Mexico Travel Guide
Mexico is a large and culturally rich country, but it’s best experienced by focusing on individual cities rather than treating it as a single destination. While shared history and traditions connect the country, Mexico is best experienced city by city, where food culture, daily life, and regional identity vary significantly.
Travelers get the most value by choosing specific cities and understanding how each one works on its own terms — particularly when it comes to dining traditions, neighborhood layout, and where to stay.
Food & Travel Across Mexico
Mexican food culture is deeply regional and rooted in local ingredients and traditions. What you eat in Mexico City is not exactly the same as what you’ll find in Oaxaca or Guadalajara. Cooking styles, staple ingredients, and meal customs change from region to region.
In general:
Central regions emphasize corn-based dishes and complex sauces
Southern regions highlight indigenous ingredients and traditional methods
Western regions feature hearty preparations and regional specialties
Street food plays a central role in everyday dining
This variation is why city-specific food guides provide far more value than broad national summaries.
Travel logistics in Mexico vary by city and region. Large urban centers require thoughtful planning around neighborhoods and transportation, while smaller cities are more compact and easier to navigate. Choosing the right base can significantly affect how you experience food and daily life.
Cities in Mexico
Below you’ll find our city-level guides for Mexico. Each city includes:
A City Guide (what to know and how the city works)
A What to Eat guide (local food, dishes, and markets)
A Where to Stay guide (best areas and accommodation types)
Mexico City
Mexico City is the country’s capital and culinary epicenter, with a vast and diverse food scene that ranges from street stalls to fine dining. Neighborhood choice plays a major role in dining access, walkability, and transportation.
Oaxaca
Oaxaca is known for its strong food identity and traditional cooking methods. Food culture is central to daily life, and staying near the historic center makes it easier to explore markets and local dining.
Guadalajara
Guadalajara blends tradition with modern city life, offering regional dishes and a growing contemporary food scene. Neighborhood selection affects access to dining districts and cultural areas.
Planning Your Trip to Mexico
Mexico rewards travelers who focus on a small number of cities and allow time to experience each destination fully. By planning at the city level, you’ll eat better, stay in more suitable neighborhoods, and navigate regional differences more effectively.
Use the city guides above to plan your trip based on how you want to travel, eat, and stay, rather than relying on broad, country-level overviews.