25 Best Places To Visit in Mexico

More than 23 million people visit Mexico every year and most of them head straight for the beach. There’s nothing wrong with that. I’m a beach girl — Mexico beaches are wonderful. But if that’s all you see of Mexico then you’re missing the majority of what makes it one of the most extraordinary countries in the world.

Mexico’s history alone could keep you busy for years. Add in ancient ruins, colonial cities, natural wonders, some of the best food on the planet and people who make you feel genuinely welcome — not fake tourist welcome, but actually welcome — and you start to understand why people like me can’t stop going back.

Best Places to Visit in Mexico

Consider this article my love letter to Mexico — 25 destinations from someone who’s been visiting Mexico since she was 15 and still isn’t done. This list is personal. Every destination on it is somewhere I’ve been, something I’ve experienced and a place I’d send a friend. So if you’re ready to widen out beyond Cancún — and trust me, you should be — start here.

Mexico City

Let’s start with the OG. If you love Mexico but still haven’t been to Mexico City — what are you even doing? Mexico City IS Mexico. It’s one of the largest cities in the world, loud and crowded and honestly, a little overwhelming — and somehow still completely friendly. There’s an energy here that doesn’t exist anywhere else I’ve been.

Founded in 1524 on the site of Tenochtitlan, the ancient Mexica capital, Mexico City is where Mexico was born. You could spend years here and not see it all but the historic center — where one of the largest plazas in the world now covers the old city — is where you should start.

Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur

Cabo San Lucas is one of the prettiest places I’ve ever been — and I don’t say that lightly. Crossing the water to El Arco, the iconic rock formation where the Pacific meets the Sea of Cortez, is a moment that will make your jaw drop. It’s that pretty.

Yes, Cabo is touristy. And the spring break reputation is real. But Cabo has layers. You just need to look beyond that first layer for what makes it great. I caught a massive marlin, was serenaded by a mariachi band at an anniversary dinner at the marina and found plenty of authenticity beyond the poolside cabana. Go looking for it and you’ll definitely find it. Mexico doesn’t hide.

Guanajuato, Guanajuato

Guanajuato is full of character — the kind of place that feels lived-in and layered. And the city is literally layered — colorful houses and buildings stacked on top of one another spill down hillsides. There’s underground tunnels, with actual mummies, beneath the whole city. The view by El Pípila the view is one of the most striking in all of Mexico.

The churches are extraordinary, the zócalo is gorgeous and the winding alleyways make it a joy to just wander without a plan. A UNESCO World Heritage site, Guanajuato pairs perfectly with nearby San Miguel de Allende — I was based there on my visit and did Guanajuato as a day trip. I really need to go back and give them both more time.

Tepic, Nayarit

Tepic doesn’t get put on many lists and that’s exactly why it’s on this mine. The capital of Nayarit state sits in a scenic valley between Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta and most travelers go right past it — which is their loss.

I ended up there on a whim and found one of my favorite plazas in all of Mexico, a fascinating regional museum with pre-Hispanic ceramics from ancient burialmbs and the Huichol community at Zitákua — one of the most culturally significant stops I’ve made anywhere in Mexico. Tepic is authentic Mexico in plain sight.

Full disclosure — I have a bit of a grudge with Tepic because my whim caused me to miss a free concert of my favorite group in Puerto Vallarta. I guess that’s not Tepic’s fault. That’s on me for trying to do too much but it still made the list and that tells you something.

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo

I first went to Playa del Carmen when it was barely a town — just Avenida Quinta, a ferry dock and not much else. Today it’s one of the most popular destinations on the Riviera Maya and it deserves it. The spirit of La Quinta is still there even if everything around it has changed completely.

Authenticity might be a bit harder to find here than in some other Mexican destinations — PDC leans a bit into its international party vibe but the food scene is great and the entertainment options are endless. Come for the fun, the food and the convenience — it’s one of the best bases for exploring Cozumel, Tulum, Akumal and all the cenotes.

Campeche, Campeche

Campeche feels like a secret even though it really shouldn’t. This colorful coastal city on the Gulf of Mexico is one of the best preserved colonial cities in the country, complete with fortified walls built to protect it from pirate attacks. Yes — actual pirates. Unlike some old cities Campeche feels calm and lived-in, not overrun. I didn’t see another gringo the entire time I was there.

Downtown is compact and easy to explore on foot, with pastel buildings, quiet plazas and a malecón perfect for evening walks. Life seems slower here — and I say that as someone who had to leave early when a hurricane rolled through. Even then Campeche handled it with the quietness that defines the city. If you’re looking for history, culture and coastal views without the crowds Campeche is one of Mexico’s most underrated stops.

Tulum, Quintana Roo

Tulum is one of those places people love to hate — but let’s be honest, it’s popular for a reason. Beyond the beach gym and the EDM festivals, the ruins alone are everything. Nowhere else in Mexico do you get Mayan ruins perched above the Caribbean Sea with views like that. You can’t help but stand there and wonder what life was like a thousand years ago.

It’s expensive by Mexico standards and yes it’s trend forward — which may just be its undoing. But lean into its good qualities — cenotes, the beaches and the slow mornings and it still find why it’s popular. It’s also easier to get to than ever with its own international airport and a stop on the Maya Train. Tulum has changed — a lot — but it still earns a place on this list for having something no place else in Mexico has.

Valladolid, Yucatan

Just an hour from Mérida and a short hop from Chichén Itzá, Valladolid is the kind of place you plan two days for and stay five. The food is excellent, getting around is easy and the colonial center is pretty enough to just get lost in until you stumble on something that catches your attention. I did this over and over — wandering around until a restaurant or music pulled me in.

In the evenings under the Primavera trees, the plaza comes alive with dancing — and yet somehow you can still buy doritelotes right by the church. Don’t skip them.

Not many cities have a cenote right in the middle of town — Cenote Zaci sits in the heart of Valladolid and is a must see. The Mayan ruins of Ek Balam are close enough for an easy day trip — I summited a pyramid, sweated through every item of clothing I owned and ended up at a 24 hour pharmacy at 2 in the morning for electrolyte drinks.

Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco

If I had to choose one beach town out of all the beach towns I’ve been to in Mexico, I’d choose Puerto Vallarta every time. Why? I wish I could tell you. Maybe it’s the deep hypnotizing colors of the Pacific Ocean that change with the season — which is usually so not me.

Maybe it’s the spectacular sunsets that light up the Bay of Banderas nightly. Or maybe it’s just the pata salada Vallartenses that make you feel like you belong even when you don’t. Maybe it’s one of those or all of those but I’ve yet to experience another Mexican destination that blends it all together so beautifully that my heart aches every day I’m not there.

Cozumel, Quintana Roo

Cozumel is a Mexican Caribbean island with an vibe that I haven’t found replicated anywhere else — and I’ve looked around. The best part about it is it’s Mexico AND yet it’s something else entirely — quirky might be the word — at the same time.

I’ve been to Cozumel on a cruise stop and made it my mission to find a beach club far enough from the port to feel like I had the place to myself. Ceviche and palomas while snorkeling right off the beach — that’s the Cozumel I know. On another trip, I snorkeled the underwater sculptures at Chankanaab Park which is unlike anything else in the region.

Confession time — I still haven’t done Cozumel on its own yet. An all-inclusive, a scooter, more time and fewer cruise ship schedules is the way to do it next — that’s the trip I want to plan. It’s definitely at the top of my Mexico travel list.

La Paz, Baja California Sur

Just a couple of hours north of Cabo on the eastern side of the Baja Peninsula, you’ll find La Paz — the Pearl of Baja. If you’re looking for a laid back escape with unbelievable natural beauty and endless water activities, La Paz is the place.

The magic is the Sea of Cortez — it produces a color of water that doesn’t look real. Balandra Beach especially — that protected bay with the famous mushroom rock — looks like someone turned the saturation up on a photo. Swim in it, kayak it, paddleboard it or just stare at it for a while while you try to figure out if it’s just an illusion.

Then there are the whale sharks. Swimming with whale sharks in La Paz is one of the most extraordinary things I’ve done anywhere in the world. Really, in my life. And when the day is done the malecón pulls everyone together at sunset — there’s nowhere quite like it.

Valle de Guadalupe, Baja California

Most people have no idea there are wineries in Mexico — let alone one of the oldest in North America. Located above one of the biggest aquifers in the region is Valle de Guadalupe — Baja’s premier wine region. It’s so unique I almost don’t want to talk about it.

Rolling vineyards, a rustic desert atmosphere, spas blended into the landscape and farm to table dining that showcases what grows here — it’s a completely different slice of Mexico that most visitors never find. I toured it with my Uber driver — highly recommend that approach by the way — and visited three wineries including L.A. Cetto, Casa Magoni and one more that will remain nameless because of their pretentious attitude.

Here’s what I wasn’t prepared for — the water from that aquifer gives the wine a texture I’ve never experienced anywhere else. Not smooth in taste but in how it actually hits your tongue. I don’t have a better way to describe it than that. Just go try it for yourself.

San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato

At this point San Miguel de Allende should probably just be called Saint Michael of Allende. The number of English speakers who have made it home is significant — and it has changed the character of the city considerably. And yet somehow SMA has managed to hold onto its culture and its language despite it all. That’s a true testament to the hospitality and resilience of the Mexican people.

Because beneath all of that, San Miguel de Allende is breathtaking. This colonial city in the heart of Mexico’s Bajío region has one of the most majestic Parroquias in all of Mexico — the kind of church you can’t stop looking at as it rises above the main plaza like it belongs to another century. Which it does. I had a memorable meal with some jazz on the side. Put it on your list and go.

Guadalajara, Jalisco

Name a better trio than tequila, mariachi and tortas ahogadas. I’ll wait. As Mexico’s second largest city and the capital of Jalisco, Guadalajara is the birthplace of all three — and it wears that historic badge proudly but somehow still feels modern and up-to-date.

Guadalajara is like the cultural grandfather and the fun hip uncle all rolled into one. The historic center, the Hospicio Cabañas with Orozco’s murals, the Mercado Libertad — the culture runs deep. But then you turn a corner and find craft breweries, fun street art and a food scene that goes beyond tortas ahogadas. Although — start with the tortas ahogadas.

Bacalar, Quintana Roo

Bacalar — the Maldives of Mexico — is a hidden paradise and a lesser known destination in Quintana Roo. Home to the oldest living stromatolites on earth, it’s one of those places that will actually leave you speechless.

Bacalar is at a crossroads. The first time I went there were no chain hotels in the area. With the arrival of the Tren Maya tourism has exploded and I’m not sure how I feel about that. A place this exceptional deserves protection. And yet here I am sharing it — because it’s that significant, that unforgettable and full of hardworking people who want to make a living by sharing their special place with the world.

If you get the chance to go — go lightly, treat it well and leave no trace. Bacalar is worthy of that respect.

Tequila, Jalisco

If you ever make it to Guadalajara, to understand it fully you have to make the short trek to Tequila. Most people opt for the Tequila Express but I only recommend that if you don’t have time to stay overnight or want an experience it on a tour.

Tequila is a Pueblo Mágico sitting at the foot of an ancient volcano — the same volcanic soil that produces the blue agave fields that stretch as far as you can see. Walk through those fields, visit a distillery that explains the process and stay overnight if you can. I did — and woke up to feel my bed shaking. And no, not from what you’d expect in a tequila soaked town but an actual earthquake. Welcome to Mexico.

Taxco, Guerrero

Over 30 years ago and I still can’t get the sights, sounds, tastes and cold showers out of my head. I went to Taxco at 15 with absolutely no expectations and left knowing one day I’d go back. Another Pueblo Mágico, Taxco is tucked into the mountains of Guerrero state and is the prize for enduring every curve in the road it takes to get there — and there are a lot.

A former silver mining town known for its metal working and superior craftsmanship, Taxco silver is the standard by which all other silver is judged. Winding streets are packed with shops and boutiques offering an overload of shiny silver jewelry and other things.

Fair warning — you’ll want to buy it all. But the real Taxco moment is Santa Prisca Church rising above the main plaza in all its Baroque glory. Soak it all in. Besides Mexico City okay and maybe Vallarta, I’ve yet to find another place that leaves a mark quite like Taxco does.

Mérida, Yucatan

Other than being hotter than the gates of hell, I didn’t know much about Mérida before I went. But even in June when it topped 100 degrees I was impressed enough to stay longer. The capital of Yucatán state and one of the safest cities in North America drew me in and kept me there despite the heat.

Spanish colonial architecture is everywhere you look — and you have to see the 16th century Mérida Cathedral and the buildings around Plaza Grande. But it’s the people that make Mérida what it is. I made friends quicker in a week than I have in the eight years in my current town.

For a city that has endured more than its share of conquest and colonization, Mérida is remarkably generous and warm. It feels like home faster than it has a right to. I planned two days and ended up staying eight days. That tells you a lot.

Todos Santos, Baja California Sur

Todos Santos is less than an hour from Cabo but feels a world away. This is where you go when you want artsy and a little bohemian without trying too hard. Think galleries, low-key cafes and surf beaches that feel refreshingly uncrowded.

Small but intentional — Todos Santos attracts a certain kind of character. On one trip I rescued a dog, ate some of the best fish tacos of my Baja trip and was asked out on a date by an 80 year old expat on a motorcycle who also casually mentioned he was microdosing. Just another day in Todos Santos.

It’s perfect as a side trip from Cabo or a quiet reset if you’re road tripping Baja Sur. Eat at Jazamango — one of the best meals of your life awaits, courtesy of one of the chefs who literally built the Baja food scene. And at the end of the day watch the sun slip down behind the waves.

Monterrey, Nuevo Leon

Monterrey is everything most people think Mexico isn’t — and that’s exactly why it’s on this list. Go see it firsthand.

I’m glad I knew it when. My first trip I ate goat tacos and drank tequila with El Rey de Tacos — the owner of a 60 year old taco institution and I have the shot glasses to prove it. That experience is one I won’t forget. The cowboys, the tortillas, the norteño music — it’s all still there. You just have to look a little harder now.

Monterrey has always been Mexico’s business powerhouse — the third largest city in the country. But after the pandemic, billions in foreign investment poured in as companies moved their operations closer to the U.S. border. Now it’s THE powerhouse and it shows.

It may have grown, what hasn’t changed is the natural beauty — the Sierra Madre mountains surrounding the city are magnificent and no amount of high-rises will ever change that.

Acapulco, Guerrero

Acapulco has always been on this list and it’s staying here. Yes — Hurricane Otis devastated the city in 2023 and it’s still recovering. But Acapulco is resilient. It’s come back from a bad reputation before and this time will be no different. The people rebuilding it deserve travelers who believe in it. I’m heading to Tianguis Turísticos there soon and I’ll have a full update.

Why it still deserves a spot here? The cliff divers of La Quebrada alone are reason enough — there’s nothing else like that experience in Mexico. Add the amazing bay, the history and the fact that it was once the glamour capital of the Americas and Acapulco earns its place on any serious Mexico list.

Chichén-Itzá, Yucatan

Is Chichén Itzá touristy, overcrowded and even a bit annoying? Yes, yes and yes. Go anyway.

One of the Seven Wonders of the World, Chichén Itzá is kind of a rite of passage for anyone who wants to understand Mexico, the Yucatán and the people who built one of the most sophisticated civilizations in human history. El Castillo alone is worth the trip — the scale, the precision, the age of it. You won’t believe it until you’re standing in front of it.

Hire a guide. It’s a huge complex and without one you won’t be able to understand it or take it all in without one. That would be a shame given how far you came. Vendors are everywhere and it can be hard to stay present — but many are Maya people who have been displaced and are simply trying to make a living.

Have patience, go early before the tour buses arrive and take it slow. You’ll need the slower pace for the heat anyway and it makes for a much better experience all around.

Chetumal, Quintana Roo

Chetumal doesn’t get talked about and that’s exactly why it’s on this list. The capital of Quintana Roo sits on the Bay of Chetumal right on the Belize border — and I’d be willing to bet you won’t see many gringos the entire time you’re there.

People will ask what you’re doing there — curious, not suspicious — and that curiosity leads to real conversations. I sat and talked with an older couple there that I still think about. That’s the kind of travel moment that doesn’t usually happen in Cancún.

Chetumal is also the gateway to Belize and home to one of the most impressive Maya museums in Mexico. If you have any interest at all in Mayan history and culture it’s an excellent education — the kind that makes everything else you see on the Yucatán Peninsula make more sense.

Santiago de Querétaro, Querétaro

I rolled into Querétaro, a city sandwiched between Guanajuato and Mexico City and was blown away by how beautiful it is. The aqueduct alone — 74 arches stretching across the city — is one of those things you don’t really think of as being that outstanding and yet you can’t quite believe when you see it.

A UNESCO World Heritage site with a lovely preserved city center, Querétaro somehow isn’t talked about so much despite being less than three hours from Mexico City. It’s a mix of old and new that I didn’t get nearly enough time to enjoy. I’ll be back — there’s more wine to drink and more cobblestone streets to wander.

Tijuana, Baja California

Tijuana comes with a reputation. Once known for its bawdy extracurricular activities, it’s worked hard to change and the transformation is real. Some people still write it off as nothing more than a border town but they couldn’t be more wrong.

A mix of cultures, the city has an incredible food scene — the birthplace of the Caesar salad, a Michelin star taco restaurant, standout breweries and a cosmopolitan air that might surprise you. Murals, galleries and museums add to its personality. Tijuana is also a major hub for medical and dental tourism that leaves U.S. healthcare in the dust with its attention to detail. Come for a dental crown, stay for dinner.

Believe it or not, Tijuana also has a beach — with a vitality all its own. Wide beaches, a lively malecón, and oceanfront restaurants give it a relaxed, vacation-y sense completely different from downtown. That is if you can ignore the big metal wall staring at you.

Bonus: Cancun, Quintana Roo

Okay — I know I said to widen out from Cancún. And I meant it. But here’s the truth: Cancún is still a great Mexico vacation destination and leaving it off entirely would be dishonest.

Yes spring break and all that. Yes it’s touristy. However, the beaches are some of the best in the world — powdery white sand and that Caribbean blue that makes you understand immediately why millions of people keep coming back. For what you get Cancún is still remarkably affordable especially compared to beach destinations in the U.S.

Cancún is also a gateway to some of the most significant ancient history in the Americas. The cenotes are everywhere, Tulum is a short drive and what Cancún might lacks in authenticity, those surrounding destinations more than make up for. Use it as a base, enjoy the all-inclusives without guilt and explore from there.

One more thing — the idea that Cancún has no culture is ridiculous. Who do you think works there, builds there, lives there? Mexicans. In a country with thousands of years of history. The fact that it was developed as a planned tourism project in the 1970s doesn’t erase culture — it just means you have to look beyond the hotel zone to find it. And when you do it’s still there.

Mexico FAQ

is mexico safe?

Mexico has a reputation that the headlines don’t help but 25 million Americans visit every year without incident. Like anywhere in the world situational awareness matters, common sense applies and doing a little research before you go goes a long way. Check the U.S. State Department website for current advisories specific to the region you’re visiting and don’t let the broad strokes scare you away from one of the most extraordinary countries in the world. For a much deeper dive into this topic I’ve covered it fully in Is Mexico Safe for Travel?

How Many states are there in mexico?

Mexico is officially los Estados Unidos Mexicanos — the United Mexican States — and is made up of 31 states plus Mexico City which operates as its own federal entity. Thirty two in total

Which Part of Mexico is Best?

That depends entirely on you. Beach person? Cancún, Puerto Vallarta or Cabo. History and culture? Mexico City, Guadalajara or Guanajuato. Food obsessed? Oaxaca, Puebla or honestly anywhere on this list. Nature and adventure? Chiapas, Baja or the Yucatán. The honest answer is there’s no wrong part of Mexico — just wrong expectations.

When’s the Best Time to Visit Mexico?

Most regions have a dry season from November through April and a rainy season from May through October. December through April is peak tourism which means higher prices and bigger crowds. For fewer crowds and better deals shoulder season — late April, May or early November — is an option.

Hurricane season runs June through November along the coasts so factor that in if you’re heading to the beach. And always check the forecast for your specific destination — Mexico has seven climate zones and the weather varies dramatically by region.

do you need a tourist card for Mexico?

Yes — if you’re flying into Mexico, you’ll need a Forma Migratoria Múltiple (FMM), commonly called a Mexican tourist card. It’s typically included in your airfare, but if you’re driving across the border you’ll need to obtain one separately.

More Mexico Love

My love letter still has more pages. Mazatlán, San Cristóbal de las Casas, Oaxaca, Puebla, Michoacán for the monarchs and Tabasco for the Olmec heads that have been waiting patiently for me are all still on the list. I’ll get there some day.

And Sayulita — been there too and it’s lovely. A little touristy and gringo heavy but I love it. I just ran out of room here. Consider that your bonus bonus destination.

Mexico isn’t done with me yet — and I’m not done with it either. If you’re ready to start planning your own trip, I’d love to help you put it together. It’s as easy as sending me an email. And if you’re not quite ready to book but want to keep exploring Mexico — here are a few good places to start your planning:

• Is Mexico Safe for Travel?
• What’s a Mexico Tourist Card?
• Things to Know Before Visiting Mexico
• 5 Essential Apps for Traveling in Mexico

See you south of the border!

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