We might as well call this “The Big Book of Mexico” episode, because it’s filled with a lifetime of adventures, insider spots, and authentic luxury hotels throughout the country. Our guest is Zachary Rabinor, the founder and president of Journey Mexico, a unique luxury travel company that takes clients far beyond the country’s well-known beach destinations. Not that he doesn’t appreciate Mexico’s great beach resorts—he’s been living in Puerto Vallarta for almost 20 years, and he joins Bruce in person from the town they both call home for this special episode. Zachary is the perfect person to lead us on a whirlwind tour of Mexico’s cultural, natural, and culinary riches, from Campeche and Chiapas in the south to the Copper Canyon and Baja wine country in the north. If you love Mexico like we do—or even if you’re just slightly curious about the country—this episode is a must listen!

Learn More: Journey Mexico

HACIENDAS:

Hacienda De San Antonio: https://haciendadesanantonio.com/

Hacienda San Gabriel De Las Palmas https://www.haciendasangabriel.com/en/

Casa De La Real Aduana http://www.realaduana.com/

COSTALEGRE

Four Seasons Tamarindo https://www.fourseasons.com/tamarindo/

XALA https://www.luxury-frontiers.com/project/xala/

COPPER CANYON

Copper Canyon Train: https://chepe.mx/en/

CAMPECHE

Calakmul Biosphere Reserve Jaguar Observation https://www.calakmul.org/html/learn.html

PUEBLA

Banyan Tree https://www.banyantree.com/mexico/puebla

Cartesiano https://cartesiano360.com/en/

La Purificadora https://www.lapurificadora.com/

Wallin Wrap-Up

I’m just going to assume that hearing from Zach got you very excited to visit Mexico. And now that you’re coming down here to visit, you’re going to need a few ideas about where to stay, so I thought I’d share some of my personal favorite hotels and resorts around the country.

Now, Mexico really does have some of the best hotels in the world, and one that I’d say has kind of been the standard bearer over the years is Las Ventanas in Los Cabos.

There are so many great beach resorts in Cabo—you’ve got One & Only Palmilla, Esperanza, Zadun, Pedregal—and you really can’t go wrong at any of them. But I’ve visited Las Ventanas a few times over the years, and I’m just always blown away by how good it is—the feel, the ambience, the service is spectacular.  

Another Rosewood resort that is right up there with anything is Rosewood Mayakoba on the Riviera Maya. We’ve talked about this place before on the show, and it’s this very peaceful sanctuary in the mangroves and along this great stretch of beach. The food is really a standout here.

Other spots I love on the Riviera Maya—the Hotel Escencia and the Belmond Maroma. Both on incredible beaches—like that soft white-sand beach Caribbean dream beach. Escencia is a very chic designer type place, while the Belmond is a little more classic Mexican in style. That one is closed for the next couple years for renovations, and I’m curious to see how that turns out.

Closer to where I’ve been based here in Puerto Vallarta, Zach briefly mentioned Las Alamandas, which is a truly magical place. It’s on the Costalegre, south of Vallarta, and like Zach said, this area just hasn’t been developed like other coastal regions, so you have these huge pieces of land with only one small resort or a few homes. Alamandas is on 2,000 acres, it’s got four private beaches, and there are less than 20 suites. Definitely one of my favorite hideaways.

Another one that came up in our conversation is Hacienda de San Antonio. This place is a working hacienda in the foothills of the Colima Volcano. Honestly, I don’t even know how to describe it. You just have to go check out their website, look at how incredible the photos and videos are, and then trust me that it really is that incredible. Unlike anywhere else I’ve ever been.

Another hacienda property I love is Hacienda de los Santos in northern Mexico. Not a place that’s very easy to get to, but it’s in a great town called Alamos, which is kind of like a smaller, less discovered San Miguel de Allende.

There are, of course, many, many great hotels in San Miguel and other cities throughout the country, but my favorite is the brand-new Casa Polanco in Mexico City. It’s just opening this month, and it’s another one of these converted mansions—I think it has 16 suites. It’s in probably the nicest location in the entire city, right on Lincoln Park in Polanco.

You walk a few blocks one way and you’re at Bosque de Chapultepec, which is like the Central Park of Mexico City but twice the size. Walk a block the other way, and you’re in Polanco’s main shopping and dining area. Mexico City is such a fantastic place for food, for museums, for exploring, and when you come back at the end of the day, Casa Polanco is like returning to your own private mansion on the park.

I’ll tell you, my recent trip to Mexico City definitely got me thinking that my next stint abroad should be in the capital. But for now, I’m going to enjoy the rest of my time in Puerto Vallarta. And I hope to see you all down here—or somewhere else in Mexico—very soon.

Wrap Links:

Rosewood Las Ventanas https://www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/las-ventanas-los-cabos/overview

One &Only Palmilla https://www.oneandonlyresorts.com/palmilla

Esperanza https://aubergeresorts.com/esperanza/stay/

Ritz Carlton Zadun https://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/mexico/los-cabos

Waldorf Astoria Pedregal https://www.waldorfastorialoscabospedregal.com/

Rosewood Mayakoba https://www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/mayakoba-riviera-maya/overview

Hotel Esencia https://hotelesencia.com/

Belmond Maroma https://www.belmond.com/hotels/north-america/mexico/riviera-maya/belmond-maroma-resort-and-spa/

Las Alamandas https://alamandas.com/

Hacienda De San Antonio https://haciendadesanantonio.com/

Hacienda De Los Santos https://haciendadelossantos.com/wp/

Casa Polanco https://www.casapolanco.com/

-----------------------------------

Learn more about the podcast: https://www.curtco.com/travelthatmatters

Hosted by: Bruce Wallin

Produced by: AJ Moseley

Music by: Joey Salvia

A CurtCo Media Production

We might as well call this &ldquo;The Big Book of Mexico&rdquo; episode, because it&rsquo;s filled with a lifetime of adventures, insider spots, and authentic luxury hotels throughout the country. Our guest is Zachary Rabinor, the founder and president of Journey Mexico, a unique luxury travel company that takes clients far beyond the country&rsquo;s well-known beach destinations. Not that he doesn&rsquo;t appreciate Mexico&rsquo;s great beach resorts&mdash;he&rsquo;s been living in Puerto Vallarta for almost 20 years, and he joins Bruce in person from the town they both call home for this special episode. Zachary is the perfect person to lead us on a whirlwind tour of Mexico&rsquo;s cultural, natural, and culinary riches, from Campeche and Chiapas in the south to the Copper Canyon and Baja wine country in the north. If you love Mexico like we do&mdash;or even if you&rsquo;re just slightly curious about the country&mdash;this episode is a must listen!
Learn More: <a href="https://www.journeymexico.com/">Journey Mexico</a>
HACIENDAS:
Hacienda De San Antonio: <a href="https://haciendadesanantonio.com/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://haciendadesanantonio.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1654663655000000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2Y2LIkXfhGLjdWMD1HkHvy">https://haciendadesanantonio.com/</a>
Hacienda San Gabriel De Las Palmas <a href="https://www.haciendasangabriel.com/en/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.haciendasangabriel.com/en/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1654663655000000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0wVJJVG_rbx-TrytO_RkMP">https://www.haciendasangabriel.com/en/</a>
Casa De La Real Aduana <a href="http://www.realaduana.com/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.realaduana.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1654663655000000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3paY27DoFn1GetDbqAoNYk">http://www.realaduana.com/</a>
COSTALEGRE
Four Seasons Tamarindo <a href="https://www.fourseasons.com/tamarindo/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.fourseasons.com/tamarindo/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1654663655000000&amp;usg=AOvVaw39OdVM7TYI6BWuwWznzqTc">https://www.fourseasons.com/tamarindo/</a>
XALA <a href="https://www.luxury-frontiers.com/project/xala/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.luxury-frontiers.com/project/xala/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1654663655000000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2f9-Z-0tsm3JGi0O5xELRs">https://www.luxury-frontiers.com/project/xala/</a>
COPPER CANYON
Copper Canyon Train: <a href="https://chepe.mx/en/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://chepe.mx/en/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1654663655000000&amp;usg=AOvVaw266tZwGtrviSEbTd15iJB_">https://chepe.mx/en/</a>
CAMPECHE
Calakmul Biosphere Reserve Jaguar Observation <a href="https://www.calakmul.org/html/learn.html" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.calakmul.org/html/learn.html&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1654663655000000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0Is81o7tx26QYGgVBw1drZ">https://www.calakmul.org/html/learn.html</a>
PUEBLA
Banyan Tree <a href="https://www.banyantree.com/mexico/puebla" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.banyantree.com/mexico/puebla&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1654663655000000&amp;usg=AOvVaw39RE8iva_PINjbzKjhp-Bu">https://www.banyantree.com/mexico/puebla</a>
Cartesiano <a href="https://cartesiano360.com/en/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://cartesiano360.com/en/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1654663655000000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0z_nWkS49vEbptZIUX5FjB">https://cartesiano360.com/en/</a>
La Purificadora <a href="https://www.lapurificadora.com/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.lapurificadora.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1654663655000000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0uGFEJCDqaCDGI_gYi6C1F">https://www.lapurificadora.com/</a>
Wallin Wrap-Up
I&rsquo;m just going to assume that hearing from Zach got you very excited to visit Mexico. And now that you&rsquo;re coming down here to visit, you&rsquo;re going to need a few ideas about where to stay, so I thought I&rsquo;d share some of my personal favorite hotels and resorts around the country.
Now, Mexico really does have some of the best hotels in the world, and one that I&rsquo;d say has kind of been the standard bearer over the years is&nbsp;Las Ventanas&nbsp;in Los Cabos.
There are so many great beach resorts in Cabo&mdash;you&rsquo;ve got&nbsp;One &amp; Only Palmilla,&nbsp;Esperanza,&nbsp;Zadun,&nbsp;Pedregal&mdash;and you really can&rsquo;t go wrong at any of them. But I&rsquo;ve visited Las Ventanas a few times over the years, and I&rsquo;m just always blown away by how good it is&mdash;the feel, the ambience, the service is spectacular.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Another Rosewood resort that is right up there with anything is&nbsp;Rosewood Mayakoba&nbsp;on the Riviera Maya. We&rsquo;ve talked about this place before on the show, and it&rsquo;s this very peaceful sanctuary in the mangroves and along this great stretch of beach. The food is really a standout here.
Other spots I love on the Riviera Maya&mdash;the&nbsp;Hotel Escencia&nbsp;and the&nbsp;Belmond Maroma. Both on incredible beaches&mdash;like that soft white-sand beach Caribbean dream beach. Escencia is a very chic designer type place, while the Belmond is a little more classic Mexican in style. That one is closed for the next couple years for renovations, and I&rsquo;m curious to see how that turns out.
Closer to where I&rsquo;ve been based here in Puerto Vallarta, Zach briefly mentioned&nbsp;Las Alamandas, which is a truly magical place. It&rsquo;s on the Costalegre, south of Vallarta, and like Zach said, this area just hasn&rsquo;t been developed like other coastal regions, so you have these huge pieces of land with only one small resort or a few homes. Alamandas is on 2,000 acres, it&rsquo;s got four private beaches, and there are less than 20 suites. Definitely one of my favorite hideaways.
Another one that came up in our conversation is&nbsp;Hacienda de San Antonio. This place is a working hacienda in the foothills of the Colima Volcano. Honestly, I don&rsquo;t even know how to describe it. You just have to go check out their website, look at how incredible the photos and videos are, and then trust me that it really is that incredible. Unlike anywhere else I&rsquo;ve ever been.
Another hacienda property I love is&nbsp;Hacienda de los Santos&nbsp;in northern Mexico. Not a place that&rsquo;s very easy to get to, but it&rsquo;s in a great town called Alamos, which is kind of like a smaller, less discovered San Miguel de Allende.
There are, of course, many, many great hotels in San Miguel and other cities throughout the country, but my favorite is the brand-new&nbsp;Casa Polanco&nbsp;in Mexico City. It&rsquo;s just opening this month, and it&rsquo;s another one of these converted mansions&mdash;I think it has 16 suites. It&rsquo;s in probably the nicest location in the entire city, right on Lincoln Park in Polanco.
You walk a few blocks one way and you&rsquo;re at Bosque de Chapultepec, which is like the Central Park of Mexico City but twice the size. Walk a block the other way, and you&rsquo;re in Polanco&rsquo;s main shopping and dining area. Mexico City is such a fantastic place for food, for museums, for exploring, and when you come back at the end of the day, Casa Polanco is like returning to your own private mansion on the park.
I&rsquo;ll tell you, my recent trip to Mexico City definitely got me thinking that my next stint abroad should be in the capital. But for now, I&rsquo;m going to enjoy the rest of my time in Puerto Vallarta. And I hope to see you all down here&mdash;or somewhere else in Mexico&mdash;very soon.
Wrap Links:
Rosewood Las Ventanas&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/las-ventanas-los-cabos/overview" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/las-ventanas-los-cabos/overview&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1654663655000000&amp;usg=AOvVaw28RRR7Z9_EySuLqaug-kp0">https://www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/las-ventanas-los-cabos/overview</a>
One &amp;Only Palmilla <a href="https://www.oneandonlyresorts.com/palmilla" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.oneandonlyresorts.com/palmilla&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1654663655000000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2wQWgRrUS6mza7f_dnclgh">https://www.oneandonlyresorts.com/palmilla</a>
Esperanza&nbsp;<a href="https://aubergeresorts.com/esperanza/stay/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://aubergeresorts.com/esperanza/stay/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1654663655000000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3mGj23iZ083E4iByJ_OIuU">https://aubergeresorts.com/esperanza/stay/</a>
Ritz Carlton Zadun&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/mexico/los-cabos" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/mexico/los-cabos&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1654663655000000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0lCfg7ERlgJNzi6EhHPF9F">https://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/mexico/los-cabos</a>
Waldorf Astoria Pedregal&nbsp;<a href="https://www.waldorfastorialoscabospedregal.com/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.waldorfastorialoscabospedregal.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1654663655000000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0xfw3aDlKRvdCaLzDJqiWK">https://www.waldorfastorialoscabospedregal.com/</a>
Rosewood Mayakoba&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/mayakoba-riviera-maya/overview" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/mayakoba-riviera-maya/overview&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1654663655000000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1BT2EgY1e0gAcEWpdRz5I6">https://www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/mayakoba-riviera-maya/overview</a>
Hotel Esencia&nbsp;<a href="https://hotelesencia.com/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://hotelesencia.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1654663655000000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3L_kgNuYcw_d4uXxCkg9wr">https://hotelesencia.com/</a>
Belmond Maroma&nbsp;<a href="https://www.belmond.com/hotels/north-america/mexico/riviera-maya/belmond-maroma-resort-and-spa/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.belmond.com/hotels/north-america/mexico/riviera-maya/belmond-maroma-resort-and-spa/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1654663655000000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2WlryPC8rr_jhLEJcIS1hz">https://www.belmond.com/hotels/north-america/mexico/riviera-maya/belmond-maroma-resort-and-spa/</a>
Las Alamandas&nbsp;<a href="https://alamandas.com/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://alamandas.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1654663655000000&amp;usg=AOvVaw128iEcdpQ81C_w0fvWiP71">https://alamandas.com/</a>
Hacienda De San Antonio&nbsp;<a href="https://haciendadesanantonio.com/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://haciendadesanantonio.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1654663655000000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2Y2LIkXfhGLjdWMD1HkHvy">https://haciendadesanantonio.com/</a>
Hacienda De Los Santos&nbsp;<a href="https://haciendadelossantos.com/wp/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://haciendadelossantos.com/wp/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1654663655000000&amp;usg=AOvVaw32BG6870_-zwLDyBK7h9Lj">https://haciendadelossantos.com/wp/</a>
Casa Polanco&nbsp;<a href="https://www.casapolanco.com/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.casapolanco.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1654663655000000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3VhMtuxij1gNEV1-tgHUM8">https://www.casapolanco.com/</a>
-----------------------------------
Learn more about the podcast: <a href="https://www.curtco.com/travelthatmatters">https://www.curtco.com/travelthatmatters</a>
Hosted by: Bruce Wallin
Produced by: AJ Moseley
Music by: Joey Salvia
A CurtCo Media Production

Travel That Matters (named one of the 10 Best Podcasts of 2022 by Men’s Journal) explores the world’s most extraordinary travel experiences and destinations with award-winning editor, writer, and luxury travel expert Bruce Wallin. Bruce’s remarkable guests share inspiring, life-shaping stories about their adventures and cultural explorations, as well as travel tips and recommendations for the best destinations, hotels, restaurants, activities, and more. Their travel tales and insights cover everything from where to find delicious foods and ingredients and the most luxurious resorts and hotels, to the most fascinating modern cultural experiences and historical explorations.

The show’s special Master Chef episodes highlight the travels and tastes of the world’s top chefs, from culinary adventures through Africa with Marcus Samuelsson and exploring remote corners of Japan with Daniel Boulud, to discovering insider spots in Australia with Curtis Stone and relaxing and rejuvenating with Nina Compton on the beautiful island of Saint Lucia, with its stunning beaches and lush rainforests. You’ll even hear stories about great travelers like Anthony Bourdain and get souvenir recommendations, from traditional handicrafts to unique local delicacies.

Episodes of Travel That Matters span the globe, from Sicily, Italy, to Oaxaca, Mexico, to Tel-Aviv, Israel, and beyond. Listeners also learn about the greatest activities around the United States—award-winning wine tasting, the best new restaurants, epic hiking trails, secret skiing and surfing spots, and charming boutiques in places like Healdsburg and Napa Valley (California), Willamette Valley (Oregon), Jackson Hole (Wyoming), and New Orleans (Louisiana).

Listen to Travel That Matters every other Tuesday and gain insider knowledge to impactful adventures, extravagant hotels, top chefs, and secret hideaways, and discover the magic of travel at its very best.

Travel That Matters (named one of the 10 Best Podcasts of 2022 by Men’s Journal) explores the world’s most extraordinary travel experiences and destinations with award-winning editor, writer, and luxury travel expert Bruce Wallin. Bruce’s remarkable guests share inspiring, life-shaping stories about their adventures and cultural explorations, as well as travel tips and recommendations for the best destinations, hotels, restaurants, activities, and more. Their travel tales and insights cover everything from where to find delicious foods and ingredients and the most luxurious resorts and hotels, to the most fascinating modern cultural experiences and historical explorations.
The show’s special Master Chef episodes highlight the travels and tastes of the world’s top chefs, from culinary adventures through Africa with Marcus Samuelsson and exploring remote corners of Japan with Daniel Boulud, to discovering insider spots in Australia with Curtis Stone and relaxing and rejuvenating with Nina Compton on the beautiful island of Saint Lucia, with its stunning beaches and lush rainforests. You’ll even hear stories about great travelers like Anthony Bourdain and get souvenir recommendations, from traditional handicrafts to unique local delicacies.
Episodes of Travel That Matters span the globe, from Sicily, Italy, to Oaxaca, Mexico, to Tel-Aviv, Israel, and beyond. Listeners also learn about the greatest activities around the United States—award-winning wine tasting, the best new restaurants, epic hiking trails, secret skiing and surfing spots, and charming boutiques in places like Healdsburg and Napa Valley (California), Willamette Valley (Oregon), Jackson Hole (Wyoming), and New Orleans (Louisiana).
Listen to Travel That Matters every other Tuesday and gain insider knowledge to impactful adventures, extravagant hotels, top chefs, and secret hideaways, and discover the magic of travel at its very best.

Explore the world’s most extraordinary travel experiences with award-winning editor, writer, and luxury travel expert Bruce Wallin. Each episode will inspire you with fascinating stories about unique, life-shaping journeys—and connect you to the remarkable people who make them possible. Gain insider access to extravagant hotels, impactful adventures, and secret hideaways, and discover the magic of travel at its very best.

Travel That Matters

Zachary Rabinor, the founder and president of Journey Mexico, takes us on a country-wide tour across all the best cultural, adventure, culinary, and secret spots in Mexico. Discover the beauty of historical hacienda hotels, the excitement of expeditions in the Copper Canyon and Chiapas, the surf of Sinaloa, and much more. This is definitely not your typical Mexico vacation!

Advertisement