12 Top Tourist Attractions in Mexico

Lying along a beautiful stretch of coastline on the Gulf of Mexico are the resort destinations of Canc?n, Playa del Carmen, and the island of Cozumel, collectively known as the Mayan Riviera. This magnificent area on the tip of the Yucat?n Peninsula attracts some five million visitors each year, in the process generating 20% or so of Mexico's total revenues. Despite these numbers, you're unlikely to feel like a part of the crowd due to the Riviera's wide beaches and endless crystal clear water. The area also boasts numerous fun activities such as dolphin and stingray swims, snorkeling among reefs and tropical fish, as well as scuba diving in the world's largest underwater museum, a spectacular collection of sculptures submerged at depths of up to eight meters. Then, of course, there's the region's many ancient Mayan ruins, with some of the closest sites within walking distance of the beaches, while the largest and most impressive - Chich?n Itz? and Tulum - are just a few hours away.

Another of Mexico's increasingly popular beach destinations is the Pacific coastal city of Puerto Vallarta. Often shortened to just Vallarta, the city - many parts of which remain untouched by modern development - first appeared on the vacation radar in the 1960s as a playground for North America's social elite and has since become extremely popular among foreigners looking for second homes in a warmer climate. Nowadays, the city is as likely to attract an older cruise ship audience looking to swim with the dolphins as it is younger travelers looking for adventure, found here in activities as diverse as paragliding and jet-skiing. For those who like vacationing at a little slower pace, the city also boasts many locations to shop for arts and crafts or to simply stroll along pleasant beachside promenades with their many green spaces and sculptures.

At the southern tip of the beautiful Baja Peninsula, Los Cabos - often referred to as simply Cabo - is one of Mexico's top beach destinations. Consisting of a large stretch of coastline that extends from the towns of Cabo San Lucas and San Jos? del Cabo and known as the Los Cabos Corridor (Corredor Turistico), this 30-kilometer stretch of pristine beaches attracts visitors the world over for its clear waters, diving, snorkeling, and fishing (it also hosts the world's largest marlin contest). Numerous resorts have sprung up that cater to all tastes and budgets, from luxurious spas to golf-centered properties offering some of the best courses in North America. In addition to spending time on the beaches and exploring Cabo San Lucas, one of the most popular activities is swimming and snorkeling around the famous natural landmark El Arco de Cabo San Lucas, a huge archway carved out of the coastline where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific.

Chihuahua, one of Mexico's most northerly states - it shares the border with New Mexico in the US - is home to one of the country's most visited natural attractions, the stunning Copper Canyon (Barranca del Cobre). In a region known as the Sierra Madre Occidental and consisting of a spectacular group of deep canyons, Copper Canyon is in fact larger and deeper than its better known cousin, the Grand Canyon. Taking its name from the distinctive copper green coloring along its steep canyon walls, these amazing natural structures were formed by six rivers that converge in the Rio Fuerte before draining into the Gulf of California. Thanks to the area's increased popularity as a travel destination, there are numerous options available to those wanting to explore this area of outstanding natural beauty, from scenic rail trips aboard the Ferrocarril Chihuahua al Pac?fico to more adventurous excursions by bike or even on horseback.

Mexico City (Ciudad de M?xico) is not only the capital of the country and the seat of government, it is one of the country's most popular alternative travel destinations, thanks to its many world-class museums, art galleries, and attractions. Don't be put of by its size. Instead, focus your efforts on the historic city center (Centro Hist?rico de la Ciudad), a 15-square-kilometer UNESCO World Heritage Site boasting more than 1,400 important colonial buildings from the 16th to the 19th centuries. It's here, you'll find most of Mexico City's major attractions, many within walking distance of Constitution Square (Plaza de la Constituci?n), the city's bustling main plaza, including the National Palace, the Metropolitan Cathedral, and the Templo Mayor with its Aztec relics. Adding to the whole experience are the huge volcanic mountains overlooking the city, Popocat?petl and Iztacc?huatl, each over 5,000 meters tall and offering a perfect excuse to get out and explore the stunning scenery in this part of the Mexican Highlands.

A popular day trip for those visiting Canc?n and Playa del Carmen or the Yucat?n capital of M?rida, the magnificent Mayan city of Chich?n Itz? is one of Mexico's most visited archaeological sites, as well as one of the biggest and best restored. Highlights of a visit to this UNESCO World Heritage Site are numerous, from the massive El Castillo - also known as the Pyramid of Kukulk?n, and at 30 meters high, the site's tallest structure - to the magnificent Caracol, an almost 1,000-year-old observatory that stands testament to just how advanced the Mayans were (the building is notable for the narrow slits in its walls allowing the sun to penetrate twice per year so priests could accurately determine the date). Also of interest are the site's numerous statues, including many examples of the famous Mayan Chacmools holding their sacrificial vessels as they continue to protect these old temples.

Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its many old colonial buildings, winding lanes, and narrow alleys, Guanajuato is a city that just begs to be explored on foot. A particularly pleasurable experience is visiting its many plazas, including the delightful Jardin de la Union, the city's main square with its splendid old architecture. It's here, you'll find the beautiful old San Diego Church and the majestic Ju?rez Theater, along with fountains and flower beds, caf?s, and restaurants. Afterwards, head underground to the city's subterranean streets, part of a network of tunnels that once carried a river but are now used by cars and pedestrians wanting to get around the city quickly. Known as an art city, Guanajuato is home to many fine galleries as well as interesting museums, none more so than the Museum of Quixote, dedicated to the works of Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes (the city also hosts Latin America's most important festival in honor of the writer, the International Cervantino Festival). And if you've got the stomach for it, check out the city's famous Mummies of Guanajuato exhibit with its many naturally mummified remains of locals who died during an outbreak of cholera in the mid-19th century.

While there's no denying the appeal of Mexico's larger beach resorts, there's much to be said for paying a visit to any one of the country's many smaller vacation destinations. Two of the very best are the town's of Ixtapa and its neighbor, the much smaller former fishing village of Zihuatanejo on the country's Pacific coast. Although the larger of the two, the former coconut and mangrove producing town of Ixtapa has been carefully master-planned as a tourist hub to good effect, its streets and beaches uncluttered and easy to get around. The contrast to traditional beach resorts is even greater in beautiful Zihuatanejo, which has worked hard to keep its small town feel. Lying along a small, well-protected bay, it's a delightful and safe town to explore, home to a number of fine hotels and restaurants. Fun activities include shopping in its fish market or, better still, taking a fishing excursion to catch something of your own.

Famous as the only fortified Mayan settlement located on the coast, the ancient city of Tulum is one of the Yucat?n Peninsula's most visited attractions. In the Mayan Riviera and within easy reach of the beaches of Canc?n, Playa del Carmen and Cozumel, the site's well-preserved ruins can be seen for miles around due to their location atop 12-meter high cliffs overlooking the beautiful Caribbean Sea. Tulum is also famous for its tall walls, giving the site the feel of a fortress and suggesting a military as well as religious significance. Dating from the 13th century, the town was inhabited up until the Spanish arrived in 1544 and contains many other important archaeological finds, including the Temple of the Frescoes (Templo de los Frescos) with its sculptures and reliefs, and the Castillo, the site's largest building, famous for its cliff side location.

Second only to Mexico City in size, Guadalajara, capital of the state of Jalisco, has successfully conserved its unique mix of colonial and native Tapat?os influences. Famous for its broad avenues flanked by picturesque parks and fine old buildings notable for their European flair, Guadalajara is a hotbed of traditional Mexican culture, from the mariachi music that seems to emanate everywhere, to its fascinating Charreadas, a type of rodeo that is usually accompanied by festivities such as dancing, singing, and plenty of great food. It's a fun city to explore on foot due to the four large squares that together form the shape of a cross and comprise the old city center. The best of them, Plaza de Armas, is the perfect place to begin a tour and includes such notable buildings as the 17th-century Government Palace (Palacio de Gobierno) and the beautiful Baroque Guadalajara Cathedral (Catedral de Guadalajara), built between 1558 and 1616.

The capital of Yucat?n, M?rida is one of Mexico's finest old colonial cities and is perfectly located to serve as a base from which to explore the region's many fine Mayan sites, including Chich?n Itz? and Tulum. It's an equally popular day trip or overnight stopover from the resorts of the Mayan Riviera. Established in 1542 by the Spanish, M?rida is laid out on a grid pattern, making it easy to explore its numerous attractive parks and fine old buildings. The European influences are everywhere, particularly in the old city squares and plazas where evidence of French architecture can still be seen. It's also a remarkably neat and tidy city, something of a badge of honor for its citizens who like to dress in white, giving the city its long-standing nickname of Ciudad Blanca, the "white city."

Capital of the state of the same name, Oaxaca is one of the most popular city destinations for travelers interested in sampling a taste of the real Mexico. An interesting mix of native Indian and Spanish elements, the city has remained largely untouched by the kind of large developments that have sprung up in some of the country's other popular destinations, and as a consequence, it has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In addition to its unspoiled city center and old architecture, the city has become a cultural hub that draws crowds for its numerous events and festivals, including the spectacular Guelaguetza, an indigenous festival that takes place each July and includes traditional dancing, costumes, music, food, and crafts. The city also makes a great jumping off point to explore the splendid surrounding scenery, along with numerous ancient ruins such as those of the Monte Alban.