Mexico Inspiration

Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture and rich heritage of Mexico through its finest exports. From captivating films and enchanting books to mouth-watering cuisine and essential key phrases, our guide will prepare you for an unforgettable holiday in this awe-inspiring country. Discover the heart and soul of Mexico before you even set foot on its soil. Let the journey begin!

Watch 📺

Alfonso Cuarón’s "Roma," nominated for 10 Academy Awards, is a poignant tale of a maid in 1970s Mexico City. This semi-biographical film, reflecting Cuarón’s own upbringing, is set against the backdrop of turbulent times in Mexico, delivering a mix of humour and heartache.

For food enthusiasts, Eva Longoria’s series "Searching for Mexico" is a must-watch. The Texican actress explores her native Mexico, sampling diverse and complex flavours in Mexico City, Oaxaca, the Yucatan, and more.

The biography "Frida," starring Salma Hayek, depicts the life of one of Mexico’s most renowned artists, Frida Kahlo, highlighting her artistic journey and tumultuous relationship with Diego Rivera.

To get the family in the spirit of the Day of the Dead festival, watch Disney Pixar’s "Coco" or Netflix’s "Chupa," a story about a boy who discovers a mythical chupacabra living in his grandfather’s barn and embarks on a mission to save it.

Read 📖

"Like Water for Chocolate" by Laura Esquivel: This captivating novel weaves magical realism with themes of love, food, and family in rural Mexico. Set against the backdrop of the Mexican Revolution, it follows the story of Tita, whose emotions are so deeply entwined with her cooking that they influence everyone who eats her meals.

Taste 😋

Tacos are the most iconic and internationally recognisable Mexican dish. Made with soft, palm-sized corn tortillas, they are topped with a variety of fillings such as roasted meat, seafood, and Mexican stews, and usually garnished with chopped onions, cilantro, lime juice, and either red or green chili sauce.

However, mole holds a special place in Mexican food culture. Meaning "sauce," mole refers to a family of sauces integral to Mexican cuisine. Considered by many as the pinnacle of Mexican gastronomy, mole is one reason traditional Mexican food has been recognised by UNESCO. With hundreds of recipes, mole can be incredibly intricate and labour-intensive. Among the most renowned are mole poblano and Oaxaca’s seven moles.

Cochinita pibil, a local dish from the Yucatan, features pulled pork slow cooked in an underground oven called a "pib." It's typically served with tacos and is simply mouth-watering.

To complement these dishes, try a Michelada—a spicy alcoholic beverage served in a chilled, salt-rimmed glass. Made with beer, lime juice, various chili-based sauces, spices, peppers, and tomato juice, it's a refreshing and flavourful drink.

Listen 🎶

Music is woven into the very fabric of life in Mexico. From the rock 'n' roll nostalgia of Ritchie Valens to the timeless rancheras of Vicente Fernandez, the Latin fusion of Santana, the Tejano magic of Selena, and the pop allure of Paulina Rubio, this collection celebrates Mexico's rich musical heritage—a tapestry of passion, tradition, and innovation that invites you to immerse yourself in the vibrant sounds of Mexico.

Say 🗣️

‘Una torta de cochinita’ – When visiting the Yucatan, be sure to try the local specialty, cochinita pibil. Use this phrase to order a baguette filled with delicious pulled pork.

‘Que le vaya bien’ – when saying goodbye to someone, use this phrase, meaning “wish you all the best”. 

‘Orale’ – Pronounced ora-lay, this is an expression of surprise and can also be used as an agreement to something. You could also use sale, gracias as an agreement, meaning “all good, thank you”. Sale is pronounced sal-ay.  

If you are fortunate enough to visit the Mexican metropolis and capital; Mexico City, you may hear the locals refer to themselves as Chilangos which is someone from Mexico City.