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Dreaming of a south-of-the-border getaway, but you can’t be bothered any longer with the ultra-luxurious Caribbean resort spots that cater primarily to affluent beach bums, and barely feel like Mexico?
In other words, have you been craving some of that Latin American authenticity, with the beautiful old towns, just a little rough around the edges, and where you can gorge on generously-filled tacos for around $1?
Travel Off Path has got you covered!
As much as we love a little sunny escape to Cancun, whenever we need a taste of the deep Mexico, these 7 lesser-known gems are our go-to picks:
San Cristóbal de las Casas
We’re swapping the ocean for the mountains:
Nestled in the southern mountains of Mexico, San Cristóbal de las Casas is a highland town distinguished by its well-preserved 16th-century townscape, with stone-paved, uphill streets lined with low houses.
Its yellow-washed cathedral, looming over the main square, houses a landmark gold altarpiece, while the former Santo Domingo de Guzmán convent, one of the oldest in the Americas, is open as a museum, where colonial-era artifacts are displayed.
Other than its Old World allure, San Cristóbal is the perfect Mexico City dupe for travelers on a strict budget: not only does it feel quieter, local taquerias like El Mesón del Taco are still selling tacos for 14 MXN, or around $0.68, and guesthouses have rooms starting from $28.
San Francisco de Campeche
Did you have any idea San Francisco de Campeche is one of only 2 cities in the Americas that have retained their colonial-era walls, the other one being Quebec City in Canada?
Though Quebec City is gorgeous, we’re more drawn to Campeche’s enviable collection of Baroque palaces, its soaring stone cathedral, the picture-perfect streets flanked by vibrant-colored buildings, and of course, its affordability.
For a taste of Campeche food without breaking the bank, La Olla de la Pagoda is a local favorite: think pork-filled golden tacos dripping in mole sauce for MXN 85 (roughly $4.13).
Exploring the town, you’ll realize it also feels a lot more laid-back than larger state capitals like Guadalajara or Oaxaca, and crowding around what would otherwise be a typically jam-packed Zócalo is minimal.
Pátzcuaro
A true hidden gem of Mexico, Pátzcuaro sits on the banks of a scenic Lake Pátzcuaro, and it has a rich history that can be traced back to the 14th-century, when it was founded as the capital of the pre-Columbian Purépecha Empire.
That’s why you can still find a myriad of regional delicacies deeply rooted in native cooking practices, from pescado blanco to the chile-infused sopa tarasca in cantinas around the Spanish-built Plaza Vasco de Quiroga.
The average price of charales, small freshwater fish straight from the lake, fried and served in tacos, is an affordable 15 MXN to 30 MXN (a median price of $1.10).
In La Surtidora, a landmark restaurant located in a Baroque mansion, gorging on traditional food and drinks will set you back by approximately $12.68.
Cholula
You might have heard of Puebla, the birthplace of the mole poblano sauce and Talavera tiles, but unless you’re a devoted Mexicophile, you might have overlooked its closest neighbor Cholula:
A short 26-minute drive away, it is famous locally for its Great Pyramid, the largest of its kind in the world, with a total volume at over 4.45 million cubic meters (the Great Pyramid of Giza is about 2.5 million), and the iconic Catholic sanctuary that sits atop it.
A striking jaune church against a backdrop of a volcano, the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de los Remedios is one of many picturesque churches that make up Cholula’s historic center.
When it comes to food, no trip to Cholula is complete without sampling basket tacos, or tacos de canasta, soft tortillas filled with chicharrón and beans, sold from as cheap as 10 MXN, or $0.49—$1 in any street corner food stall.
Orizaba
The Gulf state of Veracruz and its bustling namesake port are already pretty offbeat destinations for Americans planning a trip to Mexico, let alone Orizaba, a smaller inland city at the foot of the Sierra de Zongolica, but here’s why you shouldn’t write it off that easily:
Though it is practically unheard-of, it has a beautiful Downtown dotted with colonial houses, and dominated by the art-nouveau Palacio de Hierro, a monumental palace taking inspiration from Belgium—to the northwest of the urban sprawl, picture a snow-capped Pico de Orizaba.
Strolling around its cobbled lanes, just wide enough for vintage cars to pass, you’ll find rows upon rows of souvenir shops, dulcerías selling artisanal sweets, and family-run eateries that have retained their rustic charm and pre-tourism boom prices:
Speaking of which, Tacos T does not mess around when it comes to Mexican staples:
Their fairly-sizable Arab tacos cost 60 MXN ($2.91), and if you’re keen on a hearty meat-and-cheese torta, that’s 70 MXN ($3.39).
Vinicius Costa
Vini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
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