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Published: 01-12-2021
If you are choosing Mexico for your holidays, where to visit may actually be one of your hardest decisions! There are so many spectacular and wonderful places to go in Mexico, its hard to decide on exactly where to go! From the brightly coloured streets of the colonial cities to some of the most spectacular strips of sand in the world, Mexico is a huge country with a with an incredible number of destinations to explore. Depending on what you are looking for in your ideal vacation place, we have narrowed it down to at least the most popular holiday destinations to help you choose which is the best for you!
Mexican turquoise Ocean
Cancun
Cancun, can be found on the Yucatan Peninsula in the state of Quintana Roo. This is the most popular state to visit in the whole country, receiving over 3 million visitors each year. This should give you a good idea about the kind of destination it is and why you should go! Jam-packed with state-of-the-art hotels and modern facilities all along a stunning Caribbean coastline, and close to some of the major Mayan archaeological sites in Mexico, makes this the perfect holiday destination for everyone! If you get bored with the stunning beach, there are a number of excellent day trips from Cancun, including water parks, nature parks, cenotes, ancient archaeological sites, and more. However, be aware that Cancun's spectacular beaches, have their unique pull, so it maybe that you are reluctant to leave the warm white sand and lapping Caribbean waves. When choosing a hotel in Cancun, there are a plethora of options. Make sure you choose to stay where the ambience fits in with your groups´ needs, whether that be a family friendly hotel, a secluded, romantic hideaway or a full-on party vibe.
Cancun luxury vacation
Guadalajara
Guadalajara is known as Mexico's "second city" although a few other industrial cities like Monterrey are now bigger in size. This cultural and lively city in the state of Jalisco offers everything from historical sites, excellent museums, traditional architecture and magnificent monuments which tell the tale of nearly 500 years of history. Its cultural and intellectual components make it an interesting destination for foreign students, especially due to it being the birthplace of mariachi music and tequila. Activitiy-wise There are many things to do in Guadalajara. When you first get there, take a city tour to appreciate the impressive architecture and historical monuments. If food is your thing, then Guadalajara will not let you down! Try a torta ahogada ("drowning sandwich") or Birria- a spicy meat dish, usually made from goat or mutton, or take a day trip to the birthplace of tequila to explore more about Mexico's most popular drink.
Guadalajara
Guanajuato
Guanajuato has approximately 80,000 inhabitants and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Once a silver mining town, it played an intrinsic role during Mexico's war of Independence. Today, Guanajuato is a university town with a vibrant social scene, especially in the month of October when the Cervantino Festival takes place. Originally meant to pay tribute to Miguel de Cervantes, the festival is now a celebration of cultural expression including music, dance, theatre, visual arts, and literature. Guanajuato has beautiful architecture with examples of baroque and neoclassical designs. You can also visit the family home of the artist Diego Rivera which is now a museum, as well as one of the creepiest attractions of Mexico, the Guanajuato mummy museum.
Guanajuato
Los Cabos
Located on the tip of the Baja peninsula in the south of Baja California, the two cities of Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo, come together to form Los Cabos. The two towns offer a number of attractions in a stunning natural setting, with the rock arch at Land’s End, being the prominent feature. Cabo San Lucas is home to the main resorts, with a marina, top-end hotels, resorts, restaurants and nightclubs. San Jose del Cabo is a more laid-back town with a vibrant arts scene, art galleries and boutiques. A fascinating and bohemian town to wander around and get lost in. Activities in Los Cabos include beach-hopping, whale watching excursions, adventure activities such as zip-lining and ATV´s or you can even ride a camel! Los Cabos resorts, have child-free options for the grownups as well as family-friendly options, so choose well!
Los cabos
Merida
The cosmopolitan city of Mérida can be found on the Yucatan. Yucatecan cuisine, beautiful colonial buildings, the proximity of some of Mexico's most impressive Mayan archaeological sites and a vibrant cultural scene make Merida a fascinating destination. Founded in 1542 by the Spanish on top of the old Mayan city of T'Ho. The main square was established in the heart of the ancient city and is bordered by impressive buildings such as the Cathedral, the Casa de Montejo, and the Government Palace. The tree-lined plaza is a great place to people-watch and there are cultural events most days of the week. The Maya Museum, “Gran Museo del Mundo” has fascinating exhibits, including the asteroid that may have caused the extinction of the dinosaurs, the geology of the area, and of course, the ever-important Maya civilization.
Merida sunset
Mexico City
This ancient Aztec capital and later, the capital of colonial New Spain, Mexico City is now a modern metropolis and the largest city in the world. You can visit the main temple of Tenochtitlan, as the Aztecs called it, or the plaza where you can see buildings from the three ancient periods of the city. Take a walking tour of the historical centre to marvel at the many important buildings and monuments, and get your bearings. DC has a plethora of interesting museums, including important sites related to Frida Kahlo, one of Mexico´s most famous artists.
Mexico City
Oaxaca
Oaxaca, is a colonial city located in Southern Mexico, in the Sierra Madre mountain range. Oaxaca was occupied as far back as 12,000 BC, and was home to the Zapotec civilization who had their capital on a mountain top, now the archaeological site of Monte Alban. Dominican friars, who arrived with the Spanish conquistadors, are responsible for the construction of numerous ornate churches including Santo Domingo, considered one of the finest examples of Mexican Baroque architecture. The Pre-hispanic and colonial legacies combine to make Oaxaca a fascinating place to visit. Oaxaca is also considered one of Mexico’s most important culinary destinations, with a variety of typical Oaxacan foods and drinks, including the famous “mole” , which can be sampled in any of Oaxaca´s excellent restaurants.
Oaxaca
Puebla
Just outside of Mexico City, Puebla de Zaragoza is blessed with stunning colonial architecture, great cuisine, and a fascinating history. It was the site of the landmark battle of 1862 which is celebrated every year throughout Mexico as the Cinco de mayo holiday. Take a walking tour of the historical centre of Puebla to admire the incredible architecture, including the Baroque Rosary Chapel in the Santo Domingo church and the public library, amongst others. Shop for talavera pottery or attend a workshop to see how it’s made, or sample some of the delicious traditional Poblano dishes, including mole poblano, chiles en nogada, and numerous delectable desserts on offer. If you're traveling with children, visit the nearby African Safari Park, or head out to the largest pyramid in the world, which is located in the close-by town of Cholula.
Puebla
San Cristobal de las Casas
A lovely colonial city in the highlands of the southern Mexican state of Chiapas, San Cristobal de las Casas has cobblestone streets, houses with red-tiled roofs, and impressive colonial architecture. San Cristobal's large indigenous population gives the city a colourful atmosphere and rich cultural heritage. Beyond the town, there are a number of fascinating day trips, including The Sumidero Canyon and the Mayan indigenous village of San Juan Chamula. San Cristobal de las Casas is an excellent destination for people who are interested in indigenous Maya culture and the gifts tat mother nature has to offer, making it the perfect base for exploring Chiapas as a whole.
San cristobal de las Casas
San Miguel de Allende
San Miguel de Allende, colonial jewel of the state of Guanajuato, is blessed with a mild climate, thermal springs and beautiful colonial architecture. The city, played a major role during the Mexican War of Independence and is now home to a large expat community. There are restaurants art galleries and boutiques for souvenir shopping and the town was the birth place of Ignacio de Allende, one of the heroes of Mexican Independence. The best way to discover the picturesque historical centre is by taking a walking tour of San Miguel de Allende. El Charco del Ingenio, is also worth a visit and serves as both botanical garden and nature reserve.
San Miguel de Allende
Tulum
The town of Tulum, on Mexico's Riviera Maya was once a busy Mayan ceremonial centre and trading port. One of the main attractions here is the Tulum archaeological site, found o a hilltop, overlooking the ocean. Tulum is its impressive, pristine beach which is considered by many to be the most stunning in all of Mexico, attracting visitors from all over the world. Tulum has grown in popularity as well as size in recent years, with a growing number of hotels and restaurants.
