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 metropolis of Tijuana and the wine country of Ensenada. But between the south and north ends of the Baja California Peninsula, you’ll discover some of the most untouched nature in all of Mexico.

Parts of the peninsula are long and barren, and you might drive for hours without seeing a soul (though perhaps some livestock). Find your way along winding dirt roads to hidden beaches and through remote villages where Indigenous culture is at the forefront.

Mexico City is a true “monster” of a city, as locals say, with countless numbers of just about everything—people,taquerías, neighborhoods, and slang terms. Keeping with that, it also has dozens of museums and cultural institutions. Some of these are so niche you wonder how they even began—the Telegraph Museum, anyone?

Others are so grand they could take days to explore fully, like the National Anthropology Museum (Museo Nacional de Antropología). Our advice? Hit the big ones, yes, but also explore lesser-visited corners too.

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 prehispanic sauce, with chocolate, chilis, and dried fruits); massive sandwiches on sesame seed rolls called cemitas; and the incomparable chile en nogada, a stuffed poblano chile.

The latter dish is popular around September when pomegranate fruits are in season. The date also corresponds with Mexico’s independence—the dish features a green poblano chili, red pomegranate seeds, and a white walnut sauce, which together form the colors of the Mexican flag. Explore it all on a food tour or cooking class in the city.

This entry should be no surprise, as Puerto Escondido is one of the best spots for surfing in the world. As Mexico beach destinations go, the town is still a bit rough around the edges, with few resorts or luxury hotels. But that’s part of its charm.

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 eat some fish tacos before trying to catch a wave yourself at the tamer Playa Carrizalillo with a surf lesson.

Chichen Itza gets all the buzz (and the accompanying crowds), but there are 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 Train Maya, a new tourist line, connects the well-preserved Maya city with some of the Yucatan’s major hubs—arrive before the scores of tourists and enjoy solitude among tiered pyramids. Then, you can easily take a day trip to the hill city of San Cristóbal de las Casas.

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. The state, shaped like a schnauzer in profile, stretches from the arid desert in the northwest to the subtropical rainforest in the southeast.

One major highlight is the complex of Las Pozas, near the village of 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, Merida combines rich cultural offerings, a relaxed and safe vibe, and access to some of the Riviera Maya and the Yucatan’s best archeological zones.

Many families base their vacations in Cancun, a destination that’s a must in every Mexico travel guide but often geared toward spring breakers, not families. Choose Merida 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 Cancun 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. A couple hours north of Puerto Vallarta, you’ll find over-the-top resorts on empty stretches of beach, perfect for those looking for spa treatments, 5-star restaurants, or just a relaxing place to soak up the sun. If you're working with a tighter budget you're also in luck, as the nearby town of Sayulita has 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 an otherworldly paradise. Guesthouses are tucked into small coves, where the water is so blue it looks like it was painted.

It’s not hard to find privacy here, and life moves slowly, perfect for taking a sailing tour or just chilling out in the water. Just be mindful that the lake relies on the presence of stromatolites—which look similar to rocks, but are actually living fossils that are 3.5 billion years old. That means you need to be mindful of where you step to preserve this fragile ecosystem.

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. Disembark and see locals riding horses through the streets as you head into the Copper Canyon—technically six distinct canyons that cover an incredible 25,000 square miles (65,000 square kilometers).

This 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. Note that in the summer, the train usually offers the ability to continue from Creel to Chihuahua City.