Many countries around the world are famous for something. For example, the U.S. is famous for Hollywood, hot dogs, football (American football, that is), music, among other things; France for fashion, champagne, cheese, bread, and perfumes; China for pandas, the Great Wall, and their numerous types of tea; Australia for kangaroos, koalas, the Great Barrier Reef, and Sydney… well, you get the idea. But what is Mexico known for? That’s a good question, and we’re going to answer it in as much detail as possible.

We won’t talk about the negative things since a lot has been said and written on the subject, much of it quite exaggerated. Plus, we have already covered that. Rather, in this post, we will talk about the reasons Mexico is famous around the world. I hope to provide you with more than enough reasons to make you consider it as a serious alternative for your next vacation. Let’s jump right in!

Mexican food is delicious!

White Poblano pepper covered with cream and pomegranate.
Chile en nogada

Mexicans and foreigners alike love Mexican food. Have you ever eaten tacos? They’re one of the most famous Mexican staples around the world. However, let me warn you: you haven’t tried the real thing if you’ve never been to Mexico. If you like Mexican food in your home country, you will love it in Mexico.

Mexican food is delicious and varied. We have much more than tacos. What you know abroad is just but a glimpse of our culinary traditions. Our cuisine dates back from pre-Hispanic times but has survived till our day.

Foreigners always mention the food when talking about Mexico, and that alone should be a good indicator for you. When visiting, you have to try it.

Chili Pepper

Mexicans love it. It comes in all varieties: jalapeño, serrano, guajillo, habanero, pasilla… whether you go to a taco stand or a high-end restaurant, you will always find hot sauces or salsas on the table. They’re an important part of our cultural identity.

Spicy food is very common in Mexican cuisine. It doesn’t matter if it’s day or night, it’s always a good time to eat chili pepper! We use it in traditional dishes, fruit, and snacks. We even use it to give a twist to other dishes that are traditionally non-spicy.

Guacamole

Did you know the Aztecs ate guacamole way long before the Europeans set foot in Mexico? It’s quite an old recipe, although there are modern variations. Be that as it may, it goes well with everything!

Guacamole is so popular that it’s the most eaten snack on Super Bowl Day. Interesting fact!

Oh, and do you know who is the world’s avocado supplier? Mexico, of course!

Tequila

Two glasses of tequila with lime on top.

Okay, enough of food. Let’s talk about another thing Mexico is known for. Not only does it have worldwide dishes, but it also has one of the most famous beverages: Tequila!

Tequila is an alcoholic beverage used to make cocktails (margaritas, anyone?) or it can also be drunk on the rocks. No Mexican party is complete without it.

Did you know it can only be produced in Mexico and that there’s a city near Guadalajara, Mexico with the same name?

Its Warm People

Mexican people are very friendly and welcoming toward visitors. It’s easy to make friends with Mexicans. We love meeting people from other cultures and interacting with them. If you need directions to a place, you will always find someone willing to help you. If you can’t speak the language, someone will try to help you. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Small talk in Mexico is very common, especially in small towns. Don’t be scared if someone you don’t know says hi to you or smiles at you. We love to smile; it’s second nature to us. We even joke with strangers at times, so don’t be offended or think we’re ridiculing you. Our sense of humor is special.

Its biodiversity

Did you know that Mexico is one of the most diverse countries worldwide? We have practically every ecosystem imaginable. We have deserts, tropical forests, coastal lagoons, grasslands…a little bit of everything. You don’t need to visit different countries to see it all. Just go to Mexico!

Even animals love our country. Each year millions of monarch butterflies and whales migrate to Mexico during the winter. Imagine watching this natural spectacle. It’s simply amazing.

 

Its World Heritage Sites

Mexico ranks seventh place worldwide and first place in the American continent on the World Heritage Sites list. The UNESCO list includes 27 cultural sites, 6 natural sites, and 2 mixed sites. You may be familiar with some of them like Chichen Itza. By the way, did you know that Chichen Itza is on the 7 Wonders of the Modern World list along with the Great Wall of China and the Roman Coliseum? That’s impressive, isn’t it?

Dia de Muertos

White skull surrounded by marigolds depicting Dia de Muertos.

Death is a special topic in Mexican society, so much that we dedicate a special day every year to remember those who are no longer with us. It’s not a sad day, but rather a festive one. Millions of Mexicans set up altars in their homes with flowers and food in memory of their loved ones. You can even see the streets decorated with marigolds and other festive motifs like calaveritas (skulls).

Dia de Muertos or Day of the Dead as foreigners know it is so popular that it crossed borders of all kinds and has even been featured on the big screen. Have you seen Disney’s Coco? Its storyline revolves around Dia de Muertos. The truth is, this tradition is ancestral, dating back from pre-Hispanic times. It’s not something we came up with recently.

Its Music

Mariachi music is another Mexican icon. During the Mexican Golden Cinema Era, our music spread out to other countries. It remains popular in our day. Songs like “La Bamba” and “La Cucaracha” are easily recognized by anyone that hears them played. They’re part of pop culture.

However, there is a Mexican song from a different genre that you may have listened to without knowing it was Mexican. “Besame Mucho” by Consuelo Velazquez is one of the most romantic songs ever and holds the title of being the most sung and recorded Mexican song of all time. It was recorded by artists like Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, and The Beatles. Can you believe that?

Its Beaches

Mexico is a popular destination for those seeking white-sand beaches. We have plenty of them on both coasts of our territory. The most famous ones are in the Cancún area and include Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, among others. Every year millions of international tourists visit our beaches to escape from the cold in their home countries.

You can see tourists from the U.S., South America, Europe, Asia…from all parts of the world. The Mexican Caribbean coast is considered one of the best beach areas worldwide.

Frida Kahlo

Close up of Frida Kahlo.

There is some controversy as to whether she was the best Mexican painter ever or not, but she is certainly the most famous one. Her image is displayed on T-shirts, bags, posters, and other memorabilia. She was even portrayed in a movie by Salma Hayek.

Frida Kahlo’s painting is mostly composed of self-portraits and was influenced by elements of Mexico. If you’re an art lover or Frida admirer, you have to visit her museum in Mexico City.

Its Handicrafts

Handicraft making in Mexico is art from pre-Hispanic times. They worked with elements like wood, clay, and stones to make tools, jewelry, weapons, toys, among other things. Mexican artisans have long traditions that have been passed down in families for generations.

Have you ever heard of Montezuma’s headdress? It’s a masterpiece of art that belonged to one of Mexico’s last emperors. It’s currently in Vienna, Austria, and is an object of dispute between Austria and Mexico.

Mexican handicrafts are greatly appreciated by tourists. They’re skillfully made from different materials and are very colorful. You can see them in homes in the U.S., Canada, and Europe.

Lucha Libre

Lucha libre fan wearing a red mask and raising his right hand.

This is another important element of Mexican culture. Lucha libre is the term used in Mexico for professional wrestling. However, lucha libre is quite peculiar and has its own style. The luchadores (wrestlers) put on a show with masks (in fact, most of them wear masks so we don’t know their identities) and perform various acrobatic acts. However, unlike their WWE counterparts, Mexican wrestlers fight for real.

Lucha libre is a show for the whole family. I remember my dad used to take me when I was a kid. I recommend you attend a match at least once.

The Virgin of Guadalupe

She’s one of the most famous saints not only in Mexico but around the whole world. The legend says that she appeared to Juan Diego on Tepeyac Hill in 1531.

Her basilica is located in Mexico City and is the most visited Catholic pilgrimage site in the world. It receives millions of believers every year. Her commemorative day is December 12.

Telenovelas

Telenovelas are the equivalent of soap operas. Mexico has produced thousands of them since the middle of the last century. They have been dubbed into several languages and exported to many countries.

Telenovelas tell stories. Drama is one of its prominent components, but it also has other elements like comedy or even horror. Although they have seen a decline among the younger generation, they’re still popular and continually evolve.

Some people claim to have learned Spanish because of telenovelas. I’ve met people from as distant places as Africa who told me they loved them and watched them every day. How amazing is that?

Conclusion

I could go on and on with the list, but it would be a never-ending post. Plus, I don’t want to bore you. However, I hope to have persuaded you to visit Mexico if you still haven’t done so.

There are a million reasons to visit Mexico. It’s a country full of history, culture, traditions, and diversity. It’s a blend of pre-Hispanic and Spanish cultures.

I urge you to visit and find for yourself. Find your reasons to return over and over again. One time will not be enough.

Thank you for reading. What are your thoughts? Let me know in the comments below. See you soon!

Book your trip now!

Book your flight

The first thing you have to do is find cheap flights. But where do you find those? There are many search engines, but the one I highly recommend is Skyscanner. Here you can compare fares from all over the world and pick the one that suits you best.

Book your accommodation

The next thing you have to do is secure your lodging. Whether you prefer a hostel, a guesthouse, a B&B, or a hotel, you can find them all on Booking. You can find lodging of all kinds ranging from cheap to expensive and somewhere in between. Many people have scored good deals using it.

Another popular option is Hostelworld. This website focuses on hostels as opposed to hotels.

Book a tour

In some places, you might want to hire a tour. Not all places are equally accessible to visit by oneself. It helps enormously when you visit with a local guide who can show you around and answer any questions you might have…all in your native language. My to-go place is Viator as they offer tours of all kinds and have a presence all over the world.

Rent a car

Public transportation is usually cheaper than renting a car, but it’s sometimes more complicated and time-consuming. That’s a reality. In some cases, it’s more convenient to rent a car. My recommendation is Rentalcars.com. Here you can compare rates and choose the one that fits you best.

Book your bus tickets

You can save money by booking bus tickets online. My favorite site to do this is Busbud.

Get travel insurance

Never travel without a travel insurance policy, especially during these days! Travel insurance can save your life. My recommendations are World Nomads and Insured Nomads. Both companies cover COVID-19 related incidents, which is crucial these days.

More resources

Just click on the “Plan your trip” tab at the top of this page, and you will find more resources like getting Mexican insurance for your foreign car, buying travel accessories, and learning Spanish. And, of course, don’t forget to check back often to read about more tips on Mexico travel.

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6 Replies to “What Is Mexico Known for? – Interesting Facts”

  1. OOOO yeah! You gotta love that tequila! The Lucha Libre is definitely a reason why I’d love to visit. It just seems so cool and I’d love to see a wrestling match out there. Mexico has been on the list for a long time and after reading this article I’m super stoked to visit next year! I’ve bookmarked this to come back to it nearer the time.

    1. Why, yes, tequila is by far my favorite drink. You can drink it on the rocks or make a cocktail with it. You can never go wrong with it.

      Lucha Libre is a really cool show. I hope you get to see it live someday. Watching it on TV is totally different from watching it in person.

      Feel free to check out my other posts. Thanks for commenting.

  2. I have to admit that I’ve always wanted to visit Mexico. It just seems like it has so much to offer and has so an amazing culture. Your article just proves that Mexico is worth visiting and that people will have a good time. While I’ve had Mexican food before, I’ve always wanted to try it from the source as I’ve heard it is so much different and better than what we think of it as here in the US. My boss took a trip to Mexico a couple of years ago, to one its resorts on a beach and said it was so amazing! I like to visit old and historic places and was wondering if Mexico has a lot of temples that you can visit?

    1. Hi, Brian,

      Yes, Mexico has a lot to offer everyone. Speaking of food, yes, you have to try the real thing. If you like the Mexican food you eat in the U.S., you’ll love the original one in Mexico.

      Regarding historic places and churches, we’ve got plenty of them! There are old churches everywhere. Some of the most beautiful ones are located in Mexico City, Zacatecas City, San MIguel de Allende, Oaxaca City, and Guadalajara.

      Thanks for dropping by. I hope you visit Mexico soon.

  3. Hola Enrique

    Thanks so much for taking the time to write another post on your website to share to many how beautiful country is Mexico, as a Mexican living in Canada, many times people ask me if I eat tacos and enchiladas all the time.

    As you well said, Mexican food is more that just tacos, you have one of the best examples on how Mexican food can be so delicious as the Chile en Nogada.

    I use to visit Puebla every year and I could eat a different dish every day during my visit without the need to eat one dish twice, and all of them are dishes that I could think on everyday I’m not in Mexico.

    Every state in Mexico has its own main dish, and you could make a list of them and you will have a list with over 100, 500 different dishes to have and to love!

    When anyone visit Mexico there are so many things to look at, its people, its cities and towns, the culture, the traditions, but must of all its friendship.

    One thing I treasure more is the gift I’ve been given as a Mexican living in another country is to visit Mexico and see it with different eyes, I can enjoy my visit and see Mexico as a new place for me, full of color, full of life and full of good things. 

    1. Hola, Alejandra,

      Mexican food is delicious and has an ample variety. No wonder it was recognized by UNESCO as a world treasure. I will write about Mexican food in more detail soon.

      Puebla is beautiful! I would love to visit again. I hope to do so in the near future.

      I totally agree with you. Each state and city is different. The ingredients and forms of preparation vary from place to place. They’re all delicious, though.

      Mexico has so much to offer everyone: good food, nice people, beautiful views, charming towns, etc. I’d love to visit every single corner.

      I can see what you mean. I’m Mexican but I live in the U.S. I guess only those of us who live abroad can feel it. We learn to appreciate our roots even more.

      Thank you for commenting.

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