In the world’s great cities, it’s not difficult for tourists to find grand architecture, tantalizing food, historic art, and lively nightlife – the most valued aspects of a destination for most people. I see, however, a more important aspect in judging a destination’s attractiveness or value; its people. Choosing destinations for their people as much or more than other aspects of a place can be very rewarding. People make all the difference in a travel experience. It’s the local people - the local culture - that ultimately determines the quality of your experience as a visitor. The service at your hotel and at restaurants, your interaction with people on the streets and in the cafes, your cultural and historical learning, and your safety and security are all a product of the local people. For me, people are the most important aspect of a place when the usual attractions and amenities are present, or even when they’re not present.

Huatulco es el lugar más limpio y verde de México ---

La mayoría de los turistas en México tienen necesidades simples; un destino vacacional con playas, clima caluroso, comida tradicional y una atmósfera de fiesta. Otros turistas buscan una experiencia cultural auténtica u oportunidades de conectarse con la naturaleza, de las cuales México ofrece en abundancia.

Cancun is not every traveler’s ideal destination. For those preferring a more authentic experience, Isla Mujeres is a 20 minute ferry ride from Cancun. Isla’s got turquoise waters, a good mix of tourist accommodations and local haunts, and everyone on the island pretty much knows each other. It also has just enough quirkiness — ex-pats building houseboats out of plastic bottles, pirate legends, and murals up and down the streets— to keep me from getting bored. I was also lucky enough to meet two locals who kindly drove me around in their pick-up truck and bought me way too many beers.

Bucerias is a low-key beach town that gets most of its charm from the fact that it’s not a big resort city like its neighbor to the South, Puerto Vallarta. Not that it wasn’t lovely; bougonvia hangs over the sides of brightly colored stucco walls, the beach is free of frat boys, every corner of our rental house is a work of art, and the Pacific is as magnificent in the early morning as it is under the afternoon sun with a mango margarita. Plus, everyone was very nice. But we had to lean in to hear Spanish.

Centuries ago, Native Americans and Mesoamerican Indians knew how to relax and rejuvenate. Sweating in a temazcal or soaking in thermal waters was common. Sitting in a hot mud bath was less common, but it is another timeless health practice that people enjoy today.

Hace cientos de años, los nativos americanos e indios mesoamericanos sabían cómo relajarse, sanarse y rejuvenecer. Era común sudar dentro de un temazcal o meterse en aguas termales. Meterse a una tina llena de lodo caliente no era tan común, pero es otra práctica saludable que la gente disfruta en nuestros días.