Mexico is a diverse country with numerous captivating cities that offer unique cultural experiences, historical sites, natural beauty, and vibrant atmospheres.

Mexico City: As the capital and largest city of Mexico, Mexico City is a bustling metropolis known for its rich history, vibrant culture, and culinary scene. Visitors can explore attractions like the historic center (map) with the Zócalo, the ancient ruins of Teotihuacan (map), the Frida Kahlo Museum (map), and the impressive Chapultepec Park (map).

Cancún: Located on the northeastern coast of the Yucatán Peninsula, Cancún is renowned for its stunning white sand beaches and crystal-clear turquoise waters. It’s a popular destination for beach lovers and offers a vibrant nightlife, water activities, and access to nearby Mayan ruins such as Tulum and Chichén Itzá.

Playa del Carmen: Situated in the *Riviera Maya, *Playa del Carmen is known for its picturesque beaches, trendy atmosphere, and lively Fifth Avenue (Quinta Avenida) lined with shops, restaurants, and bars. It serves as a gateway to the stunning island of Cozumel and offers easy access to eco-parks like Xcaret and Xel-Há.

Guanajuato: Located in central Mexico, Guanajuato is a charming colonial city known for its colorful streets, stunning architecture, and rich cultural heritage. Visitors can explore its narrow alleys, visit the famous Juarez Theater, and discover the iconic Callejón del Beso (Alley of the Kiss).

Oaxaca City: Situated in the southern region of Mexico, Oaxaca City is renowned for its vibrant indigenous culture, delicious cuisine, and well-preserved colonial architecture. It’s home to stunning archaeological sites like Monte Albán (map), beautiful churches, and the famous *Guelaguetza festival showcasing traditional dances and costumes.

Baja California – provides some of Mexico’s most dramatic sea and landscapes. This includes everything from vast and remote deserts, dormant volcanoes, and wonderful old mission towns.

Northern Mexico – is a vast desert region bordering the United States of America. The north is sometimes referred to as “unknown Mexico” or “lost Mexico” because it is ignored by the vast majority of tourists.

Bajío – A rich silver-mining area in the 17th and 18th centuries, the Bajio saw an explosion of fabulous wealth for the time, and the cities there grew to be large and spectacular. They retain their amazing architecture and traditions, however, making them a joy to visit (*Guanajuato or *San Luis Potosí).

Central Mexico – always the political, cultural and economic center of the country. Also includes the awesome ruins of *Teotihuacan, the historic city of *Puebla and *Veracruz, one of the country’s most overlooked regions.

Pacific Coast – Tropical beaches on Mexico’s southern coast; *Jalisco (map) the birthplace of mariachi and Tequila; *Guadalajara (map), the nation’s second largest city; and the *Oaxacan highlands, famous for their distinct cuisine.

Yucatán and the South. The *Yucatán was the home of the Maya civilization before it was conquered by the Spanish Conquistadors in the 16th century. *Quintana Roo (map) – heavy tourist traffic is lured to the northeast of the state, notably by the infamous party city of Cancún, but also by the endless gorgeous Caribbean white sand beaches, some of the world’s greatest scuba diving, beautiful cenotes, and a few excellent Mayan sites.

Stay in populated areas, avoid poor neighborhoods, especially at night, and don’t walk there at any time if you are alone.

Some parts of Mexico are known for travelers’ diarrhea, often called “Montezuma’s Revenge” (Venganza de Moctezuma). The reason for this is not so much the spicy food but the contamination of the water supply in some of the poorer zones in Mexico.