The Complete Travel Guide to Mexico: Delve into the Historic Ruins and Vibrant Local Life
Mexico is on everybody’s bucket list as a must-visit. If you have decided to tick this particular item from your list this vacation season, then hooray! Mexico is a travelers paradise that offers plenty of great places to visit, accompanied by tons of exotic food. As someone planning to visit Mexico, you cannot be in a better place than this blog.
The Best Time To Visit Mexico
The varied climates of Mexico determine the best time to visit. There are two prominent seasons: dry and wet. Many places in Mexico are best visited in the dry season, from November to April. Moderate temperatures and dry weather prevail throughout this time. Beach trips, city exploration, and outdoor activities are perfect. Mexico City, Oaxaca, and the Yucatán Peninsula enjoy moderate winters with little rain from December to February.
As opposed to this, the rainy season runs from May until October. This season has greater temperatures and humidity. Heavy rain falls in coastal and jungle areas, while midday showers may occur in the middle highlands. During this time, Pacific and Atlantic hurricanes are possible. June to September is less rainy, especially in higher altitudes like Mexico City, where the surroundings are lush and green.
Visitation timing should consider activities and localities. Beach destinations like Cancún and Playa del Carmen benefit from the dry season (November-April) for sunny weather and water sports. To escape rain, visit mountainous areas like Mexico City and Oaxaca in the dry season. Although Chiapas and Veracruz have vivid rainy season scenery, tourists can expect strong downpours.
Cultural events and festivals in Mexico may also affect travel decisions. The Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos) in Mexico City and Oaxaca offers a unique cultural experience in late October to early November. Semana Santa (Holy Week) in late March to early April and Carnival before Lent significantly enriches Mexico's culture. While the dry season is typically preferred for its beautiful weather, individual preferences, specific sites, and planned activities might determine the best time to visit. Always examine the climate of the place you want to visit, as circumstances differ throughout.
Best Places To Visit In Mexico
Mexico has tons and tons of beautiful and exotic places that you can visit. The choice is so huge that you might even get a bit overwhelmed by their sheer number. So, to make things a bit easier, here are the top 7 places you absolutely must visit while you are in Mexico:
1. Tulum
Tulum, located on the Yucatán Peninsula, is a stunning archeological site with ancient Mayan ruins set against the Caribbean Sea. Visit this historical gem to learn about a bygone age via the well-preserved architecture. The beaches of Tulum, particularly Playa Paraíso, provide a peaceful getaway with clean seas. Swimming in local cenotes is thrilling. Boutique stores and seaside restaurants give Tulum a bohemian vibe beyond the ruins. Tulum's various ecosystems and fauna draw nature lovers to the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve.
Things to do
- Visit the Tulum archaeological site, where you can walk among the Mayan ruins on a cliff with stunning Caribbean Sea views.
- Visit Playa Paraíso to unwind on its white sands and swim in the Caribbean's turquoise seas.
- Snorkel in the verdant sinkhole of Gran Cenote to explore its fascinating underwater ecosystem.
- In the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve, explore mangroves, lagoons, and various ecosystems by boat in this UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Dive or snorkel in Cenote Dos Ojos' crystal-clear waters to see its beautiful stalactite formations.
2. Mexico City
Mexico City is the nation's vibrant center of history, culture, and modernity. Surrounded by the Metropolitan Cathedral and National Palace, the Zócalo square showcases the city's rich history. The Anthropology Museum's rich collection highlights Mexico's indigenous civilizations. Roma and Condesa are lively neighborhoods with street art, hip eateries, and lively nightlife. Chapultepec Park, a vast urban oasis, has museums, a zoo, and the hilltop Castle. Foodies love Mexico City for its street tacos and gourmet cuisine.
Things to do
- Pay a visit to Mexico City's Metropolitan Cathedral and National Palace on Zócalo Square to experience its history.
- The Frida Kahlo Museum showcases her life and art at the Blue House, her former home.
- Chapultepec Park is home to museums, a zoo, and a castle
- At Xochimilco, take a colorful trajinera boat trip via its ancient canals and floating gardens.
- The National Museum of Anthropology shows you Mexico's rich cultural legacy with its numerous exhibitions.
- At Roma and Condesa, get a chance to see the fashionable areas with street art, stylish cafés, and lively nightlife.
3. Veracruz
Veracruz, a Gulf of Mexico beauty, has a dynamic port city and rich music history. Veracruz's Carnival is one of Mexico's biggest and liveliest, and the Malecón beautifully displays local life. Explore the area's colonial and marine history by visiting the Fort San Juan de Ulúa fortress. Start your trip to El Tajín, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and Coatepec, noted for its coffee growers, from Veracruz. The area's beaches and mountains make outdoor fun simple.
Things to do:
- You get a chance to walk along the Malecón, which is Veracruz's magnificent promenade that offers stunning Gulf of Mexico vistas.
- If interested, celebrate the Carnival of Veracruz with parades, music, and colorful costumes.
- Walk around the Fort San Juan de Ulúa and see Veracruz's colonial and maritime history at this historic site.
4. Oaxaca
Oaxaca, in southern Mexico, is a cultural hub of indigenous and colonial cultures. UNESCO World Heritage site Santo Domingo Church and Benito Juárez Market are in the historic core. Visitors may try mole sauces, street food, and mezcal in Oaxaca, which is known for its cuisine. Monte Albán, a Zapotec settlement, offers stunning valley vistas and archeological sites. Hierve el Agua's strange rock formations imitating waterfalls and mineral springs are a natural attraction.
Things to do:
- The Ethnobotanical Garden displays Oaxaca's rich vegetation.
- You can attend the Guelaguetza event and experience the vivid indigenous cultural event with traditional music, dancing, and art.
5. Puebla
Puebla, surrounded by volcanoes, has retained colonial architecture and culture. A UNESCO World Heritage site, the old center has brilliant tiles, magnificent buildings, and the Puebla Cathedral. Puebla offers a culinary feast as it is considered the origin of mole poblano and chiles en nogada. As you take a short drive, you find the Great Pyramid of Cholula, which is the biggest pyramid by volume. It shows pre-Columbian cultures. Puebla's bustling marketplaces, such as Mercado El Parian, showcase local crafts, textiles, and art.
Things to do:
- The Historic Center of Puebla is on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Visit this city and enjoy its royal beauty and busy streets.
- The Great Pyramid is in Cholula. It is the largest pyramid in terms of space.
6. Playa del Carmen
Beautiful beaches and a bustling environment make Playa del Carmen on the Riviera Maya a beach paradise. Quinta Avenida has shops, restaurants, and a vibrant nightlife. The nearby Xcaret Park offers a whole family experience with natural beauty, cultural exhibits, and water sports. History aficionados and adventurers use Playa del Carmen to reach Tulum and Coba. Its coral reefs make it a wonderful Caribbean snorkeling and diving spot.
Things to do:
- The best thing to do here is relax at Playa del Carmen Beach and enjoy the Caribbean's turquoise waves and sun on this gorgeous beach.
- Walk down Quinta Avenida, a busy pedestrian strip with stores, restaurants, and street acts.
7. Guadalajara
With its rich history, art, and traditional music, Guadalajara, our second-largest city, is western Mexico's cultural center. The Cathedral and Government Palace showcase the city's colonial heritage downtown. Plaza de Los Mariachis's soulful music reflects Jalisco's culture. The UNESCO World Heritage site of Hospicio Cabañas boasts stunning murals by José Clemente Orozco. Tours of Guadalajara's agave farms and distilleries highlight tequila. Tlaquepaque showcases Mexican culture with its handicrafts and traditions.
Things to do:
- If you get a chance, visit the Plaza de los Mariachis to experience authentic mariachi music in a vibrant setting.
- Explore the Hospicio Cabañas, a UNESCO World Heritage site with paintings by José Clemente Orozco and modern art shows.
- Take a day trip to Jalisco to explore agave farms and distilleries to learn about tequila production.
Have a Great Trip, Amigos
That’s about it, guys. You now know the best time to visit Mexico, the right places to visit, and a small idea of what to do there. Now, what is left is for you to book your tickets and choose travel assistance services to make your time at the airport easy and breezy. AirportAssist.com is here to make sure that you have a great time at the airport and don't get stuck in long lines. Now all you have to think of is having the maximum amount of fun in Mexico!