843 Best Sights in Mexico

Presa Corinches, a dam about 5 km (3 miles) south of town, has bass fishing, picnic spots (for cars and RVs), and a restaurant where locals go for fish feasts on holidays and weekend afternoons. To get to the dam, head east on Calle Juárez (a block south of the plaza) and follow the signs to the reservoir. Take a walk along the shore or set up a tent near the fringe of pine-oak forest coming down to meet the cool blue water, which is fine for swimming when the weather is warm.

If you want a pristine Caribbean-style strand, you’d better look elsewhere. The primary draw of Progreso's main beach is the distinctive little beach town and its proximity to Mérida, which often leaves the sand packed with tourists and locals alike during summer weekends and holidays. Water shoes are recommended since sharp, slippery rocks lurk below the surface, making this a poor spot for diving or snorkeling. The beach is void of shade, so your best bet is to find refuge in one of the eateries on the malecón that lines the shore. Several restaurant owners rent beach chairs by the hour, but beware: Progreso's peddlers are relentless and leave only once they receive a small tip. Despite its drawbacks, the water here offers a refreshing escape from the bustling city. Amenities: food and drink; toilets (restaurant patrons only). Best for: partiers; walking.

The Land Gate, where Old Campeche ends, is the only one of Campeche's four gates with its basic structure intact. The stone arch interrupts a stretch of the partially crenellated wall, 26 feet high and 10 feet thick, that once encircled the city. Walk the wall's full length to the Baluarte San Juan for excellent views of both the old and new cities. The staircase leads down to an old well, underground storage area, and dungeon. Thursday through Sunday at 8 pm, the gate is the site of a one-hour light show accompanied by music and dance.

Newcomers to Puerto Morelos might be disappointed by the blankets of seaweed and boats that dock ashore—after all, this place is more about snorkeling on the reef than sunning on the sand. Your best bet is to head for the stretch of beach two blocks north of the square in front of Ojo de Agua Hotel. Park on the town square or adjacent streets. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee). Best for: snorkeling; walking.

In 1956 local Susana Diaz Plascencia first created the fried lobster recipe that put Puerto Nuevo on the map. Today more than a dozen restaurants are packed into this little five-block village that's 19 km (12 miles) south of Rosarito. Nearly all of the restaurants offer the same menu, but the quality varies drastically; some establishments cook up live lobsters, while others swap in frozen critters. Though the fried version is the Puerto Nuevo classic, some restaurants also offer steamed or grilled lobsters. 

The town itself is dated, with waitstaff standing curbside to pressure tourists in passing cars to stop in for the day’s catch. Watch your step along steep and uneven sidewalks where gaping holes can easily ruin a vacation. Still it’s the best spot along the coast to try fresh lobster at a fair price. Expect a table-side serenade of mariachi music. If you want to explore a bit, souvenir stands throughout the village sell serapes, ponchos, sour tamarind candy, and other similar items.

Sheltered by an offshore reef, this secluded half-moon cove is Mexico's furthest eastern spot. Part of a longer beach that some locals call “Playa Bonita,” it has fine sand, clear water, turtle nests, and moderate waves. There used to be a popular restaurant and beach club here, but it's now abandoned. The road to get here has been neglected in the last few years, so not many people frequent this beautiful beach these days. Amenities: parking (no fee). Best for: sunrise; swimming; walking.

The closest beach to downtown Todos Santos, Punta Lobos is where fishermen launch their boats in the early morning. It's fascinating to watch them go out, as well as return in the afternoon, boats barreling onto the sand at high speed. You may see the occasional swimmer, but it generally isn't advised due to strong currents. Strolling along the sand and enjoying the scenery, however, is highly recommended. Punta Lobos, named after the sea lions native to the area, is also the starting point of some of the town's most beloved hikes. Amenities: parking (free). Best for: sunrise; walking.

One of Mexico’s most beautiful beaches has deep white sand that feels like powdered sugar and crystalline water that’s free of rocks. The small waves crashing onshore make it great for bodysurfing; 10 minutes off the coast of the Blue Diamond Resort, you'll find terrific diving, too. Hotels supply lounge chairs and offer activities like volleyball, yoga, and even remote-control boat racing for guests. Unfortunately, this beach can only be accessed by way of the security gate on Carretera 307 that leads to three area resorts. Unless you plan to visit by boat or stay at one of them, you’re probably out of luck. Amenities: food and drink; toilets (for resort guests only). Best for: walking.

The lighthouse at Cozumel's northernmost point is a solitary, beautiful sight. The rutted road to Punta Molas is accessible by four-wheel-drive vehicles, dirt bikes, and ATVs only, but the scenery is awe-inspiring no matter how far you're able to go. Some tour operators travel out this way when the oceans are calm, providing a photo op from the top of the lighthouse. If making the trip, the small military garrison based there always appreciates a few snacks and soft drinks if you have some to spare.

Surfers, kiteboarders, and boogie boarders have made Punta Morena beach and the restaurant of the same name one of their official hangouts—and for good reason: it has great waves and a restaurant serving surfer-friendly burgers, fries, and Mexican fare. If you are away from the main palapa, ask the waiter for a beverage-service flag, and settle your bill in pesos to avoid conversion costs. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (no fee); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: sunrise; surfing; swimming; walking.

This typical east-side beach is great for beachcombing but unsuitable for swimming due to the currents. It's nicknamed Playa Mezcalitos after the much-loved Mezcalito Café, which serves seafood and beer and has beachfront hammocks for an afternoon siesta. Señor Iguana's is the other restaurant option here. The "Naked Beach" sign here doesn't actually indicate the sector of sand where discreet nudity is tolerated. For that, walk north along the beach. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee); toilets. Best for: nudists (to the north); partiers; walking.

This 247-acre national preserve is a habitat for numerous birds and animals, including crocodiles, flamingos, egrets, and herons. At the park's (and Cozumel's) southernmost point stands the Faro de Celarain, a lighthouse that's now a museum of navigation. Climb the 134 steps to the top for the best view of the island. Spot birds from observation towers near Laguna Colombia or Laguna Chunchacab, or visit the ancient Mayan lighthouse El Caracol, which was designed to whistle when the wind blows in a certain direction. Beaches here are wide and deserted, and there's great snorkeling offshore; snorkeling equipment is available for rent, as are kayaks. Leave your car at the Faro and take a park shuttle or rental bike to either of the two beach bars. Admission price includes a pontoon-boat ride in the crocodile-infested lagoon. If you're coming by taxi, expect to pay about MX$400 for a round-trip ride from San Miguel.

This lofty redoubt, or stronghold, at the northwest end of town, is home to the Museo de Armas y Barcos. Displays in former soldiers' and watchmen's rooms focus on 18th-century weapons of siege and defense. You'll also see manuscripts, religious art, and ships in bottles. The view is terrific from the top of the ramparts, which were once used to spot invading ships.

Celestún is the point of entry to this 146,000-acre wildlife reserve with extensive mangrove forests and one of North America's largest flamingo colonies. Clouds of the pink birds soar above the estuary all year, but the best months for seeing them in abundance are November through March. This is also the fourth-largest wintering ground for ducks of the Gulf coastal region, and more than 365 other bird species make their home here, as do sea turtles. Mexican and American conservation programs protect the birds, as well as the endangered hawksbill and loggerhead marine tortoises, and species such as the blue crab and crocodile. Other endangered species that inhabit the area are the ocelot, the jaguar, and the spider monkey.

The park, which is set among rocks, islets, and white-sand beaches has several cenotes that are wonderful for swimming. The fishing is good here, too. Popular with Mexican vacationers, the park's sandy beach is pleasant during the morning but tends to get windy in the afternoon. And, unfortunately, mosquitoes gather in great numbers on the beach at dawn and dusk, particularly during winter months, making a walk on the beach uncomfortable. Area hotels generally drape their beds with mosquito netting, but bring along a good cream or spray to keep the bugs away.

Most Mérida tour operators run boat excursions of the ría (estuary) in the early morning or late afternoon, and it's not usually necessary to make a reservation in advance. Alternatively, you can hire a fishing boat at the entrance to town (they hang out under the bridge leading into Celestún). A 75-minute tour for up to six people costs about MX$1,200; a two-hour tour costs around MX$2,500. Although more expensive (MX$990 per person), local expert Alex specializes in ecotours and donates a portion of the proceeds to the Celestún Conservation Program (call Hotel Eco Paraíso to book).

This reserve which encompasses a long estuary, was developed with ecotourism in mind—although few of the crocodiles for which it and the village were named remain. The real spectacle is provided by birds. April through September, thousands of the bright pink, black-tipped flamingos—90% of the Western Hemisphere's entire flamingo population—come to here from their "summer homes" in Celestún, on the Yucatán's west coast, as well as from northern latitudes to mate, nest, and raise their chicks. The largest flock of bird-watching enthusiasts also descends on the reserve during this time.

Although the long-legged pink creatures are the most famous winged beasts found in Ría Lagartos, its red, white, black, and buttonwood mangrove swamps are also home to hundreds of other birds, including including snowy and red egrets, white ibis, great white herons, cormorants, pelicans, and peregrine falcons. Of the reserve's estimated 380 different species, one-third are winter-only residents. Twelve of the region's resident species are found nowhere else on Earth.

In addition, protected leatherback, hawksbill, and green turtles lay their eggs on the beaches at night. The fishing is good here, too. Mosquitoes can gather at dusk in unpleasantly large swarms in May, June, and July. Bring repellent to fend them off.

Large signs on the Zona Hotelera's lagoon side, roughly opposite Playa Delfines, point out the so-called Ruins of the King, though the noble who held court here may or may not have been a king. Although much smaller than famous archaeological sites like Tulum and Chichén Itzá, this site is nevertheless worth a visit.

First entered into Western chronicles in a 16th-century travelogue, El Rey's ruins weren't explored by archaeologists until 1910, and excavations didn't begin until 1954. In 1975, archaeologists began restoration work on the 47 structures with the help of the Mexican government. In 2006, workmen unearthed an ancient Maya skeleton on the outskirts of the park.

Dating from the 3rd to 2nd century BC, El Rey is notable for having two main plazas bounded by two streets. (Most other Maya cities contain only one plaza.) Originally named Kin Ich Ahau Bonil, Mayan for "king of the solar countenance," the site was linked to astronomical practices. The pyramid is topped by a platform, and inside its vault are paintings on stucco. Skeletons interred at the apex and at the base indicate the site may have been a royal burial ground.

It's no Chichén Itzá, but rising from the jungle, these temples make an impressive sight. Cozumel's largest remaining Maya and Toltec site, San Gervasio was the island's capital and ceremonial center, dedicated to the fertility goddess Ixchel. (As with most Maya sites in Mesoamerica, the original name has been lost to history.) The Classic- and Postclassic-style buildings and temples were continuously occupied from AD 300 to 1500. Typical architectural features include limestone plazas and arches atop stepped platforms, as well as stelae and bas-reliefs. Don't miss the temple Las Manitas, with red handprints all over its altar. Water and light snacks are available to purchase, and bug spray is recommended—and be sure to wear your walking shoes for this adventure. Plaques in Mayan, Spanish, and English clearly describe each structure, but it's worth hiring a guide to fully appreciate the site.

There's only one beach in San Pancho, aptly called Playa San Pancho. Roughly about a mile long, it has fine sand and clean blue water, but also a strong undertow and shorebreak that can be dangerous when the swell builds up. Swimming is fantastic when the sea is calm, but do be careful if the ocean is rough. You can rent surfboards and surf the break on the south side of the beach, which tends to get busy with locals when the waves are pumping. Amenities: food and drink; parking (free); toilets; water sports. Best for: sunset; surfing; swimming; walking.

Adjacent to Miramar Beach is the well-kept fishing village of Santa Cruz. Take a walk on the beach or around the town; buy a soft drink, find the bakery, and pick up some banana bread. Outdoor dances are occasionally held on the diminutive central plaza.

It rises like a postmodern Oz or perhaps (depending on your ideas about urbanization) a Bladerunner-esque dystopia, but regardless, the district of Santa Fe looks and feels entirely distinct from the rest of Mexico City. And if you're headed to this thicket of futuristic high-rises situated about 18 km (11 miles) from the city center, there's a high probability you're going for work-related reasons. Developed in the early 2000s atop a massive garbage landfill, Santa Fe was designed emphatically with cars in mind as more of an edge city than a proper neighborhood. It's home to some interesting examples of contemporary architecture, one of the most impressive shopping malls in Latin America (Centro Santa Fe), a massive convention center (Expo Santa Fe), a slew of major corporate offices, mostly upscale chain hotels (Westin, JW Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt House, and Camino Real among them), and high-end restaurants. Many of the latter are also major chains or outposts of other restaurants located elsewhere around the city. If business brings you here or you're simply curious to check out this thoroughly posh if rather antiseptic district, do make a point of visiting Parque La Mexicana, a beautifully designed 74-acre urban green space offering a playground, skate park, dog park, running and bicycling trails, and an outdoor terrace café. Santa Fe is also relatively close to Desierto de los Leones National Park, and it's a good stepping off point for venturing farther west to the city of Toluca. To get here, driving or taking an Uber is practically a requirement, as there's no metro service and getting here by bus is time-consuming and a bit complicated for tourists. In late 2023, the new Mexico City–Toluca commuter rail finally opened its first phase (four stations in the state of Mexico), but the three Mexico City stations are expected to open by mid- to late 2024. The line will provide easier and faster access, with a stop right in the center of Santa Fe.

Archaeologists believe there are around 100 structures at this site, although only 12 have been cleared. The most exciting find was the colossal Palacio in the western plaza. Inside, two inner staircases run the length of the structure, leading to different levels and ending in subterranean chambers. Such a combination was extremely rare in Maya temples. Also noteworthy is the Casa de la Boca del Serpiente (House of the Serpent's Mouth), with its perfectly preserved and integrated entrance: the mouth of the creator-god Itzamná stretches wide to reveal a perfectly proportioned inner chamber. Such zoomorphic features are typical of the Chenes architectural style (circa AD 100 to 1000).

If you're driving, you might want to make a stop at Santuario de Atotonilco, which is 10 minutes off the Dolores Hidalgo Highway. Named a World Heritage Site in 2008, the sanctuary was built by Father Felipe Neri de Alfaro in the 18th century. In 1810, Independence leader Padre Hidalgo and his troops stopped here to claim the banner of Our Lady of Guadalupe before their successful march on San Miguel. The church is completely covered in murals that have earned it the title "the Sistine Chapel of Mexico." It also houses a venerated statue of Our Lord at the Column, a bloodied Christ leaning over a pedestal, which has been credited with several miracles. There's often a smattering of stalls selling statues, rosaries, crowns of thorns, and other religious souvenirs, and you may see pilgrims wearing bridal veils (even the men) and flagellating themselves as they enter the grounds for a week's penitence and prayer.

The Santuario de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe hardly has a surface that isn't covered with some precious metal. Make sure to take a look at the dome, which is cleverly painted to look much taller than it actually is.

Sayil is best known for its setting in a narrow valley surrounded by rolling hills and its majestic Gran Palacio. Built on one of those hills, the three-story structure is adorned with decorations of animals and other figures, and contains more than 80 rooms. The structure recalls Palenque in its use of multiple planes, columned porticoes, and sober cornices. Also on the grounds is a stela in the shape of a phallus—an obvious symbol of fertility.

This is the main beach in town. Nowadays it's usually very busy; there are tons of restaurants and shops within walking distance, and the main surf break is right there, too, meaning it's full of surfers and surf schools. Amenities: food and drink; toilets; water sports. Best for: partiers; surfing; swimming.

Better that you encounter all the creatures that slip and slither here in the safety of Mexico’s largest serpentarium than out in the wilds of Baja. More than 100 species are on display in indoor and outdoor exhibits, including turtles, pythons, rattlesnakes, and a rather large iguana. A majority are rescued from precarious situations in the wild (like being abandoned at birth or seriously injured) and are either rehabilitated and released, or if not possible, continuously cared for. Labeling is entirely in Spanish, but the staff offers guided tours in English with advance notice. A gift shop sells reptile-theme souvenirs.

This was the first center for the Ashkenazi Jewish community that arrived in Mexico after fleeing eastern Europe in the first decades of the 20th century; the synagogue fell out of regular use just two decades after its founding in 1941, when the community starting moving out to more prosperous districts of the city. Restored in 2010, it's now once again a community center, open daily to the general public and hosting frequent cultural activities, from seminars to musical performances to lending studio space to local artists. Guided tours of the synagogue are available on the third Sunday of each month at 11:30 am (MP100) and tours of the surrounding neighborhood, where many Jewish migrants once lived, are offered the second Sunday of each month at 10 am (MP200). For guided tours outside those dates contact the synagogue directly by email ( [email protected]).

Singayta is a typical Nayarit village that is attempting to support itself through simple and ungimmicky ecotours. The basic tour includes a look around the town, where original adobe structures compete with more practical but less picturesque structures with corrugated tin roofs. Take a short guided hike through the surrounding jungle and a boat ride around the estuary ($6 per person). This is primo birding territory. The townspeople are most geared up for tours on weekends and during school holidays and vacations: Christmas, Easter, July, and August. The easiest way to book a tour is to look for English-speaking Juan Bananas, who sells banana bread from a shop called Tumba de Yako (look for the sign on the unmarked road Avenida H. Batallón between Calles Comonfort and Canalizo, en route to Playa Borrego). He can set up a visit and/or guide you there. Groups of five or more can call ahead to make a reservation with Juan ( 323/285–0462  [email protected]) or with Santos ( 323/100–4191); call at least a day ahead if you want to have a meal.