sweetjen Were in Mexico would make a great traveling spot for backpackers? I have been to Cancun in an all-inclusive and never learned a thing about Mexico except that the food was great at our hotel... This time I would like to get out there! Do you know a good spot? But I would have to be close to the beach and a few restaurant and bars won"t hurt either...! My friend told me about Playa del Carmen and Cozumel; aren"t these tourist meccas ...?

The Cancun Baby sweetjen I have one answer for you: OAXACA. I like to travel a lot, mostly on my own and I've been everywhere in mexico basically but no other place here have I found more "Mexican" Than Oaxaca. It's Cheap, The people are great, the beaches are beautiful, and it's a real adventure. Please note you probably won't get many comforts like in Cancun and stuff, I slept in tents, Bungalos and only 1 day in a hotel (Stayed there 2 months). but in Puerto Angel I found a lady (her name is Donia Lila, she is known very well throughout the town, and get ancestors actually founded the town) That rents rooms with a pool for 100 bucks a month (bathroom, little kitchen, and pool included along with clean water and electricity.) If you're interested in knowing more I can tell you exactly where to find her. That area is great for backpacking, I went from Huatulco which is Oaxaca's most exclusive port, down to the nudist beach of Zipolite, and to the small surfing town (also called the Mexican pipeline) Puerto Escondido. There's bars in every beach, restaurants, and you're very likely to get offered stuff by people (This can range from boat ride, to the stuff... you can only 'smoke' in Mexico safely :) ). But Don't worry, people are calm and witha simple 'no' they'll leave you alone haha. You'll have all the beaches you want and most of the beaches in Oaxaca are virgin pretty much. bring a snorkel because the sealifie is amazing and also bring a lot of Insect repelent because the mosquitoes there are vicious! If you like fishing then Puerto Angel is your place, If you surf, Puerto Escondido is all yours. If you like the calm life you can visit Zipolite Beach, San Agustinillo beach, and Mazunte Beach (Also the turtle museum is here). and the best part is that all the 3 previous beaches are in Walking distance. yes Playa and Cozumel are tourist full. Trust me if you want a real adventure and get to know the real Mexico Experience, The beaches of Oaxaca is your place. When I got back from there I felt more Mexican than American hahaha. you'll love it honestly. Puertoangel.com.mx check it out ;D. it's the website run by Donia Lila. Charlie Cozumel and Playa del Carmen are big tourist cities.If you want to see the real Mexico ,consider Chiapas and Veracruz...gorgeous states to backpack in. Jim2 I liked the entire west coast from The Baja and all the way down the coast is fabulous. Too many international tourists on the east side. Bus travel is good and cheap. Arrange your travel times to arrive in the morning so you will have lots of time to find accomadations. Manzanllio, Mazatlan, P.V and Ixtapa are great places not to mention Acapulco and Puerto Escondido. These places have been around a lot longer than places on the Yucatan.....minus the ruins of course. The highlands are also a great place to travel through but it is cold up there in the winter months. El Viajero I'd recommend Oaxaca, has an extensive food culture and very typical of the region. You can also find many pyramids and other things that will make you really see what is mexico. Here I leave you more information about Oaxaca. It is located south of the Mexican Republic, in the region of the Pacific Coast, whose geography includes extensive valleys and mountain ranges. In this entity, which is particularly noted for its historical and cultural greatness, and that gives you the chance to visit towns and villages inhabited by about 16 indigenous ethnic groups still maintain their old ways, you can visit the city of Oaxaca, the state capital, a Colonial Cities with better urban design and architectural richer. There you can admire its baroque buildings, built in green stone, and visit major museums like the Museo de las Culturas de Oaxaca, housed in the former Convent of Santo Domingo, and enjoy their traditional holidays such as " Radishes Night "and" Guelaguetza ". In Oaxaca you can also visit many sites, among which, the Zapotec city of Monte Alban, declared World Heritage by UNESCO, and Mitla, whose major attraction is the ornamentation of its buildings which have frets. Nearby you can admire other natural attractions such as the Tule Tree, a sabino approximately 42 m in diameter, which exceeds the 2,000 years old; the Lagunas de Chacahua, ecological zone composed of a wide and lush mangrove and beach area and the beautiful bays of Huatulco and Puerto Escondido, where you can relax or play sports. During his visit to this state does not stop to savor the exquisite cuisine, and acquire the famous "alebrijes" black pottery and crafts as souvenirs of your trip. marci knows best Other areas to consider would be Oaxaca around Huatulco or Manzanilla in Jalisco. http://www.go-oaxaca.com/destinations/beaches.html http://www.lamanzanilla.info/ Fernando I recommend traveling to the state of Jalisco. You can fly into Guadalajara (Mexico's second largest city) and start there. The architecture, history, music, food and shopping in that city will introduce you to what a real Mexican large city is all about. Next, spend a few days lakeside around Lake Chapala (Mexico's largest lake) and visit the many towns and villages around it. Make the Chapala/Ajijic area your base (only about 30 minutes from Guadalajara.) There'll you'll find a large expat community (American and Canadian) and a lot of Mexican culture! Make visits to Jocotepec, San Luis Soyatlan, El Chante, and several other nice communities that surround the lake. A few days in this area and you'll really get a feel of what Mexican culture and it's people are all about. Finally, to get your beach fix in, Puerto Vallarta is always just a few hours away. Cabochick23 Hola. Yah, any resort town in Mexico would NOT be considered seeing the REAL mexico. So, in other words you will not find what you are looking for ANYWHERE near a beach. You need to go inland to find the real mexico and places like Guadalajara, or Oaxaca or even farther south are a good place to start. Even a trip to Mexico City will give you a better cultural experience than any stupid resort town near the ocean. Sign up for spanish lessons and stay at a homestay and you will really get a taste of Mexican culture, as well as make some life long friends. Fun! rhino72032 Two hours south of Cancun is the town of Tulum, near the Tulum Maya ruins. There are a number of hostels there where backpackers hang out: http://www.hostels.com/mx.tu.html