It feels like just yesterday I was basking in the vibrant colors and rich culture of Mexico, yet over a week has already flown by since returning home. My first few days back were a blur, spent mostly recovering from a broken foot and battling a relentless Mexican flu that decided to make its grand appearance the night before our departure. But fear not, dear readers – that dramatic saga deserves its own dedicated blog post, which I promise is coming soon!
This unforgettable Mexican adventure was born from another one of those audacious ideas conjured by the Fit Foodie Maven crew. Last year, when we launched The Blogger Project and SHEuncovered, we made a pact: to reward our strenuous efforts with an annual “girls and work” trip to an exciting international destination during the coldest month of the year. The chosen locale? Mexico, specifically the breathtaking San Miguel de Allende. Our decision wasn’t arbitrary; San Miguel de Allende is hands down the most exquisitely beautiful Mexican city one could ever hope to discover. Plus, Linley’s boyfriend’s parents graciously offered us their stunning garden casitas for our stay, making it an irresistible choice. Before immersing ourselves in the charm of San Miguel, Davida orchestrated an absolutely epic avocado tour through one of her esteemed partners, Avocados from Mexico Canada. Our destination for this culinary deep dive? Uruapan, Michoacán, unequivocally known as the avocado capital of the world.
Is there anything better than a dream vacation shared with your two best friends? Absolutely not! Those who followed our journey on Snapchat undoubtedly caught a lively play-by-play of the immense fun we had. Linley, Davida, and I ate, drank, and explored our way through central Mexico with unparalleled enthusiasm. I can honestly say I’ve never before consumed some form of alcohol for ten consecutive days – a feat that would surely make my Wisconsin upbringing proud. This trip wasn’t just about relaxation; it was a profound immersion into Mexican culture, a celebration of friendship, and a testament to the rewards of hard work.
Part 1: A Deep Dive into Avocado Heaven in Uruapan
Location: Uruapan, Michoacán, Mexico
Fun Fact: More than 50% of the world’s avocados originate from Uruapan and its surrounding regions, making it a global epicenter for this beloved fruit.
Before this adventure, I genuinely didn’t believe it was possible to deepen my love affair with avocados. Yet, after experiencing Uruapan firsthand, I can confidently declare that my bond with this creamy, green superfood has never been stronger. Our comprehensive two-day tour, meticulously arranged by Avocados from Mexico Canada, literally walked us through every single step of the avocado journey. From the initial seeding to diligent nurturing, the intricate harvesting, and finally, the careful packaging process, we witnessed it all. The most astonishing realization was observing just how many dedicated hands touch each avocado before it finally graces the shelves of a grocery store – a true testament to the labor and care involved in its production.
Our first captivating stop was Rancho Milpillas, a thriving organic avocado farm. Farmer Augustin, a figure of incredible wisdom and warmth, welcomed us with open arms, sharing not only delicious traditional avocado dishes but also invaluable insights during an extensive tour of his property. It was here that I, for the very first time, grasped the reality that avocados grow on trees. Miles upon miles of verdant avocado trees stretched before us, an almost surreal dreamscape. Witnessing the operation of an organic farm was particularly illuminating, revealing the meticulous procedures and natural methods employed to safeguard the avocados from pests and diseases without resorting to harmful chemicals. Augustin’s passion and expertise truly made him the most legitimate farmer I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting.
Next, we embarked on a journey down one of the region’s windiest roads, heading to a small, picturesque town where we were slated to cook alongside nationally renowned traditional female chefs. As someone prone to severe car sickness, my hand remained firmly glued to the “oh sh*t” handle, a silent prayer echoing in my mind that I wouldn’t lose my lunch in the front seat! Despite the challenging ride, this stop proved to be a treasure trove of culinary wisdom, imparting two critical lessons: 1. Always take a shot of mezcal before commencing any cooking endeavor, and 2. NEVER, under any circumstances, add garlic to your guacamole if you wish to uphold authentic Mexican tradition. We had the distinct privilege of learning how to prepare traditional Mexican guacamole, a vibrant avocado salsa, and, much to my delight, authentic tamales. My affection for tamales only grew stronger here, a feeling I’m convinced is mutual.
The culinary session concluded in a surprisingly communal way, as we ended up combining many of our individual dishes into one magnificent soup – an interesting and incredibly flavorful concoction that perfectly showcased the versatility of traditional Mexican ingredients.
Our third stop transported us to an avocado nursery, a fascinating hub where we delved deep into the diverse world of avocado variations and the intricate planting process. It was eye-opening to learn that there are three primary types of avocados cultivated in the region: Criollo, Hass, and Mendez. The most astonishing revelation was the grafting technique: every single Hass and Mendez avocado tree is meticulously hand-grafted onto a Criollo rootstock. This labor-intensive process, performed plant by plant, highlights the dedication required to produce high-quality avocados. And yes, it’s true – I actually planted my very own avocado tree!
The grand finale of our comprehensive avocado tour was a visit to a bustling packing plant. This is where the sheer volume of avocados truly becomes apparent, with countless hands working in unison. It was an incredibly cool experience to witness hundreds of crates of freshly harvested avocados being unloaded, meticulously cleaned, and then sorted by size, ensuring they are perfectly prepared for packaging and global shipment. A particularly interesting fact we learned is that avocados are exclusively transported by truck or boat; air travel is simply not permitted for this delicate fruit. This means that to get an avocado from a tree in Uruapan to, say, Europe, it takes approximately 17 days via sea freight! This extended shipping time is a significant factor contributing to the higher cost of avocados in international markets, as freight logistics and preservation are factored into the final price.
I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity to have spent time in Uruapan and its charming surrounding farm towns. While not typically a mainstream tourist destination, it offered an unparalleled glimpse into a different cultural tapestry, where avocados are truly revered as “green gold.” The avocado industry is the lifeblood of this region, directly employing a vast majority of the population in Uruapan and its neighboring communities, sustaining their livelihoods and traditions. For those wondering about safety, I can assure you that we never felt endangered or unsafe for a single moment during our stay.
Part 2: The Colonial Splendor of San Miguel de Allende
Location: San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico
Fun Fact: San Miguel de Allende is renowned for its vibrant arts scene and serves as a popular haven for American and Canadian expatriates, creating a unique blend of cultures.
Our journey to San Miguel de Allende commenced with a bus ride from Morelia, Michoacán. And let me tell you, Mexican buses are on a whole different level! It was nothing short of a first-class experience – the seats were incredibly plush and comfortable, making for a remarkably seamless drive. This leg of our trip offered us panoramic views of the diverse Mexican countryside, transitioning from lush, green landscapes to more arid, desert-like terrains within a mere three hours.
San Miguel de Allende is, in a word, absolutely MAGNIFICENT. If I were forced to describe it in just one sentence, I would confidently say: “It’s like Europe, but beautifully woven into the heart of Mexico.”
Does it even need more explanation? Truly, it is a city of unparalleled beauty. I was captivated by its stunning colonial architecture and the riot of colors that adorn every building, street, and doorway. The community of people residing in San Miguel is wonderfully eclectic, largely due to a significant population of retirees from America and Canada. This vibrant expat presence means that both Spanish and English are widely spoken throughout the city, fostering a truly welcoming and multicultural atmosphere.
We had the pleasure of spending six full days in San Miguel, staying at the gorgeous property of Linley’s partner’s parents, nestled in the hills overlooking the entire city. One of our primary objectives for this segment of the trip was to intentionally disconnect from work and truly immerse ourselves in as much Mexican culture as possible. With limited Wi-Fi access, I found myself naturally scaling back to just an hour or two of work each day, which was a welcome change and allowed for deeper cultural engagement.
Want to know one of my absolute favorite aspects of San Miguel? The prevalence of specialized artisan shops, like the charming tortillerias. These dedicated establishments focus solely on making fresh, warm tortillas daily. We picked up a dozen incredibly delicious tortillas for what amounted to about 40 cents – an unbelievable value! The expansive local markets are equally amazing, serving as a vibrant one-stop shop for practically everything you could ever need. The cost of fresh produce is incredibly low, and you’ll find an abundance of exquisite handmade goods at every turn, reflecting the rich artistic traditions of the region.
I absolutely adore the leisurely pace of Mexican culture. It feels as though no one is ever in a rush, a stark contrast to the “faster is better” mentality often found in America. Each morning, we savored our time, waking up slowly, enjoying rich coffee, and indulging in unhurried breakfasts. Afterward, we ventured into the city, exploring its charming streets entirely on foot. San Miguel de Allende is built upon a mountain or hill, meaning our daily explorations involved a fair amount of uphill climbing and descending. By the end of the trip, I was convinced I had developed “buns of steel” – a pleasant, if unexpected, souvenir!
I’m currently working on a much more detailed post dedicated to all my favorite places to eat and explore in San Miguel de Allende, but I wanted to give you a tantalizing taste of our adventures in this overview! We indulged in an abundance of incredible food, raised countless margaritas, and shared an astonishing number of laughs. Did I mention that traveling with your two best friends is truly the best experience ever? The camaraderie, shared discoveries, and spontaneous moments made this trip truly unforgettable. So, keep an eye out for that comprehensive San Miguel follow-up post, and of course, the full recap of how I managed to break my foot on the very last day of our incredible journey. I simply didn’t want that little mishap to overshadow how absolutely amazing this girls’ trip to Mexico truly was.