Backpackers Mexico
This ain't your gramma's Mexico!
We will kick off this trip in one of the world's most vibrant cities - Mexico City! We'll get a proper introduction to the culture and history but at the same time bear witness to a modern, hip metropolis just bursting with fun stuff to do. After that we have a veritable smorgasbord of experiences to be take in. Just to name a few....Celebrating the Day of the Dead on our first trip this fall!* Trekking in the mountains and villages of Oaxaca! Releasing baby turtles into the ocean! Learning about (and drinking) all about mezcal! Taking in some of the wonders of the world with the ancient temples! Chillin' on uncrowded beaches!
And let's not forget with all the delicious food you'll be going home 5 lbs heavier and 10 lbs happier. ;)
While planning this trip we had so much trouble deciding what to include that we decided to just keep it old school Free & Easy. That means, not rushing so you can fully take in an affordable country and really soak it all in. That's why this trip is 20 days long. It needs to be!
*We have planned our first trip (Oct 17 - Nov 7) to coincide with the Day of the Dead celebrations. Due to the pandemic, we are not sure what the celebrations will look like in Mexico this year. We hope to be in Oaxaca City for them which is meant to be one of the best places to experience it. If Mexico's COVID situation means that DOTD will not be as fun or safe as usual we will plan the trip so we are in a much less populated place for the holiday. If they want to celebrate and we can all arrive fully vaccinated and celebrate alongside them we will surely be there!
Free & Easy is a way of travel like no other. The people you meet, the amazing locations and the absolutely perfect leaders combined, turn strangers into family and create memories that last forever. Life literally changes after a Free & Easy experience!
- Nathan, October 2019
Itinerary
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Day 1-3 (Mexico City)
*Please note this itinerary is still being finalized and is subject to change in order to create the best and safest experience we can!
Mexico City is the real city that never sleeps! It rivals NYC for having a driving pulse that makes you feel like there's always something fun, exciting and cool around every corner. It has all the things you'd expect of a city its size - museums, cafes, shopping, galleries and bars. in addtion, there is the opportunity to experience the remnants of the temples and relics of the Aztec Empire (1300-1521)
This trip will include the opportunity to cruise the canals of Xochimilco which were built by the Aztecs. Today you can hire your own colourful, human powered pontoon to spend a few hours amongst the canals and local life. We'll pack snacks and drinks and have a bit of a fiesta.
Our three days here will be action packed full of experiences that will give you a proper intro to Mexico and make you so stoked for what's to come once we leave this bumpin' metropolis.
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Day 4 (Tepoztlán)
Tepoztlán is a quaint little town surrounded by some rather unquaint looming mountain cliffs. The scenery is surreal and exhilarating!
Soaked in mysticism, and resting at the base of ancient ruins, this is the legendary birthplace of the Aztec god Quetzacoatl. It's no wonder Tepozlan is famous for its spiritual and holistic attitude. The people of this small town are strong and stick to their traditions so you will not find a Mcdonald's, Starbucks or any type of corporate business here.
We’re excited to show you this funky little town its 360-degree views and for you to feel the magic and energy this town holds.
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Day 5-9 (Oaxaca)
The mystical city of Oaxaca will make you never want to leave. With a history dating back to Meso America, it is rich with history and culture but this is no relic - it is alive and kicking! The city is filled with art, food, and life. As you walk down the cobblestone streets between the old Spanish architecture, the roads are lined with street vendors, artisanal shops, bars, and patios.
Art is a big focus for visits to this town. The murals and art that seems to be popping from every corner make it really fun place to have a bit of a meander. There are plenty of opportunities to take classes to try and make your own version of Alebrijes style sculptures Oaxaca is famous for.
Although, this place is a traveler's favorite this is a real slice of authentic Mexico. -
Day 10-11 (The Sierra Nortes)
Lace-up some good shoes, pack a smaller backpack, and let's get trekking! We will spend 3 days and two nights hiking in the Sierra Nortes mountains in Oaxaca.
We will be taking the same ancestral trails that have been used for 100's of years. As we wind our way down through each small indigenous village to the next we will have the opportunities to experience and learn more about the traditions and ways of everyday life. Learning about edible mushrooms and plants, making chicha, participating in a tesmacal (sweat lodge), and learning to cook local cuisine are a few of the options we will face all the while crossing epic views points, untouched forests, ingenious ruins and cozying up to campfires every night.
This beautiful hidden gem takes our breath away every time we visit, and it's not just becase of the altitude. It promises to be the surprise hit of the trip!
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Day 12-15 (Mazunte)
This is that beach in Mexico you always hoped to find. It's as chill as they come. The "downtown" strip is a cobblestone lane where you can just hop from cantina to cantina, where you are welcome to saddle up for a taco and a cerveza on your way down to the stunning beach of Mazunte.
This epic section of the Pacific coastline is not short on things to do...or not! You can do all the beachy things like surfing, fishing, yoga etc or just park your butt in the sand all day and read a book. The waters are a lot calmer here than our other beach spot (Puerto Escondido) so that allows for scuba and snorkeling opportunities. Even taking part in turtle rescue if you come in the right season!
Also, there is a naturist beach not too far away if toasting your entire epidermis in the sunshine sounds like a good day for you, we've got you covered (or uncovered...sorry not sorry ;) ).
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Day 16-19 (Puerto Escondido)
SURFS UP DUDE!, What Free and Easy trip is complete without "that beach“ PE is that place! take a cool little surf town, add a bunch of burritos and tequila and you got yourself a party!
We might not be paddling out to the famous 40ft waves that this beach can hold, but we’ll be grabbing some lessons on something a little smaller. Boat rides and cool beer are in the mix as well as some deep-sea fishing, horseback riding, and accommodations that will definitely help you remember how to relax and live your best life.
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Day 20 (Mexico City)
One last night in Mexico City to hang with your new travel family and go over the incredible list of epic memories you've all accumulated. Convenient access to the airport for departures on the last day.
Please note: The above itinerary is subject to change. A confirmed Free & Easy trip itinerary with exact routing will be provided at least 30 days prior to trip departure.
IMPORTANT: If you are doing a combo trip and booking your own flights, please contact us to confirm the start and end point of your trip.
What's included?
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The Free & Easy Commitment
We strive to ensure everyone who wants to travel has the opportunity to have the most epic experience ever. Free & Easy delivers awe-inspiring travel experiences and creates lifelong connections between incredible people + incredible places.
See below for more details about what else is included in this amazing adventure.
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Included Experiences: Mexico 20
This trip is currently under development and our full list of activities will be posted mid August. As with all of our trips you can expect that some of the "can't miss" activities will be included. We also won't include all the activities so that the choice is yours as to what you want to participate in.
NEW for 2021! All Free & Easy travelers will have access to our industry leading app to help manage your trip. This provides pre-trip planning advice, itinerary management, activity suggestions for free time, maps, chat support and more!
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Accommodation: Mexico 20
All accommodations - We send our trip planners to each of our destinations so they can do on the ground, research. Checking for the best location, comfort and vibe that we can get for our budget while also supporting local businesses.
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Transportation: Mexico 20
All transport - This trip will find us taking private A/C vans.
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Leaders: Mexico 20
1-2 group leaders - Our staff is consistently ranked as the #1 reason that people loved their trips. We meet most of our leaders while traveling with them so we can see in person if they are fun yet responsible, cool yet down to earth, professional yet laid back. This creates that perfect mix which makes our "tours" feel like a group of friends.
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Optional Experiences: Mexico 20
This trip is currently under development and our full list of activities will be posted mid August. As with all of our trips you can expect that some of the "can't miss" activities will be included. We also won't include all the activities so that the choice is yours as to what you want to participate in.
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Not Included
- All meals and drinks (except those mentioned above)
- Activities outside of the ones listed above (optional activities are not included)
- Any Visa or Visa fees
Find out how much spending money you will need here.