Mexico, you had me at “hola!”

My first introduction to Mexico was no different than for millions of American college students. My best friend and I’d decided we wanted to get in on the beloved tradition of going to Cancun during spring break … a rite of passage so to speak, and boy, did we get exactly what we were looking for, plenty of partying and sun.

But even through the haze of all the partying and sun, what I remember most about Mexico was the enchantment of seeing and experiencing a culture that was none like I’d ever known. Whether you’re soaking up the sun on the breathtakingly beautiful white sand beach or marveling at the wondrous Mayan ruins of Chichén Itzá; dancing the night away at a trendy high-energy night club in Cabo or enjoying one of its delectable traditional dishes, which has been deemed as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO, Mexico is adept at satisfying everything we look for as travelers.

French poet André Breton famously called Mexico the surrealist country par excellence, and every time I’m in Mexico, I’m reminded that what is ordinary there is truly extraordinary.

Chichén Itzá

Uxmal

Tulum

Akumal

Pamilla Beach

San Jose del Cabo

Todos Los Santos