Planning a trip to Mexico and looking for things to do in Mexico
Mexican Tourism: Mexico is a favorite vacation destination for North Americans. Mexico is a big country with so many things to do and places to see. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed while planning your trip. And you wouldn’t want to miss out on any of Mexico’s highlights and bucket-list destinations. Mexico is also becoming popular with tourists from Asia and Europe seeking to enjoy the country’s seemingly endless sunshine, beautiful beaches, and stunning scenery. Spanish is the official language
1. Cancún ( Mayan Riviera )
Cancun is recognized throughout the world for its spectacular white sand beaches and its fascinating sea in turquoise blue tones. This beautiful destination attracts some five million visitors each year. With unique natural places, Mayan culture, water activities, and adventure. International cuisine, spectacular golf courses, sophisticated spa facilities, exclusive shopping centers, typical handicraft markets, as well as shows, bars, and nightclubs that give fame to its incomparable nightlife.
2. Copper Canyon: Mexico’s Grand Canyon
Copper Canyon is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is located in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico. It is known for its beautiful landscape and opportunities for outdoor adventure activities. Some people call it the “Grand Canyon of Mexico.” Copper Canyon is a series of six separate canyons, which have a combined length that’s four times bigger than its neighbor up north.
3. Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo
Both Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo are two different beach towns on Mexico’s Pacific coast, a distance of four miles away from each other.
Travelers praise Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo for their beautiful beaches and spectacular swimming spots. Ixtapa features contemporary high-rise resorts, while Zihuatanejo offers the charm and character of traditional Mexico. Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo are very famous for Sports Fishing, Water Sports, Stunning Beaches. It has a hot and humid climate throughout the year.
4. Yucatan Peninsula
One of the most visited regions of Mexico, the Yucatan Peninsula attracts millions of visitors, from backpackers to curious explorers, style-conscious travelers, luxury escape seekers, and nature lovers. The Yucatan Peninsula is one of the favorite destinations for different types of travelers, like couples or solo travelers, or family trips. It is famous for Cenotes, the Caribbean turquoise water, delicious cuisine, a kite surfer paradise, and magical Mayan archaeological sites. The Yucatan Peninsula is generally very safe to travel to, and the State of Yucatan is the safest in Mexico.
Best Mexican Islands to visit on Mexican Tourism
1. Islas Marietas
Isla Marietas is situated in Banderas Bay. And another landmark in Puerto Vallarta. This uninhabited group of islands was once used as a bombing test site for the Mexican military, but thanks to the efforts of high-profile conservationists, including Jacques Cousteau, they are now valued for their rich marine life, bird populations, and biodiversity.
2. Isla Contoy
Isla Contoy is not as popular as the previous islands. This Contoy is not a so-explored, yet fantastic, unknown side of Mexico. The island itself measures five miles in length, meaning around 8.5 kilometers. If you’re seeking an exclusive getaway, choose Isla Contoy—authorities allow only 200 tourists to visit each day. This means you can explore the whole island in just one day
3. Isla Mujeres
Isla Mujeres is just 8 miles from Cancun, and it has an extraordinary vibe. If you are looking for great nightlife and exploring the exotic vibe in some spectacular clubs, look for Isla Mujeres. Prices in the artisan street stalls, pharmacies, restaurants, and bars are a little less steep than in Playa del Carmen or Cancun. For an island, Isla Mujeres offers surprisingly few beaches. Most visitors come for the vibrant atmosphere or underwater activities, though Playa Norte provides a beautiful stretch of white sand at the island’s northern tip.
The best time to visit is from November to March.
4. Isla Holbox
Isla Holbox, a sleepy island off the northern tip of Quintana Roo, offers a winning combination of soft beaches, gentle breezes, and lots of sunshine. Word is spreading fast, though, and it’s only a matter of time before this destination becomes filled with shops, bars, and hotels galore. Luckily, it’s not as easy to reach, requiring a two-hour drive plus a ferry ride.
The best time to visit is from November to May.
5. Isla Socorro
Socorro Island is a small volcanic island situated 600km off Mexico’s west coast. Diving in Socorro is renowned for its big animal encounters, manta rays, and sharks. Unlike all the other islands on this list, Isla Socorro is almost exclusively visited as a water attraction and is an absolute must for divers.
The best time to visit is from November to May.
6. Cozumel
The perfect white sandy beaches, along with the warm waters and the delicious foods, will make the island experience here a delight. Although more tiny than other islands, Cozumel is very appreciated as a diving destination. Cozumel is most loved for its snorkeling and scuba diving sites. This popular island provides easy access to both the underwater sculptures of the Museo Subacuático de Arte and a section of the Mesoamerican Reef.
Best Beaches in Mexico
1. Cancun
The Cancun beach is lined with 5-star luxury resorts and great sand and swimming. There are several wonderful day trips from Cancun spread out around the Yucatan.
2. Zipolite
Zipolite was quite a big hippie destination from the 1960s through to the 1980s. It was considered a free love center and a famous counterculture destination for hippie travelers from all around the world. It was also one of the first nude beaches in Mexico, although not all of the sunbathers were without clothes. Many people who love yoga and surfing are still attracted to this beautiful beach. (Mexican tourism)
3. Bahia Balandra
Situated in the Baja region of La Paz, Bahía Balandra Beach is a lovely family beach that is famous for its rock formation known as Diamond Rock. The beach is sheltered in every direction, which allows safe swimming and snorkeling to explore the excellent, colorful marine life.
4. Tulum
Tulum is located just a two-hour drive from Cancun. Famous for its Mayan ruins from the 13th century, Tulum beach is a perfect destination for all history buffs. It is located at the southern end of Riviera Maya. For the history-lovers, this beach sits in the shadow of the famed Tulum Mayan ruins. Though this alone would make this a tourist destination, the wide sandy beaches here have gained their fame as well.
5. Playa Norte
The main beach on Isla Mujeres, Playa Norte, is famous for its clear waters and shining white sand. Isla Mujeres off the coast of Cancun,n is popular for relaxing and wildlife watching. Sea Turtles and Whale sharks are two of the most popular species to see here. While some come here to get away from the spring break hot spot in Cancun, it needn’t feel isolated here.
Also read: Amalfi Coast Italy Travel Guide: All You Need To Know
Things to do on a Mexican Tourism trip
1. Ride ‘El Chepe’ into Copper Canyon
The Copper Canyon Railroad, also known as the Ferrocarril Barrancas del Cobre, the Ferrocarril Chihuahua-Pacifíco, and El Chepe, is one of Mexico’s coolest attractions. While the train is far from the biggest attraction in this Mexican canyon system, it’s still a fabulous part of the experience. It’s four times bigger than the Grand Canyon, at least as majestic and awe-inspiring, and just as difficult to get to. Still, Copper Canyon, a northern Mexico marvel, should be on your bucket list.
Two classes of trains undergo this journey: yellow Primero Express cars and the red Classe Economico cars. The Economico train takes an extra 3 hours to complete this journey. Although the journey is long, there are no sleeping arrangements on the train as the entire journey is during the day. Every train has 2 to 3 passenger cars with 64 seats. The seats are comfortable and all the cars have an air conditioning and heating system, reclining seats, and ecological toilets.
2. Get a party in Mexico City
Mexico City is a huge place, so it comes as no surprise that its nightlife is as vibrant and diverse as the city itself. Whether it’s lounging with a cocktail at an upscale bar or drinking with fashionable youths at mezcalerías and cantinas, Mexico City has a little bit of everything for every type of partygoer. Locals usually flock to the trendy neighborhoods of Roma and Condesa, but the other neighborhoods listed below are as dazzling and dizzying as the next, and each offers something a little different.
- Here is the list of places to spend your nightlife when you are on a Mexican Tourism trip.
- Terraza Regina
- Pata Negra
- Janis Palmas
- La Santa
- Artic Bar
- Apotheke
- AM Local
3. World of Aquarium
Imagine an impossibly beautiful place where the Sonoran Desert meets a clear blue ocean that is teeming with life – colonies of playful and mischievous sea lions, flying mobulas, and endemic species of reef fishes (that only occur in that part of the world), large colonies of seabirds nesting and soaring overhead, humpback whales breaching, and blue whales and large schools of dolphins cruising past.
Baja California also known as Jacques Cousteau located on the northwest coasts of Mexico, It is callers the world of Aquarium because there is so much water life available here. You can take boat trips to reach there and find fin whales, sperm whales, blue whales and also have chances to see orcas. You can also find some unique marine animals like gray whales, water lions, or dolphins.
4. Discover the Cancún Underwater Museum, Cancun
Originally known as ‘MUSA’ or the ‘Museo Subacuático de Arte, the Cancun Underwater Museum welcomes nearly 750,000 tourists yearly. The museum welcomed the installation of nearly 500 life-size installations submerged underwater in the breathtaking coasts of the Caribbean islands. Apart from enjoying the status of a coastline getaway, Cancun also enjoys the status of a world preservation site. Those of you who fear the water-worry not! The option of riding on a glass-bottom boat or flying high through parasailing would get you a jaw-dropping experience of viewing the beautiful Cancun view.
5. Go hot air ballooning in Teotihuacan
See the magnificent Teotihuacan Pyramids from above! Enjoy a 1-hour hot air balloon journey into the clouds and take in the whole of the archaeological site, including the Pyramids of the Sun and Moon. You’ll take home memories to last a lifetime. This is one of the best things to do when you are on a Mexican tourism trip.
6. Witness the Day of the Dead in Oaxaca
You can experience Day of the Dead in many places across Mexico, so it can be difficult to decide where to explore and celebrate Día de Muertos, one of Mexico’s most magical holidays and popular traditions. Important things to consider are where it will be fun, safe, and where outsiders are welcome to partake in local celebrations.
7. What is the Day of the Dead?
Day of the Dead is a beautiful and happy celebration in which Mexicans lovingly remember those they’ve lost. It’s both solemn and festive, a time of folk art, live music, drinking, dancing, and altar making. For three days every year, Mexicans believe that the spirits of the departed return to visit their families and friends. People welcome them home by decorating their graves and making offerings for them to celebrate their lives in remembrance. This is a unique culture that you can find in Mexican Tourism.
8. Check out the views from Hierve el Agua, Oaxaca
Hierve el Agua was created by mineral water that pushed through karstic limestone, depositing the falls onto the mountain’s edge. While the waterfalls are white, two mineral pools sit at the edge of the cliff, full of calcium carbonate, magnesium, and just enough sulfur to lend them a yellow hue.
9. Swim to Hidden Beach, Marietas Islands
Take a stroll along the iconic Lover’s Beach on the Marietas Islands, a rare crater on the island’s rocky surface, also called Hidden Beach, that only opens up to the sky and the Pacific Ocean, enclosing crystal-clear turquoise waters and the smoothest golden sand.
Swim through the cave formations, admiring the extraordinary terrain and more than 100 species of birds and fish that call Marietas home. Get up close to see these beautiful creatures from sea level in an incredible experience that you just can’t miss. This small-group activity is usually a sell-out, so make sure you reserve your spot in advance.
10. Ziplining and Rappelling in Puerto Vallarta
Experiences in Mexico! Live a truly thrilling experience packed with challenges, nature, and most importantly, fun, in the heart of the rainforest in Puerto Vallarta. Feel the adrenaline while flying from mountain to mountain above the river in an 11 zipline circuit, walk by natural paths, and dive in the river at the last line. Ride back to the mountain on board a mule that will guide you during the rest of the tour while admiring the vegetation of the region.
11. Check out the cenotes in Tulum
People pronounce cenotes as “Seh-NO-Tay.” These water-filled sinkholes form naturally when underground limestone caves collapse and expose the groundwater beneath. Thousands of cenotes dot the Yucatan Peninsula, and Tulum hosts some of the most popular and unique ones. This is one of the main parts of Mexican tourism.
Delicious Things You Should Eat and Drink in Mexican Tourism
Mexican food is some of the most flavorful and colorful around Mexican tourism. If you haven’t tried these yet then you’re missing out.
1. Tlacoyo: Cooks shape Tlacoyos into oval, fried pocket tacos. They use a thicker tortilla than the traditional corn one, so they can cut it open and stuff it with ground beans, cheese, beef, pork, or other ingredients. You can usually choose your preferred filling when you order.
2. Mole: If you’ve had a mole, it was probably covering enchiladas. The common ingredient to all moles is chiles, and the other ingredients vary. Modern moles are made with chocolate, additional spices, and other ingredients like nuts, seeds, garlic, onions, cinnamon, and all types of chiles.
3. Tamales: Tamales are a traditional Mexican staple that is made of corn dough called masa. This steamed masa is filled with a variety of ingredients, such as meats like chicken or pork, or simply vegetables.
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4. Molcajete: Carnitas is a dish known as Molcajete. People often refer to molcajete as a lava bowl because of its fiery presentation. Cooks serve it as a bowl of steaming vegetables and meat, and many also describe it as a hearty stew.
5. Arroz Con Leche: Presenting to you Arroz Con Leche, which translated into English reads as “rice with milk.” This dish is actually more than rice and milk, it’s a pudding involving those two ingredients as its key components and is a traditional dish that no longer remains exclusive to Mexico due to its popularity around the world.
6. Chilaquiles: Chilaquiles is another dish that involves a tortilla as its primary ingredient. Chilaquiles are made by slicing up tortillas into thin strips and then they are deep-fried to act as the base of the dish.
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