Things to do in Mexico

Given all there is to see in Mexico, it’s no wonder it’s one of the most visited countries in the world. Whether it’s for its incredible Caribbean beaches, interesting culture or excellent cuisine, there’s plenty to see in Mexico.

Among many other wonders, this country is home to the famous Riviera Maya, which receives thousands of tourists every year. You can choose from an infinite number of urban, rural or natural destinations that will make you fall in love with this country, and if you want to know more, keep reading our post!

The best things to do in Mexico

San Miguel de Allende

One of the first destinations to see in Mexico is, without a doubt, San Miguel de Allende. This small town is home to a great historical and cultural content, where you can enjoy both its historic centre and all those natural places it offers.

To get a clear idea of the beauty of San Miguel de Allende, first of all we recommend you to go to Del Mirador, from where you will be able to contemplate the whole city from an unbeatable perspective. Next, don’t miss a visit to the Temple of San Francisco. This imposing infrastructure will leave you fascinated with its peculiar architecture.

Among all the things you can see in San Miguel de Allende, we recommend ending your visit with a trip to the town of Dolores Hidalgo, where you can enjoy a picturesque atmosphere while wandering through its small streets and emblematic monuments.

Cancun

One of the most famous places to see in Mexico is undoubtedly Cancun. Particularly acclaimed for its beaches, this coastal jewel offers some dreamy natural scenery and holds great value for the Mayan culture.

As you would expect, the first place to visit on your trip to Cancun is the Chitzen Itza ruins. You will discover the greatest secrets of the Mayan culture while being impressed by the beauty of its temples. Another site not to be missed is the Rio Secreto, a natural site formed by an underground river that you can cross by boat, walking or even diving.

To end the day, you can go to Playa Delfines beach and enjoy a breathtaking sunset while you take a swim in its turquoise waters. And these are just some of the things to do in Cancun!

Monterrey

Monterrey is one of the most important cities to see in Mexico, and it’s no wonder why. In addition to its cosmopolitan style, in this city you can discover countless secrets about the culture and traditions of the Mexican country.

We recommend starting your route on the beautiful Paseo Santa Lucia, a path that runs from the Museum of Mexican History to the Fundidora Park, where you can enjoy the natural surroundings. Once you have finished your walk, you can go to the Metropolitan Cathedral of Monterrey, a religious infrastructure that will leave you completely impressed by its architecture and dimensions. Finally, you can choose to visit the Parque Cola de Caballo to escape from the city for a while. You will be able to immerse yourself in a natural environment and even contemplate an impressive waterfall with the same name.

Don’t miss any of the places to see in Monterrey!

Puebla

Puebla is one of the most characteristic towns to see in Mexico. Mainly famous for its artisan style, you will enjoy a totally Mexican atmosphere thanks to its traditions and gastronomy.

One of the first places to visit in Puebla is its incredible Artists’ Quarter, where you can enjoy an area full of creativity while you contemplate various works of art for sale or in the process of being created. Then, you can continue your walk through the Zócalo, the main square of the city. You will find a lively atmosphere and picturesque buildings. If you have time left, set aside a day of your trip to Puebla to visit the spectacular Popocatepetl volcano, one of the most important natural sights to see in Mexico.

If you want to know more about this small Mexican town, keep reading our blog: What to see and do in Puebla.

San Cristobal de las Casas

Located in the state of Chiapas, San Cristobal de las Casas is one of the best cities to see in Mexico. Besides being a highly touristic place, it keeps its essence in the purest Mexican style, which you will be able to appreciate both in its urban and natural elements.

Among all the places you can visit in San Cristobal de las Casas, do not hesitate to visit the Moxviquil Orchids. It is a large botanical garden where you can enjoy a pleasant walk surrounded by nature. Next, head for the splendid Cathedral of San Cristóbal de las Casas, whose imposing façade will make you stay a long time contemplating it.

Finally, another site not to be missed near this city is the El Chiflón Waterfalls. This 120-metre natural spot will undoubtedly become one of your favourite places to visit in Mexico.

Isla Mujeres

Isla Mujeres is one of the most impressive islands in the Caribbean Sea and what to see in Mexico, located a short distance from Cancun and clearly characterized by its turquoise waters and fine white sand. If you want to discover all the details, don’t hesitate to read our post on what to see and do in Isla Mujeres.

We suggest you start at Punta Sur, an incredible cliff overlooking the sea and where you can also find the impressive Mayan temple Ixchel. As far as beaches are concerned, of all the ones you can find in Isla Mujeres, we recommend you to go to Playa Norte. Besides being on the list of the best beaches in the world, you can spend a morning or afternoon enjoying the sea. You won’t regret it!

Guadalajara

Guadalajara is a city located in the west of the country and a real historical-cultural jewel to see in Mexico. In this city you will be able to discover many urban and natural secrets, offering you a complete tourist experience.

During your visit to Guadalajara, do not hesitate to visit the magnificent Teatro Degollado, located in the central square of the city. You will be fascinated by its impressive architecture and the different events it hosts inside. Another of the most emblematic elements of the city is the Guadalajara Cathedral, an infrastructure that mixes different architectural styles. And if you feel like escaping the hustle and bustle of the city for a while, we definitely recommend a visit to the town of Tequila, where you will be able to live the authentic Mexican experience by tasting its most famous drink.

If you want to know more about places to visit in Guadalajara, read on in our post: What to see and do in Guadalajara.

Merida

Merida is the capital of the state of Yucatan, and one of the most populated regions to see in Mexico. It is a city noted for having a great value for the Mayan culture, as well as offering a wide range of historical and cultural monuments of Mexico.

You can start your trip by visiting the magnificent Merida Cathedral, being the oldest and most beautiful cathedral to see in Mexico and of enormous dimensions. You can continue your trip by visiting the impressive Main Square of Merida, where you will find some of the most important monuments of the city as well as being the ideal point to access other tourist attractions.

If you have time to spare, you can always opt for a trip to Campeche, a small town two hours away from Mérida, which is famous for its cobblestone buildings due to having been heavily attacked by pirates in the past.

Come and discover all there is to see and do in Merida!

Veracruz

Veracruz is one of the most important states to see in Mexico, mainly due to its great historical, cultural and natural content. Besides enjoying a great tropical climate, you will be fascinated by its many emblematic places to visit.

One of the first places to visit is the Port of Veracruz, which is the most important seaport in Mexico as well as being one of the most touristic points of the city. Next, don’t miss a visit to the Zócalo of Veracruz; it is located in the centre of the city, and is full of leisure and hotel services where you can stop and rest for a while.

Finally, don’t forget to visit the Costa Esmeralda before finishing your trip in Veracruz, where you will discover one of the most beautiful natural spots to see in Mexico; there you will be able to enjoy splendid beaches and an infinity of aquatic activities. And this is nothing compared to everything you can see and do in Veracruz.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

Natural places to see in Mexico

Pools of Xilitla

Also known as the Magic Garden of Dreams, the Pozas is the most impressive of all the things to see in Xilitla. A space created by the famous Edward James, this place is a magical natural environment full of jungle vegetation, impressive waterfalls and natural pools to see in Mexico. You will feel like you are living a dream while strolling through nature and getting to know some of its most emblematic elements such as the Stairway to Heaven or the Giant’s Hands.

Marietas Islands in Sayulita

The Marietas Islands are one of Sayulita’s most popular tourist attractions and one of the most important nature reserves to see in Mexico. In addition to the incredible beaches that surround it, the most characteristic feature of these islands is the great affluence of birds and whales. As if that wasn’t enough, it’s the ideal place to snorkel and see an impressive coral reef. Check out all there is to see in Sayulita by reading our post: What to see and do in Sayulita.

Espiritu Santo Island in Cabo San Lucas

Isla Espiritu Santo is part of the Cabo San Lucas National Marine Park, and is one of the most beautiful and incredible natural sites to see in Mexico. It is the ideal place for snorkelling and diving lovers due to the large amount of marine life hidden in its depths. A short boat ride will take you to enjoy the sands and turquoise waters of this stunning island. And if you still want to know more about everything this place has to offer, keep reading our post: What to see and do in Cabo San Lucas.

Chankanaab in Cozumel

Among all the things to do in Cozumel, Chankanaab is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful. Besides its incredible proximity to the island, you will be amazed by your visit to this sanctuary of marine species. There you will be able to enjoy a great variety of fauna and flora in an idyllic aquatic environment. If you want to know more about the secrets of Cozumel, read on in our post: What to see and do in Cozumel.

Where to eat in Mexico?

Mexico is not just famous for its paradisiacal beaches and cultural monuments; it is also famous for its incredible gastronomy. In addition to having been declared a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Site in 2010, if you travel to this country you will be fascinated by the great variety of flavours and sensations in each of its dishes.

First of all, the food you can’t miss for anything in the world on your trip to Mexico is the famous tacos. Although you have probably already tried them in Spain, I assure you that they have nothing to do with their country of origin. You can try these corn tortillas with different fillings, although the most traditional one is filled with meat, onion, coriander and spicy sauce. They are amazing!

Next, we recommend you to give a try to the Mole, which is a dish of grilled meat that comes with a spicy sauce made of bitter chocolate. This dish is especially typical in Puebla, as well as being one of Mexicans’ favourite foods.

Unsurprisingly, you can’t say you’ve been to Mexico if you haven’t tried the incredible totopos. They are the main accompaniment to Mexican food, although they can also be eaten on their own. They are triangular pieces made with corn tortillas, ideal to try with cheese sauce or guamacole, a traditional Mexican delicacy!

Finally, you can’t leave Mexico without having tried its famous enchiladas, characterised by their forcefulness and variety of mixed foods. They are made up of corn cakes filled with meat or vegetables and always accompanied by cheese. As a finishing touch, you can add a bit of hot sauce to make your dish even more Mexican – you’ll love them!

Frequently Asked Questions

How to plan your itinerary of things to do in Mexico?

Download the Passporter app to plan your itinerary in Mexico in the most convenient and intuitive way. You can draw inspiration from the experiences of other travellers, as well as archive websites that can help you. You can also save tickets and create routes easily with the help of Google Maps. Finally, you can choose the means of transport that best suits your needs and, the best part, you can post photos of your trip to France so that other people can visit your traveller profile.

If you want to know more about the Passporter app, don’t hesitate to check out the details in our post: How to create a travel itinerary on Passporter.