Things to Do on Valentine’s Day When in Mexico

Get ahead this Valentine’s Day by planning a romantic date for your sweetheart.

In Mexico, Valentine’s Day is celebrated on February 14. Local Mexicans call it El Dia del Amor y la Amistad, and it’s translated as the Day of Love and Friendship. It’s not only reserved for romantic love between two people, but it’s also a celebration of love between family and close friends.

On the streets, you’ll find street vendors selling roses, colorful balloons, heart-shaped chocolates, and other romantic knick-knacks. You might also see some women being serenaded by their partner with a mariachi band.

In parks, you’ll see couples holding hands or getting all lovey dovey. Restaurants are packed with couples. On the other hand, some bars might be hosting singles parties for unattached singles looking for love.

Everywhere you look, you’ll see romance is in the air. To celebrate, here are a couple of things you can do this Valentine’s Day if you ever find yourself in Mexico:

Gifting roses, chocolates, and balloons

It wouldn’t be Valentine’s Day without gifting your sweetheart with roses, chocolates, and balloons. It’s a tradition that started way back in the 18th century. It represents a non-verbal message like, “I love you” and became a popular trend that continues to this day.

Mexico also adopted the tradition of gifting chocolates, roses, and balloons on Valentine’s Day. You’ll see street vendors selling roses and balloons a few days shy of February 14, and on the day of Valentine’s as well.

If you plan to give your sweetheart, family, and close friends a traditional Valentine’s Day gift, we recommend buying the aforementioned items early to avoid the mark-up prices. A little early planning and a bit of effort go a long way in making everyone - including your wallet - happy.

Valentine’s card and love poems

In school, you might remember making Valentine’s Day cards and putting them on your classmate’s desk. It’s slightly similar in Mexico. Schools encourage kids to get involved and have fun with El Dia del Amor y la Amistad.

Classrooms are decorated with red and pink hearts. There’s also a gift exchange of cards and sweets. Children are encouraged to write Valentine’s poems and host a contest to see who wrote the best one. At the end of the event, children attach their poems to balloons and release them to the sky.

But making Valentine’s cards and love poems isn’t reserved only for kids. You can also make one yourself and write a personalized love poem that is sure to express how you truly feel about your sweetheart.

Movie night at home

Avoid the crowds on Valentine’s Day and plan a movie night with your date instead. Prepare a list of romantic comedies to watch after dinner. Be sure to have some wine and popcorn ready, and a comfortable couch to relax and snuggle in.

Here are some romantic movies for movie night on Valentine’s Day:

• When Harry Met Sally

• The Notebook

• Sweet Home Alabama

• The Proposal

• While You Were Sleeping

Romantic gestures

A romantic gesture you might see in Mexico and not anywhere else is a man accompanied by a trio of musicians known as a mariachi band. As the band plays in the background, he serenades the woman he intends to express his love to by singing romantic songs in order to win her heart.

It’s an old Mexican tradition practiced since the early days of Mexican history. So if you plan to woo your Mexican lady with Valentine’s Day traditions, then serenading her with love songs might impress her and earn you extra bonus points.

But if that isn’t for you, here are a couple of romantic date ideas you can try out with your sweetheart:

• A private hot air balloon ride over to Teotihuacán. Experience a whole new ride and take in the grand view of the Teotihuacán pyramids via a hot air balloon. It gives you a stunning birds-eye view of the UNESCO site, and more importantly, you get to share this exciting experience with someone special.

• A romantic picnic in Bosque de Chapultepec. One of the largest parks in Mexico, Chapultepec is the best place to host a romantic outdoor picnic. It offers great mountain views and stunning sunsets, including a majestic view of the Chapultepec castle.

• Staycation at a couple’s resort. Mexico is home to hundreds of beautiful tropical beaches and hotel resorts - including resorts exclusively for couples. It’s the perfect idea to unwind with your partner and celebrate Valentine’s Day.

• Explore the Mayan Ruins together in Chichén Itzá. Visit the Mayan Ruins with your date and explore together what was once the home of an ancient civilization.

A romantic dinner

To mark the special occasion, a romantic candle-lit dinner is pretty much a staple when it comes to a menu of things to do on Valentine’s Day. You’ll find restaurants aplenty with decorations of flying cupids and glittering red paper hearts taped to the walls or hung on the ceiling.

Romantic jazz music helps set the ambiance, or a hired mariachi band playing Spanish love songs in the background. You and your sweetheart get to drink good vintage wine and have a fancy meal. Maybe even cuddle back home afterward.

On the other hand, if you prefer the less expensive route, you might choose to celebrate your Valentine’s Day dinner in the comfort of your own home. You and your date can make special home-cooked meals and cocktails, share a slice of chocolate cake, or maybe watch a movie while cuddling on the couch.

Both are great ways to mark the end of Valentine’s Day.

Expressing love in different forms

Love is the special ingredient to any Valentine’s Day gift.

Valentine’s Day is a great reminder to express your love through more than the usual gesture you make every day. It’s a celebration to show your appreciation and affection for someone, and more importantly, it allows you to renew your commitment to the person you’re in love with.

If you’re looking to pursue Mexican women, then show your love and appreciation the Mexican way. Write a love poem, send them flowers and some chocolates, or surprise them with a romantic serenade accompanied by a mariachi band. These gestures will definitely bring a smile to their faces.

Felíz día del Amor y la Amistad!