Mexico Travel Guide: Tequila Towns, Chichén Itzá & Rio Secreto
In March 2024, I spent 13 incredible days exploring Mexico, splitting my time between the vibrant city of Guadalajara in Jalisco and the tropical beauty of the Yucatán Peninsula. From sipping world-class tequila in its birthplace to wandering through ancient Mayan ruins and swimming in underground rivers, this trip was a perfect blend of culture, history, adventure, and flavour.
When I went: March 2024
Duration: 13 days (including flights)
Weather: Hot – around 30°C every single day.
Tip: Book tours early and arrive ahead of the crowds at popular sites like Chichén Itzá and Tulum. Renting a car makes exploring easier, but make sure you keep the fuel tank full, as gas stations can be scarce.
Guadalajara & the Jalisco region
After flying into Cancun, I took a short internal flight to Guadalajara, which became my base for exploring the Jalisco region. From there, I rented a car to visit nearby towns.
The highlight was a Tequila tour at Jose Cuervo’s La Rojeña distillery in the town of Tequila. The guided tour ended with tastings, and I was surprised by how smooth real tequila can be when sipped neat - nothing like what we usually get in Europe! I also stopped by Adictivo Tequila, another distillery offering tastings, and learned that many of the facilities are tightly guarded, making these tours extra special.
The town of Tequila itself is charming, surrounded by vast blue agave fields that stretch across the region. Visiting the plantations was an incredible way to see how deeply tequila is tied to Mexico’s culture and heritage.
Guadalajara itself was another highlight - a beautiful, clean city with friendly people and delicious food. I also visited Tlaquepaque, a colourful artsy town nearby that I liked so much, I went back twice.
Tlaquepaque
Yucatán Peninsula
After three days in Jalisco, I flew back to Cancun to explore the Yucatán Peninsula by car.
One of the most unique experiences was the Rio Secreto Wild Tour in Riviera Maya - a full-day adventure combining mountain biking through a forest, and swimming through underground caves and rivers. Cameras weren’t allowed, but the memory of exploring that silent, otherworldly landscape will stay with me forever.
I also planned to visit the Tulum ruins, but unfortunately missed the last entry time (earlier than advertised online). It was disappointing, but it just gives me a reason to return. A good tip: get there as close to 8 AM as possible to avoid the tour bus crowds and long queues.
Chichén Itzá
The crown jewel of the trip was visiting Chichén Itzá, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. The ancient Mayan city is home to the Temple of Kukulkán (El Castillo pyramid), famous for its seven terraces and the shadow illusion of a feathered serpent during the equinox. Arriving early is essential - by the time I left around noon, endless lines of buses were pouring in.
Even with the long drive (3 hours each way from Cancun), it was completely worth it. Standing in front of such a spiritual, historic site was an unforgettable experience.
Food & Drink Highlights
Mexico’s food scene was an adventure of its own. Between endless guacamole, tacos, and fresh cervezas, every meal was a delight. Tequila (served in generous 100 ml shots!) and cocktails like margaritas and palomas were everywhere - always fresh, strong, and full of flavour.
Guacamole
