Leave the all-inclusive resorts behind.
Mexico ’s all - inclusive resortsare great — but let ’s forget about those for just a second . Yes , it ’s home to some ofthe world ’s best beaches , but this improbably diverse country is more than just sun and sand : intend predominate mountains , muggy jungles , ancient ruin , rare mezcals , and some of the most delicious food anywhere , ever — all of which you ’ll escape out on if you stay cooped up at a spring break - style hotel .
So , where will your next trip to Mexico take you instead ? While everyone else zigs to San Miguel de Allende andMexico City , regard zagging toZacatecas , San Cristóbal de las Casas , or one ofMexico ’s other lesser - hyped city . Instead ofTulumor Los Cabos for your beach fix , why not plain it up a snick ( or down , more accurately ) with a visit toSayulita , Mazatlán , Puerto Escondido , or any number of beach towns you ’ve probably never hear of ?
It may take more time and drive to reach these hidden gem , but that ’s exactly what make them worthwhile . Here are just a few of Mexico ’s best — and most underrated — holiday place .
Wander your way down to Todos Santos for a weekend.|Jeremy Woodhouse/DigitalVision/Getty Images
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Dive into secluded cenotes, party at rooftop bars, and explore ancient ruins by the beach.
Yelapa
JaliscoWhen peopletravel to Puerto Vallarta , they hardly leave Los Muertos Beach . Little do they hump , practiced beach - bumming is just down the seashore . Hop in a body of water taxi or private boat for a 45 - minute ride to this shaving of crew - free , retro beach nirvana that has n’t been touched since the ' sixty . In Yelapa , there ’s only a handful of thatched - roof restaurants , beach bars serving cheap drink , and a sprawl blank moxie beach that has a waiting room chair with your name on it .
The one must - do thing : The point of Yelapa is to do nothing at all . crock up afford a Pacifico and sway in a hammock under leafy palm tree .
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Palenque
ChiapasIf you ’ve been to the ruins of Chichén Itzá , Teotihuacán , orTulum , believe us when we say you ai n’t seen nothing yet . In the southerly commonwealth of Chiapas , the ancient Mayan metropolis of Palenque ( or “ Lakamha ” as it was known in its peak ) thrive between the years 600 and 750 CE as one of the most powerful political nerve center of Mayan refinement .
desert around 800 CE , the mighty urban center was unsay by the hot , hazy hobo camp until it was rediscovered in the 18th C by European explorers . Today , you could ramble the remarkably bear on palace , temple , terraced fortifications , and internal court . The word " prominent " does n’t issue forth nigh to doing it justice .
The one must - do thing : fall apart sunscreen and ensure your tv camera is amply charge . You wo n’t want to overlook a exclusive angle .
There are palms aplenty in this tropical town.|zstock/Shutterstock
Xcalak
Quintana RooRemember whenTulumwas nothing but a stretch of beach and one or two eco - hotels ? Yeah , us neither . Tulum is , without a doubt , one of Mexico ’s best - known destinations . So these day , boho beach - goers in search of more low - key , affordable backbone maneuver south — waaaaysouth , about as far down the Yucatán Peninsula as you’re able to get . Xcalak is the last stretch of unexploited Caribbean coastline . It ’s a number of a hike to get to , but you ’ll be reward with nothing but easy , blowy , unspoiled good luck charm . The one must - do thing : Because it ’s so close toBelize , Xcalak shares some of the magnificent Belize Barrier Reef , which is 2d only to the Great Barrier Reef inAustralia(and some would argue , direction good ) . If you ’re not already scuba indorse , you ’re run to want to get that done ( here ’s how ) .
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Guanajuato
GuanajuatoThe capital letter city of Guanajuato does n’t get the plug like it ’s neighbor , San Miguel de Allende , but that wo n’t last for long . necessarily there will be spillover , but for now , Guanajuato remains one of Mexico ’s best - kept secrets . place in a plushy light-green valley , this metropolis explode with a fusillade of color , anchored at its centre by the stately chickenhearted church service of * deep breath*Parroquia de Basílica Colegiata de Nuestra Señora de Guanajuato .
The one must - do thing : Wander ! Guanajuato has everything San Miguel de Allende has , minus the hordes of people . Explore the lively plazas , sidewalk cafes , and cobble alleys .
Loreto
Baja California SurWhile everyone heads to the south to Los Cabos , you ’re going to double back and steer up the Sea of Cortez glide to the pocket-sized town of Loreto . About a tail the way up the peninsula past La Paz , this jewel of a compound metropolis on the ocean is really something extra — and totally under the radar . light at the gateway of theBahía de Loreto National Park , Loreto has shimmering cobalt blue amnionic fluid ( teeming with dolphin and whales , depending on time of class ) , purview of mountains , wonderful dress shop hotels , a neat culinary picture , and a long ton of cultivation and inheritance , include one church building that date back to the 17th century .
The one must - do affair : Visit theBahía de Loreto National Park , especially if you ’re interested in wildlife . Here , you ’ll have the opportunity to see whales and dolphin up close , without the throngs of tourer that you may have in other parts of Mexico .
Las Grutas Tolantongo
HidalgoLas Grutas Tolantongowill take your breath aside . There is no interrogative . Translating to Tolantongo Caves , this lavish , forested destination about four hours north of Mexico City takes a trivial legwork to attain but packs in the reward , especially if you like nature : it ’s get it on for its born hot spring , millenary - old cave , and series of lechatelierite - dispirited , tiered pocket billiards that line the side of a mickle . Yes — those pic are real .
The one must - do affair : The live springs , 100 % . Bubbling at a steamy 90 degrees , the river water that give the turquoise - colored , mountainside pools come up through the rocks via a collection of waterfalls , creating one of the most striking views in Mexico . You may find yourself uttering the words , " It ’s like a fairytale , " and you ’d be absolutely correct in doing so .
Real de Catorce
San Luis PotosiThe American West is n’t the only realm know forghost townsand abandoned mine . If you did n’t already know , Mexican silver is top - notch — but when the price of silver plummeted around the turn of the century , many of its mining towns descended into oblivion , include Real de Catorce .
you’re able to still drift the mysterious Harlan Stone ruins of this old boom town , nearly run over with immense prickly - pear cacti . But further down the hillside , you ’ll find this ghost town gets much more lively , with several witching coffee bar , stripe , and boutique hotels situated along its steep , cobblestone streets . The one must - do thing : You’ll want to chitchat Wirikuta , a sacred area nearby where one of Mexico ’s indigenous tribe create a pilgrimage each yr . This mystical , healing place has its own internet of cobbled streets , beautiful Christian church , and plaza .
Bacalar
Quintana RooThe southerly half of Quintana Roo is having a import . Most of us are already familiar with the commonwealth ’s northern half ( Cancúnand Playa del Carmen , anyone ? ) . But now the areas to the south of Tulum are mistreat into the limelight , and the star of the show these days is Bacalar .
roost on the eponymic lake , Bacalar is a sleepy , put - back town known for its eco - chic bungalow , lakeside restaurants , and light approach to some of the best ruin in Mexico . The town has plenty of swashbuckling account , too : Laguna de Bacalar is connect to the Caribbean Sea via several channels , which plagiarizer used to use to reach access to the mainland .
The one must - do thing : Get out onto the lake . It ’s arduous to think that Laguna de Bacalar is freshwater — it expect as decipherable and calm as the Caribbean Sea . The ripe backyard for residents of Bacalar , you ’ll always chance mass sup , kayaking , seafaring , or swim . quetch back atLa Playita Beach Clubfor an good afternoon lazing on the docking facility , sucking back incredibly novel ceviche and tostada .
There are palms aplenty in this tropical town.|zstock/Shutterstock
Zipolite
OaxacaThe cat may already be out of the traveling bag on this one — or , at the very least , it ’s midway out . About an minute in the south of Puerto Escondido , Zipolite is quickly gaining traction among the voguish set . What used to be a hippy den recognize for itsnatural vortex energy , nude beach , and secret rocky Pacific Ocean cove has lento been debuting luxe dress shop hotels and boho - chic restaurant . Zipolite is still a far battle cry from its more well - trodden neighbors to the north and south ( Puerto and Huatulco , respectively ) . Still , this is one position you ’re become to want to gossip sooner rather than later on .
The one must - do matter : Hit the beach . Peppered with lay - back beach bars , the main beach here , Playa Zipolite , is dead monolithic and always humming with activity . Be warned : If you do n’t have your wits about you , you may regain the unworried energy will trigger off your groundless side . You may even find yourself lark about nude across the gumption with 15 of your newest , au naturel - est best friends .
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Las Pozas
San Luis PotosiLas Pozas is English artist Edward James ’ sight of the Garden of Eden , and it ’s trippy as Hades . Found in the small town of Xilitla , this 80 - acre carving “ park ” is teeming with falls , pools , and monolithic concrete construction . The whole thing feels like a phantasmagorical moving-picture show set — or along - recede give up civilizationfor fairies , elf , and fabulous animal . It ’s a ambition set for peyote - swig backpackers , and the fact that it ’s in the middle of nowhere makes it bonafide Eden .
The one must - do matter : It ’s an all - day trip ( get it ? ) so wear easy walking shoe .
Todos Santos
Baja California SurA boon for in - the - know surfers , Todos Santos is about an 60 minutes drive from Los Cabos up the Baja Peninsula , beloved for its big undulation and artist community . Mexico ’s next - contemporaries Frida Kahlos have moved in and opened low - key , creative artistry galleries , and most of the sprawl beaches here are swimmable ( unlike Los Cabos ) .
The one must - do affair : discover out the board and hit the waves at Cerritos , the most popular breaker spot . San Pedrito can hold some big swells too .
Mérida
YucatánThe working capital of the Yucatán ( unlike , by the way of life , from the Yucatán Peninsula ) , this friendly post - compound metropolis shimmers with colorful computer architecture and historical sites . The town date back to the sixteenth one C and is surprisingly short on tourists , despite there being crazy - sure-enough cathedral , buzzy food markets , and museums aplenty . Prowl the peaceable , cafe - lined streets , then take a ready jaunt to sugary littoral zone and archaeological sites likeUxmal .
The one must - do thing : Immerse yourself in the acculturation . The Plaza de la Independenciahosts costless events on the lame almost every night of the week , including the Friday “ pok ta pok ” show that recreates Mayan association football .
Guadalupe Valley
Baja CaliforniaThe most important wine-colored region in Mexico ( yes , Mexico has wine ! ) is crawling with route trippers and vino partisan . Just a two - hour drive from the San Diego margin , Guadalupe Valley in Baja California has luxury design hotel , top chef opening voguish restaurants , and , naturally , excellent vineyards . It ’s one of the most scenic , rural spots in Mexico with vale unroll for nautical mile under a vast blue sky .
The one must - do thing : While wine tasting is obvious , you ’ll absolutely want to judge some of the area ’s good restaurants . Fauna , nestle on the reason of the swank Bruma winery , is talked about in Baja chef circles in hush , reverent tones . Chef David Castro Hussong open this much - lauded eatery , known for its elevated take on Mexican cuisine ( duck’s egg sopes , anyone ? ) .
Then there ’s Origen atEncuentro Guadalupe , one of the most visually sensational eco - hotels in the neighborhood . Or Las Gueritas , a local roadside stand . You ’ll know you ’re there when you see the plume of fragrant fume move up off the grille where quail and cony are grill over mesquite .
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Chacala
NayaritWhile the beach of Sayulita and San Pancho are crawling with kaftan and cafes slinging acai bowls , farther up the coast is the much more tough Chacala , one of our favorite“secret ” beach in Mexico . With its crescent - shaped , ribbon - fringed cove backed by jade - colored peaks , it ’s kind of shocking that Chacala has stay under the radar for so long . This sleepy-eyed small town has a smattering of humble hotel and eco - lodges along its sandy lane ; try the cheerfulVilla Celeste Chacalafor a beach - front stay , orMajahua , pucker back in lush hobo camp overlooking the cove .
The one must - do affair : Surfers will love La Caleta , which is accessible by raise or boat and is a top berth for open frame . Otherwise , hiking , sportfishing , hogback horseback riding , snorkel diving , animal - spotting , and devouring cheap Pisces tacos is the name of the game here .
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Copper Canyon
ChihuahuaMexico has its ownGrand Canyonand , to be honorable , it may be even more impressive than ours . do it as Copper Canyon for its reddish - hued walls , it ’s really a series of six canyons that extend through northern fundamental Mexico . Here you ’ll find superb hiking trails , minor towns to explore , and many of Mexico ’s indigenous communities . The one must - do thing : RideEl Chepe , the railroad that runs the duration of the Canyon , from Chihuahua to Los Mochis . You ’ll get some of the absolute best persuasion of the canon from a seat on board . Just be sure to throng on a few 24-hour interval at the ending to spend on the beaches inMazatlán .
Explore the mighty ruins of this ancient Mayan city.|ivstiv/iStock/Getty Images Plus/Getty Images
This might be the last stretch of undeveloped Caribbean coastline.|Duarte Dellarole/Shutterstock
Brightly colored colonial architecture in Guanajuato.|FERRANTRAITE/E+/GETTY IMAGES
Get thee to Loreto and Bahía de Loreto National Park.|Benny Marty/Shutterstock
Even a fear of heights couldn’t hold us back from Las Grutas Tolantongo.|Grutas Tolantongo
Faded frescoes in the ancient church of La Capilla de Guadalupe, in Real de Catorce.|Eleni Mavrandoni/Shutterstock
Believe it or not, this is actually a lake.|sitriel/iStock/Getty Images Plus/Getty Images
Jump into Zipolite’s energy vortex.|Jon Lovette/Getty Images
Entering Las Pozas, a surreal sculpture garden in Xilitla.|Mike Bacos/Unsplash
The popular Punta Lobos Beach in Todos Santos.|VG Foto/Shutterstock
Beautiful church in San Juan Park, Mérida.|EDUCATION IMAGES/UNIVERSAL IMAGES GROUP/GETTY IMAGES
The views at Finca Altozano in Baja.|Photo by Michael A. Gardiner for Thrillist
Overlooking the quiet beauty of Chacala.|Majahua
Ride El Chepe for stellar views of Copper Canyon.|Matt Mawson/Moment/Getty Images
