Sayil is a distinguished Maya site in the Puuc Hills of the Yucatan, located a short drive from the larger ruins of Uxmal. Sayil is a part of the same UNESCO World Heritage Site as Uxmal and is significant due to its royal origins. It is believed that Sayil was once ruled by a royal dynasty, and the palace ruins remain impressive today.
Cozumel’s Royal Castle (Castillo Real) is a small Maya ruin on the island’s remote northeastern shore. Centuries ago, this stone outpost was likely a guard station to keep watch for enemy ships on the open sea. Today the structure is notable for its high vantage point, offering panoramic views of the coastline and the Caribbean Sea.
A small museum dedicated to Maya textile art, the Centro de Textiles del Mundo Maya is a must for anyone interested in San Cristóbal de las Casas’ Indigenous handicrafts. Located in a historic cloister in the complex of Santo Domingo church, the museum is also a tranquil refuge for visitors seeking a respite from the town center’s hustle and bustle.
A multi-tiered waterfall tumbling into the steep Rio La Venta canyon, Cascada el Aguacero is one of the most popular natural attractions in Chiapas. The most spectacular views can be found at the bottom of the falls, where sprays of water turn into a cool, breezy mist.
A must-see site for archaeology lovers and architectural buffs, Labna boasts Maya ruins built in the ancient Puuc style, marked by the use of concrete and decorative elements. Located in the Yucatan Peninsula, near the larger Uxmal ruins, Labna is a compact structure hidden within the Puuc Hills.
One of the most impressive buildings within Chichen Itza, the Temple of the Warriors is a highlight of the UNESCO-listed archaeological site. Towering over the surrounding landscape, the pyramid-like structure is a testament to the ingenuity of Mayan architecture.
Get a first-hand look at the process of turning fresh coffee berries into a cup of aromatic brew at Finca La Gloria. This family-owned coffee plantation in the Sierra Madre de Oaxaca is known for its fertile green farms and butterfly sanctuary. Here you can tour the working coffee farm and sample high-quality organic blends straight from the roaster.
Housed in a lovely brick building on the swankier north side of Todos Santos, this contemporary gallery is a holdover from the ‘90s, before the surf village hit the travel and quirky art-scene map. Visit to say hello to the local artists who run the gallery and to see an eclectic mix of fine art from Baja talents.
El Caracol, or "The Snail” in Spanish, is an ancient Maya observatory in Chichen Itza that’s known for its spiral staircase and celestial alignment. This unique structure showcases the Mayans' advanced astronomical knowledge, as it helped them to track events such as solstices. With its rounded design and elevated position, El Caracol offers insight into the civilization's sophisticated scientific and architectural achievements.
As its name suggests, this water park is modeled after a fabled Maya kingdom—and an explorer’s quest to find it. Located in the otherwise sleepy fishing village of Mahahual along the Costa Maya, the park is a riot of themed rides where visitors can live out adventure dreams on everything from large water slides to ziplines and lazy rivers.
Playacar is a gated community just south of Playa del Carmen, Mexico, which is known for its all-inclusive resorts and private beachfront villas. It's ideal for those who want to stay right on the sand and still be close to the excitement of Fifth Avenue. Playacar’s wide and not-too-crowded beaches are some of the nicest in Playa.
In the heart of Fundidora Park, the Sesame Street-themed Parque Plaza Sesamo is a nostalgic and family-friendly day out. Here, you can meet and greet iconic characters such as Elmo and the Cookie Monster; explore Count von Count’s Castle; and make a splash in the waterpark zones.
Housed within a converted turn-of-the-century building, Monterrey’s 3-story Glass Museum (Museo del Vidrio) offers an insight into the history of Mexican glass manufacture and the European glass industry. Highlights include the working factory, glassblowing demonstrations, and the century-old traditional stained-glass workshop.
Located in a restored turn-of-the-century mansion in the Juárez neighborhood, the Mexico City Wax Museum is a family-friendly highlight of the area and one of just a few official wax museums in the country. Explore the diverse collection of more than 230 figures, and take photos with your favorite national and international celebrities, politicians, artists, and others.
Plaza Civica—or Plaza Civica de la Patria—is Ensenada’s central square, a swath of grass and short walking paths flanked by the waterfront on one side and Federal Highway 1 on the other. A massive Mexican flag typically flies over the plaza, where you can see statues of Benito Juarez, Miguel Hidalgo, and Venustiano Carranza—some of Mexico's most important historical figures.
Marvel at over 800 species of jellyfish at Mexico’s largest jellyfish exhibition and admire seahorses, octopuses, and clownfish in one of several saltwater tanks at Mazatlán Aquarium (Acuario de Mazatlán). Ideal for families and animal lovers alike, there are also daily live animal shows, an onsite marine museum, botanical garden, aviary, and more.
With almost 400 species across eight permanent exhibits—including Latin America’s largest reptile house—Guadalajara Zoo (Zoológico Guadalajara) is one of Mexico’s most diverse zoos. Highlights are white Bengal tigers, rare Mexican wolves, and endangered crocodiles, as well as sweeping views over the Barranca de Huentitán (Huentitán Canyon).
Take in the Mexican countryside in style with a ride on the elegant Jose Cuervo Express, which carries visitors through the agave fields of Jalisco. Old-school wood paneling and comfortable seats provide the perfect atmosphere for a guided tequila tasting tour, while the town of Tequila itself is full of the charm of a classic Mexican Magic Town (an official government designation).
Waterslides and wave pools are just steps from a white-sand beach at El Rollo Acapulco, a water park that features a dolphin show as well as plenty of wild and wet fun. Grab a tube and fly down a 40-foot (12-meter) tower, zip down a 290-foot (88-meter) wavy slide, or relax as the kids enjoy Isla Infantil (Children’s Island).
Take a safari, stop by the bird show, feed giraffes, and watch out for lions, before boarding a pirate ship at the Bioparque Estrella, one of Mexico’s largest theme parks and wildlife experiences. This day-trip destination in the State of Mexico also offers adventure in the form of pedal boats, swinging bridges, and mini ziplines.
Founded in 1890, the historic Cuauhtémoc Moctezuma Brewery (Cervecería Cuauhtémoc Moctezuma) produced its very first beer in 1893. Its initial frosty brew was delicious enough to win first prize at the Chicago and Paris world fairs. Today, the once independent purveyor of barley and hops operates as a subsidiary of big-name beer company Heineken, but visitors can still experience the old world charm on a visit to the brewery, where a popular beer garden plays host to travelers and offers a free glass of Bohemia, Dos Equis or Carta Blanca to patrons.
Located within the Mayaland resort, the Viator Hospitality Suite at Chichén Itzá is an exclusive space for Viator travelers embarking on selected tours to the ancient site. Depending on the type of tour, freshen up in the air-conditioned suite before and after your visit to the famous Mayan ruins, enjoy complimentary concierge service, and benefit from free use of the resort facilities.
With sweeping vistas over the Oblatos-Huentitán Canyon and Santiago River, the Mirador Independencia Park (Parque Mirador Independencia) is one of Guadalajara’s most picturesque lookouts. Soak up the view from the checkered amphitheater or use the park as a starting point for hikes into the forested surrounds.
Often considered one of the best and most beautiful golf destinations in Mexico, the Vista Vallarta Golf Club features two high-elevation courses designed by renowned golfers Jack Nicklaus and Tom Weiskopf respectively. Here, members and non-members can play a leisurely 18 holes surrounded by views of both Banderas Bay and Sierra Madre mountains before retiring to the on-site clubhouse, bar, or restaurant.
Cozumel’s Corona Beach (Playa Corona) is a snorkeler’s paradise, with an outstanding reef that starts right offshore. There’s not much of a beach scene, as the small stretch of fine white sand ends almost at the shoreline. The shallow waters are ideal for kids, beginners, and new snorkelers, while those more adventurous can swim out to explore the reef.
Located inside Xcaret Park’s historic-style Hacienda Henequenera, the Museum of Mexican Folk Art showcases handmade works that highlight the country’s diverse regional traditions. You’ll see ceramics, textiles, wood carvings, and everyday objects that tell the story of Mexico’s artistry and cultural identity. The museum is a calm and immersive stop within the park for visitors who want to slow down and explore the craftsmanship behind the nation’s most popular folk art forms.
Known for its distinctive black clay ceramics, San Bartolo Coyotepec is a must-visit for fans of traditional crafts in search of the perfect Oaxacan souvenir. Situated just 9 miles (15 kilometers) south of Oaxaca City, San Bartolo Coyotepec’s quiet streets are lined with shops, galleries, and studios selling this regional pottery that’s now an essential part of Oaxacan tradition.
One of just four KidZania’s in the country, KidZania Cuicuilco effortlessly combines fun and education through a range of immersive, hands-on exhibits and activities that will delight children ages four to 16. In this miniature city, kids make their own entertainment—or "edutainment"—as they play at being race car drivers, firefighters, reporters and more.
Travelers seeking a true Oaxacan culinary experience will find it at Casa Crespo, a popular restaurant and cooking school that serves up traditional regional cuisine that highlights age-old flavors and market-fresh ingredients. Settle in for an alfresco cocktail on Casa Crespo’s rooftop, enjoy a multi-course meal at the restaurant, or opt for a hands-on cooking class.
Saltwater and freshwater lagoons, 1.5 miles of nature trails marked by wooden boardwalks, and tropical deciduous forests make up the 11 hectares (27 acres) of the Estero del Yugo Nature Preserve in Mazatlán. Excellent for nature lovers, look at for over 250 species of native and non-native aquatic and tropical birds, crocodiles, and mammals such as ocelots, and lynx.
