Backpacking Mexico : An Off-the-Beaten-Path Guide

Mexico is a huge and diverse country with endless options for exploring hidden gems and immersing yourself in local culture. The Mexican hospitality is unparalleled and learning Spanish is a must-do activity to really get to know the locals and to fully experience how warm and welcoming they can be. If you are not able to learn Spanish, don’t worry as you will still enjoy yourself and be able to get around just fine. Stay in family-run guest houses rather than hotels and I can guarantee you that you will be intrigued and in love with the culture and the way of life; and after you see first-hand the generosity and openness of these people, you will want to learn Spanish simply to be a part of it all. I focused on the three states of Oaxaca, Chiapas, and Quintana Roo, spending one month in each. You will notice that one state can feel like a different country than the next one, attracting opposite types of travellers and experiences. Mexico is a fantastic country to road-trip through and you can save a lot of money by camping in the most popular backpacker spots and coastal areas. It’s also easy to move around by bus, but just know that a lot of places book up in advance during the winter months (high season) and you may wish you had brought a tent if you like to leave things to the last minute!