last edited Dec 11, 2019
What to See in Mexico
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Mexico has around thirty sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list, making it one of the countries with the most. Reflecting the destination itself, the listed sites are highly varied. They include cities with remarkable colonial heritage (Morelia, Querétaro, Oaxaca, Puebla, Zacatecas, etc.), pre-Columbian sites—among which the best known are Chichen Itza, Teotihuacan, and Palenque—as well as natural areas like the Altar Desert and its dunes, the Sian Ka'an Reserve in the Yucatán, or the Gulf of California Islands.
By Region
Each region of Mexico is rich in sites and other places to discover:
Baja California
This is the narrow, very long peninsula extending from California, comprising the states of Baja California and Baja California Sur.
- What to See in Baja California: The main attractions in Baja California are nature-focused, including the islands of the Gulf of California, Bahía Concepción, and the Sierra de San Pedro Mártir. There are also various beach destinations, lively spots, and surf hubs (Cabo San Lucas, Mexicali, Tijuana, etc.).
Northern Region
This largely desert and less-visited area lies between the United States and the northern reaches of Mexico City or Guadalajara. It includes the states of Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, Nuevo León, Sinaloa, Sonora, and Tamaulipas.
- What to See in Northern Mexico: Beyond a few beautiful colonial cities (Álamos, El Fuerte), the region’s highlights center around Copper Canyon, which can be explored by tourist train on the Chihuahua al Pacífico, along with a few nature reserves and other sites, including the country’s tallest waterfalls.
Central Region
This is the most populated region, surrounding the capital and including the states of Aguascalientes, Colima, Guanajuato, Guerrero, Hidalgo, Jalisco, Michoacán, Morelos, Nayarit, Oaxaca, Puebla, San Luis Potosí, Querétaro, Tlaxcala, Veracruz, and Zacatecas.
- What to See in Central Mexico: With 22 of the country’s 35 UNESCO sites, the area around Mexico City is the richest in cultural and historical heritage, including pre-Columbian sites (notably the famous Teotihuacán). Additionally, there are natural sites (mountains, lakes, volcanoes), and above all, a Pacific coast renowned for its beach destinations (Acapulco, Puerto Vallarta, etc.).
Yucatán and Southern Mexico
This is the (tourist-heavy) region bordering Guatemala and Belize, comprising the states of Campeche, Chiapas, Tabasco, Quintana Roo, and Yucatán.
- What to See in the Yucatán and Southern Mexico: This is the most popular area for visitors, featuring Cancún and the Riviera Maya, as well as major pre-Columbian sites like Chichén Itzá, Uxmal, and the Ruta Puuc, along with natural spaces of interest along the coast or inland.