I was born and raised in Mexico. These 5 mistakes stop tourists from fully enjoying my country.

"I was born and raised in Mexico and have spent the last 15 years exploring the country as a travel journalist. So, I know it has lots to offer, from incredible biodiversity and beautiful resorts to world-class museums. However, I've seen tourists make plenty of mistakes when visiting my country, from failing to learn any Spanish to missing opportunities to explore."

"Mexico is a huge country. To put it into perspective, the largest state, Chihuahua, is slightly larger than the UK. So, to reduce Mexico to a single stereotype would be to erase its incredible diversity. It has everything from tropical beaches and historical cities to snow-capped mountains and deserts. Getting from one city to another can require long bus rides or flights, so if you hope to travel throughout the country, I recommend trying not to plan too much for one trip."

"Although Mexico is home to incredible resorts in cities like Cancún and Cabo San Lucas, the country has so much more to offer. For example, about two and a half hours outside downtown Cancún lies Chichén Itzá, an archeological site of Mayan ruins and one of the "New 7 Wonders of the World." One of the main attractions is El Castillo, also known as the Pyramid of Kukulkán, which stands nearly 100 feet tall and has impressive features."

Mexico contains vast geographical and cultural diversity, spanning tropical beaches, historical cities, snow-capped mountains, deserts, biodiverse regions, world-class museums, and luxury resorts. Traveling between states can require long bus rides or flights, so avoid overambitious itineraries within a single trip. Tourists should explore beyond resort areas to visit archaeological sites like Chichén Itzá and coastal towns near Cabo San Lucas. Learning some Spanish helps interactions and reduces common visitor mistakes. Sampling regional cuisine enhances cultural understanding; local dishes to try include mole and pozole. Assuming Mexico is uniform erases its regional variations and limits travel experiences.

Read at Business Insider