Riding the Maya Train
Not so long ago, if you wanted to hit up all the top destinations around the Yucatan Peninsula, your choices were to drive or piece together your trip using various … Read more
Mexico
Traveling to Mexico?
Here, you’ll find all our Mexico expat stories, travel tips, posts on destinations, attractions, road trips, and more.
Featuring destinations from the Nayarit (Sayulita & Chacala), Jalisco, Yucatan Peninsula (Izamal, Cozumel, Cancun, Puerto Morelos, Playa del Carmen, Chichenitza), beaches, UNESCO sites, wildlife, national parks, cenotes, and more.
Ice Skating & Merida by Night
Some time ago, Noe decided he wanted to learn to ice skate. Having spent the vast majority of his eight-and-a-half years on Planet Earth in the tropics, ice skating is … Read more
Progreso
We squeeze in a day trip to Playa Progreso from Merida for some long-awaited beach time and to see what all the fuss is about.
Merida
We kick-off our Yucatan Peninsula backpacking trip away from the RV with a week-long stay in the UNESCO city of Merida.
Coyoacán Barrio Magico
Coyoacán is the Art District of CDMX and the former stomping grounds of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. This was the first capital of New Spain in 1521 and a … Read more
CDMX Temporary Residents
Headed back to the big city for at least a week to tend to a couple of important business items, settle into our temporary home, and see as much as we can see!
Tepotzotlán Dog Days
Tepo might not be the most exciting place on Earth, but that’s fine by us. It’s a perfect place to catch up on a few things and gear up for seven more days in the nation’s capital.
Three Days in Mexico City (CDMX)
A whirlwind visit to Mexico City (the first for me and the boys) to take care of some business and squeeze in some of the city’s top attractions.
Old College of San Francisco Javier
The former College of San Francisco Javier is the centerpiece of the Pueblo Magico of the city of Tepotzotlán located an hour north of Mexico City. Today, the old college … Read more
Taking it Easy in Tepotzotlán
After nearly three weeks in San Miguel de Allende, it’s nice to finally hit the road again for some place new. Today’s goal is the Pueblo Magico of Tepotzotlán (not … Read more
El Charco del Ingenio Botanical Garden
Exploring SMA’s impressive El Charco del Ingenio botanical garden and reserve in rainy season—which turns out to be an excellent time to visit.
San Miguel Summer Camp: Week Two
It’s been nice this past week being able to get a lot ticked off our lists while the boys were at summer camp. We also realized how much we’ve gotten … Read more
San Miguel Summer Camp: Week One
One of the reasons we opted to linger in the highlands was the oppressive temperatures and humidity and powerful storms that descend on the Mexican coast this time of year. … Read more
Santuario de Atotonilco
A visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Santuario de Atotonilco, the “Sistine Chapel of Mexico”.
San Miguel de Allende
Exploring the fiendishly photogenic and frequently misunderstood UNESCO city of San Miguel de Allende in Guanajuato, Mexico.
Guanajuato Mom-Dad Day
More wandering and munching around the colorful city of Guanajuato with our two young explorers.
Ex-Hacienda & Mines of Guanajuato
Diving head-first into Guanajuato’s mining past—from an opulent former mining magnate’s residence to braving the mines, themselves.
Tunnels & Dams of Old Guanajuato
Another race against the weather to take in the sights of Old Guanajuato. Today, we’re trekking the 19th-century waterworks of this UNESCO city.
Wonderful Guanajuato
Our first explorations in colorful and captivating Guanajuato City, with its medieval alleyways and tunnels, and spectacular sights.
Rain & Eight
It finally happened, the first big rain of the season here in the Central Highlands ushering in the Rainy Season. Looks like this will more or less be our new … Read more
Patzcuaro Road School
In true road school spirit, we take advantage of the waning days of dry season to explore the House of Eleven Courtyards (Casa de Los Once Patios) and Old College … Read more
Father’s Day Volcano Climb
Hiking Volcán del Estribo Grande (the Stirrup Volcano) was one of the first things to go onto our Patzcuaro Bucket List when we arrived here. Given that there’s no shortage … Read more
Tzintzuntzan Pyramids & Pueblo Magico
A day trip from Patzcuaro to the Pueblo Magico of Tzintzuntzan, exploring ancient pyramids and an atmospheric former convent.
Isla de Janitzio on Lake Patzcuaro
Janitzio Island is one of those places that frequently pops up on postcards and tourism marketing materials for Central Mexico. It’s hard to believe such a place exists in North … Read more
Patzcuaro Days
Discovering the wonderful sights and simple pleasures of the evocative Pueblo Magico of Patzcuaro in Michoacan, Mexico.
Lava Church of San Juan Parangaricutiro
Hiking the lava fields and incredible church ruins of Old San Juan Parangaricutiro, the Michoacan town consumed by a stealthy volcano.
Uruapan and the Purépecha Highlands
We left the coast and made our way to Uruapan, the “Avocado Capital of the World” and home to some of Mexico’s most interesting manmade and natural wonders.
Bye-Bye, Beach. Hello, Highlands!
The coast is heating up and the rainy season is just around the corner, so we thought it might be a good time to head inland to the mountains. The … Read more
Surf & Solitude in Michoacan
After 10 days in Melaque it’s time to head south again. At this point, we’re not sure how much farther south we’re going to go before taking our left turn … Read more
Cuastecomates
As our nearly two weeks in Melaque wind down, there’s only one thing left on our list to do: A day trip to the beach village of Cuastecomates. Playa Cuastecomates … Read more
Melaque Mirador
For the past week, the weather’s been just about perfect here in Melaque. Still red flag conditions down on the water, but the resort we’re parked at has a nice … Read more
Barra de Navidad
A day trip to the sailing and surfing hangout of Barra de Navidad in low season. Make that, very low season apparently.
San Patricio Melaque
We give Punta Perula a pass and push on to San Patricio Melaque, exploring the entirety of this pleasant Jalisco seaside town.
El Tuito & Rancho Primavera
One evening early in our time in Lo de Marcos, Lori and I thought it might be time to pull up a map and start thinking about the journey south. … Read more
Lo de Marcos Days
After returning from our little trip up north to Chacala, we ended up spending another week in Lo de Marcos. When we’re stationary for a week or longer, it’s easy … Read more
Chacala Time Warp
Driving down from Mazatlan to Lo de Marcos late last month, we actually overshot Chacala. We lived there for 11 months a few years back, so returning for a visit … Read more
Sayulita & Cinco de Mayo
Tuesday was our San Pancho Day. It only makes sense that Thursday should be our Sayulita Day. Last Saturday, the boys spent the day at a kids club in Sayulita, … Read more
Poking Around San Pancho
Besides hanging out here in Lo de Marcos all week—which we would totally be ok with if there weren’t so many other fun places nearby to visit—we’re going to make … Read more
Sayulita Saturday
When Lori learned that Noe’s old school in Sayulita held a Kids Club every Saturday, it was an opportunity too good to pass up. The boys could make some new … Read more
Return to Nayarit: Tepic & Lo de Marcos
We were in Mazatlan for a total of two weeks and could have stayed for much longer. But the boys are excited to get back to their old stomping grounds, … Read more
Gran Acuario (Mazatlan Aquarium)
We’ve been to some pretty impressive aquariums over the years, and the impressive Gran Acuario in Mazatlan is right up there with the best of them.
Mazatlan Days & Nights
The cruise ships are arriving on a daily basis now. Having never set foot on a big-name cruise ship, it’s surreal to watch them sail into port in the morning, … Read more
Old Mazatlan & Playa Olas Altas
On our first evening back in Mazatlan, we hopped a water taxi into town for a couple of treats and a quick bite before heading back to Stone Island. Of … Read more
Mazatlan: Stone Island & Seahorses
The drive from Celestino to Isla de la Piedra (Stone Island) ended up being one of the more pleasant we’ve had in a while. Two hours on good toll roads … Read more
Celestino Paradise
In addition to being able to catch the solar eclipse just south of here at Las Labradas, Celestino and Villa Celeste treated us well for the few days we hung … Read more
Solar Eclipse (Path of Totality!)
In early February in the depths of the Oregon winter, Lori and I roughly sketched out the first month of our route through Mexico. We were itching to get deep … Read more
Las Glorias, Sinaloa
Dodging ATVs, RV utility malfunctions, and Montezuma’s Revenge as we head into week four of non-stop festivities on the Mexican Pacific Coast.
Sand Storms & Sunsets in Huatabampito
An otherwise idyllic spot on the beach comes at a hefty price and a big mess to clean up.