Who wouldn’t want to travel to Mexico! However, it’s not just the Mayan Riviera that’s worth visiting, but also the rest of the country. Here are Mexico’s 20 most beautiful attractions!
Its history was greatly influenced by the peoples living there. For nearly 3000 years, advanced cultures developed on Mexican territory, including the civilizations of the Olmecs, Toltecs, Mayan people, and Aztecs. It is bordered by the United States to the north, Guatemala and Belize to the south-east, the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea to the east.
Table of Contents
Best places in Mexico
Playa del Carmen
Perhaps the most atmospheric city on the Mayan Riviera, which has become increasingly popular next to Cancun.
Beautiful white sandy beaches are found both south and north of the city. The resort area, Playacar, hosts many hotels for tourists.
Moreover, opposite the city lies the island of Cozumel. A very pleasant little island, definitely worth a boat trip!
In the evening, the pedestrian street, Quinta Avenida, is a must-visit. At this time, you can see various shows in restaurants and bars and enjoy Mexican music and dance.
Riviera Maya – attractions, beaches, activities
Oaxaca de Juárez
The city and its surroundings have a lot of historical heritage, being one of the significant destinations in Mexico’s southwest.
Nearby Monte Albán, as one of the oldest cities in Mesoamerica, served as the social and political center of the Zapotec elite for a long time. It was built on an artificially flattened hill about 1940 meters above sea level, offering a wonderful view from the ruins.
An interesting event is the Night of the Radishes. Every year on December 23, artworks made of radishes, flowers, and corn husks are displayed.
The city is also famous for its gastronomy. Highlights include local cheeses, mole (a special Mexican sauce), and tlayudas (large, crispy tortillas). The most extreme, however, is chapulines, which are fried grasshoppers. Don’t miss out! 🙂
Mezcal is produced in the area. This distilled spirit is made from the fermentation and distillation of the common agave native to Mexico. It is usually drunk neat, with a strong, smoky flavor.
Chichen Itza
The most famous architectural ruin complex of the Mayan civilization has been part of UNESCO’s cultural World Heritage since 1988 and one of the new seven wonders of the world since 2007.
The Mayan city built around 500 was occupied by the Toltecs in the 10th century, and the military leaders of the two nations entering into a military alliance made it the capital of the Maya-Toltec empire. The Toltecs introduced the worship of Kukulkan – the feathered serpent god, their war customs, and the ritual of human sacrifice, marks of which the city still bears today.
Its most impressive building is the pyramid temple erected in honor of Kukulkan, called El Castillo (The Castle) by the Spanish conquerors. The square, 55 meters high stone temple has 91 steps leading up to the sanctuary on top on each side.
Those vacationing on the Yucatán Peninsula must come here!
Mexico City
We cannot omit the capital. Together with its suburbs, it is one of the world’s largest cities.
Accordingly, its historical center is one of the world’s largest urban squares. Here you can find the enormous Mexican National Palace and the Metropolitan Cathedral.
One of the most significant buildings of the Aztec empire was the Templo Mayor. Today it functions as a museum, so we can see the religious life and rituals of the Aztecs.
The Chapultepec park is worth highlighting. The vast city park contains museums, lakes, and the famous Chapultepec Castle, which is now the home of the National History Museum.
Guadalajara
Mexico’s 2nd largest city, also known as the Pearl of the West, is the birthplace of mariachi music and is famous for tequila, as well as charreada (Mexican rodeo) traditions.
One of the country’s oldest cities, it is rich in old buildings. Its most important monument is the cathedral located on the main road, Avenida Alcalde. The Rotonda de los Hombres Ilustres is the mausoleum of the city’s renowned men, politicians, writers, artists.
The Hospicio Cabañas is part of UNESCO’s world heritage. Once an orphanage, it now serves as an arts and cultural center. José Clemente Orozco’s frescoes are worth admiring.
Sumidero Canyon
A natural wonder in the southern state of Chiapas, Mexico, is a long, steep-walled river valley that is several hundred meters deep in places, reaching up to 1200 meters.
The Grijalva River has carved out the canyon over a span of 20 km. Numerous caves can be found on the valley’s steep walls, including the Cave of Colors and the Cave of Silence, as well as a famous waterfall named the Christmas Tree due to its shape.
The most popular activity among tourists is to take a boat ride through the canyon all the way to the Chicoasén Reservoir in the north. Several viewpoints have been established on the tops of the riverbanks.
Tulum
An unusual Mayan city built on the beach on the southern part of the Mayan Riviera.
Its most significant buildings include the so-called castle, the Temple of the Descending God, the Temple of the Wind, and the Temple of the Frescoes. The inner city is surrounded by a city wall that is open towards the sea, with watchtowers at its northwest and southwest ends.
The buildings were constructed on a rocky area above a stunning white sandy beach. Looking up at the ruins from here can be a great experience.
Mérida
The cultural and economic center of the Yucatán Peninsula, where a unique mix of Mayan culture and Spanish traditions can be observed.
Home to one of Mexico’s oldest cathedrals, built in the 16th century and an excellent example of Spanish colonial architecture. Paseo de Montejo Avenue is reminiscent of the Champs-Elysées, lined with numerous imposing buildings, elegant hotels, and shops.
It is also called the White City due to its characteristically lime-washed white buildings and the cleanliness of its streets.
Mérida attractions, museums, weather
Bacalar Lake
A very long but narrow lake on the southern part of the Yucatán Peninsula.
Also known as the „Lake of Seven Colors” because the different depths and various underwater rocks (mostly white sand) supposedly give the lake seven different shades of blue.
One of the tourists’ favorite spots is an abandoned pirate ship on the shore.
Holbox
A narrow island at the northern tip of the Yucatán Peninsula, in the Gulf of Mexico.
Famous for its tranquil atmosphere, beautiful sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, and the absence of motorized vehicles. Therefore, it’s a perfect choice for those looking for a quieter retreat.
One of its main tourist attractions is the observation of whale sharks, which is possible from June to September. These giant, harmless animals gather near the island to feed.
Morelia
The city, located west of Mexico City, was renamed in 1828 after its famous native, José María Morelos, a leading figure in the Mexican War of Independence.
Its historical downtown monuments were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991, including the Cathedral of the Transfiguration of Christ, the Monastery of Saint Francis, and the Palace of Government.
The city’s streets and squares are adorned with many statues. In addition, the Fuente de las Tarascas fountain has become one of the city’s symbols.
Palenque
The city and the surrounding national park have been part of UNESCO’s cultural world heritage since 1987.
The Mayan ruin city became a religious center in the 7th century and flourished during the reign of King Kin Pakal. Its significance is underscored by the discovery among the ruins of the ceremonial center of some of the most important works of Mayan art and the longest text record of Mayan writing to date.
The most beautiful part is the Palace built on a terrace 10 meters high, 100 meters long, and 75 meters wide. The most striking part of this labyrinthine complex is the square-based four-story, 15-meter-high tower.
San Miguel de Allende
Together with the nearby Sanctuary of Jesus Nazareno de Atotonilco, its richly monumented old town was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008. It is also listed among the Pueblo Mágico, which includes towns of outstanding tourist value.
The town has numerous old monuments, mainly from the 18th century. The Church of Saint Michael the Archangel became famous because Miguel Hidalgo, the hero of independence, was active there as a priest.
Tepoztlán
Popular tourist attraction due to its special natural environment and rich spiritual traditions.
At the top of the mountain bordering the town lies a small ancient pyramid, which served as a sanctuary to Tepoztécatl, the god of fertility and alcohol. The path leading there is steep, but those who embark on it will be richly rewarded with a tremendous experience!
Teotihuacan
A ruin city northeast of Mexico City, famous for its pyramids and numerous well-preserved colorful murals.
The city’s center is the more than one kilometer long main road, the Avenue of the Dead. The Aztecs believed that the smaller, flat platforms lining the road concealed tombs, but archaeologists believe these structures served purely ceremonial purposes.
Its iconic buildings include the Pyramid of the Sun, the Pyramid of the Moon, and the Citadel at the end of the main street. Anyone visiting the capital should definitely make a trip here!
Las Coloradas
This small fishing village on the northern part of the Yucatán Peninsula became known for its unique pink salt lakes.
These lakes are actually salt evaporation ponds, and their pink color is attributed to the microorganisms living in the salt-rich waters, especially a type of algae.
Recently developed, so you can walk around the ponds on the roads between them and admire the unusual color of the water.
Puerto Vallarta
A city on the Pacific coast, one of Mexico’s most popular resort destinations.
Famous for its beautiful beaches, vibrant artistic and cultural life, and gastronomy.
Its historical center, with the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, cafes, galleries, and winding cobblestone streets, has retained the city’s colonial ambiance.
From the lookout point above the downtown area, Mirador el Cerro de la Cruz, there is a stunning panorama of the town and the ocean.
Guanajuato
Its historic center and the adjacent mining area were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988.
The town is unique for the extensive tunnel system under the downtown area, which was opened to vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Originally designed for flood diversion, these have now become an important part of city transport.
It houses one of Mexico’s most important historical museums, the Regional Museum of Guanajuato. However, the Mummy Museum, which displays 111 mummies exhumed between 1865 and 1989, is the most famous.
Monterrey
One of the country’s largest economic centers, located at the foot of the Sierra Madre Oriental mountain range.
Here is Latin America’s one of the largest urban squares, the Macroplaza. It encompasses several important attractions, such as the Faro de Comercio (Commerce Lighthouse), the Palacio de Gobierno (Government Palace), and the cathedral.
Two museums stand out. The Monterrey Museum is not just a museum but a real cultural center with events. Besides its art exhibitions, its section displaying Mexican baseball legends is also interesting. The other, the Museo de Arte Contemporaneo (MARCO), is a contemporary art museum, the most important of its kind in all of Latin America.
Isla Partida and Isla Espíritu Santo
Located in the Gulf of California, north of the city of La Paz. Both islands are uninhabited and enjoy UNESCO protection for the preservation of their biosphere.
The two islands are connected by a sandbar, making them a favorite destination for tourists. In the past, the Ensenada Grande beach on Isla Partida was chosen as „the most beautiful beach in Mexico”.