Mexico is known for its large tourist centers like Tulum and Cabo. However, Mexico has more to offer than its luxury resorts.

Let me be completely honest. I was late for Mexico.

It was then that I fell in love. Mexico is a beautiful destination with its rich history, delicious food, and friendly people.

This is a great country to travel around, drive through, and enjoy a vacation. You will find plenty to do and some of the most friendly people on the planet.

Mexico offers everything from Mayan ruins to beautiful beaches to Mexico City’s food and Oaxaca’s mezcal scene.

The food? World-class. Enjoy delicious tacos and tostadas, tamales and soaps, seafood, and mole (just a few traditional Mexican dishes available).

This country is my favorite. I could go on and on about why. It doesn’t matter how long you plan to spend in the country; you will always want more.

This Mexico travel guide will show you how to get out of touristy areas, discover Mexico, and fall in love.

Explore Oaxaca

Oaxaca is a valley that’s surrounded by mountains in southwest Mexico. It and its environs have been home to indigenous Zapotecs and Mixtec peoples for thousands of years. It’s home to many heritage tourism attractions, including colorful buildings, beautiful rooftop bars and restaurants, street art, and cobblestone streets. It is also a mezcal hub and one of Mexico’s gastronomic hotspots. Fascinating museums, vibrant markets, historical buildings, delicious food, and much more. It was a wonderful place. It is a must-see!

Tour Mexico City

Mexico City, located at an elevation of approximately 2,225m (7,300 feet), is sprawling, chaotic, and messy. It was initially built on top of a lake. There are 150 museums and sprawling markets. There are tons of historic buildings, squares, and many other attractions. The historic heart of the city is home to the magnificent main square. Moscow’s Red Square is the largest. The city’s south side is home to a network of canals, and Teotihuacan (the City of the Gods) is only a 45-minute drive. It is rapidly becoming one of the most important centers for gastronomy around the globe.

Relax along the Pacific Coast

Puerto Vallarta and Los Cabos on Mexico’s Pacific Coast have just as many spectacular beaches and resort properties as the Caribbean Coast. To relax on the white sandy beaches of Puerto Vallarta and Los Cabos or to see the bustling surf scene in Sayulita, head to Puerto Vallarta. Enjoy watersports and visit historical monuments. You can also check out the art and local culture by day. You can enjoy sunset cocktails, fresh shrimp tacos, and seafood skewers at night or salsa all evening.

Check out the Mayan Ruins

Mexico is full of ruins. Chichen Itza dates back to around 550 CE. It is known for its massive Kukulkan Pyramid, which is now considered one of the World’s New Wonders. The Tulum Archaeological Zone and the Palenque Archaeological Zone are also worth a visit, as are the Calakmul Ruins (located within the vast Calakmul Biosphere Reserve) and the ruins of Ek Balam. The cost of admission to Chichen Itza is 571 MXN, while those for the rest range from 80 to 500 MXN.

Visit a volcano

Mexico is home to more than 30 active volcanoes. The Volcan Paricutin, at 2,800 meters (9,186 feet), is one of the most popular. This volcano, less than 80 years old, literally erupted from the ground in 1943-1952 near Uruapan. Pico de Orizaba, also known as Citlaltepetl, is located at the border between Puebla and Veracruz and is Mexico’s highest mountain at 5,636m (18,490ft). Jocotitlan is situated in the Taluca Valley’s north section. 

Explore Mexico City’s Chapultepec Park

Chapultepec covers over 1,700 acres and is one of the most crucial city parks globally. It includes the Mexico City Zoo, La Feria amusement parks, and the Museum of Anthropology. This museum houses an extensive collection of sculptures, jewels, and artifacts from ancient Mexican civilizations. 

Visit the markets

Mexico’s towns all have a market that is bustling with people where you can eat traditional Mexican food, buy souvenirs, and shop for bargains. The Mercado Ciudadela, Mexico City, is great for handmade textiles and art, while Oaxaca’s Mercado Benjamin Juarez offers local food like fresh ground coffee beans, juices, and grasshopper tacos. You can find Yucatecan food at Mercado Santa Ana in Merida. They have a coquito tornado, a slow-cooked, underground-pitted pork dish, and El Mercado Lucas de Galvez, its unique seafood cocktails. It’s said to be a cure for hangovers.

Explore Zocalo (Plaza de la Constitucion)

The central plaza at the heart of Mexico City is Zocalo. It was built by the Aztecs and included the Templo Mayor, an Aztec temple. The Palacio Nacional is a colonial palace that houses offices for Mexico’s president. Just off the Zocalo is La Catedral Metropolitana. This magnificent cathedral has a gold altar. It is a fine example of Spanish colonial architecture.

Go diving

Mexico’s waters are home to some of the best diving spots in the world. This is due to the diversity of marine life, extensive coral reefs, excellent visibility, and the second-largest reef system in the world, The Great Maya Barrier Reef. Five species of sea turtles, dolphins, blue whales, and lemon sharks can be found in the Gulf of Mexico. The waters are great for diving, snorkeling, fishing, waterboarding, and surfing. Two-tank diving starts from 2,800 MXN. Mexico’s best dive spots include Discovery Bay, Cenote Dos Ojos, and Revillagigedo Islands.

Relax in Cancun

Cancun offers a variety of activities, including a wild party in the sun and quiet local markets and restaurants. There are many resorts and spas in the area. You can also find Mayan ruins and archaeological sites nearby. If you venture out of the alternatives, there is much to do and see.

Guadalajara is a great place to get lost.

Guadalajara, Mexico’s second-largest municipality, is well-known for its mariachi and tequila. There are many museums in the area, including Cabanas, a UNESCO-listed building with amazing murals; MUSA (paintings & sculptures by local artists); Paramo Galeria, which is contemporary art; nightlife venues and a maze of old colonial streets. The Guadalajara Cathedral is a 19th-century hospital. The cathedral’s Gothic interior is decorated with artworks by famous Mexican artists, such as Murillo (a Baroque artist).

Teotihuacan

The Aztec Empire greatly influenced Mexico. The awe-inspiring Aztec pyramids of Teotihuacan are 48 km (30 miles) from Mexico City. Teotihuacan was established as early as 400 BC, but the most significant structures were completed in 300 BCE. The three great pyramids dominate the landscape, known as the Temple of the Sun and the Temple of the Moon. This is the Aztec site you should visit if you only have one choice. 

The bizarre Island of Dolls is a must-see.

This is the most creepy tourist attraction in the world, known as “La Isla de la Munecas” in Spanish. A hermit named Don Julian Santana lived here for decades. He learned that a girl had drowned in the lake and began hanging dolls from the island to soothe the spirit. It’s creepy. It’s beyond bizarre. To get there, you’ll need to rent a boat from Xochimilco. But it’s well worth it!

Honor the Day of the Dead

Mexico celebrates Dia de Los Muertos every year on the 2nd and 1st November. It is a lively festival celebrating those who have passed but are not forgotten. There are parades and elaborate costumes. Family members also create ofrendas or altars to remember their deceased relatives. These include photos of the deceased, candles, and yellow marigold petals. The idea was to encourage the dead to return to the land of the living and join the festivities. Oaxaca and Mexico City offer the best opportunities to enjoy this celebration.

Visit the UNAM Botanical Garden

The Botanical Garden at Mexico’s National Autonomous University is a great place to escape the bustle of Mexico City. Continues Aztec traditions with gardens for medicinal and ornamental purposes. There are also environmental education and conservation activities. Visitors can explore natural caves and ponds formed by the volcanic eruption of volcano Xitle, which occurred over 2,000 years ago. Eight hundred varieties of cacti are found in this garden, with the most extensive cactus collection. There are also ponds with turtles and koi, an orchidarium, and a medicinal garden. Admission is free.

Relax at Isla Holbox

Holbox, an island off Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, is home to white sand beaches and crystalline waters. It’s a tranquil, peaceful island where you can get lost in the details. It’s easy to turn a day into a week. You can enjoy a relaxing vacation on an island paradise, where you can swim, dive, snorkel, and all the rest. Although it was once a secret spot, it is slowly becoming more well-known and developed. You will find bioluminescent waters there. You can travel from Cancun to Chiquila by bus in approximately two hours. And cost 220 Mexican Pesos. Full-day tours departing from Cancun/Playa del Carmen are available for 3,000 MXN.

Visit Merida

Merida is my favorite place in Mexico. It’s a safe, beautiful city with lots of history and cool mezcal bars. Also, it has some of the best Mexican food. La Chaya Maya Casona and Acervo Mezcalero are my favorite places to eat in the city. You can also visit the Uxmal ruins, only one hour away. You will also find excellent museums like the Yucatan Music Museum and the Folk Art Museum of Yucatan. The City Museum has all types of Mayan artifacts.

Enjoy San Cristobal de las Casas’ architecture.

San Cristobal, a town in the highlands of Mexico, is known for its charming colonial architecture. The narrow streets are lined with cobblestone and local craft markets. In the middle of pine forests, you will find many other attractions. The 16-century cathedral of the town is a must-see. If you’re looking to explore the surrounding nature, a boat tour of Canon de Sumidero is a great way to do so. There will be many birds, monkeys, and crocodiles. The Guadalupe Church offers a great view of the surrounding area and the town from its roof. Daily Walking San Cristobal tours are available if you need a guide to take you through the highlights.

Try the Cenotes in Yucatan

Cenotes are natural sinkholes full of groundwater. The Mayans initially used these natural sinkholes to obtain fresh water. However, they are now a popular swimming spot for tourists and locals alike. You can even scuba dive into some. They are plentiful all over the Yucatan Peninsula. Some are wholly exposed, while others are protected by cliffs or covered entirely with caves. Some of the most well-known cenotes are Cristalino and Casa Cenote, Yaxmuul, Choo-Ha, and Choo-Ha. Join a Cenote Tour for approximately 1,350 MXN if you prefer to do a tour.

Sayulita

Sayulita, a beach town on the Pacific coast, is home to a vibrant community of surfers and ex-pats. Due to its large yoga and surfing community, the city has a relaxed vibe. There are many yoga retreats, and it’s a great spot to surf. You can also go jungle trekking, zip lining, or ride ATVs along this coast. And you can relax and soak up the sun at the beach. This is the ideal place to settle for a few days. Canopy tours begin at 1,800 MXN.

Explore Campeche

Campeche can be found just south of Merida, on the Yucatan. It is home to UNESCO World Heritage colonial architecture, fortified walls, and more than 2,000 historic buildings. Visit the Museo De La Arquitectura Maya for Mayan history, antiquities, and artifacts. You can also see Edzna’s Mayan ruins (only 45 minutes away) and walk through the old city walls to enjoy the views.