There are many things that Mexico is known for that are well known and others that will surprise you. In this article I teach you all about the fascinating country and share with you the most interesting things Mexico is known for. Ready to learn more? Read on…
The Best Things Mexico Is Known For
The things Mexico is known for are varied- from food to tourist attractions to art, this country is absolutely fascinating in so many ways. So, lets take a look at some of the things Mexico is known for in a bit more detail.
Best Food and Drinks Mexico Is Known For
One of the most popular things Mexico is known for is food. But specifically what food is representative of this country and why? Lets take a look.
Mexican Rice
Mexican cuisine has several key ingredients, including long grain rice, fresh tomatoes, onions, tomato paste, chicken broth, or vegetable broth, and it is usually slow-cooked in the crockpot.
Add any vegetable, including peas, corn, carrots, or peppers. You can season with cumin and chili powder and simmer on low for 20 minutes. A little jalapeno pepper gives it a slight spiciness. You can eat it as a snack or a side dish with tacos.
Quesadillas
The quesadilla is a sandwich-like treat that you stuff between two warm tortillas. Mexican restaurants are popular all over the world. Quesadillas are a common item on Mexican and Tex-Mex menus. You can fill these tortillas with whatever you want, and they’re delicious.
Enchiladas
It is believed that enchiladas were eaten in the Valley of Mexico since ancient times when corn tortillas were wrapped around small fish. It is common to use corn and flour tortillas, which can be stuffed with meat, cheese, seafood, beans, or vegetables.
They are then topped with a chilli sauce, making for an excellent Mexican breakfast.
Chile en Nogada
An authentic Mexican dish, Chile en Nogada, is traditionally served during September. It is stuffed with meat, fruits, and nuts in poblano peppers and topped with a creamy walnut sauce. It also has pomegranate seeds and cilantro, representing the Mexican flag.
This is one of the interesting things Mexico is known for.
Tacos
Tacos are a staple of Mexican cuisine. Tacos are most popular in Mexico City, though. In addition to being so cheap, tacos are also an essential part of Mexican cuisine because they’re affordable to low-income families.
Tacos are made of tortillas and fillings like meat or fish. There’s one key ingredient: Habanero sauce. It’s the king of hot sauces, don’t miss this!
Margarita
Among Mexico’s famous cocktails is the margarita, which consists of lime juice, tequila, and Cointreau. A beautiful girl was allergic to alcohol except for tequila, so her bar owner invented a drink with tequila as the main ingredient for her.
It has several origins and is served in a salted-rim glass. A bartender at Hussong’s Cantina experimented with drinks. Margarita was born. A German ambassador’s daughter named Margarita Henkel was the first to try this new drink.
Regardless of the history of margaritas, one thing is certain; they remain Mexico’s most popular drink.
Guacamole
One of the things Mexico is known for on the list is Guacamole.
In Mexico, guacamole is one of the most popular foods, but few people know that the Aztecs used it for the first time. Various ingredients are used to make guacamole, like avocados, onions, tomatoes, lemon juice, and chilis (and sometimes garlic cloves).
Mole
It’s not just one dish, but a variety of sauces and marinades used in Mexican cuisine. White mole, green mole, mole poblano, and guacamole all fall under this category.
This is one of the many things that Mexico is known for.
Tequila
There’s a reason it’s so popular! Tequila is named after the region where it’s made, so you can’t go wrong with it! There’s only so much tequila made from blue agave sugar that it gets called tequila if it’s made in Mexico! Some tequilas (that taste bad and give you hangovers!) are ‘tequila mix,’ which are versions with sugar added.
Chocolate
It is known that Mexico makes some of the world’s best chocolate, so it might be on your bucket list.
To see how chocolate is made from bean to bar, you should visit a cacao plantation in Mexico. Afterward, you’ll see how the beans are dried, roasted, and ground into cocoa powder. You’ll get to taste some chocolate too, and it’s an exciting process.
Different artisans will then add extra stuff to make sweet, smooth, and milky varieties of chocolate. It’s great fun, and you’ll be able to taste some chocolate too!
Traditions, Culture, and History Mexico is Known For
Mexico is known for a range of cultural and traditional aspects. Here are some of the best.
Day of the Dead
Mexico’s Day of the Dead, or Dia de Los Muertos, is probably one of the country’s most popular and vital traditions; nonetheless, it’s celebrated worldwide, and it’s one of the most important things Mexico is known for. It is also Mexico’s claim to fame when it comes to dark tourism.
The day of the dead in Mexico is celebrated on November 1st and 2nd. While many people celebrate the 31st of October due to Halloween, the day of the deceased is celebrated on the 1st and 2nd of November. The family shrines are decorated with candles, flowers, and pictures, and the family enjoys dinner in the surrounding area with food and beverages.
There is a Yucatan version of Day of the Dead too, called Hanal Pixan that’s worth checking out too.
Mexican Religion
Mexican Catholics make up about 85 percent of the population, ranking second in the world regarding the number of Catholics. They established a relationship with the Vatican, and the late Pope John Paul II visited the country five times.
They continue to practice religious customs and traditions today since they are primarily Catholic. For example, they remember the people who have passed away with funeral sweets on the Day of the Dead, and they re-enact the journey of Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem at the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Aztec History
A significant part of the history of humanity is marked by the Mayan and Aztec civilizations, two of the greatest civilizations in human history. They dominated South and Central America between 2,800 and 500 years ago when the Inca empire was in place.
Soap Opera
There are some common differences between Mexican telenovelas and other countries: the good always wins, sacrifices are all worth it, or the hero’s journey is the theme.
Most of these telenovelas are longer than most shows; they have more than 60 episodes. Many of these soap operas have happy endings. Some are adapted into movies. They are popular around the world and lie under the category of things Mexico is known for.
Pueblos Magicos
Mexico has 120 “pueblos magicos” (magical towns), small towns with beautiful historical centers that bring tourists and promote Mexico’s cultural heritage.
Most of the pueblo magicos are built in colonial-style buildings and can be found in almost every state of Mexico. San Miguel de Allende, Tepotzotlán, San Cristóbal de las Casas, and Xilitla are all magical towns in Mexico.
Sports Mexico Is Known For
Another one of the most important things Mexico is known for its sports. Lets take a look at the biggest sports in Mexico.
Taekwondo
It’s amazing to see Mexicans putting a lot of effort into this Korean martial art. Korea’s native combat technique went on to become one of Mexico’s most practiced sports after the Korean expatriates settled in Mexico.
There are about 3,500 Taekwondo schools in Mexico that produce competent practitioners and medal winners in Taekwondo. Many people travel here especially for this reason to as sports tourists.
Bullfighting
It goes without saying that this traditional sport is popular. It’s easy to imagine a matador wearing a resplendent costume and a bull rubbing its hooves on the ground, preparing himself for battle when you picture Mexico.
Having been colonised by Spain, Mexico embraced the Spanish population’s popular pastime of bullfighting.
Besides bullfighting, folkloric dances and rodeo are also part of the festival. Mexican bullfighting is a popular tourist attraction and one of the most profitable sports as well as among the things Mexico is known for.
Baseball
When the American soldiers brought baseball to Mexico during the Mexican War, it became a popular sport in certain regions.
There are two leagues in Mexico today: the Mexican League of Baseball, with 16 teams, and the Mexican Pacific League, with 8 teams, which bring laurels to the country every year.
Soccer
Whether you go to Mexico or not, you will never be far from a local soccer game. They play wherever they can kick a ball.
Kids of all ages play soccer at school, after school, on weekends – pretty much whenever they like. They also support Mexican soccer teams with a lot of passion.
Their loyal fans have supported them since the 1930s, waving flags and chanting their names in support of Mexico.
Charreria
It is a national sport of Mexico similar to rodeo. It is a competitive equestrian event that evolved from ranch work activities followed in Old Mexico on haciendas.
With traditional charro clothing and a live Mariachi band, charros demonstrate their horse lassoing skills as well as many other events. The Charreria does not award monetary rewards but saddles and trailers.
Art Mexico Is Known For
Another one of the major things Mexico is known for is its art scene. Art can found found all over the country, lets take a look at some of the most famous aspects of art in Mexico.
Mexican Folk Art and Craft
A variety of folk arts and crafts are produced in Mexico. This is due to the fact that Mexico has many different raw materials and many different people groups.
The natural resources in Mexico include clay, wood, metal, stones, and plants. It has been characterized by bright, vivid colors and decorative details for many centuries.
Mexican Cinema
Films documenting the Mexican Revolution and other historical events began Mexican cinema in the 20th century which is one of the things Mexico is known for.
During the 1940s, Mexican cinema entered a Golden Age. A prominent actor named Cantinflas became known as the “Mexican Charlie Chaplin”.
Photography
A major form of art in Mexico is photography, which began as a travel-oriented pursuit. Diego Rivera was influenced by Hugo Brehme, a German immigrant who took photos of nature, colonial architecture, and locals.
He was a photographer for National Geographic. Travel guides and postcards were decorated with Brehme’s photos.
Ceramic Art
One of the things Mexico is known for is its ceramic art.
During the pre-Spanish era, the indigenous cultures of Mexico made ceramics by hand. They did not use pottery wheels to shape the pottery.
Families made their own pinched pots or coiled pieces, but sought out craftsmen for larger ones. The pottery was fired openly and painted with natural pigments.
Mexico produces beautiful tiles for walls and floors that are enjoyed by tourists today.
Frida Kahlo
Frida Kahlo was the best-known female artist from Mexico. She was born on July 6, 1907, in Coyoacán, a neighborhood in Mexico City.
When she was 18, she got into a serious bus accident, which had long-lasting physical and mental effects on her.
A museum now houses her late husband Diego Rivera’s house in Coyoacán, which reflects her inner turmoil and sorrow as well as the political climate of the country.
Tourist Attractions Mexico Is Known For
Of course, there are lots of landmarks in Mexico too and the tourist attractions here are some of the most important things Mexico is known for. Lets take a deeper look…
Cancun
Located on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, Cancun is known for its stunning beaches, clear waters, and lush vegetation.
Cancun is also a great place to study about Mexico’s historic Maya civilization due to its proximity to archeological sites such as Chichen Itza, Tulum, and Coba. In addition to its beaches and historical attractions, Cancun has a wide variety of hotels, resorts, restaurants, and nightlife options.
Tulum
The city of Tulum, one of Mexico’s most popular tourist spots, was once the capital of the Maya civilization. It’s located on the Yucatán Peninsula in the state of Quintana Roo.
Ruins of Tulum, a walled city overlooking the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea, are one of the most famous archaeological sites in Tulum.
Chichen Itza
One of Mexico’s largest Maya cities, Chichen Itza, is in the Yucatan region. More than a million people visit this temple pyramid that dates back to the 6th century and has 91 steps on each face. El Castillo has a pyramid with four faces and a 91-step staircase.
The top step is 365 steps, representing the number of days in the year. The Great Ballcourt, El Caracol and Temple of the Warriors, are also attractions.
Taxco de Alarcon
Taxco is a gorgeous little town located just a couple of hours outside of Mexico City, but it’s definitely worth at least a night’s stay. In addition to its winding cobblestone alleys and beautiful main square, the “magical” qualities of the town are what made it a Pueblo Magico.
As Taxco is nestled between hills, you’ll need to walk up and down a lot of stairs when exploring the town.
Puerto Escondido
Puerto Escondido is a surfing hot spot on Mexico’s pacific coast. It boasts a stretch of white sand stretching, 3.5km from the main town to La Puerta.
In the morning, you can watch surfers in Punta, while later in the day, you can sunbathe and watch the sunset.
Guanajuato
This is one of the most interesting towns in Mexico because it is built above a series of underground tunnels, which allows all the cars and buses to drive underground.
In the early evening, head up to Al Pipila Monument for a great view of the colorful town and its plazas, like the one outside its famous yellow church.
Puerto Vallarta
There are many large hotels in Puerto Vallarta, which is a popular tourist destination on the central west coast of Mexico. It also has a string of large, brash bars along the waterfront.
Don’t let this put you off. In the Zona Romantica area, there are some nice restaurants and craft beer shops, amongst a number of gay bars, which make for an enjoyable evening.
Palenque
Two big attractions make Palenque a worthwhile stop on any Mexico itinerary: Mayan ruins and waterfalls.
You feel like a real explorer exploring the ruins of Palenque because the ancient pyramids and temples lie in the jungle and so don’t attract as many tourists as Chichen Itza.
There are three waterfalls to visit in Palenque, each one worth the trip.
Mexico City
As the capital of the Aztec Empire, Mexico City has been a political, cultural, financial, and geographic center of the country for centuries. It has a population of roughly 30% of the Mexican population.
Xoxocotlan
Throughout Mexico, there is a strong bond between the living and the dead. Every day, the Mexican population experiences brutality and a frightening number of murders.
You can see thousands of flowers, candles, and people mourning the dead in Xoxocotlan: some even play guitars and sing.
A Few More Things Mexico Is Known For
To finish off this post about the things Mexico is known for, I would like to share with you a few things Mexico is known for that didn’t neatly fit into the above categories!
- Taxi cabs are the most common form of transportation in Mexico.
- One of the world’s largest pyramids is found in Mexico.
- The Coca-Cola brand is very popular in Mexico.
- In terms of museums, Mexico City ranks second in the world.
- Mexico is home to 69 different languages.
Things Mexico Is Known For: To Conclude
As you can see from this article, there are many things Mexico is known for, from food to tourism to culture and much more. If you enjoyed this article on the things Mexico is known for, I am sure that you will love these too:
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