Mexico has a wealth of natural beauty. Explore its tall volcanic mountains, magnificent rocky landscapes, and stunning coastlines. Embrace its diverse people with European influences and ancient indigenous cultures. Enjoy its vibrant colors and zesty cuisine.

Adventures | Must Sees: Yucatan | Must Sees: Quintana Roo | Must Sees: Baja California | Food

MUST SEES: YUCATAN

Chichén Itzá

The ancient Maya city of Chichén Itzá was an urban and astronomical center. The Temple of Kukulcan is a pyramid with 365 steps, nine terraces, and a temple on top. Around the equinoxes, a shadowy serpent descends the steps.

Cenotes

An asteroid killed the dinosaurs and left a giant crater. Chicxulub Crater’s brittle limestone rim has over 6,000 sinkholes. The Maya believed cenotes were the entrance to Xibalba, the underworld. Swim in these lovely underwater pools.

Uxmal

Discover a lost world in a tropical rainforest. The Pyramid of the Magician has a fanciful legend. A magical dwarf built the pyramid in a night to counter a challenge from the king of Uxmal. Climb its steps for a superb view of the ancient city.

Cancun

Cancun is the gateway to the Riviera Maya. Zona Hotelaria, a narrow strip by the peninsula, separates the lagoon to the west and the Caribbean to the east. This is a great base for day trips to Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and Chichen Itza. 

Isla Mujeres

Go on a golf cart adventure of Isla Mujeres. It’s 30 minutes to Punta Sur at the end of this skinny isle. Behind the big iguana statue, iguanas bask in the sun on the wall. Below the cliffs, gaze at gorgeous azure waters, ziplines, and watersports.

MUST SEES: BAJA CALIFORNIA

Tijuana

Park in San Ysidro and walk across the border to TJ. Catch a taxi to Avenida Revolución and explore its nightlife. For restaurants, head to Distrito Gastronomico.

Rosarito Beach

The resort town of Rosarito is just 30 minutes south of the border. Go horseback riding on the sand along the coast. Hold on tight and gallop to the pier.

Puerto Nuevo

Puerto Nuevo is a tiny fishing village 15 minutes south of Rosarito. The main draw is the Puerto Nuevo-style lobster. The chefs pan-fry the Baja lobsters and serve them with refried beans, rice, flour tortillas, salsa, butter, and limes.

Ensenada

Ensenada’s giant Mexican flag marks its busy waterfront. This is a popular destination for its lively nightlife.

FOOD

Cochinita Pibil

This signature Maya dish is pork with a marinade of orange juice and annatto seed, wrapped in banana leaves. The pork comes with pink pickled onions and black bean sauce, which you wrap in corn tortillas.

Mulita

If you’re extra hungry in Baja, get a mulita or two. A mulita has two corn tortillas filled with carne asada, cheese, guacamole, onions, and cilantro. The steak is smoky from the wood fire grill and the tortillas are crispy from the comal.

Ceviche

MarBella is on the southwestern coast of Isla Mujeres by the sea. You can select any fish from the market and they can prepare it in a variety of methods. They have a premium ceviche with king crab, stone crab, onions, lemon juice, cilantro, and serrano peppers.

Pescadilla

The crunchy golden tortilla is an ideal vessel for the moist and juicy nurse shark, tomatoes, and onions. The taco is crispy on the outside and juicy inside. Try them at El Fish Fritanga, on the busy western side of the Hotel Zone peninsula in Cancun.

Filete Caribeño

The fish filet is marinated in a coconut milk sauce and grilled over a fire with bell peppers and tomatoes. This is another great dish from El Fish Fritanga in Cancun.

Poc Chuc

Poc chuc is a Maya dish of pork marinated in sour orange juice and grilled over a wood fire. The pork is incredibly tender and flavorful. It comes with grilled onions, pink pickled onions, black beans, and spicy habanero salsa.

Keep Exploring!

Africa | Antarctica | Asia | Australia | Europe | Middle East | North America | South America