If you’re looking for an unforgettable vacation, Mexico is the place to be. We’ve got a list of the best tourist destinations in Mexico, so you can pick your favorite and start planning your trip.
Mexico offers a wide variety of attractions such as Tulum jungles, beaches, and ruins. Snorkeling and swimming in Cancun Caribbean water. There are many tourist spots in Mexico such as the Ruins of Chichen Itza, Cenotes natural pools, Mexico City’s colonial architecture, and spicy cuisine. Oaxaca archaeological sites, natural wonders, savor food, and mezcal drinks that you can experience.
Here are some of our favorite things to see and do in Mexico:
- Visit the pyramids of San Juan Teotihuacán and Chichen Itza. These ancient sites were built by the Mayans, who were one of Mexico’s earliest civilizations. You can see them from as far away as the United States!
- Have a margarita at one of Mexico’s many bars or restaurants. It’s hard not to love this country’s drinks—they’re always delicious.
- Go hiking through the many mountains that make up Mexico’s landscape (like Pico de Orizaba). Hiking is an excellent way to exercise without getting too hot or sweaty!
Here are the top best tourist destinations in Mexico and the top cities and their attractions
Mexico is a beautiful country with a lot to offer, and it’s also an excellent destination for traveling. There are so many best tourist destinations in Mexico that you’ll never get bored of exploring!
Cancun
Cancun is the perfect place to relax, unwind and enjoy the sun. If you’re looking for a great vacation spot, look no further than Cancun. Cancun is a city in Mexico that has so much to offer both locals and visitors. It’s an ideal place to visit if you want to experience all of Mexico’s wonderful beaches and beautiful sunsets.
This city has everything you could possibly want in a vacation destination—from beaches to shops and dive bars. Plus, it’s only an hour away from Mexico City, so if you’re feeling a little homesick while you’re there, it won’t take too long before you return home!
Also Read Solo Trip To Cancun: Places, Activities, Safety, Cost (2024)
Top Attractions in Cancun, Mexico
- Chichén Itzá (Famed Mayan ruins with a massive pyramid)
- Parque de las Palapas (Public park & performance venue)
- Isla Mujeres (Playa Norte beach & sea turtle sanctuary)
- Playa Norte (Sandy beach with food & drink options)
- Tulum Archaeological Zone (Beaches, Mayan ruins & Gran Cenote)
- La Isla Cancun Shopping Village (Open-air mall with retailers & eateries)
- Two Eyes Cenote (Natural caves & scenic swimming holes)
- Tours Acuáticos Travel Art Museum Booking Online (Contemporary underwater sculpture museum)
- Xcaret Park (Eco-archaeological park with attractions)
- Garrafon Park – MX (Zip line, snorkeling & a pool)
- San Miguelito Archeological Site (Mayan ruins surrounded by many trees)
- Punta Sur (Oceanside preserve with vibrant artwork)
Oaxaca
Oaxaca is a great place to visit. It has an amazing history, beautiful architecture, and some of the best food such as Tlayuda and Memela in Mexico. Oaxaca is an easy place to find eco-tourism. The Mixtec culture is still alive in this region and you can see it along the Oaxacan coast. You can also visit some of the best markets in Mexico, such as Tlacolula Market in Oaxaca State.
The city of Oaxaca is one of the most stunningly beautiful places in Mexico. It’s also one of the most chaotic, with markets and street vendors dotting every corner and people of all ages milling about. The best way to see Oaxaca is on foot, but it’s not as easy as it sounds. The streets can be confusing, especially if you’re not familiar with the language or culture.
Top Attractions in Oaxaca, Mexico
- Catedral Metropolitana de Oaxaca (Majestic cathedral started in 1535)
- Zócalo (Plaza de la Constitución) (Busy, historic public square)
- Monte Alban (Ruins, archaeological site, and history)
- Plaza de la Danza (Open square ringed with history)
- Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán (Ornate church & former monastery)
- Basílica de Nuestra Señora de la Soledad (Baroque church with spires and towers)
- Mercado 20 de Noviembre (Vibrant covered market for local foods)
- Museum of Cultures of Oaxaca, Santo Domingo (Archaeological artifacts in a convent)
- Andador Turístico (Pedestrian street for markets & art)
- Zona Arqueológica de Atzompa (Archaeological site)
Tulum
Tulum is a small town on the Caribbean coast of Mexico. It is known for its natural beauty and has been described as one of the most beautiful places in the world. It is known for its great beaches, crystal clear waters, and colonial architecture that dates back to the 15th century. There are many restaurants in Tulum that offer delicious meals at reasonable prices.
Top Attractions in Oaxaca, Mexico
- Casa Tortuga Tulum (Ecological park in Mexico)
- Tulum Archaeological Zone (Beaches, Mayan ruins & Gran Cenote)
- Cenote Calavera (Natural cenote with swimming & diving)
- Aktun Chen (Underground river, zipline & dry caves)
- Parque Nacional Tulum (National park with Mayan ruins)
- Laguna de Kaan Luum (Natural swimming pool with shallow water)
- Cenote Car Wash (Swimming hole for diving & snorkeling)
- Two Eyes Cenote (Natural caves & scenic swimming holes)
- Big Cenote (Snorkeling in a limestone sinkhole)
- Cenote Zacil-Ha (Natural swimming hole with a zip line)
- Playa Akumal (Popular shoreline with dining & lodging)
- Cenote Choo-Ha (Ancient subterranean swimming caves)
- Cenote Multum Ha (Swimming hole in an underground cavern)
- Tankah (Nature park with lagoons & clear pools)
- Akumal Monkey Sanctuary (Rescued primates & indigenous crafts)
- Playa Ruinas (Sandy beach overlooked by Mayan ruins)
- Cenote Naharon (Clear natural pool for cave diving)
- Xcacel Área Natural Protegida Estatal (Sea turtles, beach, snorkeling, and turtles)
Mexico City
Mexico City is the capital of Mexico and one of the most visited cities in the world. Mexico City is an important cultural, political and economic center. It has a wide variety of museums, art galleries and cultural centers. Mexico City also has many parks and gardens.
This city is a modern metropolis, but also one of the oldest. Its colonial architecture still dominates the streets and plazas, while its bold colors and impulsive art make it an exciting place to visit. The city has a reputation for being dangerous, but you can find beautiful beaches, great food, and friendly people here too.
Top Attractions in Mexico City, Mexico
- Zócalo (Prominent plaza with frequent events)
- Palacio de Bellas Artes (Opulent building dedicated to fine arts)
- Historic center of Mexico City (Buzzy city center & historic landmarks)
- Templo Mayor Museum (Museum dedicated to the Aztecs)
- Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral (Grand cathedral with a storied past)
- Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Iconic Catholic church & pilgrimage site)
- Bosque de Chapultepec (Expansive park with various attractions)
- The Angel of Independence (Iconic War of Independence monument)
- Soumaya Museum (Art museum with many European works)
- Six Flags México (Large amusement park with rides & shows)
- Alameda de Santa María (Moorish-style kiosk & cultural monument)
- Museo Nacional De Arte (Museum dedicated to Mexican art)
- Plaza de Santo Domingo (Square with Spanish baroque buildings)
- Parque Hundido (Pet-friendly, “sunken” green space)
- Square of the Three Cultures (Public square with Aztec ruins)
- La Mexicana Park (Landscaped recreation area with eateries)
- Museo de Cera (Museum displaying 200+ wax figures)
- Parque España (Recreational park with a modest lake)
- Parque Lincoln (Roomy park with a pond & bike path)
- Entrada a Bosque de Tlalpan (Vast urban park with picnicking & hiking)
- Estanquillo Museum (Mexican art, photography & pop culture)
- Alameda Central (Mexico City’s oldest municipal park)
- Xochimilco (Pre-Columbian canals & floating fiestas)
Cabo San Lucas
Cabo San Lucas is located on the Pacific coast of Baja California Sur and is one of the most popular beach destinations in Mexico. It has many beautiful beaches with white sand and crystal clear waters.
It also has a lot of activities to do on your vacation such as snorkeling tours, diving tours, boat tours, parasailing tours and more! You can even rent scooters or bicycles so you can explore on foot as well! It’s also close enough so that you can visit other parts of Mexico easily as well!
Top Attractions in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
- The Arch of Cabo San Lucas (Famous arch-shaped rock formation)
- Cannery Beach (Cozy beach for snorkeling & swimming)
- Lovers Beach (Sandy beach with rock formations)
- El Medano Beach (Sandy stretch with beach bars & dining)
- Pedregal (Luxury resorts & the Arch rock formation)
- Pelican Rock (snorkeling and rock formation attractions)
- San José del Cabo (Beaches, estuary & San José church)
- Parroquia San Lucas (Architecture)
- Chileno Bay Public Beach (Golden sandy beach & snorkeling spot)
- Santa Maria Beach (Beach and snorkeling)
- Museum of Natural History in Cabo San Lucas (Exhibits on the region’s ancient history)
- Playa El Medano (Bustling beach with bars, cafes & sports)
- La Vista Luxury Villas at Pedregal (Relaxed hotel with a pool & a restaurant)
- Playa del Divorcio (Sandy beach backed by rocky cliffs)
Merida
Merida is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Mexico, with a population of over three million people. It’s a stunningly beautiful city, with a mix of colonial buildings and modern architecture.
The city is also home to several museums and art galleries, including the Mayan World Museum of Mérida and Museo Casa Montejo. The best time to visit is between April and October when temperatures are warm but not hot, providing ideal conditions for outdoor activities such as hiking or horseback riding.
Top Attractions in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
- Plaza Grande (Tree-lined park with music & events)
- Catedral de Mérida – San Ildefonso (Imposing early colonial cathedral)
- Parque Zoológico del Centenario (Zoo with tigers, giraffes & more)
- Dzibilchaltún (Mayan archaeological site & museum)
- Mayan World Museum of Mérida (Splashy museum with Mayan art & history)
- Museo Casa Montejo (Cultural musuem in a historical home)
- Parque de Santa Lucía (Enduring park popular for weekly dancing)
- Parque de Santa Ana (City square with benches & food vendors)
- Parque Zoológico Animaya (Zoo with a lookout tower & a boat ride)
- Parque de Santiago (Produce market, street food & a church)
- Poniente Ecological Park (Public park with trails & play sets)
- Parque de las Américas (Street food & dancing at a public plaza)
- Museo de Antropología e Historia / Palacio Cantón (Museum of the region’s cultural history)
- Cenote Xlacah (Natural swimming hole near Dzibilchaltún)
- Parque de San Sebastián (Popular spot for walks & snacks)
- Parroquia Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe (History and architecture)
- Cenote X’batun (Underwater caves with swimming & diving)
Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen is a relatively small city on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. It’s known for being one of the best tourist destinations in Mexico, and it has a lot to offer.
The city is located just south of Cancun, which means that it is close to some great beaches such as Playacar Beach. The Mayan Riviera is nearby too, so you can explore those ruins if you prefer.
Playa del Carmen offers a wide variety of activities such as underground and underwater activities for travellers looking for something fun to do while they’re visiting. There are many hotels and hostels in town so you’ll have plenty of options no matter what kind of traveller you are.
Top Attractions in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
- Xcaret Park (Eco-archaeological park with attractions)
- Kantun Chi (Eco-park with an underground cavern)
- Isla Mujeres (Playa Norte beach & sea turtle sanctuary)
- Xplor (Adventure park with zip lines & rafts)
- 3D Museum of Wonders (Interactive photos with visual illusions)
- Parque Los Fundadores (Park with sculptures & performances)
- Tulum Archaeological Zone (Beaches, Mayan ruins & Gran Cenote)
- Delphinus Xcaret (Attraction for swimming with dolphins)
- Cenote Chaak Tun (Caverns with natural swimming holes)
- Cenotes Sac Actún (Underwater caves for diving & snorkeling)
- Xel-Há Park (Natural aquarium with many activities)
- Chichén Itzá (Famed Mayan ruins with a massive pyramid)
- 5 Avenida Norte (Promenade with shops & restaurants)
- Parroquia de Nuestra Señora del Carmen (Chapel)
- Playacar Beach (Swimming, strolling & sunset vistas)
- Playa del Carmen Archeological Site (Archaeological site and history)
Also Read Where to Go in Mexico in January 2024: Festivals, Cities & Sightseeing
FAQs
What is the nicest part of Mexico to visit?
Mexico is a beautiful country full of history, culture and friendly people. There are many places to visit in Mexico, from the ancient Mayan ruins at Chichen Itza or Tulum to the cultural vacation destinations in Oaxaca or Tijuana.
What is the safest tourist destination in Mexico?
Playa del Carmen is considered a safe tourist destination because Mexico City has a large police force and many local businesses have installed surveillance cameras. However, this does not guarantee that crime will not occur on the beach; it simply means that it is unlikely.
What is the number one vacation spot in Mexico?
Cancun is a magical place and has the number one vacation spot in Mexico. It’s a place where you can get away from it all and just relax in paradise. The beaches are beautiful and the water is warm, the weather is warm, and the people are friendly.
What is the best part of Mexico to stay in?
The best places to stay in Mexico are the beach cities like Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Cabo San Lucas. These cities offer beautiful beaches and warm weather year-round. The most popular tourist destinations in Mexico are Tulum and Cozumel.
