Did someone say Mexico? Why yes, yes I did. This year has been a big one for trips and celebrations. Not only did I have a milestone birthday, but lots of our friends are having them as well! Which really works out nicely for us, I must say.
One of the bigger trips we are planning is to Mexico City and Mérida, Mexico. Our friends recently moved from LA to Mérida after finding success with AirBnB (among other things), and essentially retired there so they have more financial freedom to travel the world.
Yeah.
And they’re not even 50 yet! Which brings us to the reason we’re heading to Mexico. To celebrate a 50th birthday. I can’t even tell you how excited I am for this trip. Neither of the places we are going have really been on my travel radar, but after hearing such high praise about Mérida and seeing a reality show based in Mexico City? I am IN. And I am so pumped to get there and explore.
We are still waiting on our passport renewal (yikes) but airline tickets have been purchased! After searching 3 or 4 airlines, we went with Interjet because of their reasonable prices and flight options direct from LAX to MEX. They also let us book without valid passports in hand — I just have to call and add them onto our travel itinerary once they arrive. That was a relief, as over the last month we’ve been watching flights sell out.
Our connecting flights between MEX and MID are through AeroMexico. They had more flights to choose from, so it gave us the flexibility to leave when we wanted to. And we didn’t need passports to book connecting flights within Mexico. Now onto the fun parts.
MEXICO CITY
Our first stop will be the big city of CDMX. We decided, that while we want to see the capitol and explore certain neighborhoods, it is more of a priority to spend time in Mérida. So Mexico City will be a quick 1.5 day pit stop on the way there.
I assumed we’d stay at a Marriott in the city. They are always our go-to for clean, basic rooms. But we knew we wanted to hunker down in either the Condesa, Roma, or Polanco neighborhood, so of course the fancier hotels were a little more expensive. I decided to peek at AirBnB and was blown away by the options — some really cool and some really terrible! Haha. But you really can’t beat the prices for an entire apartment or loft.
Next up: what to do?! I really haven’t made any plans yet, seeing as we arrive at 5am and I know we will be exhausted. For some reason, I feel like I’ll be absolutely thrilled just finding a good coffee shop and sitting for a long while to soak in the atmosphere. Of course, being the enthusiastic tourist that I am, I’ll still drag my husband around to a few destinations and spend time in Centro Histórico. But for the time being, I am definitely taking recommendations for food/drink/activities. I’ll be on Pinterest and travel blogs a whole lot.
MÉRIDA
We will be staying in Mérida for the bulk of our trip. This is where our friends live and they can’t say enough good things about the area — capital of Yucatán, and considered one of the safest places in Mexico. I know one thing: it will be hot AF. So I’ve been busy researching bathing suits to wear as clothes and sewing an entire linen wardrobe for the trip. I’m kidding… kind of.
We definitely knew we’d stay at an AirBnB here because entire homes are so beautiful and reasonable. Our friends own property and there are lots of great spots to choose from. We are kinda lucky so many of the locations were already booked because I don’t know how I would have possibly made a decision! Even though we won’t be spending a ton of time at the house, my only prerequisite was a dipping pool — those seem plenty easy to come by. And so many places have an old colonial charm with modern amenities. What more could you want?
During this stay, our friends will be hosting a couple dinners and excursions, so we will get to spend time at their place, as well as see the Mayan ruins and cenotes in the surrounding areas. I’m actually really nervous and excited to see the cenotes. As someone who grew up near the ocean, I have a healthy fear of water and the creatures that lurk beneath. But as an aquarius, I love to be in and around water always and forever. So swimming in a cave?? Sounds both terrifying and amazing to me.
We will have some down time here and there, so I hope to soak in that dipping pool and explore the villages and famous market places that I saw on Salt Fat Acid Heat. I am debating setting up an AirBnB experience for a food or drinking tour, just so we get some extra exposure to the local goodies, but we’ll see. I’m not much of a tour person, but have had a few friends recommend them, so it might be fun to try.
So that’s the plan for now! I can’t wait to get there and start exploring. I’m sure I’ll share a million photos with you upon our return. Note to self: pack waterproof phone case!
Have you ever been to Mexico City or Mérida? Any recommendations for us?
loves,
jaana