A distinct mixture of cultural influences, striking natural contrasts, and turbulent history make Mexico feel like a world all its own. Visiting it is bound to be a life-changing experience, but where to even begin? Here’s a list of must-visit places for your first grand adventure!
Cities
The largest and best-known Mexican cities offer more than enough cultural and gastronomic experiences to last the whole trip and then some. They’re also convenient as your base of operations if you want to take daytrips to nearby towns, beaches, or historical landmarks.
Mexico City should be your first choice if you don’t care much for the coast. It’s not just the capital, it’s among the most vibrant hubs of contemporary and traditional culture in the western hemisphere. Plus, only a few other cities come close when it comes to the variety and quality of nightlife on offer.
Cancun would be a close second in that department and is THE destination if you’re after a five-star beachside vacation with access to equally amazing shopping. Want a place that’s just as beautiful but more affordable and a bit less touristy? Then visit Playa del Carmen instead.
Foodies will get their money’s worth and more in Oaxaca City! Yes, it’s the world’s mescal capital, but it’s also home to a unique culinary tradition rooted in indigenous influences and based on a variety of rich, earthy sauces.
We’d be remiss not to mention San Miguel de Allende. Its cobbled streets, numerous art galleries, and slower pace of life are the perfect counterpoint to the hustle and bustle of larger cities you might want to avoid if you’re after a relaxed and contemplative experience.
Landmarks
Mexico’s continuous history of human-made marvels spans more than 2,500 years. Here are the snapshots of that rich past that first-timers should witness firsthand.
Intrepid adventurers eager to taste the earliest civilizations that developed on modern-day Mexican soil can visit San Lorenzo or Tres Zapotes to see the giant Olmec heads preserved there.
The fabled Mayan city of Chichén Itzá is more easily accessible and far more impactful for the average visitor, though. Teotihuacán, a city already ancient and abandoned when the Aztecs were in their prime, is another can’t-miss destination, especially since it’s so close to Mexico City.
Speaking of, the modern-day capital was born out of the ruins of Tenochtitlan, the Aztecs’ seat of power. Traces of it remain, like the Templo Mayor. Mexico City also boasts a thriving historical city center where five centuries of development come together in harmony.
Visitors interested in the colonial period will be enthralled by the imposing presence and interior intricacies of the Puebla Cathedral. If you’re into neo-classical art or a connoisseur of frescoes, make your way down to Guadalajara to stand in awe of the Hospicio Cabañas hospital complex, now turned museum.
National Parks & Natural Wonders
Mexico is a country of striking climactic contrasts few others match. The Sierra Madre experiences harsh alpine winters, while the weather in coastal Baja California Sur remains pleasant most of the year. Similarly, the arid badlands of Sonora and Chihuahua in the north contrast with the tropical lowlands of Chiapas or Tabasco.
Cumbres de Monterrey is among Mexico’s most celebrated national parks. It’s a haven for rock climbers and campers who don’t shy away from the rugged beauty of jagged peaks and deep canyons. Speaking of canyons, Copper Canyon definitely qualifies as a natural wonder since it’s both larger by area and deeper in places than even the Grand Canyon.
Lagunas de Montebello National Park in Chiapas will be more up your alley if you’re into kayaking on the still surfaces of pristine lakes. Conversely, you should head out to the Mapimi Biosphere Reserve in Chihuahua if you’re enamored by sand dunes, desert rock formations, and sparse yet beautiful vegetation that endures despite climate extremes.
Finally, a nature lover’s trip to Mexico wouldn’t be complete without dipping your toes in at least one cenote. You can find these iconic limestone sinkholes scattered all across Yucatan and Quintana Roo, which makes swimming in one the perfect side activity if you’re visiting Chichén Itzá or cities like Playa del Carmen and Tulum.
Conclusion
An overview like this is hardly enough to do justice to the sights and experiences Mexico is best known for, let alone the hidden gems you can uncover in subsequent visits. Even so, it will hopefully serve as a valuable primer for shaping your itinerary.
While drafting the final plans before embarking on this journey, remember the importance of staying connected while in Mexico and the inconveniences international travel can impose. Luckily, online access is much cheaper than roaming and more reliable than spotty or sketchy local Wi-Fi if you entrust it to a dependable eSIM service for Mexico.
eSIMs are the most convenient and straightforward solution for several reasons. You can keep your main number and don’t have to go through the hassle of replacing your physical SIM. eSIM data plans are affordable and activate as soon as you arrive in Mexico. Best of all, you’re never tethered to a single location since the internet remains accessible as long as there’s local cell tower coverage.
