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With winter chill blanketing much of the US, why not plan a sunny escape south of the border?
While the majority of travelers have beaches in mind, you’d be doing yourself a disservice if you overlooked some of Mexico’s most cultural cities.
Right now, Mexico has some of the best weather in easily accessible destinations packed with historical sights and experiences.
Consistently in the 70’s and 80’s During the winter months, there are three towns that stand out from the rest for the perfect weekend getaway.
Guadalajara
Somehow, one of Mexico’s cultural icons continues to be overlooked by Americans. Even with direct flight options from many major US cities, Guadalajara never comes close to Mexico’s most popular getaways.
No, there isn’t a beach anywhere near the capital of Jalisco, but you’ll forget all that when you see Lake Chapala just outside the city.
Guadalajara isn’t exactly a natural wonder in itself, but you can fill your weekend with surprises ranging from charming small towns and endless agave fields to beautiful lakes.
The city itself is exactly what you would expect from quintessential Mexico, with vibrant streets, immaculate cathedrals and bustling markets with non-stop action and street food.
A visit to at least one of the surrounding small towns, such as Tequila, is a must for obvious reasons.
Given the convenient flight options and ease of getting around, including Uber, you can undoubtedly create a 48 to 72 hour itinerary.
And isn’t it nice to be able to stay in luxury hotels while staying within your budget? After all, it’s one of digital nomads’ favorite playgrounds for that reason: Guadalajara is super affordable.
Guanajuato
Hidden in a bowl between Leon and trendy San Miguel de Allende lies perhaps the most timeless city in all of Mexico.
A weekend away in this lifelike time machine with touchstones of Europe and ancient Mexico is money well spent.
You can’t go wrong if you choose a place to stay in this picturesque town as the views are incredible, both from the scenic overlook and the charming cobbled streets below.
Not many places retain their magic, but Guanajuato is the exception to the rule. If you turn a blind eye to the Starbucks opposite the famous one Teatro Juarezyou will notice that there are no hotels of well-known brands anywhere to be seen.
Tourists can choose between Airbnbs, exquisite boutique hotels, each with their own unique flair, and even a historic castle converted into a unique residence.
Uber is an option, but exploring the city’s winding roads and tunnels is best on foot to take it all in.
If you need a break while wandering the hills – and you certainly will – the city’s wide variety of rooftop bars are the perfect stop to catch your breath.
The streets can be full of narrow sidewalks, especially when the city comes alive on weekend evenings with traditional streets Callejonedas performances.
Mexico City
With slightly cooler temperatures on average than Guadalajara and Guanajuato, Mexico City is still sunny this time of year.
A year-round haven, this gigantic city is consistently one of the most popular to visit outside of Mexico’s beach holidays, even breaking tourism records.
Instead of hitting the beach, why not spend sunny days exploring Mexico City’s vast concrete jungle and the nearby canals of Xochimilco?
Although it is one of the largest cities in the world, Mexico City is still suitable for shorter trips. Given the large number of direct flights and the ease of getting around with Uber, taxi and the cheap metro, no time is wasted in the air or on the ground.
There’s absolutely no shortage of cultural attractions and fun things to do for a weekend, whether it’s museums, ancient ruins or a classic lucha libre agreement.
In fact, this cosmopolitan city is considered safe for tourists, so you won’t feel the need to go to bed. Given the trendy bar scene, why would you?
It’s impossible to explore North America’s largest city in its entirety in a weekend, but don’t the best destinations always leave you wanting more?
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
