I know firsthand that Mexico has no shortage of colorful colonial cities, beautiful beaches, and pueblos magicos (magic towns), which made compiling this list of the best places to visit in Mexico very hard.
The best places to visit in Mexico here showcase large and medium-sized cities, but there are also some smaller pueblos on this list.
If you’ve been wanting to travel to Mexico, let’s get to the list—it will be all the inspiration you need to finally book that trip!
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1. Merida, Yucatan
Merida Mexico takes the top spot on the list because it’s the safest city in Mexico.
Located in the Yucatan Peninsula not far from the most popular Mexico places to vacation, like Cancun, Riviera Maya and Tulum — Merida feels like it’s a world away, with a more charming, small town feel.
Known as the Cultural Capital of Yucatan, Merida is the best place to vacation in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula to explore the area’s rich Mayan history.
There’s really no end to the amazing things to do in Merida — from museums to Merida restaurants serving traditional Yucatan food.
🗿 Uxmal Ruins, Yucatan
Located in the near-dead center of the Yucatan Peninsula, Merida’s location offers a great home base to take day trips from Merida and explore the surrounding area. One of the most popular Merida sites is Uxmal Mayan Ruins.
One of the best Mayan Ruins near Merida, Uxmal (pronounced yoush-mall) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of five ancient sites on the Ruta Puuc (Puuc Route), and the most visited of them all.
Unlike at Chichén Itzá Ruins, you can climb the Uxmal pyramids!
🏖️ Costa Esmerelda, Yucatan Beaches
Merida is not on the beach; rather it’s about 40 minutes to the nearest beach, Puerto Progreso. This is a popular stop on cruises in the Gulf of Mexico, and the most visited of all beaches near Merida, though there are others.
The Costa Esmerelda (Emerald Coast, named for its emerald-colored water) stretches from Puerto Chuburna Beach on the west about 61-miles (98 km) east to Dzilam de Bravo
There are other great Yucatan beach towns along the way, including Progreso, Chicxulub and Telchac.
Besides the beaches near Merida, there are also many greatMerida cenotesto swim in. These “sinkholes,” or natural jungle pools, are found all over the Yucatan Peninsula, with hundreds located within an hour or two of Merida.
2. San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato
San Miguel de Allende (SMA, for short) is located in Central Mexico, about 3.5 hours from Mexico City.
In fact, it is one of the best day trips from Mexico City, especially for foodies, wine lovers, and artists—join the San Miguel de Allende Day Trip from Mexico City and find out!
SMA is a Mexico UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Guanajuato State, a state known as the most colorful in all Mexico.
The top travel destination in the state, San Miguel de Allende is also among the best places to go to in Mexico, in any state.
In the last 15 years, many American, European and Canadian expats have relocated here.
San Miguel de Allende is considered one of the best places to retire in Mexico with its “Eternal Spring” climate, which makes it the perfect year-round destination for any Mexico itinerary!
Beyond perfect weather, San Miguel de Allende is stunning and historic. The iconic Mexico architecture is well-preserved in San Miguel, and each home, building and street is prettier than the next.
The iconic, Baroque-style Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel is a must-see.
This large, pink, San Miguel de Allende Cathedral is the centerpiece of town. It is located in a lovely and well-manicured park, Jardín Allende (Allende Garden), which serves as the town square, and is lively day and night.
3. Tulum, Quintana Roo
In the last decade, Tulum, Mexico has become one of the top places for vacation in Mexico.
This beachfront city is one of the best places in Mexico for vacation for those seeking Mayan ruins, beautiful beaches, swimmable cenotes, great nightlife and Instagram worthy photo ops.
Tulum is a Mexico pueblo magico(magic town) located right on the Caribbean Sea; some of the best Mexico real estate there is!
The closest airport to Tulum is Cancun International Airport (code: CUN), and then you’ll need Cancun to Tulum transportation.
🗿 Tulum ruins, quintana roo
Tulum’s geography is part jungle, part beach. It is often called the “Bali of Mexico,” because it’s similar to Bali, in that way.
Tulum and the surrounding areas have several Mexico Mayan Ruins in Yucatan to explore, similar to the Hindu temples in Bali, Indonesia.
One of the best Mayan temples in Mexico is the Tulum Ruins. Though a smaller site, the Ruins of Tulum are located on a cliff, overlooking the Caribbean Sea, so they’re among the most beautiful.
After exploring this Mayan site, you can even go for a swim in the sea directly below.
🤿 Gran Cenote & Tulum Cenotes
Besides the beautiful beaches, don’t miss the Tulum cenotes. Some of the most Instagrammable places in Mexico, these freshwater jungle pools make for a nice alternative to the Caribbean Sea.
Among of the best cenotes in Tulum, and cenotes near Tulum, don’t miss these:
Gran Cenote
Cenote Suytun
Cenote Calavera
Cenote Dos Ojos
Cenote Zacil-Ha
While there’s no end to the number of things to do in Tulum, in recent years, it has become increasingly expensive.
However, Tulum on a budget is certainly possible if you’re determined to visit one of the top vacation destinations in Mexico for cheap!
🏝 Looking for a quieter beach town in Mexico? Head to Mahahual, located a few hours south of Tulum on the Costa Maya.
4. Mexico City
When making a Mexico Popular Destinations list, there’s no way to leave off CDMX!
If you’re looking for a big city, Mexico City is one of the best places to travel in Mexico; though Guadalajara and Monterrey are two other big city options.
CDMX, as it’s known, is the country’s largest city, and the fifth largest city on Earth.
There are so many things to do in Mexico City, including a visit to Parque Chapultepec (Chapultepec Park), one of the largest urban parks in the world, which has the only castle in North America!
Besides that, the best neighborhoods in Mexico City, including Coyoacan, Polanco, Roma and Condesa, have tree-lined streets and buildings in varied architectural styles.
These also have beautiful street art to admire, cool sidewalk cafes and the best parks in Mexico City.
🇲🇽 Centro Historico and zocalo
Though some don’t think beauty and a big city can coexist, that’s not the case in Mexico City.
Among one of the most visually-stimulating parrots of town, Centro Historico and Zocalo (Historic Downtown and the Town Square) is also a Mexico UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In Downtown Mexico City, you’ll find the most beautiful and iconic buildings in CDMX.
Perhaps the most photographed place in the city, Palacio Bellas Artes is an Art Deco theater built in 1904, which houses one of the best museums in Mexico City.
A few other noteworthy things to do in Downtown Mexico City include:
Templo Mayor: Aztec Temple, partially buried underground (A true must see Mexico City site!)
Catedral Metropolitana: Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral
Palacio Nacional: National Palace
Torre Latinoamericana: Latin America Tower skyscraper
Parque Alameda: Alameda Park, located next to Bellas Artes
Barrio Chino: Mexico City Chinatown
🛶 Xochimilco, Mexico City
Xochimilco (pronounced so-chee-mill-co) is a Mexico City UNESCO World Heritage Site. These ancient canals, hand-dug by the Aztecs centuries ago, are still popular with visitors today.
When in CDMX, enjoy a Xochimilco tour to parts on the colorful boats and see the floating gardens.
🦋 Valle de Bravo, Estado de Mexico
Known as “the Hamptons of Mexico City,” nearby Valle de Bravo is a gorgeous lakefront town with a lot to offer.
From November to March, you can visit the Piedra Herrada Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary to see millions of monarch butterflies in Mexico during their annual migration.
🗿 Teotihuacan Ruins, Estado de Mexico
The ancient Teotihuacan Pyramids (pronounced tay-oh-tee-wok-on), located about an hour from Mexico City, are another one of the UNESCO Sites in Mexico.
Built thousands of years ago by the mysterious Teotihuacanos, the best way to experience it is on a Teotihuacan tour.
🏖️ acapulco, guerrero
Wondering, What’s the closest beach to Mexico City? It’s Acapulco, located about five hours away by car.
While not one of the best beaches in Mexico, Acapulco is a popular vacation destination for Mexico City locals — but the hot springs of Las Grutas Tolantongo are another option.
5. Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco
Located on Mexico’s Pacific Coast, Puerto Vallarta is among the safest beach towns in Mexico with some of the best beaches in Mexico.
It has been one of the best Mexico vacation destinations for decades now, welcoming everyone from Average Joes and Joannas, to Old Hollywood movie stars.
After Richard Burton finished filming the 1964 film, The Night of the Iguana, he and then-wife, Elizabeth Taylor, bought a home (now the Kimberly Hotel & Spa), and lived together in Puerto Vallarta for years.
Unlike other Mexico beach towns, Puerto Vallarta still retains its Old World charm.
🏝️ Islas Marietas secret beach in Mexico
Not many know there’s a secret beach in Mexico, because well, it’s a secret!
The Mexico hidden beach, called Playa del Amor (Lover’s Beach), is part ofIslas Marietas National Park, and accessible only by boat. Located off the coast of Puerto Vallarta, the Marietas Islands are simply magical.
💎 nuevo vallarta, nayarit
Just 20 minutes north of Puerto Vallarta, Nuevo Vallarta has gorgeous beaches and amazing resorts like Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit, Dreams Villamagna Nuevo Vallarta, Grand Luxxe at Vidanta and Marival Armony.
Besides vacationers, it’s also a popular place for Mexico digital nomads.
🏝️ yelapa, jalisco
Located on the Bay of Banderas, Yelapa is one of the best preserved towns on the Pacific Coast of Mexico.
It is best accessed on a boat tour from Puerto Vallarta — where you may see whales and dolphins along the way. At Yelapa, there’s waterfalls, beaches and horseback riding trails.
As far as vacation places in Mexico that check off a lot of boxes, Puerto Vallarta is an ideal place for your Mexico vacation.
It has everything from beautiful beaches and nature, amazing food, authentic culture, colorful architecture — and there’s even chic Puerto Vallarta all-inclusive resorts.
6. Guanajuato City, Guanajuato
Guanajuato City is the capital of Guanajuato State.
One of the most beautiful places in Mexico, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, complete with colonial buildings, cobblestone streets and narrow winding alleyways — including the famous Callejon del Beso (Alley of the Kiss).
There are colorful plazas (or, plazuelas) all over downtown, as well as historic buildings, colonial churches and more. In fact, don’t miss any of these 25 Best Things to Do in Guanajuato, Mexico.
Guanajuato oozes Mexican culture, unlike nearby San Miguel de Allende, with a large expat population that some say has led to a watered-down cultural feel.
It also has some actual festivals, including the Cervantino Festival, one of the biggest performing arts festivals in the world.
It takes place each year in Guanajuato in mid-October. Immediately following is Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead), Mexico’s large country-wide festival.
7. Los Cabos, Baja California Sur
Los Cabos actually encompasses two cities, Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo.
Cabo San Lucas is the more visited of the two destinations, but the airport, Los Cabo International Airport (code: SJD) is in San Jose del Cabo — though there’s only about 45-minutes between them.
The two “Cabos” are in Baja California Sur state, on the West Coast of Mexico.
The entire Baja Peninsula has a similar climate to Southern California, and is said to have had years with 350 days of sunshine (it averages closer to 300), and some of the best scuba diving in Mexico.
🏝️ Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur
Cabo San Lucas is one of the top tourist destinations in Mexico, known for gorgeous beaches and posh hotels.
Among the best things to do in Cabo is take a boat tour to El Arco de Cabo (Cabo Arch), a natural stone arch at Land’s End, where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortez.
During the winter, many head to Baja California for whale watching in Mexico.
Take a boat tour just off the coast of Cabo San Lucas and you’re in one of the best places to see humpback whales in Mexico, though you can also see orcas (killer whales), gray whales, blue whales and more.
🏝️ San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur
San Jose del Cabo is also a beach town, but with a more laid back feel than Cabo San Lucas.
There’s a thriving cultural scene in San Jose with it’s popular monthly art walk, and the Historical Walking Tour with a Local. This popular tour, led by locals, benefits the San Jose community.
Planning to visit? The best way to get around San Jose del Cabo and the entire Baja Peninsula is by car. Check out the Ultimate Guide to Renting A car in San Jose del Cabo for more info on the Mexico rental car process.
8. Oaxaca City, Oaxaca
Oaxaca City is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the capital of Oaxaca State. For al the info you need to visit, check out Traveling to Oaxaca City: The Ultimate Oaxaca Travel Guide.
The entire state is known as one of the top places in Mexico for culturally-minded travelers, and Oaxaca City is considered the cultural epicenter of it — though the beaches of Oaxaca are also amazing.
Besides all the amazing Oaxaca food, the city hosts some of the country’s most colorful, fun and culturally-rich festivals.
In July, there’s the Guelaguetza (pronounced geh-la-getz-uh), the largest folk festival on the Americas Continent, and Day of the Dead on November 1-2.
💦 Hierve el agua
There are so many things to do in Oaxaca itself, like visiting the beautiful Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán Cathedral and Oaxaca Botanical Garden in Centro Historico (Historic Downtown).
However, one of the best Oaxaca sites, Hierve el Agua, is located just outside the city.
Hierve el agua translates to “boiling water,” and there are natural thermal pools and hot springs here. There’s also a calcified waterfall, which isn’t actually a waterfall, though it does look like one from a distance.
You can hike down to the waterfall, then enjoy relaxing in the pools afterwards.
🗿 Monte Alban Ruins
Located about 30 minutes outside of Oaxaca City Center, Monte Alban is the most-visited of all archeological sites and ancient ruins in Oaxaca.
It is another one of the Oaxaca UNESCO World Heritage Sites, though there are other ruins in the area, including Mitla and Yagul.
💀 Day of the Dead in Oaxaca Mexico
Each November 1-2, there’s the Oaxaca Day of the Dead festival.
This holiday’s origins date back to the ancient Aztecs, though some traditions changed after the Spanish Conquest.
What remains today, is a beautiful city-wide celebration and party in tribute to deceased loved ones.
9. Puebla City, Puebla
About three hours south of Mexico City, you’ll arrive at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ciudad de Puebla de Zaragoza (better known as Puebla City, Mexico).
Puebla City is the capital of Puebla state, a fascinating city and one of the top places to visit in Mexico.
Puebla City is known for its colorful buildings and an abundance of churches.
Urban legends say there are 365 churches and chapels in Puebla, one for each day of the year, but the city also has amazing food and the country’s largest Cinco de Mayo celebration.
One of the most underrated foodie destinations in the world, sampling authentic Puebla Mexican food and Mexico drinks is a good reason to visit this historic city!
However, one particular day of the year is more festive than many others — 5 de Mayo.
🪅 Cinco de Mayo in Puebla, Mexico
A popular weekend trip or Mexico City day trip all year-long, many visitors will head to Puebla for Cinco de Mayo, or May 5th.
A very popular holiday commemorated in the U.S. and a few other countries, in Mexico, Cinco de Mayo is rarely celebrated outside of Puebla.
Historically, Puebla is the only city in the country with real ties to Cinco de Mayo. Though the holiday is often mislabeled as Mexican Independence Day, that holiday actually takes place on September 16th, not May 5th.
The holiday, rather, is in honor of May 5, 1862; the day Mexico declared victory over France at the Battle of Puebla to end the Franco-Mexican War.
As this event took place in Puebla, Mexico, the city hosts battle reenactments and elaborate festivals during their annual celebration.
💒 Cholula, Puebla
Cinco de Mayo aside, Puebla is among the best cities to visit in Mexico any day of the year.
Downtown is lined with colorful buildings, especially on the Callejón de los Sapos (Frog Alley), where you can buy some talavera, a colorful Mexican tile and pottery art from Puebla state.
Puebla state, considered by some as the safest place to visit in Mexico, also has the most pueblos magicos (magic towns) of any state in Mexico.
Of its 10 so-called magical towns, Cholula is one of the most unique places to visit in Mexico, located 30 just minutes from Downtown Puebla.
🗿 Great Pyramid of Cholula
The Great Pyramid of Cholula is located underneath the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de los Remedios Cholula church—yes, under it.
It is the largest pyramid on Earth by volume, and the largest archeological site that has a pyramid in the New World.
10. Valladolid, Yucatan
Though you won’t find the pueblo magico of Valladolid on all “Popular Vacation Spots in Mexico” lists, those visiting the Yucatán Peninsula will want to see this charming town.
Colorful Valladolid, Mexico is a top destination for European visitors, with U.S. visitors just starting to catch on.
For visitors headed to the big-name beach towns of Cancun, Tulum, Riviera Maya and Playa del Carmen who want to experience authentic Mexican culture, Valladolid is it.
Still relatively off the beaten path, it has remained affordable, yet is still one of the best places in Mexico to vacation.
It is only two hours from both Tulum and Merida, making it a great day trip from either. However, staying overnight is even better, as there are so many things to do in Valladolid.
For fans of Mexican folk art, the Casa de los Venados has the country’s largest private collection.
Besides this museum, check out the Valladolid Zocalo (Town Square), where you’ll find the Iglesia de San Servacio Valladolid church, a beautiful cathedral built in 1545.
Located nearby, the historic Convento de San Bernardino de Siena is one of the oldest Franciscan missions in Mexico.
🤿 Cenote Zaci & Valladolid Cenotes
Valladolid is also the closest city to Chichen Itza Mayan Ruins, and many of the best cenotes in Mexico!
If you’re wondering What is a cenote? — They are essentially natural jungle pools with freshwater, found almost exclusively in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico.
One of the best cenotes in Valladolid, Cenote Zaci, is only about a short walk from downtown.
This partially-open cenote is the perfect place to cool off after a few hours of exploring the town, though there are other great cenotes nearby, like Cenote Suytun and Cenote Oxman.
11. Isla Holbox Island, Quintana Roo
Before we get to any info, let’s ensure you pronounce this island’s name right! Isla Holbox is pronounced hole-bosh, not hole-box! Holbox pronunciation out of the way, let’s discuss this gorgeous Mexican Caribbean island.
Holbox Island is located in Quintana Roo, about three hours from Cancun. Many visitors fly to Cancun International Airport (code: CUN) and then make the trip from Cancun to Holbox Island.
To get to the island, you take the Holbox Ferry from the small pueblo of Chiquila Mexico.
🚴 Holbox Travel Tip: There are no cars allowed on Holbox Island! Everyone gets around by walking, biking or on a golf cart.
Located in the Caribbean Sea, Holbox is one of the Mexican Caribbean islands, along with Cozumel, Isla Mujeres and Isla Contoy.
It is popular with a more laid back crowd, and especially popular from June to September when you can swim with the whales.
Final Thoughts: Best Places to Visit in Mexico Right Now
While many think Mexico is just one giant beach, there are amazing and historic vacation cities in Mexico as well.
Now, with 5,800-miles of coastline, if you’re looking for a beachfront vacation place in Mexico, you have no shortage of those either. Hopefully, this list well represents both.
To classify the “Best Places in Mexico to Visit” or “Best Part of Mexico to Visit” is impossible, as they are subject to each individual traveler.
However, rest assured all destinations featured above are among the safest places to vacation in Mexico. In short, you can’t go wrong with any of them!
✈️ So what are you waiting for? Book your Mexico flight now, and start making your Mexican travel dream come true!
Ready to Book Your Mexico Vacation? Here Are Some Resources To Look At:
Mexico is a large country — the 14th largest country on Earth by size — and it’s also the 6th most biodiverse diverse country in the world.
Though it’s mostly known for beaches, there’s a lot more to Mexico than that. Check out these Mexico articles to discover parts of the country you never knew existed.
The 30 Most Beautiful Cities in Mexico (#7 Will Shock You)
Mexico Off the Beaten Path Places for Your Bucket List
20 Hot Springs in Mexico That are Calling Your Name
Hidden Beaches in Mexico You’ve Never Heard Of
Best Waterfalls in Huasteca Potosina Mexico
The Coolest Mayan Ruins in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula
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