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Soak up the winter sun this Christmas in Mexico, HI’s Destination of the Month

Tacos and tequila. Beaches and botanic gardens. Home to 24 Hostelling International hostels and endless attractions, Mexico is a diverse and fascinating country and it’s waiting for you to explore it. These are just some of our Mexico must-sees.
Start your adventure by flying into Mexico City One of the world’s most densely populated cities, Mexico City fascinates and confounds, so take some time to acclimatise to the altitude, air and atmosphere. Spend your time devouring tacos al pastor, singing with the mariachis in Garibaldi, bar-hopping and trying pulque, an alcoholic drink made from agave juice.
Spice things up in Puebla Mexico’s famous hot sauce, mole, was invented in the city of Puebla. Puebla is a great place to try some of the street food, like the Lebanese-inspired tacos arabes and chiles en nogada (stuffed chiles filled with a walnut based sauce), that Mexico is famous for.
Get extreme in San Luis Potosi In Mexico’s north, San Luis Potosi makes a great base if you’re into extreme sports like abseiling, cycling, kayaking and more. If you dare, descend into the Sótano de las Golondrinas, a sinkhole known as the ‘cave of swallows’.
Warm up in Aguascalientes Aguascalientes literally means ‘hot water’ - and you can find yourself in it in one of the many hot springs in the surrounding areas. Once you’ve soaked your troubles away, learn about the cultural significance of death in Mexican culture in a visit to the National Museum of Death.
Relax and recharge on the Pacific coast in Puerto Vallarta Begin your exploration of Mexico’s famous coastline in Puerto Vallarta, where mountains meet the ocean. Go snorkelling, diving or surfing, explore the nearby rainforest or just kick back on one of the golden sandy beaches.
Raise your environmental awareness in Mazatlan In Mazatlan you can hang out at the beach or keep an eye out on the city from the Faro (lighthouse). And at the end of the day, return to Hostelling International’s Mazatlan eco-hostel where you can learn about sustainability and the way your actions impact the planet.
Soak up the atmosphere in San Cristobal de las Casas A traveller’s favourite, once you arrive in San Cristobal de las Casas you might never leave. In southern Mexico, beautiful San Cristobal is a great place to take it easy, perhaps learn some Spanish and enjoy the city’s cultural diversity.
Go crazy in Cancun and Cozumel If you’re looking for sun, surf and nightlife that stretches well into the next day, Cancun and the neighbouring island of Cozumel are your best bet! Famous for their parties, Cancun and Cozumel won’t disappoint.
And that’s not all… With Hostelling International hostels found all over Mexico, the country is a great value destination for HI members. All the HI hostels in the country offer discounts for members so check them out before you.

Each month Hostelling International focuses on a great travel destinations. Take a read and be inspired by our travel ideas.

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