The Enlightened Traveler: Brazil, Mexico City - What Are You Waiting For?

If you believe the Wall St. Journal – and you should, so long as you avoid the editorial pages at all cost – two of the top tourist destinations right now are Mexico and Brazil.

Then, again, we've been saying that for years now.

Despite drug wars and scare inducing headlines, Mexico ranks 10th globally in tourism. Americans still make up the largest group of visitors. Tourism overall has picked up in Mexico and is expected to reach record levels in 2012.

Most of the drug-related violence has been concentrated in the North.

Not to be missed in Mexico City: murals by Orozco, Rivera, Siqueiros

Mexico City remains one of the safer parts of the country. That's a good thing, as the seat of government is home to the kind of world-class cultural institutions, restaurants, and shopping that artful travelers appreciate.

Another plus: it's one of the less expensive major capitals and can be reached by plane from the U.S. in just a few hours.

Read our post from 2009 on what to do in fabulous Mexico City.

Brazil, too, has experienced an uptick in violence, although we've never felt unsafe in the parts of Rio de Janeiro that tourists prefer.

Rio's Santa Teresa hotel, its highly rated restaurant, and arty
surrounding neighborhood are hot, hot hot right now

If anything, Brazil is more secure and more enjoyable today than ever, thanks to a booming economy, rising standard of living, and government preparations for the Olympics in 2016 and World Cup in 2014.

Don't wait for those events to visit. Brazil is ready right now for its close-up.

There's so much to do in the planet's third largest democracy. The Wall St. Journal has just devoted its entire weekend edition to amazing Brazil. It's full of great, up-to-the-minute restaurant and shopping tips. Make sure to devour it before you plan your trip.

Read The Luxurist's Rio de Janeiro suggestions right here.
 

The Enlightened Traveler: Mexico City – Chic, Cheap, Cool, Close

Why don't more people appreciate the considerable charms of Mexico City?

This 20-million-strong metropolis offers a lot of sophisticated pleasures for the jaded traveler – world class art, museums, restaurants, and more.

Mexico City's colonial cathedral and famous green Beetle taxis (photo: Paula Moya)

It's also cheap, with the added benefit that it's just three hours by air from Los Angeles and less than six hours from New York.

That beats a 20-hour trip to Buenos Aires any day (unless you'd kill for a fresh alfajor or absolutely must have a new custom-fitted lambskin jacket).

The Mexican capital boasts an array of cultural attractions that are as fine as anything you'll see in Europe. It's worth the trip just to visit the spectacular National Museum of Anthropology whose significant archaeological and ethnographic artifacts from pre-Columbian times are displayed superbly in 23 galleries. (Sounds dull, it's anything but!) Allow an entire day or even two. You won't regret it.

You'll marvel at the massive modernist murals by Siquieros, Tamayo, Orozco and Rivera at the Palacio de Bellas Artes in Alameda Park. They stand in stark contrast to the opera house's ornate Beaux Arts interior.

More Rivera murals fill the walls of the Palacio Nacional, the seat of Mexico's government. These depict a panorama of Mexican history from pre-Colombian times, to the Spanish conquest, to Rivera's 1920s Communist vision showing workers listening to Karl Marx. Fascinating stuff.

The colonial Coyoacan quarter is where you'll find the Frida Kahlo Museum (her home and studio) along with several other small museums and plenty of inviting cafes and restaurants. Los Danzantes is a favorite. They distill their own Mezcal. Plan a long, leisurely lunch on their terrace overlooking the historic square's charming gardens.

For food, fun, and shopping, you'll want to focus on Coyoacan, as well as Condesa and Roma.

In arty Condesa (the Notting Hill of Mexico City) the hotel Condesa DF is known for its smart rooms and late-night restaurant and bar scene. Movie star Diego Luna is co-owner of Cafeina, another popular Condesa rendezvous.

In Roma, Casa Lamm's striking setting imposes (successfully!) modern elements on a 1913 mansion. The interior and exterior seemingly form one space and make for a magical evening on a warm night. The fusion cuisine is excellent.

Finally, on Sunday, hire a car to take you to the San Angel crafts market. Then visit the studio designed for Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo by modernist master Juan O'Gorman. End your afternoon with a drink or late lunch on the patio at the lovely San Angel Inn.

There's lots more to enjoy in Mexico City. Don't take our word for it. Go and find out for yourself.

A few tips to enjoy your visit:
If you're worried about the swine flu, it's now global. Unless you want to stay home for the next year, you might as well go to Mexico. And remember, many times fewer folks have died from the swine flu than do each year from regular flu strains ♦ You'll have a fine time in Mexico City if you observe a few common sense rules. Don't take a taxi unless it's been called for you by your hotel or restaurant ♦ Leave your good jewelry and watches at home ♦ For more on sites associated with Kahlo and Rivera, click here ♦ And, as always, wearing white sneakers is a sure giveaway that you're an American tourist

(Photos: Rivera Mural, Paula Moya; Casa Lamm, Yorck)