Heading to Mexico for some R&R would make sense to most people. Images of cruises, beaches, vibrant colors and top grade Tequila would all come to mind, as would resorts with pools and swim up bars. You may not think of Mexico in the wellness travel escape category, however, particularly Puerto Vallarta.
While I didn’t spend a whole lotta time this past trip meditating, doing yoga or even taking in the area’s spa culture, I did spend a lot of time on the water. I also learned some interesting quirky facts about Mexico that we can learn from — I’ve love to return to Mexico for a solely focused wellness trip at some point in the future.
1. Chocolate and Chillies
Did you know that Mexico introduced chocolate, chillies and corn to the world? I did not. Chocolate was discovered in Mexico and was made by the Meso-American people into a sweet beverage using natural sweeteners. The word ‘chocolate’ derives from the language of the Aztecs, Náhuatl (xocolatl : xoco, bitter + atl, water). Ixcacao is the Mayan Goddess of chocolate. Corn (Zea maiz) was first cultivated in central Mexico. Most chillies come from Mexico, the word derived from the Náhuatl word chilli. Vanilla and red tomatoes are also on that list apparently.
Chocolate is made from tropical The obroma cacao tree seeds and its earliest use dates back to the Olmec civilization in Mesoamerica. It has antioxidant benefits, and in some studies, has been shown to lower cholesterol levels, prevent cognitive decline and reduce the risk of cardiovascular problems.
2. Bio-Diversity
I also didn’t know that Mexico is one of the World’s Top 5 most bio-diverse nations on Earth. More than 30,000 plant species, 1,000 bird species, and 1,500 mammal, reptile, and amphibian species are native to Mexico. They cherish nature and it shows, particularly when you talk to an elder. On your next trip, get into listening mode and you’ll be surprised by what you take away.
3. A Commitment to More Women in Politics
4. Healthy Eating
A high level of spiritual growth through pineal gland decalcification can be gained by eating more alkaline foods which can help boost our energy levels, creativity and overall health. Many daily staples, including spices in Mexico fall into the positive alkaline list, such as Chili Pepper, Cinnamon, Curry, Ginger and Sea Salt. Below, I’m about to order a freshly cut coconut from Caesar’s Coconut Stand in Puerto Vallarta, which has been in business for three generations.
There’s also a lot of fresh fish in the oceans and when I was there, I was regularly ordering Ceviche, salads, tons of avocado, limes and cilantro.
5. Low Suicide Rates
Mexico is ranked fairly low on the suicide list globally, whereas countries with other high veggie and fish diets like Japan are ranked very high. While the rates did go up slightly in recent years, they’re still listed in the lower 25% of countries from around the world.
Renee Blodgett is the Founder and Managing Editor of We Blog the World, a global travel, culture and lifestyle publication exploring the world through the lens of meaningful experiences, human connection and cultural depth. Having lived in 10 countries and traveled to 95, Renee has spent much of her life immersed in the people, traditions, landscapes and ideas that shape how we experience the world.
Since launching We Blog the World in 2007, she has written and produced extensive editorial coverage spanning boutique and luxury travel, culinary experiences, arts and culture, wellness, adventure, technology, spiritual traditions and transformative travel. Her work is rooted in the belief that travel is about more than where we go—it is also about what a place, culture or encounter awakens within us.
Renee brings more than three decades of experience across journalism, photography, media, brand strategy, technology, wellness and global storytelling. She has worked with companies and organizations around the world on brand positioning, communications, product launches, media strategy, speaker positioning and storytelling. Through Blue Soul Media, she works with authors, entrepreneurs, thought leaders and purpose-driven brands to clarify their message and expand their impact, which includes speaker coaching/training for high-profile stages such as TED and bringing authors’ work to market while retaining authors rights.
She is also the co-founder of Blue Soul Earth, an educational platform exploring consciousness, ancient wisdom, spirituality, healing and the intersection between science and the nature of reality. Renee is the producer and host of the award-winning Blue Soul CHATS, a conversational series bringing together leading voices in science, technology, consciousness, wellness and spirituality.
Her growing body of work also includes Blue Soul Living, which extends her interest in consciousness and well-being into the spaces we inhabit, exploring how intentional design, energy and environment can support greater harmony and connection.
Renee is the award-winning co-author of the bestselling Magdalene’s Journey and founder of the Magdalene Collection, inspired by women’s voices, stories and wisdom across cultures and generations.
A longtime photographer and storyteller, Renee has documented people, places and cultures around the world and produced photographic collections focused on destinations including the Galápagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome and Ecuador. She also co-founded Traveling Geeks, an international initiative that brought entrepreneurs, journalists, creators and technology leaders together with their counterparts in other countries to exchange ideas and explore innovation across cultures.
Renee’s work has been recognized by Forbes, the United Nations and others for her influence in media and social storytelling. Across her work in travel, media, consciousness and culture, a common thread remains: curiosity about the world, the stories that connect us and the ways meaningful experiences can change how we see ourselves and one another.
