Mexico attractions

The Red House (Chichanchob) at Chichen Itza is an ancient residential structure with remnants of red paint that decorated the inner walls. It’s believed to have been the former residence of high-ranking Maya and features intricate carvings and murals that provide insight into the culture and daily practices of this ancient civilization.

Lively dance performances, roaming street vendors, and proximity to some of the city’s top attractions—such as salsa clubs, an 18th-century cathedral, and an imposing fortress—characterize the pedestrianized Veracruz Zócalo. Use the zócalo as a jumping-off point for further exploration of the city or relax in the café-filled arcades which line the square.

Few museums anywhere have such unconventional collections: Tijuana-themed ephemera, postcards, old telephones, superhero toys and memorabilia, and an entire floor dedicated to Lucha Libre, Mexico’s unique wrestling style. Situated in the heart of Tijuana in a renovated restaurant, MUCOTI (Museo del Coleccionista de Tijuana) isn’t the trendiest museum in the city, but it’s the most unexpected and nostalgic.

Spanning two major neighborhoods in downtown Monterrey—the Zona Rosa and Barrio Antiguo (Old Town)—Calle Morelos is a pedestrianized shopping, dining, and sightseeing street in the Nuevo León city. West of the Macroplaza, expect local shops with leather goods, clothing, and more; east of the Macroplaza, look out for cool restaurants, cute cafés, and the Mercado Barrio Antiguo.

Spanning more than 80,730 square feet (7,500 square meters), the Museo de Historia Natural in Mexico City is housed within a series of colorful dome structures, which showcase more than 2,500 specimens. It’s a must-visit museum for anthropology buffs and a fun and educational experience for kids, too.

Originally built as a World War II warship, the Felipe Xicotencatl was part of Mexico’s naval fleet for decades. It sunk off the Caribbean coast in 1999, and was later donated to Cozumel’s marine park as an artificial reef. Today, the Felipe Xicotencatl is part of a popular dive site and is home to corals and other marine life.

One of the Riviera Maya’s premier scuba diving sites, Tormentos Reef is located off the coast of Cozumel and houses a rich variety of marine life. Here you can find purple and orange coral structures upward of 30 feet (9 meters) in height, tunnels hiding nurse sharks and sea turtles, and huge manta rays nestled in the sand.

Most zoos showcase animals from around the world, but Zoológico Miguél Álvarez del Toro (ZOOMAT) focuses on the flora and fauna of Chiapas, the second most biodiverse state in Mexico. Many animals are kept in naturalistic, open-air enclosures while others roam free, making ZOOMAT more like a national park than a traditional zoo.

If you’re looking for guaranteed pink flamingo sightings, a trip out to Celustun is your best bet. There’s a pleasant enough beach where you can spread out a blanket, look for shells, or go swimming, but the main reason to visit is to hire a boat captain to take your party out on a flamingo tour. You head into a lagoon area where the big pink birds hang out each day, flying around and settling down in shallow areas in large groups to look for food. It’s rare to come here and not see a few dozen flamingoes in bunches as you troll around on the boat. The tour also usually includes a “petrified forest” with mangrove stumps sticking out of the mud and a visit to a swimming hole on land filled by cool, clear spring water. It’s a great place to cool off from the viewing time in the hot sun. Afterwards there are a variety of inexpensive seafood restaurants near the beach and town square, all serving shrimp ceviche, fresh-caught fish from the Gulf of Mexico, and cold beer or margaritas.