Being somewhere tropical and breezy with a margarita in hand almost guarantees this. ALMOST, I said. But, there’s a couple other things you need.
I will indulge all the details about celebrating my twenty second year of life somewhere spectacular to ensure YOUR birthday en México is unforgettable.
You can thank me later.
The girls I interned with made me an awesome, handmade, card.
Stock Up On Delicious Comida y Bebidas
No party is complete without tequila, and, well… more tequila. But we needed food, too, and there sure as hell is no shortage of rice, beans, salsa, and guacamole to go around. Oh, and I guess some tasty meat is available if you’re into that.
So, off we went to the Mega (the equivalent to Walmart in the US), to get some fish, rice, and fruit (among many other things, like beer pong balls) for my birthday dinner.
We tried to keep it classy. Promise.
Lupita, a volunteer I met through my internship at PEACE, took it into her own hands to plan a delicious meal for us all because that’s how Mexicans do. So, we exchanged some pesos for all the required awesomeness the night would need and we were on our way.
Plan A Surprise: Big Or Small
I guess when you aren’t fluent in Espanol, many things are lost in translation, but Lupita announced she needed to ”stop at her house,” so we left the Mega without her.
Fast forward an hour later, and all of a sudden, while I was chillin’ on the deck overlooking the pool, I hear a choir of “Feliz Cumpleaños” and what do I see? Lupita and the rest of the crew with a (melting and DELICIOUS) cake and candles in hand! They surprised the unsurprisable. (Mostly because of my less-than-perfect Spanish.)
Who knew it was possible?
Push The Birthday Girls’ (or Boys’) Face Into Cake
Mexican tradition. Required.
Enjoy That Amazing Meal (And Drinks) Together
The rest of the night was dedicated to eating well, drinking margaritas, swimming, and enjoying each other’s company.
Go To Your Favorite Local Bar
Luckily there’s no language barrier when it comes to drinking, so we ended up at our favorite bar, The Shamrock, in downtown Bucerías. Although there wasn’t much going on for a Wednesday night in off season, we brought the party with us and danced and drank the night away.
Create Lasting Memories
All birthdays are special because it’s a time for celebration and enjoying the people you’ve met throughout life. Although I’ve had 21 birthday parties (yup, I’m one of those people), this one takes the cake – seven new friends came together to make it an unforgettable time.
Embrace The Generosity
What I love most about Mexican culture is the generosity – people will go out of their way for you, regardless if you’re a stranger or someone they’ve known for a lifetime. The kindness Lupita (and the other interns) extended to me was unlike anywhere else I’ve ever been (yet), and I think we could all learn a little something from our neighbors in the South. 
Have you experienced some amazing hospitality? Where were you? Tell me your stories in the comments below!