Best Things to do in Mexico (Bucket List)

palenque mexico

There are hundreds, if not thousands of great things to do in Mexico!

Of course, we cannot cover all these as much as we would love to.

From our own experience traveling around this beautiful country, we’ll explore 15 destinations below that are some of the most memorable.

Who knows, they may just make their way into your itinerary too!

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Things to do in Mexico

Be sure to read our Mexico budget travel guide for more tips before traveling here.

mazatlan mexico

El Malecón de Mazatlán, Sinaloa

One of the longest promenades in the world, El Malecón in Mazatlán spans a very impressive 21km.

We had to list it here, as it is also home to some of the most beautiful sunsets in the entire country! One of the best things to do in Mazatlán is to find a seat at one of the small beachside bars (or on the rocks next to the sea), kickback and relax.

There are tonnes of local vendors along the route selling very cheap appetizers and meals, such as corn and tacos.

Due to the sheer length, if you venture far enough, you’ll find some idyllic, quiet beaches where you can kick back and relax.

If you keep heading towards the South, you’ll come across El Faro (lighthouse), which has some superb views at the top.

Getting to Mazatlán is easy, especially as the city’s airport has frequent, daily flights arriving from Cabo San Lucas and Mexico City.

If you’re in nearby Puerto Vallarta, you can jump on a night bus and be here by early morning.

Food lovers will especially want to head on this tour, where you’ll explore the nearby Pino Suárez Market trying many Mexican staples and signature dishes from the region.

tequila mexico

Tequila, Jalisco

Famous for being the birthplace of Tequila, this town is one of our top picks for both an authentic experience as well as for seeing more of the old, colonial Mexico.

The town of Tequila itself is a fantastic site to visit, with lots of cobblestone-laden streets, cute colonial architecture, and some really impressive murals to check out.

For us, it easily tops as one of the best photo op destinations in Central Mexico!

The absolute must to do here is to visit some of the Tequila distilleries, such as the José Cuervo Express.

You’ll get through quite a hefty amount of the filth, visit the agave farms and meet some of the local jimadores (agave farmers).

Just make sure you get back on the train otherwise you’ll have to get comfortable out in the bushes…

You can easily drive or take a bus to Tequila from Guadalajara, which takes roughly 1-2.5 hours. We would definitely recommend spending a whole day here, both for the tequila express and also for exploring the colonial town, such as the José Cuervo Express, where you’ll visit the infamous factory, along with the blue agave fields and the town of Tequila itself.

copper canyon

The Copper Canyon, Chihuahua

One of the most awe-inspiring natural spectacles is the Copper Canyon located up in the northern state of Chihuahua.

The mountain range is three times bigger than the Grand Canyon, and in some places even deeper than the USA-certified bucket list hotspot.

The best way to experience this gem is by hopping on-board the Copper Canyon Express, known as El Chepe.

Starting from either Los Mochis or Chihuahua City, you’ll have several stops along the way to check out the impressive views, get intertwined with the indigenous Rarámuri community and see other gems we’ve covered here.

If none of that sounds enough? Jump on the Zipline at Divisadero – which is one of the longest in the world! We highly recommend this Full-Day Tour, where you’ll visit some of the very best views over The Copper Canyon, as well as being able to ride down the infamous Zipline.

It’s best to use The Copper Canyon Express to explore the region, although you can drive if you really want.

The two starting points are in Los Mochis (Sinaloa) and Chihuahua City, with the latter easier to access with regional flights.

palenque mexico

Palenque Ruins, Chiapas

Now we delve into the mysterious Pre-Hispanic pyramids that seduce the thousands of visitors who come to see them.

Most people will only ever visit the ruins of Teotihuacan and Tulum whilst in Mexico. This is a shame.

Whilst these are impressive, the ruins of Palenque in our opinion are a step above. Not only will you see the striking pyramids, you’ll also be in the middle of the jungle.

With howler monkeys shrieking and colorful birds flying overhead – you’ll really feel like you are stepping back into a time where the Mayans and Aztecs ruled the lands.

If staying in a hostel, ask around as there are lots of early morning tours where you can explore the site before the crowds arrive.

During the tour, you’ll also venture through the jungle which will still be teeming with life, especially with the loud roars from the howler monkeys. If you’re lucky, you may even see a Jaguar.

Palenque is well connected with its bus system, where you’ll most likely come in from the Riviera Maya or San Cristóbal de las Casas.

The ruins are located in the archaeological zone, so it’s best to try and find accommodation here to make exploring much easier.

tolantongo mexico

Tolantongo, Hidalgo

Hidalgo itself receives very little in terms of international tourism, especially when compared to the states of Oaxaca and Quintana Roo. However, it’s only an hour bus ride from Mexico City, so accessing the state is very easy.

So why should you visit? Tolantongo is made up of dozens of cascading thermal pools, and is a paradise where you can lie back, enjoy the warm water, and take in the surrounding imposing canyons and nature.

There’s also lots of nice restaurants and amenities nearby so you can easily spend the whole day here. Whilst most backpacking itineraries involve a lot of moving around, here’s your opportunity to treat yourself!

Tolantongo is quite remote. Although you can make it a day trip from Pachuca, its best to stay in the nearby city of Ixmiquilpan, and then taking a shuttle over to the site before the hordes of tourists arrive on the buses. Read how to get to Tolantongo for more guidence.

Quick note – those who don’t like heights may want to close their eyes, as you’ll be zigzagging down the canyon to reach this beauty!

teotihuacan mexico

Teotihuacán, D.F

It’s impossible to miss this out on our list, with this famous archaeological zone being one of the most visited destinations in Mexico.

The ancient Mesoamerican city at its peak had a population of around 125,000, which made it the sixth largest city in the world during its time.

Teotihuacán is amazing to visit, with lots of different pyramids to discover, as well as the infamous imposing Pyramid of the Sun.

Getting to this gem is very easy. Mexico City is the best place to start from, which has tonnes of international and domestic flights daily.

You’ll first want to head up to the North bus terminal and buy a ticket from the counters designated specifically for Teotihuacán. The bus ride takes around 2 hours.

Those who want an unforgettable experience can head on a Hot Air Balloon Ride over these ancient pyramids, where you’ll also have a buffet breakfast included too!

puebla city mexico

Puebla City, Puebla

Not many cities by themselves make it onto a bucket list; however Puebla is one of those top-class ones that rightfully deserves its place.

You could easily spend a few weeks here, with its much safer and vibrant lifestyle appealing to lots who visit.

One of the top things to do in the city is a visit to the illustrious Capilla del Rosario, a church with stunning murals inside.

The Santo Domingo Church and Zócalo are also great to explore, with the latter full of life and daily going-ons.

You can also use Puebla as a base to explore nearby, such as the ruins of Cholula and the nearby destinations of Atlixco and the Popocatepetl Volcano.

Puebla is extremely well-connected with its airport and can be reached by bus from Mexico City within two hours.

If you’re in nearby Mexico City, consider jumping on this day tour where you’ll explore the historic centre of Puebla as well as the Pyramids of Cholula

sumidero canyon mexico

Sumidero Canyon, Chiapas

These giant vertical canyons are one of top highlights to visit whilst in the Southern regions of Mexico.

With walls as high as 1000 metres, the only thing that tops the sheer size of this gem is the surrounding nature. With the Grijalva river running through the middle, you can take a boat ride through and explore the area.

There are tonnes of wildlife here to spot, such as crocodiles, birds, and monkeys.

To visit this gem, you’ll first want to head to San Cristóbal de las Casas, which is located in the heart of Chiapas and then join this tour which includes all transportation as well as the boat ride through the canyons

There are no airports here, so you’ll either fly into nearby Tuxtla Gutiérrez or take a bus from the neighbouring regions.

orizaba mexico

Orizaba, Veracruz

Another less visited gem, Orizaba makes our coveted list for a few different reasons.

Of course, it’s the closest city to the Pico de Orizaba, which is the tallest volcano in Mexico.

For those looking for the best views of El Pico, then you can take the teleférico up to Cerro del Borrego where you’ll be able to see the peak on a good day.

It’s also a good place to start acclimatising if you will hike, before heading onto a higher altitude location such as San Miguel Chinela.

As well as the stunning views, the city itself has some great things to do and see.

The plaza is a very cute area with nice local restaurants, and also the zoo along the river to explore. Overall, it’s a great place to spend a few days, or even weeks if planning on ascending the beast.

There are a handful of buses leaving from Puebla City daily here, which takes a few hours to arrive. You can also come from the Veracruz side, from the capital of Heroica Veracruz.

Chichen Itza, is an archeological site that depicts Mayan Culture

Chichén Itzá, Yucatán

There’s no way we can leave out this one. Even though it’s become way over touristy in recent years, Chichén Itzá remains the heart of the Mayan empire and one of the coolest archaeological sites to visit.

With its incredible pyramids and scenery, it remains one of the best photo ops in Latin America. You can also stay in one of the many hostels near Cancun and visit the nearby cenotes after to cool-off from the hot Mayan Sun.

Chichén Itzá is located close to Cancún airport, which is one of the busiest and easiest to reach in Mexico.

There are tonnes of tour companies that offer packages for tourists coming from Cancún or Playa del Carmen. We recommend heading on this highly-rated tour, where you’ll also get to visit a cenote as well as have a guided tour around the colourful city of Valladolid.

As backpackers, we know these are quite pricy, so we recommend staying in Valladolid and taking local buses, which will save you a lot of dollar.

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Things to do in Mexico

So what do you think to our list things to do in Mexico based on our favourite bucket list destinations?

Whether you are backpacking Mexico traveling for a short vacation or just looking for inspiration this should have given you some ideas.

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