🌵 Mexico through the eyes of a local: beyond beaches and tequila

Mexico is one of the most interesting and mysterious countries in the world. What should you know about it before traveling? A local resident, 28-year-old Felipe Murguia, will help in this matter. He grew up and lives in the capital of Mexico – Mexico City. He works as a doctor and leads a healthy lifestyle. He loves and is very proud of his country.

Please tell me why you love Mexico?

I love Mexico because the people here are very kind, the weather is always warm, the food is delicious and cheap. There is always something new to learn about this country, even if you are a local.

Do you think tourism tourists in this country will be interested?

Of course, this is one of the most popular destinations among tourists. Every year a huge number of people visit Mexico.

What do Mexicans love most about their national cuisine?

We love all our national foods. Mexican dishes have a very pleasant taste and unique aromas. We combine spicy and sweet at the same time, and this only makes it tastier. And most often we eat soups, chilaquiles and a Mexican sandwich with meat inside.

What food would you recommend to tourists?

Pozole is a thick soup with corn and meat. Flutes are a type of taco. Spicy mole sauce and tamales.

As a local, what do you recommend to see in Mexico?

I advise you to see the pyramids, museums, mountains, large lakes, stroll through the markets and visit the desert.

There is such an area – Coyoacan. It's also worth a visit. He is one of the oldest. Founded in the 1500s. You can still see houses and monuments from the time when Christopher Columbus discovered America. 

Pyramids are monuments of our culture. The most important of them are the pyramids of the moon and the sun. People believe that if you climb to the top, the good energy of the pyramids will transfer to the person. And it can heal ailments. For example, the old city of Teotihuacan has many pyramids that are worth seeing.

Do locals travel a lot around their country?

I think yes. Most locals travel mainly on holidays and prefer to go to the beaches.

What do you think is the most unusual thing about Mexico?

I think Día de muertos is the most unusual holiday because it is one of the most beautiful we have, but at the same time very unique. Locals go to the cemetery and bring flowers and a few candles to the dead. Then an altar is built at home. It can even be multi-level. And on each level you can put food, drinks and everything that a person loved during life. At the top of the altar we place a photo, several candles and a path of rose petals. But you can use any other flower. By doing this, you show the souls of deceased people the way to the altar. We also have bread that we eat, and it’s called “pan de muerto”. You can eat this bread with hot chocolate or any other drink.

At school, young children write poems in honor of death. They can be funny or about love, but they are about death. We call these verses “calaveritas.” Thematic festivals are also held in cities.

What advice would you give to tourists?

Have fun and try to learn as much as possible about the culture of our country. Mexico is more than just beaches.

What about security? Are there areas and cities that should be avoided?

You just need to take care of yourself and behave carefully, then everything will be fine with you in any city.

Please tell us something about Mexico that tourists don’t know.

We love it when tourists try to speak Spanish. If you want the locals to treat you well, never talk bad about Mexico. We love and protect our people and culture very much.