Mexico attractions

In the depths of the Chiapas jungle, the Misol-Ha Waterfall tumbles 115 feet (35 meters) into a turquoise pool below and provides refreshing respite from the hot and humid surroundings. Take a dip in the cool pool and swim beneath the falls or venture behind them on foot to explore a hidden cave complex.

Stretching around a secluded cove, Santa Maria Beach (Playa Santa María) is a protected marine sanctuary and an excellent spot for snorkeling or a relaxing day on the sand. Santa Maria’s serene setting offers an alternative to the noise and excitement of Cabo San Lucas’ beaches, and you can snorkel to spot colorful fish just a short swim from shore.

With postcard views across the Caribbean, Playa Delfines is among Cancun’s most beloved beaches. And, since it’s just beyond the gleaming high rises of the city’s hotel zone, it’s a chance to experience the area’s less commercialized side. Here, you’ll find travelers sunbathing alongside locals and families lounging in the shade of palapas planted in the sand—plus iguanas soaking up the rays and occasional dolphin sightings just offshore.

Stretching from the Yucatan to Honduras, the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef (also called the Great Maya Reef) is the world’s second-largest coral reef system. Located off laid-back Puerto Morelos, the protected section of the reef forms Puerto Morelos Reef National Park (Parque Nacional Arrecife de Puerto Morelos). It has spectacular coral that’s unusually close to shore, making it easily accessible for snorkeling and scuba diving.

One of just two so-called “petrified waterfalls” in the world—the other is Turkey’s Pamukkale—Hierve el Agua is the kind of natural wonder that blurs the line between reality and imagination. What appears to be a waterfall frozen in time is actually a unique travertine rock formation created by centuries of spring waters bubbling up in the rock, trickling over the cliffs, and leaving behind cascades of mineral deposits.

Turquoise blue waterfalls plunge to a series of pools at Chiapas’ beautiful Agua Azul. A cluster of food stalls and vendors creates a bustling atmosphere in the jungle setting, especially on busy weekends when locals go to swim and lounge by the river. To reach a quieter stretch of water, you can follow a riverside trail upstream.

Mostly unexcavated, the Chacchoben ruins (Zona Arqueológica de Chacchoben) make up the largest and most visited Maya archaeological site in Costa Maya. Here moss-covered temples sprout from a lush jungle, attracting visitors who want to learn about Maya history, including the collapse of the ancient civilization.

Known as a top diving site in the Yucatan Peninsula, Cenote Dos Ojos (Two Eyes Cenote) boasts about 300 miles (483 kilometers) of connected underwater passageways, creating a natural cave system. Divers can explore its nearly 7,000-year-old caves and underground rivers. It also contains the deepest-known cave passage in Quintana Roo.

Located on Cozumel’s southernmost tip, Punta Sur Eco Beach Park (Faro Celerain Ecological Reserve) spans 2,500 acres (1,011 hectares) of coastal wilderness, coral reefs, and Caribbean ocean. Here you can find ancient Maya ruins, a picturesque lighthouse, and sandy beaches—plus exotic birds, crocodiles, and sea turtles.

Once an ancient Maya town, Ek Balam (meaning “black jaguar” in the Mayan language) is now one of the largest archaeological sites in Mexico, famous for its 96-foot-tall (29-meter-tall) Acropolis, a stone temple that offers picturesque jungle views from its peak. Don’t miss the jaguar motifs peppered around the site’s numerous structures.

Flat-bottomed trajinera boats decked with bright lights set the festive atmosphere at Xoximilco Cancun in Xcaret Park, where revelers enjoy traditional music, drinks, and cuisine from across Mexico. It’s an experience inspired by the beloved boat parties in Mexico City’s canal-lined Xochimilco neighborhood—complete with hosts and an energetic soundtrack of live music provided by mariachi, marimba, and norteño musicians in colorful garb.

The atypical architecture of Guadalajara’s stunning 16th-century cathedral—formally known as the Basílica de la Asunción de Nuestra Señora de la Santísima Virgen María—looms large over the city’s historic center. Built predominantly in the Spanish Renaissance style, with several stained-glass windows, the most emblematic features of all are the two yellow, neo-Gothic spires which sit atop the building.

Leafy pedestrian walkways, historical monuments, and numerous open-air art and photography exhibitions characterize Paseo de la Reforma, one of Mexico City’s busiest thoroughfares which splices Chapultepec Park and connects it with the historic center. Lined by towering skyscrapers and luxury hotels, Paseo de la Reforma is also home to Mexico City landmarks like the Ángel de la Independencia.

Stretching along the banks of a coastal lagoon, the Maya ruins of Muyil are undeniably photogenic and less visited than the nearby sites of Tulum and Coba. Dominated by the steep-walled, 56-foot-tall (17-meter-tall) El Castillo, one of the region’s tallest pyramids, the Muyil ruins are an example of Peten architecture, similar to Tikal in Guatemala.

The well-preserved Maya ruins at Uxmal are considered some of the most beautiful in the Yucatan. Temple-pyramids, quadrangles, and a large ball court dot the archaeological site. Highlights include the Great Pyramid and the unusually rounded Pyramid of the Magician. A nightly light and sound show brings the magic of Uxmal to life.

Set within Cozumel Reefs National Marine Park, Chanakanaab Adventure Park offers a touch of nature with the amenities, convenience, and safety features of an aqua park. While it’s open to anyone who pays entry, it’s especially popular with Cozumel’s cruise ship crowd, given its location just south of the terminal. The park’s things-to-do list is lengthy, from basking on a beach with a cocktail, to discovering replica Maya ruins, to snorkeling in sandy shallows and learning to scuba dive.

Located on Cozumel’s rugged eastern coast, El Mirador lookout is a rocky seascape dotted with natural bridges, tide pools, and stone spires. This wild, undeveloped area looks out onto the open Caribbean Sea and offers a breezy escape from Cozumel’s more touristy areas.

High in the rugged mountains of the northern state of Guerrero, the city of Taxco de Alarcon was once an isolated Spanish stronghold. Today, it is known for its silver mines and the generations of artisans who create some of Mexico's most beautiful jewelry. In addition to the silver shops, take in the town’s architectural and natural attractions.

Shady cabanas are manicured and offer relaxation—and a party atmosphere—at this Cozumel beach club. It’s all about sea, sun, and sand, minus the crowds that fill some of Cozumel’s public beaches. Along with the waterside cabanas, Mr. Sancho’s Beach Club offers sun loungers, spa services, dining, and toys such as sit-on-top kayaks, snorkeling equipment, and Jet Skis, available for use in the calm water just offshore.

With 3,000-foot (nearly-1,000-meter) canyon walls lining the Grijalva River, Sumidero Canyon National Park (Parque Nacional Cañón del Sumidero) is home to monkeys, crocodiles, and other wildlife. The best views of the canyon are from the bottom, so join the stream of boats cruising up and down the river, and take in the scenery.

The Grand Cenote is a semi-open sinkhole, half exposed to the lush jungle foliage that surrounds it. Its combination of light and shade makes it a great setting for underwater photography, and the cenote’s clear waters are home to turtles, fish, and lots of snorkelers. Beautiful though it may be, it’s also one of the busier cenotes in the Tulum area.

Deep within a mangrove forest just 20 minutes from Tulum, Casa Cenote is a freshwater sinkhole perfect for paddle boarding, swimming, and snorkeling. Look out for freshwater fish such as guppies and platys; take a dip in the refreshingly cool water; and explore Casa Cenote’s numerous underwater caverns.

The highlight of this protected, private reserve is the extensive cave system. With underground pools of clear blue water, cave fish, and intricate rock formations, Rio Secreto feels like a place where nature took its time. The cave system is surrounded by swathes of bright green jungle and rugged bike trails, offering peaceful immersion in the region’s natural beauty.

Named after the Mayan word for “the place where the waters are born,” the Xel-Há aquatic park encompasses 14 acres (5.7 hectares) of jungle and ocean just south of Playa del Carmen. A must-visit family-friendly attraction, Xel-Há is home to cenotes, a lazy river, fish-filled lagoons, and other natural attractions where you can see the area’s biodiversity. It is a fun day trip for those looking for a break from the beach.

With its scenic streets, traditional architecture, and indigenous community, San Juan Chamula is a popular day-trip destination in Chiapas. The undeniably highlight of any tour is the central Church of San Juan, which blends colonial Catholic practice with Mayan tradition and ritual to create a truly unique and pew-less place of worship—look out for the tiny mirrors, which are said to ward away evil.

Steeped in history and mysticism, the ancient burial site of Mitla—which translates as the “Place of the Dead”—dates back to 900 BC. Notable for its mix of Zapotec and Mixtec architecture, adorned with elaborate mosaics and ornate stonework, it’s one of Oaxaca’s most important archaeological sites.

Protected by the Chileno Bay, the waters at Chileno Beach (Playa Chileno) are calm, warm, and clear, while the reefs just offshore are home to an abundance of sea life. The beach is considered one of Los Cabos’ best-kept secrets, where sunseekers can bask in the seclusion and enjoy its many snorkeling opportunities.

Swap the crowds of Puerto Vallarta for laidback Boca de Tomatlán, a quiet fishing village towards the south of Banderas Bay. Enjoy Boca de Tomatlán’s scenic and secluded stretch of shoreline—which is set against the picturesque backdrop of the Sierra Madre mountains—before using this coastal town as a jumping-off point to explore nearby beaches only accessible by boat.

Towering over the skyline of downtown, flanked by kitschy souvenir stores, and fronted by a charming, colorful plaza, the pink-hued Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe is a highlight of Old Town Vallarta. Laboriously constructed over a period of several decades in the early 20th century, the neo-baroque church is best known for its emblematic and intricate bell tower, and is the city’s most important Catholic attraction.

Topped with a gilded Winged Victory, the Angel of Independence (El Ángel) is one of Mexico City’s most recognizable monuments, built to commemorate the centennial of the War of Independence. Visitors can admire from a distance, tour the mausoleum, or get a special permit to climb to the angel’s 150-foot-high (46-meter-high) viewpoint.