With such rich cultural traditions, a fascinating history and a varied landscape of spectacular beauty, Mexico offers something for everyone. From vast canyons and ancient jungle-clad ruins to cosmopolitan cities and colonial-era towns frozen in time, check out our round-up of the 10 places in Mexico not to be missed.

DK Mexico

View Book

Once believed to be sacred entrances to the underworld, the cenotes are natural pools around the Yucatán Peninsula formed by the collapse of cavern roofs. These turquoise wells, curtained by dangling vines, dappled by brilliant sunlight and fed by crashing waterfalls, make for unimaginably scenic swimming spots. Thanks to their crystal-clear waters, many of the cenotes even provide great opportunities for cave diving.

Visitors are spoilt for choice since thousands of these pools pockmark the peninsula. Some of the most famous are the Sacred Cenote which has long been said to have been a place of human sacrifice, the awe-inspiring limestone cathedral of Cenote Dzitnup and the Gran Cenote which is great for snorkeling.

Founded in 1542, the capital of Yucatán is one of the great cities of Latin America. In the early 1900s, Mérida was said to have had more millionaires per capita than anywhere else in the world, due to the booming sisal industry. This prosperity resulted in grand mansions, municipal buildings, squares, and parks, making the city an architectural treasure trove. Today, Mérida is a thriving business and cultural hub.

Housed in an eye-catching modern building, the Maya World Museum of Mérida is an excellent place to visit before heading out to explore the Yucatán’s Maya sites. It provides an insight into the architecture, religious beliefs, scientific achievements, and everyday life of this fascinating ancient civilisation.

The best preserved Maya site on the Yucatán Peninsula, the awe-inspiring ruins of Chichén Itzá were voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007. The date of the first settlement in the southern part of the site is not certain, but the northern section was built during a renaissance in the 11th century AD.

The highlight is the El Castillo (The Castle), a pyramid built around 800 AD. It has a perfect astronomical design: four staircases face the cardinal points, various features correspond with aspects of the Maya calendar, and, twice yearly at sunrise, a fascinating optical illusion occurs on the north staircase.

The rugged mountains of the Sierra Tarahumara con­tain a system of mesmerizing canyons collectively known as the Copper Canyon. Riding the Copper Canyon railway, you’ll be transported from sweat-soaked plains to cool pine­-blanketed mountains. Hidden within the valleys are bubbling cascades, historic missions, and villages that haven’t changed in decades.

The Copper Canyon is famously the home of the Rarámuri (also called the Tarahumara). The name Rarámuri means “runners”, and the culture is known for its traditional sport of rarajipari, which involves teams of runners kicking a wooden ball for huge distances across rugged mountain slopes. Matches can sometimes last for several days.

Climbing out of a rugged ravine, Guanajuato is one of Mexico’s most beautiful colonial-era cities. Its illustrious past as a rich and influential mining city is easily visible in the incredible buildings found along the maze of streets and alleys in the historic center.

For an awe-inspiring view of the city, take the funicular from behind Teatro Juárez up to the Monumento al Pípila, a statue honoring a local independence hero. The view is especially magical at sunset. If you prefer to take your view with a cocktail, head to stylish rooftop bar One Bar & Lounge.

Mexico is the world’s leading producer in silver, thanks in large part to Zacatecas. The town was founded in 1546, shortly after the discovery of metal deposits in the area, and overflows with lavish Spanish Colonial architecture. Baroque limestone buildings and elegant streets fill a narrow valley between steep, arid hills. The view is best appreciated from above, so glide over the red-roof tops by cable car.

On the ground, there is a magnificent cathedral, grand mansions, and a cache of fine art museums to be explored. A lively market, fine restaurants, and good hiking opportunities only add to the town's appeal. If you're looking for souvenirs, the best place to buy silver lies within the Centro Platero de Zacatecas, a former hacienda where students and graduates of the on-site silversmith school create original silverwork designs.

The idyllic Lake Pátzcuaro is surrounded by rolling hills, pine-forests and architectural gems. A good place to start is the town of Pátzcuaro on the southern shore of the Lake. From here you can take tours to the islands, including Isla Janitzio with its Morelos monument.

A driving tour of the winding road around the lake offers spectacular vistas and rare glimpses of Purépechan (Tarascan) village life. The village of Tocuaro is famous for its prize-winning wooden masks which can be bought at a number of unmarked workshops.

Founded in 1531, Puebla is full of history and fantastic architecture but it is also a great place for foodies and those looking for the vibrant buzz of a cosmopolitan city. A quick cable car ride offers stunning views over Puebla and the volcanoes beyond, as well as a chance to admire the largest urban mural in the world.

Other highlights include the second largest cathedral in Mexico, Catedral de Puebla, built in a mix of Renaissance and Baroque styles, as well as a network of tunnels thought to have been constructed up to 500 years ago. Only discovered in 2015, the tunnels run below the centre of the city.

Palenque is everything that an archaeological site should be: mysterious, solemn, well preserved, and imposing in its beautiful jungle setting. The Maya first settled here as early as 100 BC, and the city reached its apogee between AD 600 and 800, when it served as a regional capital. It fell into decline in the early 10th century and was abandoned to the ever encroaching jungle.

Hundreds of ruined buildings are spaced out over a huge area, but only a fairly small central area has been excavated, which has uncovered some ruins emblazoned with fine sculptures and splendid stucco work.

Food is the number one reason to visit Oaxaca, Mexico's undisputed culinary captial. Try regional specialities like mole, a traditional marinade and sauce dish that comes in many varieties and flavors, and wash them down with mezcal or a cup of locally roasted coffee straight from the mountains.

Oaxaca is also a city that invites aimless wandering, its blossom-filled streets and cobbled alleys lined with colonial-era architecture, craft stores, galleries and vibrant markets.

The best things to do in Oaxaca

Cool and cultural, Oaxaca rivals the best of Latin America’s cities. With its blend of elegant colonial-era architecture, a vibrant indigenous culture, and one of the richest culinary scenes in Mexico, it’s easy to fall in love with this colorful city.

Read now >>