The daily hustle and grind of the 9 to 5 can really take a role on your physical, emotional, and mental health. Let alone your desire to travel the world. When the need and opportunity arises and visiting the famous state capitals in the continental US isn’t cutting it (we didn’t forget about you Alaska and Hawaii), take a trip out of the country. The sights, sounds, smells, flavors, and overall culture can be an unbelievable enriching experience. But if you’re short a couple dollars for the all-expenses-paid resort, we have a few suggestions that might help you keep some extra cash in your wallet. 

According to the National Travel and Tourism Office, Mexico is the most desired vacation destination for Americans as of 2019, with a recorded 39.3 million citizens making the trip south. Unexpectedly, Canada is the second most-frequented vacation destination for Americans with less than half of those visiting Mexico. Nonetheless, town names like Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Acapulco, and Cabo San Lucas are often quickly thrown around. These beach towns often cater to university students during spring break, the rich and famous, and even adrenaline junkies. Acapulco, for example, is internationally known for its stunning seaside cliffs, making it the ideal hotspot for cliff divers. However, there is so much more to this southern North American country. 

For starters, Mexico is home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, ranking seventh in the world for its number of notable locations. Just one of these is the Pre-Hispanic City of Teotihuacan (“the place where the gods were created”). Identified by its impressive pyramids, the former city was once the largest city within the pre-Columbian Americas, home to a population of over 125,000. The remains of the city today are still recognized for their intricate multi-family compounds as well as for their vibrant murals that have weathered the test of time. But other historical sites like the historic center of Oaxaca, the center of Mexico City and Xochimilco, the Agave Landscape and industrial facilities that produce Tequila, and the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve might also sound familiar. 

Speaking of the Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, visitors and tourists alike should come to expect a “mega diverse” biodiversity. If you’re unfamiliar, this term “mega diverse” refers to one or several groups of nations that foster the greatest number of earth’s distinct species on its land. Not even referencing its number of animal species, to be included on this list of biodiversity, these mega diverse countries must also harbor 5,000 or more species of native plants. Further, they must also neighbor adjacent marine ecosystems. Ultimately, in other words, you will be treated to a whole range of new and exciting animal and plant life, some you have probably never even known existed. This fact is basically guaranteed as Mexico is ranked fourth in the world in terms of its collective species count. Lastly, regarding the endemic species found in Mexico, you will be sure to enjoy a large sampling of the country’s grandiose food crops and edible plants. Expect a diet rich in avocado, tomato, maize, jicama, habanero, jalapeño, vanilla bean, and of course, chocolate. 

From UNESCO Heritage Sites to biospheres and diverse animal and plant life spread throughout Mexico’s vast geographical and climate conditions, the country is filled to the brim with historical and ecological paradise. We didn’t even have a chance to dive into the rich history and modern-day practices of Mexican sculpting, architecture, literature, media, and the unbelievable Mexican cuisine scenes. We’ll finish by mentioning that 1 US dollar is equal to 20 Mexican pesos. Have fun watching your money stretch your love of travel, specifically in Mexico, to the max.