What Mexicans advise tourists: cuisine, Coyoacan and Day of the Dead

Mexico is associated with beaches, tequila, and all-inclusive hotels. Mexicans themselves describe their country very differently. For them, it is about cuisine, old neighborhoods, markets, and loud celebrations.

We spoke with a Mexico City resident. Felipe grew up in the capital and is convinced that Mexico is bigger than its beach image. The country is among the most visited in the world, and the pyramid zone of Teotihuacan near the capital operates year-round.

Below you will find what Mexicans eat, where they go on weekends, how the Day of the Dead unfolds, and what you should not argue about with locals.

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Mexico beyond the beaches

💡 In short:

• Cuisine: soups, corn, and spicy sauces; order pozole, flautas, and tamales.
• Places: the old Coyoacan district, markets, the desert, and the Teotihuacan pyramid zone.
• Holiday: Day of the Dead on November 1 and 2, with altars and pan de muerto bread.

What Mexicans value about their country

According to Felipe, Mexico rests on three things: kind people, warm weather, and food. The cuisine here is cheap and tasty, so eating out hardly hits your budget. Mexicans themselves consider this combination the main thing.

The country is large, and there is always something new to discover within it. Even Felipe himself learns something about it every year. Mexicans are proud of their culture and gladly talk about it when they see genuine interest.

Tourists are truly welcome here. You should keep one thing in mind: locals value respect for their country and its history.

Cuisine: what to try in Mexico

Mexican cuisine is not limited to tacos. It includes many soups, corn, and spicy sauces. Mexicans themselves most often eat soups, chilaquiles, and torta, a homemade sandwich with meat inside.

© Chris Woodrich · CC BY-SAPhoto: Chris Woodrich, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

Mexican dishes have a rich flavor. Locals easily combine spicy and sweet in one dish, and it only gets tastier. You are unlikely to find that balance in a hotel buffet.

For tourists, Felipe suggests starting with pozole, a thick soup with corn and meat. Then try flautas, mole, and tamales. Spicy mole is served with meat, while tamales are often eaten for breakfast with a hot drink.

Coyoacan and old Mexico City

In the capital, it is worth turning off the tourist streets and visiting the old districts. One of them, Coyoacan, is considered a must for visitors by locals. Colonial-era houses and monuments have been preserved here.

© Carlos Valenzuela · CC BY-SAPhoto: Carlos Valenzuela, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

Coyoacan grew long before Mexico City became a city of millions, so its pace is calmer than the center. You can still see buildings from that era next to markets and artists' workshops.

The district is loved for its slow pace. People drink coffee in the squares, buy handmade goods, and listen to street musicians. Come in the first half of the day, while the heat is mild and the lines are shorter.

Mexicans suggest adding nature to the capital: mountains, large lakes, and the desert. Markets are also worth a walk through. There you will see the real everyday life of the city, not a display for tourists.

Teotihuacan and the pyramids

The pyramids are considered cultural monuments that Mexicans are especially proud of. The main ones, the Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon, stand in the ancient city of Teotihuacan near Mexico City.

© MIKHEIL · CC BY-SAPhoto: MIKHEIL, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

A local legend is connected to the pyramids. It is believed that if you climb to the top, you receive good energy and are freed from ailments. Whether to believe it or not is up to you, but the view from the steps is worth it.

The zone operates daily, and entry is paid. Check the hours and price on the official INAH website before your trip. Walking through the zone is more comfortable in the morning, before the sun is at its peak.

If you want to come with a guide, it is convenient to book tickets and tours in advance. Then you will not have to look for transport at the entrance. For example, Teotihuacan pyramid tours on GetYourGuide gather groups right in Mexico City.

Day of the Dead: Mexico's main holiday

According to locals, there is no holiday in Mexico more unusual than the Day of the Dead. It falls on November 1 and 2.

On these days, locals go to the cemetery and bring flowers and candles to the deceased. At home, they build an altar, sometimes multi-level. On each level they place food, drinks, and things the person loved in life. At the top of the altar stands a photograph, candles burn, and a path of marigold petals lies there. This is how locals show the souls of the dead the way to the altar.

© RubeHM · CC BY-SAPhoto: RubeHM, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

Pan de muerto bread is eaten with hot chocolate or another drink. In schools, children write calaveritas, short poems in honor of death. They can be funny or about love, but they are always dedicated to death. Themed festivals take place in cities, and any guest can attend them.

You do not have to travel to one specific city for the holiday. Day of the Dead is celebrated across the country. But it is in the first days of November that altars, flowers, and candles appear on every street.

Safety and tips for tourists

Felipe advises simply looking after yourself and behaving carefully. Then you will be fine in any city. Check restrictions for specific areas in the current Auswärtiges Amt recommendations before your trip.

If you want to win over locals, learn at least a few phrases in Spanish. Mexicans are happy about any attempt to speak their language. And never speak badly about the country and its people: that is what is valued most here.

The main parting advice is simple. Locals ask guests not to reduce Mexico to the beach. Learn about the culture, try the cuisine, walk through the markets. Then your trip will stay with you for a long time.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to go to Mexico?

For beaches and excursions, the dry season is more convenient, when there is almost no rain. The highland capital is mild year-round, while the coast can be humid and hot in summer. High season falls in winter, so it is better to book accommodation and tickets in advance, otherwise prices will rise.

Is it safe to travel in Mexico?

Mexicans suggest simple rules: watch your belongings, do not walk through unfamiliar areas at night, and behave calmly.

What should you definitely try in Mexico?

Start with pozole, and see the full list of dishes in the cuisine section. Do not skip chilaquiles and street torta. If you want something sweet, get pan de muerto bread with hot chocolate.

How much does entry to Teotihuacan cost?

The pyramid zone is paid, and the ticket is purchased separately at the entrance. INAH periodically revises prices, so check the exact amount on the official website before your trip. Guides are often offered on site, but you are free to follow the route on your own.

Do you need to know Spanish in Mexico?

A few phrases are enough. In tourist areas, many people speak English, but deeper into the country, basic Spanish makes things noticeably easier.

In short: what to book

Mexico offers different kinds of vacations, and the choice depends on your plans.

• If you want beaches and all-inclusive: choose the coast and a hotel by the sea.
• If you want culture: plan days in Mexico City, Coyoacan, and Teotihuacan.
• If you want cuisine: look for markets and family restaurants, not hotel buffets.

Before a morning tour to the pyramids, it is more convenient to spend the night in the capital. See hotels in Mexico City on Trip.com and book a night before the morning pyramid tour.