What are the Best Activities to Enjoy in Mexico?

Mexico is a country of many cultures and attractions, encompassing bustling cities and shrouded in beach paradise. With azure waters and white sand beaches, mighty volcanic peaks, and high-altitude deserts, the country offers plenty to explore. From the colonial relics of Mexico City to the new towns of the Yucatán and adventure activities from diving the underwater wildlife of the Caribbean to the cliffs of the Copper Canyon, the country has something for everyone.

This article will provide readers with an overview of some of the best activities to enjoy in Mexico for an unforgettable trip. From cultural attractions to natural wonders, iconic landscapes to unforgettable experiences, there’s something for everyone in Mexico.

Top Things to Do in Mexico

Whilst Mexico is best known for its beaches, there’s much more on offer to explore. Here’s a selection of top things to do in Mexico:

• Explore the architectural wonders of Mexico City
• Visit ancient ruins such as those of the Mayan and Aztec.
• Take a boat tour around Cozumel or Isla Mujeres.
• Discover magical indigenous towns such as San Cristóbal de las Casas.
• Explore the Copper Canyon’s trains.
• Enjoy the sunsets in Puerto Vallarta.
• Swim with Whale Sharks.
• Visit the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve.
• Snorkel and dive in the amazing coral reefs.
• Hike active volcanoes such as Popocatépetl.

Exploring Mexico City

Mexico City is one of the world’s great metropolises and one of the most diverse cities on earth. The colonial centre is packed with ancient pyramids, churches, and imposing government buildings, most notably the presidential palace situated in the main square (Plaza de la Constitución). Mexico City is also home to world-class art galleries such as the Museum of Modern Art and Museo del Palacio de Bellas Artes.

The city also buzzes with energy, with cantinas and cafés, markets, shops and art galleries. Markets are especially lively, with vendors shouting “¡Órale!” and street vendors selling snacks such as freshly made tacos and chilli-dusted elotes (corn on the cob). Nightlife thrives and visitors have plenty of clubs and bars to choose from.

Exploring Ancient Ruins

One of the great things about travelling to Mexico is getting close to its incredible past. In many parts of the country and especially in the Yucatán Peninsula, visitors can visit ancient ruins and find out about the incredible Mayan and Aztec civilisations that once inhabited this part of North America.

These sites offer an insight into a lost culture, with incredible stone pyramids and temples rising up from tropical jungle or lush coastal terrain. From Palenque, a major city of Mayan importance located near Chiapas and Honduras to Tulum, a spectacular beachfront ruin along Quintana Roo’s Caribbean coast, these ancient ruins are not to be missed. Other important sites include Coba, home to the tallest pyramid in Mexico; Chichen Itza, famous for its astronomical observatories; and Teotihuacan near Mexico City, home to enormous stepped pyramids dedicated to Quetzalcoatl and Tlaloc.

Cozumel Island

The clear depths of the Caribbean Sea make Cozumel one of the top scuba diving destinations in the world. Located off the coast of Yucatán state near Playa del Carmen, Cozumel is known for its white-sand beaches, jellyfish-filled caves, friendly dolphins, and fantastic nightlife. Boat tours make for fantastic day trips for those interested in underwater photo opportunities, fishing (night fishing for squid is particularly popular) or just soaking up some sunshine on a small boat in a sheltered bay.
For divers who’d like to extend their stay underwater, there are dozens of wrecks that can be explored around Cozumel’s nearby mangrove swamps. These offer great visibility from shallow depths on near-reef coral gardens throughout Playa del Carmen’s waters.

San Cristóbal de las Casas

Located in Chiapas’ highlands near Mexico’s Guatemalan border is San Cristóbal de las Casas – an interesting colonial mountain town full of cobblestone streets and delightful eateries. This centuries-old city remains relatively untouched by the tourist hordes roaming other cool towns across Mexico.
San Cristóbal de las Casas provides guests with some of the best indigenous cultures on offer in Mexico, with views from its hills offering memorable panoramas of Maya communities living on nearby hillsides. A range of activities can also be enjoyed here, ranging from cultural excursions through Chiapas’ highlands to bicycle trips up to nearby waterfalls and exploring Batahola’s historic churches.

Copper Canyon Train Tours

Home to some of Mexico’s most spectacular scenery – including mighty mountain ranges, deep canyons, thick forests, and roaring rivers – Copper Canyon is ideal for those looking for some outdoor adventure. Here the World famous Chihuahua al Pacifico train offers breathtaking views as it passes through mountains on its way over bridges, through tunnels and across steep ravines. The panoramic views from here provide visitors with some unforgettable vistas, from which they can spot wildlife ranging from hummingbirds to bears. Train tours also offer a unique opportunity for visitors to mingle with locals and experience first-hand Mexico’s unique culture.

Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta is one of Mexico’s most popular holiday destinations – no surprise when you consider its combination of relaxed seafront allures with unique mountain excursions in its hinterland. The Banderas Bay draws travellers from all over who come for its secluded beaches perfect for sunbathing or engaging in a wide range of water activities like stand up paddling or jet skis. There’s also some great nightlife here, along with a vibrant culture. The city also serves up plenty of nature excursions including thrilling cycling trails through jungle-clad hills, while nearby Marietas Islands delivers diverse marine life perfect for diving or snorkeling trips.

Swimming with Whale Sharks

Mexico is considered by many as one of the best places in the world to swim with whale sharks. The whale shark is one of nature’s most elegant creatures that has been sighted off many parts of Mexico’s coast including El Gouna (Tunisia), La Paz (Baja California) and Plataforma PAS (in Campeche). The season runs from April until August with most sightings around May and June when fish arrive for spawnings along the warmer currents along southern Baja California and Quintana Roo’s coasts.

Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve

The Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve is located in Michoacán state (southwest of Mexico) where millions of monarch butterflies migrate each winter – making it one of nature’s most awe-inspiring spectacles. The area offers fantastic opportunities for bird watching and trekking in addition to butterfly spotting – with many species such as ocelots, various parrots and eagles to be seen during visits here. The area also offers deep jungle gorges with beautiful waterfalls such as Cascada El Chorreado – ideal for swimming during chilly winter months too!

Snorkelling & Diving

Mexico’s coastline provides some fantastic locations where visitors can enjoy snorkeling and diving spots including Cenotes – dramatic fresh water pools surrounded by mystical limestone walls known as “heavenly pits”. Visitors can also explore some incredible caves including Los Arcos which provides a unique opportunity to discover view astonishing rock formations created thousands years ago by water erosion. Additionally but less known diving spots are located in Veracruz’s Pierdablaz Reef which is an artificial reef featuring fish from all 5 oceans widening further marine life diversity!

Hiking Active Volcanoes

Towering above Mexico City is Popocatépetl one of North America’s highest volcanoes (5452m). Climbing this giant peak requires stamina and dedication however it provides amazing rewards such as spectacular day break, mild climate where you can see rarities such as pumas and lesser-known Inca ruins! Closer still even to Mexico City, Nevado de Toluca (4300m) offers a much calmer adventure involving thermal hot springs nearby towns such as Metepec where you can enjoy Mexican hospitality (in their local markets)!

Travelling to Mexico? Don’t forget to book your activity before you go – we thoroughly recommend taking a Mexico City Cantinas Walking Tour with Tasting Sessions, where local guides will take you around some of their favourite hidden venues – this surely promises to be an unforgettable experience!