Celebrate Pride at Oaxaca’s Annual Parade this June

Color and culture unite in the streets of Mexico’s Oaxaca.

People dancing during parade. Imogen Volland.

It was an overcast day late June, but downtown Oaxaca was anything but dreary. The cobblestone streets were an explosion of laughter and music, the adobe buildings adorned with flags and banners. The parade was a party and everyone was invited. We weaved our way through the bustling streets, singing along to the Selena song blasting from a nearby speaker, passing by bakeries, bars, markets and boutiques.

Last year, I had the privilege of attending Oaxaca’s annual pride parade, which attracts hundreds of locals and tourists alike. Located in southwestern Mexico, Oaxaca is nestled in the Sierra Madre mountain range. The region is renowned for its mouthwatering cuisine, including mole, tlayuda, enfrijoladas and chocolate. It also boasts a vibrant arts scene. The winding streets are adorned with murals, and the region is famous for its handicrafts including candle making, pottery and embroidery. Even with a population of over 300,000, Oaxaca feels like a small town. With pride month expanding worldwide, corporations are finding new ways to capitalize off of the movement, however, the pride parade in Oaxaca is not commercially sponsored. It’s a community effort, celebrating inclusivity, unity and belonging in a historically Catholic country.

People carrying flags during parade. Imogen Volland.

Historically occupied by the Zapotec and Mixtec tribes, Oaxaca has a rich culture steeped in indigenous heritage, celebrated during the Guelaguetza festival in July. The Zapotecs occupied Oaxaca from 500 BCE to 900 CE and were followed by the Mixtecs around 1350 CE. Zapotec culture is unique in that it wasn’t rooted in conquest, and masculinity was associated with more “feminine” hobbies like art, craftsmanship and dance. A third gender is recognized in Zapotec culture, the muxe (also spelled muxhe), people who were assigned male at birth who dress or behave more “feminine.” Gender non-conformity in non-Western cultures dates back centuries. The two-gender binary system prevalent in Western cultures was a product of colonization and imperialism, in which Indigenous tribes were forced to surrender their cultural traditions, including the acknowledgement of a third gender. The Muxe still occupy Oaxaca today, defying heteronormative standards and carrying on the Zapotec tradition.

In 2012, the Supreme Court overturned a law preventing same-sex marriages in Oaxaca. Since the legalization of same-sex marriage across all of Mexico in 2022, Oaxaca has rapidly become one of the country’s most gay-friendly hotspots, featuring a variety of gay-owned and gay-friendly shops, restaurants and bars. Cuizzita Cafe is a queer-owned, community-oriented coffee shop with a casual, comfortable atmosphere, offering board games, puzzles and books for customers to use. Club 502 is Oaxaca’s first gay club with mixed drinks, dancing, karaoke and drag shows. Confetti Pool Club is a queer-owned hostel with a pool, swim-up bar, rooftop seating and live music. The hostel is a six-minute walk from the Mitla archeological site.

People carrying posters on platform. Imogen Volland.

This year, Oaxaca’s annual pride parade will be held on Saturday, June 22 at 3 p.m. from the Fuente de las Ocho Regiones. For more information about the parade, as well as other upcoming pride events in Mexico, follow the link here. For a celebration of life, and of love, I highly recommend visiting Oaxaca this June. Happy Pride Month!

Agnes Volland

Agnes is a student at UC Berkeley majoring in Interdisciplinary Studies and minoring in Creative Writing, with a research focus on road trip culture in America. She currently writes for BARE Magazine and Caravan Travel & Style Magazine. She is working on a novel that follows two sisters as they road trip down Highway 40, from California to Oklahoma. In the future, she hopes to pursue a career in journalism, publishing, or research.

7 Sites of Mexico City’s Architectural Diversity, from Baroque to Brutalist

Mexico City is a flourishing metropolis with a plethora of historic and modernist architectural sites. Here are a few attractions scattered around the city.

A street at the center of Mexico City. Flickr user Franx’. CC BY-NC 2.0.

A Gothic cathedral sits next to a glassy business building. Brick houses with arabesque detailing overlook the noisy streets full of men in suits and street food vendors. Mexico City is growing every year; its multiplicity of neighborhoods hosts a variety of architectural styles and people from all over the globe. Often regarded as an oasis of modernity in the entirety of Latin America, this urban center has been labeled the “next Paris'' or as a new version of New York. Given its history of colonialism and its willful modernization under Porfirio Diaz, Mexico City’s compilation of architecture is oftentimes representative of its past and present. Here’s a cursory glance at a few of Mexico City’s sites of modernization, and the contradictions at play in these structures. 

The Central Library of the National Autonomous University on a gloomy day. Mark Hogan. CC BY-SA 2.0.

1. Central Library of the National Autonomous University

Juan O’Gorman’s Central Library of the National Autonomous University (UNAM) is a spectacle to behold. This behemoth holds the qualities of international modernist architecture: its 14-story frame sits above a glassy ground floor which looks over a neatly gridded yard. Yet, O’Gorman’s building doesn’t possess the stoicism of standard midcentury modern architecture; its distinctively Mexican-themed mural makes the building a historic storybook. Like a visual epic, the “Historical Representation of Culture” mural includes the expansive timeline of pre-conquest Mexico, the Spanish conquest, Mexican modernization and Mexico’s future. One can spot mosaics of the beginnings of Tenochtitlan, and the clash between pre-Hispanic Mexico and vehicles of Spanish colonialism. O’Gorman believed his mosaics of these cultural signifiers would make the library “different from the rest of the buildings within University City” by giving it a distinctly “Mexican character.” 

A corner of the exterior of Casa Luis Barragan. Forgemind Archimedia. CC BY 2.0.

2. Casa Luis Barragan

Casa Luis Barragan, which was built in 1948, looks as if it were suspended in time and space: colorful red walls jut into the placid blue sky, although they are immobile in detail and structure. Luis Barragan is a world-renowned architect whose eccentric architectural style can be recognized in his buildings’ solid colors, geometric shapes and sparsity of details. This vibrant house is a foil of O’Gorman’s direct homage to Mexico as a nation; it highlights formalist qualities over political values, which Barragan considered secondary to his architecture. Barragan is an expert at manipulating elements of nature. The play of shadows within the structure itself and the use of greenery turns an otherwise intimidating monument into a livable habitat. Although countless travel journals have attached Mexican modernist themes to Barragan’s home, it resists the supposed markers of “Mexican” aesthetics and remains a private site of great accomplishment.

Thousands visit the Basilica de Guadalupe daily. Alex Marduk. CC BY 2.0.

3. Basilica de Guadalupe 

Pedro Ramirez Vazquez’s seminal work, the Basilica de Guadalupe, is a sacred destination for thousands of Catholics around the world. The area it sits on, Tepeyac, was originally a place where Aztecs worshipped Tonantzin, or “the divine mother.” As a result of the suppression of Aztec religions during Spanish occupation, the Basilica de Guadalupe was built for Our Lady of Guadalupe who was said to have appeared before St. Juan Diego. The original colonial basilica was severely damaged in 1921 in a bomb attack, but Vazquez’s new Basilica de Guadalupe renovated the sacred site. This site was just one of Vazquez’s projects dedicated to industrializing Mexico, as shown in its modernist disk shape and the sheer mass of its structure.

Monumento a la Revolucion sitting at the city center. Ismael Villafranco. CC BY 2.0.

4. Monumento a la Revolucion

Located in the Cuauhtemoc borough of Mexico City, Monumento a la Revolucion is a stately memorial which celebrates the Mexican Revolution of 1910. Mirroring many of the United States’ federal buildings in Washington, the monument’s perfectly symmetrical Roman dome is fortified by brick pillars which meet at the four corners of the structure. Carlos Obregon Santacilia continued the project after it had been abandoned by both the state and the French architect they commissioned for the building, Emile Benard. Oliverio Martinez’s smooth sculptural representations of independence, reform, agrarian laws and labor laws protect the mausoleum on its four corners. In this marriage of neoclassical elements and Mexican nationalism, the Mexican government actively constructs its origin story via the conventions of Roman and French architecture.

Close-up shot of Martinez’s sculpture on Monumento a la Revolucion. Flickr user tchelseat. CC BY-NC 2.0.

A view of the facade of La Santisima Church. Wikimedia user Protoplasmakid. CC BY-SA 3.0.

5. La Santisima Church

La Santisima Church is covered in the Spanish churrigueresque style, which is the Baroque style that was dominant in Spain during the 18th century. Its facades are adorned with ornate carvings of the apostles, angels, Jesus and Mary placed in between its many columns. Although it appears relatively normal in a city full of extravagant churches, the distinctive religious iconography on its exterior deems La Santisima Church worthy of close attention.

Museo Soumaya shines brightly on sunny days. Flickr user Dan. CC BY 2.0.

6. Museo Soumaya

No piece of architecture screams “contemporary” like the Museo Soumaya. Museo Soumaya, which houses thousands of sculptures and paintings from pre-Hispanic Mesoamerica up to European impressionist works, is a piece of art itself. The Plaza Carso building in particular is an intriguing malformed shape dressed in millions of aluminum hexagons. Taking inspiration from Frank Lloyd Wright’s Guggenheim in New York, Fernando Romero designed the Plaza Carso as an enigma: the concept behind the work is intentionally vague, and the usefulness of its parabolic shape questionable. 

Front view of Museo Anahuacalli. Javier Castañón. CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

7. Museo Anahuacalli

Although Diego Rivera is widely known for his painted murals, his exploration of three-dimensional design is just as noteworthy. Rivera’s Museo Anahuacalli was made of his own accord; Rivera wanted a space for his collection of over 50,000 relics of pre-Hispanic Mesoamerica. The style of the building is an amalgam of various Mesoamerican styles, taking inspiration from Teotihuacan and the temples of the Mayans and Aztecs. The exterior of the museum has the symmetry of neoclassical architecture, while its interior is heavily influenced by the Aztec pyramid. 

Many scholars speculate that the development of uniquely “Mexican” architecture, seen through Mexico City’s plethora of sites, stems from a desire for national representation. Mexico City’s postcolonial realities are found in its very infrastructure: one cannot ignore the presence of Catholicism, the reminders of a pre-Hispanic Mesoamerica, and the complications of deliberate industrialization. Juan O’Gorman’s library attempts to artfully marry the past, present and future. Casa Barragan is the work of a maverick who resists the narrative of a national architecture. The grandiose Basilica de Guadalupe is holy ground for millions of Catholics, yet it strays from the Gothic style of typical European cathedrals. 

The sheer amount of voices and styles in this sprawling metropolis is telling of its complicated relationship with modernization. There is no shortage of historic, formal, religious and artistic values in each of Mexico City’s buildings. 

Heather Lim

Heather recently earned her B.A. in Literatures in English from University of California, San Diego. She was editor of the Arts and Culture section of The Triton, a student-run newspaper. She plans on working in art criticism, which combines her love of visual art with her passion for journalism.  

7 Famous Trees of The World

Today, trees face threats such as deforestation, habitat reduction and fires fueled by climate change. Despite it all, these seven tree species continue to symbolize the lands they call home.

Forest in Italy. Giuseppe Costanza. CC0 1.0

As urbanization and overpopulation fuel clearcutting around the globe, these trees stand in their own glory. Granted protection status, having festivals in their honor and attracting admirers from around the world, this is a list of trees that have made a name for themselves and their roots. 

1. Baobabs, Madagascar 

The Avenue of Baobabs. Zigomar. CC BY-SA 2.0

For many, the Avenue of Baobabs is the first thing that comes to mind when they hear the word "Madagascar." Approximately 50 baobab trees line the dusty road and surrounding groves between Morondava and Belon'i Tsiribihina. Endemic to the island, the trees are referred to as "renala," or "mother of the forest," by locals. The avenue has gained international fame, attracting crowds during sunset and became the first protected natural monument in Madagascar in 2007 when it was granted temporary protection status. 

2. Yucca Trees of Joshua Tree State Park, California, USA

YuccaTree in Joshua Tree State Park.Esther Lee. CC BY 2.0

The yucca trees, for which California's Joshua Tree State Park was named, got the nickname “Joshua” from a band of Mormons traveling from Nebraska. The lunar desert climate is ideal for yuccas, which have grown adapted to storing water inside their trunks and twisted branches. They are said to be able to survive on very little rainfall a year, but if the weather happens to bring rain in the spring, the yuccas will give thanks with a sprout of flowers. 

3. Cherry Blossoms, Japan

Cherry blossoms at Mount Fuji. Tanaka Juuyo. CC BY 2.0

The cherry blossom, or sakura, is considered the national flower of Japan. Hanami, the Japanese custom of enjoying the flowers, attracts locals and visitors to popular viewing spots across the country during the annual Cherry Blossom Festival. Peak bloom time depends on the weather, and the cherry trees have been flowering earlier and earlier each year due to climate change. On average, the cherry trees reach peak bloom in mid to late March and last around two weeks.

4. Jacaranda Trees, Mexico City, Mexico

Jacaranda trees. Tatters. CC BY-NC 2.0

Every spring, the already vibrant streets of Mexico City are lined with the jacaranda's violet bloom. President Álvaron Obregón commissioned Tatsumi Matsumoto, an imperial landscape architect from Japan, to plant the trees along the city's main avenues in 1920. Matsumoto was the first Japanese immigrant to come to Mexico, arriving a year before the first mass emigration in 1897 and staying until his death in 1955. Today the jacarandas are considered native flowers and symbolize international friendship. 

5. Rubber Fig Trees, Meghalaya, India

Double-decker living roots bridge. Ashwin Kumar. CC BY-SA 2.0

Widely considered the wettest region in the world, villagers of the northeast Indian state of Meghalaya are separated by deep valleys and running rivers every monsoon season. The living roots bridges are handmade by the Khasi and Jaintia people with the aerial roots of rubber fig trees. The bridges grow strong as the tree's roots thicken with age, holding more than 50 people and lasting centuries if maintained. The double root bridge, pictured above, is almost 180 years old, stands at 2,400 feet high and suspends 30 meters in length. 

6. Argan Trees, Morocco

Goats in an Argania tree. remilozach. CC0 1.0

Built to survive the Saharan climate, Argan trees are endemic to southwestern Morocco. Their scientific name, Argania, is derived from the native Berber language of Shilha (also known as Tashelhit). The trees grow fruits used to make argan oil, an ingredient found in many beauty products. Rights to collect the fruit are controlled by law and village traditions, while several women's co-operatives produce the oil. Goats are frequently photographed climbing argan trees and help in the production process by eating the nuts, leaving the vitamin-rich seeds for the locals to collect. 

7. Trees of the Hoh Valley, Washington, USA

Trees in Hoh Valley. James Gaither. CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

On the Pacific side of the Olympic Mountains in the Hoh Rainforest, lush yellow and green moss covers some of North America's giants, including the Sitka Spruce, Red Cedar, Big Leaf Maple and Douglas Fir. As a result of the area's average 140 inches of rainfall per year, the moss is not only enchanting but beneficial. Moss plays an essential role in supporting the forest's biodiversity; like a sponge, it decays, absorbs and finally releases nutrients for the trees’ roots to feed off. 

Claire Redden

Claire is a freelance journalist from Chicago, where she received her Bachelor’s of Communications from the University of Illinois. While living and studying in Paris, Claire wrote for the magazine, Toute La Culture. As a freelancer she contributes to travel guides for the up and coming brand, Thalby. She plans to take her skills to London, where she’ll pursue her Master’s of Arts and Lifestyle Journalism at the University of Arts, London College of Communication.

Asylum-Seeking Children Arrive at US Border Unaccompanied 

As crime and violence has increased in Mexico and Central America, there has been a notable increase in asylum-seekers. More than ever, children are entering the United States with no trace of a guardian or parent. 

Painting of Migrant Child Arriving in 2018 at the U.S.-Mexico Border. Dan Lacey. CC BY-NC 2.0

Central America has been hit with ongoing gang violence, poverty, lack of opportunity and unemployment. The pandemic has worsened the situation for many, and in November 2020, hurricanes Eta and Iota displaced 3 million people. The dire need for lives to be improved has pushed Central Americans toward attempting to migrate to the U.S., no matter how high the stakes. Throughout the years, children have accompanied parents in their migration journeys. However, in 2019, children began arriving to the US border alone when the parents realized the U.S government was allowing unaccompanied children to stay if they had traveled alone.

A report conducted by UNICEF notes that children makeup  30% of all migrants and asylum-seekers in Central America and Mexico.  In addition, 15% of the children arriving (half) are not accompanied by any adult or family member. This makes it difficult for border patrol agents to get in contact with the child’s parents and/or guardian. Children as young as 6 years old have been taken into custody, demonstrating the families’ desperate need to remove the children from the living conditions they are in. Once in custody, the children are taken to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) stations before they are transferred to an Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) shelter. CBP stations are often in filthy and overcrowded conditions unsuitable for children. Although there are standards to guide the treatment of unaccompanied children, little oversight exists to ensure they are treated humanely and cared for according to child-appropriate protocols while in CBP custody.

In an attempt to deter Central Americans from coming to the United States, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) entered into an agreement in 2018 requiring these agencies to share information about individuals attempting to reunify with an unaccompanied child. The information was then used by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to arrest and detain family members, ultimately creating a domino effect. Parents and loved ones of unaccompanied children lived under fear that stepping forward to sponsor the child would trigger their own detention and deportation. This agreement also dramatically prolonged lengths of stay for children in ORR custody. In March 2021, the Biden administration ended a large portion of the sponsor information sharing agreement, though it remains unclear how the prior agreement continues to taint or pause the reunification process for children’s caregivers. 

Children held in ORR custody usually trust case managers, clinicians, therapists or other adults with extensive personal information. Children often were unaware that these details could be shared with ICE. Once shared, children’s ORR records were used against them in their asylum applications. The story of teen Kevin Euceda published in 2020 is an example of how ORR therapy note records were used against children in immigration proceedings. Euceda was asked to speak freely about his life and told it would be kept confidential. Feeling like his therapist was a safe space to speak about his life, Euceda shared that MS-13 gang members forced him to run errands and sell drugs from the age of 12. When he was ordered to kill a stranger, Euceda ran. 

His therapists was expected to submit pages of notes over several sessions to his file, however , HHS officials shared the notes with lawyers and ICE without the knowledge of the teen or the therapists. The notes were used against Euceda in immigration court to paint him as a dangerous gang member who should be denied asylum. In sharing those therapy notes, the government did not break any laws.  But it did violate standard professional practices to keep confidentiality between Euceda and his therapists. 

After being detained for three years, Euceda  requested to be sent back to Honduras. He returned to his native country but crossed over to Guatemala to be reunited with his sister who resided there. A month later, he was found dead on the side of the road. 

Since President Biden took office, there has been a spike in unaccompanied migrant children. The increase in arrivals has left an unprepared administration to scramble for solutions and shelter. Children are being kept longer than the 72-hour limit set by the federal law. Identifying and vetting an appropriate family member or guardian for each child takes time, which increases when the child has no knowledge or information on his/her relatives who live in the U.S. There is an estimate of  9,980 children in U.S custody today.  

Get Involved: 

Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service is an organization that serves immigrant and asylum seeking children arriving in the U.S. They provide family reunification, foster care and advocacy. Learn more about Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service here. Support the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service here. 

Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) is an organization that helps bring high quality lawyers to represent children in immigration court, ensuring that every child does not appear in court alone. Learn more about KIND click here. To Support KIND click here.

Save the Children has been working directly with migrant children since 2019. The organization provides humanitarian aid to children and families that have recently arrived in the U.S. Children are given meals, clothing and shelters with child friendly spaces. Learn more about Save the Children click here. To support Save the Children click here 

Jennifer is a Communications Studies graduate based in Los Angeles. She grew up traveling with her dad and that is where her love for travel stems from. You can find her serving the community at her church, Fearless LA or planning her next trip overseas. She hopes to be involved in international humanitarian work one day.

A Glimpse into Oaxaca City’s Guelaguetza Festival 

The annual Guelaguetza festival is one of the largest Indigenous celebrations in Mexico, preserving Oaxaca culture and tradition. 

Women performing at the Guelaguetza Festival. Jen Wilton. CC BY 2.0

Oaxaca City’s Guelaguetza festival is a celebration of community and strength that occurs annually on the two Mondays after July 16. Also referred to as “Los Lunes del Cerro,” the festival has been a longstanding tradition in Oaxaca culture that predates Spanish colonization of the land in the 16th century. Although the cultural significance of the festival has shifted over the years, its core value of unity remains deeply rooted in the celebrations. 

Prior to Spanish invasion, the festival had close ties to the religious celebration of the goddess of maize Centéotl in order to ensure a successful harvest season. While Centéotl still has a place in modern Guelaguetza celebrations, after Spanish colonization, festivities began to integrate Christian elements such as the feast day Our Lady of Mount Carmel which occurs on July 16. 

The term “Guelaguetza” means “reciprocal exchanges of gifts and services” in the Zapotec language, which is the overarching structure of the festival. Historically, during Oaxacan celebrations, those attending would each bring some sort of item that was needed for the celebration such as food or supplies. These “guelaguetza” allowed the celebration to exist and exemplified the value of collaboration.

During the Guelaguetza festival in particular, inhabitants of Oaxaca’s eight regions unite, bringing their own unique traditions and knowledge to share with the larger community.  

A couple dancing at the Guelaguetza Festival. Larry Lamsa. CC BY 2.0

Particularly, an exchange of culture occurs through song, dance and clothing. Individuals from each of the eight regions spend months prior to the festival perfecting song and dance routines to perform for the festival's attendees. After performing the number in their region's traditional clothing, they toss significant cultural items into the crowd. This exchange allows Oaxaca’s sub-cultures to not only exist but to thrive. 

In addition to culture, there are plenty of other exchanges that occur during the festival, such as sharing traditional food that is prepared by inhabitants of each region and selling artisanal crafts in the city center.  

The Guelaguetza festival has been traditionally celebrated on Cerro del Fortín, or Fortin Hill, in Oaxaca. In the 1970s an amphitheater was built specifically for the celebration. Seating 11,000 people, the amphitheater was built directly into a hill so that those looking down at the stage are able to clearly view the city below. 

Oaxaca is home to sixteen different Indigenous groups in addition to its eight regions, so there is a vast array of cultures within the larger Oaxaca culture. Annual Guelaguetza celebrations have preserved these cultures over the years despite colonization and increasing tourism in the region, ensuring that Oaxacan traditions and stories will be preserved for coming generations. 

Zara Irshad  

6 Offbeat Travel Destinations in Mexico

Get a glimpse of the real Mexico by visiting these destinations. 

A traditional market in Mexico. Frisoni. CC BY 2.0

There is much more to Mexico than the popular destinations on the coast such as Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta. Here are six offbeat destinations that will give travelers different insights into Mexico's fascinating history and culture. 

1. Isla Espiritu Santo

Sunset from Isla Espiritu Santo. Brandauer. CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Located off the coast of La Paz in the state of Baja California Sur, the island of Espiritu Santo remains largely untouched by tourism. The island was declared a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site in 2005 and became a national park in 2007. Espiritu Santo is renowned for its biodiversity, including sea lions, moray eels, whale and hammerhead sharks, manta rays and much more. The natural ecosystem provides a beautiful contrast between ocean and land, including volcanic formations, beaches and deserts. Travelers can partake in numerous outdoor activities such as snorkeling, diving, hiking and kayaking. Espiritu Santo also has rock art and archaeological remains from the Pericu people, an Indigenous group that once lived on the island. 

2. Morelia 

Morelia’s famous cathedral. Adavyd. CC BY-SA 3.0

Nicknamed the “most Spanish city in Mexico” for its colonial architecture, the city of Morelia was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991. Located in the state of Michoacan, the city is home to the Purepecha Indigenous group that resisted rule from the Aztec empire. Morelia's name comes from Jose Maria Morelos, a celebrated revolutionary during the Mexican independence movement. Notable attractions include the historic center, which is filled with colonial architecture constructed from pink quarry stone. Other attractions include the Morelia Cathedral which dates back to the 1600s, an aqueduct that appears on the 50 peso bill alongside Morelos, and the Morelos Birthplace Museum that is dedicated to this Mexican hero. City aside, Michoacan state is known for being the largest producer of avocados in the world and is home to the annual migration of monarch butterflies from the United States to Mexico in the winter and early spring. 

3. Guanajuato City

A stunning view of Guanajuato. Hansol. CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

The city of Guanajuato in north-central Mexico is known for its vibrant architecture and art. Guanajuato's narrow alleyways and colorful buildings are best explored on foot. The city is notably home to the annual International Cervantino Festival. The tradition began in the 1950s when students at the University of Guanajuato would perform short plays, or entremeses, by Miguel de Cervantes, best known as the author of “Don Quixote.” Nowadays, the festival is the largest arts festival in Latin America, attracting over 2,400 artists from 30 countries every October. 

4. Bacalar

Bacalar’s stunning lagoon. Bolanos. CC BY 2.0

Located in the state of Quintana Roo and 40 minutes from the state capital of Chetumal, Bacalar is a sought-after destination for travelers interested in wellness and eco-friendliness. The main attraction in Bacalar is the Laguna de Bacalar, which provides numerous opportunities for kayaking, snorkeling and scuba diving. The lagoon is home to seven cenotes, or natural sinkholes, that reflect different shades of blue when illuminated by the sun. Bacalar is home to the impressive San Felipe Fort, which long ago protected Mayans from pirate communities. The Ruta de Los Murales is a charming tour that visits 100 murals in downtown Bacalar. Part of a community project organized by a local nongovernmental organization, the murals help residents appreciate the town's history. Bacalar is one of Mexico's “Pueblos Magicos,” a special status given to towns by the Ministry of Tourism for their historical and cultural significance. 

5. Tlaxcala

Indigenous art in Tlaxcala. Stevens. CC BY-SA 2.0

One of Mexico’s smallest states, Tlaxcala is located due east of Mexico City. Despite its minuscule size, Tlaxcala is home to some of the most impressive natural and archaeological sites in Mexico. The capital city, also called Tlaxcala, has a beautiful historical center with stunning architecture. The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption is one of the oldest cathedrals in all of Mexico. Archaeological attractions outside of the city include the caves of La Parada and La Gloria and the ruins of Cacaxtla. Furthermore, the small town of Huamantla, also a Pueblo Magico, hosts a monthlong festival paying homage to the Virgin Mary. On every Aug. 14, known as the “night when nobody sleeps”, town residents create a 4-mile-long carpet made of flowers, sawdust and other materials.

6. Merida

One of many pyramids in Mexico. Ari He. CC BY-SA 2.0

Merida is the capital of the Mexican state of Yucatan in the southeastern part of the country. The city provides an excellent base to explore the region’s numerous archaeological and natural attractions. The Mayan ruins of Uxmal are about an hour and 15 minutes south of Merida and draw fewer crowds than the well-visited ruins of Chichen Itza. Merida is also known for its colonial architecture with pastel-colored buildings and plazas. Notable museums include the Gran Museo del Mundo Maya (Mayan World Museum), the Museum of Anthropology and History, and the Popular Art Museum showcasing art from across Mexico. An excellent day trip from Merida is the nearby Pueblo Magico of Izamal. Nicknamed Mexico’s “Yellow City,” Izamal is known for its charming architecture and nearby Mayan ruins. 

Mexico has a fascinating tapestry of cultures, history and natural beauty for visitors. Travel allows for new bridges to be built between the United States and the people and culture of its captivating southern neighbor.

Megan Gürer

Megan is a Turkish-American student at Wellesley College in Massachusetts studying Biological Sciences. Passionate about environmental issues and learning about other cultures, she dreams of exploring the globe. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, singing, and composing music.