7 Best Places to Visit in Mexico
If you like delicious food, breathtaking landscapes, and warm, friendly people, then you have to know the best places to visit in Mexico. It is not only a beautiful destination with a rich history and culture, it is also affordable. The change in prices as soon as you cross the border will surprise you.
I write this blog to help people learn about my beautiful country and encourage them to visit. I hope you’ll be one of the more than 38 MILLION visitors the country warmly receives each year.
With that in mind, here is my curated list of the 7 best places to visit in Mexico:
Mexico City
🏆#1 in Best Places to Visit in Mexico
With 21 million residents in the metropolitan area, Mexico City is the 2nd largest metropolitan area in the Western Hemisphere. It is bigger than Los Angeles and New York. With that size come thousands of restaurants, museums, and archeological sites. Mexico City has it all. You can’t miss the rich gastronomical experience that includes everything from street tacos to Michelin-star restaurants like Pujol and Quintonil. With a full stomach, you can visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Xochimilco, and Teotihuacán’s Aztec pyramids. If you enjoy museums there are 2 you can’t miss; Frida Kahlo Museum and Museo del Templo Mayor, an ancient Aztec temple. Finally, you can rest in a boutique guest house or a 5-star hotel like Casa Polanco and Four Seasons.
Read more about the best places to visit in Mexico City in our Ultimate Mexico City Guide here.
Cancun
🏆#2 in Best Places to Visit in Mexico
If you love the beach, you will adore Cancún. Movie-like white sand beaches and turquoise blue water make Cancún feel like a dream. Pair the beautiful landscapes with all-inclusive resorts and accessible flights from the U.S., and you have a gem of a destination. But it doesn’t end there. Located in the Yucatán Peninsula south of Mexico, Cancún is also close to evergreen jungles and breathtaking cenotes. It is a destination for beach lovers, nature travelers, and archeology explorers. You might discover something in the jungle as hundreds or even thousands of ancient Mayan sites remain undiscovered or you can visit the already discovered Chichén Itza one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. December through April has the best weather, but if you find a good flight in a different month, you can’t miss Cancun.
Oaxaca
🏆#3 in Best Places to Visit in Mexico
Oaxaca is considered by Mexicans as a more “authentic” Mexican destination to visit than more popular destinations like the beach spots or capital city. Still, Oaxaca receives over a million visitors each year. If you want a deeper cultural experience of Mexico, this is the place to go. Cradle to many pre-Columbian civilizations like the Zapotecs and Mixtecs Oaxaca’s cultural richness is reflected in its indigenous languages, traditional crafts, and festivals, like the famous Guelaguetza. Additionally, If your #1 reason for traveling is food, Oaxaca will be one of your all-time favorite destinations. Some of Mexico’s most famous food and drinks like mole and mezcal come from Oaxaca, and among Mexicans, it is considered one of the best (if not the best) food tourism destinations.
Check out our in-depth guide about Oaxaca City here.
Tulum
🏆#4 in Best Places to Visit in Mexico
The ancient Mayan ruins next to the beautiful Caribbean water are a sight you must have in your memories before you die. Whether you love the beach, archeology, history, or food, this is a destination you just can’t miss. Located along the coast of the Riviera Maya, Tulum is home to contrasting ancient Mayan ruins and some of the best hotels in Mexico. I cannot recommend Tulum enough. You can stay anywhere from boutique hotels and local guesthouses to all-inclusive five-star resorts, relax by some of the world’s most beautiful beaches (like Playa Ruinas and Playa Paraiso), explore mysterious Mayan ruins, and swim in tranquil cenotes all in the same day.
Learn everything about Tulum with our Ultimate Tulum Guide here.
Guadalajara
🏆#5 in Best Places to Visit in Mexico
If you have heard of mariachi and tequila, this is where they come from. Guadalajara is the capital city of the state of Jalisco. A blend of colonial-style architecture with modern skyscrapers defines the landscape of the city. Your memories of Guadalajara will be colorful and unique. This destination will be enjoyed by every traveler, but especially by those interested in culture and gastronomy. I recommend starting your day with some tortas ahogadas or birria. Then you can’t miss the Teatro Degollado (a stunning neoclassical theater) and the iconic Catedral de Guadalajara. Finally, you can sit by Plaza de Armas and enjoy some tequila (the town from which the name of the drink originates is only 60 km / 37 miles away and is worth a visit) while listening to mariachi.
Learn about the top things to do and see in Guadalajara here.
Guanajuato
🏆#6 in Best Places to Visit in Mexico
One word describes Guanajuato: colorful. This is the city for you if enjoy admiring the architecture of the places you visit. This UNESCO World Heritage city is known for its rich history and colonial architecture. Guanajuato was once one of the richest silver mining regions in the world. The La Valenciana Mine, one of the most productive in history, contributed greatly to the wealth and development of the city. The city is also famous for the Alhondiga de Granaditas a historic building that played a key role in Mexico’s War of Independence and is now a museum. One peculiar thing about the city that makes it quite unique is its network of tunnels and underground streets, which were originally built to manage flooding but are now used for traffic. Guanajuato is one of the most charming destinations you can visit.
Check out our Guanajuato guide for the best insider tips here.
Cozumel
🏆#7 in Best Places to Visit in Mexico
There are many destinations in Mexico if you love the beach, but this is the best place to go for snorkeling and diving. If you love stunning oceanic views, Cozumel is where you belong. It boasts colorful coral reefs full of life in waters so crystalline they might as well be air. This makes Cozumel a very popular spot for cruise ships. You can spend the whole day swimming in the peaceful Caribbean waters, but this wouldn’t be Mexico if you also couldn’t explore the ruins of an ancient civilization. You can dive in the morning and visit the Mayan ruins at San Gervasio in the afternoon. Then go rest at a luxurious cruise ship or one of the multiple world-class resorts on the island.
Discover the most beautiful Cozumel beaches here.
If you enjoyed our list of the 7 best places in Mexico to visit, you can read our curated list of the top 22 Must-visit Mexican destinations.
Great recommendations! Mexico is a wonderful country with many options to visit and delicious food.