10 Must-Visit Destinations in Mexico for Food, Beaches, and Stunning Views

Rich in Indigenous heritage, ancient landmarks, and vibrant cities, Mexico offers countless breathtaking locations. This abundance can make it tough to choose where to go. Would you rather relax on a beach in the Yucatán Peninsula or enjoy a tranquil day at a pueblo plaza? Perhaps you can have both!

To assist in your journey, here are our top recommendations for the best places to explore in Mexico.

1. Oaxaca

• Location: Oaxaca
• Highlights: a delightful fusion of traditional and modern cuisine, ancient ruins, and a lively arts community
• Recommended lodging: Hotel Sin Nombre

Nestled high in the Sierra Madre de Oaxaca, Oaxaca is a vibrant destination where baskets overflow with spices and textiles, alongside cafés serving exquisite artisanal coffee. The city’s culinary scene is a cornerstone of its identity, featuring everything from crispy, charcoal-grilled tlayudas on the streets to upscale rooftop cocktails.

As a hub for mezcal craftsmanship, Oaxaca boasts countless mezcalerias. Settle in at La Mezcalerita, a true mezcal library with three inviting rooms downstairs and a charming rooftop terrace—ideal for watching the sunset.

Getting to Oaxaca

The quickest route to Oaxaca is to fly into Oaxaca International Airport (OAX). Travelers can also connect through Mexico City for a roughly 90-minute flight.

2. Bacalar

• Location: Quintana Roo
• Attractions: peaceful lagoon life that remains beneath the typical tourist radar
• Recommended lodging: Hotel Makaaba Eco-Boutique

Laguna de Bacalar is the second largest lake in Mexico, known for its stunning colors that shift from aquamarine to deep cobalt due to varying water depths, earning it the title “The Lake of Seven Colors.” Bacalar is celebrated for its eco-friendly resorts, hidden cenotes, and mangrove channels ideal for kayaking. The pace of life here is relaxed—lights typically dim by 9 p.m., which is how locals prefer it.

Getting to Bacalar

Bacalar is a four-hour drive south of Cancun, preserving its secluded atmosphere. With the opening of the airport in Tulum in December 2023, this drive will be nearly halved. Alternatively, travelers can fly into Chetumal and enjoy a 30-minute drive to Bacalar.

3. Puerto Escondido

• Location: Oaxaca
• Attractions: incredible surfing, the accompanying culture, untouched beaches, bioluminescent bays, and natural hot springs
• Recommended lodging: Villas Carrizalillo

Mexico is continually evolving, attracting foreign investors eyeing prime real estate. However, in this coastal town, visitors can still savor fish tacos beneath shady palapas, hop on an open-air collective van (a one-way fare costs about 10 pesos), visit the bustling downtown market, and catch waves at dawn on windswept beaches, largely due to the efforts of tourists, expats, and locals to manage development.

Getting to Puerto Escondido

Puerto Escondido features a small airport, but travelers can easily connect through Mexico City or Guadalajara. The nearest larger international airport is in Huatulco, approximately 90 minutes away.

4. Isla Holbox

• Location: Quintana Roo
• Attractions: a picturesque, car-free island lifestyle featuring stunning beaches, yoga, and an emerging culinary scene
• Recommended lodging: Ser Casasandra

This island off the Yucatán Peninsula offers a unique blend of Caribbean and Mexican vibes, characterized by its pedestrian-friendly streets and the sound of steel drums. While it may be less like a deserted paradise than it once was, due to the rise of boutique resorts like Nomade Holbox and NÁAY Boutique Hotel Punta Coco, it remains a haven for fresh, grilled seafood and seemingly endless beaches.

Getting to Isla Holbox

Arrive at Cancun International Airport, then take a two-hour taxi ride, or catch an ADO bus for a four-hour journey to Chiquila. From there, a quick 15-minute ferry ride will take you to Isla Holbox.

5. Puerto Vallarta

• Location: Jalisco
• Attractions: a vibrant beach-city atmosphere where locals and visitors interact
• Recommended lodging: Casa Kimberly

Puerto Vallarta is a lively blend of tourists and locals, where bars, restaurants, and shops typically don’t accept U.S. dollars outside tourist hotspots. The city pulses with energy, whether along the Malecon boardwalk late at night or in the bustling cobblestone streets of Zona Romantica. As the day winds down, travelers can take in stunning sunsets over the Bay of Banderas.

Getting to Puerto Vallarta

Direct flights to Puerto Vallarta are available from several U.S. airports, including New York (JFK), San Francisco (SFO), and Los Angeles (LAX).

6. Cancún

• Location: Quintana Roo
• Attractions: all-inclusive resorts, pristine white-sand beaches, and a vibrant downtown area
• Recommended lodging: Belmond Maroma Resort & Spa

Cancún is the jewel that put the Mexican Caribbean on the map, and for good reason: Few destinations can match its stunning white-sand beaches and all-inclusive resorts. The once quiet downtown area, previously frequented mainly by locals, is now attracting travelers eager to explore beyond the Hotel Zone. Here, visitors can immerse themselves in the city's culture through its street art, taco trucks, and lively markets like Mercado 28.

Getting to Cancún

Home to the second busiest airport in Mexico, Cancún is one of the most accessible destinations in the country.

7. Guanajuato

• Location: Guanajuato
• Attractions: vibrant architecture and an emerging wine tourism scene
• Recommended lodging: 1850 Hotel Boutique

Guanajuato serves as an excellent base for exploring the state’s expanding wine route, which boasts over 30 wineries belonging to the Guanajuato Grape and Wine Association. Don’t miss regional dishes like enchiladas mineras; for a tasty option, visit Enchiladas de Lupe. The city is also home to the annual Festival Internacional Cervantino, a celebration that attracts musicians, theater artists, and performers from around the globe to showcase their talents.

Getting to Guanajuato

The primary airport serving Guanajuato is located in León, about an hour’s drive from the city. It offers a limited number of direct flights from the USA, but travelers can easily reach it via direct flights from Tijuana, Mexico City, Puerto Vallarta, and Monterrey.

8. Mexico City

• Location: Mexico City
• Attractions: exceptional hotels, renowned museums, and top-notch restaurants
• Recommended lodging in Mexico City: Circulo Mexicano

No trip to Mexico is truly complete without experiencing the famous restaurants, ancient Aztec ruins, and the vibrant atmosphere of its capital. Stroll through Roma Norte and other lively neighborhoods, each presenting its own unique charm. With an efficient and affordable public transit system, you can enjoy everything from Diego Rivera murals to creative cocktails in luxury hotels.

Getting to Mexico City

Mexico City’s airport offers direct flights from all major U.S. cities.

9. Puebla

• Location: Puebla
• Come for: an abundance of mole!
• Where to stay: Banyan Tree Puebla

Puebla showcases a culinary landscape that celebrates both its rich traditions—boasting a church for every day of the year—and innovative dining experiences. Restaurants like Moyuelo and Áttico 303 blend traditional Mexican ingredients with global culinary techniques. The city’s kitchens and street vendors offer a variety of delights, including mole (a rich chili sauce), hearty sandwiches called cemitas, and tacos árabes wrapped in soft lavash bread.

How to reach Puebla

Puebla features its own international airport with direct flights from Houston (IAH), but you can also fly into Mexico City, which has many connections. From Benito Juarez Airport, an express bus can take you to Puebla in about two hours.

10. San José del Cabo

• Location: Baja California Sur
• Come for: stunning Cabo beaches and exceptional dining away from the tourist hustle
• Where to stay: Acre Baja

Los Cabos comprises Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo, linked by the scenic Tourist Corridor dotted with resorts. While Cabo San Lucas attracts more visitors, San José del Cabo offers a peaceful retreat from the crowds. Here, guests can savor a burgeoning farm-to-table culture, featuring organic farms like Flora Farms, Tamarindos, and Acre Baja, which also serve as delightful outdoor dining spots.

Getting to San José del Cabo

San José del Cabo's international airport serves as the entry point to Los Cabos, offering direct flights from many major U.S. cities.