A Guide to Mexico Travel With 12 Best Things to Do
Planning a trip to Mexico offers an incredible range of landscapes, rich cultural heritage, historic landmarks, and world-class food. From exploring ancient stone pyramids to relaxing on Caribbean beaches, there are endless things to do in Mexico for every type of traveller. This article helps you structure an unforgettable itinerary, this guide highlights top attractions, travel considerations, and practical connectivity tips for your journey.
Oct 15, 20265 min read
What Are the Absolute Things to Do in Mexico?
Whether you are seeking historic ruins, dramatic natural canyons, or vibrant local markets, here are 12 top things to do in Mexico.
1. Admire the Iconic Ancient Pyramids of Teotihuacán
Situated just outside Mexico City, Teotihuacán was once one of Mesoamerica’s greatest ancient cities. Visitors can walk along the Avenue of the Dead to marvel at the massive Pyramid of the Sun and Pyramid of the Moon. Walking through this grand complex offers a fascinating look into early pre-Columbian civilization.
2. Explore Mayan History at the Jungle Ruins of Palenque
Deep in the forests of Chiapas, Palenque features intricate Mayan temples rising above emerald jungle treetops. Visitors can explore the maze-like palace complex, observe detailed stone carvings, and view historic burial monuments like the Temple of the Inscriptions while listening to wildlife in the surrounding canopy.
3. Marvel at Chichén Itzá and its Towering El Castillo Pyramid
Located on the Yucatán Peninsula, Chichén Itzá is a world-renowned ancient Mayan site. The central pyramid, known as El Castillo (Temple of Kukulcán), stands as a masterpiece of ancient architecture and astronomy. The vast archaeological park also features the Great Ball Court, the Temple of the Warriors, and sacred stone monuments.
4. Plunge into the Crystal Clear Waters of Yucatan Cenotes
The Yucatán Peninsula is famous for thousands of cenotes, which are natural freshwater sinkholes formed in limestone rock. Swimming or snorkeling in these turquoise-hued caverns and open jungle pools offers a refreshing escape. Popular options include Parque Dos Ojos near Tulum as well as scenic pools around Valladolid.
5. Swim alongside Gentle Marine Giants in Isla Mujeres
Situated off the coast of Cancún, Isla Mujeres is famous for its soft white sand beaches, clear waters, and abundant marine life. During the summer months, travelers can take guided boat trips to snorkel alongside gentle whale sharks that visit the surrounding ocean waters.
6. Ride El Chepe Railway through the Dramatic Copper Canyon
The Ferrocarril Chihuahua Pacífico, known as El Chepe, offers a dramatic rail journey across northwestern Mexico. The train route traverses dozens of bridges and tunnels through the vast Copper Canyon region. Passengers can disembark at scenic stops like Divisadero to take in sweeping vistas over canyon drops that exceed the size of the Grand Canyon.
7. Marvel at the Towering Cliffs of Sumidero Canyon in Chiapas
Located near San Cristóbal de las Casas in Chiapas, Sumidero Canyon features sheer rock walls reaching thousands of feet above the Grijalva River. Guided boat tours along the river provide impressive views of towering rock formations, local waterfalls, and native wildlife such as crocodiles and spider monkeys.
8. Immerse Yourself in the Museums and Culinary Scene of Mexico City
Mexico City is a vast cultural hub packed with historic plazas, grand cathedrals, and world-class museums. Highlights include exploring the National Museum of Anthropology, visiting Chapultepec Castle, strolling through distinct neighborhoods like La Condesa, and sampling street food staples alongside fine dining.
9. Watch Artisans Craft Traditional Alebrijes in Oaxaca
The state of Oaxaca is renowned for its vibrant folk art and culinary traditions. In craft villages like San Martín Tilcajete near Oaxaca City, visitors can tour local artisan workshops to see skilled woodcarvers transform copal wood into intricately painted, fantastical animal sculptures known as alebrijes.
10. Wander through the Colorful Streets and Plazas of Guanajuato
Nestled in a narrow valley, Guanajuato is a World Heritage-listed city famous for its colonial architecture, pedestrian alleyways, and underground road tunnels. Travelers can spend hours exploring its colorful plazas, historic mansions, and lively evening street gatherings known as estudiantinas.
11. Relax on the Pristine White Sand Beaches of Tulum
Located along the Riviera Maya, Tulum combines coastal scenery with rich history. Visitors can relax on soft white sand beaches overlooking turquoise Caribbean waters or visit the historic Mayan ruins situated directly on a sea cliff overlooking the shore.
12. Tour Agave Fields and Taste Authentic Tequila in Tequila
Situated in the state of Jalisco, the town of Tequila is surrounded by vast fields of blue agave. Visitors can tour traditional haciendas and distilleries to learn how agave plants are harvested, cooked, fermented, and distilled to produce authentic Mexican tequila, complete with guided tastings.
What Should You Keep in Mind for Your Mexico Travel Itinerary?
Pacing and Distance: Mexico is a large country with diverse regions. It is best to focus on specific regions, such as central Mexico, Oaxaca and Chiapas, or the Yucatán Peninsula, rather than trying to cover the entire country in a single short visit.
Sun Protection and Environment: When visiting delicate natural sites like cenotes, chemical sunscreens and bug sprays are often restricted to protect fragile water ecosystems. Wearing a long-sleeve swim shirt or UV rash guard helps protect against the sun naturally.
Local Currency and Cash: While credit cards are widely accepted at hotels and higher-end establishments, carrying local cash in Mexican Pesos (MXN) is helpful for street food stalls, local markets, small shops, and tipping.
WonderConnect Keeps You Online While Exploring Mexico
Traveling between cities, checking translation apps, booking ride-hailing services, accessing digital maps, and staying in touch with family requires reliable cellular internet access. Traditional international roaming from home operators often carries high daily fees, while buying local physical SIM cards at airport kiosks can involve long wait times and language barriers.
Using an eSIM Mexico provides a simple and transparent alternative. WonderConnect offers digital travel data packages that allow you to connect to supported local Mexican networks the moment you land.
What Is an eSIM?: An eSIM is a digital SIM stored directly on compatible, carrier-unlocked devices, eliminating the need to physically swap tiny plastic cards.
Prepaid Data-Only Convenience: WonderConnect provides prepaid data plans designed specifically for travel. Because these plans are data-only, they do not include a local telephone number, voice calls, or traditional SMS text messages. This allows your physical home SIM to remain active for important bank verification texts while mobile data runs through local network lines.
Easy Pre-Trip Setup: You can buy eSIM plans online and complete the installation on home Wi-Fi before your flight. The plan’s validity countdown only starts once your smartphone connects to a supported local network at your destination.
Features and Top-Ups: WonderConnect plans support hotspot tethering to share connectivity with laptops or tablets, clear prepaid pricing with no surprise bills, and simple top-ups through the mobile app if you need extra data during your trip. Whether you need a local plan or a global eSIM for multi-region journeys, managing your connection digitally ensures a seamless travel experience.
Summary
From ancient archaeological sites and deep natural canyons to colorful colonial towns and pristine Caribbean beaches, Mexico offers an endless variety of memorable travel experiences. Preparing your regional itinerary in advance and securing a prepaid travel eSIM before departure ensures a stress-free, connected journey throughout your Mexican adventure.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do you need a visa to visit Mexico for tourism?Tourists from many countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, and European Union nations, do not require a visa for short tourist stays. Visitors from eligible countries receive an entry status upon arrival for stays up to 180 days, provided they hold a valid passport. Always check current entry regulations for your nationality prior to travel.
2. What is the best time of year to visit Mexico?The best time to visit most regions in Mexico is during the dry season, which runs from December to April. During these months, weather conditions are generally warm and pleasant with minimal rainfall. The summer and autumn months bring higher temperatures and increased rainfall, though coastal areas remain popular year-round.
3. How do you travel between cities in Mexico safely?For long distances between major regions, domestic flights are frequent and affordable. For regional travel, Mexico has an extensive network of modern, comfortable long-distance buses (such as Primera Plus or ADO). Within major cities like Mexico City, using registered ride-hailing applications like Uber provides a convenient and safe transportation option.
Written byWonderConnect co-founder and product designer creating travel solutions inspired by years of remote work around the world.
