Expan Experience: Heritage Mexico and the hidden treasures of the Pacific
Mexico has a route that few travelers know about, but those who experience it never forget. It’s not the Cancun route, nor the Caribbean resort route. It’s a route that combines Mexico’s rich heritage with a corner of the Pacific where surfing, gastronomy, and the outdoors come together. A route that, once traveled, becomes a must-do .
Alfonso Hartard , Partner and General Manager of Expan Tours , embarked on a journey that blended history, design, cuisine, and beaches in a near-perfect sequence. His route: Mexico City , San Miguel de Allende , Querétaro , Puerto Vallarta , and, as a grand finale, Sayulita . A journey recounted in a new edition of Expan Experience .
Mexico City: The ideal starting point for exploring Mexico’s heritage
Before reaching Mexico’s heritage sites and Pacific beaches, the journey begins in the capital. Mexico City is one of those destinations that intimidates from the outside but captivates from within. A metropolis that, against all odds, can be explored with unparalleled ease and cultural richness.
The key is choosing the right base. A well-located hotel on Avenida Reforma connects everything: from there you can easily walk or take the metro to neighborhoods as diverse as Condesa , Roma , Polanco , and the Historic Center , each with its own character and culinary offerings.
In a city of this scale, rhythm is everything . Traveling with family means learning to let go of control, to stop when the children ask, to sit in a bar playing cards and having a drink while time passes without guilt.
” If you take everyone’s schedule into account to make it enjoyable, you achieve something fantastic. You have to explore different neighborhoods, museums… Mexico City has so much to offer .” That philosophy, applied from day one, is what transforms an intense trip into a memorable experience.
Where to eat and what to do in Mexico City
What else shouldn’t be missed besides the essential sights of Mexico City? After exploring it with family at your own pace, there’s a selection of experiences that shouldn’t be missing from any itinerary.
” Wrestling provides one of the most entertaining nights that Mexico City has to offer. You don’t need to be a fan of this sport: the spectacle is complete from the first minute with the audience, the masked wrestlers, the noise and the energy they generate .”
Xochimilco is another must-see. Travelling its canals in trajineras , the colorful wooden boats decorated with flowers and hand-painted names, is a special experience.
” For art and history lovers, the Frida Kahlo House Museum is one of the most moving: an immersion into the life and visual universe of one of the most important artists of the 20th century. The surrounding Coyoacán neighborhood, with its cafes and bohemian atmosphere, is worth an afternoon in itself .”
Chapultepec Castle , perched atop a hill in the heart of the city’s largest urban park, offers one of the most breathtaking views of the capital and a historical collection spanning from the Aztec Empire to modern Mexico. And at the foot of the same park lies the National Museum of Anthropology , one of the world’s finest museums of its kind.
” There are two gastronomic stops that cannot be missed: Tacos Atarantados , a taqueria that perfectly represents what a taco should be in Mexico: simple and generous at the same time, with fresh ingredients and a salsa that changes everything; and Panadería Rosetta , an institution of artisanal bread and top-level signature pastries .”
The jewel of the Bajío: San Miguel de Allende
Among the most highly recommended cities in the Americas, San Miguel de Allende stands out as an unmissable destination. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO , this colonial city has cultivated a visual and cultural identity that few cities in the world manage to maintain with such consistency.
” It’s not just that it’s beautiful—it’s that it’s beautiful in its own unique, unmistakable way, unlike any other place. You look anywhere and you’ll find a place you’ll want to go into. Everything has its own identity, but San Miguel de Allende has its own and it’s very, very interesting .”
Its narrow, cobbled streets , its terracotta-hued facades covered in flowers , its shops with messages painted on the walls create an atmosphere where photography is inevitable. What remains is a profound feeling of being in a place that was conceived, cared for, and loved by its inhabitants.
What makes San Miguel unique is not only its architectural beauty, but also the way in which colonial charm coexists with contemporary sophistication . Many Mexicans have migrated from the capital to open boutique hotels and high-end restaurants.
” There is also a significant presence of Canadian and American tourists, which has pushed the gastronomic and service offerings to very high standards . The result is a mix that few destinations achieve: cultural depth with excellence in the experience .”
In addition, the city has a vibrant cultural scene throughout the year, with landmark events that attract visitors from all over the continent.
The must-sees of San Miguel
Aldama Street is the most beautiful promenade in the city. A narrow street, lined with red buildings and overflowing with flowers, culminating in one of Mexico’s most iconic sights: the neo-Gothic silhouette of the Parish of San Miguel Arcángel : ” It’s like going to Barcelona and visiting the Sagrada Familia, but on the scale of a colonial town .”
The route ends in Benito Juárez Park , a green oasis that invites you to pause and contemplate. It’s one of those walks worth doing more than once: in the morning, in the soft light; and at sunset, when the colors intensify.
Visiting the Parish of San Miguel Arcángel is, without a doubt, the architectural highlight of a trip through Mexico’s heritage: ” Its pink neo-Gothic facade is one of the most photographed monuments in Mexico , and seeing it in person has an impact that no image can fully convey .”
The Handicrafts Market is another experience not to be missed. It’s not your average market: it’s a half-kilometer-long street lined with stalls where Mexican handicrafts are displayed in all their richness.
Taxco silver , in particular, has a special presence. It’s one of the country’s most iconic souvenirs and one of the most tempting: ” I took my silver bracelet from Taxco .”
But if there’s one place that truly stands out, it’s La Fábrica La Aurora : a former 19th-century textile factory transformed into Mexico’s most important hub for contemporary art and design . Galleries, artists’ studios, design shops, and exhibition spaces coexist in an elegantly restored industrial building.
” You’re really surprised . There’s an artistic and design approach that I haven’t seen anywhere else .”
To balance the city’s fast pace, the Hot Springs Caves offer a completely different experience: a natural cavern with indoor thermal baths, well-equipped and of a high standard. A perfect complement for alternating between urban exploration and relaxation.
The route that few know: from Querétaro to the Pacific
One of the smartest decisions of the trip was the logistics. Instead of returning to Mexico City to catch a flight to the coast—which would have meant going back more than 250 km— Querétaro offers a much more efficient alternative.
Located about 100 km south of San Miguel de Allende, it has an international airport that connects directly to Puerto Vallarta via low-cost airlines.
” Coming to Querétaro was a great idea. I rented a car in Mexico City with a drop-off in Querétaro, and it was really helpful to plan the logistics of the trip .”
That decision not only saves time and money — it also allows you to discover a city that has its own merits: ” Querétaro is another colonial city declared a World Heritage Site , with an impeccable historic center and a gastronomy that has gained prominence in recent years .”
Puerto Vallarta: Mexico’s colonial seaside resort
Before reaching Sayulita, Puerto Vallarta is worth a stop. It’s a city that achieves something rare: maintaining its colonial character—with cobblestone streets, architecture climbing the hills, and a lively boardwalk —while also having all the infrastructure of a well-established tourist destination.
” It also has a lot of colonial charm. Its architecture is built on small hills, with cobblestone streets. It has a vibrant bohemian vibe .”
You don’t need to stay for many days, but it is worth walking along the boardwalk at sunset , exploring the historic center , and understanding why this city continues to be one of the most beloved destinations on the Mexican Pacific coast.
Sayulita: the secret of the Mexican Pacific
Just 40 minutes from Puerto Vallarta lies Sayulita , a town that’s a revelation to first-time visitors. This small coastal enclave is considered one of Mexico’s surfing capitals and has a vibrant energy that sets it apart from the massive resorts.
” You arrive in a magical town . The beaches are very beautiful. Perhaps they don’t have the turquoise waters of the Caribbean, but they possess a Pacific beauty that feels familiar and powerful. Waves that invite surfing, open horizons .”
The town is explored by golf carts that can be rented by the day, giving it a relaxed atmosphere perfectly suited to the vacation pace. There’s no need for a car. You go from restaurant to restaurant, from beach to beach, with a freedom that few cities allow: ” Ideal for having a good time, for going with children, for activities and active tourism .”
Nightlife is there—open bars, people enjoying drinks, music on terraces—but without excess. It’s a destination that knows how to celebrate without getting out of hand, making it especially suitable for families with children or for those looking for fun without sacrificing relaxation.
San Pancho: For those seeking tranquility
Just a few kilometers north of Sayulita lies San Pancho , a more intimate and tranquil version of the same coastal spirit. Smaller, quieter, and more focused on relaxation, its unique orientation offers a privileged view of the sunset over the Pacific .
” San Pancho has a beautiful beach. If you’re traveling as a couple and want something more relaxing, it’s a great option . You can take a stroll in Sayulita, which has more restaurants, and then return to relax .”
The combination of both towns — spending the day in Sayulita and relaxing in San Pancho, or vice versa — is one of the smartest ways to take advantage of this area of the Pacific coast.
From Mexico’s heritage to its beaches: Tips and recommendations
The secret of this itinerary lies in the variety of experiences and accommodations : ” Mixing types of accommodation is a way to multiply the experience and adapt to the spirit of each destination .”
” I achieved a very complementary combination of experiences, destinations, hotels, and types of accommodation. Plus, having your own car gives you a freedom that changes everything .”
In Nueva Vallarta , north of Puerto Vallarta, two or three nights of all-inclusive at a resort like the Hard Rock to end the trip with all the comforts, before returning home, is ideal.
Throughout the entire journey, safety was paramount . However, there are some basic precautions that should be incorporated into your routine: ” Avoid driving at night, use Waze on the road, and stay informed about the context of each area before traveling .”
” The roads between Mexico City, San Miguel de Allende, and Querétaro are in good condition, and traffic is manageable with planning .”
Regarding prices, they have been rising in recent years in San Miguel de Allende , as well as Puerto Vallarta and Sayulita : ” They are not cheap destinations, but the quality of the experience, the gastronomy, the accommodation and the services are up to the price .”
It’s recommended to spend at least three nights in San Miguel de Allende , though you could easily stay longer. The surrounding area offers a wide range of options: 30-hectare botanical gardens , vineyards , horseback riding through canyons , and numerous ecotourism activities that allow you to explore the natural environment.
Practical tip : If you’re traveling on Mexican low-cost airlines like Volaris or Viva Aerobus , check in online as far in advance as possible.
The verdict of the trip to Mexico
” It was a truly beautiful trip. A cosmopolitan destination like Mexico City, combined with the colonial gem of San Miguel de Allende and the free spirit of Sayulita , makes for an itinerary that works for families, couples, and travelers seeking depth and authenticity .”
It’s a trip that can be comfortably done in two weeks, combining culture , gastronomy , nature , and beaches without any part feeling forced or like filler. It’s not the Mexico of all-inclusive resorts. It’s a more authentic Mexico .
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