Mexico – a country I love. Having grown up in Texas, I used to go there a lot, but since living in Italy, I have not been there in a long time. We recently made a trip to Cancun – a Mexican destination I have never visited. I must admit I always viewed Cancun as a kind of fake Mexico. I suppose I got this idea based on the number of huge resorts, the many American chain restaurants that can be found there and the fact that Cancun is a big Spring Break destination. Well I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised. The trip was fab. Here are some highlights with photos that mostly speak for themselves. They were all taken with my cell – and the quinceañera photo is super grainy because she was so far away, but she was so beautiful in her blue, puffy dress, I just had to include her.
BEACHES
Of course the beaches were amazing. Our friends told us to expect the water to have every shade of blue imaginable: cobalt, aquamarine, baby blue, turquoise, etc…
CHICHEN ITZA
This Mayan city was THE place to be between AD 600 to 1200. The structures here include a playing field, pyramids, temples and a large columned market.
ISLA MUJERES
Aww….sleepy Isla Mujeres! I have to say that Isla Mujeres is more my speed – the feel is decidedly Mexican – totally laid-back and relaxed. The best way to get around is by scooter or golf carts. Playa Norte is a beach that looks just a like screen saver scene and the downtown area has plenty of cantinas, shops and cafes’.
CENOTES
Incredible swimming can be found at the Ik Kil Cenote. Was it incredibly touristy? Yes. Was it an amazing experience? Yes. Cenotes can be found throughout the Yucatan and were considered sacred waters for the Maya – a passage to the underworld. A cenote is a sinkhole resulting from the collapse of porous limestone caves exposing subterranean water chambers. This particular cenote has been used by Red Bull in their cliff diving competitions.
SHOPPING
Fun pottery, hammocks and ceramics….and best of all? Yummy veggies. Look at all that color!
MARIACHI
Look at this man below. I mean just look at this guy with his silver studded pants and sombrero in the background. Need I say anymore?
Valladolid
Valladolid is a Spanish Colonial town. See the pretty square below on the left? Once there was a Mayan pyramid there, but the Spanish dismantled it to use the materials to build the church in the picture on the right.
PEOPLE
Probably my favorite part of Mexico – the wonderful people. Always sincere and so much fun. They are full of life and joy and are sometimes a little mysterious too.
BUS RIDES
The city bus in Cancun was so much fun…there was even music!!! So funny!
Italy Translated 
I live in Portland, Oregon and have never had the desire to visit any of the resort places on the beaches of Mexico….until now! I, like you, felt like they were kind of an imitation Mexico, but let me tell you….those photos are gorgeous!
Awww…thanks Susan! Yes….I really had the same feeling. As mentioned, I used to go to Mexico all the time…but places like Saltillo…even real de catorce……but since we were heading to Texas, we decided to see if we could squeeze in Mexico and I found a super cheap flight. We were so happy to be surrounded by Mexicans and to actually FEEL like we were in Mexico…it was wonderful. Thanks for your comment.
wow!! so pretty-I can’t wait to go there someday!
SUCH a nice place! Thanks for stopping by!
We went to Cancun a few years ago and thought it was fun. I grew up at Surfers Paradise in Queensland so I know about tourist beaches. Your photos are gorgeous…makes me want to go back.
Hi Debra! Thanks for your comment….and yes…it was super fun! So relaxed and easy. The beaches are amazing!
Wonderful photos and colors!
Thank you!!!! I know! The colors ARE amazing!
Wow, what a great photo summary, it really does summarize Mexico very accurately. Your photos were great. The only thing I would say for next time is to try to find a cenote that isn’t as touristy cause there are so many of them! But maybe a little harder to find 🙂
Hi Mani! I know! We didn’t even know what those were and later saw they had tours that will take you to various cenote in the area that are not right around the corner from Chichen Iza,,,,on our list for next time for sure!
At least you did visit one! They’re incredible! 🙂
Yes! I have to say we felt so lucky just to get to see this one…… 🙂 have a good weekend…
Your photos are so beautiful!! The colours are magnificent, and totally agree with you on Isla Mujeres! Ohh take me back!
Hi Jess…I know…Isla Mujeres for me was the best……fab place…
gorgeous pics Diana-glad you all had a wonderful time!
Thanks Sheri….see? I snapped pics of all those pretty blue colors y’all told us about. 🙂
These are so pretty, Diana!! So glad it looks like y’all had a wonderful time. 🙂
Thanks Jess!!! See you soon!
These are so pretty! Love the first mariachi one – the way his sombrero is set just so is great! Also love the way the quinceanera girl’s dress mimics the color of the ocean water. Looks like so much fun – happy you guys went.
Ok…wasnt the mariachi guy the cutest? just hanging there on the street…….he took a pic with Max too….
Oh my! You made me suffer by posting this pictures, I LOVE MEXICO and I am dying to go diving there, especially in Isla Mujeres. This water is fantastic. Love all the pictures, even the grainy one you said… how interesting that she was wearing a blue dress 😀
I can tell you had a fabulous time there, I’m jealous, in a good way of course!
Happy to have you again on #MondayEscapes
Hi Allane…thanks for your sweet comment….I know….that girl was just too wonderful with her big puffy blue dress! And yes…FAB place to dive (or so I have been told) – – – I can only snorkel. 🙂
You’re welcome!!! I loved this post 😀 no wonder it was chosen a sour favourites of the week!! So congrats 😀
Ohhh and Mexico is definitely on the top of my list for diving!!
Thanks again……and I wish I could dive! GRRRRR…I am claustrophobic! A good swimmer, but afraid to be under water for too long. Too bad for me…but I get to live vicariously through people like you! 🙂
Awnnn Diana really?? 😦 sorry about that, it’s the same with my mom, so I know what you mean.
But the good thing is that you like swimming, this way you can do snorkeling, and you can already see lots of things 😀
YES! Snorkeling is wonderful! We did that on this trip. I always envy the scuba divers….but again….I feel happy just to snorkel.
Ohhhh that’s awesome, snorkeling is already sooo much fun! It’s better stick to it if you are afraid of diving 😀
You can see so many things already… and let me tell something, there are some marine animals that are rarely seen during a dive, like whale sharks and dolphins. Snorklers have a higher chance to see them 😀
Have you ever been to Indonesia? If you like diving, you should definitely check out islands around Bali and Bali itself – amazing dives 🙂
http://www.travelekspert.com
Hi Pati, I still haven’t been there but I have been trying to go for a while now, and I have a trip planned there for next year. Hopefully it will finally happen 😀
Hi Girls! I want to go to Bali!!! Even if I don’t dive, it looks amazing!
hahaha ❤ I am sure you will love Bali even if you don't dive 😀
Hi Girls! I want to go to Bali!!! Even if I don’t dive, it looks amazing!
Great great photos!!!! Brings back memories! On our trip to Cancun many years ago we rented bikes to get around the Isla Majeres. Soon I found myself peddling all by myself and SB no where to be found. When I reached the top of a meeting point there he was having a wonderful time with all the tiny bikini clad women. I kept an eye on him for the rest of the vacation and it was our first ever spat!
ha, ha, ha…..so funny! What a great story…..love it!
I love Mexico, too, Diana. I’ve experienced lots of “fake Mexico” in Cabo, Cancun, etc., but also found many hidden treasures along both the Pacific coast and the Gulf. Lovely people, great food, lively music – what’s not to love? 🙂
Hi Nancy! Uggggg..there were so many places I would like to visit in Mexico….the areas you mention…but for the moment am holding off as things are a little unstable…..I was going to all kinds of crazy places when I lived in Texas…even made it to Real de Catorce…fab place that I think might be a little dangerous these days. Thanks for stopping by.
“This Mayan city was THE place to be between AD 600 to 1200.” <– This made me lol. 🙂 Beautiful shots!
Thanks Katie….yes…I guess the NYC of its time! 🙂
Beautiful pictures Diana! It makes me want to go back to Mexico – I haven’t been in years. I forgot how incredible the water is. So glad you got to go.
Thanks Kath! We were happy we didn’t find a hurricane waiting for us! So great to see you in Texas! Besos.
The water and beaches there look marvellous and I love the colours in your ‘shopping’ montage!
Hi Graham…thanks! Yes…even with my little cell phone camera it was hard to go wrong over there when capturing the color….beautiful place! Have a good week.
Great photo essay! Thanks for this one – I seriously thought the same that Cancun was just fake Mexico with all those all-inclusive tourists around, which I just can’t stand, but it seems I was wrong 🙂
I invite you to visit my travel blog
http://www.travelekspert.com
Hi Pati! Thanks for stopping by. And I have to say that I was happy to have found some real Mexico in Cancun! I will check out your blog for sure! 🙂
Wow! So many beautiful places and picturs! I would love to visit Mexico, it is high high up on my list. Hopefully one day 🙂
Highly recommended. The whole country is fab….a little dangerous at the moment, but hopefully it will get back to the way it used to be.
I love Mexico. I used to go to the carnevale in Mazatlan every year to clown in 2 parades (yes, I did just use the word clown as an adjective). I was a cute payasita. I love the photos but especially the people photos!
Yay…..carnevale in Mazatlan?!?!!? FUN TIMES!!!!! what an experience! I would love to see THOSE photos! 🙂
Thankyou Diana
Your reportage contains many memories from my honeymoon.
See u soon
Umbe
Hi Umberto! Awww…thanks for your comment. What a nice place to have spent your honeymoon. Even as a family trip, we had a great time. Hope you are doing well….enjoy the rest of the summer. Take care.
Incredible places!! I enjoyed your photos and now I would love to visit Mexico!
These days I don’t travel very much, I just go to Italy and sometimes Croatia which is near the border. Maybe when the kids are older we might! Bei posti veramente.
Grazie for your email! I found it really interesting. I will reply soon. When I am in Italy I have limited internet access.
Un abbraccio cara!!
Hi Alida…ohhhh….I love Croatia too…..would like to spend more time there. I admit we do a lot of traveling especially in Europe because everything seems so close (you know…..relative to Texas). Anyway….keep me posted on a possible move. It would be fun to be “neighbors.”
We have been to this area of Mexico twice and loved it. Your pictures are stunning.
Hi Sue! Thanks for the comment….I just now found it!!! Ahh…I am sooo on top of things!!!! 🙂
Hi! I am from Mexico City and have not been to Cancun, now I really want to! This Summer I went to Italy (Rome, Napoli, Milan, Pisa, Florence, Rovereto, Venice, Lago di Garda, Peschici, and Assisi) and fell in love with the country! I want to go back!
Hi Carolina!!! Cancun is fab! I highly suggest visiting….By the way…I love Mexico City too…have been there many times…great town!