5 months in Mexico: the best route, my favorite places, unique experiences, how much I spent and more
In this post I’ll be sharing my exact route and suggested routes, my favorite places, the best hotels and hostels, non touristy destinations, unique experiences and how much I spent traveling in Mexico for 5 months. Vamos!
I traveled solo throughout Mexico for 5 months starting end of March 2022. I had an unforgettable experience. Throughout the months, I met so many amazing people, locals and other travelers, ate so many tacos that I couldn’t eat anymore by the 5th month came around, (pace yourself!), got my tan back, swam with turtles and dolphins, did a silent meditation retreat, hung out with monkeys in the jungle, attempted to salsa dance (attempting is even more fun because you get to add your own spice), and fell in love with Mexico’s hidden gems.
Mexico has a surprisingly diverse landscape. I was so impressed. Most people think, beach and tacos. I never knew there was a jungle in Mexico until I went to region, Chiapas. Mexico’s culture is vibrant and welcoming. The food was fresh and delicious. If there’s one thing I can’t stress enough is, don’t let the bad stories about Mexico intimidate you about traveling there. Mexico has so much to offer. There are hikes, lots of volunteering opportunities, cooking classes, white sand beaches, yoga classes galore, meditation retreats and lots of other spiritual experiences. Experience Mexico for yourself though, you will most likely fall in love (with the prices, landscapes, food and people) and will stay longer than you expected. That’s exactly what happened to me.
Whether you are traveling for a long period or a quick trip, you will find some very useful information in this blog.
But first, a few helpful links to help you get started on your journey!
Amazons most recommended affordable backpack: Click here
My favorite water bottles: Click here
Want free housing? Click here
Don’t worry your mom. Get travel insurance. Click here
Best place to book hotels? Booking.com
Best place to book hostels? Hostelworld.com
Looking for volunteering opportunities? Click here
Did you set up an alert to get a cheap flight? Scotts Cheap flights, sign up here
My Mexico mini guides, tips, and more are on my Instagram @alexamcdonald
View from a rooftop in San Miguel de Allende
Where To Start
First think about how much time you have. What is the most important to you? Food? Try Oaxaca. City atmosphere? Try Mexico City. Beaches? Try Holbox. Cenotes? Try Valladolid. Good waves? Try Puerto Escondido and the Pacific coast. Few tourists? Try Tepoztlan or Merida. Nature and jungle? Try Chiapas.
I would recommend starting in the north and then heading south to Quintana Roo or doing the opposite direction. My route was Mexico City to Bacalar, as I was going to cross the border to Belize right after. I thought the route I took was almost perfect and would fully recommend it for someone trying to get a bit of everything I mentioned above.
Mexico is a huge country though, so if you only have a month or less I would recommend sticking to one of the regions and fully immerse yourself there. If you have 3 months, the route I did is manageable. Although as a advocate of slow travel, I would recommend at least 4 months. The longest I stayed in places were 4 weeks in Puerto Escondido because of a work exchange and 3 weeks in Merida because of a house sit.
I took buses throughout the whole country and enjoyed traveling that way.
How To Get Around
There are three main bus companies in Mexico. They are ADO, Primera Plus and ETN. I used ADO 90% of the time.
You can either book in person at the bus station or online at ADO.com. Sometimes it is cheaper to book online so double check the price online first. Just a forewarning, the website does not work sometimes therefore you will have to go in person. I usually booked my bus the day before the travel day. If you are having trouble booking online, I think this has to do with the credit card you are using and if you are booking from your phone or laptop. I had more luck booking on my laptop. If you are traveling from a big tourist city to another tourist city, for example, Puerto Escondido to Oaxaca, I recommend buying your ticket a few days in advance and picking a good seat for the long ride. If you wait until the last minute, you’ll be stuck sitting by the toilet. That’s exactly what happened to me. No bueno.
Funny enough, the nicest bus I have ever been on in all of my travels was a bus from Mexico City to San Miguel de Allende.
The second option of traveling around is via a colectivo. What is a colectivo?
Colectivos are vans or shuttle buses that are considered to be a shared option. They pick up people on the side of the road and drop them off along the way. You let the driver know when you want to get off. Sometimes they have designated pick up spots but most of the time, you will have to wave one down on the side of the road. Colectivos are a lot cheaper, less professional or organized, but in my opinion, more fun! If you get the hang of using them and gain to confidence to travel like a local, these will become your best friend. To note, if you are going to travel in lesser known places, you will most likely have to take a colectivo. If you are traveling between to big cities, you will most likely take an ADO bus or another large bus.
I found traveling via bus and colectivo in Mexico to be fairly easy, comfortable and very reasonably priced. Make sure to brush up on your Spanish prior as most of the colectivo drivers only speak Spanish. I have listed some useful phrases at the end of this article.
Tips:
Many of the buses will blast their AC! Bring a jacket onboard with you.
Always keep your valuables with you. Your main bag, backpack or suitcase will be put underneath the bus. Use a lock for extra security. You will most likely receive a ticket when you give them their baggage. Do not lose this ticket.
Bring your own toilet paper. Most of the buses I took didn’t have any. Also, if you need to use the bathroom at the bus station, they cost money. Just wait until you get on the bus to save some money.
Download some Netflix for those long 15+ hour buses!
Try to sit close to other tourists. This often leads to sharing a taxi or getting in a colectivo together after you arrive.
Do not sit under the TV’s - you have no control over the sound.
Don’t be surprised if someone comes on the bus and takes a video of the passengers and asks for your passport. These are normal checks. As always, be aware of your surroundings and watch how the person is going through your passport just in case.
When taking a colectivo, have change ($) easily accessible so that when you get on the colectivo, you can quickly give the driver the money. Some colectivos are paid when you get off so ask the driver or other passengers how much the ride is when you get on. Always be prepared and respectful because the colectivo is privately owned by the driver. The faster they get people on and off, the more money they receive.
Last but not least, try to not fall asleep for the whole bus ride. There are some seriously beautiful landscapes all throughout Mexico.
I was able to see so much of the country I would have not been able to see if I took flights. It also was the most sustainable and affordable way to travel.
If 15 hours on a bus scares you, trust me, after a while, all of the long bus rides will feel shorter and shorter. If you prepare yourself ahead of time, think comfy clothes, netflix, good movie or show, a clear mind with hours to think and stare out of the window (one of my favorite things to do), a good book, and have all of your important belongings next to… you’ll have a great time! Enjoy the down time before you get to your next destination and become an explorer again!
Mexico Trip Itinerary
Below are three options: 5 months (the exact route I took), 3 months and 1 month.
5 months:
With 5 months you will be able to see a variety of places. You can go to a lot of places that are off the beaten path. You’ll also be able to stay longer in places you fall in love with, to rest and recharge, and create a community.
The route I did was:
Mexico City
Puebla
Tepoztlán
Oaxaca
Puerto Escondido
Laguna de Chacahua
San Jose del Pacifico
San Cristobal de las Casas
El Chiflon
Laguna de Montebello
Chiapas Jungle
Merida
Valladolid
Holbox
Playa del Carmen
Cozumel
Tulum
Bacalar
Slow travel, talk to locals, pick up a hobby, stay longer in the places you love, and enjoy! City guides coming soon!
To break up the above by months and states:
5 months:
Month #1 - Mexico City and surrounding cities
Month #2 - Oaxaca state (Oaxaca and Pacific Coast)
Month # 3 - Chiapas state (San Cristobal de las Casa and then complete the Chiapas loop)
Month #4: Yucatan state (Palenque to Valladolid and then Holbox)
Month #5: Quintana Roo state (Holbox, Tulum and Bacalar)
3 months:
Month #1: Mexico City and surrounding cities, Oaxaca State (Puerto Escondido and other small beach towns along the coast)
Month #2: San Cristobal de las Casas, Palenque and Valladolid
Month #3: Holbox, Cozumel, Tulum and Bacalar
1 month:
Week #1: Mexico City
Week #2: Oaxaca
Fly to Cancun
Week #3 and 4: Holbox, Valladolid and Tulum
My Favorite Places
Mexico City: the capital of Mexico, the largest city in North America, home to world class museums and some of the best restaurants in the world. This place is full of life.
Mexico City Guide coming soon
Check out my Instagram in the meantime as I have a food guide and so many reels about this amazing city!
Tepoztlán: located an hour south of Mexico City, known for its cobblestone streets, spas, meditation centers, and alternative medicine. It’s also a Pueblo Magico town.
Oaxaca: foodie city, a great place to try new foods, colorful buildings, easy to love, indigenous cultures, has lots of traditional festivities
Puerto Escondido: known for its beaches, the best sunsets, buzzing nightlife, chill vibes, a great place to not wear shoes, and one of the best places to surf (beginner and expert level), major tourist spots but a great way to meet other travelers
Guide coming soon
Laguna de Chacahua: a true hidden gem, one of my top 3 favorite places in Mexico, non touristy, relaxing, super simple, need to find a place to stay upon arrival
San Jose del Pacifico: a magic mushroom village located up in the mountains, fairy land, or as a friend called it, where dinosaurs used to live, totally legal to take psychedelic mushrooms here, supposedly there’s no rules there, do a temazcal, there’s an amazing hostel there, mini guide here
San Cristóbal de las Casas: beautiful old colonial town, modern and traditional parts, surrounded by nature, this is where I did a 3 day silent retreat (it was life changing)
El Chiflon - located in Chiapas, the best kept secret and one of the less traveled regions in Mexico, I was totally unaware Mexico had enormous waterfalls until I went here, nature was stunning, very few tourists, most are Mexican tourists, go early in the morning to avoid the tour companies, mini guide here
Jungle - Mexico has a jungle, I repeat, Mexico has a jungle! I felt like I was back in the Amazon. Stay at Aramacao Eco Lodge for a proper jungle adventure filled with parrots and monkeys, mini guide here
Valladolid - the lesser known hub for going to cenotes, one of the most beautiful natural creations I have ever seen, go here instead of Tulum, go there now before everyone else discovers it! My favorite cenote is noted on my Instagram.
Holbox - one of the most beautiful places I have ever been, think white sand beaches, clear blue water, say no more. Mini guide here.
Cozumel - one of the best places to scuba dive in the world, I saw sharks, rays, and so much more. Dive with Scuba Tony!
Best Unique Experiences
Eat one taco at 5 different places in one night
Do a silent meditation retreat at Hridaya Family Meditation & Yoga Retreat Center
Rent a motorbike and visit the cenotes in the back of locals backyards in Valladolid
Go to a top 50 restaurant in the world in Mexico City (Pujol and/or Quintonil)
Scuba dive in Cozumel (Go with Scuba Tony!) or cenote dive in Tulum
Go to Grutas Tolantongo (day trip from Mexico City)
Go to El Chiflon Waterfalls (zip lining available)
Stay in the jungle (stay at Aramacao Eco Lodge, you’ll see so many monkeys and parrots)
Free meditation in Mexico City (my favorite hidden gem in Mexico City, it is called Safe Space)
Eat at a traditional restaurant in Oaxaca (Check out mimilopezoaxaquita on instagram)
Do a movement course in Puerto Escondido
Visit the most stunning architectural house, Casa Organica house
Temezcal in San Jose del Pacifico
AZULIK Art Center in (northwest) Tulum
Hot Air Balloon Flight over Teotihuacan
Best Accommodations
Mexico City: Casa Pancha Hostel or Casa Mariscal Airbnb
Tepoztlán: This Airbnb or Upscale: Posada del Tepozteco
Oaxaca: Casa Angel Hostel or Ticuchi Hostel, or Upscale: Pug Seal
Puerto Escondido: Bugambilias Alojamiento Hostel or One Love Hostal Puerto Escondido
San Jose del Pacifico: Bostel Rancho Viejo
San Cristobal de las Casas: For a retreat only, Hridaya Family Meditation & Yoga Retreat Center
Jungle: AraMacao Las Guacamayas
Tulum: Co.Banitas Eco Hotel
Tip: Posada del Tepozteco and Pug Seal are stunning hotels. If you can not stay there, it is worth checking out and walking around their grounds.
OTHER BESTS:
Best place to meet other solo travelers: Puerto Escondido
Best food: Mexico City
Best cenotes: Valladolid
Best nature: Chiapas
Best wildlife: Jungle in Chiapas
Best retreat options:Tulum
Best place to surf: Puerto Escondido coast
Best diving: Cozumel
Best white sand beach and clear waters: Holbox
Pre and Post Trip
WHAT TO PACK:
Passport and copies
Backpack - linked here
Water bottle - linked here
No foreign transaction fee credit card - linked here
Earplugs
Tripod
Camera
Fanny pack
Eco friendly mosquito repellent
Reusable shopping bag
Comfortable sandals (these are my favorite of all time)
Bathing suits
Comfortable shorts and pants
DO YOU WANT TO TRAVEL FOR FREE? CONSIDER THESE:
House sitting - click here to learn more
Volunteering - click here to learn more
DON’T FORGET TRAVEL INSURANCE:
View here
Post trip/Where to go after:
Travel to Belize after! I fell in love with the island Caye Caulker. Check out my Instagram to find out how much I loved this island!
Super important: DO NOT LOOSE THE FMM CARD YOU RECEIVED UPON ARRIVAL. Make sure you receive the correct number of days allowed in the country. As an American, your card should have a 180 days written on it. Check this immediately after receiving. You will need this card to exit the country. If you lose it, you will have to pay a hefty fee.
Useful Phrases
Hola = Hello
¿Cómo está(s)? = How are you?
Mucho gusto = Nice to meet you
Por favor = Please
Gracias = Thank you
De nada/Con gusto = You’re welcome
Mi bolsa = bag
Mi mochila = backpack
Lo siento = I’m sorry
¿Dónde está el baño? = Where is the bathroom?
¿Qué es esto? = What’s this?
¡Salud! = Cheers!
¿Cuánto? = How much?
Adiós = Goodbye
Quiero un taco/una cerveza = I want a taco/a beer
Necesito = I need
¿Puedes ayudar?=Can you help me?
¿Habla (usted) Inglés? = Do you speak english?
¿Donde esta la estación del bus? = Where is the bus station?
¿Puedo tener? = Can I have?
Tengo = I have
Tienes = Do you have
Cambio = change ($)
Vegetariano/a / vegano/a opciones= Vegetarian / vegan options
Carne = meat
Uno, cinco, diez, veinte, cincuenta, cien = 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100
Costs
Below is how much I spent each month:
April $ 909.16 ($30 per day)
May $ 692.61 ($22 per day)
June $ 1,040.03 ($34.66 per day)
July $ 590.43 ($19 per day)
August $ 1,557.92 ($50.25 per day)
*the last week was spent in a different country but adding total for the month anyways
A few things to note:
I only slept in a dorm room a few times. Most of the time I stay in private rooms at hostels or cheap airbnbs
I got 3 weeks of accommodation for free in Puerto Escondido, 3 weeks in Merida, 1 week in Tulum and 2 days in Playa del Carmen
At one point, I was averaging $25/per day
Quintana Roo is the most expensive state
I do not do a lot of touristy activities. I try to discover places and things on my own and / or try to reach out to locals and go with them
I always ask for discounts
As much as a classify myself as a foodie, I cook a lot of my meals
I rarely drink alcohol
I think I only bought 1 or 2 water bottles in 5 months. Bring a reliable water bottle and make it a priority to find free water.
Mexico can be incredibly affordable to travel. You can travel for very cheap. Mexico provides a wide variety for all types of travelers. I tend to not spend a lot of money on food but love to splurge on nice meals every once in a while. I told myself at the beginning of this trip that I wanted to value my sleep therefore, booking mostly private rooms. Staying at hostels in a private room is a win win for me. I get the social aspect and I get my privacy. This was something I wanted to test out for 6 months of my trip. I wanted to see how I felt after. Maybe I’ll go back to staying in hostels, maybe I will keep on staying in private rooms! I also really really enjoy interior design and unique hotels so staying at nicer places really brings me joy. It’s also nice to “treat yourself” every once in a while. And, you should say yes to things that bring you joy!
Final Thoughts
I hope you have the best time ever in Mexico! Be sure to check out all of my Mexico content on my Instagram as well.
As always, talk to locals, be kind, ask questions, try new things, get out of your comfort zone, and go find yourself in beautiful Mexico!
If you have any additional questions, feel free to reach out or schedule a travel hotline call!
Enjoy! Adios!
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