You meet a lot of cool people when you’re a travel writer. Especially on press trips, when groups of journalists from all over come together to share experiences. So I consider myself lucky that a year or so ago, I happened to be on a trip with Ivan Quintanilla, a freelance travel writer living in New York. He’s a smart guy with great insight and travel tips to share, and since he recently interviewed me for his amazing travel blog about my own travel tips for visiting Bogota, Colombia (once we can travel again, of course), I decided that it was his turn to share some of his own insider expertise, about a beautiful destination in Mexico that he knows rather well: the state of Yucatan.
Ivan’s work has appeared in a variety of media, including National Geographic, Washington Post, New York Times, New York Magazine, Travel Squire, EDGE Media Network and Logo’s NewNowNext, among others. Ivan is also the founder of TravelingIQ.com, a travel blog that covers general leisure travel and LGBTQ+ travel. You can follow him on Instagram at @TravelingIQ. Our Q&A covered some of Ivan’s favorite things about Mexico vacations, as well as how he got the travel bug.
Where were you born and raised and how long have you been living where you are now?
I was born in Cuba and raised in Miami (like a good Cuban boy). But I’ve now been in New York City for over 20 years—always in Hell’s Kitchen.
What do you love most about travel, and what do you miss the most about not being able to travel during the pandemic?
I miss innumerable things about travel. I love my life in NYC but part of what makes NYC bearable for me is getting out as often as possible. I miss having adventures to look forward to. And then I miss the actual experiences and people one meets during travels. And my tan. I miss my tan.
When did you start your blog, and how did you get the idea to start it?
I started Traveling IQ in January 2010. I was an actor and had hit a creative slump and was looking for something else. I wasn’t sure what that would be, but I knew I wanted travel to be a part of it. I googled “travel writing” and there was a class coming up at Gotham Writer’s Group, so I took it. I was very fortunate to stumble onto a fantastic teacher who became a mentor and friend. And it grew from there.
You recently traveled to Yucatan state. What were the expectations you had before your first visit, and what were the biggest surprises you found?
Merida had started popping up everywhere in the press but I didn’t know much about Yucatan State. I mostly went into the trip with no expectations. What I saw was the region is blessed with beautiful nature and picturesque towns. But I think the biggest surprise is how alive Mayan culture (and language) is in the state. I always thought of it as something from the past, but those influences are still thriving in the present.
What are some of the things you like the most about the city of Merida?
I love the day-drinking cantina culture. As a Spanish speaker I found it very easy make friends. It also shares many things that I love about Cuban culture, like live music and salsa dancing. It’s not a huge city yet it has great variety, from the mansions along Paseo de Montejo to the colonial architecture of Centro Historico. And though there’s much to explore as a traveler, the city doesn’t feel touristy at all. It still maintains its own identity.
Which Mayan ruins did you visit in the state?
Mayan ruins are everywhere throughout the state. Merida, itself, was built over an ancient Mayan city, as were many of the surrounding towns. The state is also home to Chichen Itza, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. But I think my favorite was Uxmal. It’s wonderfully maintained and not busy at all. It felt like I had these amazing pyramids all to myself. It also helped that I was staying at Lodge Uxmal, a hotel located on the grounds, a five-minute walk to the pyramids. So I could take a dip in the pool after my exploration.
Did you sample any of the LGBTQ nightlife or culture in Merida?
Boy, did I ever. There are several nightlife options but my favorite was Papis, a stripper bar with some pretty hot dancers. There was a cheesiness to it all that added to the charm: the men came out in gay-archetypal costumes (firefighter, cowboy, etc.) and ended up completely naked and erect. And there were a surprisingly number of women enjoying the show also, which somehow made it feel more festive and less sleazy. Everyone was having a good time.
How would you compare the different parts of Mexico that you’ve visited?
Last year, I traveled to Mexico four times and loved every minute of every trip. It is an exceptionally varied country and can offer many different experiences. (Though, of course, you know that better than anyone.) There are the all-inclusive resorts in the Riviera Maya area, cosmopolitan cities like Mexico City and Guadalajara, smaller towns like those in the Yucatan state and everything in between. And, from my personal experience, the regions I’ve visited have been very gay friendly. I mean, it doesn’t get gayer than Puerto Vallarta, which is one of my favorite cities in the world. I have a fantasy I’ll retire in PV (though realistically I don’t think retirement is in the cards for me anytime soon). But hey, dreams are free.
Do you have any wish-list destinations in Mexico or elsewhere in Latin America that you’d like to visit once we’re able to travel again?
Yes. All of them. Your particular career, focusing on Latin America, is such an inspiration to me. I decided at the end of last year that I was going to actively try to focus on Spanish-speaking destinations this year. Partly, because it allows me to practice my Spanish (which has becoming rusty from lack of use) but, mostly, because I feel I have a more intimate experience when I travel to a destination where I speak the language. And there are so many places on my list. I’d love to revisit Mexico City and Guadalajara but also visit new destinations like Colombia, Peru, Panama and see more of Argentina.