Mexico attractions

Unlike most museums of its kind in Mexico, Tamayo Museum (Museo Tamayo) brings together a collection of over 1000 pre-Hispanic artifacts and presents them as artwork rather than archaeological finds. At this 18th century Oaxacan mansion-turned-museum, visitors can marvel over Mayan, Olmec, and Purepecha sculptures, figurines, and more—once the private collection of Zapotec artist Rufino Tamayo.

Part of the Chichen Itza complex on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, Gran Juego de Pelota is an ancient Mesoamerican ball court. Visitors are drawn to this landmark to learn about the significance of the ball game, which was central to Maya culture. The impressive architecture and ruins of the archaeological site, as a whole, provide insight into the rituals and social structures of the ancient civilization.

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.

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.

Rampant tourism hasn’t reared its head in Todos Santos, probably the prettiest town in Baja—and this long beach is gloriously free of any development. Reach the beach via La Cachora dirt road for beach days, long-distance whale-watching, gnarly surf breaks, and top-notch strolling and sunset watching. Undertows and heavy breaks make La Cachora dangerous for swimming most of the year.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

Not far from the bustling tourist hub of Puerto Vallarta, El Cora Crocodile Sanctuary is a hidden gem in the heart of Nayarit. The sanctuary offers a safe haven for crocodiles and other native wildlife, as well as an enriching experience that combines adventure, education, and nature.

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).

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.

Visit the Mexican Folk Art Museum, located in Xcaret Park, to see its colorful collection of art and handicrafts from throughout Mexico. Its exhibits provide a window into Mexican culture and history through traditional artwork. Don’t miss its famed collection of Los Dias De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) dolls.

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.

This legendary market in Tijuana’s upscale Zona Rio neighborhood is about as authentic as Mexican markets come, with a cornucopia of produce, sweets, cheeses, and street food that can make a trip across the US-Mexico border worthwhile. Visit at the beginning of your trip for a taste of local color, or at the end of your visit to stock up on souvenirs.

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.

A replica of the Spanish ship Santa Maria—from Christopher Columbus’ first voyage across the Atlantic—the Marigalante lives in the port of Puerto Vallarta. These days the ship heads out to sea on family-friendly tours; pirate- and Mexican heritage–themed shows and activities take place both day and night.

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.

From zebras to giraffes, birds and monkeys, Pai Pai Ecotourism Park not only lets you view an array of animals but you can interact with many creatures, too. In addition to promoting the welfare and protection of wildlife, the park offers a range of adventure activities including bungee jumping, climbing walls, and ziplines over animal habitats.

Hotel California is a boutique hotel in Todos Santos, a town near Los Cabos, Mexico. Ideal for those looking to escape into the Baja California countryside, the hotel is decorated in a colonial Mexican style, while its 11 luxurious suites contains furnishings from around the world.

Hailed as the crescendo of Luis Barragán’s career, Casa Gilardi showcases the skill of one of Mexico’s most acclaimed architects. In typical Barragán style, the modernist property celebrates light, color, and clean lines; its design reflects its urban location and the taste of the advertising executive that commissioned Barragán to create his final project.

Conveniently located in the Guadalajara historic center, Guadalajara Wax Museum is one of only three wax museums in Mexico. Opened in 1994, Guadalajara Wax Museum currently houses more than 160 wax replicas of fictional, political, and historic figures, as well as Mexican and international celebrities.

Known colloquially as the MUAC, Mexico City’s University Museum of Contemporary Art (Museo Universitario Arte Contemporáneo) brings together one of the largest public collections of contemporary work from Mexican artists in an architecturally noteworthy building. Over 14,000-square-feet (1,300-square-meters), explore permanent and temporary exhibits, grab lunch at the on-site café, and explore the surrounding UNAM campus it calls home.

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.

La Ventanilla—a popular ecotourism destination on the Oaxacan coast—incorporates a small coastal village, undeveloped beaches, and the Tonameca River lagoon, all scenically sandwiched between the Pacific and the Sierra Madre mountains. Visitors to La Ventanilla can explore mangroves with a guide, ride horseback, and visit crocodile farms on the Costa Chica.