Iconic Places to Visit in Mexico

Mexico stands out in many aspects.

From its food and drinking culture to its rich history and traditions, this country has been dubbed as a prime tourist destination by both the media and the public.

If you’re looking for a travel article that can help you sort out your Mexico travel bucket list, then you’re on the right page.

However, we won’t be talking about food and culture, instead, we’ll focus on the fascinating locations worth visiting in this Latin country. From pristine white sand beaches and magnificent cathedrals to famous pyramids and ancient ruins, below are the top places to visit in Mexico:

Famous Mayan Temples and Archaeological Sites

The first on our list are the iconic ancient temples that are considered to be among the oldest man-made structures on earth.

It’s surreal to see these buildings and realize that they now serve as evidence of a culture and civilization long gone. This is one of the main reasons why tourists from around the world choose to fly thousands of miles to explore this vast country.

The most famous ancient temples and ruins you can find in Mexico are:


  1. Chichén Itzå

This prehispanic city is one of the most well-known and best-preserved archaeological sites in the world. Here, you can find a complex of Mayan ruins scattered throughout ten square kilometers of land.

Among the most famous is the famed El Castillo pyramid found in the center of the site. It is believed that Mayans may have used this pyramid as a calendar that tells them the appropriate time to plant, harvest, and conduct ceremonies.

Chichén Itzå temple.
Chichén Itzå is the largest and most well-preserved Mayan ruin.

You can choose to visit Chichén Itzå during a day trip from Cancun, Mexico. It will take you approximately two hours to get from this coastal city to the site via bus or a rental vehicle. There are scheduled tours you can join and entrance tickets are available on site.


  1. Ek Balam

Just 56 kilometers northeast of ChichĂ©n ItzĂĄ is another famous archaeological site located in the Yucatan Peninsula. Here, you’ll find several temples, two magnificent palaces, and a giant pyramid called El Torre.

The most interesting feature of this ruin is the fact that people are allowed to climb the pyramid. It has a height of approximately 96 feet, so when you reach the top, you get rewarded with a great view of the peninsula.


  1. Palenque Ruins

A site located within a tropical jungle that paved the way for scientists to unlock ancient Mayan mysteries.

Perhaps the most important building in this archaeological zone is the Temple of Inscriptions, where explorers discovered preserved panels that documented the history of the site and its inhabitants.

Aside from the ancient ruins, visitors can explore the jungle trails, which lead to beautiful waterfalls, limestone cascades, caves, canyons, and lagoons.


  1. Calakmul

Known as “the city of two adjacent pyramids.”

On this site, you can find two adjacent-facing pyramids, one of which is 148 feet high and considered the largest pyramid in the Mayan world.

It’s an interesting site to visit because you are allowed to climb nearly everything. Also, the site doesn’t receive a lot of visitors since it’s located within a thick jungle.

You can explore the vast area without having to deal with other tourists or take pictures without getting photobombed.

Paradise-Like Beaches

Another aspect Mexico is famously known for is its long stretches of beautiful beaches and coastal resorts. Surrounded by four bodies of water — the Pacific Ocean, Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and Sea of Cortez — Mexico has no shortage of paradise-like beach locations.

Below are our top five recommendations for beach destinations:

Panoramic view of Cancun, Mexico.
Cancun's beautiful beaches are some of the most popular tourist destinations in Mexico.
  1. Isla Mujeres

In English, the name translates to “island of women.” This idyllic paradise is located in the Caribbean Sea, 13 kilometers off the coast of Cancun.

It has a quieter and more relaxing ambiance compared to beaches in the bay regions of Mexico, which is why it’s on the top of our list of beach paradises to visit in the country.

Three of the most beautiful beach resorts found in this area are Playa Norte, Playa Indios Beach Club, and Playa Centro. You can enjoy aquatic activities such as diving, snorkeling, kayaking, and surfing.


  1. Cancun

If you enjoy a more crowded beach location where you can mingle and interact with fellow beachgoers, then the beaches of Cancun are the place to be.

The area is packed with amazing beach resorts, bars, night clubs, shops, restaurants, and high-rise hotels fronting the Caribbean Sea.

Visit these amazing beaches in Cancun: Playa Delfines, Costa Mujeres, Playa Norte, Playa Chac Mool, Playa Paraiso, and Playa Akumal.


  1. Puerto Vallarta

Located in Mexico’s Pacific Coastline is this stunning resort town. Visitors come here for the sandy beaches, mesmerizing sunsets, spectacular mountain views, and many other natural and cultural delights.

Some of the best beaches to chill in Puerto Vallarta are located in the Banderas Bay: Playa Camarones, Playa Los Muertos, and Playa Las Gemelas.


  1. Playa del Carmen

Another coastal resort town. Found on the Caribbean shoreline, this paradise is located along the Yucatan Peninsula’s Riviera Maya strip.

It’s known for its palm-lined beaches and diverse marine life. You can find shops, restaurants, bars, and night clubs just parallel to the beach waters.

The top 5 beaches you can find in Playa del Carmen are as follows: Parque Fundadores, Calle 10 Beach, Mamitas Beach, Playacar Beach, and Coco Reef.

Architectural Wonders

Mexico has its fair share of fascinating buildings that’s able to capture people’s attention and curiosity. Whether modern in design or ancient in inspiration, below are some iconic structures you can find in this Latin country:


  1. Palacio de Bellas Artes

One of the famous tourist attractions in Mexico is the Palace of Fine Arts that draws architectural inspiration from Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles.

Palace of Fine Arts Mexico.
Schedule a day trip to one of the grandest buildings in Mexico, the Palace of Fine Arts.

This grand building is used as a prominent cultural center and is considered an important performance space. Inside, you can find a large theater, a concert hall, an art museum, and halls filled with paintings.


  1. Metropolitan Cathedral

The oldest and largest church in Mexico. One interesting fact about this structure is that it was constructed using stone from ancient Aztec ruins. The supposed style is inspired by Gothic, Baroque, and Neoclassical architecture.


  1. Museo Soumaya

It’s an oddly-shaped museum that houses over 60,000 pieces of art. Designed by Mexican architect Fernando Romero, the building’s architecture is inspired by eclectic modernism and has been described as a free-style structure. Many call it the “flashiest museum” in the world because of its unique facade.

There are numerous beautiful must-see destinations to mention in this Latin country. Hopefully, this list will help you narrow down which ones are most worthy to visit.

Plan a Trip to Mexico

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