Live Your Best Lives
When it comes to Mexico, many people still remember its powerful victory over defending champion Germany in this year's World Cup group stage. However, the popular spy film "Spectre" also catapulted the country to fame, and the Mexican government even organizes a massive parade with floats every year for the Day of the Dead to cater to the influx of moviegoers. Of course, what ultimately resonated with us about Mexico was last summer's film "Coco," which brought so many tears to our eyes...
The story's protagonist, Miguel, is moving in his pursuit of his musical dreams with courage, but in the end, he voluntarily gives up his dream in front of his family. "Sometimes, family is more important than dreams," this is perhaps the point the film wants to make.
"A person's true death is being forgotten by everyone in the world." In fact, "Coco" tells us a story of forgetting and being forgotten. While most countries in the world fear death, Mexicans have long seen through it. They believe that "death reveals the highest meaning of life: it is the opposite of life, but also its complement."
▲The main scenes of the movie were shot in Guanajuato, a colorful town three hours' drive from Mexico City.
(Pictures from the Internet)
▲ The resemblance is uncanny! Climbing Mount Pipila and watching the sunset, Guanajuato, illuminated by the lights, is so beautiful it's practically breathtaking.
The use of marigolds in the film, used to commemorate the deceased, also reflects real life. In the film, the deceased can only cross the flower bridge and reach the mortal realm when their photos are detected on altars in the mortal realm. Therefore, on this day each year, a key task for families is to decorate their altars with water, food, family photos, candles, and more. They also display uniquely Mexican art, such as painted skulls, skull candies, and marigolds.
▲In the movie, the bridges connecting the world of the dead and the human world are all formed by marigold petals.
▲Miguel walked across the Marigold Bridge and arrived in the underworld. The city layout here was based on the Mayan Quetzalcoatl Pyramid.
▲The cenote where Miguel fell is based on one of Mexico's many cenotes, the most famous of which is the Ikkl cenote.
The film features many Mexican delicacies, such as "tamal," known as the "Mexican version of rice dumplings" and often seen at festivals and celebrations. Mexicans seem particularly fond of corn, and this is a corn delicacy that uses corn husks to wrap meat, vegetables, chili peppers, sauces, and other ingredients and then steams them. This scene also appears in the film.
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The Day of the Dead (Día de Muertos) was originally a traditional Indian festival held in July and August. Later, after incorporating the Spanish colonial All Saints' Day, it was moved to November 1st (Festival of the Infants, honoring young children) and November 2nd (Festival of the Adults, honoring adults). In 2008, Mexico's Day of the Dead was inscribed on UNESCO's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Originally, the Day of the Dead didn't have a large parade. With the release of "Spectre" in 2015, the film opened with a Mexican skeleton parade. With the box office success of James Bond, the Mexican government, seeking to promote city tourism, launched the first Day of the Dead parade on October 29, 2016, drawing 250,000 attendees. The second annual Day of the Dead parade, held on October 24, 2017, began in the new city's Estela de la Luz and continued to the Plaza de la Constitución in the heart of the old city, covering a distance of 7 kilometers. Now in its third year, this ancient and lively Mexican carnival is attracting an ever-increasing number of participants.
Tip: The parade times for that year will be announced about a month before the Day of the Dead, and they usually take place the weekend before. So, in 2018, the dates for the Day of the Dead should be October 27th and 28th, but please refer to the official announcement for details.
Mexico boasts some of the most adorable skulls in the world. While most cultures mourn and fear death, Mexicans see it as a reflection of life, not the end, transforming it into a joyous reunion party. Perhaps this indifferent attitude toward death, rooted in traditional culture, is the source of Mexican warmth and open-mindedness.
The first step to experiencing the Day of the Dead is to dress up as a spooky yet fun costume. Dress up as a beautiful and unique Catherine. You might even run into a local dressed as Catherine and greet you!
Traditionally, this bread is made during the Day of the Dead, November 2nd, to honor Mexican ancestors. As a special treat for the Day of the Dead, it's typically served larger, laced with tequila, and sprinkled with icing sugar, making it perfect for sharing with family.
Movies often portray Mexico as a country overrun with drug lords and rampant crime. In reality, Mexico is a popular holiday destination for Americans and Canadians. Tourist-populated areas like Mexico City, San Miguel, and Guanajuato are often heavily guarded, so as long as you don't venture out alone at night, you'll be safe. Cancun and Mérida, located on the Yucatán Peninsula, are long-standing holiday destinations, so there's generally no need to worry.
November to May is the best time to visit the Mexican coast, with sunny weather and fewer mosquitoes, but also higher rainfall. Compared to the Mexican Highlands, the Mexican coast and southeastern plains are hotter, with an average annual temperature of around 27°C (19.3°F), with little difference between summer and winter. The Mexican Highlands experience a more moderate year-round temperature swing, with an average annual temperature of around 20°C (21.3°F). However, the temperature fluctuates significantly between day and night, and UV rays are strong, so sun protection is recommended. Summer in the Highlands, from May to September, is characterized by heavy rainfall.
Tip: Mexico's jungle regions experience hot and humid weather in summer, and be aware of the potential for hurricanes in southern Mexico from August to October. Some higher elevations in the Mexican Highlands experience lower temperatures than the general area, so consider wrapping up warmly.
Tips:
Visa-free policy
A. Chinese citizens holding ordinary passports for private use and holding a valid visa for the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, or a Schengen country, as well as foreigners holding an APEC Business Travel Card marked with Mexico and whose purpose of entry and stay is non-labor visit (tourism), can travel directly to Mexico and stay for 180 days; B. Chinese citizens holding diplomatic passports, official passports, and private passports can enjoy visa-free treatment; C. Transfers in Mexico between different flights at the same airport for no more than 24 hours are visa-free; D. Holders of Hong Kong or Macao Special Administrative Region passports can enter Mexico visa-free for a stay of 90 days; In all other circumstances except the above, regardless of the length of stay, a Mexican tourist visa must be obtained in advance before entry.
Mexican Individual Tourist Visa
Validity period of a tourist visa: 30 days to 10 years
Duration of stay: Determined by immigration officials at the point of entry, up to 180 days per entry
Number of entries: Multiple within the visa's validity period
Visa application
Tourists residing in Beijing, Tianjin, Chongqing, Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, Xinjiang, Tibet, Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, Shanxi, Hebei, Henan, Shandong, Hubei, Guizhou, Yunnan, Sichuan, Shaanxi, Gansu, and Qinghai who wish to submit documents to apply for a Mexican visa at the Consulate of the Mexican Embassy in Beijing must first make an interview appointment through the online appointment system Mexitel.
Domestic departures: Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou all offer direct flights, with Hainan Airlines offering the best value, with a flight time of approximately 13 hours.
Departing from the United States: Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Dallas all offer direct flights, with the entire journey taking only 3-4 hours.
Exchange a certain amount of US dollars in advance based on your spending habits and customs regulations. Mexico City Airport offers good exchange rates. There are many exchange booths in the lobby, so you can compare prices and adjust your exchange rate to your budget. The current exchange rate is about 17-20 pesos to 1 USD. Hotels offer the worst exchange rates, so to minimize losses, it's best to exchange the required local currency upon leaving the airport. Exchange back to US dollars at the airport upon departure.
Tips:
You can carry small-denomination US dollars with you, and you can buy things in most places using US dollars or credit cards, but small shops or roadside stalls generally only accept pesos.
Mexico is a country that relies on tipping, and when we stay in a hotel or dine in a restaurant, we can tip the service staff at our discretion.
The official language of Mexico is Spanish, and English is poorly understood. Therefore, it's recommended to travel with a tour group. If traveling independently, it's recommended to learn some basic Spanish on your own.
Mexico City, the capital of the United Mexican States, is the second most populous city in the world, after Tokyo. Most of the city's tourist attractions are concentrated in the city center: Plaza de la Constitucion, the Cathedral, the National Palace, the Templo Mayor archaeological zone, numerous museums, and the houses of the early colonial district. Just a few blocks away, Plaza Garibaldi offers a chance to experience authentic tequila and listen to mariachi, traditional Mexican folk music.
presidential palace
The Presidential Palace, located in Mexico City, is a massive structure with two large courtyards and four floors. It's said to have been built centuries ago and became the seat of the Presidential Palace after Mexico's independence. This building, which has served as the nation's center throughout time, has witnessed the succession of Mexican rulers through its changing residents.
Constitution Square
The Plaza de la Constitución is the heart of Mexico City. A giant Mexican flag stands in its center, surrounded by important buildings including the National Palace, the Supreme Court, and the Cathedral. The plaza is also home to numerous vendors in traditional Indian costumes and colorfully dressed Indian folk artists, creating a unique spectacle.
National Museum of Anthropology
Mexico City's Museo de Antropología de Antropología is the largest and most famous museum in Latin America, enjoying worldwide acclaim. Located within Chapultepec Park, it covers 12,500 square meters, with 33,000 square meters of exhibition space. The museum houses a comprehensive collection of ancient Indian artifacts. Spread across two floors, the museum showcases a variety of artifacts and materials, focusing on the history of the rise and development of Mexican civilization and various aspects of pre-Hispanic Mexican society. The "Maya Culture Hall" and the "Aztec Culture Hall" are the museum's two largest and most important exhibition halls, both of which are truly fascinating and a must-see in Mexico City!
Teotihuacan
Teotihuacan, inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1987, features the Pyramid of the Sun (Piramide de Sol) and the Pyramid of the Moon (Piramide de la Luna), the most iconic structures of the ancient city. The Pyramid of the Sun holds numerous unsolved mysteries. Every year at noon on the spring and autumn equinoxes, a straight shadow appears on the first level of the west side of the Pyramid of the Sun, gradually brightening with a constant interval of 66.6 seconds. This is why some call it a perpetual clock. The Pyramid of the Moon, located at the northern end of the Avenue of the Dead, was built approximately 200 years later. While smaller in scale, it is meticulously crafted, with each of its more than 200 steps tilted at a different angle. In front of the Pyramid, on the expansive Plaza de la Luna, stands the beautiful Palace of the Bird and Butterfly, another of Teotihuacan's key monuments.
Mexican wrestling
In the evening, we'll travel to Mexico to film Lucha Libre, a renowned Mexican sport. Lucha Libre is characterized by numerous aerial maneuvers, acrobatics, and complex, rapid-fire movements. Capturing these mysteriously masked wrestlers will be an exciting and thrilling experience.
Tips: There are two venues in Mexico City that offer Mexican wrestling shows, which are only held on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday nights.
Puebla, a quintessentially Spanish city, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. Legend has it that during the construction of the city's cathedral, the walls collapsed for unknown reasons. Upon hearing this, two angels descended and guarded the cathedral every night, ultimately ensuring its successful completion. Strolling through this Spanish city, you'll encounter beautiful and colorful churches, the dazzling array of sweets on Candy Street, Mexican specialties like chocolate and various spicy sauces, and traditional dance costumes.
Churula boasts 365 temples, all of which were converted into churches by the Spanish, hence the name "City of Churches." The largest of these, the Great Pyramid, has not been restored, but the churches based on the pyramid are more eye-catching.
Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988, Guanajuato is home to the renowned Cervantes Festival and the birthplace of Diego Rivera, Mexico's national muralist. The ancient city, rich in cultural heritage and vibrant architecture, has been recognized by National Geographic and the BBC as a must-visit destination.
Kissing Alley - a famous narrow alley in Guanajuato, which can only accommodate one person. If two people want to walk together, they will face each other and touch mouths, which creates an ambiguous atmosphere for the couples passing by.
Here you can even find a museum with mummies as exhibits. There is a young girl mummy called China. You can go and look for it.
Accompanied by cheerful music, enjoy a musical night parade with knights dressed in medieval costumes!
San Miguel, a quintessential colonial town built at 1,950 meters above sea level, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008. San Miguel is known as Mexico's City of Art, hailing from many painters, sculptors, ceramicists, and photographers. The town's art schools, Bellas Artes and Instituto Allende, are renowned throughout Mexico. The city boasts a slow pace of life, making it a popular and safe tourist destination. The old town brims with a vibrant atmosphere, earning it a New York Times acclaim.
Parroquia San Miguel, the Parish Church of San Miguel, is a landmark building in San Miguel and is shaped like a "wedding cake".
Fabrica La Aurora is a famous modern art district in Mexico City, which was converted from a textile factory.
Jardin Square is the center of activity in the town, where street artists often perform.
Rolling Stone Waterfall-A stylish cliff-top infinity pool
Hierve el Agua, known as the "Mexican Pamukkale," is a must-see attraction in Oaxaca. Mineral-rich spring water has flowed along the cliffs for millennia, forming a white, petrified landscape resembling a waterfall. And there's the captivating cliff-edge infinity pool! Stepping onto the white limestone surface of Hierve el Agua, you'll see naturally formed, solidified puddles. Soaking in these large pools offers breathtaking views.
Every year as winter approaches, tens of millions of monarch butterflies (also known as monarch butterflies or monarch butterflies) fly 4,500 kilometers from Canada and the Great Lakes region of the United States to spend the winter in the pine forests of Mexico. They stay on pine needles and tree trunks, sometimes almost wrapping up the entire tree to form a butterfly tree, which is extraordinarily beautiful!
The monarch butterfly migration habitats are mainly distributed in the states of Mexico and Michoacan, and are divided into El Rosario Butterfly Valley, Sierra Chincua Butterfly Valley and Piedra Herrada Butterfly Valley. The most accessible one is Piedra Herrada Butterfly Valley.
The BBC has even filmed a documentary specifically for this natural phenomenon. It is truly rare to witness such a spectacular natural phenomenon in your lifetime!
Named one of the world's 100 most mysterious and ancient towns by Lost Planet magazine, Mérida is considered the safest city in Mexico. In the evening, you can take a horse-drawn carriage tour in the heart of Mérida. Each carriage, carrying four people, departs from the central square and passes through the city's bustling streets, eventually reaching Calle Monteje, known as the "Champs-Élysées of Mexico."
(photo by AJ)
(photo by AJ)
We've heard of Bolivia's Skyland, the Bahamas' Pink Beach, and Western Australia's Pink Lake, but it's this Pink Lake on Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula that stands out as the most Instagrammed destination of 2017! Located on the Rio Lagartos, North America's largest flamingo sanctuary, Pink Lake combines all the charms of pink water, white sand, and a sky-high transparency, creating a fairytale-like experience and making for unforgettable photos! It's a true delight for young girls!
Tips:
Causes of pink lake
Red plankton, algae, and shrimp are very active in salt water; when the water evaporates, these organisms tend to gather together and appear a beautiful pink color under the sunlight!
The Pink Lake is a private salt production area, and photography in the water is currently not allowed, but you can still take pictures of the pink spectacle from the shore.
The Rio Lagartos Ecological Reserve is the largest flamingo sanctuary in North America, located approximately 3.5 hours from Cancun and 3 hours from Merida. Established in 1979, the reserve covers 11,800 acres and boasts vast coastal dunes, lush mangroves, and tropical rainforest. Besides flamingos, the reserve also boasts over 200 bird species, sea turtles, and jaguars.
You can take a boat ride across the pink lake, admire wild flamingos and crocodiles, and even try the Mayan premium skincare product – the Mayan Pure Natural Mud Bath!
Tips:
Best time to view flamingos
From November to March, you can see flocks of flamingos.
Located in northern Yucatán, the city of Uxmal was a major commercial and political center during the Mayan period. At the center of the ruins stands the 38-meter-tall "Pyramid of the Sorcerer." Legend has it that a witch, through magic, hatched a tiny human from an egg, which then built the pyramid overnight, hence the name "Pyramid of the Sorcerer." The western steps of the pyramid are aligned with the setting sun on the summer solstice each year, reflecting the advanced astronomical knowledge of the Indians at the time.
Cancun, meaning "the jar hanging on the end of a rainbow" in Mayan, is considered a symbol of joy and happiness. Located at the northeastern tip of the Yucatán Peninsula, with an average year-round temperature of 27.5 degrees Celsius, it is a popular Caribbean resort island.
[Beach]
Cancun's white sand beaches are different from Hawaii's yellow sand beaches. They are finer, whiter, and more visually beautiful.
【Full Service Hotel】
In addition, Cancun has the largest number of full-service hotels in the world. By paying the room fee, you can enjoy all the services provided by the hotel.
Mayan Culture
The ancient city of Chichen Itza/Tulum, about a 1-2 hour drive from Cancun, is the most fascinating Mayan ruins on the Yucatan Peninsula.
Women's Island
A snorkeling paradise with beautiful scenery and mysterious underwater sculptures.
As a popular holiday destination for North Americans, Cancun's mature tourism industry and unique location have cemented its status as a diving paradise. For seasoned divers, exploring its mysterious underground caves is a must! Remember those sci-fi movies where the protagonist jumps into a toilet and enters another world? In Cancun, even a small, seemingly pond-like body of water could reveal a mysterious underground world of jagged rocks, swirling fish, and withered branches.
Chichen Itza, also known as the City of the Feathered Serpent, is the most famous and best-restored Mayan site in Yucatán. Spanning 3 kilometers from north to south and 2 kilometers from east to west, it boasts hundreds of structures and is divided into two sections. The southern section, Old Chichen Itza, dates from the 7th to 10th centuries AD and features Mayan cultural features, including pyramid temples, pillared halls, ball courts, marketplaces, and an observatory, all decorated with stone carvings. The northern section, New Chichen Itza, is a gray structure with Toltec characteristics, featuring the Pyramid of Kukulkan and the Temple of the Warriors. Its ornamentation is dominated by simple lines and stucco carvings of the feathered serpent.
Cenote means "natural well" in Maya, also known as a "sinkhole." These natural wells, connected to underground river systems, provided a vital water source for the ancient Maya. The Maya used these cenotes for worship and ceremonies, and as such, they were also known as entrances to the sacred underworld. The most famous cenote is Ikkil, located a half-hour drive from Chichen Itza.
Tips: If you want to swim, please bring clean clothes with you. There are changing rooms in the tiankeng.
Tulum, Mexico's only Mayan city-state located on the Caribbean Sea, sits atop a 39-foot (12-meter) cliff on the east coast of the Yucatán Peninsula. Tulum's Mayan ruins are relatively simple in scale and architecture, with Late Classical design, craftsmanship, and ornamentation lacking the grandeur of earlier structures. However, Tulum's appeal lies not in grandeur or spectacle, but rather in its sea-facing location and surrounding walls, which are unique among Mayan ruins.
Tips: The above two Mayan city-state ruins are about 1-2 hours' drive from Cancun. If you do not rent a car, it is recommended to sign up for a Chinese tour group. Professional explanations will help you better understand Mayan culture.
Isla Mujeres boasts incredibly calm, clear waters, perfect for snorkeling. Parts of the water are so shallow and calm that even novice swimmers can safely enjoy a swim. Among the snorkeling attractions is the Underwater Museum, featuring large-scale statues displayed on the seabed, which is said to be the origin of Isla Mujeres' name. Families can also consider visiting the island's Dolphin Center for a close encounter with dolphins! Alternatively, rent a golf cart to explore the island, visit the Turtle Breeding Center to see turtles of all sizes swimming in the pools, and relax on the soft sandy beach for some quality family time.
Among the dives, the Undersea Sculpture Museum features large-scale sculptures of people displayed on the seabed, which is said to be the origin of the island's name. Families can also consider visiting the island's Dolphin Center for an intimate encounter with dolphins.
Recommended for family trips.
Xcaret Mexico Eco Theme Park is one of Mexico's most iconic parks. It offers a wide variety of activities for all ages, making it a perfect place for the whole family to enjoy. For example, visitors can visit the Butterfly Museum, a tropical botanical garden, a zoo, and an aviary featuring large, colorful Mexican parrots. There are also a variety of water activities, such as snorkeling, swimming with dolphins, dancing with sharks, underground river diving, cliff jumping, ziplining, and jet skiing. If you're tired, you can even sunbathe on the white sands of the Caribbean Sea. There are also performances that allow you to learn about Mayan culture, such as the evening song and dance show Xcaret Mexico Espectacular. There's everything you need to keep you entertained!
Recommended for people who love outdoor sports (especially water sports) and natural scenery.
Located in the heart of the jungle, Cipro Park in Mexico offers a variety of adventure activities using the latest and safest equipment. Zip along zip lines, drive amphibious vehicles above and below ground, explore caves, and marvel at the diverse stalactites and stalagmites in the underground river. Enjoy a delicious buffet with a wide variety of food, from salads to pizza, all included in your admission price!
Suitable for people who like adventure and pursue exciting outdoor sports.
At Xel-Ha, you can experience a unique experience amidst the stunning natural landscape of charming coves, cenotes, and pools in Mexico's Xel-Ha National Park. This is one of the most beautiful areas in Cancun and the Riviera Maya. Enjoy this diving paradise and a variety of fun activities, including ziplining, tubing, and jungle safari. Included in your tour is a buffet meal and unlimited drinks within the park.
The grand finale made all the previous trips to Mexico pale in comparison!
In my career of only 200 dives, the diving system in Tulum is the place that changed my diving values.
Car Wash▼
(photo by AJ)
Cenote Casa▼
Angelita▼
Suytun Cenote▼
The Pit▼
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