Mexico
Celebrations
5 de Mayo (5th of May)
5 de Mayo (5th of May) is not celebrated that big in Mexico (except in the state of Puebla) but is hugely celebrated in the USA by Mexicans and other Latinos. It’s the day of the combat between the French and the Mexicans which took place in Puebla in 1862 and where the Mexicans defeated the French. In the USA people celebrated it by going out and partying.
15/16 de septiembre - Independence Day
The 15/16 de septiembre (15th/16th of September) is the national holiday in Mexico (independence day). Mexicans are very patriotic, so they go out to different parties and sing typical songs. On the main plaza in Mexico City (the Zócalo) the president comes out of his office and rings a bell 7 times. This was the sign of independence in 1810. Then he makes a speech naming the heroes that gave independence to the country. The crowds on the Zócalo scream "Viva".
Dia de los muertos (Day of the Dead)
The "Dia de los Muertos" (Day of the Dead) takes place on the 1st of November and is the biggest festival in Mexico. It is a day to honor the dead. The tradition already derives from the Aztecs. People put up some "ofrendas" (offerings on an altar) with food for their ancestors and pictures of them. Children usually dress up. There is a movie called "Coco" which talks about this festivity (of course a little bit American style).
Virgen de Guadalupe
Virgen de Guadalupe is celebrated on the 12th of December in Mexico. The Virgen de Guadalupe is one of the most important religious figures for Mexicans. It is believed that she can perform miracles. Each year thousands of people come to her cathedral (near Mexico City) to ask her for a miracle or to thank her after a miracle happened to them.
15 añero (15th birthday)
15 añeros (15th birthday) are very important for girls in Mexico. Traditionally this was the age for a girl to become a woman. For this event the girls dress up in very elegant dresses, invite a lot of friends, there is music and dance, etc. This culture has even spread to a lot of other Latin American countries.
Trajineras
Trajineras are small boats in Mexico City. You can rent them with a group of friends and party on them with music while the driver gives you a little tour through the small rivers of Mexico City. You can get to the Trajineras in Xochimilco or Cuemanco.
Mariachis
A big tradition when it comes to festivities in Mexico is the Mariachis. These are groups of singers who play instruments and sing traditional Mexican songs. They all were traditional Mexican clothes and sombreros.
Food
Mexican food is really tasty. It's super funny because it's really diverse on one side (so many different names) but in the end, it's always very similar: tortilla (sometimes hard, sometimes not, sometimes big, sometimes small), some meat, some cream, and cheese or some beans. I can't describe all the different types of food here, because there are too many.
Tacos
I love Tacos so much!! A Taco is (not the European or US-American version) a small tortilla with meat, onion, and if you like coriander and salsa. There are many different types of meat. I recommend the most typical one: Tacos al Pastor with pineapple!!
enchiladas
Enchiladas are made with bigger tortillas that and filled with meat and salsa and then rolled up. Usually, there is green or red salsa and salad with cream and cheese on top.
Mole
Mole is a typical Mexican sauce made of 30 different ingredients including chocolate. It is a very old recipe and I loved it. You usually eat Mole with Enchiladas.
Chilaquiles
Chilaquiles are a typical Mexican breakfast. It is made with Nacho Chips and salsa, cream, and cheese. Sometimes you can also put meat inside. I love it for breakfast but for some people (especially Europeans) it`s not very usual, so maybe you have to get used to it first. In general, Mexicans eat a lot of meat and not so much sweet food (not even for breakfast). I remember when my Mexican ex-boyfriend and I traveled through Europe and we went to have breakfast in Italy (coffee and some cake or something). He was so disappointed!!
Pozole
Pozole is a typical soup with meat, salad, and some radish. Usually, you eat it with tostadas (some kind of hard tortillas).
Other things you should try in Mexico: Quesadillas, Sincronizadas, Flautas, Tacos dorados, Tlacoyos, Huaraches, Gorditas, Tamales, Tlayuda, Machetes, Elotes, Enfrijoladas, Birria, Chiles en Nogada (only available in September for the National Day), Sopes, Tortas ahogadas, Gringas etc.
Tequila and Mezcal
Tequila is the national alcohol originally from the small city of Tequila in the north of Mexico. Europeans like to drink Tequila shots with lemon and salt but Mexicans like to mix Tequila with everything (like Vodka or Rum). Mezcal is another typical alcohol.
Pulque
Pulque is also a national drink in Mexico. It's made from maguey/agave and predates colonialization. The plant is fermented so it becomes an alcoholic drink. You can get Pulque in many different flavors.
Aguas frescas
I love Aguas frescas. These are some kind of watery juices but they are very fresh and tasty. You can get them in different tastes like Agua de Horchata, Agua de Jamaica, Agua de Tamarindo).
Get to know more about trips in Mexico here