Home to the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Americas, Mexico has everything the modern traveller could want. From luxury hideaways and idyllic beaches to colonial history and adventure, we’ve showcased the very best the country has to offer below.
1. Fascinating Architecture
Mexico’s colonial heartland is North West of Mexico City, although some of the very best examples of its awe-inspiring architecture can be found throughout the country, including in Puebla, Oaxaca, San Cristóbal and the capital itself. As well as being the best known colonial town in the Yucatán Peninsula, Mérida boasts Spanish colonial buildings, an abundance of history and is one of the best places to enjoy an array of architectural styles with its Mayan, Spanish, British, French and Dutch influences. Other highlights include the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Guanajuato, located in a picturesque valley, and San Miguel de Allende with its gothic Parroquia de San Miguel Archangel, inspired by a postcard of Gaudi's Sagrada Familia.
2. Beautiful Beaches
With beaches encompassing four bodies of water, including the Pacific Ocean, Sea of Cortez, Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean coast, Mexico is an ideal destination to relax and unwind. Alongside some of the more well-known beach hangouts, the country also offers an abundance of secluded retreats with boutique hotels and luxury spas situated on endless stretches of golden sand. Tulum is a particular highlight, with its turquoise waters, white sandy beaches and distinctive pink coral.
3. Ancient Sites
With the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Americas, the ancient civilisations of Mexico left an inspiring legacy. A number of wonderful Mayan temples remain today and are synonymous with beauty and ancient legends. We’ve created a guide to Mexico’s five best temples, including the diverse Mayan city of Chichen Itza and beautiful Tulum, located on the edge of a cliff facing out to the Caribbean Sea. Click here to read our blog about Mexico's five best ruins.
4. Delicious Food
The cuisine of a country can often make or break a trip and Mexico will guarantee you won’t come away disappointed – or hungry. Oaxacan cuisine is well known, particularly for its distinctive mole sauces, of which there are seven varieties. Chili peppers and chocolate are notable ingredients, although the chocolate doesn’t dominate the taste, instead contributing towards its dark colour. Other food and drink highlights include raw grasshoppers as a common bar snack and mezcal, a gourmet version of tequila. Any visit to Mexico should also incorporate tasting some street food, such as tacos, which are simply out of this world.
5. Fantastic Hotels
The wealth of hotels on offer throughout Mexico is second to none. From jungle lodges to high end luxurious heritage hotels such as Hacienda San Antonio and Cuixmala (above), picking our favourites is a challenge. We’ve done just that though, selecting five of the best paradisiacal hotels. Click here to find out more.
6. Wonderful Wildlife
Although wildlife often isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when considering Mexico as a holiday destination, we think it’s worth more than a passing mention. With a vast array of marine wildlife on offer, including dolphins, sea turtles, sea lions, coastal-dwelling manatees and a large number of tropical fish, Mexico's climate makes it an ideal habitat for spotting incredible biodiversity at its best. A particular highlight is the Sea of Cortez, which is a great place for swimming with whale sharks, whilst also enjoying the area’s beautiful beaches and remote uninhabited islands.
7. Active Adventures
Mexico is an ideal destination for those who like to keep active, with activities available to suit a range of ages, including children. Horse riding is a great way to explore Mexico’s beautiful landscapes and our Central Mexico Horse Ride offers a journey on horseback through canyons, cattle ranches and rolling hills. For diving enthusiasts there are an abundance of excellent scuba diving locations in places such as the Riviera Maya and Cozumel, where kayaking and snorkelling can also be enjoyed by those who prefer not to delve as deep. If walking is more your thing, the breathtaking Copper Canyon is a great place for hiking amongst its stunning vistas, where you can also discover pre-Columbian petroglyphs and a diverse array of flora and fauna.
8. Dramatic Volcanoes
Last, but by no means least, our wildcard pick for visiting Mexico is to witness its incredible volcanic scenery. Mexico sits on the North American tectonic plate and its volcanoes form part of the Pacific Ring of Fire. These amazing volcanoes form a spectacular backdrop to certain locations, such as Colima, which smokes each day at around 6pm, creating a very impressive sight. It’s one of the most active volcanoes in Mexico and erupted in July this year, sending ash more than 1.5 miles into the sky. Other active volcanoes include Popocatépetl (above) and El Chichon, for which smaller eruptions are commonplace, making the vistas alone well worth viewing.
