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Visit Mexico to enjoy its colorful architecture, friendly people, and sunny climate. Home to palm-lined beaches, snow-capped volcanoes, dynamic cities, and joyful fiestas, Mexico is a vivid and diverse country. Its landscapes provide activities from swimming and hiking to dining and dancing.
For outdoor types, Mexico’s hiking routes are some of the most varied in the world. From the Sierra Juarez mountains in Oaxaca to the Copper Canyon, there is plenty of striking space to explore. The waters of the Gulf of California and Gulf of Mexico create a swimmer’s paradise. You can spend time surfing the waves, snorkeling, or simply lounging on the powdery white sands. Cancun boasts some of the most popular beaches, with restaurants and shops not far from the clear, blue waters. Cabo San Lucas in Baja California Sur is best known for scuba diving, and Nuevo Vallarta is full of picturesque coastal towns. Mexico’s vibrant culture is reflected beautifully in its cuisine. Taste regional dishes like Yucatan’s cochinita pibil or Veracruz’s chilpachole and choose from an array of moles — complex sauces with well-guarded secret recipes. Be sure to sample some tequila, which originated in Jalisco.
This is a nation that knows how to party. From lively Mariachi bands to Jarabe Tapatio, there is always something to enjoy. November 2 marks Mexico’s Dia de los Muertos, a festival that remembers and honors ancestors. Colorful and elaborate decorations and ofrenda spring up across homes and town squares across the nation.
Mexico is home to 33 World Heritage Sites, including the historic town of Guanajuato and Uxmal, the remains of an ancient Mayan city with stunning buildings like the Pyramid of the Magician. Mexico City has five Aztec temples and you can see pyramids, canals, and dams carved into the mountains at Monte Alban in Oaxaca’s historical center.
Monarch butterflies spend their winter hibernation in Mexico. The Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve is in Piedra Herrada, but the sky around the reserve is filled with these opulent insects, too. The population is highest in January and February and the butterflies love to bask in the sun, so arrive at the reserve between 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. — the warmest part of the day.
Kahlo’s Casa Azul (Blue House) in Mexico City was turned into a museum showcasing her life and work in 1958. You can book a guided tour, which lasts 45 minutes, or roam the museum independently during opening hours — between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. You must purchase a permit to take flash photography inside the museum. It is closed on Mondays.
Tulum offers picturesque, palm-lined sands and clear blue waters, as well as 13th-century Mayan ruins. It’s one of the quieter beaches, with limestone pools nearby for swimming and snorkeling. For sailing and whale-watching, Puerto Vallarta is a beach with protected coves and views of the Sierra Madre Mountains. The city of Cancun offers some of the most popular beaches to explore.
Many of the traditional celebrations in Mexico are connected to religion. Día de Los Reyes (the Epiphany) celebrates the visit of three kings to Jesus with a special bread. If you find the little doll hidden inside, tradition states that you organize a party for everyone. Sixteen days before Christmas is Posadas. It’s marked with singing and a piñata. Día de los Muertos is celebrated country-wide on November 2. Mexican Independence Day is on September 16 and parades are organized throughout the country.