14 Best Places to Visit in Mexico El 25 de julio de 2021

Mexico is a truly diverse country and has everything from beautiful beaches, vibrant nightlife to a rich cultural scene. If you are thinking about making Mexico your next travel destination but don’t know what places to visit, you have come to the right spot. Below is a list of 14 best places to visit in Mexico that will help you pick the ideal location in the land of cheap tequila and big sombrero hats.

Mexico City

Mexico City was once, and partly still is, known for its high crime rates. However, the city has gone through a big transformation and public spaces are being cleaned up and coming back to life. With international restaurants emerging at a rapid rate and a flourishing cultural scene, Mexico city is slowly becoming a haven for foodies and hipsters. But even history buffs will find that the best attraction the city has to offer is its rich history and the numerous museums dedicated to preserving Mexican heritage. Mexico City is definitely a must visit and its name will soon be mentioned among greats like New York City, Rome, Paris, and Berlin. Maker sure to book a city sightseeing tour to see all the highlights and hidden gems that Mexico City has to offer.

Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen, locally known as Playa, is quickly becoming the hippest place in the Yucatán Peninsula; with lively bars, chic cafés, timeshares, and all inclusive resorts opening up all over the city. Playa’s large expat community that has been growing since 1900’s has a significant influence on the local flavor. This international influence is one of the things that make this town so different from the rest of Mexico. Nowhere else will one find such a wide variety of flavors within a few feet from each other.

The most popular spot in Playa is, Quinta Avenida (5th Avenue), a pedestrian-only street that is lined with trendy clubs, international restaurants and cheap souvenir stands. For more things to do in Playa del Carmen check out this guide.

Travelers who simply want to relax under the sun and swim in the crystal clear oceans by day, and then drink and dance at nightclubs until the sun comes up, Playa is the place to be. However, travelers who want to experience Mexican culture and traditions, might want to skip over this once sleepy fishing town gone wild and look elsewhere.

Tulum

Tulum features some of the best beaches in Mexico. But sugar sand beaches and turquoise water, is not all that Tulum has going for itself, it is also home to one of the most picturesque ruins in Mexico. The ruins are situated on a tall cliff, on the coast of the Caribbean Sea and are the only archaeological site to have been build overlooking the ocean.

There are also numerous breathtaking cenotes, excellent diving and snorkeling opportunities, beautiful nature reserves, fun water parks, great street art and so much more just a few feet away. Downtown Tulum, is the perfect place to escape the overly crowded tourist locations in Mexico and enjoy a relaxing time with locals. Overall, Tulum offers the perfect combination of relaxation, fun and adventure.

Isla Cozumel

Cozumel is an island just off Playa del Carmen and is one of the best scuba diving destinations in the western hemisphere. It is rare to find such natural beauty, crystal clear waters and vast marine life. Although, diving and snorkeling are the main draws, travelers who opt to explore outside the tourist area will not be disappointed. Deserted beaches, wild natural parks and stunning scenery are waiting to be explored by those who dare to step off the gringo-trail.

Mazatlán

Mazatlán, once famous in the mid-20th century thanks to its 20km of sandy beaches, is re-attracting tourists once again to its historic sites, educational museums and golden beaches. However, don’t stay too long at Zona Dorada (Golden Zone) i.e the hotel strip in Mazatlán, because the prices here are ridiculous high. Instead of bleeding your pockets dry, head to Viejo Mazatlán (Old Mazatlán), where things are cheaper, the pace is slower, and the Mexican culture is more vivid. If you need a break from the beaches, simply head into town and catch a performance at Teatro Ángela Peralta, visit one of the many museums, or enjoy a traditional meal at Plazuel Machado.

Acapulco

In the 1950s, before Cancún and Ixtapa, Acapulco used to be the most famous go-to destinations in Mexico. It was the playground of Frank Sinatra, Elizabeth Taylor, John F. Kennedy and Elvis Presley until a spree of violence tarnished the city’s reputation. However today, the violence has lessen drastically and Acapulco’s beautiful beaches are once again safe to visit. In fact, Acapulco is slowly becoming a popular destination for spring breakers who enjoy the lively nightlife, bustling waterfront promenade and international cuisine that the city has to offer.

Guadalajara

Guadalajara is the second largest city in Mexico and a popular getaway spot for people who are interesting in Mexican culture. The city has an abundance of museums and cultural sites preserving Mexican history. Moreover, both mariachi and tequila were born here, so it comes to no surprise that Guadalajara also offers some of the best nightlife in Mexico.

Chichén Itzá

Who hasn’t heard about Chichén Itzá, one of the new seven wonders of the world? It is one of the most famous and best preserved Maya site in Mexico. With over 1.2 million visitors every year, this beautiful UNESCO Heritage Site in Mexico can get very overcrowded but even the most seasoned traveler will be impressed by the ruins greatness. Stay in one of the small towns nearby and arrive early to beat the crowds to have most of the site to yourself. There are also a number of stunning cenotes and smaller archaeological sites near Chichén Itzá that are worth a visit. If you are staying somewhere along the Riviera Maya (Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, etc.) you can book a day tour to Chichén Itzá here.

Isla Holbox

Travelers who want to escape the hustle of Cancun will want to visit Isla Holbox. With its sandy streets, lack of cars and colorful Caribbean houses, it is as peaceful as it can get. Although the water is not as clear as in the rest of the Yucatán, during the summer months, visitors can swim alongside whale sharks, the largest fish in the ocean. Isla Holbox is also a haven for birdwatchers, with over 150 bird species, including flamingos and pelicans calling the island their home.

Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta is Mexico’s prettiest resort town and offers something to do for every type of traveler. From lively nightclubs, beautiful beaches, colonial buildings to lush jungles, Puerto Vallarta is more than just your typical resort getaway. Although English is widely spoken here, it feels less like a tourist trap than Cancun and might be a better alternative to the resort capital of Mexico.

Gran Cenote

A cenote is a natural sinkhole, resulting from collapse of limestone bedrock that exposes groundwater underneath. Ancient Mayas many times used cenotes for sacrificial offerings and as a source of drinking water. The Yucatán Peninsula has so many centoes, I would call it Cenote Heaven. Cenotes are great places for those who want to cool off from the sun and swim in crisp mineral-rich waters in ancient caves or in midst of the jungle. Some of the most popular cenotes in Mexico are: Cenote Yokdzonot near Chichén Itzá, Cenote Dos Ojos and Gran Cenote near Tulum and Cenote Azul near Playa del Carmen.

Oaxaca

Oaxaca is a beautiful colonial city located on the pacific coast of Southern Mexico. Unlike many other cities in Mexico, Oaxaca is mostly untouched by development and remains a traditional Mexican city. It is home to a large indigenous culture, vibrant arts and craft scene, colorful festivities, delicious local cuisine and stunning natural beauty. The historic center is actually one of over 34 UNESCO Heritage Sites in Mexico. No matter what kind of traveler you are, you will find plenty of things to do and see in Oaxaca.

San Miguel de Allende

San Miguel de Allende is a small colonial town in central Mexico and was the centerpiece in the war for Mexican independence. Today it houses a large amount of American and European retirees who enjoy the towns slow pace and relaxing lifestyle. There are only a few major sights in town, as San Miguel in itself is the sight and one can easily spend days exploring the beautiful alleyways and colorful architecture. So just relax and immerse yourself in the slow pace of life.

Todos Santos

Todos Santos is a charming desert oasis at the foothills of the Sierra de La Laguna Mountains on the pacific coast of Mexico. The town has some of the best climate in Baja Sur and is a haven for artists, surfers and travelers seeking adventure, natural beauty and a healthy lifestyle. It is here that rich history, centuries’ old traditions and warm hospitality blend with modern conveniences to make this a magical community.

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