Rabia Mayet | rabiamayet@radioislam.co.za

02 November 2025

3-minute read

23yo Ammarah Badat is a South African with a love for culture, people and meaningful experiences. She’s been lucky to call South Africa, Germany, the USA and now Mexico home. She is always looking for ways to learn, grow and connect with others – whether through travel, good conversations or the little everyday moments that make life feel meaningful, and here she shares some tips for travel to Mexico.

Unfortunately, there are no direct flights to Mexico with travellers having to connect through either Istanbul, one of the American states, or main European countries, with Istanbul being the best option according to Ammarah.

For South African passport holders, a visa is required when visiting the country of Mexico. A Schengen or America visa with multiple entries gains one immediate access, but for those who don’t have either, a Mexican visa can be applied for online and thereafter submitted along with the necessary documents at the consular in Pretoria.

Mexico has a rich and unusual culture with English being spoken in the “touristy destinations,” but Ammarah advises learning some basic Spanish before visiting to make communication easier when travelling. Walking the streets downtown and in city centres will give one a chance to immerse oneself in the vibe of the cities, and the patriotic spirit of the locals can be witnessed if one is touring the country during celebratory days like Independence Day which happens in September

Mexico boasts an array of stunning beaches, but Ammarah says that if she had to limit her pick to three, she would choose Cancun or Tulum in the state of Quintana Roo within 2-hours of each other, Los Cabos and La Paz also 2 hours away from each other, and the Lagoon of 7 Colours with its blue and turquoise hues. Cancun and Tulum are famous for diving and snorkelling expeditions, while in Los Cabos, one can take a boat tour to see the Beach of Love, the Beach of Divorce and the Arch. In La Paz, one can swim with sealions and visit Playa Balandra Beach, a national park known for its “pristine waters and white sandy beaches” where one can do whale and dolphin watching, or swim with the whale sharks. In Bacalar, there is Los Rapidos, a natural lazy river that you can float down, as well as the deepest of Mexico’s 6000 “cenotes” at 300feet – a sinkhole that forms when underground limestone caves collapse to reveal groundwater that creates a natural swimming hole.

Mexico is a safe country to visit and locals are friendly. Although there is a public transport system, it is not geared towards tourists, so Ammarah suggests renting a car, using ride-sharing apps, or making use of the taxis to get around.

While “kids are guaranteed a really good time” at the beaches, there aren’t many activities for children as most sightseeing is centred around places of natural beauty and historical sights. Chichen Itza Ruins in Yucatan which are ancient pyramids built by mining people, the State of Wahaca  boasts beautiful and colourful Mexican architecture, and Mexico City, the capital, where everything radiates from the central square, the Zócalo, from which one can visit the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Frida Kahlo Museum, the art museum, Palacio de Bellas Artes, and the ancient Chapultepec Castle offers panoramic views and history of the place. The city of Guadalajara is the second largest metropolitan, and Monterrey, the mountain city, is located on the foothill of Sierra Madre. The best time of year to visit Mexico is between late October and April when they are experiencing summer.

While there are only 60 000 Muslims in Mexico, the community is growing slowly but surely, and the presence of jamaat khanas and a few masaajid are scattered around. There aren’t many authentic Mexican halal food options, but there are some Arab and Indian halal cuisine options. Masaajid around this beautiful country are seeking for more Spanish-speaking Muslims to visit the country to spread the word of Islam.

Listen to the full interview with Ml Muhammad Kara, Ml Ibrahim Daya and Ammarah here.