The 17 most beautiful places to visit in Mexico

Between ancient cities, heavenly beaches and impressive national parks, discover our selection of the most beautiful places to discover in Mexico!

Renowned for its traditions, colours and diversity, Mexico promises its visitors a unique journey. Few countries can boast such a cultural and historical wealth!

Bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the West and the Atlantic Ocean to the East, the Mexican territory is divided into 31 states on which there are superb beaches of fine sand, important Mayan and Aztec archaeological sites, but also forests, volcanoes and canyons, just as spectacular.

You've always dreamed of visiting Mexico but don't know where to start? It will certainly not be enough for you to explore all the treasures of this country of almost two million km2, but our selection of the 17 most beautiful places could help you choose!

1. Mayan archaeological sites

In the pre-Columbian period, Maya civilization occupied an extended territory on the current States of Guatemala Belize, part of El Salvador and Honduras, and the peninsula Yucatan Mexico. This explains the presence of many ancient Mayan cities, considered to be true archaeological wonders, on this part of the territory.

Chichen Itza (Ve-Xe siècle), ranked at UNESCO World Heritage and elected as one of the seven new wonders of the world, is the most famous and visited Mayan archaeological site in the country. But many others deserve your attention if you plan to visit Mexico. Among them, the majestic:

- Calakmul (Campeche) - Uxmal (Yucatan) - Kabah (Yucatan) - Palenque (Chiapas) - Tulum (Yucatan)

2. San Cristóbal de Las Casas

San Cristóbal de Las casas , located more than 2000 meters above sea level in the mountains of Chiapas, is a city of the Spanish colonial era in Mexico.

The Tzotziles Indians and Westerners who fell in love for the cultural capital of Chiapas, live in the narrow and colourful streets of this charming and cosmopolitan city to do in Mexico.

If you are on your way to San Cristobal de Las Casas, take a look at the beautiful Tzotzile church of San Juan de Chamula, a few kilometers away. Traditional native shamanic religion is still practised and there is an indescribable atmosphere.

3. The caves of Cacahuamilpa

Are you wondering what unusual experience to do in Mexico? Why not explore the most impressive caves in the world, those of Cacahuamilpa ! This National Park, of the State of Guerrero, is composed of eight large caves connected between them by tunnels, in which it is possible to observe stalactites and stalagmites of several meters high.

Wonderfulness and strong sensations guaranteed!

4. Cenotes

A cenote is a natural puit of fresh water, sometimes partially salted water, formed by the collapse of a limestone base above a cave or an underground river. Cenotes were considered sacred places by Mayan civilization, and therefore sacrifices and rituals took place.

It would be almost 10,000 on the Yucatan Peninsula, but we have selected some of the essential cenotes for you:

– Gran Cenote (Tulum) – Dos Ojos (Tulum) – XKeken (valladolid) – Azul (Puerto Aventuras) - Ik Kil (proche Chichén-Itzá) - Noh Mozon (Pyxia) - Zaci (Valladolid) - Angelita (Quintana Roo)

5. Lagoon of Bacalar

Are you about to visit Mexico? Direction the Quintana Roo, southeast of the country, to relax your feet in the Lagoon of Bacalar ! The one that surnames the lagoon with 7 shades of blue passes from turquoise blue to deep blue, depending on the sunlight and depth of water.

We go there to go for a kayak ride, walk the lagoon by bike in search of cenotes (Cenote La Bruja , for example) or simply enjoy the soothing atmosphere of the place, in an idyllic setting.

6. Tulum

The incontournable Tulum, from the Maya riviera to the Yucatan, could not take away from this top of the most beautiful places to visit in Mexico. Imagine, vestiges of the only Mayan city built by the sea, overlooking the beaches worthy of the most beautiful postcards spread over kilometers and kilometers, all along a lush jungle.

Some of the most beautiful cenotes in Mexico are around this Eden of the Caribbean coast.

7. Guanajuato

In the list of things to do in Mexico, we find the old mining town Guanajuato , whose historic centre is classified as the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The presence of universities makes it a lively and cultural student city, and every corner of the street offers you some nice surprises (flowering places, monuments to colonial architecture, groups of musicians, the alley of the kiss, the Basilica Nuestra Señora de Guanajuato...).

To enjoy an exceptional view of the whole city and its colorful houses, we recommend you climb to the hill of the Pipila monument. Breathe!

8. The islands of Quintana Roo

The State of Quintana Roo has a number of pepits to visit in Mexico, and the islands below are undeniably part of it:

• Holbox, small island of 56 km2 in the Gulf of Mexico, is the ideal place to stroll on a white sand beach, snorkeler and observe pink flamingos or whale sharks.
• Cozumel, or the land of the swallows in Maya yucatec, is an island of the Caribbean Sea whose seabeds are deemed to be among the most beautiful in the world.
• Isla Mujeres, off Cancun, in the Caribbean Sea, seduces lovers of snorkeling and diving, especially with its subaquatic museum.

So, immerse yourself in a limpid water?

9. Cholula

Visiting Mexico is visiting Pueblos Magicos or magical villages, including Cholula part. Located at altitude, at the foot of the still active Popocatepetl volcano, this village fascinates with its Grande Pyramid, which is no other than the largest pyramid in the world.

At the top of the hill that covers this pyramid, the church Nuestra Señora de los Remedios dominates the plain, thus offering a striking show, with the volcano as a backdrop.

10. The waterfalls of Agua Azul

Return to Chiapas to discover the special reserve of the biosphere cascades of Agua Azul , which means blue water . This suite of cascades, of an emerald blue that seems almost unreal, is formed thanks to the junction of three rivers through the jungle. A pleasure for the eyes!

Note: Since the powerful earthquake of September 2017, rivers have been modified, resulting in a near-salement of Agua Azul waterfalls.

11. The Nevado volcano of Toluca

The Nevado volcano , also known as Xinantecatl, is located in the Toluca Valley, Mexico State.

The view of its crater is simply grandiose, like its two lakes, Lac de Lune and Lac du Soleil. Hiking lovers? Toluca's Nevado volcano is for you!

12. Other pre-Columbian archaeological sites

Other pre-Columbian archaeological sites are of major importance in Mexico’s history and for the civilizations that have succeeded. We find, among other things:

• El Tajin, in the State of Veracruz, was built by the Indian people of Totonaques (Ve-XIIe century). The site is listed on UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Teotihuacan (Ie-VIIe century), in Mexico State, means Place where the Gods are created. His name shows the power and influence of this Mesoamerican city. The site is also listed in UNESCO World Heritage.
• The beautiful ruins of the Zapoteque archaeological site Monte Alban overlooks the Oaxaca valley and are also classified as UNESCO World Heritage.

13. Les Barrancas del Cobre

Are you planning to visit Mexico, especially the state of Chihuahua? You should take a tour of the imposing copper canyons, located in the middle of the Sierra Madre.

The best way to explore them Barrancas del Cobre is to take place in the train Ferrocarril Chihuahua al Pacifico, or El Chepe, which connects the cities of Chihuahua and Los Mochis along the main canyon.

14. Espiritu Santo Island

The island uninhabited Espiritu Santo of the Gulf of California is a still preserved natural treasure where it makes a good trip on deserted beaches. But to say that it is uninhabited is actually not totally true, since the island is home to an important colony of sea lions, which you may have the chance to meet.

Espiritu Santa is designated by Unesco as a biosphere reserve.

15. Playa Escondida

On the Marietas Islands, off the coasts of Nayarit State, there is an unusual beach that is renamed Playa Escondida , or the hidden beach, because of its shape: an open cave. It is accessed at low tide, after crossing a cave at the swim.

You will have understood, Playa Escondida deserves!

16. Hierve El Agua

What do you do in Mexico to look at it? Meet in the mountains, in front of the surprising thermal baths and waterfalls Hierve El Agua .

The reason? Hierve El Agua is the result of an unusual geological formation, since its waterfalls are made of mineral salts, and thus petrified in the rock. Impressive!

17. The Lagunas National Park of Montebello

To finish in beauty, we present you the Lagunas National Park of Montebello , a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in the Chiapas region. This exceptional natural site encompasses approximately 50 lakes and lagoons of various sizes and shades, surrounded by small forests.

This is a very different decor from those we’re used to seeing in Mexico!