Where To Go in Mexico—For Every Type of Traveler

Millions of travelers flood the resort towns of Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo every year—not to mention the border metropolis of Tijuana and the wine country of Ensenada. But between the extreme south and north ends of Baja California, you’ll discover some of the most untouched nature in all of Mexico. That’s what makes this area the place to head off on a Mexico road trip, as you can wind down dirt roads to hidden beaches and through remote villages where Indigenous culture is at the forefront. Sure, parts of the peninsula are long and barren, so you might drive for hours without seeing a soul, but when you do arrive at destinations such as Loreto and Rosarito, you’ll be rewarded with sweeping views, cruise options, and easy access to wine country.

Mexico City is a true “monster” of a city, as the locals say, home to some 9 million people. Here, options abound for pretty much everything you can imagine—taquerías, neighborhoods, slang terms. Keeping with that, the capital is also home to dozens of museums and cultural institutions, some of which are so niche you might wonder how they even came to be—the Telegraph Museum, anyone? Meanwhile, others are so grand they could take days to explore fully, such as the National Anthropology Museum. Our advice? Hit the big ones, yes—think: the Soumaya Museum, the Frida Kahlo Museum, and the Museo de Arte Popular—but also seek out the city’s lesser-visited corners too, perhaps on a private tour tailored to your tastes. Wherever you end up, Mexico City rarely disappoints. Related: 10 Under-the-Radar Museums in Mexico City

You really can’t go wrong anywhere in Mexico when it comes to food. But Puebla, even measured against the high standards of the country, stands out. The state is home to mole poblano (perhaps the most recognizable version of the pre-Hispanic sauce, with chocolate, chilis, and dried fruits); massive cheese-and-meat-stuffed sandwiches on sesame seed rolls called cemitas; and the incomparable chile en nogada, a poblano chile filled with a dried fruit–studded ground meat mix and topped with a walnut sauce and pomegranate seeds. The latter is especially emblematic around September and is often served for Mexican Independence Day celebrations, which is also when pomegranates are in season. (Of course, it helps that the green poblano chili, red seeds, and white sauce form the colors of the Mexican flag.) Explore it all on a food tour or cooking class in the city.

Puerto Escondido is one of the best spots for surfers in the world, and it serves up excellent dining and nightlife options to boot. As Mexico beach destinations go, the town is still a bit rough around the edges, with few resorts or luxury hotels, but that’s all part of its charm.

Here, wake up early to see the experienced wave-riders catch the Mexican pipeline off Zipolite Beach, a notorious wave that regularly reaches up to 25 feet (7.6 meters). Then, fill up on fish tacos before trying to catch a wave yourself down the coast at the much tamer Playa Carrizalillo during a beginner-friendly surf lesson.

Related: 10 of the Top Surfing Destinations Around the World

When it comes to top archaeological sites in Mexico, Chichén Itzá gets all the buzz (and the accompanying crowds), but there are arguably better spots to experience Mexico’s millennia of history. Consider Calakmul, hidden deep in the jungles of Campeche, or Palenque in the nearby state of Chiapas.

The latter, a well-preserved Maya city surrounded by lush jungle, can be easily visited from the region’s major hubs on day trips or overnight stays—just be sure to arrive before the scores of tourists so you can enjoy a spot of solitude among the tiered pyramids. Then, escape to the hill city of San Cristóbal de las Casas, a great place to disconnect and shop for locally made clothing and mementos.

San Luis Potosí doesn’t have the recognizable name of some other Mexico vacation spots—which is exactly why you’ll find low prices and a lack of tourists in this northern state, shaped like a schnauzer in profile. In fact, San Luis Potosí stretches from the arid desert in the northwest to the subtropical rainforest in the southeast and encompasses a perhaps surprising wealth of Mexico’s natural and cultural attractions.

One major highlight is the complex of Las Pozas in Xilitla, a group of monumental surrealist sculptures designed by the English poet Edward James. It’s situated in the larger geographic region known as La Huasteca, rich with waterfalls, hiking, and endless opportunities to find under-the-radar towns and natural beauty.

One of the best places to visit in Mexico, Mérida combines rich cultural offerings, a relaxed and safe vibe, and access to some of the Riviera Maya and the Yucatan’s best archaeological zones—most notably, Chichén Itzá.

Sure, many families base their vacations in Cancún, a destination that’s a must in every Mexico travel guide but is often geared toward spring breakers and adult-only resorts, not necessarily young families. So, choose Mérida instead, home to colorful buildings, cultural tours, luxurious haciendas, and cochinita pibil—a dish of marinated pork shoulder that may be even better than the more familiar al pastor. Plus, you’re within a few hours of cenotes and ruins galore.

Mexico’s most luxurious hotels and resorts are largely located south of Cancún and in the Los Cabos region of Baja California Sur. But these days, some of the most exciting hotels are opening in a region of growing development: the Riviera Nayarit.

Just a couple of hours north of Puerto Vallarta, you’ll find over-the-top resorts on empty stretches of beach, perfect if you’re looking for spa treatments, 5-star restaurants, or just a relaxing place to soak up the sun. And if you’re working with a tighter budget you're also in luck, as the nearby town of Sayulita or even San Pancho—both still comparatively affordable hippie hideouts—have been attracting surf bums for decades.

A freshwater lagoon may not immediately sound like the romantic getaway in Mexico you’re craving when there are so many sandy beaches in the nearby Riviera Maya. But Bacalar—known as the Lake of Seven Colors—is a truly otherworldly paradise. Here, guesthouses are tucked into small coves, where the water is so blue it looks almost unreal.

It’s not hard to find privacy in Bacalar either, and life moves pretty slowly, making it perfect for taking a sailing tour or just chilling out in the water. The lake relies on the presence of stromatolites—they look similar to rocks, but are actually living fossils that are 3.5 billion years old—so be mindful where you step to preserve this fragile ecosystem, and use reef-safe sunscreen.

Chug your way up mountain passes in the states of Sinaloa and Chihuahua, watching as the landscape changes from coastal Los Mochis to the mountainous pueblo mágico of Creel—or vice versa, depending in which direction you opt to travel. Disembark and see locals riding horses through the streets as you head into the Copper Canyon. This canyon is technically comprised of six distinct canyons that cover an incredible 25,000 square miles (65,000 square kilometers), which are bigger than the Grand Canyon in Mexico’s northern neighbor.
The train, which features 360-degree views and comfortable seats, makes a few stops on the way, so consider taking it slow and staying for a few days in each town. And note that in the summer, the train usually gives you the option to continue from Creel to Chihuahua City; otherwise, you’ll need to arrange alternative transportation.

Editor’s note: Additional contributions to this article were provided by Lauren Cocking in June 2026.