In a nutshell
- Mexico is a fantastic travel destination in North America, especially famous for its dream beaches on the Yucatán Peninsula.
- But there’s so much more to discover: stunning colonial cities, impressive volcanoes, ancient pyramids, cenotes, and incredible natural highlights.
- In this article, we walk you through the 22 best places to visit in Mexico — with practical tips, hotel picks, and tour recommendations for every single one.
Our 22 Mexico Highlights on One Map
To give you a better overview of where all 22 attractions are located across Mexico, we’ve marked them on a map for you.
Nature and Cultural Highlights in Mexico
Let’s kick things off with the most stunning natural and historical places to visit in Mexico.
Chichén Itzá
What do you need to know? The Mayan site of Chichén Itzá, like the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio or Machu Picchu, is one of the seven new wonders of the world and ranks among the most famous must-sees on the planet. It’s located on the Yucatán Peninsula between Mérida and Tulum.
Best base for your stay: Pisté: La Casa de las Lunas
Chichén Itzá Skip-the-Line Ticket
Read our tips for Chichén Itzá and Valladolid too
Teotihuacán Pyramids
What do you need to know? The Teotihuacan Pyramids are among the most significant ruins in Mexico. The Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon are particularly impressive and well worth your time. Admission costs 90 MXN. From Mexico City, you can easily book a guided tour out to the pyramids.
Best base for your stay: Mexico City: Casa Comtesse
Guided Tour from Mexico City: Teotihuacan, Basilica of Guadalupe, Tlatelolco
Cenotes
What do you need to know? Cenotes are karst caves filled with freshwater — you can snorkel in them and take seriously incredible photos. You’ll find cenotes mainly on the Yucatán Peninsula, and they’re without a doubt among the most breathtaking things to see in Mexico. They’re also a fantastic option if you’re traveling to Mexico with kids.
Best base for your stay: Valladolid: Casa Tia Micha
Guided Tour to Four Cenotes from Tulum
To all our tips for cenotes in Mexico
Barranca del Cobre
What do you need to know? The Barranca del Cobre is a canyon in the state of Chihuahua — and it’s actually significantly larger than the Grand Canyon. A super popular activity here is riding the El Chepe train through the canyon. You can also go hiking, take a cable car, or try what is reportedly the world’s longest zipline.
Best base for your stay: Los Mochis: Hotel Fenix
Ruins of Palenque
What do you need to know? Palenque is one of the most impressive Mayan sites in Mexico. Thanks to its somewhat remote location deep in the southern jungle, the ruins are still refreshingly uncrowded.
Best base for your stay: Palenque: Hotel Chablis Palenque
Guided Tour to the Mayan Ruins in Palenque from San Cristóbal
Volcanoes in Mexico
What do you need to know? Mexico is home to many impressive volcanoes. Some are active, others aren’t — and those you can actually climb. The best-known are the highly active Popocatépetl, its neighbor Iztaccíhuatl, and Mexico’s highest peak, Pico Orizaba. All three are located near Mexico City.
Best base for your stay: Mexico City: Casa Comtesse
Two-Day Hiking Tour to the Summit of Iztaccíhuatl
Sumidero Canyon
What do you need to know? The Sumidero Canyon sits in the Chiapas region of southern Mexico. Above the canyon, several viewpoints offer stunning vistas down into the gorge. Even more spectacular, though, is the boat tour — alongside sheer cliff walls, you can also spot crocodiles and monkeys up close.
Best base for your stay: San Cristóbal de las Casas: Hotel Casa de Gandhi
Guided Tour to the Cañon del Sumidero from San Cristóbal
Beach and Sea in Mexico
Here are the most popular and beautiful spots on Mexico’s coastline.
Cancún
What do you need to know? Cancún is one of Mexico’s most famous tourist destinations, located on the Yucatán Peninsula. Along Cancún’s beaches, upscale hotel resorts line up one after another, and many beaches are private — but thankfully not all of them!
The most beautiful beaches in Cancún: Playa Delfines and Playa Marlín.
Our hotel pick for Cancún: The Quetzal
Read all our tips for Cancún
Tulum
What do you need to know? Tulum is a small town in Quintana Roo, best known for its Mayan site right on the water. Like Cancún, it’s a classic vacation spot with plenty of accommodation options and lots of tourists. That said, you can quickly escape into nature and discover paradise-like beaches just beyond the town.
Top highlights in Tulum: Tulum Mayan ruins, Gran Cenote, and Playa Paraiso.
Our hotel pick for Tulum: Botånica Tulum
To all our articles about Tulum
Playa del Carmen
What do you need to know? Playa del Carmen sits between Tulum and Cancún and is a really popular beach destination. It’s the ideal base if you mainly want to spend a few days relaxing on the beach and feel like dipping into some nightlife.
Top highlights in Playa del Carmen: Rio Secreto and the beach.
Our hotel pick for Playa del Carmen: Meliora by Bunik
Read our tips for Playa del Carmen
Cozumel
What do you need to know? Cozumel is Mexico’s largest Caribbean island, sitting just off the coast of Playa del Carmen. The island is a cool mix of turquoise beaches and Mayan sites. It’s no longer an under-the-radar pick for Mexico travelers, but you can still find some less touristy corners if you look.
The most beautiful beaches on Cozumel: Punta Sur Eco Beach Park, Playa El Cielo, and Playa Palancar.
Our hotel pick for Cozumel: San Miguel de Cozumel: Hotel Puerto Libre
Isla Mujeres
What do you need to know? Isla Mujeres sits in the Caribbean just off the coast of Cancún, and you’ll find some of the most beautiful beaches in Mexico right here. The island is excellent for snorkeling and sunbathing. You can visit on a day trip from Cancún or stay overnight — both work really well.
Our hotel pick for Isla Mujeres: Casa Azul Maya
Day Trip from Cancún to Isla Mujeres and Isla Contoy
Los Cabos
What do you need to know? Los Cabos is the southernmost tip of Baja California on the Pacific and is probably the most popular travel spot in the region. The standout highlight is El Arco — a natural rock formation rising out of the sea in the shape of an archway. Seriously stunning.
Tip for your stay: Cabo San Lucas: Los Milagros Hotel
Kayaking and Snorkeling Tour at El Arco in Los Cabos
Puerto Escondido
What do you need to know? Puerto Escondido is the ultimate surfing destination. But this hip beach town is also great for sea turtle releases and dolphin watching. If you want things even more laid-back, the neighboring town of Mazunte is well worth a stop too.
Hotel pick for Puerto Escondido: Casa de Olas Boutique Hotel
Sunrise Tour and Dolphin Watching in Puerto Escondido
Puerto Vallarta
What do you need to know? Puerto Vallarta is a beach town on Mexico’s Pacific coast in the state of Jalisco. It’s a great place to combine sightseeing in a beautiful setting with a proper beach vacation. Whale watching is also super popular here.
Top highlights in Puerto Vallarta: Playa Los Muertos Pier, Malecón (boardwalk), Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe Church.
Our hotel pick for Puerto Vallarta: Sierra Leon Oceanfront
Cities in Mexico
Here are the best cities and most charming towns to visit in Mexico.
Ciudad de Mexico
What do you need to know? Mexico City is the capital and largest city in the country. This massive metropolis is an absolute must on any Mexico itinerary — Mexico City has seriously outstanding sightseeing opportunities that could keep you busy for days.
Top highlights in Mexico City: Centro Histórico, Xochimilco, and the Palacio de Bellas Artes.
Our hotel pick for Mexico City: Casa Comtesse
Also read all our tips for Mexico City:
Guadalajara
What do you need to know? Guadalajara is Mexico’s second-largest city and the place to discover authentic Mexico. The city has a really young, lively energy and an incredible street food scene to match.
Top highlights in Guadalajara: Historic center and the Tequila Express train ride.
Our hotel pick for Guadalajara: Hotel Real Maestranza
Oaxaca
What do you need to know? Oaxaca de Juárez is the capital of the Oaxaca region, known for its stunning architecture, beautiful churches, and some of the best Mexican food you’ll find anywhere. Honestly, few cities in Mexico pack as much culture into one place.
Top highlights in Oaxaca: Templo de Santo Domingo, Hierve el Agua, Monte Albán.
Our hotel pick for Oaxaca: NaNa Vida Hotel Oaxaca
Read our tips for Oaxaca too
Puebla
What do you need to know? Puebla is located about 120 kilometers south of Mexico City. The city is especially known for its outstanding cuisine — this is where mole poblano was born, after all. The historic old quarter is really beautiful, and the surrounding volcanoes make for a spectacular backdrop.
Top highlights in Puebla: Plaza Zocálo, the town of Cholula, and the Palafoxiana Library.
Our hotel pick for Puebla: Hotel 5 de Mayo
Read our tips for Puebla too
San Miguel de Allende
What do you need to know? San Miguel de Allende sits north of Mexico City in the state of Guanajuato and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You could spend hours just wandering through the beautiful, colorful alleyways. The city is also known for its thriving art scene — there’s always something going on.
Top highlights in San Miguel de Allende: Parroquia de San Miguel, El Jardin, Allende Institute.
Our hotel pick for San Miguel de Allende: Casa María Elena
San Cristóbal de las Casas
What do you need to know? San Cristóbal is the capital of the southern state of Chiapas and is absolutely packed with culture and history. The colonial city sits in the mountains at an elevation of 2,200 meters — noticeably cooler than the rest of Mexico, which is a welcome surprise.
Top highlights in San Cristóbal: Real de Guadalupe, Andador de Carmen, Plaza Zocálo.
Our hotel pick for San Cristóbal: Hotel Casa de Gandhi
Read our tips for San Cristóbal too
Taxco
What do you need to know? Taxco is also known as the Silver City, since a great deal of silver was mined here historically. If you want to buy silver jewelry in Mexico, Taxco is definitely the place to go. But even beyond the silver, this mountain town in Guerrero — with its colonial-style buildings — is a genuine highlight in its own right.
Top highlights in Taxco: Plaza Borda, Teleférico de Montetaxco, Iglesia de Santa Prisca.
Our hotel pick for Taxco: Hotel Agua Escondida
