Things to Do in Mexico

Beaches and Resorts

Mexico is home to magnificent beaches and numerous resorts, more or less crowded, scattered along its coastline. Touristically, three regions attract the most visitors, but that doesn’t mean you won’t find other pleasant and quieter spots elsewhere.

The Riviera Maya is a highly touristy coastal area, packed with all-inclusive resorts, stretching about 130 km south of Cancun. It’s renowned for its beaches, diving, and other water activities. While the clientele is mostly North American around Cancun, the southern part is particularly popular with Europeans.

Much further north, the Costa Esmeralda is a stretch of beaches between Veracruz and Tampico, frequented mainly by locals.

On the Pacific side, the Baja California offers a good balance of beaches, resorts, and relatively untouched wild nature, especially in its southern tip. Elsewhere along Mexico’s Pacific coast, there are multiple tourist zones catering to different crowds—whether vacationers seeking relaxation, party-goers, or surfers of all levels. Among the most popular spots, from north to south: Mazatlan, the Riviera Nayarit, Puerto Vallarta, Manzanillo, Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, Acapulco, Puerto Escondido, Huatulco and its all-inclusive resorts in the Oaxaca region, or Boca del Cielo, the last resort before Guatemala. In short, plenty of options, with a predominantly North American clientele.

Diving

With its two coastlines and thousands of kilometers of shoreline, Mexico offers a wide range of diving and snorkeling opportunities for both beginners and experienced divers.

On the Caribbean side, the Yucatán Peninsula stands out, with the island of Cozumel as a highlight. This spot is a marine national park and part of the world’s second-largest coral reef. Many other sites in the region are also worth exploring, including the areas around Cancun and the Riviera Maya, Isla Mujeres, the island Holbox for swimming with whale sharks, or the coast of Campeche with its wreck-diving possibilities. The Yucatán is also home to the famous "cenotes"—vast natural sinkholes that can reach dozens of meters deep and sometimes allow for diving.

On the Pacific coast, opportunities are more spread out but still exist, starting in Baja California (Cabo San Lucas, La Paz...). Further south, you’ll find various sites or resorts ideal for diving, like Manzanillo.

Surfing

The best spots are on the Pacific coast, whether in Baja California, Puerto Escondido, or the Riviera Nayarit. A wide selection for beginners and especially seasoned surfers.

Deep-Sea Fishing

With a North American clientele passionate about fishing, the activity is well-developed on both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts. On the west coast, top spots include Baja California and the Puerto Vallarta area, while on the east coast, the Yucatán between Cancun and the Belize border is the place to go. In either case, big catches are usually guaranteed year-round.

Thalassotherapy and Wellness

In resort areas, major hotel complexes (and even specialized clinics) typically offer a range of body treatments and wellness programs open to both guests and external visitors.

Hiking

Hiking

Though not the first activity that comes to mind in Mexico, there are still several places, in varied settings, where you can hike for a few hours or days.

Examples include the Toluca volcano, near the capital, where you can drive up to the crater (at 4,000 meters) before starting a hike; the vast Copper Canyon (Chihuahua State), where trails wind between ridges and villages; or the San Cristobal de las Casas region in Chiapas for jungle treks. Not to mention the incredible Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, where between November and March, you can hike through the forest to see millions of monarch butterflies that have made it their home.

Cycling

In Mexico, there’s urban cycling for city rides, like in the capital, and then there’s mountain biking. The latter is especially popular in Oaxaca, known for its great MTB spots.

For more traditional cycle touring, you can ride part of Baja California down to Cabo San Lucas, circle the island of Cozumel (near Cancun), or explore around the beach resorts in the same region.

Horseback Riding

Beyond beach rides offered at some resorts, horseback riding as an activity is primarily found around San Miguel de Allende, known for it. There, you can take real horseback excursions through canyons, along rivers, and on trails, even experiencing ranch life.

Other Activities

Golf

Though not originally a major activity in Mexico, the country has adapted to its North American tourist clientele, who are keen on the sport. As a result, courses are mainly—if not almost exclusively—found in popular seaside areas, such as the southern part of Baja California, near Puerto Vallarta on the Pacific, or around Cancun and the Riviera Maya on the Caribbean.

Whitewater Sports

In this category, rafting is the main activity, with rapids of all levels available in different parts of the country. The small village of Jalcomulco, in Veracruz, is even considered the capital of the sport in Mexico, offering a wide selection of rivers. Other good spots include the San Luis Potosí region and Chiapas.

Cultural Life and Activities

Mexico is a land of culture, blending pre-Columbian civilizations, traces of Spanish colonial history, and the unique aspects of modern Mexican society.

In short, with its museums, Mayan and other archaeological sites, architectural heritage, and traditional festivals, Mexico has everything to delight cultural travelers. What’s more, it’s one of the countries with the most UNESCO World Heritage sites. However, the Central and Yucatán regions offer the most points of interest in this regard.

Nightlife and Going Out

Finding lively spots and nightlife in Mexico isn’t difficult, not to mention the many festivals that regularly punctuate Mexican life. In short, whether in the capital, cities, or tourist zones, you’ll be spoiled for choice—whatever your taste, style, or budget.