Top 10 Best Places To Visit In Mexico | Travel Guide

Long a favorite vacation destination for North Americans, Mexico is also becoming increasingly popular with tourists from Europe seeking to enjoy the country's seemingly endless sunshine, stunning scenery, cultural attractions, nightlife, and beautiful sandy beaches. Topping the whole experience is the country's rich culture, a fascinating mix of native people as well as colonial influences from Spain that show up in everything from the country's culinary So, here's a look at the best places to visit in Mexico. Number 1. Mexico City As one of the oldest metropolises in the Americas, Mexico City is woven with rich histories, from the Aztec period to the Spanish conquest to the Mexican Revolution. The only royal castle in North America, the Chapultepec Castle is a must-visit. Not only do you get to see the opulent historic castle rooms, stained glass windows, and tiled floors, but the castle's location on top of a hill means that you also get some of the best views in Mexico City. The single most impressive museum is the National Museum of Anthropology. This massive facility contains so many rooms and exhibits that you could easily spend an entire day here, learning about the history and culture of the people who lived in the area. Templo Mayor was the centerpiece of Tenochtitlan, the ancient Aztec capital, constructed in 1325 in the marshes of Lake Texcoco. The temple was mowed over and replaced by a cathedral during the Spanish conquest in 1521. Today, the hulking stone ruins lie at the heart of Centro Histórico, embedded in the blueprint of downtown. Surrounded by streets and buildings, it is hard to imagine the temples in their original Aztecan glory, but the nicely organized museum helps paint the full picture. Moving on to number two, Cancun. The beaches and nightlife here are key diversions for many Cancun visitors, but the area also earns praise for cultural activities like Chichen Itza and the underwater art museum on Isla Mujeres. Downtown Cancun provides a taste of local culture with delicious street food, small shops, green parks, and Mexican wrestling. Mercado 28 is a huge maze like flea market with over 600 vendors and restaurants. Stalls sell tons of trinkets and textiles like maracas, blankets, and leather goods, with some great bargain prices and some unique handicrafts mixed in with the souvenirs. The Musa is an underwater art museum in between Cancun and Isla Mujeres. Over 500 sculptures by six artists were designed and installed to encourage the growth of coral and replenish the habitat of tropical marine life. Subjects include giant hands, naval mines, and life-sized people modeled after Cancun locals. There are a few ways to visit, by glass-bottom boat or snorkeling, and by scuba diving in the Isla Mujeres. Number 3. Puerto Vallarta. Located in the Mexican state of Jalisco on Mexico's Pacific coast, Puerto Vallarta is one of those places that will stick with you forever. Unlike other beach destinations in the country that were built for tourism, Puerto Vallarta retains its roots as an authentic port town, packed with history, culture, and the heart of Real Mexico. Islas Marietas or the Marieta Islands are simply stunning. This is an area of several untouched, pristine tiny islands, the perfect place to relax and explore some of the best natural beauty Puerto Vallarta has to offer. The Vallarta Botanical Gardens with its gorgeous flowers, vanilla plantations, and interesting trees is one of the best ways to enjoy the flora and fauna of Puerto Vallarta. The gardens are actually privately owned and were set up to showcase the diversity of the region and to protect it. Number 4. Tulum. Home to an ancient Mayan city, Tulum was once called Zama or City of Dawn. This tropical paradise is located about two hours south of Cancun along Mexico's Riviera Maya in the Quintana Roo region. Boasting beautiful sandy beaches and crystal-clear water, Tulum is also a scuba diving paradise with many cenotes and caves to explore. One of the best-kept secrets in Tulum is the Laguna de Camlón, which sits just 9 kilometers south of Tulum town. This magical lagoon hosts a huge cenote in its center, which imbues the lagoon's water with a spectacular array of colors. Visit the lagoon and bathe in the mud that's produced by the cenote, which according to legend has healing properties. Just south of Tulum lies the enormous Ciancan Biosphere, a protected area home to thousands of species of flora and fauna, as well as some of the most pristine water in Mexico. Inside the park, you'll find dolphins, turtles, and more fish and birds than you can count. 5. Cozumel Cozumel is Mexico's largest island and is one of its most beautiful as well. Just a 12-mile ferry ride across from Playa del Carmen off the northeast coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, Cozumel provides a Caribbean-style getaway not far from the popular resorts of Punta Sur Eco Beach Eco Park is definitely one of the top things to visit in Cozumel. This park is located on the south of the island and covers an area of 2,500 acres. Here you'll find exotic birds, crocodiles, sea turtles, beautiful flowers, and beautiful beaches. The perfect place for nature lovers. One of the most interesting natural attractions on Cozumel is Laguna Chancanab, a small freshwater lake just 6 kilometers south of San Miguel de Cozumel in the National Marine Park. Cut off from the sea, it's a popular place to visit thanks to its crystal-clear water and numerous colorful tropical fish, and is an enchanting place to swim, snorkel, and scuba dive. Now, before you plan your next trip to Mexico, make sure to check out the first link in the description where you can find the best deals for your flight, hotel, and car rentals in Mexico. Number six on our list is Cabo San Lucas. Cabo San Lucas is one of two parts that make up Los Cabos, a destination at the tip of the Baja Peninsula. Perched at the convergence of the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez, this small stretch of Mexico's beaches is known for hosting a plethora of five-star resorts, fresh seafood, whale-watching opportunities, and other tropical adventures. Make sure to make a trip to the extreme southern point of Baja California, Mexico's land's end. The coastline here is the stuff of dreams, with rare rock formations, secluded beaches, and even sea lions. The main event is El Arco, a magnificent sea arch that deserves pride of place in your photo collection. With several species of whales making their way to the area every year, whale-watching is extremely popular in Cabo. Generally, the best time to spot whales is between December through April, with January through March offering the chance to see baby whales too. Also, add a visit to the Iglesia de San Lucas while you're in Cabo. This church has a deep, interesting history dating back to the 1700s. In addition to admiring the structure itself featuring two ancient bells at the top, there are also other activities to explore. Number Seven. Copper Canyon. Seven times larger than the Grand Canyon, the Copper Canyon is a spectacular natural attraction located in the state of Chihuahua in northern Mexico. Here, the El Cheap Railroad opened in 1961 after decades of construction snakes up from the Pacific coast to the Haichihuahuan Desert, giving you a truly epic itinerary from towering waterfalls to ancient ruins. El Fuerte will be the first stop if you've caught the train from Las Mochas. Visit the archaeological site of Cerro de la Mascara where 300 petroglyphs have been found on rocks that were once used as a ceremonial center. Sitting 7,350 feet above sea level, Creole, home to the indigenous Tarahumara, is another gateway town to Copper Canyon. While you're there, take the stairs from the corner of Grand Vision and Cristo Rey to the top of a hill where a Sculptura de Cristo Rey looks over the city. Basasique National Park and Candemena Canyon. Home to Basasique Falls is the second-tallest waterfall in Mexico, dropping a whopping 812 feet. You can see it from various lookouts along hiking trails through the park. Number Eight. Guanajuato. The Jardin de la Union is the heart of historic Guanajuato and serves as the city's main square. Always bustling, this pleasant plaza with its fountains and flower beds is ringed by numerous hotels and restaurants, making it a perfect place from which to venture out to explore the rest of the city. Dominating the main plaza of Guanajuato is the eye-catching Yellow Basilica de Nuestra Senora de Guanajuato, topped with a massive rose-red dome. Built in 1696, the building features a Mexican Baroque architectural style with unique details left by miners and silver barons. If you're looking to explore more of Guanajuato's history, you can still visit some of the old mines, like Valenciana Mine, located just outside downtown. Besides the silver mines, Guanajuato is a very artistic, lively town. There are several art colleges and universities and a large student population, which adds a youthful feel to this historic town. Number Nine. Guadalajara. Guadalajara may be Mexico's second-largest city and the capital of the state of Jalisco, but it is a city that has still managed to preserve the independent character of a town conscious of its own traditions. The best way to get introduced to Guadalajara is with a stroll through the Centro Histórico. Start your exploration off in the Plaza de Armas, which is surrounded by the double-spired Guadalajara Cathedral and the Historic Governor's Office. Be sure to walk through the nearby Liberation Square to snap a photo with the Guadalajara sign. From here, you have easy access to several museums, such as the Regional Museum of Guadalajara. Guadalajara is considered to be the cultural center of Mexico, hosting countless events throughout the year. One of the most renowned events is the Guadalajara International Book Fair and the International Film Festival. When in Guadalajara, visit the largest indoor market in Latin America, better known as Mercado Libertad, San Juan de Dios. This market, consisting of three floors and approximately 3,000 shops and stalls, has everything to offer, from locally grown fruits and vegetables to handmade crafts and clothes. Avenida Chapultepec is the premier place to go to when you want to experience the modern side of Guadalajara. This area has plenty of restaurants and shops and is bustling with activity. Many events take place on this street. The most famous is the annual parade of the International Mariachi Festival. This involves many mariachi bands from all over the world taking part in folk dances and colorful floats. It is a beautiful sight and one that you will reminisce about for years to come if you can catch it live. Number 10. Merida. Merida, the capital of Yucatan, has retained much of its old colonial charm. For centuries a prosperous center for textiles with strong trade connections to Europe, the city became known as Ciudad Blanca or the White City for the white garments worn by the town's folks, a tradition that continues to this day. One of the first things to do in Merida is visiting a local market. Merida is known for crafting a lot of ceramic items and its folkloric clothing. One of the best local markets is Bazar Garcia Region, where you can also find a lot of ceramic items, clothing, and souvenirs. The bazaar is pretty big and has existed since 1862. Plaza Mayor, also known as Plaza de la Independencia or Plaza Grande, is both the commercial and cultural hub of Merida and is a good place to start a walking tour of the old city center. In addition to being surrounded by some of Merida's most important buildings, it's also a very pleasant space to simply hang out, thanks to its shady palm trees, beautiful flower gardens, and fountains.