After a Month in Mexico, We’re Convinced — This Country Does Family Travel BEST 🇲🇽

After a Month in Mexico, We’re Convinced — This Country Does Family Travel BEST 🇲🇽

Welcome to Mexico. Scale mountains where 
civilizations as old as Egypt carved cities and built temples that still watch over 
the incredible Mexican landscape. From   high deserts to vibrant cities to coastlines 
that stretch on forever, Mexico is a world all its own. Eat your way through this country 
and you’ll quickly see it’s far more than   tacos and tequila. It’s thousands of years of 
tradition and technique packed into every bite. Learn to live like the Mexicans. Celebrate life 
with color and laugh in the face of death. Mexico doesn’t just have something to teach us. It 
has a thousand things. And if we’re open,   we might just hear them. That is so cool. 
Incredible. We are the Dream to Journey family. Join us as we explore the best of 
Mexico! Reese, where are we going? Mexico! We begin our journey in the heart of Mexico, 
Puebla, a city bursting with color, culture, and colonial charm. We’re here. We did it. Yay. A 
city’s first impression is made by a walk through the streets. And Puebla, it gave us one of the 
best. Tiled walls, leafy canopies, wide plazas, or zocalos where people gather just because. We 
start at Calle de Los Sapos. Lined with cheerful homes colored all the brightest colors found 
in a crayon box and artisan stalls. Nestled just a short walk from the historic center, 
it glows with old world charm. Not being able   to hold our excitement to explore, we took 
off running and well, we fell for Puebla. Are you okay? Nothing a snack can’t fix. [Music] 
Yeah, look at that. What color is your favorite? You like that one? Oh, I like those… It was 
starting to feel like a perfect Reese day. And then we saw something we knew she couldn’t 
resist. A fountain just asking to be played   in. Clothes and all. Puebla was founded in 1531 by 
Spanish settlers and its grid layout, wide plazas, and baroque churches reflect its role as a 
key stop between Veracruz and Mexico City. Puebla! Ah, nice find, baby. Adjacent 
to the Parian market is the lovely Barrio de Artista or artist quarter where 
artists paint seemingly inspired by their surroundings. We couldn’t help but purchase 
a piece we will cherish forever. [Music] It’s lunchtime and Moral de los Poblanos offers 
a great introduction to traditional poblano dishes. Set in a gorgeous courtyard framed 
by a mural depicting everyday life. [Music] Mole poblano. Dark as night, spiced and rich. 
This is my first taste, but it definitely won’t be my last. [Music] Oh my gosh, that is 
so good. It’s so rich and sweet. Oh man. Holy cow. It’s It’s impossible to describe 
that flavor. It’s so complex. By sunset, we’re in the Zocalo, the heart of Puebla. We 
spend hours walking around and people watching, eventually joining the crowd as we stroll 
through the town. For dinner, it’s taco. Puebla’s twist on schwarma. Marinated pork spit 
roasted tucked into a warm pita-like tortilla. What’ you think, Bailey? It is so good. 
It has just the right amount of tenderness and flavor just that are distinct and 
like it’s just good. All mixed in a   good tortilla that doesn’t fall apart when 
you eat it. Can’t ask for anything more. We finished the day with ice cream and sticky 
hands. Not a bad first day here in Puebla. [Music] The Museo Amparo walks you through centuries. Long 
before the Spanish arrived, this land was home to the Olmec, Zapotec, Mixtec, and Nahua peoples. 
Their art and tools tell of civilizations rich in astronomy, religion, and trade. Its courtyard 
is open and calm, a place for Reese to run wild. And upstairs, we stood on a rooftop and took 
in Pueblo’s historic core. Domes, spires, and volcanoes all looming in the distance. 
Just gorgeous. At its center, the Cathedral of Puebla. Construction beginning in 1575. It 
took over 100 years to complete. Its towers, the tallest bell towers in Mexico, were 
once beacons for travelers crossing the   valley. And the interior, especially the 
gilded gold altar, can impress anyone. For lunch, Cemitas, a puebla original 
sandwich with crusty sesame roll   stacked with ingredients like crispy milanesa, 
avocado, white cheese, chipotle, and papillo, a cousin of cilantro. But look how big 
that is. Here’s my cemita. Wo! Oh yeah. Check that out. Hands down one of the best 
sandwiches I’ve had in my life. [Music] You can’t leave Puebla without 
trying its sweets. Tortas, camotes,   sugary confections that go straight to your heart. Like tres leches. Trese leches flavored. It’s 
really Oh, she’s back. So Reese started right next to us when we started asking for more and 
more bites of her little candies. And now she’s scooted away. That’s it. She’s She’s keeping 
her distance. Let’s just put it that way. Oh, thank she’s only doing that cuz I have 
her little cookie hostage. Here you go.   Enjoy. [Music] Scoots away again. You show me 
your chocolate. Your chocolate. Wow. Yummy. [Music] We close the day on the Estrella 
de Puebla Ferris wheel. Where are we going, Reese? Where are we going? Up high. As 
we rise, the sun dips behind volcanoes. Orange pours across the sky. Reese’s kitty hands 
press to the glass the whole time. From the top, the sun drops behind the volcanoes in slow motion. 
It’s our favorite thing when we can all experience something together for the first time and 
take on a childlike love for life. [Music] On the way home, we pick up a 
beloved Mexican snack – an elote. [Music] Would you drop that? Are you going 
to take a bite? [Music] This can only end. [Laughter] [Music] A short bus ride away and we’re in 
Atlixco. Atlixco is known across Mexico as the city of flowers. Color bursts 
from every window sill, every market stall, and every hand-painted wall. On Saturdays, the 
market takes over the town. Vendors call out over fruit carts clattering over the cobblestones. 
And locals fill every bench in Plaza Corner. Reese makes a new friend, sharing cookies 
together on a church step. If that’s not world peace, I don’t know what is. 
Do you see that turtle, Reese? Wow. We decide on lunch at Lolita, set in a beautiful 
colonial courtyard, and order enchiladas Atlixquenos. Filled with fresh cheese and enough 
spice to wake up this gringo. Oh, that is good stuff. Not going to lie, that green salsa comes 
with a little heat though. That’ll wake you up. All righty. Left the girls down in main 
square to venture off on my own for a bit and go check out the church at the top of 
the hill here in town. Hey, learned a few   things here about Atlixco. One, it’s sort of 
in a volcanic valley. Volcanic properties of the soil made it good for growing flowers, hence 
the beautiful streets. From the top of the hill, you can see the valley spread out wide, rimmed by 
volcanoes. The colonial church on top of the hill makes for a perfect spot for wary hikers to catch 
their breath before making their way back down. Back together, we take one last lap around 
the iconic flower-lined streets. [Music] Now we make our way to Cholula,   a city that draws visitors like us for its 
rich indigenous heritage, colorful streets, and the world’s largest pyramid by volume, 
crowned dramatically by a colonial church. We sit just off the main square and enjoy a nice 
meal before taking our dessert over to the center   of the action. A youth group begins a dance. 
Girls in ribbon skirts, boys in straw hats. Reese just couldn’t take 
her eyes off them. [Music] This place has deep roots. Once home to 
one of the oldest cities in the Americas,   a spiritual center long before the Spanish ever 
arrived. Inside the Museo, we see how Cholula once stood as a sacred center for the prehispanic 
world. From astronomy to engineering, the cultures of ancient Cholula created systems of knowledge 
that rivaled those of old world empires. When the Spanish arrived, as part of their strategy to 
replace indigenous spirituality with Catholicism,   they built a church on top of the largest temple. 
At the base, crumbled ruins hint at what once stood. The Great Pyramid of Cholula is as wide as 
four football fields, one of the largest by volume in the world. The pyramid itself, nowadays mostly 
hidden under grass, sprawls wider than the Great Pyramid of Giza. I just can’t believe how big that 
hill is. Isn’t it just huge? I could only imagine uncovering it all. Holy cow. The Great Pyramid was 
built in layers over centuries dedicated to gods like Quetzalcoatl. At one corner, a reconstructed 
face invites visitors to climb. Reese takes off like a mountain goat, and we do our best to 
keep up. At the top, we took in the view and   tried to imagine the weight of what lay beneath 
us. We can’t believe how beautiful this structure is and we marvel at the manpower it must have 
required. Wow. You are very trusting of your mama. At the nearby market, we crane our necks 
upwards as men climb 30 m high, falling backward with ropes wrapped around ankles, 
one of which plays a flute as they descend. Danza de los voladores or dance of the 
flyers. [Music] That was cool. I don’t know why I was so scared to climb down some 
stairs. They literally just hung by a rope   upside down like 50 ft in the air. True 
that. We climbed the hill once again. This time to the Santario de la Virgen de los 
Remedios atop the ancient pyramid. [Music] The sun burns low, orange, and yellow across 
the valley. The volcano dominates the horizon in the distance. It’s one of those views 
that demands your attention. Just as we’re making our way down the pyramid, rain hits. We 
huddle into a nearby restaurant and of course order more tacos arabes. Delicious meat. That’s 
delicious. I think Reese likes hers too. [Music] We arrive in the highland valley of Oaxaca, unpack 
and make ourselves right at home. [Music] Early the next morning, we head for nearby Monte Alban. 
So, we were the first ones in today, and we literally have the whole place to ourselves. And 
I got to admit, there’s just no better feeling.   Around 500 BC, the native Zapotec sliced off 
a mountaintop to construct plazas, temples, and ball courts. For nearly a thousand years, 
the city ruled over the surrounding valleys, its priests, timing festivals by the sun and 
stars. You have a friend? You going to join us on our tour? I like that little doggy. He can 
stay. We’ll call him Zapo because of all the Zapotecs. We’re both just blown away right now. 
I don’t think either of us realized how big this place is. At its peak, the city of Monte Alban had 
an estimated population of around 30,000 with the elite occupying the hilltop center and the rest 
living on terraces carved into the surrounding hillsides. During this time, the Zapotecs ruled 
over a civilization of nearly 1 million people. Oh, very cool. Carvings of naked, contorted   human figures are now widely believed to 
depict tortured or sacrificed captives. The views at the north end of the complex are 
undoubtedly the best and allow you to really take in the immense scale of the city. I don’t know if 
it’s just the fact that we’re on top of a mountain   that makes us feel just so big, but I don’t think 
we’ve ever really been in a ruinous place. Um, out of all the different places we’ve traveled to so 
far that has felt to this scale. It is just huge. The adjacent museum contains some relics 
of the ancient residents of Monte Alban,   but the most impressive are to be found in Oaxaca 
City. [Music] In the center of town is a beautiful place to explore the Oaxaca Museum of Culture, 
a convent built in the 1500s, converted to a museum connected to the church of Sto. Domingo 
and home to one of Mexico’s greatest treasures. The museum naturally guides you towards 
the treasures of tomb number seven,   one of the most extensive collections of artifacts 
discovered at Monte Alban. Gold gleams from every corner. The collection is stunning, but the true 
showstopper is a turquoise skull. A human skull painstakingly covered in turquoise mosaic 
unearthed in 1932. It’s haunting, beautiful, and impossible to forget. The rest of the museum 
is a joy to wander through with peaceful views looking out over the walled gardens and 
quiet corners that invite you to linger. A food lover’s treasure. Smoke hangs in 
the air as we thread through narrow aisles, stall by stall, building our dinner 
from scratch. Grilled meats sizzle over   open flames. Toppings shimmer with oil and 
heat. Tortillas are stacked warm and ready. Everyone had a role. Reese even called the shots 
on tortillas and took her job very seriously. [Music] You point, they cook, and it all comes together at a table 
tucked at the far end of the corridor. Kyle, too eager to wait, jumped in early 
and paid the prize with a mouthful of heat   will not forget. [Music] Oh my gosh. 
Just about puked there. I just took a giant bite of this thing. Probably had 
a whole grilled pepper. No idea what   kind. My mouth is on fire right now. It’s 
been about 5 minutes since I ate it. Ow. Now that I’m alive still and haven’t died how 
spicy that was, Bailey thinks it’s just hilarious. With mouths still tingling, we wandered deeper 
into the market. Past baskets of ripe fruit,   trays of roasted cricket and sweets 
glazed in bees. The noise, the colors, the smells, it all carries us to Oaxaca’s Zocalo,   where the city spills into the streets. It’s a 
Saturday night and the square hums with life. Street lamps cast soft light across dancers 
of all types and ages swing to live music. Nights like these make me sad to have two 
left feet. But even that didn’t hold Reese   and I back from joining in on the fun. [Music] 
And to dive in a bit more, we tried a famous local flavor of ice cream. A flavor of burnt 
uh milk. So should be interesting to try out. I’ve never had that flavor before. What do you 
think? Kind of tastes like cigarettes. But it’s good though at the same time. It tastes like a 
campfire. It’s very comforting. It is. We were starting to feel less like visitors and more 
like neighbors in this close-knit community. Hi, baby girl. Are you ready for another day? If you’re in Oaxaca, you’re going 
to be eating well. We start our day   with a Mexican favorite. Fried tortilla 
simmered in salsa with cheese, onion, cream, and topped with whatever 
leftovers are around. Chilaquiles. Fantastic. [Music] Next, we head to the 
center of Oaxaca to see its cathedral. Construction began in the mid 1500s, 
but it wasn’t finished for another 200   years. Thanks to frequent earthquakes, 
which forced changes in the design, blending Spanish Catholic tradition 
with indigenous craftsmanship,   it became the spiritual center of 
colonial Oaxaca. The breathtaking interior is filled with intricate 
baroque details and gold leaf. [Music] The food scene in Oaxaca is our favorite 
part. For lunch, we stop at the Michelin star Los Danzantes. [Music] For our 
appetizer, it’s a sampling of moles. A rich, flavorful Mexican sauce with a deep, 
complex taste that’s both savory and sweet. Holy smokes. Each one really does have quite a unique 
flavor. Super good. And for the main course, grilled octopus. Smoky and tender with an 
almost buttery texture. Just spectacularly soft and so good. And we never skip out 
on the dessert. Absolutely delicious. Oo, very rich. After a day of exploring the town 
on foot and trying to keep up with the locals, we feel we deserve a little treat. Be sure to   try some of the locally sourced 
chocolate. Want some chocolate? The cocoa production in the region 
dates back thousands of years,   and it truly is some of the best. But don’t 
just take my word for it. You’re the brownie expert. The resident chocolate brownie expert. 
You need a whole pan. It’s like perfectly sweet, perfectly bitter. Just rich tasting, rich 
feeling, delicious. Probably my top two or three chocolate indulgence ever. Wow. This stuff 
will be sure to give you quite the sugar rush. All right. We’re here with our driver, Alfredo. 
Oh, nice to meet you. Yes. Yeah. So, they believe this is the birthplace where they started to 
domesticate corn, one of these cities that we   just passed here. So, when the Spanish came, they 
threatened to take the gold from the indigenous, right, Alfredo? But the indigenous said, 
“Fine, you know what? You can take our gold,   just don’t take our cord.” Right? That’s how 
that’s how much it meant to them. Um, just just incredible. Alfredo takes the wheel and winds us 
through the hills to our first stop of the day, Hierve Al Agua, or boiling water. The name comes 
from the mineral-rich springs that bubble from the ground. But what really catches your breath are 
the petrified waterfalls spilling down the cliffs, frozen in motion after thousands of 
years. From the edge of the pools,   the valley drops away and the world opens up. 
The Zapotec people once saw this place as sacred, a sight of healing. And standing there 
in the quiet before the crowds arrive,   it’s easy to understand why. For a few minutes, 
it feels like the land is ours alone. [Music] I can do this. Thumbs up. These are some of 
our favorite moments traveling together as a family when we can help our kids find pure 
joy and discovery. Good job, Reesey. Okay, I’ll come to you. Reese was having a blast 
and she could have stayed here for hours, but it’s time to hit the road again. We 
have more to see. [Music] Nearby is the Zapotec Sacred Center of Mitla. Much of 
what we see today was built in the 1300s. Once a spiritual center home to priests and 
rulers where rituals honored the dead. Its   buildings aren’t grand in size, but the 
detail is breathtaking. Stepping inside, you’ll see stone mosaics built without mortar. 
Just thousands of carved stones perfectly in   place line the walls. Each pattern has 
a meaning, and each wall tells a story. Most walls were painted a vibrant red, 
only a few remnants of which still remain. By now, the girls have earned a break. So,   we follow Alfredo to his favorite barbacoa 
spot. Mexican barbecue of goat and lamb was waiting for us at a family run restaurant 
with warm smiles and music playing in the   background. The food is rich and tender, 
and the welcome is even warmer. [Music] [Music] Our next stop takes us into a town that’s easy 
to overlook, but shouldn’t be. The Templo de Santa Maria de la Asuncion is a burst of 
Oaxacan Baroque style. Its walls covered in color and gold. This church isn’t just 
a landmark. It’s the heart of the weekend   market that unfolds all around it. [Music] We’re 
overwhelmed with the scent of roasted corn and the warmth of tortillas fresh off the kamala. 
We sample Tejate. It has corn. It has corn and cocoa bean. Like has a little bit of chocolate 
inside. You want to try it? Okay. More for me. What do you think, Reese? Do you like it? The 
rhythm of the market offers a glimpse into the daily heartbeat of Oaxaca. The faces 
we see, weathered by years of hard work, tell stories of resilience. Here in 
Oaxaca, poverty is a constant companion, especially in rural areas. Most people earn 
around $7 US a day. About 60% live in poverty. Theirs is a life of hard work. Yet, there’s 
a quiet, beautiful dignity that’s hard to ignore. Even with comparatively little, they 
managed to survive, endure, and even smile. We make our way to the weaving village of 
Teotitlan del Valle, where we step into a weaver’s workshop to learn about how the beautiful 
rugs and tapestries for which the region is known are created from the natural world. The wool is 
first washed, then carted smooth before being spun into thread on spindles. Pull it very soft 
like with two fingers Two fingers Marigolds are ground for yellow. Small cochineal bugs are used 
for crimson, orange, and when mixed with lime, purple. Oh my goodness. Wow. Here, tilt 
your hand up. That’s so cool. No. Wow. Wow. Purple. Yeah. Is that purple? 
Purple, too. You want purple? Thread is soaked in indigo 
leaves to give the color blue. Patterns are created and the weavers set 
to work layering the threads. [Music] Okay, two hands. It’s a quick stop at the 
Tule tree, the world’s widest tree whose trunk measures in at 46 ft in diameter or 
about as wide as a basketball court. [Music] It’s been a long day and we are famished. So, 
we stopped for a Oaxacan comfort food specialty, Tlayudas. The lightly grilled tortilla 
is stuffed with beans, cabbage, avocado, cheese, and meat. That is huge. That’s 
bigger than your face. That is so yummy. What do you think, Bailey? Don’t 
interrupt my happiness. [Music] We’re in line here to get on our bus. 
After a 3-hour bus ride from Oaxaca City, we arrive in the city of Puerto Escondido. [Music] 
This weekend, we’re treating ourselves to a little vacation from our travels. And Hotel Casa dan 
turns out to be the perfect retreat. It’s a little hippie haven with our own private rooftop and a 
pool just a stroll from lively beach restaurants and clubs. My goodness. Isn’t that going to 
be so fun? Look at that view. Wow. Beautiful. Mari, are you going to like it? Yeah, 
I think you will. For a few days, it feels like we have our own 
little oasis. Wow. Good job. We end our first day in Puerto Escondido 
at a beach front restaurant. And as we   wait for our meal, we are entertained 
by glowing sunset and a happy toddler. Here’s to the new memories we make. [Music] Kyle and I barely sleep, buzzing 
with excitement for the morning’s adventure. At sunrise, we hop on a boat, ready to 
show Reese and Mari a whole new world. Within minutes, we’re surrounded. There’s the 
whales. Reese, what do you think? Humpback whales breaching nearby and a pod of playful 
spinner dolphins swim so close it feels like   we could reach out and touch them. Where do you 
see them? There they are. February in Mexico is the prime time to see these whales as they migrate 
from the warmer waters of South America and swim   to their summer ocean waters in Alaska. They are 
playful and ready to show off for us this morning. Dolphins can be seen year round along the coast 
and swim in large numbers. Our driver told us   the pods we are seeing today are easily near 100 
per group, but some dolphin pods can grow up to a thousand in number. Oh, are they fast? [Music] 
Traveling with young kids has always been worth it to us. But now that Reese is old enough to take 
it all in and really take it in, we notice a shift in her, in ourselves. Every look mom and dad, 
did you see that? Fills us with an incredible sense of purpose. These are the moments that make 
all of the effort so deeply and beautifully worth   it. Moments where we feel the world expanding, 
not just around us, but within us as a family. We grab a couple of plastic chairs, sink our 
feet into the sand, and order a late breakfast. Super good. Oh. Oh my goodness. That’s delicious. 
What is it? It’s like a sweet bread with stuffed with bananas and cheese. Like cream 
cheese. It tastes like a pie. It’s so warm, too. Meusta Mexico. [Music] Bailey and 
I weren’t thinking straight this morning and totally spaced it on grabbing our 
breakfast. That’s the thing with Mexico.   The good food comes to you. Huh, Bailey? 
Bellies full, we stretch out under the sun. The beach hums with life. Kids laughing. 
Fishermen hauling in the morning’s catch. Locals and leathered gringos 
wander by barefoot and easygoing. [Music] If Mexico has taught us anything,   it’s that folks here know how to slow 
down and enjoy life. People waved, smiled, and stopped to chat. Maybe it had to do with 
the baby strapped to my chest, but either way, we felt most welcome. [Music] Now, that 
was some good people watching. [Music] Just down the beach is the turtle release 
camp where baby olive ridley turtles hatch and make their way to the sea. And Reese, 
she couldn’t wait. The group circles up as a guide explains only about one in 1,000 of 
these little guys survive to adulthood. Mine is named Spidey. Very softly. Good. Soft. I’m 
leaving. Yep. Say go, Spidey. Oh, he’s going. Still, I don’t know. I’ve got a feeling about this 
one. This one might just beat the odds. Say bye, turtles. Oh, is the water going to get him? 
And when that first wave rolls in and pulls one of them home, the whole beach exhales a sigh of 
relief. The ocean’s not far, but to them it must feel like miles. Good luck in the water, turtle. 
Good luck growing up. It’s hard to grow big, huh, Reese? Reese is disappointed when she finds out 
she won’t see her turtle friend again. But that lasts about 30 seconds until a new group 
of friends show up. Should we go put it in the water now? Can you blow a kiss? Good luck. 
Good luck turtle. They say that years from now, after crossing whole oceans, these turtles will 
return to this very stretch of sand to lay eggs of their own. And that part that hits home. 
Bailey doesn’t want to let our little turtles go someday. [Music] Don’t worry, Bailey. There’s 
a one one in 10,000 chance our kids survived in the wild. But for now, they’re all mine. And 
I wouldn’t trade this moment for anything. For our last day, we leave our luggage at Casa 
Dans and we visit Playa Carazililllo. It’s not easy to wrap up our time in Puerto Escondido. So, 
we spend our last few hours doing what we love   most in Mexico. soaking in the stunning scenery, 
being surrounded by relaxed and joyful locals, and eating absolutely everything that 
lands on the table. Even little Reese is starting to get the hang of the lifestyle. She’s 
thriving out here. You look so comfy. Oh yeah, that’s my girl finger. This is here we go, 
Reesey. We’re headed out to our next spot, Santa. We run into our old friend and driver from 
our time in Oaxaca City. Thanks to a miracle,   he offers to drive us to our next stop, the 
dreamy beach village of San Agustinillo. [Music] Think of this place. Okay, this our new house. There’s our little bed here. We 
got our little bathroom here. We stay in beachfront cabanas, 
just 10 steps from the ocean,   where the rhythm of the waves becomes a 
soundtrack to our days and nights. It’s the kind of place that off the beaten path beach 
lovers fantasize about. We’ve been holding her hand every step of the way, but this time we 
let go. She started running and splashing, testing her own courage in those little waves. 
Watching her figure it out on her own was one of those small moments that just felt big. 
Soon, she’s off and running. She looks back, eyeing each tiny footprint in the sand like 
a puzzle she didn’t know she was a part of. [Music] Reese and I are here enjoying 
dinner by ourselves. She’s a very cute, but I do miss Bailey. Hey, Reese. What kind 
of food do you want? [Music] Here you go. Okay. [Music] All righty. Woohoo. All right. Are we going to go play 
in the sand today? Yeah, we are. You can get as dirty as you want. Oh my goodness. Look 
at that. That is just fantastic. This This is going to be an awesome awesome day. I can’t 
wait to just let you loose. There it is. Yeah. Oh, after a good hearty breakfast, we head 
straight for the beach. [Music] We stretch out under the sun, let our legs rest, and take turns 
dipping our toes in the waves. Mari, this is your first time at the beach. Oh, what do you think, 
Mar? Yay! [Music] Oh, no. You didn’t like it. [Music] Reesey, where are we going? We’re going 
to go on a boat to see alligators and birds. The guides here are locals from the nearby village. 
Most are part of a small community run ecotourism group that’s been protecting this area for years. 
We climb into narrow hand paddled boats, no motors allowed, and drift through the mangroves. The 
lagoon is quiet, the water is dark, stained by the roots and leaves of the trees. Crocodiles 
hunt for prey and iguanas lounge overhead. We stop at a small island tucked inside the 
lagoon. It’s home to a conservation area where they care for young crocodiles, monkeys, 
and a few of the region’s native deer. Everyone gets their turn for an up close 
encounter. Good job, Reese. being so brave. All right, we’re headed up Punta Cometa to catch 
the sunset. [Music] Welcome to Punta Cometa, one of the most magical spots on the Oaxacan coast 
and the southernmost point in the entire state. This rocky headland juts out into the Pacific like 
an arm reaching for the horizon, offering front   row seats to some of the most breathtaking 
sunrises and sunsets in Mexico. You can see both from this point. Rise up here and set there… 
The trail to the point is narrow but well kept, making it an easy adventure for families. 
Even with kids and tow, we didn’t have any   trouble and the views made every step worth 
it. Here we go. Headed down to the beach. But the real highlight, watching the 
golden light of sunset catch our girls   red hair. It was like they were lit 
from within. Pure magic. [Music] As we wandered along the bluff, 
we kept close watch on both the   glowing horizon and our curious little 
explorers, especially near the edge. Thank you. Wow. Let me see that. Reese, thank you. [Music] There we go. [Music] After soaking in the beauty and working 
up an appetite, we stumbled on a hidden gem. A French Mexican fusion restaurant tucked 
nearby. All right, Bailey, what did you order? Yeah. All right. Which is mushroom. I understood 
that one, but Kyle ordered the other one, so I figured I should order the other 
option. I won’t tell you what it is   until after the meal. Bailey caracoles, 
you finished the whole thing. Happily, too. It was delicious. Garlic was so nice. 
It was well salted. So, it’s garlicky. So,   what do the French eat? They have a lot 
of garlic. Oh crap. Is that the snails? Oh crap. It was delicious. We lived in France 
for like 2 months and you avoided snails at all costs. I didn’t avoid them. They just never 
naturally crossed my path. Mexico, they got you. But you know what? I would order it again. But 
no, snails. I can do that. Oh, it’s delicious. We make our way to the country’s 
vibrant and exciting capital,   Mexico City. [Music] We chose to stay in the 
Roma Condesa neighborhood for its leafy streets, great food, relaxed vibe, and easy access 
to everything Mexico City has to offer. After dropping our bags, we 
set out to explore. [Music] Pedestrian friendly streets lead you to El 
Zocalo, one of the biggest public squares in the world. The massive cathedral 
towers on one side and on the other,   the National Palace. This is where Mexico 
City all began. The Aztecs built here. The Spanish took over. And today it’s still pulsing 
with energy. Local healers perform Olympia, a spiritual cleansing rooted in 
indigenous tradition. You’ll find   men in warrior costumes ready for photo 
ops. Though Reese definitely wasn’t a fan. Yeah, you’re very brave, Reese. That was hard. 
I know. and give it to him right here. Luckily, nothing an ice cream can’t fix. Oh, that looks 
just perfect, huh? The adjacent cathedral was built by the Spanish over the ruins of an 
Aztec temple using stones taken from what they destroyed. It took nearly 250 years to complete, 
becoming a symbol and a monument to Mexico’s layered, complicated history. Just around the 
corner, ancient ruins rise out of the ground at Temple Mayor. The temple here was once the size of 
the coliseum in Rome. You walk along raised paths, looking down at what was once the sacred heart 
of the Aztec capital, Tenochtitan. It’s easy to imagine the sounds of drums echoing off the 
steps, smoke rising from the rituals while thousands gather for ceremonies. The Aztecs 
built Tenochtitan on an island in the middle of Lake Texcoko. They saw it as sacred, chosen 
by prophecy, and turned it into a thriving city using a mix of ingenuity and sheer determination. 
To make the land fertile, they created floating gardens made by stacking mud and reeds into 
rectangular plots. These plots were incredibly productive, allowing them to grow maize, beans, 
and squash year round. Waterways acted as streets. Aqueducts brought clean water. And causeways 
connected the island to the mainland. Against all odds, they built a powerful empire. One 
that stunned the Spanish when they arrived. El Cardinal is one of those places 
you hear about over and over,   and for good reason. Their hot chocolate 
is rich, thick, and worth every sip. I hurry to take the first before I know I have to 
turn it over to my chocolate loving toddler. Oh, it’s very hot. It’s pretty bitter. Not bitter, 
but not sugary. Like it’s like naturally sweet and then they’ve left it in that. It tastes 
like cocoa powder and like fresh milk. Cool. That is easily the best mole dish I’ve 
had so far. That is so dang good. Sweet, tender, juicy. Oh, everything you want. 
Just amazing. [Music] Mari and I barely find a space on a park bench in the 
Alameda Park. So, Kyle and Reese wander   off to explore the fountain in the center, 
enjoying the surprisingly warm February sun. We duck into the alleyways behind the 
park, winding through plazas and markets.   A quick detour through Chinatown 
holds even more surprises for us. Nothing about those colors is natural. It’s like a dumpling. Jelly filled dumpling. Yep. 
They good. Thumbs up. We stopped for a snack. Churros from our favorite spot, El Moro. If you 
haven’t noticed already from our time in Spain, churros hold a very special place in our 
hearts. Holy smokes, Man. It’s amazing. Where are we going today? You don’t know. Are we going to a castle? The 
next day, we head to Chapultepec Park, Mexico City’s vast green heart. Towering above it all is 
Chapultepec Castle. Its name comes from the Aztec word meaning hill of the grasshopper. Over time, 
the castle has been a summer home, a military college, and a residence to European emperors and 
Mexican presidents. Since the 1940s, it’s served as the National History Museum, holding centuries 
of Mexico stories. Visitors of all ages pile around to peer into the gorgeous rooms and pause 
for live music and beautiful rooftop garden views. We wish we had more time to spend here. Yay, we 
did it. Just across the park, the National Museum of Anthropology welcomes us with the striking 
tree of life column and immersive waterfall. We join a small personal tour and travel 
back through time to the eras of the Maya, Aztec, Olmec, and Zapotec. We marvel at the 
hand-carved stones telling ancient legends. Massive sacrificial altars that make 
us shiver in our imagination of their   use. And the famous Aztec calendar, a towering 
stone disc etched with Aztec cosmic symbolism, marking the cycles of time 
and the gods that ruled them.   It’s amazing to think all these treasures 
were discovered scattered across the country, now beautifully preserved to connect us with 
the past. But the past isn’t locked away here.   It’s alive and just outside the museum doors. 
People with indigenous roots expressing their hearts through song, dance, and clothing fill 
the plaza, proudly sharing their heritage. It’s especially moving to see a young group of 
students sitting side by side, strong and united, showing their hope for all to work together to 
keep their culture alive for generations to come. We set out early for Teotihuacan, about an hour 
drive northeast of Mexico City. Last one. Good job. Nice. The air was still cool when we arrived, 
and the morning sun lit up the massive pyramid of the sun. It’s one of the largest pyramids in 
the world. And from the base, it looks more like a mountain than something built by hand. 
This was the beating heart of a civilization   that predated the Aztecs. No one knows exactly 
who built Teotihuacan, but by 400 AD, it was a major power, home to more than 100,000 people 
in one of the largest cities in the Americas. We took our time walking the Avenue of the 
Dead, the ancient spine of this once thriving city. Its scale still stuns. Vast plazas, 
multi-level pyramids, and long ceremonial roads perfectly aligned with the stars. 
In the plaza of the Pyramid of the Moon,   the acoustics are so precise that a single clap 
can echo back with an eerie bird-like sound. No way. It changes the tone. We set up an acoustics 
test of our own. So, the acoustics here are so good. I could stand in one edge of the courtyard 
and hear Bailey talking normally from the center. Just incredible. Now, it’s my turn to give them 
some instructions from the center. Let’s see if   they can hear me. Bailey, if you can hear 
me, act like monkeys. [Laughter] But kind of cool. Just off the main avenue, our guide 
led us into one of Teotihuacan’s residential palaces. A space once reserved for the elite. 
Inside, striking red murals cover the walls, telling vivid stories of ball games, rituals, 
and human sacrifice. You could feel the weight of ceremony in the air as Jaguar warriors 
and mythic figures danced across the stone. In fact, although we see grey stone today,   the entire city was once covered in 
vibrant murals and paint, reds, blues, and yellows. At a smaller temple, we stopped 
to see the temple of the feathered serpent. All right, we’re going up. The stone carvings are worn but fierce. 
Rows of serpents with gaping jaws stare out from the walls. Archaeologists found mass 
graves beneath it, hinting at human sacrifices. [Music] Oh boy, that is steep. Reese just told me I need to put my arms 
out to help me balance. Can you help me,   Reese? Put your arms out. Oh, good. 
We’re balancing. Dusty and burnt, we look back once more at the ancient pyramids 
rising in the distance and can’t help but smile. What an incredible day. [Music] Now, 
back in Mexico City, we stopped by a mouthwatering local favorite, El Pescadito, for 
some mouthwatering shrimp and fish tacos. [Music] We got to be stopping. Best tacos we’ve had in Mexico so far 
right here. This is good stuff. [Music] For our last day in Mexico, we head to 
the heart of Mexico City to the Palacio   De Bellas Artes to catch a Mexican folk 
ballet. Have you ever seen a venue so breathtaking? that really rivals 
things you see in Austria… Oh,   it’s fantastic. We settle into seats on the upper 
balcony, surrounded by stunning stained glass and intricate architecture. [Music] Dance after 
dance, we find ourselves leaning further in, captivated by the colorful costumes and 
traditional dances from different regions and   eras of Mexico. Our kids amaze us by sitting 
through the whole performance, eyes glued to the stage. And somehow despite all the spinning 
dancers, none of us get dizzy. [Music] [Applause] After the ballet, we decide to explore one of 
the many nearby Sunday markets. We all hop on to a little tuk tuk and ask the driver to take us 
to the closest one. [Music] Everywhere we turn, vendors are selling fresh food and handmade 
souvenirs. We find a tasty lunch and end up treating ourselves to some adorable souvenirs 
for our girls. [Music] That night, we dive into a very different but equally iconic Mexican 
experience. Lucha Libré at Arena Mexico. [Music] Sunday family nights mean the seats 
are open almost anywhere and we find   a great spot close enough to the 
action. With earplugs in place, we watch the luchador’s incredible moves 
and vibrant costumes light up the ring. I figured my tender-hearted girls would prefer the 
ballet, but they get swept up in the excitement,   cheering along with the crowd and staying 
engaged from the opening bell to the final match. Lucha Mari. Lucha Mari! [Music] With heavy hearts and even heavier backpacks, we 
say goodbye to this vibrant city. A place that has become a home away from home. Are you ready, 
Reese? Yeah. Is that heavy or can you carry it? [Music] Mexico challenged what we thought we 
knew and gave us something far richer in return. We came as visitors and leave having been forever 
changed with a far deeper respect for the history, food, and people who call Mexico home. Journey 
along with us by subscribing. If you liked this video, consider checking out our extended 
version of this travel vlog or enjoying our   bonus content on Patreon. Thanks for watching 
and as always, dream big and enjoy the journey.

After a month exploring the best of Mexico, we created this vlog and travel guide to share the places, people, and lessons that changed us. Whether you’re planning your own adventure or just dreaming of one, this video is packed with ideas, inspiration, and highlights from our time in Mexico.

From Mexico City’s layered history, to the flavors of Oaxaca, the colors of Puebla, and the slow rhythm of Oaxaca’s pacific coast, this is the Mexico we experienced! One shaped by ancient civilizations, carried by family traditions, and generous in ways words can’t always capture. This is our best attempt at putting our experience into words, as flawed as it may be.

Thank you for watching! Journey along with us by subscribing, we appreciate your supporting our channel.

As always, dream big and enjoy the journey!
– Kyle and Bailey

Dream // Journey

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TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Best of Mexico
00:50 Puebla
07:39 Atlixco
09:50 Cholula
13:19 Oaxaca
21:48 Central Valleys
28:10 Puerto Escondido
35:04 San Agustinillo
41:39 Mexico City