Archaeological sites, beaches, cenotes, magical towns, prairies, mountains, zoos and colonial cities are just some of the tourist attractions of Mexico that you have to get to know in each of your trips to this incredible cultural, natural and historical country.
Mexico is a very big country and to be totally sincere to know its more than 100,000 thousand tourist places is almost an impossible mission for a single life, because there is everything to visit in Mexico.
From places with the most beautiful beaches like the Sea of Cortez, the Mexican Caribbean or the beaches of Mazatlan, archaeological sites that marked the culture and history of the Mayas like Chichen Itza (currently one of the 7 wonders of the modern world) and Teotihuacan, to places with surreal landscapes that seem taken out of science fiction movies like the Sumidero Canyon in Chiapas, the sanctuary of the monarch butterflies of Michoacan or the boiling water of Oaxaca.
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Travel Mexico Tourist Places
To travel to Mexico is to enter a world, where each region is a different tourist destination, with a different identity from the others, from its gastronomy, to its way of speaking and of course, not forgetting the picturesque of its magical towns, its streets, its meadows, its mountains, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc.
And surely now you are asking yourself, what are the best tourist places in Mexico? Those that you have to visit if or if, of greater cultural, historical importance or those that are visited and recommended by millions of travelers. What are these tourist destinations?
Well, in this article we will list the 100 best destinations and cultural, historical, natural, colonial, regional and magical attractions in Mexico that are a must to visit and that each one of them will assure you a unique travel experience that you will live and feel when you visit them. Let’s get to it.
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Quintana Roo
If you are thinking of traveling in Mexico from beginning to end, surely your first destination will be the state of Quintana Roo. A state completely rich in beaches, natural regions, cenotes, archaeological sites that go hand in hand with the charm of the Mayan Riviera, where we will find several places that we can not leave out of our list and these are:
Xcaret
We begin our list of Mexico’s attractions by mentioning the number one park in the world, located in the state of Quintana Roo: Xcaret.
To talk 100% about this park would take us too long, so we will only tell you that it is a natural theme park, where you will swim in incredible rivers, learn a lot about the Mayan culture and you will be filled with excitement with the different shows and spectacles it has prepared for you.
Xplor
The Xplor theme park adds to the list of tourist destinations in Mexico, firstly because it is located 5 minutes away from Xcaret and secondly it has an unparalleled adventure that has made it an essential place to visit if you are on vacation in the Caribbean Mexico.
This small but magical place matches Xcaret, Xenses, Xenotes and Rio Secreto, all located less than 100 meters from each other and are part of the Riviera Maya of Quintana Roo.
Xel Ha
We cannot talk about Xcarer and Xplor without mentioning Xel Ha, in fact it can be said that this is the trinity of the Xcaret group, but what is Xel Ha? In simple words Xel Ha is known as the natural aquarium of Quintana Roo.
It is a natural park that consists of beautiful rivers from which we can snorkel for hours and hours and enjoy the colorful fish that are found in the reefs and corals, not to mention other activities.
Isla Mujeres
Not to turn around and continue within the state of Quintana Roo, another of the tourist attractions that we can find is Isla Mujeres.
This is a small island of less than 18 kilometers long, located about 20 minutes away from Cancun city and that keeps in its interior Playa Norte, which is recognized as the best beach in Mexico.
Sub Aquatic Museum of Art (Musa)
Just 5 minutes from Isla Mujeres, to be exact at the bottom of the Caribbean Sea, we find the Underwater Museum of Art of Cancun or as it is known by friends MUSA.
And it is a museum under the sea that contains more than 400 figures and houses an endless number of marine life of all kinds.
El cielo Cozumel (Cozumel sky)
Another of the beauties that we find in the Mexican Caribbean is “The sky” and it is a shallow beach, very transparent blue water and in which you can see thousands of starfish. In fact this beautiful view is what gave the name “El Cielo” to this beach in Cozumel.
Yucatan
Yucatan is a state rich in culture, history, tradition and natural wonders, a state that is part of the Yucatan Peninsula and one of the tourist places to spend Christmas in Mexico. Its tropical climate invites you to discover each of its corners and you can’t miss it.
Chichen Itza
The archaeological site of Chichen Itza is a tourist attraction in Mexico that you must visit, because it is part of one of the wonders of the modern world and is a world heritage site. It is also the second most visited archaeological site in Mexico, as we will see the first one a little bit further on.
Chichen Itza, long before it was recognized as one of the new seven wonders of the modern world, was already attracting the attention of millions of travelers around the world. It was and is considered one of the most important archaeological sites of the Mayan culture.
Of course, without leaving out the spring equinox where with a mystical ceremony, you can see the descent of the feathered serpent over the pyramid, a spectacle!
Coba
Coba is another archaeological site that can be found near Chichen Itza and is part of the state of Yucatan. By the way, here you can climb the pyramid and enjoy the magnificent panoramic view of the Mayan jungle.
Holbox
The truth is that we don’t know in which number of the best tourist attractions in Mexico is Holbox, but it is an island that you have to visit, for many reasons.
Among which we cite that it still has its beach charm, its beaches are quiet and shallow, here you can enjoy the bioluminescence and also see the sighting of whale sharks, among many other things of this wonderful island in the Caribbean Mexico.
Las Coloradas
Las Coloradas represents one of the natural attractions of Mexico that we find in the state of Yucatan and it is a beach that due to the large amount of salt it contains, has a very striking pink tone.
Animaya Zoo
Animaya is one of the 2 zoos in the city of Merida in the state of Yucatan and this is the only zoo in the southern part of Mexico that allows you to live the experience of a safari, that is to say, to have an approach with more than 100 species that the place houses,
Suytun Cenote
Knowing the cenotes of Yucatan is an odyssey and a great mission, however among the large number that exists, it becomes a very complex task to know them all for your passage through Mexico.
However, there are some that stand out for their beauty, their natural architecture, their history, their energy and of course for the identity of Mexico that can be felt.
That is why one of the attractions in Mexico that you have to visit during your stay in the Yucatan region is the Saytun Cenote, and we guarantee that you will be amazed.
Chiapas
Chiapas is another place in Mexico that will steal our hearts with its exuberant nature, unparalleled landscapes and one of the few places in the republic that still preserves its ancestral traditions. A place that will soak you completely with warmth, nature, good coffee and adventure.
San Cristobal de las Casas
San Cristobal de las Casas or San Cristobal for friends, is one of the most beautiful and colorful magical towns in Mexico. It is a town that seems frozen in time with its colonial charm and its colorful houses that give it a very poetic touch for its thousands of visitors.
Sumidero Canyon
One of Mexico’s top natural attractions that can be found in the state of Chispas is the Sumidero Canyon, which is a river that runs through a huge rock formation in the middle of the jungle. A completely unique and new experience for every visitor to the country.
The sumidero canyon calls your attention for being a natural formation and its immersion with the Lacandon jungle, making it one of the places you have to add to your list of places to visit in Mexico.
Blue waterfall
One of the most beautiful waterfalls and an obligatory stop if you visit the state of Chispas, is this imposing natural attraction named Cascada de Agua Azul and I leave you with the information that the state has many more waterfalls, so take a walk there.
It should be noted that this waterfall is actually made up of several waterfalls of blue water, some of them converge on the same path, while others are a little more isolated but still incredible.
The Coffee Route
Many regions of Mexico have their so-called wine route or tequila route and a very little known attraction is the Chispas coffee chocolate route and it is a tour through the various coffee producing houses of the state.
Well in Mexico, the state of Chispas is one of the main producers of coffee, so don’t forget to put this activity on your list of things to see and know in Mexico.
Campeche
The walled city, as Campeche is known, is part of the Yucatan Peninsula and has become one of the most beautiful places in Mexico, so much so that it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
San Miguel Fort
The fort of San Miguel is one of the most unknown places we will find in the state of Campeche, it is located in the city of San Francisco and was built in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries to defend the city against a possible attack by the English.
Calakmul
Among Mexico’s gigantic list of archeological attractions is the archeological zone of Calakmul, which is one of the most important centers of the classic period of the Mayan culture and is located in the center of the Biosphere Reserve of the same name.
Pomona
Everything that makes up the Yucatan Peninsula is surrounded by incredible archaeological sites and in this case we have the archaeological site of Pamona, which is located in the state of Tabasco.
Oaxaca
It is almost impossible not to fall in love with a place like Oaxaca, where its natural attractions, its cultural, historical, artistic and gastronomic legacy becomes more than a memory, it becomes an odyssey that you will want to repeat in its many tourist areas in Mexico.
Hierve el Agua
Again for nature lovers, photographers, couples and really for everyone in general, Hierve el Agua is a must see if you visit the state of Oaxaca.
What is this place? Well, it is one of the attractions of Mexico that will dazzle you with its beauty, because it is a natural spa that offers a unique view of the valley and you will definitely never forget it.
Teotitlán del Valle
There are several towns in Mexico that still preserve their culture, tradition, customs and identity, such is the case of the town of Teotitlán del Valle, a Zapotec town that has preserved its traditions and shares them with the world through its creations that can be found in its various markets.
Monte Alban
This place that you have to visit in Mexico, is part of the state of Oaxaca and cultural patrimony of humanity since 1987.
And the reason why it is a place worthy of your visit, is because it is one of the few archaeological sites belonging to the Zapotecs and from which you can clearly appreciate its ceremonial enclosures, tombs, patios and spaces for the ball game,
Veracruz
The Jarocho state of Mexico, known for being a beach, fishing and natural state, offers a lot of attractions in Mexico and an odyssey between magic, religion and the traditional ancestral dances of the indigenous peoples and ethnic groups that inhabit the region. Undoubtedly, this place will become one of your favorites in the republic.
National Marine Park of the Veracruz Barrier Reef System
One of Mexico’s advantages is being surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian Ocean and this has given it the advantage of having incredible attractions in the coastal states of the country, such is the case of Veracruz with its National Marine Park Sistema Arrecifal Veracruzano.
Veracruz Aquarium
Another of Mexico’s tourist attractions that we find in Veracruz is an aquarium and its name is… Veracruz Aquarium.
And one of the reasons why you have to visit it is because it has the largest cylindrical fish tank in Mexico and the most impressive aquatic fauna exhibition in the country.
Cempoala
Cempoala adds to the long list of archaeological attractions in Mexico, which demonstrate the historical passage of the Toltec culture in our country and of course, places like these allow us to learn more and more about the history of this incredible indigenous group.
El Tajin
El Tajin is a Mexican attraction that will make you feel as if you were in Thailand and this is due to the great architectural similarity it has with the various monuments of that country. By the way, it has been declared a World Heritage Site and of course you have to visit it.
Papantla
Papantla your children fly, is one of the phrases that characterizes this magical town in the center-north of the state of Veracruz, combines pre-Columbian history and folkloric and agricultural traditions.
And although Mexico is surrounded by almost 120 magical towns, what characterizes this place is its coexistence with nature and the great history it possesses since pre-Hispanic times.
Lobos Island
Mexico has different paradises in the form of beautiful beaches and Isla de Lobos in Veracruz, can not be an exception because it has beaches with crystal clear waters and beautiful reefs ideal for snorkeling or diving and of course not to mention the incredible marine life that we can find.
Orizaba Peak
To close with a flourish the list of places that this region of Mexico offers us, we cannot forget the Citlaltépetl or better known as the Pico de Orizaba.
It is considered the highest mountain in Mexico, as it has a height of 5,636 m above sea level and is the only volcano in the world that has frozen lava inside, so climbing it has become a challenge.
Puebla
A perfect combination of art, nature, history and culture is what is waiting for us in Puebla and a magical place where the mountains rise between the roads and regions of the state.
Cholula
Mexico has several magical towns and each one of them has its own attributes that make it charming, well in the state of Puebla we find the Magical Town of Cholula de San Andres.
While Puebla has many attractions, Cholula de San Andres has become over time its main attraction and if you are in or near the state, you have to spend at least a weekend here.
Artist’s Quarter
Cholula is the main attraction of Puebla, but not the only one and if you are an art lover you have to visit the famous Barrio del Artista.
Which is a place located in the city of Puebla de Zaragoza where hundreds of artists expose to all visitors their works of art and even enjoy about the techniques they use to capture their ideas in colorful and incredible.
Guerrero
Guerrero guarda entre su interior una de las joyas turísticas más prestigiadas de México: Acapulco y playero lugar es una odisea de playas, acantilados, fiestas, naturaleza, impresionantes hoteles y claro, también tranquilidad. Tienes que conocerlo
Acapulco
If you are one of those people who love beaches, then Acapulco is the destination you deserve to know, because like the city of Cancun, Acapulco is a city that has beautiful beaches and is part of the state of Guerrero.
La quebrada Art Space
As we mentioned, Acapulco is a city that has beautiful beaches, and among other advantages is the view it has to the Pacific Ocean and this view is benefited in the Quebrada, as it is a space of the city that has a cliff 45 meters high, a channel seven meters wide, four meters deep and which gives us a real show in front of the sea.
Grutas de Cacahuamilpa National Park
If you are looking for an unparalleled adventure, the Cacahuamilpa Caves National Park is a good option and we find it in Guerrero.
We would really have to create a separate post to talk completely about this tourist place in Mexico, however we advance you that here you will not only observe impressive stalactites and stalagmites, you can also practice rafting or even swim in a subway river.
Tlaxcala
Despite being a small state, Tlaxcala is one of Mexico’s tourist destinations with many natural, architectural, colonial and cultural attractions to discover, such as its 124 buildings of high historical and architectural value. Of course, we cannot forget that here we can enjoy ecotourism by hiking, mountain biking and camping in the coniferous forest that surrounds the Malintzi volcano, the fifth highest elevation in Mexico.
Sanctuary of the Fireflies
Somehow a place illuminated by thousands of fireflies is something very surreal and worthy only of movies, however this place exists and is located in Tlaxcala. And before you pack your suitcase we will tell you that this natural phenomenon takes place between the months of June to mid-August, although July is the best month to see them.
So if you are in these lands for these dates, don’t forget to stop by and be amazed by the surreal landscape that this incredible place has prepared for you.
National Puppet Museum
Another attraction that stands out in the state of Tlaxcala is being the only place in Mexico that has a puppet museum and also the largest collection of the same, as it has about two thousand 500 pieces. So now you have another place in Mexico to visit on your next vacation.
Tizatlan Botanical Garden
Another attraction of Mexico that gives us the state of Tlaxcala is the Botanical Garden of Tizatlan which was inaugurated in 1989 and which currently has more than 3 thousand plants (some in danger of extinction) from 5 continents (America, Asia, Africa, Europe and Oceania). These 3 thousand plants are organized in 7 sections covering 8 hectares, making it one of the largest botanical gardens in Mexico.
Estado de México
Among all the states of the Mexican Republic, the State of Mexico is one of the most important and most visited in the country and in fact, its capital, affectionately called Mexico City, is considered the most populated city in the world. But that doesn’t stop the millions of annual visitors who come ready to see all its attractions, sites, museums, tours, centers, nightclubs and more.
Xochimilco
For decades a tourist attraction of Mexico City that has captured in the blood of all its visitors a true Mexican night, is Xoximilco Mexico. An attraction that invites you to travel through a canal of Mexico City in a colorful trajineras, where you will drink tequila, beer, enjoy Mexican snacks and dance to the rhythm of the singing of the mariachis.
Nevado de Toluca
Can you imagine walking, running or admiring the incredible view from a volcano? Well, this is what the snow-capped mountain of Toluca has to offer. Rising over 4680 meters above sea level, the snow-capped mountain of Toluca is one of the few inactive volcanoes that can be climbed in the world.
Teotihuacan
Teotihuacan is the first most visited archaeological site in Mexico, above we mentioned that the second most visited site is Chichen Itza. Teotihuacan is an archeological attraction in Mexico, where an incredible history, culture and buildings of different cultures are kept throughout time and one of its main attractions is the pyramid of the sun.
Zocalo CDMX
We know that almost every region of Mexico has a zócalo, however if you are visiting Mexico City’s zócalo, it is the most visited of all, because it is located near the government palace and other attractions of high historical, cultural and architectural value around it.
Basilica of the Guadalupana
If you are a religious person you may know the history behind the Basilica of Guadalupe, one of the main churches in the country and that every year receives millions of pilgrims who travel miles and miles away to show their faith to the patron saint of Mexico.
Frida Kahlo Museum
Mexico City has more than 100 museums to know and visit, however, one of them that has become a target of thousands of visits nowadays is the Frida Lahlo Museum. But make no mistake, this is not just another museum. This Mexican destination is the house where this greatest Mexican painter was born, grew up and died.
Hidalgo
Continuing with our list of Mexico’s attractions, we come to the state of Hidalgo. A state that although it is small, has a historical and cultural greatness that is mixed between its traditions, its mining heritage, and its colorful towns that become a real pleasure for our eyes.
Hidalgo is a state that gives us adventures in its mountains and hills, natural landscapes for the whole family and lovers like the Mezquital Valley and the only place that has artificial caves that look like something out of a dream, without a doubt this state of Mexico has a lot to offer for adventure tourism, eco tourism and family tourism.
Tolantongo Caves
The caves of Tolantongo are a must visit place in Mexico if you are on vacation or passing through the state. These caves give us a moment of relaxation among a surreal paradise of hot springs and are located in the municipality of Ixmiquilpan in Hidalgo.
They are famous for its view, for its landscape, for its waters and for being built (yes, built) on the hill and despite being an artificial place, the experience of being here is unbeatable.
Huasca de Ocampo
Huasca de Ocampo joins the list of Mexico’s magical towns and in the past was a prestigious mining town. Today few of these mines are active, however they have charming passages to walk through forests, meadows, streams, etc.
Pachuca de Soto
Pachuca del Soto is the colorful capital of Hidalgo and was founded by the Mexicas before the Spanish conquest. For which we must imagine that it represents a cultural place of Mexico, where we will find diverse architectural, artistic patrimony and Monuments.
The Museum of the Duentes
Do you like museums? Undoubtedly museums are cultural and learning spaces, and while there are all kinds like the museum of the mummies of Guanajuato, and the museum of the whale of La Paz, at km 2.5 of the Huasca de Ocampo highway, in the state of Hidalgo you will find a museum totally out of series and reality, because it is the museum of the elves.
The cost to access this place is 15 pesos and being the only one of its kind in Mexico, it has become a very peculiar attraction in the country, where you can admire from your arrival to receive various representations and objects alluding to these characters.
And wait until you visit its three small rooms you will find walls full of elves, trolls, gnomes, chaneques and fairies or duendinas, resting in round, triangular and square niches with their names, characteristics and work.
Dinopark
Another tourist attraction in Mexico that you should not miss is the famous dinopark, and no, you have nothing to worry about, because unlike the movie “Jurassic Park”, here the dinosaurs are not alive.
The dinopark as such is part of the interactive museum “El Rehilete”, and is located in Pachuca del soto. This area of the museum is an outdoor area that will transport you to the prehistoric era with more than 40 life-size figures of the dinosaurs that inhabited the planet millions of years ago.
Michoacán
Among the tourist destinations in Mexico we will find the state of Michoacan, a state full of a vast nature that invites us to get lost among it, buildings and ancient colonial temples and what to say about its various celebrations and national holidays where it becomes music to our ears and of course, we can not forget that among its attractive attractions we have its rich, varied and succulent cuisine.
Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary
One of the strongest tourist attractions we find in Michoacan is the famous sanctuary of the monarch butterflies and if you want to visit it, February and March are the best months to enjoy an unparalleled spectacle.
La Llorona Beach
Among all the beaches in the state of Michoacan, La Llorona is the one that stands out most of all, because it is a beach away from the rest, where there are still no large restaurants, hotels or tourist companies, which has allowed the birth of an incredible marine flora and fauna worthy of swimming, snorkeling or diving in this part of Mexico.
Morelia Aqueduct
Another of Mexico’s tourist attractions that can be found in the state of Michoacan is the Morelia Aqueduct, which was built in 1549 with a wooden structure, shingles and logs carved as canoes that carried water.
Of course, with the passing of time it was replaced with more resistant material and as the years went by it became a world heritage site, thanks to its structure, its architecture and the imposing view it offers to all visitors to Morelia.
Jalisco
Between beaches, typical gastronomy, tequila, mariachis, magical towns, traditions, nature and traditions that make us shout Viva Mexico! Jalisco is the most representative state of Mexico and of course, it has many things to do, to see and to know, without a doubt it offers us a great diversity of tourist places in Mexico among which the following stand out
Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta is a worthy competitor of the beach destinations in Mexico, because it has 42 kilometers of pure beaches and without a doubt; you will find the one that best suits your needs.
Tequila Magical Town
We know that Mexico is known as a “Tequila Country” ÿ of course, apart from being recognized worldwide as the people who “put chili to chili”, without a doubt tequila represents us a lot and of course, you can live a complete experience in the magical town of Tequila Jalisco.
This great attraction of Mexico, transports us to know the process of tequila production, the tasting of the same, and even know one of the largest tequila houses in the world: Jose Cuervo, so it certainly has to be on your list of places to visit.
Las Piedrotas de Tapalpa
Just 5 km from the town of Tapalpa is located one of the iconic and mysterious tourist attractions that the state of Jalisco has to offer: Las Piedrotas de Tapalpa.
It is nothing more and nothing less than stones that make us think that there were giants on earth and although this is the main attraction, the place has zip lines, horseback riding and many other activities for young and old.
Magic Jungle
Are you traveling with children? Without a doubt, they will love to visit Selva Mágica. An adventure park that has been created for children and adults who visit the city of Guadalajara and where water spheres, Ferris wheels and roller coasters are waiting for them.
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