Learning Mexico One City at a Time
Our trip to Mexico City wasn’t just a vacation. It was a lesson in history, culture, patience, and learning when to lean on people who know the place better than you do.
We spent our first few days with Beau’s friend, Travis, and from there traveled north to Querétaro. That part mattered more than I expected. Having a fluent Spanish speaker with us eased us into the country in a way that felt grounding rather than overwhelming. It allowed me to relax, observe, and actually absorb what was happening around me instead of constantly being on high alert.
The Drive to Querétaro: Aqueducts and Timeless Towns
On the drive to Querétaro, we made a few stops that ended up being some of my favorite moments of the trip. We saw the Querétaro Aqueduct, and it honestly stopped me in my tracks. Stretching across the landscape, it’s one of those structures that quietly reminds you how deep and layered Mexico’s history really is.
We also passed through two small tourist towns along the way: Tequisquiapan and Bernal. Bernal’s massive monolith rises over the town in a way that makes you feel both tiny and completely present. These stops felt slower, quieter, and more traditional. A sharp contrast to the energy of Mexico City, and a reminder that Mexico isn’t just one experience. It’s dozens, layered on top of each other.
Querétaro and the History I Didn’t Expect
I’ll admit something that surprised even me. I had no idea Mexico was once controlled by France. Standing in Querétaro, learning about Emperor Maximilian I, and seeing the place where he was supposedly executed made history feel incredibly real. It’s one thing to read about it. It’s another to stand exactly where it happened.
Querétaro itself felt elegant and calm. Colorful facades, wide plazas, and a pace that felt worlds away from the chaos I associate with megacities. One of the unexpected highlights was simply existing there, letting my nervous system settle into being somewhere new.
My favorite stop of the entire trip was Alquimia Bar. Hands down the best cocktail bar we visited. Creative drinks, intimate lighting, and the kind of place you immediately wish you had back home.
On our last night in Querétaro, we went to Cervecería Hércules, a brewery set inside a former textile factory. Industrial, lively, and unexpectedly wholesome. Beau even sang karaoke, which turned into one of those unplanned travel moments that end up meaning the most.
Back to Mexico City and a Reality Check
Travis was incredibly kind and drove us back to Mexico City, which I will forever be grateful for. Once there, we only had a few hiccups, but they were memorable.
Our first day, we got scammed. Classic tourist mistake. We were enticed upstairs by women advertising a rooftop view in the historic center. Two margaritas later, the bill came out to 1,400 pesos, over $80. My well-traveled instincts knew better, but the view won this round. Only after ordering did we check the reviews and find a wall of one-star warnings. Lesson learned. But the view was nice.
That same night, we took a cheap night bus tour. And cheap is exactly what it was. The English audio didn’t work, but we laughed it off. Then we realized the route passed right by our hotel area, about three miles away. We ran downstairs, asked to get off, were told no… and then the driver opened the door anyway. A small win, but a huge relief.
And that was only the first half of the trip.
Mexico City still had plenty left to teach us, but that’s a story for another post.
