Things to do in Mexico
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FEATURED
Explore Mexico & Guatemala
10 days (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…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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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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Español Interactivo
Recommended language classes.
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Academia Vinigúlaza
Recommended language classes.
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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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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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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…
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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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Warren Hardy Spanish
Offers Spanish instruction using flash cards.
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Oaxaca Spanish Magic
Recommended language classes.
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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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Ex-Hacienda San Gabriel de Barrera
To escape Guanajuato's bustling streets, head 2.5km west to this magnificent colonial home which is now a museum, Ex-Hacienda San Gabriel de Barrera, with stunning gardens. This tranquil retreat is well worth a couple of hours.
Built at the end of the 17th century, this was the grand hacienda of Captain Gabriel de Barrera, whose family was descended from the first Conde de Rul of the famous La Valenciana mine. Opened as a museum in 1979, the hacienda, with its opulent period European furnishings, provides an insight into the lives of the wealthy of the time.
The large, shady grounds, originally devoted to processing ore from La Valenciana, were converted in 1945 to a…
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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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TierrAdentro
A popular gathering center for political progressives and coffee-swigging, laptop-toting locals (not that they’re mutually exclusive), this large indoor courtyard restaurant and café is a comfortable place to while away the hours. It’s run by Zapatista supporters, who hold frequent cultural events and conferences on local issues. A simple yet delicious menú compa (M$35) rotates daily, with hearty offerings such as rice and beans with handmade tortillas.
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Vía Orgánica
This healthy option – a café and vegetable shop – is part of the not-for-profit Mexican organization, Vía Orgánica. The organic produce is grown by local farmers. The café’s menu delights the taste buds; think minestrone soups, salads, and some of the best cakes around. Vía Orgánica also runs permaculture/farming workshops. Follow your nose north along Hidalgo. Veer right onto Calzada de la Aurora, first left into Talavera and first left again.
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Mañana
A good-vibe place with colorful hand-painted tables, superfriendly service and some excellent veggie options - the hummus and veggie baguette is the restaurant's signature dish - Mañana is perhaps the best lunch spot on the island. It also has coffee, licuados (blends of fruit or juice with water or milk, and sugar) and some Middle Eastern dishes. There's a book exchange, too.
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Cathedral
On the north side of the plaza, the cathedral was begun in 1528 but wasn't finally completed till 1815 because of several natural disasters. Sure enough, new earthquakes struck in 1816 and 1847, causing considerable damage, but it was restored again in 1920-22. The gold-leaf interior has five gilded altarpieces featuring 18th-century paintings by Miguel Cabrera.
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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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