Rocket Spanish Community

where is the best place to go

Hola:

If you want to really see a different part of Mexico, may I recommend Real de Catorce, near Matehuala. This is a mountain village only accessable thru a one lane 1 1/2 mile tunnel. The movie "The Mexican" (Julie Roberts/Brad Pitt) was filmed there. I was just there in December.

Enjoy...
Mike

Buenos Dias,

I am traveling to San Miguel de Allende in Mexico in April. A friend of mine, a real world traveler, has invited several friends for a long weekend of shopping in Mexico. She has been there before and wants very much to return. San Miguel is becoming more and more popular, but is a very historic and safe town to visit in the mountains of Mexico. They have many atrisans and so have many marketplaces and stores. We're staying at a guesthouse instead of a hotel in order to better experience Mexico. There are several good Spanish immersion schools in San Miguel and I hope to return in the future to study at one.

Cindy

Mexico City is an amazing place - I think American tourists are scared of it, but it has an fantastic amount to offer. The culture there is pretty astounding - over 80 museums, fantastic baroque architecture, public art everywhere, really interesting neighborhoods, great food, a cheap and reliable subway system, great people. It's huge, and has problems like any huge city - poverty, pollution. crime, etc. - but it has so much to offer that I don't think anyone traveling through Mexico should miss it.

I agree with Hedoguy, Mexico City is wonderful. I was there in Nov '05 and had a blast. It's big, alive and full of everything--sights, sounds, smells, stinks --you name it, it's there.

As for being afraid, well if you know how to walk around any large, metropolitan city, you will have no problem. I mean, there are streets and areas that one should be a tad more heedful about walking into, as well as times when to be a bit more alert, but this is true of any other city in the world. Just mix sensibility with your adventurous soul and you will have the time of your life.

That said, I'm on my way to Guadalajara in 10 days and can't wait. For me, Mexico is the place.

México is worth making several trips to see. Like the US, it is geographically and culturally varied and it is worth focusing on one region or personal interest (like archeology, cooking, folkart or beaches) on each trip.

I'm a personal fan of Mexico City. Although I live in a large city in the US (Chicago), Mexico City's size, vitality and cosmopolitan sophistication blew me away. I've been twice in the last 5 months and hope to go again soon. To get a sense of it, here is a stunning slide show:

http://homepage.mac.com/helipilot/PhotoAlbum31.html

My wife and I lived in Zapopan (Guadalajara)MX for 5 1/2 months and just returned to the states in Aug. We really loved it there and made many friends. It was easier for me since I speak some spanish and more difficult for my wife who speaks very little spanish. The important thing is to learn some spanish and study some about the culture before you go. I would love to return there next year.

My wife and I visited Mazatlan in November. In a word: FANTASTIC! We took tours to outlying areas; Isla de la Peidra, Coppolla, it was great. The food is to die for and the local people were so friendly. Highly recommend visiting Mazatlan.