztec cuisine, and even participated in a traditional Temazcal (sweat lodge) ceremony.
Mexico’s connection to its indigenous roots is strong, and it’s one of the reasons why I love Mexico.
7. Plenty of pre-colonial historic sites to visit
One of the reasons why I love Mexico is its history. Mexico's history dates back thousands of years, with the Olmecs, the Mayans, and the Aztecs.
While many of these civilizations' cities were destroyed when the Spanish invaded, some pre-colonial historic sites managed to survive. The popular sites include Teotihuacan in Mexico City, and Chichen Itza. But there are many smaller sites around Mexico that are easier to visit with kids.
Planning on renting a car while touring Mexico's many pre-colonial historic sites? Here's what you need to know about driving in Mexico.
8. Getting around is so easy
Over the course of our visits to Mexico, we’ve explored thirteen cities in eight states. We’ve found it’s pretty easy to get around the country.
Cheap local flights make traveling from city to city easy. And the bus system between cities also makes travel just as easy. We prefer taking the bus as it allows us to enjoy Mexico through its beautiful scenery.
Within the cities, the buses are fairly straightforward. And in non-touristy cities, the taxis are affordable. Mexico City even has an extensive subway system.
9. Laid back attitude towards life
Another reason why I love Mexico is the general laid back attitude towards life that I feel in the cities. Things move at a slower pace here. And it’s not just because we are traveling.
In many cities, the weather is too hot to do much of anything, so the mid-afternoon is usually time for siesta. We love being in a country that actively takes time to rest during the day!
If you like laid back countries, why not check out another laid back country we've visited: Costa Rica!
10. A truly family-friendly destination
Throughout every state we've traveled through in Mexico, whether it's in Central Mexico, Northern Mexico, or the Yucatan peninsula, we have been surprised at how truly family-friendly Mexico is. We have never had a problem bringing our children to museums, restaurants, and public spaces.
Most tourist activities in Mexico are also accommodating for kids, and we've really appreciated that too. Our kids have been able to snorkel, ride horses, explore ruins, and experience Mexico right alongside us.
Mexican culture is very family-oriented. And that translates well to traveling with kids in Mexico. In general, you'll find that kids are welcomed as much as adults. So you won't have to worry about whether the presence of children will bother others, because more often than not, it won't.
Hoping families love Mexico the way I love Mexico
While we’re no expert on the country, we do think that families will enjoy Mexico. There is just so much for families to experience here!
I’m making it my personal mission to change people’s perceptions about Mexico. Rather than being a dangerous place, Mexico is actually a fun, beautiful, and amazing country to visit. We think families visiting Mexico with kids will love it here.
In fact, I've even created a blog called Mexico Family Travel, dedicated to family vacation travel to Mexico. Take a look at the 10 day Mexico itinerary and start planning your Mexico vacation today!
Do you agree with my reasons for why I love Mexico? Share with me your thoughts on Mexico in the comments.
Are you planning to visit Mexico for your family vacation? Use my family vacation planning checklist to help you get ready.
If you're planning to visit Mexico as part of a bigger, long term trip, then use my ebook, Hey Kids, Let's Go Travel! to get access to tools and actionable steps for the planning process.
Need help thinking through how to budget for a family trip? My Travel Budget Worksheet is just the tool you need! Click here to receive your free copy by signing up for my newsletter.
Want to connect with me on social media? Find me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter. And for those of you who are dedicated to traveling more responsibly, sustainably, and ethically, join over 450 like-minded families on my Facebook group, Responsible Family Travel.