Introduction
Gorgeous beaches, a delicious culinary scene, festive culture, and ancient pyramids all make Mexico a popular tourist destination. Mexico is a land of color and contrasts: crowded beaches lead into quiet colonial towns, while resort cities open gateways to jungles ringing with parrots and howler monkeys. Majestic mountains descend to remote deserts, traditional Pueblo houses sit near Spanish haciendas, and ruins of Mayan cities lie excavated outside of modern metropolises. Here’s a look at the best places to visit in Mexico.
16. Puebla
Founded in 1531, Puebla is the fifth-largest city in the country, with over 2 million inhabitants. Its strategic location halfway between the port of Vera Cruz and Mexico City made it an important city. Today, this charming colonial city pairs perfectly with hungry travelers since it’s known as the gastronomic capital of Mexico. Be sure to try mole poblano, a traditional Mexican dish said to be invented here. Standing in the shadow of a huge volcano, Puebla visitors also won’t want to miss its Cathedral, with its onyx statues and domed ceiling patterned after St. Peter’s in Rome.
15. Cozumel
Surrounded by the glittering Caribbean Sea, Cozumel is one of Mexico’s most popular holiday spots to sunbathe and scuba dive. It’s easy to see why, as its picture-perfect white sands are bordered by twinkling turquoise waters and waving palm trees. The nation’s largest island, it lies just off the Yucatan Peninsula, with dense jungle coating its interior and atmospheric old Mayan ruins dotted here and there. Rich reefs and marine life can be found just offshore, with snorkeling and scuba diving all being hugely popular pastimes.
14. Merida
Located on the Yucatan Peninsula, Merida has long been its cultural capital. It has a fantastic historic center, some lovely museums and colonial buildings, as well as picturesque plazas and narrow streets that make for delightful exploring. A perfect mix of big city and provincial town, its proximity to several incredible Mayan sites makes it a great place from which to explore the rest of the peninsula. In addition to all this, it has numerous cultural events, markets, and restaurants to enjoy.
13. Palenque
Rising from the dense jungle, Palenque is an archaeological site that was located on the western edge of the Maya civilization in the present-day state of Chiapas, Mexico. Palenque is much smaller than some of its Maya neighbor cities, but it contains some of the finest architecture and sculptures the Maya ever produced. Most structures in Palenque date from about 600 AD to 800 AD, including the Temple of Inscriptions, the only Mesoamerican pyramid built as a funerary monument.
12. Taxco
With beautiful mountains surrounding the city, delightful colonial architecture, and the distinctive twin spires of its Baroque church rising above the rooftops, Taxco is a picture-perfect place to visit. It makes for a great weekend trip from Mexico City. Built with a wealth that came from the silver mines, tourism is now the main breadwinner, although there are still lots of workshops where you can buy jewelry. With a timeless feel to it, wandering its narrow cobbled streets amongst the old-style buildings is a magical experience.
11. Los Cabos
Located in Baja California Sur, Los Cabos is composed of two towns, San Jose and San Lucas, that are divided by 20 miles of scenic highway known as “The Corridor.” While the former mission town of Cabo San Jose is a traditional Mexican town with colonial architecture and a relaxed, quiet ambiance, Cabo San Lucas is one of Mexico’s fastest-growing tourist destinations, featuring luxury resorts, upscale restaurants, championship golf courses, and a glittery party scene. San Lucas is also known for its natural attraction, El Arco, which features a cluster of rocks shaped by the sea and wind into distinctive formations.
10. San Miguel de Allende
One of the most popular destinations in Mexico, San Miguel de Allende is a picturesque and charming Mexican city that is magical to wander around. Looking out over the Rio Laja, the city is beautifully located on a steep hillside. Its cobbled streets and delightful colonial architecture make it a treat to behold. Although there are no major attractions, simply being here is a treat. Whether it’s dining in the great restaurants, perusing the galleries, or visiting the nearby hot springs, this city won’t disappoint.
9. Cancun
A world-famous tourist destination on the Caribbean coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, Cancun presents a complete vacation package of fabulous beaches, a first-class hotel zone, Mayan ruins, and an exuberant nightlife. Cancun’s year-round perfect weather and gorgeous beaches are the city’s top tourist magnets, with 14 miles of powdery white sand bordering turquoise waters. These beaches offer a wide range of outdoor activities. The downtown area, known as El Centro, beats to a more authentic Mexican tune with its historic architecture, cheap eating options, and salsa clubs.
8. Copper Canyon
Named after the copper-green color of the canyon walls, the Copper Canyon is a network of six canyons, which together are several times larger than the Grand Canyon. Located in the Sierra Madre, this canyon system offers some of Mexico’s most extraordinary scenery. There are many ways to explore Copper Canyon, but the most outstanding way is by the Chihuahua al Pacífico Railway. The track passes over 37 bridges and through 86 tunnels, rising as high as 8,000 feet above sea level and featuring some of the canyon’s most spectacular scenery.
7. Guanajuato
Tucked away in a narrow valley in central Mexico lies the beautiful colonial city of Guanajuato. The city was founded in 1554 next to one of the richest silver mining areas of Mexico. The 16th-century mining boom led to the construction of beautiful haciendas and fine colonial mansions, many of them built out of pink and green sandstone. Guanajuato’s streets and many colorful alleyways spread out in every direction, while most of its traffic is served by a network of underground tunnels, making it an excellent city for pedestrians.
6. Oaxaca
The capital city of the state by the same name, Oaxaca is located in a valley below the Sierra Madre Mountains. Colonial architecture, archaeological sites, and a tranquil atmosphere make it a popular tourist destination. At the heart of Oaxaca is its charming town square, where tourists can admire beautiful colonial landmarks like the Santo Domingo Church, tour museums, and relax at an outdoor cafe. Several archaeological sites around the city can be explored, such as Monte Albán. Perched on a mountain, Monte Albán was the site of the ancient capital city of the Zapotec inhabitants and offers impressive views of the valley below.
5. Mexico City
One of the largest cities in the world, Mexico City is the sprawling capital of Mexico. This incredible metropolis is jammed full of history, captivating culture, and amazing art. Originally an Aztec settlement, as evidenced by the ruins of the 13th-century Templo Mayor, there are plenty of buildings that point back to its Spanish colonial past as the capital of New Spain. Baroque churches and ornate palaces lie among cobblestoned old lanes. The city has a long relationship with art and has been the home to famous intellectuals and artists throughout the years, including Mexican icons Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera.
4. Puerto Vallarta
Situated on the Bay of Banderas along Mexico’s Pacific Coast is the popular vacation city of Puerto Vallarta. Landscapes of gorgeous beaches and lush jungle mountains envelop this picturesque town of colonial landmarks, first-class resorts, and gourmet restaurants. The city’s main attraction, the golden sand beaches, offer relaxation and water sports such as sailing, kite surfing, and deep-sea fishing. Giant manta rays and dolphins can be viewed here, while humpback whales can be seen between December and March.
3. Teotihuacan
Located on the outskirts of modern-day Mexico City, Teotihuacan is one of the most famous Aztec archaeological sites. But the Aztecs didn’t actually build it; despite many theories, nobody is really sure who did. However, the Aztecs did name it and make it their own when they stumbled across the abandoned city. In its prime, it was the largest city in the Western Hemisphere and home to a plethora of residential compounds and pyramids. Today, its two iconic pyramids, the Temple of the Sun and the Temple of the Moon, are the major highlights. Stroll along the Avenue of the Dead and visit the Citadel of the Temple of the Feathered Serpent.
2. Chichen Itza
One of the most famous archaeological sites on Earth, Chichen Itza was once a thriving city on the Yucatan Peninsula. Built by the Mayans in 600 AD, it was abandoned in 1221 when Mayapan became the region’s new capital. Highlights include the Temple of Kukulcan, a giant stone pyramid with four stairways representing a compass and 365 steps for each day of the year. It is best visited during the spring or fall equinox when the sun creates a light show on the stairs of the pyramid. Other must-see sites include the ball court, the wall of skulls, and the sacred cenote that was once a site of human sacrifice.
1. Tulum
An hour’s drive from Cancun, the Tulum ruins are the remains of an ancient clifftop fortress built by the Mayans. Walled on three sides with the fourth open to the Caribbean Sea, the views are simply incredible. Even though it dates back to 564 AD, Tulum was at its prime during the 13th and 14th centuries. It was a powerful trading hub for jade, cotton, and cacao beans. Apart from the El Castillo pyramid, the main attraction, have a look at the beautiful mural inside the Temple of the Frescos and go for a swim at Tulum’s secret beach, surrounded by palm trees and sunbathing iguanas.