Good Places To Vacation In Mexico
Mexico is a place with many wonders. In Mexico, there are beautiful places that you should visit if you are thinking of going on vacation this year. This article will help you find out where some of the most popular places to vacation in Mexico are located. People tend to go for the comfort and convenience that hotels can provide. But make sure to try something slightly different and stay in an Airbnb rental apartment outside of town. There are also some great resorts where you can spend several days resting while having a great time, enjoying the sun and relaxing. The beaches have crystal-clear water that has a unique color that comes from minerals found in the ground. It is a sight worth seeing, especially when you have some dedicated time to see it!
If you are thinking about vacationing in Mexico and looking for good places to visit, keep reading. I have shortlisted my favorite places to visit during your next trip to the Mexican country. You will find the most interesting beaches, cities, towns and other places to visit. When considering a great place to get away on a vacation, Mexico is sure one to consider, especially if you are in the mood for some diving, snorkeling and swimming under all blue skies and sunshine. In Mexico you can find tropical beaches that offer great scuba diving opportunities by simply driving down the road to the beach where there will be people renting out equipment.
Take out time to surf through our catalog right here on Touriangle for prompt information on best vacation spots in Mexico for couples, best place to vacation in Mexico all inclusive, vacation spots in Mexico all inclusive, and so much more. You don’t want to miss this!
Good Places To Vacation In Mexico
As one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, Mexico draws people of all different kinds. Hotels and resorts vary wildly, so knowing which ones to choose can seem like quite a challenge if you don’t do your research beforehand. The goal of this article is to help you narrow down where the best places to vacation are in Mexico based on your particular needs so that you can have an enjoyable and memorable vacation.
As evidenced from the success of Cancun, Baja, and Cabo San Lucas as travel destinations, it is clear that warm weather and sandy beaches are top priorities for many Mexico vacationers. Let’s take a look at some other top-tier Mexico destinations and explore the reasons why they should be considered the next time you want to escape to paradise.
Best Vacation Spots In Mexico For Families
With diverse destinations ranging from metropolitan Mexico City to the sands of Tulum, Mexico boasts vacation spots that appeal to all sorts of visitors. To help you determine which locale is best for you, U.S. News compiled this list of the best places to visit in Mexico by factoring in cultural attractions, beaches and nightlife, along with traveler votes and expert opinions. Vote for your favorite vacation spots below to help us determine next year’s ranking. Meanwhile, if you’re in need of lodging, check out the Best Hotels in Mexico » (Note: Some of the below destinations may be affected by the coronavirus outbreak. Check with the CDC and the U.S. Department of State before traveling.)
- View 46 PhotosBelongs on List?YesNoTulum#1 in Best Places to Visit in MexicoHome to Mexico’s most famous waterfront Mayan ruins, Tulum appeals to history buffs and water lovers alike. Positioned along a coastal stretch of the Riviera Maya, the area offers numerous lodging options, ranging from small boutique hotels to wellness retreats to all-inclusive resorts. That means every traveler can book the vacation that will best suit them. Regardless of where you stay, you can spend time lounging on the beach, exploring ancient ruins and swimming in secluded cenotes, unique underwater caves located around the Yucatán Peninsula. READ MOREBEST HOTELS|THINGS TO DO
- View 30 PhotosBelongs on List?YesNoPlaya del Carmen#2 in Best Places to Visit in MexicoPlaya del Carmen boasts an exciting food scene, with eateries dishing out everything from delectable tacos and tostadas to sushi and expertly cooked seafood, plus an even hipper bar culture. What’s more, this destination in the Riviera Maya beckons to vacationers with its soft sand blanketing its beaches and its stunning shoreline views. Visitors can also bike to a nearby cenote for a refreshing dip or hit the links at one of the numerous surrounding golf courses. All-inclusive resorts, vacation rentals and boutique properties abound in this region, too, giving travelers plenty of options to find the best fit for their preferences and budgets. READ MOREBEST HOTELS|THINGS TO DO
Belongs on List?YesNoZihuatanejo#3 in Best Places to Visit in MexicoLocated on Mexico’s Pacific coast, Zihuatanejo offers travelers an authentic Mexican experience full of brilliant sunsets and laid-back vibes. Here, shopaholics can buy local handicrafts (think: ceramics and woodcarvings), and foodies can savor fresh fish tacos and ceviche along the beach. The city’s Playa La Ropa serves as the main beach and stands out because of its clean, family-friendly atmosphere. Just off the coast, divers and snorkelers can pick from more than 30 dive sites brimming with marine life.- View 28 Photos Belongs on List?YesNoCozumel#4 in Best Places to Visit in MexicoThis island is probably best known for two things: coral reefs and cruise ships. Travelers love this destination’s brilliant blue water and laid-back beaches, plus its abundance of water sports. Numerous outfitters and resorts offer kayaks, paddleboards and snorkeling gear. While you could spend every minute in the water or on the beach with a good book, Cozumel is also a quiet place to learn about Mayan culture. Visit the Mayan ruins at San Gervasio archaeological site for a dose of pre-Hispanic history.
- View 13 PhotosBelongs on List?YesNoOaxaca#10 in Best Places to Visit in MexicoTravel to this city in southern Mexico for a full immersion into Mexican culture. Situated more than 5,000 feet above sea level and surrounded by the Sierra Madre del Sur mountain range, Oaxaca is the place to experience native customs. In Oaxaca, travelers can visit vibrant markets and dine on delicious Mexican food. Standout cultural sites include the preserved ruins of Monte Albán and the Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán church, which dates back to the 16th century and was used for a time as military barracks.
- View 37 PhotosBelongs on List?YesNoPuerto Vallarta#11 in Best Places to Visit in MexicoPuerto Vallarta appeals to vacationers in search of excellent beaches and authentic regional cuisine. Visitors can lounge along the shores, go on a whale watching tour or even participate in tequila tastings. Plus, the city’s quaint setting along Banderas Bay (on Mexico’s western coast) and iconic landmarks, such as Los Arcos National Marine Park and the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, set it apart from other packed tourist centers – and make for wonderful photo-ops.
Belongs on List?YesNoPuebla#14 in Best Places to Visit in MexicoFor a vacation packed with authentic character, head to Puebla. This colonial city, which sits about 80 miles southeast of Mexico City, is filled with numerous churches, but its main draws are its stunning Talavera pottery and its sweet and spicy cuisine. Visitors must try mole poblano (made with numerous ingredients, including chiles, meat, chocolate, cinnamon and garlic) and chiles en nogada (chiles stuffed with beef and served with a walnut sauce and fruit like peaches, apples and pomegranate seeds). When the sun sets, venture to Callejón de los Sapos to listen to live music.
Belongs on List?YesNoZacatecas#15 in Best Places to Visit in MexicoIf you’re looking for an experience away from the crowds, head to historic Zacatecas. A hot spot for silver mining, this city boasts a rich heritage that visitors can experience through local food and cultural sites like Mina El Edén (a 16th-century mine with a rock and minerals museum) and the Museo Pedro Coronel (an art museum). For an extra special treat, take a cable car to the top of Cerro de la Bufa, where you’ll be rewarded with sweeping views of the city below.
Best Places To Visit In Mexico For Young Adults
Much of the tourist industry in Mexico is centered around the beach resorts on the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Some of Mexico’s beach destinations were once towns that gradually gained popularity as tourist destinations while others were conceived as resort towns from the outset. These popular vacation spots in Mexico offer powdery sand and crystalline water along with an abundance of tourist amenities and attractions.
10. Playa Maroma
Playa Maroma is considered one of the best beaches in the world. Located on the Gulf coast just over 50 km (30 miles) from the Riviera Maya, Playa Maroma is a quiet hideaway that seems far, far away from the crowds of Cancun, allowing visitors to experience both white sand beaches with gorgeous blue water and lush rainforests.
The beach is especially popular with snorkelers who can begin their underwater touring right from the shore. Beach access is limited to guests of the various resorts or the local beach club.
9. Mazatlan
Just as birds fly south to escape the cold of northern winter, Mazatlan is a popular destination for winter’s human snowbirds. Nicknamed “Pearl of the Pacific,” Mazatlan offers 11 miles of golden sand beaches, the largest boardwalk in Latin America, blue lagoons and water sports that draw tourists any time of the year, but especially during the winter.
Located in Sinaloa Province, Mazatlan also offers travelers a chance to experience a more traditional Mexican lifestyle, since the historic old section of town still carries on much as it did before flocks of tourists arrived on its shores.
8. Acapulco
A popular destination among spring breakers, Acapulco is situated on a semi-circular bay on the pacific coast. Beautiful beaches are Acapulco’s primary crowd-puller. Most of the popular beaches like Hornos, Icacos, Papagayo and Tamarindos are found along the bay area known as Las Costera.
A must-do in Acapulco is watch the city’s famous La Quebrada Cliff divers plunge 147 feet into a shallow inlet. A tradition since 1934, this spectacle can be viewed from a platform on the cliff tops or from nearby restaurants.
7. Puerto Vallarta
Situated on the Bay of Banderas along Mexico’s Pacific Coast in the state of Jalisco is the popular vacation city, Puerto Vallarta. Landscapes of gorgeous beaches and lush jungle mountains envelope this picturesque town of colonial landmarks, first-class resorts, gourmet restaurants, fabulous shops and dozens of nightclubs.
As Puerto Vallarta is a popular diving destination, there are many dive shops located throughout the beaches. Giant manta rays and dolphins can be viewed here while humpback whales can be seen between December and March.
6. Playa del Carmen
Commonly referred to as simply “Playa,” Playa del Carmen is a lively resort town in the state of Quintana Roo on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. Formerly a quiet fishing village of distinct European influence, the town has expanded in recent years into a vibrant resort town of beautiful beaches and entertainment venues. However, Playa still retains its relaxed atmosphere and friendly locals.
With the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef just off the shore, there are plenty of opportunities for scuba diving and snorkeling.
5. Puerto Escondido
Puerto Escondido, located on Bahia Bay, is popular with surfers, water sports enthusiasts and anyone who just wants to chill out on a scenic beach, such as Playa Zicatela. The town’s name means “hidden port,” a link to its fishing village status.
The city also is a regional market town; the Mercado Bento Juarez is the place to shop on Saturday mornings. Puerto Escondido is divided into halves: The upper half is where the locals live while the lower town is geared for tourists, especially the Avenue Perez Gasga, which is a pedestrian zone.
4. Cozumel
Located in the Caribbean Sea on the Yucatan Peninsula, the thirty-mile island of Cozumel is one of the top diving destinations in the Western Hemisphere. For this reason, dive shops abound all over the island.
Cozumel is also one of Mexico’s most visited cruise port-of-calls, and tourists will find the cruise docks bustling with vendors selling a variety of souvenirs from t-shirts to jewelry, tequila and Cuban cigars.
3. Tulum
Tulum is famous for at least two things: its gorgeous Caribbean beaches and its archaeology ruins, which includes a walled city. Located on the Yucatan Peninsula, Tulum was one of the last cities build by the Mayans.
It is one of the best preserved Mayan sites on Mexico’s east coast. Sitting as it does on a bluff, the ruins offer spectacular views of the Caribbean Sea. The ruins make a good day trip from Cancun, but travelers who choose to stay in Tulum can also enjoy the beautiful beaches that offer snorkeling and diving as well as sunbathing.
2. Los Cabos
Regarded as the marlin sport fishing capital of the world, Los Cabos has rapidly gained popularity over the last few decades as one of the top vacation spots in Mexico. Located in the Mexican state of Baja California Sur, Los Cabos is composed of two towns, San Jose and San Lucas, that are divided by twenty miles of scenic highway known as “the Corridor.”
While the former mission town of Cabo San Jose is a traditional Mexican town with a relaxed, quiet ambiance, Cabo San Lucas is all about luxury resorts, upscale restaurants and a glittering party scene. Cabo San Lucas is also known for its natural attraction, Land’s End, which features a cluster of rocks shaped by the sea and wind into distinctive formations.
1. Cancun
A world famous tourist destination on the Caribbean coast of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, Cancun presents a complete vacation package of fabulous beaches, a first-class hotel zone, Mayan ruins, modern attractions and an exuberant nightlife. But it is the year-round perfect weather and gorgeous beaches that make Cancun one of the best vacation spots in Mexico.
The Cancún hotel zone is almost entirely built around the tourist industry. It abounds with all-inclusive resort hotels. The downtown area, known as El Centro, beats to a more authentic Mexican tune with its restaurants, markets, bars and clubs.