I haven’t booked anything yet, but my tabs are open, my Airbnb watchlist is ridiculous, and I’ve been through enough Google rabbit holes to be emotionally committed. This is how my brain works when I’m planning a trip (to Mexico) – and right now, I think it might actually happen.
Step One: Pick a Country… Any Country
The first step was deciding where in the actual world to go. I usually start by looking at places I haven’t been yet , I’ve done about 20 countries, so there’s loads left. I wanted something a little bit exotic, but I couldn’t be bothered with full Southeast Asia tuk-tuk chaos. Nothing against it, I just wasn’t in the mood for the sensory overload.
India crossed my mind, but something about the pollution and the intense tourism hustle put me off. I feel like that desperate vibe is still hanging around post-pandemic, and I just wasn’t up for it.
Kazakhstan tempted me for a while. I like the weird ones. But the idea of it felt heavy. I imagined struggling with the language, trying to figure out what to wear, overthinking my tattoos; it felt like I’d be adding unnecessary paranoia on top of travelling alone. It probably would’ve been fine, but I didn’t feel like dealing with that kind of mental load right now.
And if money weren’t a factor, I’d be off to French Polynesia or some other dreamy place I can’t afford. But money is a factor. So I need somewhere cheap and safe. That’s the brief.
Guatemala… Wait, Why Not Guatemala?
I seriously considered Guatemala for a while. It’s cheap, kind of in the right region, and people seem to rate it. But I think I just didn’t feel that safe about it. I can’t even remember exactly why I went off it.
Mexico: A Budget-Safe-Maybe Win?
That’s how I ended up circling Mexico. It ticks a lot of boxes:
- It’s budget-friendly, especially if I avoid the touristy bits
- It’s easy to be vegan, loads of the food is already plant-based without trying
- I’ve been learning Spanish for a while, and I spent a month in Spain recently
- You get six months visa-free
- It doesn’t have that desperate-for-tourism energy that puts me off in some places
Also, I found a one-way flight for about £300 from Madrid, and that includes checked baggage, cabin bag, and a personal item. I’ve been meaning to go to Madrid anyway, so that’s kind of perfect.
Beach or Mountains? Help.
Right now, I’m torn between two very different options.
Option 1: The Beach (near Oaxaca)
A family I know are heading to Oaxaca, so part of me thought about going somewhere nearby. A beach town would be lovely. Warm, swimmable, and slower-paced. But some of the cheaper places had that “safe area, secure building” Airbnb language that makes me suspicious. I’m not sure I’d feel fully comfortable there at night.
Option 2: The Mountains (San Cristóbal de las Casas)
This is the one I’m leaning toward now. It’s £153 for a whole month in a private Airbnb, and that’s hard to ignore. It’s colourful, creative, and surrounded by mountains; which I love.
But it’s also up at around 2,000 metres, and it gets cold at night. That wouldn’t normally be a big deal, but I’m hoping to backpack this time. I can’t exactly pack for both hot weather and freezing nights; my pyjamas alone would fill half the backpack. I’ve looked at the bedroom in the listing and it doesn’t exactly scream insulation.
Altitude might be another factor too. I don’t think I get altitude sickness, but I’ll have to think about it.
Still… £153 a month.
What I Usually Do Next
Once I find a flight and a place that seems right, I tend to overthink it for a few days and then impulsively book the Airbnb in the middle of the night. That’s just how it happens. Once it’s booked, everything else falls into place.
I haven’t done that yet – but I might have by the time this post goes live.
What I’m Still Wondering
Here’s where my brain still is:
- Will I be freezing in San Cristóbal?
- If it’s that cheap, is it too good to be true?
- Do I need to worry about altitude sickness?
- Should I just go to the beach and stop overthinking?
Still… I love mountains. And budget might win this one.
Outro: Still Planning. Kind Of.
So that’s where I’m at. Somewhere between mountain views, budget limits, and worrying about whether I’ll regret not packing a thermal hoodie.
A Few Hours Later…
But then I spiralled a bit. I started reading about the water, the altitude, and how cold it gets at night. Not in a romantic, wrap-yourself-in-a-blanket way either. More like, “will I be freezing and showering in bacteria mist while wrapped in my one pair of travel pyjamas” kind of way. Reddit really hasn’t helped. It’s a weird mix of “it’s magical” and “you’ll die in a protest or from amoebas.” The more I dug, the more I realised that, as much as I love mountains, San Cristóbal might not be the right choice for me this time. So I pivoted.
Now I’m looking at Tepoztlán. It’s still in the mountains, still beautiful, but warmer, safer, and way less likely to come with altitude-related regret. It’s closer to Mexico City, has a spiritual little mountain-town vibe, a pyramid you can hike to, and a strong solo-traveller energy. Reddit’s still trying to ruin this one too. I’ve seen vague cartel mentions and dramatic warnings that don’t seem to match up with anything. But honestly, this place actually feels like somewhere I’d want to stay, not just tolerate.
If you’ve been to Mexico, I’d love to hear from you. Drop a comment or message me. I’m still deciding.
Before You Go…
Thinking about Mexico? I spotted some great Mexico deals from Travel Up, check them out HERE!!
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