The Top 10 Places in Mexico

Last Updated on August 2, 2024

Estimated reading time: 11 minutes

By Jim Ferri

These 10 best places to visit in Mexico are the reason the country continues to be one of the most popular destinations for American tourists. From the sands of its many resorts on the Caribbean and the Pacific, to the cultural bonanza of its cities and states in the interior, Mexico has much to offer the traveler.Mexico is not only beautiful, culturally enriching and easily accessible, it provides many options for almost any budget.

For those who desire to explore, or just relax at one of the best Mexico beach resorts, here are the top tourism destinations in Mexico, as reported by the Mexico Tourism Board.

The crime situation in several areas of Mexico, primarily along its northern border, has received much coverage in the media. And with good reason. Because of this violence the U.S. Department of State has had a long-standing advisory on travel to Mexico. (You can read the Travel Warning and other information here).

On the other hand, this doesn’t mean that the entire country is unsafe.

According to the U.S. Government, millions of U.S. citizens safely visit Mexico each year. Also, about one million Americans live there. Like them, travelers can greatly enhance their safety by using some common sense while traveling in Mexico. It’s the same common sense one should use traveling anywhere in the world.

Cancun, Riviera Maya, Cozumel and Isla Mujeres – Best Mexico Beach Resorts

If you’re looking for sun and the best Mexico beach resorts, look no further than Cancun. It’s consistently ranked number one of the best places to visit in Mexico time and again by Orbitz and Travelocity.

Cancun and its neighbors Isla Mujeres, Cozumel, Isla Contoy, and Puerto Morelos welcome over 3 million visitors annually.

In the state of Quintana Roo almost everything focuses on water activities, including jet skiing, snorkeling and scuba diving. The latter takes place along the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, the second longest in the world.

Beaches and hotel pools are the major draws to the Cancun and Riviera Maya regions, of course. But travelers also lured by attractions such as the Under Water Museum; the area’s culinary, nightlife and shopping experiences.

The area’s popular archeological sites of Tulum, Chichen Itza and Cobá are also among the top tourist attractions in Mexico.

Mexico City / Distrito Federal, Perennially a Favorite With Travelers

With its reputation for art, culture, shopping, recreation and cuisine, Mexico City attracts more than 12 million visitors every year. It perennially remains one of the best places to visit in Mexico. The city enjoys a lively and diverse cultural lifestyle.

You’ll find much to discover in its many historic buildings, museums, food and craft markets and art galleries. It’s home to world-class hotels, convention and meeting facilities, restaurants, and performance venues. Visitors flock to its world-famous Zócalo square, Chapultepec Park, and more than 100 museums.

Popular attractions include the colonial neighborhoods of San Ángel and Coyoacán, and the nearby archaeological zone of Teotihuacan.

The latter is a UNESCO World Heritage site, as is the city’s historical center and the lakeside area of Xochimilco. Mexico City boasts a year-round calendar of performing arts, music, dance, film festivals, art exhibitions, and business fairs and expositions.

Read More: Places to Visit in in Mexico City

Puerto Vallarta, Riviera Nayarit

Puerto Vallarta is one of the major resort destinations of Mexico, and still one of the best places to visit in Mexico This is especially true with American and Canadian travelers.

While many only associate Puerto Vallarta with sun and beach, the city is also home to one of the most dynamic art scenes in Mexico. Its Galería Dante and Galería Pacífico feature traditional and contemporary art and sculptures.

The city is also popular for its diverse selection of places to eat. They range from beach-side taco stands to upscale restaurants with panoramic views of the bay.

Riviera Nayarit, an area highly developed in the past few decades, is located about fifteen minutes from PV’s airport. The area includes the ultra-exclusive Punta Mita with some of the most high-end hotels in Mexico, as well as the resort town of Rincón de Guayabitos.

Baja California Sur: Still One of the Best Mexico Vacation Places

Known for its natural features and blazing temperature, Baja California Sur is where desert and ocean meld in Mexico. It’s always listed as one of the best places to visit in Mexico. In fact, for many, it is one of the best places to vacation in in the entire country.

Located at the tip of the Baja Peninsula, Los Cabos is easily accessible by plane. This makes it a favorite destination for many American travelers, especially those from the west coast of the USA. With the Sea of Cortes on one side and the Pacific on the other, one feels they’re on an sanctuary.

The area has several high-end resorts and spas, beautiful beaches, and near-impeccable year-round weather. La Paz, the capital of Baja California Sur, is more of a commercial and cultural center than a vacation destination.

It does, however, attract eco-tourists looking to enjoy La Paz’s marine wonders and aquatic activities. It is also home to the Museo de Antropología e Historia and La Ruta de las Misiones.

Read More: read more about Baja and the Sea of Cortez

Guadalajara and Tequila in Jalisco

Mexico’s State of Jalisco, home to mariachi music and tequila, provides a strong taste of Mexican culture. It’s the reason it remains one of the best places to visit in Mexico.

Guadalajara is considered to be the cultural center of Western Mexico. The city’s famous historic downtown is home to Plaza de Armas, Metropolitan Cathedral and Rotonda de los Hombres Ilustres.

There are also several other museums and historical sites including Hospicio Cabañias, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Travelers also enjoy the city’s music culture, ranging from sidewalk Mariachi bands to the Philharmonic Orchestra of Jalisco.

Also in Jalisco is the town of Tequila and its surrounding agave fields, listed as a World Heritage Site. Take the Tequila Express and tour tequila country, seeing a number of haciendas, and enjoy a tasting along the way.

Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo

Approximately 150 miles north of Acapulco, you’ll find the bayside city of Zihuatanejo and the nearby modern resort of Ixtapa. Together they make up the third most-visited tourist destination in Mexico after Cancun and Puerto Vallarta, especially for sports fishermen.

Once a sleepy fishing village, Zihuatanejo gained international popularity in the 1970s after construction of the nearby resort of Ixtapa.

The aim of the resort was to establish a Cancun-like resort on the country’s Pacific coast. With its homegrown feel and overall charm, the resort soon became one of the best places to visit in Mexico.

Zihuatanejo is only about five minutes away from the beach resort of Ixtapa, home to two world-class golf courses. It’s easily accessible to travelers by way of Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo International airport.

Unique Central Mexico: Querétaro, San Miguel de Allende and Guanajuato City

Many travelers think to go to the coast for a Mexican vacation. But central Mexico offers a great cultural experience and is one of the unique best places to visit in Mexico.

Guanajuato City, the capital of the state located in the mountains, attracts many tourists with its museum-hopping and mine tours. The tours are both inside and outside the city, since mining is what made the city prosperous. Querétaro boasts a bustling arts and music scene, and its old section is a wonderful place to explore on foot.

San Miguel de Allende is recognized as a popular cultural center, and is home to many American and Canadian ex-pats.

Tourists can tour numerous art schools and historic buildings in the city, which is only 170 miles northwest of Mexico, including the Casa de Allende Museum and the home of Ignacio Allende. All three of the cities are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Read More: The Pleasures of Mexico’s San Miguel de Allende

Yucatan’s  Mérida, Uxmal and Chichen Itza: Popular Tourist Attractions In Mexico

The state of Yucatan draws tourists who want to explore the Mayan culture of the country. It’s famously known for its historical and archeological sites, why it remains one of the best places to visit in Mexico.

Mérida, the state’s capital and nicknamed “The White City,” is the point of departure for all Mayan routes to nearby sites. These include such famous sites as of Chichen Itza (a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is home of the famous Kukulkan Mayan Pyramid), Ek Balam, and Mayapan.

The ruins at Uxmal, also a World Heritage Site, are less impressive than those at Chichen Itza. But they reveal a different, more detailed architectural style many travelers find to be worth the trip.

Many travelers also come to the region to experience Yucatan food, known for its own distinct style and Mayan influences.

Far From the Beach: Copper Canyon

Named for its copper green coloring, the Copper Canyon is located in the state of Chihuahua. It continues to lure travelers who want to experience the Chihuahua al Pacífico, commonly known as the Copper Canyon Railway.

The train runs through 390 miles of the canyons and takes 14 hours on its journey. Ranked as another of the best places to visit in Mexico, the experience is enhanced with breathtaking views and scenery.

Another tourist attraction is the 807-feet tall Basaseachic Falls, the second-highest waterfall in Mexico.

Nature lovers and eco-tourists enjoy hiking, camping and birdwatching in the area, still home to the Rarámuris and Tarahumaras, indigenous peoples who live in the mountains.

Chiapas: San Cristobal de las Casas

San Cristobal de las Casas, a city of over 200,000 inhabitants, is the cultural capital of Chiapas. One of the best places to visit in Mexico, it is a unique destination in the country.

The city has preserved its century-old houses, cobbled streets and colonial buildings. The central area of the city is the main plaza or the Zócalo. Around it local people sell handmade crafts and textiles in open-air markets.

Surrounded by dozens of Tzotzil and Tzeltal villages, San Cristobal is one the most deeply rooted indigenous areas in the country. It’s also a central starting point for exploration of Chiapas, the southern-most state in Mexico.

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You may also enjoy: 5 Great Day Trips from Mexico City / The Top 10 Places in Mexico City / Best Things To Do in Mexico City / Mexico: Xochimilco, Mexico City’s Little Venice

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If You Go:

Mexico Tourism Board
https://visitmexico.com/eng/home-2