By Liam Isola Mexico City is one of the premier cultural and culinary destinations in the world. I have written extensively about Mexico City on this blog, and it’s undoubtedly worth visiting, but Mexico is much more than CDMX. So, today I’ll discuss 10 beautiful Mexican cities to visit outside of CDMX.
There is no shortage of charming colonial cities in Mexico that pack their own cultural punch. The cuisine in Mexico is incredibly regional, so visiting these cities would expose you to more of the delicious food that Mexico has to offer.
While some of these cities are on the well-trodden tourist path, others are hidden gems. Without further ado, here are 10 beautiful Mexican cities to visit outside of CDMX:
Beautiful Mexican Cities: 1. Oaxaca City
One of Mexico’s most culturally rich cities, Oaxaca, the capital of the same-named state, is a must-visit. With excellent food, breathtaking ruins, and vibrant markets, it should be one of the first Mexican cities on your list outside of Mexico City.
Oaxaca’s cobblestone streets and colorful colonial architecture certainly contribute to its beauty. You can also experience the country’s biggest Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrations if you visit from October 31st to November 2nd.
Best Places to Visit: Templo de Santo Domingo, Monte Alban, Mercado 20 de Noviembre
2. Guanajuato
One of two entries in the North-Central state of Guanajuato, the city of Guanajuato is consistently ranked as one of the most beautiful Mexican cities.
The colorful hilltop homes that dot the cityscape make for a beautiful sunrise/sunset spot. Monumento al Pipila is an excellent place to catch it. Either walk up the hill or take the incline railway to do so. If you can bear walking up the steep hill. If not, there’s also an incline railway.
Best Places to Visit: Monumenta al Pipila, Teatro Juárez, Jardín de la Unión
3. San Miguel de Allende
San Miguel de Allende is also in Guanajuato state and has one of the most beautiful churches in the country: the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel. Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards even named San Miguel the No. 1 city in the world!
That’s high praise for a city that’s quite small and can be seen in just a few days. Not to take anything away from it, because it is a beautiful and romantic place to be.
Best Places to Visit: Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel, El Mirador, Charco del Ingenio Botanic Garden
4. Taxco
Taxco is close enough to Mexico City (a 3-hour drive) to visit as a day trip. Still, I’d recommend a night or two to soak in the atmosphere and eat plenty of pozole. Taxco, a small city in Guerrero state, is known for its impressive colonial architecture and beautiful whitewashed buildings.
Santa Prisca de Taxco also rivals San Miguel de Allende’s Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel for the title of the most beautiful church in Mexico. There are silver mines in the area as well, which make for an interesting visit.
Best Places to Visit: Santa Prisca de Taxco, Cristo Rey Statue/Viewpoint, Plaza Borda
5. Mérida
One of the most underappreciated cities in Mexico is Mérida, the capital of the Yucatán state. It is the center of Mayan culture in Mexico. You can catch a traditional Mayan ballgame at the Plaza Grande every Saturday and eat sublime Yucatecan food.
Mérida is also within striking distance of the Uxmal and Chichen Itza ruins. The Paseo de Montejo, the most famous street in the city, is flanked by mansions built in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Like on CDMX’s Paseo de la Reforma, Mérida shuts down Paseo de Montejo on Sunday mornings for runners and bikers.
Best Places to Visit: Parque de Santa Lucia, Plaza Grande, Paseo de Montejo
6. San Cristobal de las Casas
Set in a mountain valley in Mexico’s southernmost state, Chiapas, you’ll find the stunning San Cristóbal de las Casas. It is a city that lends itself best to slow travel, taking in the mountain air, and strolling along the pedestrian streets, Real de Guadalupe, and Andador del Carmen.
There are some interesting day trips from San Cris, like the Sumidero Canyon and the indigenous village of Chamula. In the city itself, it’s worth heading up to the hilltop churches: and Iglesia de San Cristóbalito.
Best Places to Visit: Real de Guadalupe, Templo de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe,
7. Campeche
One of Mexico’s hidden gems, Campeche is the only fully walled, fortified city in Mexico. Campeche is on the Gulf of Mexico, just a few hours southwest of Merida.
The city’s promenade, the Malecon de Campeche, is an excellent place for strolling, running, and biking. Campeche’s fortified old town is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is a unique sight to see in Mexico. Sunsets on the Gulf are well worth seeing as well.
You can also try dogfish (a shark), which is in the popular pan de cazon casserole. Just 50 minutes from Campeche, you’ll find some of the most incredible ruins in Mexico at Edzna.
Best Places to Visit: Malecon de Campeche, Walls of Campeche, Museo de Arqueología Subacuática Fuerte de San José
8. Queretaro
If you’re visiting San Miguel de Allende from the US, you’ll likely be flying into Querétaro. Strongly consider spending a couple of nights in Querétaro first. The historical center is beautiful, large, and walkable.
There’s plenty to see and do in the city center. The Teatro de la República is where the Mexican Constitution was signed. Querétaro’s Art Museum is architecturally stunning and has a nice collection of works as well. If you pass by the Templo de Santa Rosa de Viterbo on a weekend, chances are you’ll see a wedding ceremony.
The symbol of Queretaro is its 18th-century aqueduct, and you can see it and the sunset from the Mirador de los Arcos.
Places to Visit: Mirador de los Arcos, Museo de Arte de Querétaro, Templo de Santa Rosa de Viterbo
9. Puebla
Puebla is located just a couple of hours east of CDMX, and is well worth a visit. I’d highly recommend combining a visit to Puebla with one to the neighboring city Cholula. Between the two cities, there are a couple of handfuls of beautiful churches and plenty to see.
My favorite church in Puebla is the Templo de Santo Domingo, which contains the garishly ornate Capilla del Rosario, which is covered in gold. Others to check are the Catedral de Puebla, Ex-Convento de San Francisco de Puebla, and the Santuario de la Virgen de los Remedios in Cholula.
The Biblioteca Palafoxiana, close to Puebla’s Zócalo, is also worth touring. Puebla has some busy pedestrian streets like 5 de Mayo and Callejón de los Sapos. Local artists also sell their work in the Barrio del Artista.
In Cholula, make sure to head to the Plaza de la Concordia and Archaeological Zone.
Places to Visit: Capilla del Rosario, Catedral de Puebla, Callejón de los Sapos
10. Puerto Escondido
The new highway from Oaxaca City makes a trip to Puerto Escondido much more accessible. There are also flights to the laid-back beach town from Mexico City.
Surfing is popular on Puerto Escondido’s sandy Pacific beaches, which also boast some unbelievable sunsets. A couple of must-visit beaches are Zicatela and Carrizalillo.
One of the coolest activities I’ve done during any of my travels is releasing baby turtles into the sea from a sanctuary.
Best Places to Visit: Playa Zicatela, Playa Carrizalillo, Campamento Tortuguero Palmarito