Once the land of the Maya civilisation, Mexico is steeped in history and culture. With ancient ruins, beautiful beaches, enchanting cities and incredible food there are countless memorable experiences to be had. While this is by no means an definitive list, here are 30 awe-inspiring things to do in Mexico to get you started.
Watch the sunset at Land’s End
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These stunning rock formations can be found at Cabo San Lucas. The famous arch itself is locally known as El Arco and is most beautiful at sunset. It’s believed 16th-century pirates would hide behind it waiting for Spanish ships. You’ll find tours at most beaches along the Los Cabos corridor, which usually include a stop-off at nearby Lover's Beach.
Visit the lifelong home of Frida Kahlo
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Frida Kahlo’s home in Mexico City is now a museum dedicated to her life and artwork. Known as Caza Azul, or the Blue House thanks to the cobalt-blue walls, each room is full of her furniture, clothes, trinkets and original art – although her most famous pieces are elsewhere. Arrive early to escape the largest crowds. You will be asked to pay extra if you want to take photographs.
Save baby sea turtles at Puerto Vallarta
The beach at Nuevo Vallarta is one of the few places in the world sea turtles comes ashore to build their nests and lay eggs. But, once hatched the new-borns face a treacherous journey into the sea. Puerto Vallarta Tours offers volunteers the chance to give the turtles a helping hand while protecting them from predators. Tours are held throughout the year apart from April to June.
Celebrate the Day of the Dead festival
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Join in with the nation as they remember and honour their deceased loved ones. The Day of the Dead festivals are held around 1 November when families believe the spirits come back to see them. Parades and parties takes place in public squares and cemeteries across the country but you’ll find the most impressive events in Oaxaca, Lake Pátzcuaro on the island of Janitzio and San Andrés Mixquic.
Visit Palacio de Bellas Artes
Head to this grand white-marble building to admire the vast murals and sculptures that take centre-stage on the top floors. Situated in Mexico City, the Palacio de Bellas Artes is also home to a concert hall and hosts opera, dance and literature events throughout the year. It’s such an important cultural hub, it was recognised by UNESCO as an artistic monument in 1987.
Explore the pyramids of Monte Albán
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Wonder at the ancient remains of pyramids, temples and palaces at one of Mexico’s most important archaeological sites. Founded around 600 BC, this walled city is perched on a flattened hilltop 1,312 feet above the valley floor. Located near Oaxaca, in central Mexico, the ruins were once the home to the Zapotec civilisation.
Visit a clifftop castle at Tulum
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Why choose between beautiful beaches, lush vegetation and ancient ruins when you can enjoy them all at once? Tulum is the only coastal Maya city and is popular with tourists thanks to its laid-back, New Age vibe. When you tire of lounging by the sea, head to the Castillo (pictured), perched on the edge of a 39-foot-high limestone cliff. Just be careful negotiating the steep steps on your way down.
Explore Guadalajara where modernity meets traditional
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Guadalajara is Mexico’s second largest city and where some of the nation’s longest-standing, most famous traditions were born. Expect to find wide-brimmed sombreros, folk dancing and mariachi music bands. There’s also some stunning historic architecture, such as the cathedral (pictured). Head to the fashionable Chapultepec neighbourhood for modern shopping, restaurants and the burgeoning art scene.
Get swept away with the crowds at Mexican wrestling
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Like WWE in America, Lucha Libre wrestling is all for show but it’s still very entertaining. In fact, it’s the second most popular spectator sport in the country, eclipsed only by football. Expect over-the-top dramatics, colourful Spandex and a whole lot of attitude both in the ring and among the bloodthirsty audience. You’ll find shows around the country, but the Arena México in central Mexico City is the nation’s most famous venue.
Go hiking & swimming at Hierve el Agua
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Head to the spectacular rock formations at Hierve el Agua to swim in the hot springs and admire the waterfalls. Here you’ll discover the 164-foot-tall "cascada chica" which pours into turquoise green lakes that are rich in minerals and said to have healing properties. Nearby, you’ll also find a "petrified waterfall" (pictured), which appears frozen but is really crystallised salt.
Wonder at Las Pozas surrealist gardens
Buried in the jungle on the Sierra Madre hillside you’ll find this surreal garden of quirky sculptures and deliberately unfinished artworks. Las Pozas was created over 20 years by the eccentric British artist Edwards James, who dreamt of building a surreal lost city as a "joke to future generations". Despite the intentions, it’s still a great place to visit with giant gothic structures, spiral staircases that lead nowhere and a labyrinth of paths and a waterfall.
Head to Mexico’s most beautiful beach
Playa Norte on Isla Mujeres is one of the best beaches in the world, according to TripAdvisor. With its white sands, turquoise ocean and bohemian atmosphere, the beach is a short walk from the ferry port and the most popular shore on the island, which is only five miles long and located just north of Cancún.
Explore the "best city in the world"
Recently voted best city in the world by Travel + Leisure, San Miguel de Allende is often described as a fairy tale destination. With charming colourful streets, enchanting architecture and a picturesque city square, it’s a photographer’s dream destination. Aside from the scenery, you’ll find hot springs, great nightlife, galleries, museums and the ancient pyramid at Cañada de la Virgen where you can enjoy a spectacular sunset.
See world-class art
When Museo Soumaya art gallery was completed in 1994, it became an instant landmark of Mexico City and it’s easy to why. The stunning two-part structure was designed by famed architect Fernando Romero. One of the nation’s most visited buildings, the interior is just as impressive and is home to 66,000 of European and Mexican artworks, including piece by Dali, Monet, Matisse, Picasso and van Gogh.
Explore the underground rivers of Río Secreto
Wade through turquoise rivers and wonder at the dramatic stalactites and stalagmites overhead in this ancient network of caves. Río Secreto, meaning secret river, at Playa del Carmen was discovered in 2005 by a farmer who moved some rocks while chasing an iguana. It has since become a popular and highly-rated attraction among visitors. You don’t need to be strong swimmer to take part and guests are issued with wetsuits and hard hats.
Head to a Hidden Beach
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Mexico’s Hidden Beach is one of the country’s most spectacular stretches of sand. Located on the Marietas Islands, off the coast of Puerto Vallarta, it can only be reached by swimming or kayaking through an underwater tunnel. It’s believed this natural sunroof may have been caused by bombing during WWI.
Snorkel above hundreds of underwater sculptures
Head to Cancún Underwater Museum to see around 500 sculptures, mostly created by British artist Jason Taylor, all under the ocean. Located off the coast of Isla Mujeres, the museum is a non-profit organisation created to draw people away from the natural coral to give the marine life a chance to regenerate and breed. Most of the artwork, which is submerged up to 18 feet deep in the ocean, has become covered with algae and polyps, making the area the largest artificial reef in the world.
Learn about Mexico’s cultural history
With 23 exhibition halls and the world’s largest collection of ancient Mexican art, you could spend a few days at the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City. Laid out in chronological order, it culminates in the Aztec Hall, where you’ll find the famous Aztec Calendar or Stone Sun (pictured). Other highlights include the statue of Aztec god Xochipilli and a peacock feather and gold thread headdress made for the Aztec ruler Moctezuma II. Don’t miss the El Paraguas stone sculpture in the courtyard.
Relax and party in Playa del Carmen
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The town of Playa del Carmen is about an hour from Cancún but smaller and a little less touristy. Popular with holidaymakers searching for a more relaxed vibe, it’s lauded for its beautiful palm-lined beaches, pedestrianised streets and an array of shops and restaurants. In the evening, head to Quinta Avenue where you’ll find most of the best bars in the area.
Be spooked by the Island of Dolls
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Looking for something a bit more unusual? Take a two-hour canal ride from Mexico City and head to the Island of Dolls. This accidental tourist attraction was created by a reclusive Mexican man, known locally as Chinampas, who died in 2001. He collected and hung the dolls to appease the spirit of a young girl be believed to be haunting the woods. The area was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.
Take a balloon ride over the Teotihuacán Pyramids
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Get away from the tourists and enjoy breath-taking views of the Teotihuacán Pyramids in a hot air balloon. One of Mexico’s most famous landmarks and an UNESCO World Heritage Site, the holy city is dedicated to the sun and moon. Various operators offer tours that last around an hour and most include hotel transfers from Mexico City.
Go horse-trekking at the world’s youngest volcano
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The Parícutin volcano is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World and is famous for being the youngest volcano on Earth. Located in Michoacán, it was discovered after an earthquake in 1943 by a farmer. He initially ignored it but within 10 weeks it had grown to 1,000 feet. The volcano erupted continuously until 1952 and now stands at 10,400 feet high. The most popular way to reach the top is on horseback and you’ll find many local guides to show you the way.
Take the tequila trail
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Travel back in time and discover how Mexico’s most famous tipple was originally made during a tour on the Tequila Express. During the expedition, you’ll hear about the distilling process and be serenaded by Mariachi musicians, while passing through fields of blue agave plants. The tour starts at Guadalajara station at 10.15am at weekends and includes a stop at Tequila Herradura distillery in Amatitán. Booking is essential.
Explore the ancient Chichen Itza
One of Mexico’s most famous Mayan sites, the magnificent Chichen Itza in the Yucatán dates back to around AD 800. The focal point is the 78-foot-high Temple of Kukulkan, also known as El Castillo (pictured). Created as a physical calendar, it aligns with the sun so perfectly that on the spring and summer equinox, it creates a shadow of a serpent slithering down the steps.
Try authentic Mexican street food
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Eat like the locals in Mexico City and tuck into the array of world-class street foods on offer. Start your day with a tamales, Mexico’s favourite breakfast. These are dough wrapped around meat, vegetables and fruit, served in a banana leaf. Just make sure you order by 10am as they often sell out early. You’ll also find tortillas, tacos, burritos and enchilada stalls (and holes in the wall) throughout the city.
See the Copper Canyon from the tracks
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One of Mexico’s greatest natural wonders, the Copper Canyon is an immense series of valleys and ridges covering 25,000 square miles. That’s four times larger than the Grand Canyon. Take a scenic tour through this spectacular landscape aboard the Copper Canyon Train. The four-hour journey between Los Mochis and Chihuahua operates one train daily in each direction. You must buy tickets in advance.
Wander the streets of Coyoacán
One of 16 boroughs in Mexico City, Coyoacán is a popular with tourists thanks to its historic centre and art scene. Take some time to wander the streets and plazas, admire the architecture and lounge by the fountain. To experience a typical Mexican market, stop by Mercado de Coyoacán where you’ll be able to pick up some local handicrafts, souvenirs and street food.
Fuel your adrenaline at Xplor Park
An adventure park may not seem particularly unique, but there aren’t many places you can explore caves, swim through underground rivers covered in stalactites and stalagmites and glide across the jungle on a zip line. Xplor Park is one of Cancún's most popular and highly-rated attractions, open Monday to Saturdays only.
Go diving at the Palancar Reef
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Considered one of the most beautiful places to go diving in Mexico, the Palancar Reef in Cozumel is home to sea turtles, barracudas, stingrays, lobsters and countless varieties of colourful fish. Confident scuba divers can venture out to caves and tunnels but there are plenty of other snorkelling areas to enjoy for the less experienced.
Admire the scale of the Cave of Swallows
The largest known vertical shaft in the world, the 1,200 feet deep Cave of Swallows is so big you could fit the Eiffel Tower inside – or the Statue of Liberty, twice. Located in San Luis Potosí, in central Mexico, it’s home to thousands of birds and in recent years has become popular with base jumpers. Local guides offer tours but you may not be allowed to enter in wet weather, so it's best visited during the dry season.
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