Palenque alone makes Mexico worth the trip

I'll be honest — I went to Mexico primarily to see Palenque, and it delivered beyond what any photo prepares you for. But the surrounding region surprised me just as much. Mexico City has a character I didn't anticipate, and wandering without a plan for an afternoon turned out to be one of the highlights.

The food is extraordinary. chiles en nogada sounds simple but here it's done with real craft. colourful colonial towns added another layer to the experience. Spent 19 days and honestly could have used a week more.