Daytrip’s guide to Mexico
Mexico is beloved for its diverse landscapes, ancient ruins, and rich culture.
Its history stretches back to powerful ancient empires like the Maya and Aztec, who left lasting contributions to mathematics, astronomy, and engineering. You can see evidence of these empires in the staggering pyramids and delicious cuisine across the country.
Later, Spanish colonization and missionaries destroyed Indigenous religions, imposed Catholicism, and overtook cities with European architecture. You’ll see this influence as you drive past elaborate baroque cathedrals towering over ancient ruins.
Mexico gained independence in 1821, and later, toppled a dictatorship in 1910. Today's art, folklore, and politics reflect the country’s efforts to build a unified multicultural identity.
With over 30 states, this massive country’s scenery varies widely, which means the road to destinations is often as impressive as the sites themselves. Discover the top regions and learn when and how to visit them with our expert guide.
Main airports
- Mexico City International Airport (MEX)
- Cancún International Airport (CUN)
- Oaxaca International Airport (OAX)
- Monterrey International Airport (MTY)
- Tulum International Airport (TQO)
- Los Cabos International Airport (SJD)
- Felipe Ángeles International Airport (Mexico City) (NLU)
- Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR)
- Mérida International Airport (MID)
Mexico in brief
Capital
Mexico City
Language
Spanish, plus 68 recognized Indigenous languages
Currency
Mexican peso (MXN)
Time zone
UTC-5 to UTC-8
Where to start in Mexico
Find your ideal destination in Mexico and plan your trip around our travelers’ favorite spots. Discover monumental ruins, pristine beaches, or energetic nightlife, and watch the scenery shift on the drive between destinations.
Find your ideal destination in Mexico and plan your trip around our travelers’ favorite spots. Discover monumental ruins, pristine beaches, or energetic nightlife, and watch the scenery shift on the drive between destinations.
When to go
Spring
Best overall. Enjoy mild, dry weather. Go after Easter for fewer crowds. Expect serious heat in Yucatán by May. Celebrate the equinox at Chichen Itza.
Summer
Best for budget travel. Go in June for fewer crowds. Snorkel and watch turtle nesting. Join Oaxaca’s Guelaguetza Festival in July.
Autumn
Best for cities. Early October is uncrowded. Hurricane season through November; book with flexibility. Celebrate the Day of the Dead in Oaxaca.
Winter
Best for beaches. Visit in early December before the holidays. Enjoy cool, dry weather. Watch whales migrate in Los Cabos.
Our picks: things to do in Mexico
Embrace adventure in Mexico. Trek through the jungle to ancient temples or munch on street tacos between art museums. Whatever adventure means to you, our favorite sites are the best place to start.
Embrace adventure in Mexico. Trek through the jungle to ancient temples or munch on street tacos between art museums. Whatever adventure means to you, our favorite sites are the best place to start.
Explore ancient wonders
Step back in time as you explore Mexico’s ancient heritage sites from great empires like the Aztec and Maya.
- See Chichen Itza (Yucatán), one of the New Seven Wonders of the World
- Explore the fortress walls of Tulum, perched on imposing cliffs
- Head to Teotihuacan, a famous colossal complex in the state of Mexico
- Visit Uxmal, a quieter Yucatán site, for its unique rounded pyramid
- Admire Monte Alban, former capital of the Zapotec empire, in Oaxaca
Relax on the beach
Swim in crystalline Caribbean waters, surf along the Pacific coast, or explore unique rocky bays in Baja California Sur.
- Boat to Playa Norte on Isla Mujeres for calm, shallow waters
- Lounge on the sand with a view of Maya ruins at Playa Ruinas in Tulum
- Snorkel with green sea turtles at Playa Akumal in Akumal
- Enjoy the relaxed surf culture of Sayulita in Nayarit
- Visit the idyllic Playa Balandra, a turquoise bay in La Paz
Cool off in cenotes
Explore the turquoise waters of Mexico’s cavernous natural sinkholes, once used as sacred Mayan ritual sites.
- Snorkel in the Two Eyes Cenote, two cavernous turquoise pools (Tulum)
- Walk the unique stone platform of Cenote Suytun, near Valladolid
- See the waterfalls of the Cenote Ik Kil near Chichen Itza
- Visit Tulum’s Gran Cenote for its shallow sandy pools and tunnels
- Watch cliff jumpers at Cenote Zaci, right in Valladolid
Admire the art
Soak up the diverse array of Mexican art, from ancestral folk pieces to vivid contemporary paintings.
- Visit the Museo Frida Kahlo, “Blue House,” in Coyoacán (Mexico City)
- See Diego Rivera murals in Mexico City at the Palacio de Bellas Artes
- Explore Mérida for intricate Yucatecan embroidery
- Stroll through Oaxaca City’s open-air pre-Hispanic art museum
- Admire the street murals of Jalatlaco neighborhood in Oaxaca de Juárez
- See Puebla City’s hand-painted Talavera ceramics
Savor local flavors
Revel in the bold flavors of authentic Mexican cuisine by eating like a local and trying regional specialties.
- Try Tlayudas (Oaxaca City), a crispy corn tortilla with local toppings
- Sample mole Poblano, a thick chile sauce served with poultry in Puebla
- Grab Tacos al Pastor, with marinated pork and pineapple (Mexico City)
- Eat Cochinita Pibil, Yucatán’s marinated, slow-roasted pig, in Mérida
- Sip on comforting Sopa de Lima, a zesty chicken soup
Appreciate Indigenous traditions
Learn about the rich Indigenous heritage that shapes Mexico.
- See the weaving of the Zapotec in Teotitlán del Valle (Oaxaca)
- Watch Totonac voladores spin from a pole in Playa del Carmen
- Shop for colorful Huichol beadwork and yarn paintings in Sayulita
- Visit Cuetzalan (Puebla) to see Indigenous backstrap loom weaving
- Glide past chinampas, pre-Hispanic farm islands, in Xochimilco
What to eat, drink, and order
Go beyond tacos and tequila to appreciate the diversity of Mexican cuisine. Taste regional differences shaped by climate, history, and foreign influences. Find seafood along the Pacific coast, complex sauces in central Mexico, and herbaceous Indigenous flavors in the south.
Go beyond tacos and tequila to appreciate the diversity of Mexican cuisine. Taste regional differences shaped by climate, history, and foreign influences. Find seafood along the Pacific coast, complex sauces in central Mexico, and herbaceous Indigenous flavors in the south.
Tikin Xic in Quintana Roo
Taste Tikin Xic, fish seasoned with achiote and orange, grilled in a banana leaf. Born locally, on Isla Mujeres.
Moles in Oaxaca
Try the complex sauces of Oaxaca, “Land of the Seven Moles.” Black Mole is most famous, with a sweet and smoky flavor.
Pescado Zarandeado in Nayarit
Bite into this flame-grilled whole butterflied fish, marinated in chile and citrus. Order on the beachfront in Sayulita.
Chocolate clams in Los Cabos
Order almejas chocolatas, named for their brown shells, usually eaten raw with lime. A Baja California Sur specialty.
Pulque in Mexico City
Sip on this thick fermented agave drink, a central Mexican specialty. Order Pulque Curado for fruit or nut flavoring.
Panuchos in Yucatán
Snack on fried tortillas stuffed with black beans, topped with chicken or turkey, and pickled red onion. Yucatán-born.
Getting around Mexico
Traveling around Mexico requires a little more planning than elsewhere. Public transport is available but limited outside major cities. First-class (“executive”) buses are typically safe and reliable in popular areas. Renting a car requires Mexican insurance, and travelers may face checkpoints (including illegal setups). Overall, a private transfer is the safest and most direct option. Enjoy door-to-door travel with a vetted local driver, space for luggage, and optional sightseeing stops.
Our recommended routes in Mexico
Tulum to Cancun
1h 36min • 124km (77.1mi)
From US$114
Playa del Carmen to Cancun
50min • 61km (37.9mi)
From US$68
San Miguel de Allende to Mexico City
3h 38min • 266km (165.3mi)
From US$252
Playa del Carmen to Tulum
51min • 65km (40.4mi)
From US$68
Puebla to Mexico City
2h 22min • 130km (80.8mi)
From US$151
Oaxaca de Juarez to Puerto Escondido
3h 7min • 195km (121.2mi)
From US$323
Tulum to Merida
3h 9min • 259km (160.9mi)
From US$270
Cabo San Lucas to La Paz
2h 1min • 157km (97.6mi)
From US$136
Sayulita to Puerto Vallarta
58min • 41km (25.5mi)
From US$70
Teotihuacan to Mexico City
1h 1min • 49km (30.4mi)
From US$57
Cancun Airport to Playa del Carmen
46min • 56km (34.8mi)
From US$68
Los Cabos International Airport to Cabo San Lucas
51min • 52km (32.3mi)
From US$95
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About the author
Morgan Carpenter is a US-based travel writer who’s visited 19 countries so far. She prioritizes culinary experiences and outdoor adventures at every destination.
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