Is Mexico Worth Visiting? 7 Reasons to Travel
One of the most popular countries you can travel around in Latin America, Mexico has pretty much everything for everyone here.
Here we can find tropical Caribbean beaches, giant mountainous canyons in the north and beautiful jungle throughout. And that’s without mentioning the ancient Mayan pyramids and welcoming locals here either!
In this article we’ll list some of the best reasons to visit Mexico, as well as cover any other important information you’ll need to know.
Is Mexico worth visiting?
Our short answer: Whether you have just two weeks or four months available for your trip, Mexico is 100% worth the visit in our eyes.
Those after culture will find it in spades here, where we can eat our way through one of the best cuisines in the entire Americas continent.
Whilst Oaxaca is the de-facto food destination, it’s also worth trying regional specialties in other areas such as Veracruz, Chihuahua and of course Mexico City.
It’s also the perfect country to come and tick-off many travel bucket list items. Here we can visit the legendary temple of Chichén Itzá, go swimming with Whale Sharks, explore the depths of the Copper Canyon and even watch a local Lucha Libre fight!
Where is Mexico?
Mexico is located within the North American continent, with the USA bordering from the north as well as sharing borders with both Guatemala and Belize in the south.
Travellers can easily hop these borders when entering or exiting, and we’ll also find cheap flights here from many other Latin American countries (such as Costa Rica, Panama and Colombia).
The best time to visit Mexico is during the dry season, which begins in December and lasts until April. Rainfall will be at its lowest these days, and we can expect clear blue skies which are perfect for hiking, exploring towns or chilling-out on the beaches.
Is Mexico Safe?
Mexico used to be a safety concern decades ago, however now the situation is much better and as a result the majority of travellers are having their trips without any issues whatsoever.
This is especially true in very touristy places such as Playa del Carmen, Oaxaca City, Puebla City and areas of Mexico City (such as Roma and Condesa).
With other areas you’ll want to be cautious and take precautions where possible, such as leaving valuables back in your apartment.
To be honest, one of the biggest risks you’ll be facing when travelling in Mexico is getting ill from the food or drink. For this reason we recommend only drinking bottled water, and only eating in local restaurants/street food vendors that are popular with locals and other tourists.
Have you got travel insurance for Mexico?
7 Reasons to Visit Mexico
Are you still wondering if Mexico is really worth the visit? Here are 7 awesome reasons why you should explore this incredible Latin American nation.
1. Visit Mysterious Mayan Temples
Thriving as many as 2000 years ago, the Mayan civilization was one of the most formidable cultures to have ever existed along the Caribbean coast of Mexico.
Chichén Itzá is of course one of the most famous sites that simply must be visited when in the Riviera Maya, however there are definitely plenty of other interesting sites that are worth visiting.
This includes Kohunlich, Coba as well as Tulum Ruins which are easy day trips from Cancún, and also the ruins of Palenque in Chiapas which are surrounded by thick jungle vegetation.
2. Go Hiking Around The Copper Canyon
Mexico’s northern regions aren’t paid as much attention as those in the south, however one very good reason to come is to explore the giant arid canyons of the Copper Canyon in Chihuahua.
Here we can visit this expansive area which is actually two times deeper than the Grand Canyon, where we can board the El Chepe Train which rides right through this remote region. Divisadero and Barrancas are the best stops for incredible views and getting an adrenaline rush, whilst it’s also worth staying overnight in the town of Creel for local culture.
3. Eat Many Mouthwatering Dishes
The incredible cuisine of Mexico really needs no introduction, with most travellers already accustomed to Tacos al Pastor as well as Tamales and Burritos.
However there’s also many other incredible dishes worth trying in different regions. When in the food capital of Oaxaca you’ll want to try Tlayudas, which are a giant crispy tortilla full of meats, spices and extras.
Along both the coasts it’s also worth eating a fresh Ceviche, and especially when in cities like Mazatlán and Veracruz.
4. Relax On Postcard-Perfect Beaches
Any trip through Mexico deserves at least some time soaking up the sun and enjoying the beaches, and here we really are spoilt for choice.
Along the Caribbean coast there are both popular touristy towns like Playa del Carmen and Cozumel which have long sandy beaches, whilst we can also head further south to Mahahual for a more local experience.
On the Pacific coast we have Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Escondido and Mazatlán which all have incredible golden sands.
5. Explore The Highlights Of Mexico City
The Mexican capital is one of the very best places to come and explore within the country, home to dozens of incredible and unique attractions. Visiting the Aztec ruins of Teotihuacán is usually a highlight, which can be visited with an easy day trip from the city.
Those who love architecture will want to visit gems such as the Metropolitan Cathedral, Soumaya Museum as well as the Palacio de Bellas Artes. You can also go for a stroll in the giant Chapultepec Park, which is home to the ancient museum of National Anthropology.
6. Discover The Wonders Of The Huasteca Potosina
Whilst certainly getting more popular each year, the Huasteca Potosina region definitely feels much more off the beaten path than hotspots such as Playa del Carmen and Cabo San Lucas.
Here we can enjoy pristine waterfalls and giant sinkholes within the depths of the jungle, and also wander around the bizarre-yet-captivating Las Pozas gardens in Xilitla.
The region is located within the state of San Luis Potosí, and we recommend basing yourself within the small city of Ciudad Valles.
7. Enjoy The Diverse Landscapes Of The Oaxaca Region
If you’re looking for a bit of everything in your trip to Mexico, then visiting Oaxaca is a must. Within Oaxaca City we can enjoy incredible street foods whilst wandering around beautiful colonial complexes, and also head to the petrified waterfalls of Hierve el Agua.
Along the Pacific coast we can enjoy towns such as Mazunte and the gem of Puerto Escondido for the golden sand beaches, where we can also chill-out and try out some surfing.
Those who want to change things up can head up to the nearby mountainous town San José del Pacifico for some much needed peace and quiet.
Is Mexico worth visiting?
And that’s all for our guide on why you should visit Mexico.
From trying awesome street foods to ticking-off multiple bucket list items, Mexico is an incredible country that is worth visiting.
Even better is that in just a couple of months you can enjoy all kinds of highlights here, including picturesque Caribbean beaches, bustling cities, ancient ruins and more.
Be sure to read our Backpacking Mexico Itinerary for more ideas on how to plan your own route around this diverse Latin American nation.
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