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Travel advice for Mexico
From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Mexico
Book your individual trip, stress-free with local travel experts
written by Andy Turner
updated 14.02.2024
Fabulous beaches, spectacular festivals, alluring ancient cultures, dynamic cities brimming with astounding colonial architecture…and all that peppered with one of the world’s feistiest cuisines – Mexico is a tropical treasure trove. Here is our pick for the best things to do in Mexico.
This article is inspired by our Rough Guide to Mexico — your essential guide for travelling in Mexico.
17 days / from1590 USD
The Magic of the Yucatan and Mexico City
Explore the magic of the Yucatan Peninsula: from colonial towns like Merida to Archaeological sites like Uxmal and Calakmul, close to the Guatemala border, to beaches in Bacalar and Tulum, this itinerary shows you the real Yucatan before heading out to explore Mexico City.
view tour ⤍15 days / from1430 USD
Mexico City, Oaxaca & the Yucatan
Explore Central Mexico with its ever-busy capital Mexico City, visiting Teotihuacan and the famous museums in the city. Further on to Oaxaca City, the gateway to the Archaeological Site Monte Alban. Afterwards, continue to the white beaches of the Yucatan: Cancun and Isla Holbox await.
view tour ⤍18 days / from1735 USD
Fascinating Mexico: From Guanajuato to the Yucatan
Discover Mexico from fascinating San Miguel de Allende over busy Mexico City all the way to the Yucatan Peninsula. This itinerary combines public transportation with domestic flights to ensure you can make the most of discovering fascinating Mexico within two weeks.
view tour ⤍18 days / from2190 USD
Marvelous Mexico: From Yucatan to Mexico City
Your trip starts on the wonderful coast of Yucatan, exploring the beaches and archaeological highlights like Chichen Itza and Tulum. From there on continue the exploration to Palenque and Oaxaca before taking a flight to Mexico City - 3 days in the capital await your discovery.
view tour ⤍10 days / from2147 USD
Mexico's Highlands and Coast
Discover Mexico City's historic highlights and the wonders of sites like Teotihuacan, Campeche and Palenque before you jet off to the Central HIghlands. Discover archeological ruins and traditional tribal villages, then fall for the charms of Mexico's old colonial cities and glitzy Caribbean coast.
view tour ⤍7 days / from1499 USD
Mexico's Mayan Trail
Follow the Mayan Trail around Mexico on this archaeological adventure. Begin your journey with a refreshing taste of sea and salt air in the Yucatán Peninsula on one of Playa del Carmen's gorgeous Caribbean beaches before heading off to discover magical Mayan ruins and glorious colonial towns.
view tour ⤍12 days / from3057 USD
Magnificent Mexico and Mayan Treasures
From Mexico City down to the southern state of Oaxaca, this trip packs in all of Mexico's colonial charms and archeological wonders. You'll also get to take to the beach at Playa del Carmen, swim in the Caribbean Sea and under cascading waterfalls and boat along lovely Sumidero Canyon.
view tour ⤍7 days / from1518 USD
Mexico's Churros and Chiapas
Arrive in exciting Mexico City and get a taste of its surprising charms, imposing plazas and beautiful colonial old town. Then jet off to Chiapas where you'll spend your days exploring canyons, waterfalls and national parks. Then finish with a dose of Mayan culture deep in the jungle at Palenque.
view tour ⤍10 days / from890 USD
Los Cabos Self Drive
Take your rental car and explore the beaches and islands of Cabo. Located in Baja California Sur, Los Cabos, Todos Santos, and Cabo San Lucas do not only have excellent beaches to offer for your exploration but also a fascinating wildlife.
view tour ⤍15 days / from1450 USD
From Mexico City over Chiapas to Cancun: The Best of Mexico
This itinerary combines the metropolitan glamour of Mexico City with its fabulous museums and pyramids with an outdoor adventure in Chiapas visiting the Sumidero Canyon and the fascinating wildlife and cultural heritage of the Yucatan. Two weeks showing you the true highlights of Mexico!
view tour ⤍9 days / from1670 USD
Mayan Heritage Tour in Yucatan
Yucatán is calling you, and this trip is the way to do it; go into the jungle and know it like no one else has ever known it; enjoy incredible food, beautiful sunsets, and the warmth of its communities that will do everything possible to offer you a dream experience. Are you ready?
view tour ⤍8 days / from1516 USD
Mexico City to the Yucatán
Enjoy a whirlwind tour of Mexico City, taking in the museums, churches and colonial plazas of Mexico's vibrant capital. Then relax on Playa del Carmen's Caribbean beaches before you take off to explore some of the country's most amazing archeological treasures.
view tour ⤍10 days / from2307 USD
Mexico's Nature and Beaches
Explore the nature and wildlife of Chiapas and Tabasco by visiting the Sumidero Canyon and Agua Azul waterfalls before heading off to the Yucatan Peninsula: Chichen Itza awaits to impress you with its magnificent pyramids before ending the trip at the white beaches of Holbox.
view tour ⤍14 days / from1350 USD
Chiapas, Tabasco, Yucatan: Explore the Eastern Highlights
Explore the wide depths of Sumidero Canyon in Chiapas, the fascinating archaeological site of Palenque in Tabasco before moving on to the Yucatan to explore Merida, Chichen Itza and the peaceful island of Cozumel. This itinerary offers adventure and relaxation in 14 days.
view tour ⤍20 days / from1280 USD
Discovering Central Mexico: from Guanajuato to Oaxaca
With this itinerary, you will get to know the real Mexico: from magic towns to archaeological sites all the way down to the beautiful beaches of Huatulco - this itinerary combines history, cuisine, and relaxation, all compactly available in a 3-week trip.
view tour ⤍21 days / from1490 USD
Enchanting Mexico: from the capital to the beaches
Discover Mexico's capital before heading to your first Mexican beach: Puerto Escondido. After some days relaxing in the sun, head to Cancun to pick up your rental car and explore the Yucatan Peninsula in your own car. From archaeological sites to stunning beaches, the peninsula awaits.
view tour ⤍11 days / from2415 USD
Culture & Jungle in Chiapas
Get ready for an adventure through Chiapas with hosts who are prepared to welcome you and discover the natural beauty of canyons, waterfalls, lakes, and rivers! The magnificent archaeological sites will amaze you as well as the charming towns.
view tour ⤍16 days / from1850 USD
Mexico City and the Yucatan - from the city to the beaches
Take this trip to explore the best of Mexico City: From the museums to the pyramids of Teotihuacán. Afterwards continue to Merida to explore the famous Pink Lake and the Haciendas of the Yucatan. At the ed, take your time relaxing on the beaches in Playa del Carmen and Cancun.
view tour ⤍7 days / from925 USD
Authentic and unique Mexico City
Mexico City seems to have it all - over 50 museums, a beautiful historic city center, an extensive city park with a majestic castle, upscale neighborhoods like La Condesa or La Roma, bohemian Coyoacan and mouth-watering cuisine. This trip shows you the best of this mega city.
view tour ⤍7 days / from590 USD
Mexico City Explored
Mexico City is one of the most fascinating cities in North America. This week-long itinerary grants you an insight to the museums, restaurants, and events in the capital, as well as exploring surrounding cities such as Taxco or Puebla. Get ready for a true Mexican adventure!
view tour ⤍12 days / from3405 USD
Mexico's Tomb Raider Experience
Explore the caves, cenotes, pyramids, and beaches of the Yucatan Peninsula. Inspired by the famous Tomb Raider video game, this itinerary takes you exploring across the pyramids of Chichen Itza, Ek Balam, and Coba, before relaxing at the white beaches of Cozumel.
view tour ⤍10 days / from1695 USD
Oaxacan Coast Adventure
Adventure awaits you on this trip to the Oaxacan coast, a place as spectacular as the activities you will do. From a boat trip to the beautiful bays of Huatulco to a warm horseback ride on the seashore in Puerto Escondido. Enjoy freedom of traveling with your own rental car.
view tour ⤍12 days / from850 USD
The Gems of Yucatan - a Self Drive Trip
Go at your own pace and discover the Peninsula de Yucatan with its many archaeological sites, its colonial villages, and stunning beaches. Having your own car allows you the maximum freedom to explore and the easy road access makes driving yourself a breeze.
view tour ⤍11 days / from2846 USD
Amazing Mexico
This 11-day trip takes you from Mexico City, where you will enjoy the La Merced Market to Merida where you can discover Maya ruins...with more adventure along the way, such as Hierve el agua where nature will surprise you and Oaxaca city a great cosy UNESCO World Heritage City.
view tour ⤍7 days / from2251 USD
Baja: Pacific Coast Paradise
Baja California is an off-the-beaten-track unspoiled paradise. The area is home to mountains, deserts and thousands of kilometers of gorgeous Pacific coastline. Come here to explore, snorkel, dive or do a spot of whale watching (in season). Otherwise, sit back and relax on its soft sandy shores.
view tour ⤍9 days / from1475 USD
Taste of Mexico
Discover the most unique places in Mexico City before heading out to Puebla and Oaxaca, tasting the best Mexico has to offer: mole poblano, chocolate, a corn workshop - this is a hands-on tour, showing the variety Mexico has to offer, both in food and culture wise.
view tour ⤍8 days / from2230 USD
Small Group Tour: Yucatán Off the Beaten Path
This is a trip immersed in Maya culture, considering visits to essential places, accommodations in different Maya communities, and cultural and outdoor sports activities. Trip starts February 1st & April 29, 2024 - prefer to do this trip in private? Send us a request for individual pricing.
view tour ⤍9 days / from3035 USD
Mayan Heritage on the Yucatan Peninsula
Embark on a Yucatan self-drive adventure, blending renowned treasures like Tulum and Chichen Itza with hidden gems. Wander off the beaten track to discover local communities, engaging in community-based experiences. Delve into Mayan culture, sample authentic cuisine, and explore the region.
view tour ⤍7 days / from1800 USD
Immersive Mexico City
Discover the vibrant heart of Mexico City in 7 unforgettable days. A stroll through historic downtown, explore colorful markets, and savor delicious street food. Day trips to Teotihuacan's ancient pyramids and Chapultepec Park's museums offer cultural enrichment.
view tour ⤍10 days / from3275 USD
Flavours of Central Mexico
Start in Mexico City, exploring its rich history and vibrant markets. Journey to Cholula to uncover ancient pyramids and partake in cooking classes. Conclude in Oaxaca, where you'll dive deep into local markets and culinary traditions, forging unforgettable memories.
view tour ⤍12 days / from3140 USD
Authentic Mexico City & Yucatan Peninsula
Start your trip in fascinating Mexico City - special views guaranteed during your hot air balloon ride over Teotihuacan. Continue to the Yucatan Peninsula with Merida, Valladolid, the famous Chichen Itza site and then to the dreamy beaches of Puerto Morelos. This trip has it all.
view tour ⤍Mexico’s most famous silver-working town - Taxco. It is truly picturesque: red-roofed whitewashed houses, pretty plazas, cascading bougainvillaea, and narrow, cobbled streets twist up and down the steep hills.
The town of Taxco, an interesting place in itself, offers the most exquisite silver products in the country. Beyond the few sights, the way to enjoy Taxco is simply to wander the streets, nosing about in platerías and stopping occasionally for a drink.
Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve is a huge, stunning coastal nature reserve. Here you'll find ecosystems ranging from the tropical forest through fresh- and saltwater marshes to the barrier reefs. Wildlife of every sort lives here, but it’s especially good for birdwatching. This is a great place to take in the natural beauty of Mexico.
Mexico’s own deservedly most famous liquor is tequila, made from the agave or maguey plant, of which there are hundreds of labels. There are also some other liquors made from different varieties of maguey plants, most notably mezcal and pulque.
What better way to end a night of drinking than indulging in Mexican street food? Don't miss our guide to the best Mexican food.
Bonampak, shrouded in the forest, is quite small compared to the great Maya sites. However, is of huge importance. In one building, the one and only complete set of possibly hundreds of Maya mural paintings that have survived the ravages of the centuries.
In vivid colour and detail, the murals show ancient Mayan civilisation. Seeing the Bonampak murals is one of the best things to do in Mexico.
Planning a trip but on a budget? See our list of the 20 cheapest places to travel.
A drive down the Sea of Cortés coast around Bahía Concepción is one of the best things to do in Mexico. All along the coast, you’ll find turquoise waters and white-sand beaches.
Most towns in Baja California Sur offer fantastic opportunities for diving, fishing and kayaking. Bahía Concepción, Loreto, La Paz and the remote settlements on the East Cape are the standouts among them. The blue-green waters, tranquil bays and white-sand beaches are spellbinding and relatively undeveloped.
Ready to explore the best beaches Mexico has to offer? Don't miss our guide to the best beaches in Mexico.
Each year the grey whale migration attracts an estimated 250,000 visitors to Baja California. The whales’ migratory route runs the length of the Pacific seaboard, from Baja to the Bering Sea and back; this is a round trip of some 20,000km – the longest recorded migration undertaken by any mammal.
The migration begins as the days shorten and the pack ice thickens, with the majority of the whales arriving in January and February, though they can be observed here from December to April. Whale sharks and sea turtles can also often be seen.
Home to more than 25 million people, Mexico City is one of the world's true megacities. First-time visitors cannot fail to be impressed by the city, occupying a shallow mountain bowl at over 2,400m above sea level.
Life here is equal parts laid back, edgy and cosmopolitan. The city's sheer size can be overwhelming – so deciding what to base yourself on can prove crucial. The eternal heart of the city, the capital’s main plaza is surrounded by its cathedral and the ruins of Aztec Tenochtitlán. Visiting Mexico City is one of the best things to do in Mexico.
Planning a trip? Don't miss our guide to where to stay in Mexico City.
Although the full significance of the dance of the voladores has been lost over time, it has survived much as the earliest chroniclers reported it, largely because the Spanish thought of it as a sport rather than a pagan rite.
Their famous “dance” involves five “flying men,” dressed in bird-like costumes. With ropes attached to one leg, four of the men, representing the cardinal points, launch themselves backwards in a kind of slow bungee-jump from the top of a 32-meter (105ft) pole.
Visiting Tulum is one of the best things to do in Mexico for several reasons. First, it’s one of the most picturesque of all the ancient Maya sites.
Second, Tulum offers one of the best beaches in the world, dotted with lodging options that range from bare-bones to ultra-swank. And lastly, it's a booming town and a real population centre. At any rate, this Quintana Roo city is worth a visit.
Valladolid, in the Yucatan peninsula, exudes the unpretentious attitude of a rural capital. The area caters to the farmers and ranchers who live nearby, and the village women who come here to sell their hand-embroidered huipiles and other crafts.
Take a refreshing dip in one of the best cenotes in Mexico, one with the roots of a huge alamo tree stretching down into it. Or try traditional Yucatecan food, as there are many excellent places to eat.
Politics, art and national identity combine at the home of Frida Kahlo. The Museo Frida Kahlo is just a few minutes' walk from the centre of Coyoacán. The appropriately named Blue House was the Kahlos’ family home and this is where Frida was born and spent most of her life, sporadically with her husband Diego Rivera, who donated the house to the nation shortly after her death.
An ancient Mayan city-state, Palenque was at its height in the seventh century under Pacal the Great. Its appeal lies in the quality of its architecture and sculpture. 90 per cent of the settlement still lies buried under the jungle that crawled back over the site after it was abandoned around 1120 AD.
Visiting these incredibly interesting ancient ruins is one of the best ways to learn about Mexican history. This UNESCO world heritage site is one of the best things to do in Mexico.
You’ll find mariachi played the length and breadth of the country but most notably in Mexico City’s Plaza Garibaldi. Hundreds of competing mariachi bands gather here in the evenings, all in their tight, silver-spangled charro finery and vast sombreros, to play for anyone who’ll pay them.
A typical group consists of two or four violins, a brass section of three trumpeters standing some way back so as not to drown out the others, three or four men on guitars of varying sizes and a vocalist.
An enormous collection of artefacts from all the major pre-Hispanic cultures. the Museo Nacional de Antropología is one of the world's greatest museums.
Every hall has its treasures. Exhibits in the marvellous Sala Mexica, on Aztec art and history, include the famous Sun Stone or Aztec Calendar, and a fascinating model of Teotihuacán. The Culturas del Golfo hall has two astonishing Olmec basalt heads from San Lorenzo in Veracruz, and the Sala Maya has a model of the tomb of King Pakal from Palenque. Even the less celebrated halls have superb ceramics.
To discover more about the Olmec culture we recommend you visit Tabasco, this Mexican region was under the radar for a long time but has plenty of interesting sites and fascinating things to do.
Once a soporific fishing village where travellers camped out en route to Isla Cozumel, Playa del Carmen (often called simply “Playa”) is now a nightlife hot spot. Mexico City’s elite pop in, as do day-trippers from Cancún and passengers from cruise ships docked on Cozumel. As a result, the town’s main centre of activity.
Playa del Carmen is heaving with restaurants of every kind, and even the traditional Mexican places stay open late. Take a street food tour while here,
Take in the carnival atmosphere and colours while being punted around the canals and serenaded by mariachi bands. Take a boat tour of the traditional floating gardens in the Mexico City suburb of Xochimilco. The carnivals in Mexico City will also appeal to your little ones if you're visiting Mexico on a family trip.
Get some feel for the ancient city and its water-borne commerce, thriving markets and dazzling colour. You'll find here among other things, amazing food — such as tacos al pastor.
Oaxaca is indigenous country par excellence. Though the Zapotec and Mixtec indigenous peoples dominate the state, 16 other linguistically and culturally distinct groups live here too. No other Mexican state is as diverse.
Any market in Mexico is a feast for the senses, but Oaxaca’s are especially vibrant, with everything from fresh produce to some of the country’s most imaginative textiles. Teotitlán del Valle is an Oaxaca city famous for its weavings and textiles of indigenous cultures and is a great place to start.
Outside of Mexico City, is one of the most incredible things to see in Mexico: the immense ancient city of Teotihuacán. Known as “the place where men become gods," the ruins reveal a city planned and built on a massive scale.
At its height, this must have been the most imposing city in pre-Hispanic America, with a population thought to have been around 150,000. Take a free walking tour of the area, or do as many others and opt for a hot air balloon ride over the ruins.
Want to experience Mexico, but without the hassle of booking and planning? Our Mexico Tomb Raider Experience trip offers you the experience of seeing many of the ruins that Mexico has to offer up close and in person.
A dazzling display of skill and courage takes place four times a day in Acapulco, when the resident clavadistas throw themselves from the rocky cliffs of La Quebrada – with a somersault or two thrown in for good measure.
Acapulco’s famed clavadistas (cliff divers) have been plunging some 35m from the heights of La Quebrada into a rocky channel since the early 1920s. They time their leap to coincide with an incoming wave. Mistimed, there’s not enough water to stop them from hitting the bottom.
If bullfights aren’t for you, head to a charreada (rodeo) instead. The ultimate charro (cowboy) event, traditional charreadas make a brilliant spectator sport. Charreadas are mainly seen in northern Mexico and are as spectacular for their style and costume. This is a great way to experience Mexican culture.
Prefer to leave planning and booking to experts? Our tailor-made service allows you to travel without the hassle. Our Mexico's Nature and Beaches trip will take you through the Yucatan peninsula. Explore the nature and wildlife of Mexico from sea turtles to whale sharks.
Riding on bridges over yawning chasms, viewing awesome scenery and age-old settlements – welcome aboard the Copper Canyon Railroad. Taking a ride on the world's most scenic railroad is one of the best things to do in Mexico and see first-hand the natural wonder of the surrounding canyons (which dwarf the Grand Canyon in size).
The train ride from Chihuahua to Los Mochis takes anywhere from 12 to 15 hours with short stops along the way to enjoy the splendid views – from alpine forests and rushing rivers to dusty gorges.
With numerous substantial structures spread over an extensive site, El Tajín is by far the most important and impressive archaeological site on the Gulf coast. It divides broadly into two areas: Tajín Viejo, and Tajín Chico.
The museum, by the entrance, has a model of the site worth examining before you venture in, along with a collection of the more delicate stonework salvaged from the ruins.
Deep in the heart of the jungle, this is the largest known archaeological zone in Mesoamerica. The ruined Maya city of Calakmul is one of the best places for contemplating the culture’s architectural legacy. The view of the natural beauty of the rainforest from the top is stunning, On a clear day, you can even glimpse the tip of the Danta pyramid at El Mirador in Guatemala.
Dreaming of seeing the world's most ancient sites? See our guide to the great lost cities of the world.
A visit to Mexico City's first Congress chamber is one of the best things to do in Mexico. Here is where astonishing murals by Diego Rivera adorn the main staircase and first-floor gallery.
Painted between 1929 and 1935, these murals dramatically illustrate the history of this amazing country. The murals depict the pre-Hispanic past through the horrors of the Conquest to Independence and the Mexican Revolution.
Almost 2500m above sea level and crammed into a narrow gully between two hills, the old silver town of Zacatecas is overflowing with ornate colonial architecture and intriguing museums. You'll find here fine stone buildings makes this another city that seems plucked straight out of classical Spain.
Mexico has fantastic diving opportunities. The coral reefs of Isla Cozumel are no exception. The reefs around this island, just off the coast of Playa del Carmen, are some of the best places in the world for snorkelling and scuba diving.
In the 1960s French oceanographer Jacques Cousteau made it known that as well as pristine beaches, the island had some of the world’s richest offshore reefs. Cozumel is considered one of the best diving destinations in Latin America and offers many amazing activities.
Set on a steep hillside overlooking the Río Laja and dominated by red rooftops and domed churches, San Miguel de Allende is the most hauntingly beautiful town in the Bajío. This colonial town remains wonderfully preserved and still serves as the spiritual centre of the Mexican community.
Seen at dawn, its cobbled, hilly streets are quite unlike anything else in the region. There are few major sights, but the whole town (which has been a national monument since 1926) is crowded with old seigniorial mansions and graceful churches.
Chichén Itzá is one of the great urban centres of the Maya-Toltec civilisation that existed roughly from 900–1400 AD. Its pyramids and observatories survive as monuments to a people whose mastery of astronomy defies belief.
Each spring and autumn equinox, the shadow of the sun forms a wriggling serpent on the steps of the Temple of Kukulkan. This is one of the most famous of the Maya sites. See the sprawling ruins and complex carvings over a couple of days.
This list could truly go on. There are countless fantastic things to do in Mexico. Ready to start planning your trip? Check out the Rough Guide to Mexico. Read more about the best time to go and the best places to visit in Mexico.
If you prefer to plan and book your trip to Mexico without any effort and hassle, use the expertise of our local travel experts to make sure your trip will be just like you dream it to be.
We may earn a commission when you click on links in this article, but this doesn’t influence our editorial standards. We only recommend services that we genuinely believe will enhance your travel experiences.
Top image: Death Day © Shutterstock
written by Andy Turner
updated 14.02.2024
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From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Mexico