Working on cruise ships, we have been to Mexico over a hundred times! Cozumel felt like a second home, and we knew very well the Caribbean area of this country. But finally we spent a full two months road tripping around, getting to know all the best places to visit in Mexico.
The Caribbean is only a small part of this beautiful country, and the landscapes, culture, weather, and food is so diverse! Here are 55 (and some more) of the best places to visit in Mexico.
One of the top destinations for people who visit Mexico is Cancún. But do you want something a bit different to do in this party city? On the North-Western tip of Cancún you can find a beautiful red and white light house. Head there for sunrise or sunset for a truly magical experience.
One of the main things that people think of for the best places to visit in Mexico is without a doubt the beaches. One of our personal favorites is right in Cancún!
Most of the best beaches are actually taken over by the giant fancy resorts, but Playa Delfines is actually a public beach, offering the most turquoise waters you will ever see- for free of charge!
Playa Delfines is the best public beach in Cancún.
This cenote is pretty off-the-beaten-path, but it definitely does not disappoint! Just a half hour from Cancún, Puerto Morelos has a whole zone of cenotes, one of our favorites being cenote La Noria.
This place features a cenote that has three entrances into an open cave. You can swim or kayak around and there are also two swings so you can have some fun and take a cute picture!
The Best Places to Visit in Mexico #4: Kin-Ha Cenotes, Puerto Morelos
Located right across from Cenote La Noria, you can also find some really cool cenotes. Kin-Ha features two main cenotes- one that is an open cenote and has various jumping platforms and ziplines, and one that is inside a cave, that you can jump inside from the top! Click Here for more info about these awesome cenotes!
This hotel is located in the hotel zone of Tulum, and has a truly unique feature. The giant hand extends out right over the jungle, giving you the most stunning views! Bring a drone for an even more unique perspective of the area.
While visiting Tulum, this is one of the most Instagrammable spots there is. The large sculpture features a woman opening up her heart with plants inside. "Ven a la luz" and experience this truly breathtaking display.
The great thing is that the entrance of the hotel is located right off the side of the road, and taking a photo here is extremely easy, and costs nothing!
Gran Cenote is without a doubt the most popular cenote in Tulum, and while it can get pretty crowded, it's obvious why. The two cenotes here are connected by a cave, and have crystal clear waters, turtles, and plenty of space to swim around and cool off from the Tulum heat.
This is another one of the best places to visit in Mexico for the cenote lovers. Located just down the road from Gran Cenote, this cenote is just a half hour walking from the center of Tulum! (or just a few minutes in car).
Cenote Calavera features two small holes where you can hike up that adrenaline by jumping into the darkness, as well as a the super Instagrammable rope swing that sits across the open area.
This place in Tulum is a bit more off the beaten path, but definitely worth a visit! Located just about 20 minutes from downtown Tulum, this lagoon is unique due to the giant dark "hole" that appears from a birds-eye view. Kaan Luum offers lounge chairs, hammocks sitting in the water, a long pier, and a viewing platform you can walk up to.
Bacalar is a true paradise that is becoming more popular each year. With waters like the maldives, it's no wonder that this is one of the best places to visit in Mexico.
The lagoon here features "7 shades of blue", and is some of the most gorgeous water you'll ever encounter. Take a boat trip through "Canal de los Piratas", visit the cenote Cocolitos, or simply enjoy the fresh crystal clear waters. Cruising? You can visit here from Costa Maya!
Looking for a spot that is almost hardly touched by any tourists? This is one of the best places in Mexico for those who want to discover hidden gems. Located just 15 minutes from Bacalar is Laguna Bonanza, where you can find gorgeous turquoise waters, beach clubs, and almost no tourists! A true treasure to check out if you visit Mexico.
Want to check out another hidden gem near Bacalar? Xul-Ha is actually the same body of water that flows into the lagoon of Bacalar, and is only a half hour away.
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It's located just South (a little bit past Laguna Bonanza). There is a small town that surrounds the lagoon, and it has plenty of entrances to the lake featuring platforms, piers, restaurants, etc.
Laguna Xul-Ha
The Best Places to Visit in Mexico #13: Chichen Itza
Chichen Itza may not be off the beaten path, but it is without a doubt a must see! You cannot visit Mexico without coming here. This is one of the seven wonders of the world, and is a truly gorgeous pyramid to visit. Want to splurge a little? You can actually take a small plane from Cozumel for a truly unique experience!
The Best Places to Visit in Mexico #14: Cenote Suytun, Valladolid
This is seriously one of the most gorgeous cenotes we've been to! Cenote Suytun features a platform that juts out in the middle of the cave, where you can experience a giant light-beam shining down from the sun at certain times of the year. Head here in the summer (June-August) midday for a truly magical moment!)
Note: This picture was taken after a hurricane, resulting in a high water level change, Therefore, hiding the platform that is normally there.
The Best Places to Visit in Mexico #15: Cenote Lorenzo Oxman, Valladolid
Another one of the best places to visit in Mexico for cenotes can be found right outside the center of Valladolid. The hacienda features a swing inside the cenote, a pool, and a restaurant, as well as a gift shop with local liquors.
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The cenote is super unique because the roots from the trees above ground hang into the sinkhole, giving a really dreamy atmosphere.
Cenote Lorenzo Oxman has a rope swing inside.
The Best Places to Visit in Mexico #16: Hacienda Kaan-AC, Valladolid
Hacienda Kaan-AC is one of the most stunning hotels! Right outside the center of Valladolid you can sleep inside an ancient castle! The rooms are magnificent, and the hacienda features a large pool, several ancient royal rooms, as well as a workshop for different art techniques, all of which are included in your stay!
Want to know more about all the great things to do in and around Valladolid? Just simply click the link below for our full Valladolid guide.
Are you ready for the best things to do in Valladolid, Yucatan? Although it isn't as typically popular as the nearby beach cities, there are so many reasons to visit Valladolid!This Mexican town is considered a "Pueblo Mágico". This means that it has been preserved through time with its architecture and
Hacienda Mucuyche is one of the best places to visit in Mexico for cenotes. Here you will find an old residence that offers two-hour guided tours of the ruins, as well as the beautifully well-kept cenotes.
They are connected through caves, and even have a waterfall at the end! Hacienda Mucuyche also offers a restaurant, pool, and gift shop with beautifully hand-made crafts and jewelry.
The Best Places to Visit in Mexico #18: The Yellow City of Izamal
There are so many cities in Mexico that are full of color! But did you know that there is a town almost completely painted yellow? Wander the streets full of yellow houses, shops, and restaurants, or visit the famed sanctuary in the middle of town.
Izamal is just a one hour drive from the city of Merida, making it very easy to get to! This town is definitely a reason you will want to visit Mexico.
The city of Izamal is painted from top to bottom in yellow.
The Best Places to Visit in Mexico #19: Campeche, Campeche
Campeche is a small but colorful city that is just two hours from Merida. Located right on the coast, you are just a short distance from the beach, city center, and some great restaurants. Come check out this super underrated city and enjoy the wonderful vibes it has to offer.
The Best Places to Visit in Mexico #20: Iglesia del Senor, Balancan, Tabasco
This church is one of the most random places that you will ever encounter! Tucked away in a tiny town in the state of Tabasco, the building just radiates happiness with all the different colors it is painted. This is definitely one of the best places to visit in Mexico if you want to see something different!
There are also sunflower fields located nearby that opens for a few weeks in the spring. Make sure you check it out if you happen to come at the right time!