So……Which Mexico Destination is Best?

Mexico is an incredibly diverse country. The deserts in the north, the mountains in the south and the thousands of kilometers of amazing coastline in between make the country geographically stunning. Combine this with charming colonial cities, cosmopolitan powerhouses and rural villages and some of the friendliest people on the planet – suddenly you have a tourism mecca. Unfortunately, Mexico’s reputation deters some people from coming. This is a huge shame as Mexico has some absolutely wonderful – and safe – places to visit.

So……which Mexico destination in best? This is tough to say since everyone’s tastes are different.

However, below are my top 10 destinations in Mexico:

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1) Guanajuato – One of my absolute favorites, Guanajuato feels like a movie set. In fact, some people claim that it was Disney’s inspiration for the Land of the Dead that you see in Coco! Cobblestone streets, stunning architecture and brightly colored houses clinging tightly to the surrounding hill make this city one of the most visually stunning cities I have ever been to. Rather than feeling like a living museum like some of the other tourist destinations in Mexico, it feels like a normal city. There is a hustle and bustle that you don’t find in many major tourist hot-spots. Locals weave their way through mariachi bands playing in the city’s squares and children play with their grandparents on the incredibly steep streets. This all combines to form an intoxicating atmosphere that you have to experience to believe!

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2) Mexico City – Although Ciudad de Mexico was never on my must-see list, I have found myself falling in love with this sprawling mega-city. Adorable neighborhoods, world-class museums and lively nightlife make this a great spot for young professionals and the relatively low cost of living makes it perfect for digital nomads and entrepreneurs. For any New Yorkers who are feeling a bit homesick, make sure to check out the hipster hotspots of Roma and Condesa! Mexico City’s central location makes it easy to reach other parts of the country and flight and bus connections are cheap and plentiful.

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3) San Cristobal – Although San Cris is a pretty tiny city, what it lacks in size, it certainly makes up in character. The main pedestrian streets are lined with bars and restaurants and there is a vibrant arts scene. Despite being relatively difficult to get to (the closest airport is about a 90-minute drive away, the town is full of Mexican tourists and expats looking for a more hippy-like vibe. There are tons of vegetarian restaurants and beer is very cheap. Even better, San Cristobal is a jumping off point for some spectacular day trips into Chiapas. For more info on a trip to San Cristóbal, click here.

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4) Acapulco – Despite this beach bad reputation, I loved it. The soaring mountains, beautiful coastline and laid-back city vibe make it easy to see why it was once a tourism powerhouse. While tons of people from Mexico City still flock to Acapulco’s beaches, very few international travelers make it there. I never felt unsafe walking around the city and the most dangerous thing I encountered there was a mango falling off the tree in the courtyard of my hotel. The beaches definitely can’t compare to Puerto Escondido or the Yucatan Peninsula but it is a great place to spend a few days soaking up the atmosphere of an old-Hollywood style beach vacation. For more info, check out my three week tour of Central and South Mexico.

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5) Isla Mujeres – This small island off the coast of Cancun is well-known as a jumping off point to see whale sharks. The laid-back vibe of the town center and the beautiful beaches make this a great place to spend a few days at the start or end of your Mexico adventure. Don’t forget to visit Punta Sur. Located at the very edge of island, the views are stunning and the well-constructed walkways lead you down to cliffs to the water’s edge. To read more about Isla Mujeres, check out my article on Island Hopping in Quintana Roo!

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6) Valladolid – A small town a few hours away from Cancun, Valladolid is often overlooked by travelers. This adorable colonial city is home to brightly colored houses, quaint streets and some pretty impressive churches. It is also the jumping off point to some amazing Mayan ruins and Yucatan’s famous cenotes. For anyone short on time who wants to get a small taste of colonial Mexico, Valladolid is the perfect place to do it!

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7) Puerto Escondido – A long-time favorite of surfers, Puerto Escondido has exploded onto the backpacker scene. Rather than being just one town, Puerto Escondido is more like a series of small towns, each with its own unique feel and its own beaches. Most of Puerto Escondido’s beaches are too rough to swim from and are best left to surfers. However, there are a few great protected areas that you can swim at and there are also some very nice (and surprisingly inexpensive beach clubs that you can go to.

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8) Guadalajara – Mexico’s second city, Guadalajara’s city center is packed full of stunning architecture and the city boasts some great neighborhoods with funky restaurants and bars. It also makes a great departure point for Tequila, where you can do tours of tequila factories and taste the alcohol direct from the source. Due to limited availability, I ended up on a Spanish-language tour as the only foreigner and although I missed most of the information, I will always have a fond memory of being on a bus with a bunch of Mexicans singing “duna dun dun dun, tequila! Find out more about Guadalajara here!

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9) Taxco – Although tiny, Taxco’s proximity to Mexico City makes this town a great place to visit. One of Mexico’s pueblo magicos, Taxco is a popular weekend trip from Mexico City (even during COVID, it was full of tourists). The main cathedral dominates – and I mean dominates – the town and the white and red buildings look straight out of Coco. It is about halfway between Mexico City and Acapulco so it is the perfect place to spend a night to break up the trip. I promise, you won’t regret it! Read more about Taxco here!

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10) Oaxaca – Although Oaxaca is high on many travelers’ lists, I didn’t exactly fall in love with it (hence why it is #10 on this list). There is no denying that the city is beautiful. The orderly streets are lined with well-maintained brightly painted houses and the surrounding hills keep the city a pleasant temperature (unlike Merida). The churches are gorgeous and there is an amazing culinary scene. For some reason, I never really warmed to it. I have included it on here as a “fan favorite” so I would love to hear other travelers’ feedback on it! Find out more about my time in Oaxaca here.