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What to Do in Oaxaca City – The Home of the Delicious 7 Moles
Oaxaca City is the capital of the namesake federal state in the south of Mexico. Its official name is Oaxaca de Juárez, but it’s often simply called Oaxaca, and is loved by local and foreign tourists alike for what it has to offer. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987, the city invites to take a stroll along its cobbled streets and colonial houses, enjoy its many museums, or just indulge in the famous Oaxacan cuisine: Tlayudas (corn-based Mexican pizza), quesillo (string cheese), chocolate, and of course the 7 moles (pronounced MO-le), a variety of thick sauces with many ingredients, among them often chili peppers and chocolate. The nearby archaeological…
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18 Best Things to Do in Mexico City – And How to Plan Your Stay
The capital of Mexico and home to 180 Museums: Mexico City can’t be fully explored in just one day. The 2 million-inhabitant capital of Mexico is diverse and vibrant, and at first glance, you might not know where to start your trip. But no worries, I’ve got you covered! In this guide, we’ll start from the heart of the city, the zócalao (main square). I’ll list the highlights of Mexico that you should have heard of, and how to best plan your stay before you arrive. Be it architecture, museums, culture, or history – the capital of Mexico has so much to offer for everyone. Even if you’ve been to…
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Discovering Cantona: Impressive Ruins of an Ancient City in Puebla
One of the most extensive archaeological sites in Mexico lies in the northeast of the Puebla state, close to the border to Veracruz: Cantona. And it might well be the site with the most ball game courts: Archaeologists have found 27 so far, more than in any other Mesoamerican site. This pre-Hispanic city was once one of the most extensive of its time. At its peak, it was home to over 90.000 people who lived here in 7500 housing units. Nowadays, you can climb many of its pyramids and temples, walk the cobbled streets, and enjoy the peace and quiet as the site is little visited. You might even have…
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9 Best Things to Do in Tehuacán
The Cradle of Corn, pyramids, and a famous goat dish: Admittedly, it’s easy to overlook Tehuacán as it doesn’t belong to the popular Magical Towns (Pueblos Mágicos) that attract masses of tourists. And the pyramids in the old part of the city are less known and you have to know how to reach them (see my tips on how to get to the pyramids). Actually, we were only traveling through on our way to the cactus forests in Zapotitlán Salinas. But luckily we decided to spend the time in between the changing of buses to explore the city a bit more. About Corn and Presidents You might not believe it,…
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13 Best Things to Do in Tepoztlán
Forested mountains, cobbled streets, and spirituality: Tepoztlán is a small mountain village in the Morelos state. A Magical Town (Pueblo Mágico) since 2002, Tepoztlán lies at 1,400 m (4.600 ft) above sea level and is beautifully embedded in the valley of the Tepozteco mountain. It’s known for its small pyramid on top of the mountain dedicated to the god of pulque, an alcoholic beverage. But it’s also a spiritual center for yoga enthusiasts and alike, with its temazcal (sweat lodge) and spa services, aura readings, and such. At the market, you can buy medicinal herbs that curanderos (healers) use for their therapies. You can eat pre-Hispanic food at the market…
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5 Best Things to Do in Villa Rica
Dark fine sand, dunes, and an archaeological site: Villa Rica de la Veracruz has lots to offer for a relaxing yet varied beach vacation. This town was established under Hernán Cortés in 1519. It comprised a church, an enclosed settlement, and a fort whose sparse remains are still to be found. But even more famous is this place for the alliance with 30 Totonacan towns that Cortés achieved. This was an important stepstone to the Conquest of Mexico. Nowadays, the town’s beach called Playa Villa Rica is the main attraction and tourist destination. The nearby archaeological site of Quiahuiztlán with its Totonac mausoleum-style tombs is unique to Mexico. The beach…
