Best Cities in Mexico to Visit in 2024

In 2020, Mexico had approximately 24 million international tourists visiting the country. The country has much to offer tourists; the weather is warm, the beaches are gorgeous, and the food is excellent.

Something else would-be visitors may not consider is the cities. Mexico probably invokes visions of jungles and colonial-era churches, but the cities are some of the best places to experience Mexican culture.

Luckily, our handy guide to the best cities in Mexico will provide further information on these top vacation spots.

Below are the best places in Mexico to visit while in the country. You don't have to miss out due to lack of information. Check out this informative guide to learn more!

Los Cabos, Baja California Sur

The Los Cabos area is located in Baja California Sur, a Mexican state bordered by Baja California by the north and the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of California to the west and east, respectively.

Los Cabos tops our list of places to visit in Mexico as a two-for-one special. The Los Cabos area is not one city but comprises Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo via the Tourist Corridor.

There is plenty to do in Los Cabos, like touring the Cabo countryside via the Camel Outback Adventure.

The tour is approximately three hours long and includes camel riding down the Baja peninsula beaches, tequila tasting, and a traditional Mexican buffet lunch.

There is also outdoor ziplining, whale watching on a catamaran, and a luxury sunset sailing adventure.

If you prefer a less exciting outing, visit San Jose del Cabo’s guided Food and Taco with Market Visit or El Arco to see the sea lions.

La Paz, Baja California Sur

La Paz is the capital city of Baja California Sur and is known for its laid-back vibe. Perhaps the best thing about La Paz is its massive ocean biodiversity and beaches.

This capital city has various activities involving getting close to the ocean wildlife and touring the beaches.

The Adventure to Espiritu Santo Island tour enables you to snorkel amongst sea lions in their habitat (except June, July, and August). The expedition is an educational experience and teaches about:

• Indigenous settlers
• The citizens' current lifestyles
• Espritu Santos' flora and fauna

You can swim with whale and hammerhead sharks as well. The City Tour & Beaches offers a full-day trip through the capital city.

Your tour begins in the north with Balandra and Tecolote beaches, where they will serve lunch. Next, the tour group will walk the city by the seafront to an artisan workshop and the La Paz historic area.

Mexico City

No list of the best cities in Mexico would be complete without Mexico City. This city existed as far back as the birth of Mexico. Back then, it was Tenochtitlan, the capital of the Aztec Empire.

If ancient beginnings interest you, consider visiting the Cuicuilco Archeological Zone. You can get an up-close view of a 3,000-year-old pyramid and visit the museum.

You can stop by Zona Arqueologica Tenayuca, a pre-Columbian Mesoamerican archeological site. It consists of two locations within walking distance of each other where you can view and photograph the ruins.

Visitors can also tour 1,200+ art galleries to sate their desire for Mexican culture. Mexico City’s food is another reason to visit.

Tourists have their pick of seafood, classic tacos, and street food, to name a few. Many of the restaurants are internationally celebrated.

The city has some of Mexico’s freshest seafood and is home to La Nueva Viga Market, the world's second-largest seafood market after the Tsukiji Market in Tokyo, Japan.

Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco

Puerto Vallarta, or Vallarta, is on the Pacific Coast of Mexico within the Sierra Madre Mountains. Two big draws to Puerto Vallarta are the homey small-town feel and the beaches.

Vallarta is famous for its watersports, like kite surfing and deep-sea fishing. It is also one of the most popular places in Mexico among animal lovers because it is easy to view dolphins, manta rays, and humpback whales.

The Marietas Islands Snorkel and Hidden Beach Tour is one way to get close to these animals. Eco Explorer, the company hosting the tour, boasts a large fleet of boats with permits.

The higher percentage of permitted boats increases your odds of visiting the hidden beach and swimming with the whales and manta rays.

Cancun, Quintana Roo

You might have expected Cancun to be on a list of Mexican cities to visit. Cancun is one of tourists' first stops when visiting the country. Unlike most Mexican cities, Cancun was deliberately built for tourism.

As a result, Cancun itself does not contain much old Mexican culture, but there are plenty of things to do.

To learn about ancient history on the Yucatan Peninsula, you can take the Chichen Itza, Cenote, and Valladolid All-Inclusive Tour.

Your tour begins at Cancun or the Riviera Maya and allows you to explore the Maya ruins and the colonial city, topped off with a swim inside the cenote. The tour also includes a lunch buffet.

You can swim with whale sharks on a snorkeling tour. Joining this small tour group allows you to see dolphins, turtles, and manta rays alongside a marine biologist guide on the way to the dive site.

Choose Among the Best Cities In Mexico

There is no correct answer to the question of the best cities in Mexico to visit. You must ask yourself what you're looking for in Mexican cities.

Mexico City is a fantastic choice if you want culture, but La Paz and Puerto Vallarta are excellent spots for animal lovers. You decide what you want when choosing places to visit in Mexico.

We cannot pick your vacation destination. But we can help with travel arrangements. Contact us for more information about our private airport-to-resort transport services!