INTRODUCTION

…” Never hesitate to go far away, beyond all seas, all frontiers, all countries, all believes…”

Amin Maalouf.

I thought about this trip for over two years …

Looking for new excuses in the meantime, we visited the Dominican Republic and Lanzarote twice 😂😂

Mexico, despite its interesting history, that I love, has never really been a priority on our bucket list … For many different reasons …

And I have to confess, without unnecessary explanations … I finally decided to organise this trip for us, just to have the so-called „peace of mind” 😂

I do not want to sound like we say here in UK: posh 😂, but after my, not particularly great experience in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, I was really sceptical about the next journey to the Caribbean area … However, hammer came down … Tickets bought: London -> Cancun —-> Mexico City, then: Mexico City -> Cancun —-> Playa del Carmen …

Today, I can admit, that it was the best choice made by my other half so far.

Mexico is absolutely, without no doubt, one of the most fascinating places in the world that I have seen. And most importantly, it was promoted to my private list of places where I intend, plan (etc., remember from the first blog), to come back, in fact – quite soon.

But to the point.

The first minutes at the Cancun airport drove crazy not only me, but also my man, who let just say, that he never panics … And just to remember : that was his idea, this whole Mexican trip … That’s why I thought right away: you got what you wanted 😂😂 However, I stopped laughing, when there was no sign of our luggage, checked in London, that it would ever appear at all …. and the next flight to Mexico City was going to take place in 45 minutes …

And then I experienced the so-called Nirvana …

After a few conversations, in my far broken Spanish („far broken” is a very delicate term), with an airport service, I came to epoch-making conclusions for me … Suddenly I understood, in how unnecessary rush and stress, we all live in Europe … We must have everything for now, immediately… And at the same time I realised what a blessing it was for me to understand this very issue …

Even after this funny situation today, after arriving, it took me a good few days to get used to this ubiquitous „chill out” … Me, a person flying to Spain or Italy quite a few times a year … No, my dear. How Mexicans try not to take everything in a deadly serious way, how they try not to live in a constant race, and how they can enjoy everyday, ordinary life is a completely different dimension …

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So how did we get to Mexico City? And what is good to know? … 🧐

10h British Airways flight from London Gatwick to Cancun. I do not particularly recommend . Affordable price. Yes. But when it comes to flights from British Airways … maybe I will direct you to read theirs their reviews 😉 Not to discourage potential tourists by accident 😀 I don’t know what about you, but me, personally, in BA I always freeze… incredibly … and freeze for 10h🙈🙈, it’s a masochism … And then next flight, with decent lines – Interjet, less than 2h, to reach the final destination – Mexico City.

In any case, if your trip is organised only by you, without travel agencies and other thi type of companies, you will always feel that prickle of excitement. Will the flight be on time, will your luggage with your panties arrive at your destination or will you have a roof over your head? …

I don’t know if this is what I like, it’s hard to say … 😂😂😂

And when you land in a country like Mexico, with very basic Spanish, plus with some prejudice , it can only complicate the situation even more…

Soo … there is nothing to hide, acclimatisation, even for me, took several days, not only because of the hour difference (from UK 6h). And despite the fact that I consider myself an experienced traveller, I still have several racial mishaps.

In the case of such destinations, they will ask you to fill up the forms : so-called custom declaration (unless you are flying BA, it is very likely that they will run out, so then you will run like a headless chicken around, especially when the officer at the destination airport , will provide you with a form already filled in by someone else🙈 ) The visa consists two parts, one of them will be torn off when checking passports. I advise you to keep the part, which stays with you to keep it safely. And certainly not together with the duty free bills… Unless, on the way back, you dream about playing the kamikaze, or playing Russian roulette: will I go or not go out ,without punishment, because I have torn the visa by accident, and now playing possum, handing a piece of paper fixed with sellotape to the customs officer …😂🙈

Yes. This is a real-life example.

Mine🙈

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But, as you can see, I came back. I didn’t end up in a Mexican prison … So what has happen? Luckily, they only told me, to go back to the so-called Immigration Control. Later on, after I returned, did I learn that the consequences could have been much greater, especially more expensive …

As for the paperwork at the airports, both Cancun and Mexico City, if you notice that people fill in countless amounts of cards (manually), and even though you have about five people in front of you to check in, and you have been standing in line for 45 minutes – yes, it is perfectly normal 😂😉

Also, do not stress when you are looking for a place that Google Maps shows you with an accuracy of 5m, and there is no trace of it … The truth is … it probably does not exist… Although such a search is undoubtedly a great training to exercise Spanish. Especially in Mexico City, where in places far from the Centre, to meet an English-speaking man is almost a miracle …

Currency.

The official currency of Mexico is the Peso. But in most places you can easily pay with US dollars. It is definitely better, in my opinion, to bring the national currency of Mexico. with you. However, if you decide to exchange it on the spot, I warn you – with a currency other than dollar or Euro, it may not be easy … In Mexico City, we had to tired out, to find a place where you could exchange sterling. By the way, I recommend CiBanco for this purpose, right in the center of Ciudad de Mexico. In cities like Cancun or Playa del Carmen it is much easier to exchange money. Quite a decent course, they also have at airports.

How to move around.

In terms of airports, Cancun has as many as four terminals (!), and in quite a distance from each other. So don’t try to think of covering these distances on foot, so that it would be faster … (yes, I had such an idea 🙈). There are well marked buses for this purpose.

Mexico City airport has only two terminals. But don’t let this fool you too much though, because the traffic at this airport is really huge … This airport is very busy.

For the rest of the transport, I have to admit, that getting around Mexico City is not very complicated and not expensive. There is subway ( underground , 5 pesos !!!, 12 lines), buses, taxi, Uber.

In towns around Riviera Maya, buses from one place to another are also not a problem (prices from 140 pesos).

Is Mexico safe?

This question was literally asked by everyone before my departure. „Are you not afraid?”, „So many people are killed there …”, „cartels and murderers!” …

Maybe due to the fact that I have lived in London for years, Mexico did not scare me with its criminal legend at all. And after two weeks spent among the natives, I can truly say, that Mexicans are cheerful, helpful, very hospitable, but also proud and hardworking. However, due to the not very nice opinion about security, I decided to book hotels in both cities: both in the capital and Playa del Carmen. In both cases I used Booking.com, where there is a very large selection of accommodation in Mexico.

Why mexico?

Why?!! There is nothing but drug cartels, human trafficking, exploitation, dirt and poverty …

Really?

I think, that at the beginning of this year I would answer this question completely differently. Today I can say this: Mexico, because only there you will get to know the fascinating history of Mesoamerica, Mexico, because only there you can try real Mexican cuisine, Mexico, because you will finally find out what is the difference between tequila and mezcal.

But above all Mexico does not differ from other places in the world with its dark side. However, with its bright side, can easly overshadow many rich and prosperous countries… You can travel through the cities and towns by yourself … Unfortunately, time in many cases is very limited. For this reason, from time to time you can take advantage of the so-called guided tours. I order mine at GetYourGuide.

What is worth to take with you?

If you like hiking, I definitely recommend comfortable footwear, a hat and good sunglasses, especially in the coastal parts of Mexico. It is also worth equipping yourself with something for mosquitoes and other insects. I also advise you to be careful with water. We usually bought bottled water and then cooked it.

There are many local supermarkets in Mexico where you can get necessities, but there is also American Walmart. Prices are affordable, and supply is not worse than other countries richer than Mexico.

What to avoid?

Certainly dark alleys 😀 like everywhere else… But also: „private taxis”, dodgy „exchange offices”, cheap „silver” and shopping „crazy” in general, because you have to watch out for prices, especially in stores where they are not clearly marked, or on souvenir stalls. I also met with an opinion to pay attention to prices on the menu. Personally, however, I had no bad experience with restaurants…

The atmosphere of Mexico cannot be told in only one story. That is why, in addition to this general introduction, the story of the home of tequila has five parts, each of which speaks of a different aspect regarding this beautiful country. 😁🧐 Each also has its own title: World of the Pyramids, Mysteries of Mexico City, In Mexican Kitchen, Mexican Art and Culture, Mexican Cities and Towns.

Have a good time reading 😀

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