Exploring Mexico in 2025: An honest 3-Week Travel Review
- Nour El Houda Bouzaffara
- Feb 5
- 4 min read
Updated: Feb 15
We carefully planned our 3-week trip to Mexico, aware of the common media narratives about the country's safety. Like many first-time visitors, we took extra precautions to avoid any potential issues: I left my jewelry at home and opted for non-ostentatious outfits. We ensured we traveled by plane between cities instead of buses or rental cars. We also bought local SIM cards to stay connected with family and had Uber ready on our phones for safe rides across the cities. However, we quickly realized that we had overestimated the risks—during the entire trip, I never once felt unsafe.
Our first stop was Mexico City, or DF, as the locals call it.
We planned to stay for 4 days. Flying into the city at night, we were struck by the endless sea of lights, which gave us an early sense of just how vast and sprawling the city was. After a good night's sleep, we spent the next day wandering through the leafy streets of #Polanco, #Roma, and La Condesa, passing by Chapultepec Park. We walked 7 kilometers in total, despite battling altitude sickness (Mexico City sits at 2,500 meters!).
Surprisingly, the city felt oddly familiar, reminding me of Tunis, the capital of my home country, Tunisia. Chapultepec resembled Belvedere Park, Roma was similar to Mutuelleville, and the mountains surrounding the city echoed Boukornine. And yes, we even have cacti in Tunisia! Google these places, and tell me you don’t see the resemblance?
Our friends who had been to Mexico City before recommended some fantastic spots for dining and drinks, which I’ve added to the gallery. But a word of caution: if you don't want surprises, ask the waiter to translate the menu. I was confident in my Spanish, so when I saw "chicatanas," I assumed it was just another word for chips. I ordered "Guacamole con #Chicatanas," and when the waiter returned, he brought not only the guacamole but also a bowl of dead insects. Lesson learned: Never make assumptions!
In the following days, we visited #Teotihuacan, where we explored the Aztec pyramids, and spent time in the vibrant neighborhood of #Coyoacán, home to Frida Kahlo’s house.
We wanted to experience a more authentic side of Mexico, so we flew to Oaxaca for two days.
It felt like a larger, more colorful version of Coyoacán, brimming with indigenous culture. From there, we took a private transfer to Puerto Escondido (specifically Punta Zicatela), where we spent the next four days enjoying the Pacific coast—surfing, eating, setting baby turtles free and relaxing. Of all the places we visited in Mexico, Punta Zicatela stood out. It had all the potential to become a major tourist destination, attracting a young, international crowd from the surf community, yet it still remains until this day under the radar.
“Punta Zicatela stood out. It had all the potential to become a major tourist destination, attracting a young, international crowd from the surf community”
Our next stop was San Cristóbal de las Casas, a colonial town nestled in a valley at 2,200 meters.
The high altitude, combined with the fluctuating temperatures, left me feeling ill. San Cristóbal is located in the southern state of Chiapas, which borders Guatemala and is a key entry point for migrants heading toward the U.S. We didn’t witness any crime, but our guide informed us that there were growing tensions as cartels fought for control of border crossings. In addition, the city has faced severe water shortages in recent years due to population growth, leading to conflicts over water resources.
While we were in town we took the opportunity to visit the #Sumidero canyon which has vertical walls that reach as high as 1,000 metres.
“We took the opportunity to visit the Sumidero canyon which has vertical walls that reach as high as 1,000 metres”
Our final stop was Tulum
Many of our friends had visited and weren’t impressed, but I wanted to experience it for myself. Was it worth the hype? Absolutely not. The city center is the ugliest I’ve seen in Mexico, and only when you leave town towards the beach or jungle does it improve. What shocked me most were the terrible roads—given Tulum’s reputation as a high-end destination, I expected better. On top of that, most things here felt like a rip-off: parking in the tourist zone costs 20 euros per hour, you have to buy an additional ticket to see the ruins once you’re already inside, and even sitting on a restaurant terrace can cost you an extra 50 euros (in places like Azulik). On a positive note, the beach was stunning, the cenotes were spectacular, the hotel infrastructure was impressive and the food exceeded expectations. Plus, the warm, sunny weather was a welcome change.
By the time our trip came to an end, we had gained a better understanding of the country and its people. I have to say, México lindo y querido—that I can definitely attest to. Now, as I sit at home in Munich, listening to my new favorite track Patadas de Ahogado / Latin Mafia (Rework) from Hugel (I shazamed it in Tulum), typing these words on a typical gray, cold day, I feel a sense of nostalgia.
I never felt unsafe throughout the trip, thanks to the visible presence of police and the army. The people were joyful and positive, though sometimes a bit slow, especially in restaurants, where we found ourselves repeating requests multiple times. At times, we even left in frustration over the lack of enthusiasm from the staff. But I’ve come to wonder if this slower pace is simply a reflection of the contrast with the fast-paced lifestyle we’re used to in the West.
"I’ve come to wonder if this slower pace is simply a reflection of the contrast with the fast-paced lifestyle we’re used to in the West."
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