Mexico gets under your skin. History, culture, food, coastline that goes on forever – it has the lot, and honestly you could spend a year here and still feel like you'd only scratched the surface. Maybe you want to climb around the ruins at Teotihuacan. Maybe you just want to lie on a beach and do absolutely nothing. Either way, here's my running list of the places I'd send a friend to, sorted loosely by what you're actually into.
Mexico City
Few cities feel as alive as this one. It sprawls across more than 2,000 square miles, which sounds terrifying on paper, but once you're on the ground it's surprisingly easy to get your bearings. There's no shortage of things to do here. These five are where I'd start.
The National Palace Museum should be near the top of your list. The collection inside pulls together art from all over the world, and there are pieces by some of Mexico's biggest names hanging on those walls. It's a big place. Give it more time than you think you'll need.
Chapultepec Park is the other one I'd never skip. Over 150 acres of green, with a zoo, a botanical garden and a lake tucked inside. And if you just want to walk off a big lunch, there are trails everywhere.
Hungry? Go to Mercado San Lázaro. Tacos, enchiladas, churros – food from all corners of the country under one roof. To be fair it can get a bit chaotic, but that's half the fun of it. Worth a stop if you're anywhere nearby.
Cancun
If turquoise water and white sand are what you're after, Cancun makes the shortlist without much argument. It's the Caribbean postcard version of Mexico, and it leans into it. There's plenty to do beyond the beach too – big-name resorts like the Palace of Mérida, and the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza within reach for a day trip. Fancy a shopping spree? The malls downtown will happily take your money. And when you're hungry, skip the hotel restaurant and find a local spot doing Mexican street food instead. That's where the good stuff is.
Xochimilco
Xochimilco is where you go when you want out of the noise but can't quite face leaving Mexico City. It's all parks, canals and plazas – the sort of place made for a slow afternoon wander, or a picnic that stretches into the evening. A few spots worth seeking out:
1. Chalchihuitlán Park: Tall cypress trees, plenty of green, and a calm that's hard to find in a city this size. Good for a morning jog or a lazy picnic, and there are a handful of restaurants and cafés nearby when you fancy stepping out of the park for a bit.
2. Centro Cultural Tlatelolco: This is the cultural grab-bag. You've got the Museum of Anthropology and the Museum of Modern Art here, plus restaurants and galleries covering everything from art to fashion to food. Eclectic in the best way.
3. Xochimilco Canal: Whether you're seeking shade from the sun or a place
Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta is the sun-soaked one. The scenery is genuinely gorgeous – white-sand beaches, that turquoise water – and there's more than enough to fill the days. Swimming, fishing, golf, poking around the city's attractions, take your pick. And when the sun goes down, the bars and nightclubs are right there waiting. It's an easy place to lose track of time.
The Mayan Riviera
Want the kind of trip you come home from actually feeling rested? The Mayan Riviera is that. It runs along the Gulf of California and the coastline down here is something special. Ancient ruins one day, a quiet stretch of beach the next – it flexes to whatever mood you're in. Tulum, Playa del Carmen and Cozumel are the three I'd build a trip around.
Tulum is the ruins-and-clear-water combo, and it delivers on both. Playa del Carmen brings the luxury resorts, along with the nightlife and dining if you want to stay up late. Cozumel, meanwhile, is where the divers and snorkelers go – world-famous sites just offshore, and enough shops to keep everyone else occupied too. Lie still or wear yourself out; both are on the table.
Chichen Itza
Chichen Itza is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the busiest tourist spots in the whole country – for good reason. It sits on the Yucatan Peninsula and holds a cluster of ruins, the star being the famous Temple of Kukulkan. You can wander the site on your own two feet, or join one of the many tours running if you'd rather have someone explain what you're looking at.
Oaxaca
Oaxaca is where I'd send anyone who wants the quiet, scenic side of Mexico. This southern state has some of the country's most beautiful landscapes – Zapotitlan and Mitla among them – and the history runs deep too, from the colonial city of Antequera to the ruins of Monte Albán. One tip: eat the seafood. Oaxaca is known for its fresh catch, and it'd be a crime to leave without trying it.
Guadalajara
They call Guadalajara the "Blue City", and it's got a real cultural pulse to it. The centre is packed with landmarks and old buildings, while the surrounding countryside mixes natural beauty with little villages and, of course, very good food. Five places I'd point you toward.
The Zocalo is the historic heart of the city and its biggest square. The Cathedral is right here – one of Mexico's most recognisable pieces of architecture – and the colonial buildings ringing the square are worth a look in their own right. Don't rush past the traditional markets either, selling everything from fruit and veg to handmade crafts.
La Plazuela de San Francisco is a lovely little park slap in the middle of the city. Gardens, fountains, benches – exactly the kind of spot to sit for an afternoon and let the breeze do its thing. Local artists often set up here to show their work, which adds to the charm.
The Museo Histórico Regional de Jalisco is one of Guadalajara's top tourist destinations. It contains a wide variety of artifacts from Jalisco's history, including exhibits
Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta earns a second mention, and it deserves it. Sitting on the Pacific coast, it hands you a bit of everything – lively nightlife, seafood restaurants that people travel for, and resorts that know how to spoil you. And it's not the only game in town on this side of the map. Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum and Los Cabos are all worth your time too.
Cancun
Back to Cancun for a moment, because there's more to it than the beaches out front. Great sand, great food, nightlife that keeps going – it works for pretty much any kind of traveller. A few things I'd make room for:
The Mayan Ruins of Tulum
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one you shouldn't miss while you're in Cancun. The ruins sit on an island off the coast of Tulum and look out over the Caribbean Sea – the views alone justify the trip. Book a tour online or grab one from any of the local tourist stands.
Xel-Ha National Park
Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, and an ecological one – crystal-clear lakes, tall waterfalls, thick rainforest. It's also an important nesting site for a number of endangered birds, the hummingbird included. Same deal for tours: online, or through the local stands.
Playa del Carmen
Only minutes from Cancun, Playa del Carmen has some of the finest beaches in the country – full stop. That white sand and clear turquoise water pull in visitors from all over the world
Riviera Maya
The Riviera Maya is sun, warm weather, and people who make you want to stay longer than you planned. Beaches, food, culture – the region has it in spades. Here's where I'd focus:
1. Playa del Carmen: One of the most popular beach destinations in the whole region, and you'll see why the moment you arrive. Fine white sand, clear water, and no end of things to do – swimming, diving, parasailing, take your pick. Restaurants, bars and nightlife are all right there when you want them.
2. Cancun: The busy beating heart of the Riviera Maya, and it pretty much covers every base. Shops, restaurants, hotels, more of everything. The weather stays hot and sunny most of the year, so it's an easy place to settle in for a few days – or a good deal longer.
3. Tulum: Tulum is known for its beautiful Mayan ruins which make for an interesting visit even if you don't plan on spending too much time there. The town itself is small but charming with a relaxed atmosphere that makes for a great
Puebla
Puebla has plenty to keep you occupied. A few of the highlights:
1. The colonial city of Puebla is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its monuments and architecture make that obvious. The Iglesia de San Francisco and the Palacio de los Reyes Católicos are two you'll want to see.
2. There's a deep cultural streak here too, with traditional festivals and dances marked every year. Look out for the Feria de la Vendimia (Grape Harvest Fair), El Grito de Dolores (The Cry of Dolores), and La Virgen de Guadalupe.
3. The Cuauhtémoc archaeological site is another draw, with ruins left behind by several pre-Columbian civilizations. You can explore on foot, or hop on the shuttle service if you'd rather save your legs.
4. If you're looking for some activity outside of the city, consider visiting Xochimilco or Chalco Valley, both of which people go to mainly for the scenery. Xochimilco features canals full of tropical fish, while Chalco Valley is home to a variety of flora
Oaxaca
Oaxaca comes up again, this time for the food and the sheer variety of it. Culturally it's one of the richest states in Mexico, home to the ancient city of Monte Albán and the UNESCO-listed Valley of Oaxaca. Five spots I'd make sure to hit:
1) Monte Albán: This archaeological site is one of Mexico's most important, and it's easy to understand the draw. Monte Albán was once the capital of the Toltec Empire, with ruins dating all the way back to 2,000 BC. Today you can walk among the well-kept temples and palaces and study the carved rocks up close.
2) The Valley of Oaxaca: People call it "the garden of Mexico," and the scenery backs that up. High mountains ring the valley, and the fertile soil produces some of the country's best fruit and vegetables. Huatulco National Park and the Mitla archaeological site are two of the popular stops.
3) Teotihuacán: Another UNESCO World Heritage
Guanajuato
If you want somewhere that keeps surprising you, Guanajuato belongs near the top of the list. Some of Mexico's prettiest cities sit inside this state, and you're never short of things to do. There are old colonial towns like Celaya and León, and bigger, busier places like Guanajuato itself and San Miguel de Allende. Craving a bit more adventure? The volcanoes and deserts across the state's landscape are genuinely striking. You'd have to work fairly hard to run out of things to do.
Querétaro
Querétaro flies under the radar a bit, which is a shame, because it's a lovely place to slow down for a while. Colonial architecture, a nightlife scene that punches above its weight, and a spot right in central Mexico that makes it dead easy to explore from. A few favourites:
1. San Francisco Javier: One of the city's signature landmarks is the San Francisco Javier Cathedral, and it's an essential stop. It's a beautiful building, and the architecture holds up to a close look.
2. Plaza de Armas: For a lively downtown to wander through, head for Plaza de Armas. The square is ringed with popular restaurants and nightlife spots, and it works for just about anyone, whatever your age.
3. Museo de la Ciudad: Right in the middle of downtown Querétaro, the Museo de la Ciudad digs into the city's story. Well worth an hour if you like your history.
San Miguel de Allende
San Miguel de Allende feels a little enchanted, and I mean that. Rolling hills, gorgeous architecture, and a clutch of attractions worth your time – a cathedral, botanical gardens, an arts district. Getting around is simple; the main sights are all a short bus or taxi ride apart, so you can explore without stressing about logistics. The mild climate is the cherry on top. Pick a sunny day and just wander.
Taxation in Mexico
Mexico's tax system is, let's be honest, a bit of a maze. It layers federal, state and municipal taxes on top of value-added tax (VAT), and keeping it all straight takes some doing.
If you need to get your head around it, here's where to turn:
1. Tax Reform Institute of Mexico (ITAM) - Covers every kind of tax in the country and can lend a hand with your return.
2. Mexican Embassy in the United States - A good source for information on federal, state and municipal taxes in Mexico.
3. Hacienda San Luis Potosí - This plantation runs a tour that takes in its tax office, where you can hear about the estate's tax history and how things stand today.
4. Banorte Bank - Based in Guadalajara, this bank runs an information center covering federal, state and municipal taxes in Mexico.
Wrapping up
History, natural wonders, and food that ruins you for everywhere else – Mexico tends to send you home with more than you went looking for. You might go for the beaches and come back talking about the ruins, or the other way round. If you're piecing a trip together at the minute, have another look down this list before you book anything. Odds are one of these ends up being the bit you remember.
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