Mexico
Where Mayan gods whisper in underground caves, Hollywood trailblazers found romance and the dearly departed roam the land of the living once more, Mexico’s uncanny allure knows all the right tricks to pique a globetrotter’s interest.
Where Mayan gods whisper in underground caves, Hollywood trailblazers found romance and the dearly departed roam the land of the living once more, Mexico’s uncanny allure knows all the right tricks to pique a globetrotter’s interest.
The innovative Mexicans may have added chilli to hot chocolate and blended the first margarita, but the country’s real genius lies in its ability to keep travellers on their toes. Flanked by demerara sugar beaches and two gulfs (one laden with surfers, the other with sunbathers), with cacti-studded deserts and biota-rich lagoons in between, the natural landscape takes on a feral streak. Spider monkeys materialise suddenly in Yucatán’s Jungle Place Sanctuary and mundane holes in the floor drop into fresh water underground cenotes.
Over on the Baja California peninsula, off-road jeep safaris through the desert unearth an out-of-place pottery village; and the deck of a super yacht becomes a viewing platform to see grey whales.
In pursuit of…
… an otherworldly take on exploring ancient history
Since the story started with the ancient civilisations, Mexico’s heritage has grown rapidly; leaving behind a legacy of crumbling pyramids, a revolutionary art scene, UNESCO recognised Mariachi bands and a whole lot of tequila and tacos. It’s impossible to move without encountering relics of the region’s past; from the jungle where budding archaeologists gravitate not towards the wildlife but to the Mayan ruins that creep up out of canopies, to Mexico City’s borders brimming with memories: old-school haciendas, The Blue House museum holding the works of Frida Kahlo and tours around the city’s Xochimilco botanical gardens and canals.
“I know now that he who hopes to be universal in his art must plant in his own soil… The secret of my best work is that it is Mexican.”
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A sense of place
Get to know our favourite spots in Mexico, from the dazzling Los Cabos to the jungle shrouded ruins of the Yucatán Peninsula.
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![Palm trees near body of water during daytime]()
Los Cabos
Los Cabos is a hive of glamour coveted by Californians and those who want to be seen. Surfing, mountain biking and hiking take up outdoor pursuits, but for those less actively inclined there are two areas to split time between: Cabo San Lucas for the bourgeois tastes and a spot of golf, and Jose del Cabo for a more low-key artsy buzz.
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![Clear sandy beach under a blue sky in Mexico]()
Riviera Maya
The region’s underlying passion for wellness comes to a head in Riviera Maya, an area where it’s all about the three R’s – relaxation, reconnection and reclining on a buttery sand beach. The big brands have established themselves here and coax visitors in with Maldives standard service and spa treatments focused on ancient Mayan traditions.
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![Pyramid of Chichen Itza]()
Yucatán
Typified by crumbling ruins poking their noses out of dense verdant jungle, the Yucatán area and its slew of villages demand to be explored. Known as the ‘white city’, Mérida shows off with its art culture and fine dining scene, while UNESCO Campeche and hidden gem Valladolid boast a more authentic side to this ever-popular peninsula.
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Its essence...
VIVIDVIVID
VIVID
VIVIDVIVIDUNTAMEDUNTAMED
UNTAMED
UNTAMEDUNTAMEDANCIENTANCIENT
ANCIENT
ANCIENTANCIENTPassages from a journal A week in Mexico
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Day 6
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![A snake stone head with Chichen Itza in the background]()
6pm
Bleary eyed, we dragged ourselves out of bed before sunrise this morning. After a restful first day, we thought we’d get stuck in. Sleep lingered until we got to our destination when the excitement took hold – Chichen Itza. Wandering the 1,500 year old ruins with our private guide as the sun rose and before the crowds descended was something special.
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![Cochinita pibil tacos on a patterned plate]()
12:45pm
Not long now and we’ll be picked up for our foodie tour. We were told that Mérida is great for a more authentic foray into Mexican cuisine so we’re heading out for a wander around the old cantinas, some of which are over 100 years old.
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![A whale sharks tail as its swimming in the sea]()
9pm
Yesterday we transferred from Yucatán to Riviera Maya, aiming for a more relaxed end to the week. It’s all about the ocean here and we’ve already been snorkelling with whale sharks. Today we took a trip out to Espíritu Santo to see the sea lions, stopping off to find a deserted beach for a spot of lunch.
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![Two sun loungers with views over distant mountains]()
3:15pm
A day in the spa has made the fact we’re leaving tomorrow quite bittersweet, I’m looking forward to seeing everyone back home but I’m oh so relaxed. We started with a shaman-guided ritual which led into a workshop on ancient Mayan healing traditions that were then put into practice in our treatments.
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The leading line-up
Mexico
Extraordinary
experiences
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![Stone blocks making an opening in an old Mayan ruin]()
Explore the Tulum archaeological site off-hoursWhen the sun has lowered in the sky and the crowds have dissipated, walk the ancient pathways of Tulum’s Mayan city with a private guide for an intimate in-depth discovery of these ruins by the sea.
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![A brown sea lion swimming just under the sea surface]()
Don mask and fins and take to the water to visit Espíritu Santo IslandAfter meeting up with a naturalist guide, head out over the waves to where the sea lions roam, snorkelling respectfully alongside them before seeking out a private beach for lunch and a swim.
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![The blue coloured exterior of Frida Kahlo's house]()
Wander Mexico City’s southern neighbourhoods and sail Xochimilco’s canals on a vibrant trajineraA hub for some of Mexico’s most revered writers and artists and resembling more of a small village than part of a big city, San Angel is probably most revered for being the birthplace of Frida Kahlo. Her electric blue house-turned-museum is just one stop on a private tour before heading for a locally-famed lunch at Mercado Coyoacán. After, take to a traditional trajinera boat along Xochimilco’s canals to see how the Aztecs utilized the fertile riverbeds for crops, now used for flowers.
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![A Mexican pyramid under a blue sky]()
Put grey cells to the test on an Uxmal scavenger hunt and savour the sweet history of cocoaListen carefully because everything the expert guide shares about the Mayans and the Pyramid of the Magician will not only intrigue, but it’ll help solve the family scavenger hunt around the Maya ball courts and temples that’s to follow. Come afternoon, enter the world of cocoa at Choco-Story Museum where you have the added bonus of learning how the ancestors used to prepare drinking chocolate or take part in a ceremony honouring the rain god Chaac.
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![A group of hot air balloons flying over a Mexican pyramid]()
Soar over the Teotihuacan Pyramids in a hot air balloon before exploring the site with a private guideAn early rise is tolerated when hot air ballooning is on the cards, flying over the ancient complex that houses the world’s 3rd and 4th largest pyramids for a wonderous birds eye view. After toasting with sparkling wine (as is tradition), a private guide is on hand to gush about the archaeological site and give a closer look at the Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon, explaining their importance to the ancient civilizations.
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Destination essentials
SEASON
Flight
Time difference
Currency / Language
FROM THE READING ROOM
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