People holidaying in Mexico must try the 'street food classics'

Try 'street food classics' such as barbacoa when on solo holidays in Mexico

People planning to take a solo holiday to Mexico must try one of the many "classic" street food dishes while they are there, a travel expert has said.

John Hecht - who has written three guidebooks for Lonely Planet - put forward this opinion on the travel guidance firm's website.

To get a real sense of the culture of the Central American country, Mr Hecht suggests that travellers try some food such as barbacoa served by street vendors.

Barbacoa is a slow-cooked mutton that is reheated on the street-side in a maguey leaf wrap.

This food, however, comes with a warning: "Order a consomme to accompany the barbacoa and you just might decide to change the date on your return ticket," Mr Heckt writes.

Mr Hecht has presented shows for Lonely Planet's television channel and has written guidebooks on the Central American country called Mexico, Puerto Vallarta and Pacific Mexico.