¡Vamos! 15 best places to visit in Mexico
Hot take: Mexico is one of the top three countries in North America! Prove us wrong.
But really – many Americans are unaware what treasures their southern neighbor has to offer.
Can you imagine a vibrant culture combined with an unparalleled cuisine and a divine climate? Here it is, times 32: each of Mexico's states has its own unique flavor.
This article is for those who want to get acquainted with the country's rich variety. See which places pique your curiosity most, or better yet, visit them all, starting with Mexico City!
| Contents | ||
| Then, if you're a foodie... - Puebla - Oaxaca City - Veracruz - Mérida | If you want a tropical paradise... - Cancún and Tulum area - Puerto Vallarta - Acapulco - Oaxaca's beach towns | |
| If you want to study history... - Chichén Itzá - Teotihuacán - Morelia - Popocatépetl monasteries | If you want to get smashed... - Wine in Baja California - Tequila in Jalisco/Guadalajara - Bacanora in Sonora |
Mexico City
You can't have a list like this without mentioning the capital. There are over 22 million people living in the metropolitan area, and each of them contributes to the unique traveling experience that is Mexico City: from street performers to those hard-working women selling tamales next to subway stations – yum!
CDMX is the continent's biggest city! To make the most of your visit, it's worth sitting down and planning an itinerary.
The city lends itself to fusion and unusual combos: a visit to the Aztec Templo Mayor and Zócalo (the main square) is easy to combine with a session at one of the World's Best Bars. Or, after your Sunday morning run on Paseo de la Reforma, take an Uber to Coyoacán to visit the Museo Frida Kahlo.
And if you're into sumptuous gastrotours, compare the tacos at street stalls in the historic center with the expensive dishes in Polanco and Roma Norte.
Cultural events happen here all the time, so see what's on before you go.
Okay, Mexico City has been explored so well that you have blisters on your feet and a few extra pounds higher up. Where to now? It depends on what you like – Mexico has many faces!
If you're a foodie…
Puebla
Naturally, there's no shortage of delicious dishes in this country! Trying tacos in every single state is a worthy goal, but let Puebla be the first stop on your food tour after Mexico City.
Must-eats include:
- Molotes poblanos – deep-fried tortilla filled with cheese, meat, or potatoes.
- Cemitas – gigantic sandwiches with cheese, avocado, and a protein.
- Chalupas poblanas – small fried tortillas covered in red or green salsa and sprinkled with onions.
Attention mezcal monsters: the state of Puebla is one of the ten areas that are certified to produce the stuff.
Getting there
🚌 Take a bus or drive from Mexico City
Oaxaca City
If Mexico is a gastronomical heaven, then Oaxaca is the angels' cafeteria. Memorize a list of the things you need to try before the food coma descends: the portion sizes are no joke here.
- Memelitas – a breakfast dish made from corn tortillas and topped with beans, Oaxacan cheese, and other goodies.
- Tamales oaxaqueños – a Mesoamerican dish made from nixtamalized corn with toppings, wrapped in a banana leaf, sometimes accompanied by…
- … champurrado! – traditional cocoa made with corn flour, water, milk, and spices.
- Tlayudas oaxaqueñas – grilled tortillas folded in half with beans and cheese inside, topped with meat and salsas.
- Pasillo de humo – thinly sliced grilled meat served with tortillas, guacamole, tomato sauce, and onions on the side.
- Tejate – a traditional pre-Hispanic drink made with corn and fermented cacao beans.
- Mole oaxaqueño – stuffed tortillas topped with loads of thick sauce that's prepared differently depending on what part of Oaxaca you're in. Try all eight styles!
- Nieves – Oaxacan sorbet with local flavors.
- Esquites – flavored boiled corn, chopped and served in a cup.
Getting there
✈️ Fly direct from Texas or California
Veracruz
You don't need to be an expert to draw the connection between a port city and delicious, defishious seafood offerings. But before you order all the shrimp and tuna, open with el torito, a milky alcoholic drink made with, well, milk! Plus rum, vodka, or brandy.
Other delights include:
- Pambazos (crispy round sandwiches filled with potatoes, chorizo, lettuce, salsa, and cheese).
- Bocoles – like gorditas with lard-infused masa.
- Glorias – fruity ice, condensed milk, and fresh fruit.
- Platillo volador – a UFO-looking sandwich with meat and cheese, served with French fries.
- Volovanes – pastries filled with ham and different types of cheese.
- Bomba veracruzana – sweet buns filled with savory toppings.
Getting there
✈️ Fly direct from Mexico City
🚌Take a bus or drive from Mexico City
Mérida
Two words: cochinita pibil. Slow-roasted, pulled, and then spiced pork is one of Yucatán's best treasures. Try it in tacos or on its own, then move on to other treats: soups, meaty dishes, and desserts that originated here.
Visit the official Yucatán government website to read all about the peninsula's best dishes. If you're really hardcore, try a tour with a professional foodie!
Getting there
✈️ Fly direct from Mexico City, Dallas, Houston, or Miami
If you want a tropical paradise…
Cancún and Tulum area
Everybody talks about it, and for good reason – the eastern part of the Yucatán Peninsula will make you suspect you died and went to heaven. Except you still get to indulge your gluttony with delicious Mayan food.
Here's a rough table to help you choose between Cancún and Tulum for your stay:
| If you… | Cancún | Tulum |
| Like to party | Yes | Yes… plus jungle raves! |
| Do yoga and eat healthy | If day drinking is your yoga, and five-plate meals are your healthy food, then sure | Tulum is famous as the go-to spot for yogis and wellness folks |
| Travel with kids | All-inclusive resorts have tons of child-friendly activities | Fewer activities for kids, but you can rent a cool house by the sea for the whole family |
| Plan an elopement or honeymoon | Yes, if you're going for a classic picture-perfect setting | Also yes, if you're looking for a more relaxed tropical vibe |
| Want to zone out | Although it's a touristy hotspot, there are many secluded beaches | Sign up for a silent retreat or get a fancy villa someplace private |
And if you're in the Yucatán, don't miss the opportunity to jump into the peninsula's distinctive sinkholes, known as cenotes (pictured above).
Getting there:
✈️ Flights to Cancún are available from major US hubs
🚗 For Tulum, rent a car or take a bus from Cancún
🛥 For Isla Mujeres, take a public ferry from the Cancún Hotel Zone
Puerto Vallarta
Why catch seasonal depression when you can catch a tuna fish or a hot pink sunset in Puerto Vallarta? If you arrive sober, don't stay that way for long (or do, we can't tell you how to live) – the town of Tequila is only three hours away! You can book a fancy tequila tasting or visit one of the shops in town.
Afterward, fill up on street food or go to a restaurant for the freshest ceviche. Puerto Vallarta is also the place to shop for colorful art handcrafted by the region's Huichol people.
Getting there:
✈️ Flights are available from major US hubs
Acapulco
It gained popularity in the 1950s, when Hollywood's crème de la crème started coming to town for swanky vacations. Fast forward 70+ years… Acapulco still hits the spot! The only thing it's lost is the crowds of tourists, who have shifted their attention to Cancún and Tulum.
Catch all the zen in the world while looking at enormous waves, sail a boat to appreciate the city's rocky skyline from a picturesque angle, and sleep soundly knowing your trip didn't empty your bank account.
Getting there:
✈️ Fly direct from Mexico City, Dallas, or Houston
Oaxaca's beach towns
While a trip to the Caribbean Sea sounds tempting (gotta meet Jack Sparrow), small towns near the Pacific are just something else.
Hit the popular spots like Puerto Escondido, Lagunas de Chacahua, Zipolite, San Agustinillo, and Mazunte, or explore wild beaches all over the coast. From your boat, spot whales, dolphins, and turtles. Surf your heart out, join yoga sessions, and/or shake what yo mama gave you at the only nudist beach in Mexico!
[picture censored]
Getting there:
✈️ Fly direct to Oaxaca City from Texas or California and take a bus
✈️ Fly from Mexico City or Guadalajara to Puerto Escondido, then travel by bus
If you want to study history…
Chichén Itzá
This UNESCO World Heritage Site needs no introduction: the Mayans really leave us all awed by their discoveries in math, astronomy, and acoustics. Start by putting on your strongest sunscreen and explore the millennium-old remains of this ancient city.
After your history course ends (and you have NOT climbed the Temple of Kukulcán, tempting as it looks), enjoy some authentic Mayan cuisine in the town of Valladolid – they've been making tamales here since the dawn of time!
Getting there:
🚌 Buses, taxis, and car rentals are available from Cancún and Merida
Teotihuacán
Rejoice! Here, climbing pyramids is allowed, and over 2 million visitors do it every year. This archaeological zone is no less important than the one in the Yucatán Peninsula and is conveniently located near Mexico City – a great option for a day trip!
On your way here, stop by the Basílica de Guadalupe, one of the most popular churches in the world.
Getting there:
🚌 Take a bus or join an organized tour from Mexico City
Morelia
The go-to spot for magnificent colonial architecture and cozy cobblestone streets. History is at every corner, with murals, cathedrals, and bridges sharing all of the secrets they've gathered over the centuries.
Start at Catedral de Morelia and the nearby Paseo Benito Juarez for the best pictures. Then, a visit to the Jardín de las Rosas and Callejón del Romance will make you feel like you're somewhere in Italy. For dessert, take your sweetie to the
Start at Catedral de Morelia and the nearby Paseo Benito Juarez for the best pictures. Then, a visit to the Jardín de las Rosas and Callejón del Romance will make you feel like you're somewhere in Italy. For dessert, take your sweetie to the Museo del Dulce (Candy Museum).
Getting there:
✈️ Fly from Mexico City
🚌 Take a bus or drive from Mexico City
Popocatépetl monasteries
This majestic volcano has generously permitted fifteen monasteries to stand on its slopes. Each of the sanctuaries tells a story (usually a very tragic one) of what was done to convince the Indigenous peoples to convert to Christianity. Dive into the details: you might notice how the European church architecture was adapted to local needs and tastes, along with the depictions of Jesus.
Getting there
🌎 Decide which destinations you want to visit using the UNESCO website and take a bus from Mexico City to the nearest town
If you want to get smashed…
Wine in Baja California
Although the wine industry didn't become a tourist draw until the 1980s, Mexico was actually the first country in the New World to have vineyards!
Around 90% of the country's wine is produced here, so you can imagine how many tastings you'll have to attend… Blessing or headachey curse? You won't know until you try.
You'll learn how to tell the difference between cabernet sauvignon and merlot with your eyes closed. Plus, see how the wine is made and stored and learn the tricks to growing perfect grapes in this dry and extremely hot climate.
Since Valle de Guadalupe is among the most popular places to visit, there are tons of lodging options: from hostels and inexpensive hotels to luxurious eco-friendly villas like the famous Bruma.
Note that some parts of Tijuana aren't the safest, so do your research before going.
Getting there
✈️ Fly to Tijuana from Mexico City
🚌 Cross the border by car from California or take a shuttle from San Diego
Tequila in Jalisco/Guadalajara
Check in at your huge tequila barrel and let's get drunk. To be frank, here it feels like you can get a bit tipsy from just breathing – tequila is in the air!
Don't rob yourself of the opportunity to learn every little detail about it and book a guided tour: walk around cellars, take pictures in agave fields, and try preparing traditional drinks. After the booze kicks in, get into a chili- or bottle-shaped bus that will take you on a tour of the town and its distilleries.
Getting there
✈️ Fly direct to Guadalajara from Mexico City or from large hubs like Orlando
🚌 Take an overnight bus from Mexico City
Bacanora in Sonora
Also known as "the forbidden drink," bacanora was banned in Mexico until 1992. Luckily, those days are long gone, and you can travel to Sonora to explore the production process with your head held high!
What's the difference between mezcal and bacanora, you ask? Think of it as champagne vs. sparkling wine – it's the region of production that matters.
Here in Sonora, you can do a deep dive into the fermentation process, tastings, and history of the drink. Tourists haven't overrun this corner of Mexico, so you can also have a fair share of tranquility while you float down the river in your kayak looking at colorful birds. Choose the exact destinations and towns you want to visit on Sonora's official website.
Getting there
✈️ Fly to Hermosillo from Mexico City, Tijuana, or other major airports in the country
There you have it – 15 of the best places to visit in Mexico, which only hint at the variety in this beautiful country. Wherever you end up going, have the time of your life!
