Places to visit in Mexico range from the bustling metropolis of Mexico City to the tranquil beaches of Tulum, making the country a popular tourist destination. U.S. News & World Report has compiled data from across the U.S.
This ranking of the finest Mexican tourist destinations was developed by News using data from traveler surveys, reviews from industry professionals, and evaluations from readers themselves.
Put your vote in for your favorite vacation places and we’ll use the results to compile a list for next year. In the meantime, look into the Best Hotels in Mexico » if you need a somewhere to stay (Note: The U.S. Department of State advises against traveling to certain Mexican states due to crime; check the website for updates before booking your trip, and be cautious if you decide to travel.)
Top 7 Places to Visit in Mexico
This is a list of the top 9 spots in Mexico that you should visit on your next vacation. Look before you depart for good!
1. Tulum
Tulum has become a popular destination for high-end tourists in the past decade, but it still attracts budget-minded visitors who long for the days when it was a more undiscovered gem of Mexico’s eastern coast.
As the sun goes down, you may experience the city’s thriving cocktail culture and its extensive after-hours scene. Tulum, though, is at its best during the day. Some of the greatest preserved Mayan ruins may be found right here, with the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea as a picturesque backdrop.
Many bioreserves and cenotes (underground caves filled with water) add to the otherworldly appeal of this region. The beaches of Tulum are an important part of the city’s appeal.
The turquoise water and white sand of this tropical paradise practically beg visitors to lie on the beach all day and take it easy. Even if you’re not a beach bum, you should spend some time at one of Tulum’s numerous stunning beaches.
2. Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen has made a name for itself as a haven of European style on the Yucatán. The seaside lounges are popular among well-heeled expats and European tourists, contributing to the area’s emerging reputation as Quintana Roo’s social epicenter. El Zócalo serves as the area’s epicenter, and like other Mediterranean seaside cities like Nice, it’s conveniently located in close proximity to the beach.
La Quinta Avenida, which begins just outside the square and continues parallel to the water, is home to a wide variety of interesting stores and restaurants. Playa del Carmen is a great destination for history fans and nature lovers because of its proximity to the Mayan ruins at Tulum and because of the many beautiful settings it offers.
3. Cancún and the Mayan Riviera
Cancún, Playa del Carmen, the island of Cozumel, and other popular tourist spots border the stunning coast of the Gulf of Mexico. The term “Riviera Maya” refers to all of these areas together.
Around five million people visit this stunning region on the eastern coast of the Yucatán Peninsula every year, bringing in billions in tourism money. With the Riviera’s spacious beaches, seemingly limitless supply of crystal-clear water, and abundance of top-tier all-inclusive hotels, you won’t even notice the crowds.
4. Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta, on the Pacific coast, is another of Mexico’s rapidly expanding tourist hotspots. Shortened to “Vallarta,” the city first came to prominence in the 1960s as a playground for the social elite of North America, and it has since become a hotspot for international retirees seeking a warmer climate in which to spend their golden years.
It has mostly been spared from industrialization and urbanization. Due to the city’s abundance of attractions, Puerto Vallarta now draws a wide range of tourists, from families wishing to relax on the beach to youthful thrill-seekers interested in trying out everything from parasailing to jet skiing.
5. Cabo San Lucas and the Los Cabos Corridor
Los Cabos, or just “Cabo,” is a popular Mexican beach town located at the southernmost tip of the stunning Baja Peninsula. With its clean waters, diving, snorkeling, and fishing (it also holds the world’s largest marlin tournament), the 30-kilometer Los Cabos Corridor (Corredor Turistico) between the cities of Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo is a popular tourist destination.
6. Copper Canyon: Mexico’s Grand Canyon
The beautiful Copper Canyon is located in the state of Chihuahua, which is located in northern Mexico and shares a border with New Mexico in the United States (Barranca del Cobre). Copper Canyon, a stunning set of steep gorges in the Sierra Madre Occidental, is wider and deeper than its better-known relative, the Grand Canyon.
Six rivers meet at the Río Fuerte before flowing into the Gulf of California, forming these incredible natural structures known for the characteristic copper green coloring along its high canyon walls.
7. Izamal
If you’re looking for a memorable vacation spot in Southern Mexico, go no further than the charming city of Izamal. The city’s nickname is “Ciudad Amarilla,” which literally means “Yellow City,” and the term fits. Every single structure in town has been painted yellow. The city has a true “yellow” hue.
Conclusion
While Mexico has always been a popular tourist destination for North Americans, the country is quickly gaining popularity among Europeans who want to experience its year-round warm climate, breathtaking natural beauty, and outstanding cultural history.
Many of Mexico’s historic colonial cities and Aztec and Mayan archaeological sites have been declared as UNESCO World Heritage Sites to ensure their preservation for future generations.
Guanajuato, Chichén Itzá, and Uxmal are just a few of the Mayan ruins that rival the popularity of more well-known coastal resorts like Cancn, Puerto Vallarta, and Playa del Carmen.