Get creative
Organize your art supplies and get to crafting. Consider painting Chichén Itzá, one of Mexico’s most visited monuments!
Need more inspiration? Check out these virtual tours of famous Mexican museums and more.
Pick a film
Watch a movie that relates to your destination. Some ideas for Mexico include:
- Buen Día Ramon (2013)
- A Better Life (2011)
- Spanglish (2004)
Study some history
Dive deep into the history of specific sites you’ll visit on tour. Study how Mayans built several cities in the Yucatán region, two of the most spectacular being Chichén Itzá and Uxmal. During the 12th century, the Mayan city-state of Mayapán waged war against and defeated the citizens of Chichén Itzá – here’s a virtual reality video to explore the site from your home.
Choose a book
Read and discuss a book that takes place in your destination or describes the local culture. Pick from titles like:
- Under the Volcano by Malcom Lowry
- The Underdogs by Mariano Azuela
- The Conquest of Mexico by Hugh Thomas
Fill up your plate
Arrange a potluck and encourage your friends to bring a traditional dish from your destination. Know a chef? Hold a virtual cooking class with your travel group or support a local restaurant that offers delivery/take-out of your destination’s cuisine. Try chilaquiles, pozole, tamales, enchiladas, or chile rellenos.
Learn the language
Call up a friend or set up a group video chat and practice your language skills. It helps to make flashcards with common sayings to use on the phone or throughout your travels (think about buying souvenirs and chatting with locals). Then, learn how to order some of your favorite Mexican dishes in Spanish.
Did you know?
Mexico has 69 official languages! Plus, the state of Jalisco is famously known as the birthplace of mariachi (traditional Mexican folk music).
Meet Your Partner in Travel
Natalie’s family is from Jalisco, Mexico. She uses her spare time to learn how to cook the traditional dishes her mom would make the family when she was a young girl. Natalie maintains her love of all things Mexican by scouring Virginia for authentic Mexican restaurants!