Ok, if you read our previous article “Cinco de Mayo is not what you expect” you already know the truth about Cinco de Mayo, but you still want to party. By all means, go ahead! It is not Mexican’s independence day, but Mexico is always ready to have fun. Here are the 3 best places in Mexico to celebrate Cinco de Mayo.
Cinco de Mayo in Puebla, where it all happened
Obviously, Puebla should be your first place to think about, regarding Cinco de Mayo. It is where the Mexican forces won the battle of Puebla. In 1862, general Ignacio Zaragoza’s forces, successfully pushed away the French army of Napoleon the 3rd.
My personal opinion is that the best place to celebrate Cinco de Mayo is Puebla. Especially now in 2023, all the events are back. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, in 2020 and 2021, there were no activities related to this celebration.
So, what can you expect, about Cinco de Mayo in Puebla? A lot!
Puebla's military parade
Mexico is not one of the world’s superpowers, but if you like to see soldiers marching, you can enjoy this event. What Mexico lacks in state-of-the-art military weapons, it compensate with people. Yes, you will see plenty of soldiers.
War recreation in Puebla
This one is super fun! You will see a massive recreation of the battle of Puebla with hundreds or even thousands of participants. There are explosions, fights, fire, and an extremely emotional commentator. And it is very easy to follow, even without understanding Spanish. The “good” guys are those with the sombreros. The Mexican fought bravely, even though they were far worse prepared than the French. A spectacular battle!
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Music and dancing in the Puebla Zocalo
You know, Mexico loves to dance and have fun. You can expect a lot of noises and music everywhere around the city of Puebla. Normally, Puebla is less exciting than the capital Mexico City, but on this day, the city feels full of energy.
Eat Incredible local food
Puebla has wonderful cuisine. You can try many Mexican dishes there like the Mole Poblano (chicken with rice and black chocolate sauce), Chile en nogada (filled chilly with minced meat, granade, and sour cream), and cemitas poblanas (small burger-like sandwiches). Of course, if you are a taco fan, you can find plenty of them there.
Don't forget to drink pulque too. It is far more consumed than tequila on this day in Mexico.
Cinco de Mayo in Mexico City, the capital city
No matter what celebration it is, you can find many party people in Mexico City, so yes, Mexico City is one of the best places to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. People there are easy to get excited there. So, even though Cinco de Mayo is not a big celebration there, you can still find enough action.
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo In the center of Mexico City
There, you can find a free Music festival – Zocalo fest. Its first edition was in 2021 so it is still fresh. Only time will tell if this festival sticks, or disappears. Apart from it, you can find many discounts and traditional food in the restaurants there. Also, even though it is not related to mariachi, you can find them around too. It is a fun day.
Get crazy in Peñón de los Baños (near Mexico City old airport)
If you want to have some adrenaline, drink on the streets, shout and have a hell of a time, you can celebrate Cinco de Mayo in Peñón de los Baños. It is a neighborhood near the Mexico City Benito Juarez airport. There you can drink pulque and be a part of a street recreation of the battle of Puebla. The tradition is more than 30-years old already and shows no desire for stopping. Ok, to be honest the event was canceled for 2 years due to the pandemic, but since 2022 it is back.
It looks surreal with all the urban scenes. Mexicans in old uniforms, shooting guns and cannonballs, between cars, street taco stands and modern shops.
If you are into crazy unique experiences, Peñón de los Baños is the best place to celebrate Cinco de Mayo.
It is really fun. You can say, it is a big “desmadre” (a party that no mother can control)!
Tip: If you want to shoot a video about it, better go light. A public event like this gathers not only good people and professional video gear could be a target for a criminal. Go with an action camera or a smartphone and stay vigilant about thieves.
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Enjoy Cinco de Mayo in Cancún, on the Atlantic ocean
First of all, you won’t see anything special about Cinco de Mayo in Cancún, apart from a few discounts in some restaurants. But, that does not mean you won’t have a great party there. Cancún is a great resort with plenty of nightclubs, bars, restaurants, and everything you need to keep you entertained. Get a sombrero hat and go out screaming like a mad lad. Mexicans there are used to loud tourists, so you can get as many tequilas or margaritas as you like. Cancun is one of the best places to celebrate 5 de Mayo.
And let’s not forget that in May, the temperature of the air and water is amazing for a beach holiday. So, you should visit Cancun for Cinco de Mayo, and maybe stay for at least a week.
Tip: While you are there, try some of the awesome fishes like the red huachinango or some pork taco de cochinita pibil.
Conclusion
Now you know the best places to celebrate Cinco de Mayo in Mexico. The best choice is Puebla, the big city near the capital where the actual battle happened.
You also learned that Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico’s biggest celebration. This title goes to Mexican Independence Day, celebrated on the 15th of September.
Now you can plan your next 5th of May and book a hotel in Mexico. What are you waiting for, pack and go! Remember to share your experiences with us.
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