How Cultural Differences Impact Life for Newcomers in Mexico

The best thing to do in Mexico is to Live in Mexico. The second best thing to do in Mexico is to visit.
Mexico has something for everyone. Whatever your interest – there will be something here for you.
If you decide to live in Mexico you will find an enjoyable lifestyle and friendly people. Mexico has a great tradition of hospitality. You will join over a million...
The best thing to do in Mexico is to Live in Mexico. The second best thing to do in Mexico is to visit.
Mexico has something for everyone. Whatever your interest – there will be something here for you.
If you decide to live in Mexico you will find an enjoyable lifestyle and friendly people. Mexico has a great tradition of hospitality. You will join over a million other expats from the US and Canada who live here permanently. Many more live in the country for 3 to 6 months. They may live in communities with only Mexican neighbors or in areas that are primarily composed of Gringos. You can live in a fishing village, a vacation area, or a major cosmopolitan city. Your new home may be on the beach or in the mountains, in the desert or in a tropical rain forest. Mexico has all types of climate and terrain. It is an excellent place for you to retire or for you to “telecommute” for work.
And no matter whether you want to live in Mexico or to just visit, Here are a few suggestions of things to do:
Get out and meet the people. People are relaxed and you often see strangers greeting each other on the streets. They are usually relaxed and never seem to be rushing anywhere. They seem to always have time for others because they are traditionally warm, polite, and friendly.
Visit a fascinating museum – Mexico City with over 150 museums is reported to have the most museums of any city in the world. And you can find other museums all over the country.
Go to the beach. Mexico has 9,330 km (5,800 miles) of coastline with over 450 recognized beaches. You can find beaches with tropical or desert settings. They may be filled with happy people or completely secluded.
Enjoy the fantastic food. Everywhere you go in Mexico you will discover distinct traditional foods with exotic and marvelous flavors. There are world-class restaurants and street stands each with special foods showing the diversity and excitement of Mexico. I never get tired of trying new foods. Maybe you even want to try grasshoppers or flowers.
Visit the archeological ruins. Mexico has some of the most fascinating ruins in the world.
Climb the mighty pyramids of Teotihuacán. The Pyramid of the Sun is one of the largest in the world and the Pyramid of the Moon is plenty big – just don’t do what I did and get in a race to the tops of them with a bunch of teenagers.
Visit Copper Canyon which is larger and deeper than the Grand Canyon in the US.
Don’t miss the city of Guanajuato which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with many old colonial buildings and winding streets. You might even visit the Mummy Museum.
Oaxaca has an interesting mix of native Indian and Spanish cultures and is a very typical old time Mexican City. It has also been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Shop for silver in Taxco which has some of the most ornate and beautiful jewelry you will ever see.
Enjoy shopping whether it is for traditional items or in one of the modern malls.
Enjoy the music and vibrant colors that you find everywhere. Maybe combine Mariachi music and Tequila with a beautiful sunset on the beach at Puerto Vallarta.
Visit one of the “New Seven Wonders of the World” – the archeological site at Chichen Itza. The Kukulkan Pyramid is one of the top attractions in Mexico.
Dip into an ancient cenote in the Yucatan.
Visit the rainforest.
Visit the desert or a volcano.
Look at the art. You can find all types – modern or traditional or you may want to visit San Miguel de Allende which draws artists and art aficionados from around the world.
Watch football (soccer) or Lucha Libre (wrestling) or go to the theater or a concert.
Go fishing. Some of the best sport fishing in the world can be found in Mexico including tuna, sea bass, dorado, grouper , and striped marlin.
Relax at one of the modern and fabulous resorts and hotels and check out the beautiful golf courses.
Visit the Basilica de Guadalupe with 5 million others on the main fiesta day. It is the second largest pilgrimage in the world.
Write a book – I’m planning one titled “1001 of the Best Things to do in Mexico” (Vol. 1) If you have suggestions, just let me know.