Go where the people who live there go.

My parents are from Mexico. I lived there for a while as a kid. My mom’s family is mostly gone and occasionally only vacations there now. One year she came back complaining about how overpriced and underwhelming the food was at this fancy beachside restaurant. I lightly admonished her decision and reminded her of a fact that she seems to have forgotten. The most consistent and best collection of food (the best ceviche, the best tacos, the best barbacoa, and best desserts) is at the bus terminal. It’s the places with the most organic foot traffic that have the best food and most interesting shopping. Learn how to say market or bus station and have someone take you there.