Live Like a Local

Nov 15

Market 28 in Cancun

Posted by T.W. Anderson | Cancun, culture, Live Like a Local, Mexico | 11 Comments

At first glance it appears to be nothing more than a tourist trap. Souvenirs, knick-knacks, vendors yelling at you in broken English, “My friend, my friend, come look, my prices are cheap, almost free!“, the occasional American-raised Mexican with a flawless Californian accent and perfect English, “Hey man, what you need? You looking to score some cheap weed? Need a taxi, a tour somewhere?“, cat-calls and over-priced restaurants all combine for the typical “fish in a barrel” paradise that hawkers and street merchants love. Ripe tourists, fat and full of cash, and an endless sea of them flowing in.

But there’s more than meets the eye when it comes to Market 28, and if you are a discerning traveler who can look past the obvious tourist distractions and “gringo” vibe of the place, there is a thriving Mexican mercado underneath the glitz and glam, one where you can get a good deal on clothing, hand-crafted goods, cigars, jewelry and more…but only if you know how to navigate the maze of poachers.

Nov 08

Parque Las Palapas In Cancun

Posted by T.W. Anderson | Cancun, culture, Live Like a Local, Mexico | 4 Comments

No matter where you go throughout Mexico you will find one central fixture in every town, village, pueblo and city: the city center, or square, otherwise known as the zócalo. They range in size depending on the size of the surrounding metropolitan sprawl, but there is one thing that all of these central squares have in common: they are the focal point of all things cultural and entertainment-related for the city, and they usually have a church on the premises as well. With Cancun in particular the Parque Las Palapas is the most happening place on the mainland, but you’ll only discover it once you get out of the Westernized Hotel Zone. Read More

Nov 02

Día de los Muertos in Cancun

Posted by T.W. Anderson | Cancun, Live Like a Local, Mexico | 16 Comments

In many countries, especially the Western parts of the world, Halloween is nothing more than a one-night stand. A chance for kids to dress up and obtain mounds of candy that will send them on a sugar-fueled rage for the following week and contribute to the ongoing obesity epidemic. For adults, it’s a chance for costume parties and alcohol-fueled all-nighters. But in some countries the Day of the Dead has more spiritual roots, and if you happen to be spending time in Cancun, Mexico you’ll find yourself drawn in by the week-long festivities that take place before and after the actual Día de los Muertos. Read More

Oct 31

Parque Urbano Kabah in Cancun

Posted by T.W. Anderson | Cancun, Live Like a Local, Mexico, Quality of Life | 6 Comments

Beyond the towering spires of the high-rise resorts and the crystalline beaches of the Hotel Zone that Cancun is known for lies the mainland city. Forgotten behind the glamorous ritz and spam of Spring Break and all-inclusive hotel chains, the city boasts a modern infrastructure, a safe and inviting Mexican culture, and a cost of living that is affordable for most digital nomads. On top of that, there are dozens of plazas, movie theaters, local parks and green areas such as the Urban Park Kabah, otherwise known in Spanish as the Parque Urbano Kabah. Read More

Oct 29

Pasearte in Cancun

Posted by T.W. Anderson | Cancun, culture, Live Like a Local, Mexico | 10 Comments

One of my favorite aspects about living on the ground for extended periods of time in any destination is the simple fact you can uncover so much more. As I’ve said in the past, backpacking is akin to skim-reading a book; you’ll only pick up the bare minimum as you blast your way through. But when you read the whole novel cover to cover, when you read line for line, you pick up all the nuances of the characters and the story. On top of which, the more times you read the book, the more you uncover with every read-through.

One such cultural discovery that most tourists never uncover is a small artistic gathering of locals living here on the mainland in Cancun, Mexico, known as Pasearte. Read More