Things to do in Mexico
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FEATURED
Explore Mexico & Guatemala
10 days (ex Cancun)
by Intrepid
Revel in the bold beach vibe of Cancun, Mexico, Explore incredible Mayan pyramids at Chichen Itza, Travel along Mexico's amazing Yucatan Peninsula, Experience t…Not LP reviewed
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Amigos del Sol
Professional, good-value school popular with travelers. Begin classes any weekday – call the director ( [tel] cell phone 951-1968039) between 8am and 9am, 3pm and 4pm, or after 8pm, or send an email the day before you want to start. No minimum duration and no registration charge. Students starting on Monday should arrive at the office at 8:30am.
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Journeys Beyond the Surface
Offers personalized walking tours on aspects of the DF experience, with a get-off-the-beaten track attitude. Enhanced by expert commentary, tours may cover pre-Hispanic architecture, the muralist movement, or life in low-income neighborhoods, depending on participants’ interests.
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Eco Ride
Surrounded by the mountains, jungle and sea, Vallarta offers some truly thrilling mountain biking. This outfit offers guided one-day cycling tours suited for beginners and badasses alike. The most challenging is a 50km expedition from El Tuito (a small town at 1100m) through Chacala and down to the beach in Yelapa. The views are stunning.
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Restaurante Natura
Styled after the successful 100% Natural chain, this little bistro offers up a good mix of natural and vegetarian Mexican cuisine.
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Joe Jack’s Fish Shack
Seafood aficionados flock to this joint for fish and chips, garlic shrimp, whole red snapper and great slabs of mahi mahi. Large groups are graciously accommodated on the pleasant rooftop terrace. The service is jovial and quick, and the music classic rock.
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Instituto Cultural Oaxaca
ICO's popular seven-hour-a-day program includes intercambios and workshops in arts, crafts and culture; many classes are held in the school's spacious gardens and terraces. There's a US$55 registration fee.
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El Panchán
El Panchán is a legendary travelers’ hangout, set in a patch of dense rainforest. It’s the epicenter of Palenque’s alternative scene and home to a bohemian bunch of Mexican and foreign residents and wanderers, including a number of archaeologists and anthropologists. Once ranchland, the area has been reforested by the remarkable Morales family, some of whom are among the leading archaeological experts on Palenque. El Panchán has several (fairly rustic) places to stay, a couple of restaurants, a set of sinuous streams rippling their way through every part of the property, nightly entertainment, a meditation temple, a temascal (pre-Hispanic steam bath) and a constant strea…
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Fonda Margarita
Possibly the capital’s premier hangover- recovery spot – witness the line down the street on Saturday mornings – this humble eatery under a tin roof whips up batches of comfort food for the day ahead. Soulful fare like pork back in chile salsa verde is doled out of giant clay dishes. The fonda is beside Plaza Tlacoquemécatl, six blocks east of Avenida Insurgentes.
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La Providencia
Zipolite's most suave dining option has an open-air lounge area where you can sip a drink while you peruse the menu and place your order. The flavorsome and well presented food is a nuevo mexicano treat, from cold beetroot and ginger soup to chicken breast in blue-cheese-and-pumpkin-flower sauce.
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Pizzería El Punto
Forget the cardboard crap that passes for pizza in some parts, these crispy pies are the best in town, bar none. The newest branch of this excellent pizzeria has a full bar, swanky black and red seating and a lovely balcony overlooking Real de Guadalupe.
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Davannayoga
Yoga Alliance–certified Davannayoga offers a wide-ranging schedule of yoga classes, including the popular Sunset Yoga, held daily on a rooftop high above Vallarta.
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Restaurante Los Danzantes
Delicious Mexican fusion food and a spectacular architect-designed setting make Los Danzantes one of Oaxaca’s most special dining spots. An old colonial patio now sports high patterned walls of adobe brick and cool pools of water in a highly contemporary configuration, half open to the sky. Welcoming young staff serve up a small but first-class selection of food: try one of the excellent duck dishes. The only gripe is that servings are not on the generous side. Desserts are very good too, and the restaurant has its own brand of mezcal.
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Café El Popular
So popular was this tiny round-the-clock café that another more amply proportioned branch was opened next door to catch the considerable overflow. Fresh pastries and good combination breakfasts are the main attractions. Café con leche (coffee with milk) is served chino style (ie you specify the strength).
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Xcaret
Xcaret is 10km south of Playa del Carmen. It has Disney-esque activities, high price tags and questionable environmental records that include allegedly importing the beach and using explosives to clear debris when creating Xcaret.
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Instituto Mexicano-Americano de Cultura
The Instituto Mexicano-Americano de Cultura offers one- to 52-week courses. Study between one and four hours per day. Check its website for course fees and homestay options. Music and dance classes are also available.
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La Tramoya
Hearty Mexican meat dishes are set out on spacious sidewalk tables. Ravenous? Try the carne azteca – a steak stuffed with huitlacoche (corn fungus) and served on a bed of nopal es (prickly pear cactus).
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Taquería El Fogón
Taquería El Fogón serves outstanding tacos al pastor (rotisserie pork tacos) and several other variations on the tortilla-packed-with-goodies concept. Vegetarians can dig into quesadillas or stuffed potatoes.
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Buseo Nautilus Divers
Snorkeling is good at Playa Las Gatas and even better at Playa Manzanillo, especially in the dry season, when visibility is best. Buseo Nautilus Divers offers a variety of dives and NAUI courses and certification.
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Croozy Scooters
Croozy Scooters rents bicycles and well-maintained Italika CS 125cc scooters. The price includes maps, locks and helmets (plus a repair kit and pump for bicycles); passport and deposit required.
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La Brújula
This is a great stop for good coffee; fruit smoothies; breakfasts (including waffles with fruit); salads; and home-baked bread, cakes and cookies. It is rightly popular among artists and expats.
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La Casa del Cheesecake
This veritable institution offers cheesecakes, whole or by the slice, in an array of funky flavors that may include peach or even Kahlua.
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Café de Olla
This well-loved traditional Mexican restaurant nurtures a lively atmosphere with its sidewalk grill and open kitchen.
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Aluxes Coffee House
Aluxes serves bagels with cream cheese, sandwiches, muffins, and hot and iced coffee. Between Guerrero and Hidalgo.
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